Good luck leaving this Carnival of amenities
Sometimes, you can tell how enjoyable a cruise is by whether or not you actually want to go ashore when you arrive into port.
That’s the experience I had a few weeks ago aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, the 3,934-guest Carnival Vista. I joined her on a quick six-day sailing out of Miami that visited Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico. And in Cozumel, I didn’t even leave the ship.
It’s not that I wasn’t tempted; Cozumel is a great port with something for everyone and Carnival even offers longer excursions to the ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza on many cruises that call there. Instead, I was lured by all the activities that are offered aboard Carnival Vista.
We’re talking about things like the SkyRide, an open-air pod that can be pedalled around a track encircling the ship’s iconic funnel, some 145 feet above the ocean. With no lines in port, I went for a spin on this fun adventure — twice. It’s a first of its kind at sea and Carnival doesn’t even charge for it.
More wonderful diversions include the only IMAX movie theatre at sea and an on-board brewery (the first of its kind on a North American-based ship) that puts out three different craft beers made right on board as part of Carnival’s popular RedFrog Pub concept.
Or you can kick back and relax in the Cloud 9 Spa, which spans two decks and includes a full Thermal Suite, complete with thalassotherapy pool, steam rooms, hot and dry saunas and heated ceramic loungers.
My sailing also happened to be one of Carnival’s special Carnival LIVE voyages, which feature performances from noteworthy artists. Hopping aboard for the evening in Cozumel was comedian Jay Leno, who performed a 90-minute set in the ship’s two-storey Liquid Lounge. There’s an extra cost for this, but it’s a drop in the hat compared to what you’d pay on land.
Carnival Vista is the line’s most sophisticated ship yet. It also offers the most amenities of any ship in the fleet. After six days on board, I can say this is the ship to try if you’ve never sailed with Carnival before. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to stay on board!
Visit fromthedeckchair.com for a day-by-day Voyage Report from Carnival Vista in the Caribbean.