Design team hits all the right notes on Vista
Food, SkyRide, Imax, craft brewery some unique features on board newest Carnival ship
WNEW YORK ith a big splash at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnival Cruise Lines unveiled the details of its newest ship. The 3,954-passenger Vista will, when it is launched in May 2016, be Carnival’s first new ship in four years. And, to the surprise of many attending the announcement, the ship is starting its career in Europe.
That will end a three-year absence of Carnival ships in European waters.
My initial reaction to this ship is that Carnival is making major improvements on FunShip 2.0 features that are popular on other ships and added more new features that could eventually find their way onto older ships. Given the additions on Vista, we might call it FunShip 2.0 Plus.
Why the name Vista? That quickly became obvious, given the number of bars and restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating — a developing trend. New to Vista will be the first Imax Theater and craft brewery at sea, sky rides around a 244-metre track above the ship, a 137-metre-long water tube slide, an aft pool, Seafood Shack restaurant and — in keeping with Carnival’s family promotions — a dedicated family zone with inside and balcony staterooms plus five-person family suites.
The top deck is loaded with outdoor fun. The SkyRide has two tracks where you sit in recumbent bikes and cycle the track. However, if you’re afraid of heights, 46 metres above the sea might not be for you.
Or you can get the adrenalin pumping on a suspended rope-course circuit and, if you’re still looking for more pulse-quickening fun, the two-person rafts in the waterslide tube hurtling through twists and turns while covering some 137 metres should do the trick. Indoor sports and recreation includes mini bowling, basketball and video gaming in an arcade.
The three-story Imax theatre will join the Thrill Theater as part of a multiplex. Mark Tamis, senior vicepresident of guest services at Carnival, says the Imax will feature shows as they’re released at land-based theatres — at a lower price. And yes, there is a full concession stand.
The two main restaurants are Horizons and Reflection. But, others will offer more outdoor space for al fresco dining, including one of my favourite steak houses at sea, Fahrenheit 555, as well as Bonsai Sushi and Cherry on Top, where they’ll prepare your sundae the way you like it.
Seafood Shack on the Lido deck could be the most interesting restaurant — the menu will have lobster rolls, steamed lobster, fried shrimp, crab cakes and fried clams. À la carte pricing starts at $4 US.
Thirsty? Two giant copper kettles will brew ales and lagers for the RedFrog Pub. Some will be on tap at your table, allowing you to pour your own ... now that could get expensive.
When it comes to winding down, the winner in the stateroom category should be Family Harbor, a fiveperson family suite with a hangout lounge.
You think that President Obama’s plan to lift embargoes on Cuba might have something to do with the name of the accommodation at the stern of the ship, Havana Cabanas? It will have outdoor patios, complete with hammocks and direct access to the Havana Bar and Pool.
It appears the design team has hit all the right notes with Vista.
However unlike theatre critic reviews, which by the next morning can offer thumbs up or down, feedback about Vista won’t arrive till midsummer 2016 when enough people will have sailed on it and let us know if the years of planning have hit the mark.