Carnival Vista

The 2016-built Carnival Vista cruise ship is the first Vista-class (modified Dream-class) CCL liner. Vista is Carnival's "the most family-friendly ship" with the company's newest kids- and family-dedicated staterooms, facilities and amenities. Vista is Carnival's 25th vessel.

From the same series (Vista-Class sisterships) are the fleetmates Carnival Horizon (2018) and Carnival Panorama (2019), as well as the former Costa's liners Carnival Venezia (2019 as Costa Venezia) and Carnival Firenze (2020 as Costa Firenze) and Adora's ships Adora Magic City (2023) and Adora TBN (2024).

The vessel (IMO number 9692569) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 356883000) and registered in Colon.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). 

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 4000-passenger ship Carnival Vista was delivered on April 28, 2016. The ship has all the "Carnival Fun Ship 2.0" facilities and amenities/programs. Among the many first-at-sea features are the Multiplex (the first at sea IMAX theater with a 3-deck high LED screen), Skyride (peddled roller coaster bike ride), Havana cabins complex (with exclusive pool, lounge and bar), Family Harbor staterooms (new cabin grades), fleet's biggest SportsSquare (sports complex).

With the 3x Vista-class liners (Vista/2016, Horizon/2018, Panorama/2019) were introduced the fleet-firsts "IMAX Theater at Sea" (87-seats cinema/part of Carnival Multiplex), "SkyRide" (outdoor/aerial bicycle ride/suspended 2-track bike course), Havana Staterooms (cabin complex with a swimming pool, sundeck, lounge, lanai balconies).

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Vista staterooms (1965 total, in 34 categories) include 74 Suites, 912 Balcony, 264 Oceanview and 749 Inside, including 42 wheelchair-accessible and 104 "Cloud 9 Spa" cabins. Most cabins are sized 170-185 (16-17 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 35 ft2 (3 m2). The largest are Grand Suites (345 ft2 / 32 m2 plus 85 ft2 / 8 m2 terrace). All Spa staterooms receive exclusive access to Spa facilities (Panorama Deck) and the following amenities: Spa reservations, complimentary use of Thalassotherapy Pool and Thermal Suite, fitness classes, deluxe bath amenities.

Carnival Vista, like all Vista-class sisterships, has the new cabin types/categories Havana Cabana, Family Harbor, Deluxe Oceanview. CCL Panorama ship has 18 Havana Cabana and 86 Family Harbor staterooms - nautically-themed, with exclusive access to private facilities (Cafe-Bar-Lounge, Sundeck with a swimming pool).

The boat has 14 passenger-accessible decks of which 13 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Vista offers two main dining rooms, Horizons, and Reflections. Horizons hosts a small bar suited for pre-dinner drinks. The main dining rooms feature select items from the onboard steakhouse, available for an additional fee. Vista also has a Lido buffet. Seafood lovers are pampered with the Seafood Shack - brand new to Carnival fleet, New England-inspired casual eatery located on top deck. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating and the menu includes steamed lobster, lobster rolls, fried shrimp, fried clams, crab cakes, and other seafood surprises. Seafood Shack serves lunch and dinner and is priced a la carte starting at $4.

The available on all Fun ships Chef's Table is a dining experience that affords a dozen guests to experience multicourse dinner with the master chef, private cocktail reception and a tour of the galley. This dining option usually takes place in a non-traditional venue, like the library or the galley, and can be booked onboard for US$75 per person.

In May 2017, CCL created a tropical-flavored draft beer via a partnership with the Miami-based Concrete Beach Brewery. The special beer is served exclusively at the "RedFrog Pub and Brewery" on Carnival Vista - the first brewery found on a North America-based cruise liner. The new Miami Guava Wheat Beer was hand-crafted by Colin Presby (brewmaster on the shipboard brewery) and made with best ingredients.

• The Miami Guava beer has a light body and its primary ingredient is pink guava, also used in Miami's popular guava pastries. The new beer is available on a limited basis, and joins the other original draft beers brewed on the ship - ThirstyFrog Red (clean and light), ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin' IPA (floral flavor, with passion fruit and citrus overtones), ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat (unfiltered lager with banana aroma and spices), FriskyFrog Java Stout (with hints of coffee), ParchedPig West Coast IPA (West Coast IPA/India Pale Ale, citrus and pine aroma), ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale (toasted caramel/biscuit flavored), Carnival Birthday Beer (golden ale introduced in 2022 for the company's 50th Anniversary).
• Concrete Beach Brewery is an "Alchemy and Science" beer brand, operating as an independent subsidiary of "The Boston Beer Company". Other "Alchemy and Science" breweries in the USA include Angel City Brewery (Los Angeles) and Coney Island Brewing Co (Brooklyn, NYC New York). Their most popular draft beers are named "Tropic of Passion" (Miami), Angel City IPA (LA), and Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner (NYC).
• US-homeported Carnival ships serve the Concrete Beach Brewery’s Rica Wheat IPA, Angel City Brewery’s Pilsner, Coney Island’s Hard Root Beer, and 1609 Amber. On a regional basis, Carnival ships leaving from Miami offer Concrete Beach Brewery's Stiltsville Pilsner, ships from Long Beach (Los Angeles) offer Angel City Brewery IPA, and ships departing from NYC offer Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner.

Carnival Cruise Line also offers draft beers brewed either locally (in homeports) or within the homeport state. Such beers are offered on liners leaving from NOLA New Orleans, Galveston TX, Baltimore MD, and Tampa FL, as well as on boats visiting Alaska and Hawaii.

The current list of draft beers brewed on the ship includes ThirstyFrog Red (clean and light), ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin' IPA (floral flavor, with passion fruit and citrus overtones), ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat (unfiltered lager with banana aroma and spices), FriskyFrog Java Stout (with hints of coffee), ParchedPig West Coast IPA (West Coast IPA/India Pale Ale, citrus and pine aroma), ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale (toasted caramel/biscuit flavored), Miami Guava (primary ingredient is pink guava), ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale (dry beer), ParchedPig Smoked Porter (in-house smoked malt, hickory smoke, molasses), ParchedPig Beach Lager (golden ale available both on tap and in cans/when served in bars/dining venues), Carnival Birthday Beer (golden ale introduced in 2022 for the company's 50th Anniversary).

Follows the complete list of Carnival Vista restaurants and food bars.

• Reflections Restaurant (1474-seat, complimentary MDR; the bigger of ship’s two main dining rooms; offers two fixed dinner seatings and open seating Breakfast and Lunch; “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfasts costs $5 cover charge)
• Horizon’s Restaurant (702-seat; offers formal dining with two fixed dinner seatings and “Anytime Dining” between 5:45-9:30 p.m.)
• Bonsai Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant)
• (new) Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse / Brewhouse is a complimentary open-air restaurant for a variety of BBQ favorites (with shipboard-smoked meats) and house-made craft beers. The menu features pork butt, blue ribbon chicken, sliced smoked beef, Guy Fieri's traditional sides, and gourmet burgers, a variety of BBQ sauces, hot sauce bar. Signature menu items are named Mac Daddy Mac'n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends. The new complimentary eatery is via a partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. The other Fun Ship with a brewery is Carnival Horizon.
• Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (specialty restaurant, with “Chef’s Table” dining)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (poolside burger bar)
• Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse
• Bluelguana Cantina (poolside Mexican fast food bar)
• Alchemy Bar
• Lido Marketplace (825-seat self-service buffet restaurant)
• Pizzeria del Capitano (24-hour pizzeria restaurant)
• Seafood Shack (offers indoor and outdoor seating, lobster and shrimp; a la carte priced)
• Cucina del Capitano (Italian Trattoria)
• Ji Ji Asian Kitchen (specialty Asian restaurant)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Long-known for an abundance of entertainment, Carnival is not sitting on its laurels with Vista. The fun onboard starts with SkyRide, the industry's first open-air, pedal-powered aerial ride. Riders have to climb onboard a hanging bike and "cycle" their way around the 800ft suspended track, 150 feet above sea level.

If you consider that SkyRide does not provide the needed adrenaline-pumping action, SkyCourse ropes circuit will do. Both SkyCourse and SkyRide are part of the SportSquare, which also features an indoor hangout, mini-bowling, The Clubhouse, Ping-Pong, sports video gaming, arcade basketball and more.

Vista also boasts the biggest Carnival WaterWorks park, including the enclosed Kaleid-O-Slide water tube, on which riders enjoy 455 ft (139 m) of turns, twists and unique kaleidoscopic visual effects. Traditionally, the WaterWorks park also includes the Carnival's signature Twister waterslide, kids splash zone, and the 300-gallon tipping bucket PowerDrencher.

The following official YouTube video reviews Carnival's Vista-class vessels (Vista and Horizon) as facilities and onboard amenities.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Vista lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Family Harbor Lounge (a new, dedicated to families space with 24-hour complimentary dining, concierge and babysitting service, movies, video games, board games by Hasbro)
• Liquid Lounge (1400-seat, 2-level show lounge, with “Playlist Productions” and “Hasbro Game Shows”)
• Vista Atrium (3-deck high midship lounge area with LED screens, live performances, visual displays; served by 100-seat Vista Lobby Bar)
• Shopping Arcade (with two Boutique Shops and two Fun Shops); Pixels Photo Gallery and Shop; Dream Photo Studio; Cherry on Top (candy shop)
• Vista Casino (484-seat)
• Limelight Lounge
• Lanai promenade (with 60 outdoor seats, served by Lanai Bar-BQ Bar)
• FunHub (Internet room)
• Shake Spot; Taste Bar; Havana Bar; Clubhouse and Bar; JavaBlue Café
• Ocean Plaza (270-seat lounge served by 50-seat Plaza Cafe)
• Havana Outside (Havana pool area with one swimming pool, two whirlpools, palm trees)
• Carnival Multiplex (includes IMAX and Thrill cinemas)
• Thrill Theatre (5D cinema room)
• IMAX Theater (the first IMAX at sea, with 3-deck high screen)
• Circle C (kids club lounge); Club O2 (teens club lounge)
• Warehouse (Video Arcade)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (poolside Mexican bar)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (also serves the ThirstyFrog Red draught beer)
• Tides Pool (with one swimming pool, two Whirlpools, sunbathing area; served by Tides Bar)
• Camp Ocean (formerly known as "Camp Carnival" - youth activities program)
• Dr. Seuss Bookville (family-themed kids room with all Dr. Seuss books available to read; offers games and themed activities)
• Carnival Cloud 9 Spa (wellness complex)
• Carnival WaterWorks (water-play outdoor area with AquaPark, Twister waterslide, Kaleid-O-Slide)
• Seaside Theatre (with huge LED screen)
• SportSquare (outdoor sporting area); SkyGreens (mini golf); Jogging Track
• SkyTrack
• SkyFitness (outdoors)
• SkyRide (“bicycle ride in the sky”)
• SkyCourse (suspended ropes course)

Serenity is the ship's adults-only retreat (complimentary/free entry for passengers 21+ yo) accessible at any time. This is a forward-location outdoor area/sundeck with 2x Jacuzzies/whirlpools (large-size outdoor hot tubs, cantilevered/infinity pool type, with glass walls), 2x massage huts, cabanas, Fresh Creations (complimentary chopped salad station for made-to-order fresh salads), Spritz Bar/Serenity Bar (waiter-served beverages), and an exclusive sundeck for relaxation, sunbathing and evening dance parties. Both bars and the whirlpools are available between 8 am - 10 pm. Hours may vary depending on cruise itinerary, portdays/seadays, weather.

Serenity Deck is furnished with hammocks, premium wicker chaise lounges and clamshell chairs (plush seating, teal cushions), shaded seating areas with double loungers and plush wicker sofas, live trees for decoration. At regular bar prices, Serenity Bar's menu offers drinks and refreshments (cocktails, beer/buckets, wine by the glass, frozens, smoothies, shakes, sodas).

Itineraries

During the 2016 inaugural season in Europe, the liner operated on 8- to 13-day Mediterranean itineraries out of homeports Athens Greece and Barcelona Spain. In November, the ship was repositioned to New York for two 11-day cruises and later that month started year-round Caribbean service from Miami.

The 2017-2018 program was based on departures from PortMiami Florida. On its roundtrips from Florida, the liner visited popular islands and ports in Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, including Dominicana, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Jamaica, Grand Turk, St Kitts, St Maarten, Bonaire, Aruba, Curacao.

On September 23, 2018, Carnival Vista arrived in its new homeport Galveston Texas, where joined the fleet mates Carnival Valor and Carnival Freedom for year-round departures from the port. Together, the three liners operate over 200 voyages and carrying over 600,000 passengers annually.

From Galveston TX, Carnival Vista cruises on 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Jamaica (Montego Bay), Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City, Mexico (Cozumel).

The vessel (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard/hull number 6242) has volume 133596 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 13415 tons, max draught 8,6 m. The powerplant is based on 5x MAN marine diesel engines (4-stroke, common-rail injection/2x 14V48/60CR plus 3x 8L48/60CR) with combined output 62,4 MW (83680 hp). The propulsion is diesel-electric and based on two ABB Azipod thrusters with combined output 33 MW (44250 hp). The registered shipowner is CARNIVAL CORPORATION while the registered manager is CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE (both companies are Florida USA-based).

The vessel's steel-cutting ceremony was in February 2014, and its keel was laid in October. By gross tonnage, Vista-class are currently the largest Carnival liners. They also have new for the fleet features, like Multiplex media entertainment complex (IMAX theater - 3-deck high LED screen for first-run movies, plus 3D Thrill cinema), SkyRide (roller coaster with multiple riding bicycles on 2 paralleled tracks), larger SportsSquare complex, Havana Outside complex (pool, jacuzzies, bar, new Havana cruise accommodations), Family Harbor staterooms (with its own family-themed lounge /24-hour dining, concierge, babysitting, entertainment).

On April 28, 2016, the ship was officially delivered to Carnival Corporation by Fincantieri Monfalcone. After the repositioning from shipyard Monfalcone to Trieste started the "Inaugural Cruise" (May 1). The 13-day maiden voyage itinerary (Trieste to Barcelona, May 1 - 14) visited Dubrovnik, Athens, Izmir, Iraklion, Valletta, Palermo, Rome, Livorno, and Marseille.

On June 25, 2015, was the vessel's launch (float-out from drydock) at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard. The ceremony was preceded by the traditional “coin ceremony”, during which a silver dollar was welded on the ship's last deck. Godmothers of the launching were Heidi Heald and Kye Heald - respectively, wife and daughter of John Heald (Carnival Corporation's Brand Ambassador). The ceremony was also attended by Benoit Clement (Carnival's VP New Builds & Refurbishment), Gabriele Cocco (Fincantieri's Merchant Ships Business Unit's SE and VP) and Attilio Dapelo (Monfalcone shipyard's Director).

On November 4, 2016, was the vessel's christening ceremony held in NYC New York. Ship's official godmother is Mrs Deshauna Barber ("Miss USA 2016"). She is the first US military-serving woman who won the 65th Miss USA pageant (held on June 5, 2016, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada). The cruise ship's naming ceremony was part of an overnight onboard event honoring "Operation Homefront" (nonprofit supporting US military families). This special event featured an exclusive (invitation-only) concert performances by the US country music star Carrie Underwood. Being an overnight ceremony, the invited nearly 2000 guests (Carnival executives, travel agents, media, hundreds of military families) also enjoyed free accommodations, food, drinks, and all the themed activities and onboard entertainment.

Carnival Vista's Inaugural season was in Europe. Mediterranean itineraries were scheduled for the whole 2016 summer, visiting ports in Greece and Greek Isles (Athens, Corfu, Rhodes, Crete /Heraklion), Turkey (Izmir), Spain (Barcelona, Palma), Croatia (Dubrovnik), Italy/Sicily (Livorno, Messina, Sardinia, Trieste, Naples, Rome), Malta (La Valetta) and France (Marseille). Ship's Inaugural Cruise/Maiden Voyage started on May 1, 2016, from Trieste Italy. The 13-day itinerary ended in Barcelona Spain. The maiden voyage was followed by a total of 18x Mediterranean cruises (in Europe). After the summer European season (May through October 2016) followed the 13-day Inaugural Transatlantic cruise crossing to NYC.

Ship's first US homeport was Miami Florida. Out of Miami were operated year-round roundtrip 7-day Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries (starting November 2016).

Carnival Vista refurbishment 2024 review

On January 8th, 2024, Carnival Vista left Port Canaveral Florida USA for an 8-day Transatlantic crossing to Europe, arriving in Cadiz Spain (Jan 16th, at 15:36 UTC) for a scheduled drydock ат Navantia Shipyard.

The two-week drydocking project was conducted at Navantia Shipyard. It was for general maintenance works (technical overhaul, safety and classification inspections, indoor renovation works), as well as hull cleaning/painting, including the addition of CCL’s new hull livery (red-white-blue).

All public areas (facilities and venues) and passenger staterooms were refurbished.

Bahamas 2019 drydocking by Boskalis Vanguard

In July 2019, Carnival contracted the Dutch dredging and heavy-lift company Royal Boskalis Westminster NV (headquartered in Papendrecht, Holland) to lift Carnival Vista out of the water and onto the vessel BOKA Vanguard (IMO 9618783) and transport the cruise ship to Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport Bahamas) for repairs.

This floating drydock operation (world's first for a passenger ship) was required due to technical issues with liner’s azipods (propulsion units positioned under waterline). For the operation, Boskalis deployed the heavy-load carrier BOKA Vanguard - currently world’s largest heavy-lifting vessel (semi-submersible platform).

The carrier arrived in The Bahamas on July 5 to prepare for liner’s arrival (July 12). The loading and lifting operation was planned for July 12-14. Carnival Vista's repairs took place whilst the ship was on BOKA Vanguard. Due to the needed repairs, the ship was out of service for 3 weeks and three 7-day Western Caribbean cruises from homeport Galveston TX were canceled (departures July 6, 13, 20). Note: Grand Bahama Shipyard's drydock facility sustained damages when a crane collapsed onto Oasis Of The Seas (April 1, 2019).

BOKA Vanguard vessel is usually used to lift and transport large-sized offshore structures (oil and gas platforms), also to carry other vessels and as an offshore floating drydock. The ship has an open and flat stern and bow deck (275x70 m / 902x230 ft) allowing it to handle cargoes that are longer and wider. The deck is submerged by controlled filling vessel's ballast tanks with seawater. As drydocking facility, BOKA Vanguard allows under waterline inspections and hull/propulsion repairs to be conducted at sea.