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I’m aboard Carnival Vista, which is Carnival Cruise Line’s first ship to leave the US in over 16 months.
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Within the first hours of arrival, I experienced how cruising has and hasn’t changed.
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From boarding to buffet lines, here are my first impressions on the Carnival Vista.
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I’m aboard the Carnival Vista – Carnival Cruise Line’s first ship to set sail in out of the US more than 16 months.
The fully vaccinated cruise leaves from Galveston, Texas, and makes stops in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.
I arrived in Galveston and boarded the 1,055-foot-long ship on July 3. Here are my first impressions.
Checking in and boarding the Carnival Vista was quick, smooth, and practically identical to the airport experience.
When I first stepped onto the ship, the bar was already packed, a DJ was blasting music, and it was clear people were thrilled to be cruising again.
Within an hour of boarding, people were dancing, exploring the ship’s casino, and a few even found the time to decorate their cabin doors.
The muster drill, which prepares passengers for an emergency, usually takes a good chunk of time on embarkation day. On this cruise, Carnival had small groups go through the drill, which decreased crowding and took just two minutes.
I thought my 185-square-bedroom would feel cramped, but the king-sized bed was a game-changer.
While some experiences – like the buffet – felt identical to pre-pre-pandemic cruising …
… other elements on the cruise were quite different and there were reminders of COVID precautions sprinkled throughout the ship.
If you have questions about cruising this summer or want to know what a certain experience aboard a ship is like post-vaccine, email me at [email protected].
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