Carnival Vista 2019 7-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 6 Part 1 May 23, 2019 Cozumel, Mexico
Scheduled Arrival: 9:00AM Scheduled Departure: 5:00pm
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Day 6 Part 1 May 23, 2019 Cozumel, Mexico
Scheduled Arrival: 9:00AM Scheduled Departure: 5:00pm
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Breakfast in the Lido Marketplace:
Today was our third port of call and as a result the Lido Marketplace was scheduled to open earlier. I woke up and got dressed for breakfast around 6:00am. I did not do a morning walk because I was tired and typically only do morning walks on sea days. The ship was scheduled to dock at 9:00am, but I wanted to eat earlier enough to have plenty of time to watch our Cozumel arrival from the outside open decks. Breakfast in the Lido Marketplace was not very crowded when the buffet opened at 6:30am. Other cruisers were probably not in a hurry because of the later arrival time compared to our other two ports of call. Today the Lido Marketplace was serving breakfast from 6:30am until 12:00pm. The Horizons Dining Room was serving a port of call day breakfast from 7:00am until 9:00pm. A continental breakfast was available in the Ocean Plaza from 7:00am until 9:00am. On the Lido Deck, the Blue Iguana Cantina was also open and served breakfast from 7:00am until 10:30am. Here are some pictures of the Lido Marketplace's main buffet line:
Today was our third port of call and as a result the Lido Marketplace was scheduled to open earlier. I woke up and got dressed for breakfast around 6:00am. I did not do a morning walk because I was tired and typically only do morning walks on sea days. The ship was scheduled to dock at 9:00am, but I wanted to eat earlier enough to have plenty of time to watch our Cozumel arrival from the outside open decks. Breakfast in the Lido Marketplace was not very crowded when the buffet opened at 6:30am. Other cruisers were probably not in a hurry because of the later arrival time compared to our other two ports of call. Today the Lido Marketplace was serving breakfast from 6:30am until 12:00pm. The Horizons Dining Room was serving a port of call day breakfast from 7:00am until 9:00pm. A continental breakfast was available in the Ocean Plaza from 7:00am until 9:00am. On the Lido Deck, the Blue Iguana Cantina was also open and served breakfast from 7:00am until 10:30am. Here are some pictures of the Lido Marketplace's main buffet line:
Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Lido Marketplace Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Towel Animals By The Pool:
The Carnival Vista's housekeeping team had setup towel animals overnight in the deck chairs by the main Lido pool. I saw the towel animals by the pool before breakfast, but was unable to get pictures because my camera lenses were fogged up. After breakfast I tried again and my camera lenses were still foggy. I took my cell phone out and used it to take pictures. There were probably over 50 towel animals lining the deck chairs and pool area. Great job to the Carnival Vista housekeeping team members that set this display up! Here are some pictures of the towel animals by the Lido pool:
The Carnival Vista's housekeeping team had setup towel animals overnight in the deck chairs by the main Lido pool. I saw the towel animals by the pool before breakfast, but was unable to get pictures because my camera lenses were fogged up. After breakfast I tried again and my camera lenses were still foggy. I took my cell phone out and used it to take pictures. There were probably over 50 towel animals lining the deck chairs and pool area. Great job to the Carnival Vista housekeeping team members that set this display up! Here are some pictures of the towel animals by the Lido pool:
Towels Animals By The Main Lido Pool
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Towels Animals By The Main Lido Pool
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Towels Animals By The Main Lido Pool
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Towels Animals By The Main Lido Pool
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Towels Animals By The Main Lido Pool
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Towels Animals By The Main Lido Pool
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Before heading to the ship's front to watch our Cozumel arrival, I walked from the back to the front of Deck 11. Along the way I was able to look down on the ship's aft pool and main Lido pool. We were able to see Cozumel in the distance, but we still too far out to see much. My camera lenses had cleared from earlier and I was now able to take pictures again!
Lido Deck Tides Pool Deck Chairs
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View Of The Tides Bar & AFT Pool From Deck 11
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Tides Pool
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Looking Down At The Main Lido Pool - Filled With Towel Animals
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Main Lido Pool Area - Towel Animals In Chairs
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Cozumel In The Distance
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Watching Our Cozumel Arrival:
I watched our Cozumel arrival from Deck 9 at the very front of the ship. As we approached Cozumel, the ship was moving very slow. Eventually I could see the pilot boat approach the Carnival Vista. I tried to see the pilot get onto the ship, but the ship's lifeboats were blocking the view. The weather was partly cloudy and it was nice when the sun temporarily disappeared behind the clouds. I was very sun-burned from the prior days of the cruise and wanted to minimize my further exposure to the sun.
The Carnival Freedom and Carnival Conquest were already docked at Puerta Maya. The Puerta Maya cruise complex is where most Carnival ships dock in Cozumel and has the ability to have three ships docked at once. In the past, I cruised on the Carnival Freedom from Galveston so it was great seeing the ship again. Although I have not cruised on the Carnival Conquest, it was good seeing this ship again because it once sailed from Galveston (about 8 years ago). The Carnival Vista was the largest ship in port on this day.
I watched our Cozumel arrival from Deck 9 at the very front of the ship. As we approached Cozumel, the ship was moving very slow. Eventually I could see the pilot boat approach the Carnival Vista. I tried to see the pilot get onto the ship, but the ship's lifeboats were blocking the view. The weather was partly cloudy and it was nice when the sun temporarily disappeared behind the clouds. I was very sun-burned from the prior days of the cruise and wanted to minimize my further exposure to the sun.
The Carnival Freedom and Carnival Conquest were already docked at Puerta Maya. The Puerta Maya cruise complex is where most Carnival ships dock in Cozumel and has the ability to have three ships docked at once. In the past, I cruised on the Carnival Freedom from Galveston so it was great seeing the ship again. Although I have not cruised on the Carnival Conquest, it was good seeing this ship again because it once sailed from Galveston (about 8 years ago). The Carnival Vista was the largest ship in port on this day.
Carnival Freedom & Conquest In The Distance
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Cozumel's Pilot Boat Approaching The Carnival Vista
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Looking Down The Ship's Side From Deck 9
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As we approached the pier, we began to turn around. I was disappointed about this because I was hoping to get a picture of the ship from a certain angle. Also, this meant my cove balcony would not be facing Cozumel. It took about 10 minutes to get the ship fully turned around and then the ship's officers slowly docked the ship.
Carnival Freedom & Carnival Conquest At Puerta Maya
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Small Boat That Sailed Close To Us
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View As We Approached Puerta Maya
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Once we were nearly docked, I saw the Carnival Paradise arrive. It docked at the International Pier which is not too far from Puerta Maya. We saw the Carnival Paradise yesterday in Grand Cayman and I was surprised the ship arrived after us since it sailed away before we did from Grand Cayman.
Carnival Paradise Sailing To International Pier
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Side View Of The Ship As We Docked
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Ropes Being Tied
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Quick Walk Around The Ship Before Getting Off:
Before getting off the ship, I took a quick walk around the interior areas. I figured most people would be getting off because we were docked and this would be a good time to get pictures of the ship while empty. Although I typically get pictures of empty public areas during my morning walks, the lighting is not always the best during that time. I was able to get some good pictures of the ship during this walk around the ship. I started on Deck 4 and worked my way to the back of the ship.
Before getting off the ship, I took a quick walk around the interior areas. I figured most people would be getting off because we were docked and this would be a good time to get pictures of the ship while empty. Although I typically get pictures of empty public areas during my morning walks, the lighting is not always the best during that time. I was able to get some good pictures of the ship during this walk around the ship. I started on Deck 4 and worked my way to the back of the ship.
Deck 4 - Lower Promenade Walkway
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Skybox Sports Bar
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Skybox Sports Bar
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After walking around Deck 4, I headed up to Deck 5. Since I was at the aft stairwell/elevator area I walked into the Havana Bar. The doors at the very back of the Havana Bar had signage indicating the pool area was only for guests with the Havana wristbands. I did not attempt to go outside because I knew the crew members would probably quickly see me. However, I did manage to get a picture of the back area from the glass windows.
Havana Bar
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Doors That Go To The Havana Pool Area
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Havana Bar Pool Area - Looking Through Glass
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While on Deck 5 I took a walk inside the Red Frog Pub & Brewery. The entire area was empty because the bar was closed, but this meant I was able to get some good pictures of the Red Frog.
Entrance To The Red Frog Pub & Brewery
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Red Frog Pub Bar Counter
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Red Frog Pub Self-Service Stations Along The Exterior Wall
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Self Service Beer Station
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Games Tables At The Back Of The Red Frog Pub
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Fusbol Table In The Red Frog Pub
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Most guests were off the ship so the entire Promenade walkway was empty. The only other people I saw were the crew members cleaning the public areas. This was probably a good time to clean because guests would not interfere with the cleaning.
Promenade Walkway Between The Alchemy Bar & Bonsai Sushi
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Bonsai Sushi
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Alchemy Bar
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As I got near the front of Deck 5, I saw the Piano Bar 88 lounge had its lights on. I stepped inside because my previous visit to this lounge was with the lights off. One major design flaw that stands out in this venue is the large metal pole that blocks the piano performer. It also appears the piano does not rotate like on Conquest class ships. Here are some pictures of Piano Bar 88:
Piano Bar 88
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Piano Performer's Area
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Piano Bar 88
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Getting Off The Ship To Go Ashore:
After my walk around the ship, I went back to the stateroom. The ship had already been docked approximately one hour and most of the other guests were already off. We got off a little after 10am and the gangway had no line. Our Sail & Sign cards were scanned by security and then we were free to go down the gangway. The ship's photographers were taking people's pictures with props by the gangway, but got distracted around the time we were coming down the gangway so we were not pestered. Here are some pictures as I walked by the ship and down the pier:
After my walk around the ship, I went back to the stateroom. The ship had already been docked approximately one hour and most of the other guests were already off. We got off a little after 10am and the gangway had no line. Our Sail & Sign cards were scanned by security and then we were free to go down the gangway. The ship's photographers were taking people's pictures with props by the gangway, but got distracted around the time we were coming down the gangway so we were not pestered. Here are some pictures as I walked by the ship and down the pier:
Stairwell Sign Pointing Towards The Gangway
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View As I Crossed The Gangway
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Looking Up At The Deck 1 Ocean View Staterooms & Deck 2 Cove Balconies
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Tent Setup Along The Pier
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Side View Of The Ship's Back Area
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Carnival Vista & Carnival Conquest
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Carnival Conquest & Carnival Freedom
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Carnival Paradise In The Distance
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Carnival Vista
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After walking down the pier, it was time to enter the dreaded shopping building. On Puerta Maya's pier, the last part of the pier before getting to touch land is a long shop that all cruisers must walk through. I strongly dislike this part of Puerta Maya! This shopping building sells a variety of different perfumes, jewelry, snacks, and souvenirs. Since there were three ships docked in Cozumel, the debarking cruisers from all three ships had to walk through the narrow aisles of the shops. The building was crowded and it was annoying hearing locals try to sell us things.
At the end of the pier, an agricultural inspection checkpoint was setup. People with bags, purses, or any type of item that could hold food were sent by local officials into an inspection line. Food sniffing dogs were present and each person had to set their bag on the floor. When food was found local officials confiscated it. I do not recommend attempting to bring food off the ship because you will very likely get caught!
Once we were past the agricultural checkpoint we were free to walk around. At the corner of Puerta Maya's complex was an area with large colorful Cozumel letters. From this area I was able to get some pictures of the Carnival Vista. Since we had turned around before docking my pictures include the ship's back. I was really hoping to get a front-view picture of the ship from this point.
At the end of the pier, an agricultural inspection checkpoint was setup. People with bags, purses, or any type of item that could hold food were sent by local officials into an inspection line. Food sniffing dogs were present and each person had to set their bag on the floor. When food was found local officials confiscated it. I do not recommend attempting to bring food off the ship because you will very likely get caught!
Once we were past the agricultural checkpoint we were free to walk around. At the corner of Puerta Maya's complex was an area with large colorful Cozumel letters. From this area I was able to get some pictures of the Carnival Vista. Since we had turned around before docking my pictures include the ship's back. I was really hoping to get a front-view picture of the ship from this point.
"Three Amigos Cozumel" Letters With Ships In The Background
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Carnival Vista Cozumel
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Zoomed In View Of The Ship
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Puerta Maya - Diamonds International Shopping Building
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Carnival Paradise's Funnel In The Distance
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Fountain Area As We Walked Out Of Puerta Maya's Cruise Complex
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We had no organized plans for Cozumel day on this cruise. After walking around Puerta Maya's complex for a few minutes we crossed the street. The shops across the street from Puerta Maya are not a part of the cruise complex. These areas were crowded with people and shop employees trying to get people to come inside. After walking down the street a few blocks we came across a Seven-Eleven and went inside to buy a soda. The prices were in pesos and we did not know the conversion rate so we were at the mercy of the cashier to tell us how much we owed in US dollars. Here are some pictures I took from outside of Puerta Maya's cruise complex:
Fountain
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Looking Over Towards A Taxi & Rental Car Parking Lot
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Road Signage At The Road Across From Puerta Maya
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Main Road Outside Puerta Maya
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Traffic At A Busy Intersection
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Looking Down A Side Road
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After getting our drinks we walked another two blocks down the street and came across the Royal Village Shopping Center. We found a shady place to sit and finish our drinks. The Royal Village Shopping Center has a variety of shops and places to eat. Also, the shopping center is two stories. The second story has a great place to see the ships docked at Puerta Maya. Here are some pictures taken at the Royal Village Shopping Center:
Fountain At The Royal Village Shopping Center
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Carl's Jr at the Royal Village Shopping Center
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Signage At The Royal Village Shopping Center
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View Of The Carnival Paradise In The Distance
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Second Floor Of The Royal Village Shopping Center
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Carnival Vista, Carnival Conquest, & Carnival Freedom
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Carnival Paradise & Tour Buses Below
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View From The Royal Village Shopping Center
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Back of A Retail Space
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We did not stay at the Royal Village Shopping Center too long. As we walked down the road we saw a replica pyramid that said Cozumel in front. This was a great place to get pictures. However, in order to access this area people had to walk by several shops outside. The employees of these shops were very aggressive in trying to get people to come inside.
Walking Along The Main Road
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People Performing A Show
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Cozumel Letters In Front Of A Pyramid
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After our quick visit of the areas outside of Puerta Maya, we headed back into the cruise complex. It was very crowded and we didn't really want to join the masses of people in the small shops. We took a quick walk by the beach area at Puerta Maya, which was also packed. I enjoy this area because it offers a good place to get pictures of the ships. It was a little hard to see the Carnival Vista because the shopping area on the pier obstructed the view.
Taxis Parked Along The Main Street
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View Of A Fountain As We Entered Puerta Maya
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View Of The Ships From Puerta Maya's Beach Area
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View Of The Ships From Puerta Maya
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Carnival Freedom & Carnival Paradise In The Distance
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Getting Close To The Pier
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Walking Back To The Ship - Entering The Pier:
In order to walk back onto the pier, we had to go through a security checkpoint. We had to show our Sail & Sign card to the security guard. The security guard was checking Sail & Sign cards for ship names and sailing dates. This process took a few minutes because there was one security guard checking the names of cruisers for three ships worth of people. Once this was done we were able to walk onto the pier. Before walking to the Carnival Vista I took a quick trip over to the area in between the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Freedom. I wanted to look up at both of these ships. However, I am not including an intensive amount of pictures of these two ships because this review is dedicated to the Carnival Vista! Those pictures may surface somewhere else on RyG's Cruise Guide at a later date.
In order to walk back onto the pier, we had to go through a security checkpoint. We had to show our Sail & Sign card to the security guard. The security guard was checking Sail & Sign cards for ship names and sailing dates. This process took a few minutes because there was one security guard checking the names of cruisers for three ships worth of people. Once this was done we were able to walk onto the pier. Before walking to the Carnival Vista I took a quick trip over to the area in between the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Freedom. I wanted to look up at both of these ships. However, I am not including an intensive amount of pictures of these two ships because this review is dedicated to the Carnival Vista! Those pictures may surface somewhere else on RyG's Cruise Guide at a later date.
View Of The Shoreline - Opposite Side Of The Pier From Puerta Maya
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Looking At Puerta Maya From The Pier
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Seating Area Outside For The Carnival Freedom's Passengers
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The Carnival Vista was docked at the extended part of Puerta Maya. Originally Puerta Maya could only accommodate two cruise ships, but the extension was added to accommodate a large third ship at the port. Although the walk to the ship was longer than the walk to the Conquest & Freedom, I enjoyed the walk along the pier and took in the view of all the ships.
Carnival Vista
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Carnival Vista
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Back Area Of The Ship - View From The Pier
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Guests were told to enter the Carnival Vista using the front gangway. Another gangway was setup for crew members only. At this time of the day, there were no guests getting off the ship (people could still get off).
One Of The Carnival Vista's Gangways
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Guest Gangway Entrance Signage
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Looking At The Pier As I Crossed The Gangway
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Getting Back On The Carnival Vista:
After walking up the Carnival Vista's gangway we had our Sail & Sign cards scanned. This was done by a security guard with a handheld tablet. As each person's card was scanned his or her picture appeared on the screen for security to verify the identity of the cruiser. One thing I noticed was security carefully looked at each person's picture and then looked at the cruiser. I am glad that Carnival's security guards did a detailed job with this! After getting our Sail & Sign card scanned we had to go through the metal detector & bag screening. All electronic items had to be emptied from our pockets and placed in a bin to go through a separate scanning. Bags, purses, and backpacks also had to be scanned separately. The security checkpoint did not take long! After proceeding through this checkpoint we were free to leave Deck 0.
After walking up the Carnival Vista's gangway we had our Sail & Sign cards scanned. This was done by a security guard with a handheld tablet. As each person's card was scanned his or her picture appeared on the screen for security to verify the identity of the cruiser. One thing I noticed was security carefully looked at each person's picture and then looked at the cruiser. I am glad that Carnival's security guards did a detailed job with this! After getting our Sail & Sign card scanned we had to go through the metal detector & bag screening. All electronic items had to be emptied from our pockets and placed in a bin to go through a separate scanning. Bags, purses, and backpacks also had to be scanned separately. The security checkpoint did not take long! After proceeding through this checkpoint we were free to leave Deck 0.
My review will continue with lunch on the ship and more! Click Here To Go Day 6 Part 2's review!
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Day 6 Part 2 includes lunch pictures, a review of the SkyRide (and it having to be closed due to an issue), dinner pictures, and more! Click Here To Continue To Day 6 Part 2's Review! Click Here To Return To The Review's Main Page |