Carnival Vista: Embarkation

It’s embarkation day for the Carnival Vista and I was up at 5:30 raring to go. Well after a couple of cups of in-room coffee. 🙂

Embarkation Morning and Transfer

I went to breakfast as soon as it opened at 7 am as I wanted to be on the 8 am shuttle back to the airport.

The breakfast offerings were consistent with what my husband and I experienced on my road trip. Only wrapped items (even the apples were wrapped). I had a breakfast biscuit, banana and cereal.

They didn’t have any water to drink; just juices but I went to the front desk to buy a bottle and they gave it to me for free. Then back to my room to get ready to leave.

I checked out and got onto the shuttle. There were about six of us going to the airport between the two hotels and terminal A was the first drop off. As it turns out, I would have been fine with the 8:30 shuttle.

I found the door to meet Galveston Express per their email. They said the van would be there between 9 and 9:15. Another couple soon joined me to wait. About 9:10 I got a call from Galveston Express asking me where I was. I was at A114 which was in the confirmation directions but they got a bigger bus and were at A115. Made it over there (after telling the other couple) and we got loaded up and left for Hobby to pick up other passengers.

That was a bit of a delay because we had to wait 30 minutes for everyone. Oh well, I was able to go inside and use the restroom. Once we got going again it was an uneventful ride. I got to the port at 11:15 so later than my check-in time of 10:30- 11 am.

Embarkation and Afternoon

Then it was off to find the luggage drop off place. No porters came to our bus or were waiting on sidewalk. Of course it was the opposite side of check-in; getting my steps today (yes I ended up over 10K).

Check-in had two lines. It turns out the one that was for people who answered their health questionnaire and had their other documents was shorter although still one of the longer waits I’ve had for boarding a ship. No special line for diamond or platinum at this time (frankly probably most people were platinum).

At the counter is where I hit a snafu. She scanned my passport and got an alert. Then she said I was waiting on an exemption and I’m like NO, I’m never asked for one since I’m vaccinated. She went somewhere else for about 10 minutes and came back and said my cabin was changed (so that was what the alert was about). Finally got past her and got to go through security.

Then went upstairs to normal check-in. She got the same alert but that got straighten out and then I went straight to boarding since they were way past my group (they were onC4 and I was A5). There you get a picture of your face before finally getting able to board.

After admiring the funnel thing in the atrium, I headed to my cabin to drop my carryon.

Here’s where I ran into a wall. There was no such cabin. I was going to guest services when I decided to try to find room number in app and there it was 3221.

I had been upgraded to an obstructed ocean view. Nice room.

I dropped my bag and went to find some water and cool off a bit. On the lido I got a cup of water and headed to Guy’s BBQ for lunch.

It was so good. I didn’t care for the seasoning used on the brisket but the pork was outstanding. Also enjoyed the beans and potato salad. I wish they had bread there. (Found out later they do have buns). They should also add a beverage station with water, etc.

It was. nice eating outside in relative peace; not busy at all. Then went up to Lido for dessert. I had a piece of the Peanut butter s’mores cake.

So good! I took the opportunity to sit inside the air conditioned space for a bit and cool off. My hair was soaked! Next it was time for muster. My assigned station was the main theater. After waiting a couple of minutes, we had a demonstration of putting on the lifejacket and were dismissed.

Our cards have been scanned going into the venue. I went to my cabin and my key was there so I unpacked my carryon before looking for my checked bag which they told me would go to the original cabin.

When I got to the first floor and saw a guy carrying it to talk to his supervisor that it was mistagged. I told them it was my bag and showed them my card which they compared to the name on the luggage tag and took it up to my cabin and unpacked.

Embarkation Evening

After that I just relaxed until after 4 when I went up to see what was happening. Lots of people in the pool having fun and I stayed up after the cruise director and team started the sailaway party.

Then went to my favorite bar so far — Alchemy Bar. It opened at 4 pm. I ordered a basil drop and then learned they didn’t have their alchemy menu until out in international waters. Damn Texas!

I had a regular mojito. It was good but the second blackberry one was awesome.

We also got snacks which I was surprised to see.

I went to the MDR for 6 pm seating. I was seated at a table for 10 and no one was there!

Finally a gentleman showed up after I ordered. We were the only two all night. It was a bit uncomfortable until he finally started conversing late in the meal.

The bread was served. There were two things that made it less than satisfactory. First it wasn’t heated and then the cut slides were dry from sitting out too long after cutting.