Exploring the High Seas: A Reflection of My First Cruise and Bonus!!! Cruising Pros and Cons

This wasn’t actually my first cruise. However, It was my first cruise in over 10 years. This was also my first vacation (without kids) in 2 years. So this cruise wasn't just a vacation– it was a chance to discover myself again after kids, and to remember my love of travel. I learned that cruising is a lifestyle–with many people going on multiple cruises every year. Those people are far more qualified to discuss with you the pros and cons of cruising, but I am here to share my experience as a person who plans vacations for work and fun. In this blog post, I'll take you on a journey through my voyage with Carnival Vista, sharing the highlights, the surprises, and the memories that will stay with me forever. I want to make myself clear that I did have a great time. And any criticism I have is to be honest and upfront with my readers and clients.

A Reflection on my Carnival Vista experience

Embarkation Day: The anticipation was palpable as I arrived at the port, ready to embark on my cruise adventure. The check-in process was more intense than TSA: with long lines, multiple check points, and drug sniffing dogs. Many people stood in line in the rain for over an hour. I'm not sure what the reason for the delay that kept us queued in the rain, but many people stated that it was not a normal embarkation day experience. Guests were cranky, but the staff was incredibly kind and helpful. We immediately went to our muster station and were surprised by the swiftness of the safety presentation. 10 years ago, it was a very different experience, with every guest trying on a life vest, and trying to hear the safety briefing through a crowd of people. This, presumably a result of COVID, was smooth, quick, and not much more than “come back here in an emergency.”  We then went to our room to drop off bags and went to lunch. There wasn't much to do that first day except drink (because of the rain). Seating was hard to find and lines inside were long. I could only assume that in the days to come, it wouldn't feel so crowded because people could, and would spread out on deck.  As we set sail from the port, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder at the adventures that lay ahead.

Exploring the Ship: I'm going to be honest, I never learned how to get around the ship. Luckily, my sister in law (my travel companion) learned how to navigate the ship rather quickly. One of the first things that struck me about my Carnival Cruise was the sheer size and scale of the ship. I have no idea what ship I was on 10 years ago, but I don't remember having any difficulty finding anywhere I wanted to go. Luckily, I didn't need to know where everything was on the ship to lay out on the deck and read a book. 

Dining Experiences: We only participated in the free dining experiences, and overall, I was not impressed. I did hear from people that paid extra for meals by going to the onboard restaurants, that they were happy with their meals. However, the included meals were mostly below my standard I would expect at a restaurant. There were of course exceptions, but most meals were just OK, and some were even worse. With that said, a meal I didn't have to cook, or listen to kids complain that they would rather eat something else, is a good meal. Service was the same as what we experienced all over the ship–Excellent. I didn't purchase any drink packages, and I would do the same again. Coffee, Lemonade, and water were included. Not only was that sufficient, but we also packed water flavoring pouches to make our own mocktails. Additionally, we were allowed to each bring a 12 pack of carbonated beverage (we brought sparkling water) and a bottle of wine. It was more than enough. In fact, we didn't even finish what we brought. If you only plan on getting alcohol at dinner or shows, then it would be much cheaper to pay per drink. 

Shore Excursions: Let me start by saying that what we did experience was great. However, we were not able to do everything we wanted to. For starters, we canceled an excursion because of weight limits. It surprised me that some of the excursions had surprisingly low weight limits (some of which made no apparent sense). On the cruise FB group, they said that some excursions will actually weigh you beforehand. So we changed our first excursion to swimming with stingrays. Which was fun, educational, and laid back. The second excursion we had planned was a sailboat, snorkeling, and private beach tour. Unfortunately the day of, was too windy and the snorkeling part of the tour was canceled. We opted to get all of our money back and found some shade on the beach to read instead. Honestly, this lead to my best meal experience, and was the only authentic food I had the whole trip. The third excursion we  had planned was a waterfall adventure. My only complaint was the shoe situation: we were required to wear closed toe water shoes, but had to hike up a mountain in them. My sport sandals have 10x the support the cheap water shoes had and it certainly was a challenge to hike the stony path (almost) barefoot.  Overall, I loved my excursions and would indeed recommend them. None of them felt too crowded, and all of the staff was incredibly helpful and kind. 

On board  Entertainment: One of the things that surprised me was that the on-board entertainment seemed to be lacking. The majority of events through the day were sale events for the on boards stores! I'd barely qualify that as an event. I thought that there would be more to do on the “at sea” days, but there really wasn't much more. I enjoyed some of the comedians however it is worth noting that some of the shows are 30 minutes, rather than an hour, and we felt like it was not enough time to engage the audience. One of the more entertaining events we attended was Family Feud. However, even that ended quickly and then there was nothing to do but go back to our room and go to bed. The majority of our entertainment was the books we brought from home. There were also many amenities to fill your time, but we would have had to paid extra for them–example: the spa. 

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Pros and Cons of Cruising

Pros

1. All-inclusive Experience: Many cruises offer all-inclusive packages that include accommodations, meals, entertainment, and transportation between ports, making budgeting and planning easier for travelers. It is important to remember to remember that not everything was included in the base price of the cruise for Carnival, but with the help of drink packages, and online menus, it can certainly be easier to budget for than a atypical vacation.

2. Variety of Destinations: Cruises provide access to a wide range of destinations, allowing travelers to explore multiple cities, countries, and even continents in one trip without the hassle of packing and unpacking multiple times. We went to 3 different countries on my stay on the Carnival Vista: Bahamas, Turks and Cacos, and Dominican Republic. Better yet, for cruises that leave the United States and return to the United States, you may not need a passport. This allows people who do not have a passport to travel to new countries.

3. Onboard Amenities and Activities: From swimming pools and fitness centers to theaters and casinos, cruise ships offer a plethora of amenities and activities to keep passengers entertained during sea days and evenings. My favorite show was Family Feud!

4. Family-Friendly Environment: Cruises cater to travelers of all ages, making them an ideal choice for families. Many ships offer supervised kids' clubs, teen activities, and family-friendly entertainment, ensuring everyone has a memorable vacation. Although I did not take my kids on this specific trip, I did take note of all the fun things on the Vista for kids: water slides, kids club, mini golf, and more!

5. Convenience: With everything you need in one place – accommodations, dining options, entertainment, and activities – cruises offer a hassle-free travel experience. There's no need to worry about coordinating transportation or finding accommodations in each destination. Oh, did I love not having to think about what to make for dinner!

6. Safety and Security: Cruise ships adhere to strict safety standards and protocols to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew. Additionally, onboard medical facilities and trained staff provide peace of mind in case of emergencies. The check-in process was more intense than TSA, and the required safety presentation was incredibly smooth. 10 years ago, it was a very different experience.

7. Flexibility: Cruises offer a range of itineraries and lengths, allowing travelers to choose the cruise that best fits their schedule, budget, and interests. Whether you prefer a short weekend getaway or an extended voyage.  We purposely chose our specific cruise because it added 2 countries to my list of countries I’ve been to 
   

Overall, cruises offer a convenient and enjoyable way to travel, making them a popular choice for vacationers seeking relaxation, adventure, and exploration.

Cons

While cruises offer many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. Here are some cons of cruises:

1. Limited Time in Ports: Cruise itineraries often include short stops in multiple ports, which may not allow enough time to fully explore each destination. Passengers may feel rushed or unable to experience all the attractions a port has to offer. In my case, We went back to the ship after our excursion at each port. We didn't want to end up running the pier. 

2. Crowded Spaces: Cruise ships can be crowded, especially during peak seasons or on popular itineraries. Public areas such as pools, dining venues, and entertainment venues may become congested, detracting from the relaxation and enjoyment of the cruise. On my cruise specifically, it rained on embarkation day, forcing a ship full of people to enclosed spaces of the ship. Lines for drinks were long, and it was incredibly difficult to find anywhere to sit. 

3. Limited Flexibility: While cruises offer convenience, they also come with a lack of flexibility compared to independent travel. Passengers must adhere to the ship's schedule for embarkation, disembarkation, meal times, and shore excursions, which may not suit everyone's preferences. This is especially true when the ship’s plans change. For example, many times, the guests are allowed off  later than expected. 

4. Extra Costs: While some amenities and activities are included in the cruise fare, many extras such as alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, and onboard Wi-Fi come at an additional cost. These expenses can add up quickly and may not be budget-friendly for all travelers. I paid extra for Wi-Fi, but chose not to pay for the drink package (no regrets there).  We only participated in the free dining experiences, but overall, I was not impressed. I did hear from people that paid extra for meals by going to the onboard restaurants, were happy with their meals.

5. Motion Sickness: Cruise ships can experience motion from waves, which may cause seasickness or motion sickness for some passengers, particularly in rough seas. While modern ships are equipped with stabilizers to minimize movement, sensitive individuals may still experience discomfort.

6. Risk of Norovirus Outbreaks: Norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness, can spread quickly in the confined environment of a cruise ship. While cruise lines implement strict sanitation measures to prevent outbreaks, passengers should take precautions to protect themselves. There were many posts in the cruise's Facebook group about people getting sick after--I got the longest cold of my life!

7. Environmental Impact: Cruise ships emit pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, contributing to air and water pollution. Additionally, the large volumes of waste generated by cruise ships can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems if not properly managed.

8. Onboard activities can feel limiting: If you do not drink or gamble, it can feel like there are not enough events for you. We certainly felt this way. The majority of events through the day were sale events for the on boards stores! I'd barely qualify that as an event. I thought that there would be more to do on the “at sea” days, but there really wasn't much more. I enjoyed some of the comedians however it is worth noting that some of the shows are 30 minutes, rather than an hour, and we felt like it was not enough time to engage the audience.

9. Convenience can also be boring: guests are offered food from the same buffet each day, doing the same activities. Just because you have the convenience of your amenities on board, doesn't mean that it's what you would prefer. Usually when I travel I enjoy emerging myself in the culture--there is no culture to learn about (even while going to new countries) when participating in the cruise line's excursions. Furthermore, our first destination was owned by Carnival, and although the buffet was included because of this, it resulted in a limited experience for activities and food.
   

My Carnival Cruise was an experience I'll never forget – a journey of firsts filled with adventure, discovery, and fun. From exploring new destinations to enjoying exciting onboard entertainment, every moment was a treasure to cherish. As I disembarked from the ship, I knew that this wouldn't be my last cruise adventure.