Carnival Vista deck 5 plan (Promenade-Cabins-Havana-Shops2)

Deck layout and review

Review of Carnival Vista deck 5 (Promenade-Cabins-Havana-Shops2)

Liquid Lounge Theater (capacity 1400 seats, 2-deck theater / upper level 2 of 2) is the ship’s main show lounge for grand style show productions featuring live performances (tribute acts – singing and dancing) combined with sound and lighting special effects. The evening shows last 30 min. The music is backed by high-definition graphics (photos and videos) projected on large-size LED screens. The evening entertainment program also offers popular family game shows (like “Love and Marriage”) and guest performers (stand-up comedy acts, magicians, musicians). The ship’s theater also hosts the “Playlist Productions” (live stage musical revues) and “Hasbro The Game Show” (interactive board games). The daily program includes seminars, expert lectures, multimedia presentations, workshops and classes, bingo sessions. Carnival Vista ship offers an exclusive program with 3 production shows (at 7 pm, 8:45 pm, 10:30 pm) followed by after-show parties allowing guests to interact with the performers.

The three Carnival Vista ship-exclusive production shows are named "Amor Cubano – A Caribbean Dance Romance" (7-piece band mixing contemporary and classic Latin songs), "America Rocks!" (rock music-themed tribute show) and "Flick - The Power of Motion Pictures" (movie songs-themed). The ship’s theater lounge is designed as a multi-purpose venue, so instead of traditional stadium seating (bench-style), all chairs are individual allowing different configurations. The theater also hosts pre-scheduled daily events – port talks, Carnival shore excursions meetings, land tours-related media presentations, etc.

The Fun Shops is named the ship’s duty-free shopping arcade of stores (open between 8 am – 12 midnight) selling Carnival Cruise Lines logo merchandise (ship models, fun wear-apparel), Special Occasions (gifts, souvenirs, packages), name-brand boutique merchandise (luxury jewelry-watches, designer bags-hats-shoes-fashion-accessories-sunglasses, perfumes-cosmetics-beauty products), also liquor-tobaccos and conveniences.

Special Occasions shop sells Bon Voyage wines/champagnes/liquor, Carnival cruise packages, specialty items and gifts. The list of packages includes “Bottomless Bubbles” (unlimited soda package), CHEERS (unlimited drinks package/alcohol included), “Cruise the Vineyard” (3-bottle and 5-bottle wine packages /saving up to 25%), “Cruise Cash” cards (bar/photo credit accounts similar to the old paper coupons), beer (4-pack), juices (6-pack), soda (6-pack), bottled water (12-pack). The list of specialty items and gifts includes plush toys, fresh-baked cookies, occasion cakes, packed chocolates/snacks, fresh flowers, gift sets, fruit baskets, Stateroom Decorations (themed cabin decoration sets – Birthday, Anniversary, Honeymoon, Congrats, Bon Voyage), canapes/party trays (assorted pastries, sushi, fruit, cheese, vegetable, finger sandwiches, desserts-petit fours), “Towel Creations Book”. Dr Seuss brand merchandise is also available for purchasing – “The Cat in the Hat Book”, themed cabin decorations, toys, Seuss At Sea gifts and packages (waterbottle, lunchbox, backpack, splash pack, towel).

Cherry on Top (open between 4-10:30 pm) is a Carnival signature shop selling bulk candies by the oz (mix and match, sugar-free, assortments), confections (lollipops, sweet apples, truffles, chocolate deep cheesecakes and pretzels, cupcakes, fudge, cookies /and sugar-free). Cherry on Top also sells ladies and kids apparel (bathrobes, hoodies, lounge pants, tank tops), balloons, flowers, Carnival Greeting Cards, shower/spa items. The shop also provides formalwear rentals available only for pre-cruise ordering (not on board). Exclusively on the Carnival Vista ship, the candy shop additionally features indoor/outdoor seating and premium ice creams.

Piano Bar (cocktail bar) offers themed music nights, grand piano for live performances by a resident pianist, singalongs, trivia quizzes. The bar is among the best places for pre-dinner drinks and singing.

The Library Bar is a small lounge functioning as library/cocktail bar. Along with books and board games (Hasbro-branded, chess), the lounge has a large TV, comfortable armchairs, high chairs by the bar. It is served by a librarian (who doubles as bartender) and offers alcohol drinks by the glass (blended/single malt whiskeys, bourbons, cognacs, brandies, rums, cordials, liqueurs) and specialty cocktails. The library also has 2 wine vending machines (self-serve enomatic machines) for wine tasting. A choice of 8 different wines are dispensed in portions of 2-4-6 oz (60-120-180 ml).

Bonsai Sushi restaurant serves Japanese cuisine specialties and drinks (a la carte priced menu). The sushi bar is open for Dinner (between 5 pm – 12 midnight) and also for Lunch (12 noon – 2:30 pm /on seadays only). The menu has appetizers ($4 each /wagyu short ribs, salmon, tuna), soup/salads ($2 each /miso, mixed greens, noodle), sushi sashimi ($1,50 per piece /shrimp, tuna, salmon, amberjack), sushi rolls ($5 per roll /tuna, California-crab), sushi rolls ($7 per roll /freshwater eel, fried shrimp), bento box ($10 combo), sushi ship ($17 combo). The menu also offers Japanese drinks (Kirin beer, Nigori sake, Tyku Junmai Ginjo sake, Carafe sake /served hot), wine by the glass and desserts ($2 each /Yuzu Custard, Green Tea Cupcake). Complimentary sushi is offered in the evenings at the buffet restaurant.

The Lanai is an outdoor promenade deck area (with 60 seats) and hosts the Carnival’s signature Seuss-a-palooza Parade with Dr Seuss characters lined and dancing.

Ocean Plaza (270 seats) is a promenade lounge area (indoor/outdoor seating, daily art auctions, seminars) served with drinks and snacks by the Plaza Cafe & Bar (50 seats). Plaza Cafe (open early morning until after midnight) is a specialty coffee bar/patisserie. The a la carte priced menu has Barista specialty coffees, fresh-brewed teas, milkshakes, syrups, sweets (cheesecake, apple strudel, cakes, pastries, assorted cookies, chocolate-covered strawberries, gelato ice creams and sundaes).

During the ship's 2017 drydock refurbishment, the “Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ” bar was replaced by the new restaurant “Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse” (by celebrity chef Guy Fieri). The new smokehouse (brewhouse / barbecue food bar) is complimentary and opens on seadays only (between 12 noon – 2:30 pm). The menu has BBQ favorites, wood-smoked on the ship, cooked traditionally “low and slow”, using Guy Fieri’s recipes and special spices. Among the menu items are Mac Daddy (Macaroni and Cheese), Scratch-Made Slaw, Potato Salad (Old Skool), Smoked Turkey, Bacon (with Molasses Baked Beans). The list of meats includes chicken, pulled pork and Andouille (pork) sausages. The meat is brined and dry-rubbed before cooking in the ship’s smoker. The meat smoking process lasts 12 to 14 hours. The Smokehouse also offers premium, house-made craft beers.

Power Walking / Jogging Track is 2-lane (2,5 laps = 1 mi).

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (indoor/outdoor seating, open between 6-9:30 pm/menu) is a premium steakhouse-seafood restaurant at surcharge (reservations recommended). Cover charge fee of $35 pp (adults/kids) includes 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert and gratuity. Steakhouse’s menu has starters (escargots, grilled mushroom, tuna tartare, shrimp cocktail, crab cake, lobster bisque, onion soup), salads (Caesar, spinach/mushrooms, iceberg lettuce, beefsteak tomato), sides (Baked Potatoes, Sauteed Mushrooms, Creamed Spinach, Steamed Broccoli), entrees (prime-aged beef steaks – 14oz NY strip loin, 18oz rib and 18oz ribeye, 9oz filet mignon, lamb chops, chicken, Maine lobster, fish fillet from the market /itinerary based), desserts (cheesecake, caramelized apples, chocolate sampler, fresh fruits, selections of cheeses, sherbets and ice creams). The Steakhouse also serves beverages (bar prices apply) – fresh coffee/tea, dessert wines and after-dinner drinks. The food is wheeled on a cart to your table for examination. A cooking demonstration offers an hour-long presentation from a team of chefs. Dress code is “Elegant” (jeans permitted). At the steakhouse can also be made reservations (bookings) for the “Chef’s Table” (private dinner package).

Alchemy Bar is a vintage-themed cocktail bar (“pharmacy”) where professional mixologists (dressed in lab coats) serve handcrafted cocktails and made-to-order drinks from unique ingredients.

Pixels Photo Gallery & Shop (professional photo-video services, duty-free equipment and accessories, photos on display available for purchasing)

RedFrog Pub is a Caribbean-themed brewery (120 seats) with indoor-outdoor seating (on Lanai Promenade) and 2 copper-topped glass kettles (for ales and lagers). RedFrog Pub’s menu has a selection of international, domestic and Caribbean beers (Banks, Carib, Corona, Corona Light, Dos Equis, Kalik, Presidente, Red Stripe), Caribbean rums, cocktails (mojitos, rum, frozens), also craft beers (microbrews) and local draft beers (itinerary based). Here is also served ThirstyFrog Red (aka RedFrog beer) – the Carnival’s exclusive, private-label draft beer. Beers are served/priced in pints (16 oz / 470 ml), pitchers (60 oz / 1,8 L) and tubes (101 oz / 3 L). Entertainment options include foosball table, shuffleboard table, jukebox, darts, puzzles, live music performances nightly (acoustic guitar and vocals). Pub’s food (“pub grub” menu) is Caribbean fare- pork sandwiches (served with chips), sliders (beef), firecracker chicken wings, conch fritters, coconut shrimp, fried green beans, deep-fried peas, coconut cake, Caribbean rum cocktail. Each appetizer costs $3,33. ThirstyFrog Red is the Carnival Cruise Line’s private-label draught beer. It is brewed on the ship and served on tap ice-cold, in ThirstyFrog Red pint glasses (20 oz / 590 ml, also available for purchasing as a Carnival logoed souvenir glass). The “RedFrog” beer costs $5,50 (pint 20 oz / 590 ml), $17 (pitcher 60 oz / 1,8 L) and $28 (tube 101 oz / 3 L). The list of available (cruise itinerary based) craft beers locally brewed in USA ship departure ports includes Galveston Texas (Shiner Bock/Premium), NOLA New Orleans Louisiana (Abita Amber/Purple Haze), Tampa Florida (Cigar City Florida Cracker/Invasion Pale Ale), Alaska (Alaskan Amber/White), Maui Hawaii (Bikini Blonde Lager, Mana Wheat). In near future will be added more specialty beers supplied locally from breweries in California, Florida and New York. NEWS: the Vista ship’s RedFrog Pub & Brewery offers 3 hand-craft beers. They are named “ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin IPA” (floral aroma), “ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat” (banana-flavored) and “FriskyFrog Java Stout” (creamy, coffee-flavored). These craft beers are brewed at sea, and via partnership with Concrete Beach Brewery. The brewery company is based in Miami and is a The Boston Beer Company’s subsidiary.

Dream Studio (photo sessions studio)

FunHub is a 36 Internet computers room (open 24 hours), with free Intranet (information on dining menus, onboard programs, scheduled events).

Shake Spot is a specialty bar selling floats ($4), spiked floats ($8), milkshakes ($4) and spiked milkshakes ($8). The menu offers floats (based on Barq’s root beer, coca-cola, ice cream, soda), spiked floats (based on Absolut-Skyy vodkas, Barq’s root beer, Bacardi-Goslings-Malibu rums, Guinness beer, chocolate liqueur), milkshakes (based on ice cream, chocolate syrup/sprinkles, caramel syrup, pineapple juice, coffee) and spiked milkshakes (based on Malibu rum, Skyy vodka, Makers Mark bourbon, Chambord). Shake Spot cards allow passengers to purchase 6 shakes (throughout the voyage) receiving the 7th for free. The card is personal and usable only during the current cruise.

JavaBlue Cafe (open between 7-10 am, and between 4 pm - 12:30-midnight) is a specialty patisserie/coffee bar. The a la carte priced menu includes coffees ($3 – cappuccino, latte, mochaccino), espresso ($2), Javablue Drip ($1), chi tea latte ($3), hot chocolate ($2), spiked coffees ($6 – Caribbean, Mexican, Irish, Chocolate Lovers), iced coffees ($3,50), milkshakes ($4), specialty teas, bottled water, Perrier, San Pellegrino (1 L). JavaBlue Cafe menu also has desserts – Blue Velvet Cake ($2), cheesecakes ($2), cookies ($1 each), chocolate-covered strawberries ($0,75 each), flavored syrups /$0,50), ice cream scoops.

Taste Bar is a complimentary food bar for snacks sampling. Here passengers can sample dishes served at onboard dining venues across Carnival Cruise Line's fleet. Taste Bar is open for dinner (between 5 – 8 pm) on seadays and also on select portdays. The Taste Bar menu is a rotating nightly sampling menu with bite-sized appetizers from all “Fun Ship 2.0” dining venues (BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Pub, Cucina del Capitano, Comfort Kitchen) plus from the steakhouse and lido buffet restaurants. Plates are small and fee-free, but the rotating specialty cocktails cost extra ($5). The menu has items made of various meats (chicken, lamb, pork, beef), soups, stews, fish / seafood, Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine specialties.

Havana Bar is an authentic Cuban cafe (cocktail/coffee bar) with live Latin music in the evenings. After midnight, the bar transforms into a Latin disco club. Havana Bar serves daily breakfast and lunch (8 am – 5 pm /light Cuban fare- sandwiches, empanadas, flan, fresh-made pastries) and nightly handcrafted Cuban cocktails and snacks. Food (incl snacks) is complimentary, beverages cost extra. Drink menu includes Cuban coffee (Cafecito, Cortadito, Cafe con Leche), Italiano coffee (Espresso, Cappuccino, Caffe Latte, Mochaccino, fresh-squeezed orange juice), cocktails (Mojito, Papa Double, Cuban Ice Tea, La Buena Vida, Jupina Amor, Daiquiri Clasico, Cuba Libre Doble Especial), international beers, soft drinks (Cuban sodas – Jupina, Coco Solo, Quinabeer, Cawy Watermelon, Materva Verba Mate), zero-proof bebidas (non-alcoholic beverages – Ponche Havana, Virgin Daiquiri), milkshakes.

Havana Outside is the Havana complex’s pool area (1 swimming pool /Havana Pool, 2 whirlpools (cantilevered / infinity-pool type), live palm trees).

Promenade Deck cruise cabins from 5201 to 5240, all of which are Havana staterooms (categories HA-Interior, HE-Cabana Balcony and HS-Cabana Suite).

Havana Pool Deck (aft-located)

Carnival cruise ship havana pool