One tradition that my husband and I started was taking a Carnival cruise every single year. We both work for ourselves which means we rarely get a day off because there is always something that needs to be done. It doesn’t help that we both work from home too. Working from home makes it very difficult to separate home life versus work life. It’s a constant battle that we both struggle with. Taking a cruise allows us to get away, both physically and mentally.

Cruising has been our family’s favorite way to travel for many reasons. We started cruising in 2014 and you could say we’re addicted. We love that we can get on a boat and visit so many great destinations and really explore the world for one great price. Every year we take a 5-8 day cruise depending on what sail options there are. Exploring the ship is one of our favorite things to do, there is so much to offer on each ship. The first couple times I sailed, I ventured around the ship but had no idea what I was missing by not doing my research before hand. It took a couple sails for me to realize there was an adult only deck. Let me tell you, you don’t want to miss the adult only deck. It’s a little slice of heaven on the ship. Next time you sail, be sure to check it out.

Things to do in the Carnival Vista

One of our very favorite ships to cruise on is the Carnival Vista. The Carnival Vista first set sail in 2016 and has been one of the top cruise ships to date. One thing about cruise ships that I love is that there is always something going on for you to do whether it is a comedy show, bingo or entertainment in the walk ways. You will never be bored.  All of the activities are free, unless mentioned below. Here are some of the top attractions and things to do on the Carnival Vista:

SKYRIDE

If you like a thrill, take a ride on the Skyride. Zip safely around the two-lane suspended course in a pedal-powered go-mobile. This activity will give you views like you’ve never seen before. SkyRide has a minimum height requirement of 54 inches and a weight limit of 250 pounds.

HAVANA BAR

Be transported into Cuba at the Havana Bar.  Take in great ocean views as you try something authentically Cuban, like café Cubano (that’s Cuban coffee!) or handcrafted Cuban cocktails (think daiquiris, mojitos and more). And this spot definitely doesn’t cool down when the sun goes down, with music and dancing keeping things hot well into the night. No cost to get in but regular drink prices apply.

IMAX THEATER

If you love movies, you will be stoked to here that the Carnival Vista has an IMAX on board!  This ship is the first and only ship to have an IMAX. You’ll find a world of first­-run Hollywood blockbusters, recent hit films and IMAX documentaries, all in a huge format that makes normal theaters look like your smartphone screen. There is an additional cost for this activity.

SERENITY ADULT ONLY RETREAT

If you’re looking for a quiet, serene area to relax, the serenity adult only retreat is for you. This area is for adults ages 21 and up. It has a bar, lots of great chairs to lay out on, multiple hot tubs and the perfect amount of space to relax and reset. No additional cost!

WATERWORKS

No matter if you’re 3 or 53, the Waterworks is so much fun. It’s a waterpark on board the ship!  Many think it’s just for kids but it’s for all ages! I took a ride down the slide last time I was on the Carnival Breeze and had so much fun. Twister Waterslide, hundreds of feet of spiraling awesomeness that starts you off high in the air and gets you down low with one of the fastest, wettest rides you’ll find anywhere.

Select ships have side-by-side racing slides, which make serious competition seriously fun. Wear your speed suit for Speedway Splash, which features hundreds of feet of racing action, plus special lighting effects you’ll experience on the road to victory. DrainPipe ends with one major swirl of a finish, while PowerDrencher takes soaking seriously — imagine the biggest bucket of water you’ve ever seen, raining down on you from above. Height and weight restrictions apply. Children must be toilet trained (no diapers or swim diapers).

ROPES COURSE

The chance to complete an awesome challenge, high above it all… now that’s what you want in a good ropes course on the Carnival Vista. An awesome ropes course, however, will let you do all that with a cool sea breeze and a view to match!

Not sure that navigating a high-up-there challenge is for you? Did we mention that on this one you’ll be safely strapped in, emboldening you to take on the kinds of challenges you may not normally feel up to? Here everyone — even kids — become thrill-seekers, testing their ability to make their way around the course, which features two levels of challenge, letting you increase or decrease the toughness as you go.

Minimum height: 48″ (4’0″). Weight limit is 275-300 pounds, per person

SEUSS AT SEA

The whole family will still enjoy all the classic Carnival activities, but the littlest ones, and their families, will also enjoy an all-new, extra-special experience as the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss comes to life around them. You don’t want to miss Seuss at Sea on Carnival Vista!  Enjoy a special onboard character parade, interactive story time, arts & crafts activities, character breakfast featuring their favorite Dr. Seuss friends and more. Seuss at Sea truly brings your child’s favorite books to life. No extra fee.

SPORTSQUARE

Take on friends at mini-golf, battle strangers at basketball, or push yourself to new heights at our Ropes Course… or to record-setting low times at the jogging track. SportSquare gets you in the game with soccer and volleyball (the b-ball court converts!), brings pool, foosball and ping-pong to the table, and rounds things out for shaping up with your choice of stationary bikes, elliptical machines, and weight-lifting equipment.

PLAYLIST PRODUCTIONS

One of our favorite activities on any Carnival Cruise is to watch the productions that take place on stage. What makes Playlist Productions fun is that you can get out of your seat, sing along and dance to the music. Everyone has those perfect songs that never fail to get them moving. Playlist Productions™ brings lists like yours to life! Your favorites become full-blown musical productions featuring singers and dancers bringing down the house. Shows vary by ship, but there’s a playlist for every music lover. Need a few examples? How about the spicy sounds of Amor Cubano™, the movie-magic soundtrack of FLICK™, or Vintage Pop™ with its 20s-jazz-meets-modern-hits? Release your inner rock-n-roll patriot during America Rocks™!  Price included with cruise!

FAMILY FEUD LIVE

On every sailing Carnival Cruise Line is hosting games on an authentic Family Feud set, right down to the iconic Face-Off podium, plus all the excitement of Fast Money. Since they know how much entertainment the host can bring to the game, Family Feud Live is emceed by none other than your cruise director. So if you’re game, sign up your team of five for an audition. Don’t worry, we won’t judge you… but your fellow cruisers will, so make sure your team brings that Family Feud spirit to the audition! 

CAMP OCEAN

Carnival cruises are great for the whole family. No matter what age your kids are, they will have fun on the ship! At Camp Ocean, kids ages 2-11 are supervised with other kids their age while participating in activities like sea salt art and sports competitions. This is included in your cruise and available during specific times. Check your itinerary for more details. Even if you have a little one who is not 2 yet, check with Camp Ocean because they have designated times for the little ones to go in and play with an adult. This was a life saver for us when we had littles with us that we not yet old enough for Camp Ocean.

DR SEUSS BOOKVILLE

Just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean that learning has to stop. We’re big advocates of reading to our little so we’re super pumped that we can stop by Dr. Suess’ bookville. The room is all decked out in bright colors, featuring fun and whimsical furniture and even has some of your all-time favorite Dr. Seuss characters on the walls. But let’s not forget that this space is all about the books — the shelves are filled to the brim for hours of fun reading. We loved this space for our young child to burn energy and explore in a safe area.

DIVE IN MOVIES

Park yourself in front of the big screen — the really big screen — and settle in for some true stars with Dive-In Movies at Carnival Seaside Theater^™. From the comfort of your poolside lounge chair you’ll enjoy sporting events and recent blockbuster films. Or bring your suit and take in all this action from the pool itself! The screen is big and beautiful so every seat is the perfect one, but it’s more than just the view… it’s the breeze, and the joy of enjoying some great entertainment together. Great for all ages and free.

CHERRY ON TOP

“Treat Yo Self” is one of my favorite mottos when I’m on a cruise. We’re on vacation, so it’s okay to indulge a little bit and enjoy yourself. Cherry on Top is a candy store that has everything you would ever need to fix your sweet tooth. The store also has all types of other food and apparel. On the Carnival Vista, the Cherry on Top store has a signature ice cream creation, or build your own with tons of mix-ins and topping options. Cherry on Top costs extra money and is not included in the cruise price.

DEAL OR NO DEAL

You know the game show with the briefcases stuffed full of money, a big red button and a mysterious banker phoning in deals? Yep, you’ve seen it on TV… and now you’ll find it on your next Carnival cruise. When it comes to Deal or No Deal at sea, there are actually TWO ways you could win — and only one of them is reserved for the lucky contestant up on the stage!

It works like this: buy a game card (or save money by buying two or three), and each card you hold gives you another chance to be randomly selected to take the stage and play the fan-favorite game of eliminating briefcases throughout the rounds for a shot at $1,000. But even if you’re not selected, you’re still in the game — matches on your game card let you move up the prize board. (And up to $5,000 goes to lucky cardholders in the audience!) Of course it’s 18+ to play, but everyone’s welcome to watch the fun from the studio audience. 

BUILD A BEAR WORKSHOP AT SEA

When kids visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop At Sea^® , they use their little hands and big creativity to bring a new stuffed friend to life. They can customize their furry friend from head to toe by choosing the bear, clothing and accessories. The cuddly bears are actually just the beginning — these stuffed friends come in all shapes, like a dog, bunny, shark, sea turtles… even a bear with a special Carnival-exclusive design!

PUNCHLINER COMEDY CLUB

Arguably one of our favorite things to do in the cruise ship is to visit the comedy club. It’s a guaranteed night full of laughs. Carnival brings on some pretty big names in comedy, it’s a show you don’t want to miss. There are family friendly shows and adult only shows, a little bit of something for everybody. 

KARAOKE

Whether you love to be on the stage to perform or you would rather sit back and enjoy the entertainment, karaoke is always the answer. Some of our best nights when we cruise is stopping by karaoke for one song or for a few to watch others sing their heart out. You never know what you’re going to get – a singer who can hit every key or someone who misses every note – Either way, it’s a good time.

NIGHT OWLS

Bringing kids on the cruise but still want to get out for some adult time? Check out Night Owls! Carnival Cruise offers Night Owls for children 6 months to 11 years, allowing parents/guardians time to enjoy the nightlife without having to worry about their little ones. Night Owls is available each evening from 10:00pm-1:00am. $7.50 per hour plus an 18% service charge, per child. Night Owls take place inside the Camp Ocean facility with a ‘slumber party’ type atmosphere, including movie time, arts & crafts, toys, video games, snacks and more.

JAVABLUE CAFE

If you’re a coffee addict like me, you’ll be happy to know that the Carnival Vista has a JavaBlue Cafe so you can get your fix while on the ship. Maybe you take your coffee straight-up, or perhaps you prefer your pick-me-up with an upgrade. From the simply caffeinated to the simply sublime, nothing satisfies your coffee craving like JavaBlue^™ Café, featuring fun twists on the hot and cold drinks you enjoy.

SUESS-A-PALOOZA PARADE

Stand up and cheer for the Seuss-a-palooza Parade, now streaming down the deck of select Carnival ships. Join characters you love — and a flock of your fellow fun followers — as you become part of the spirited procession of the biggest (and smallest) fans on this side of shore.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with a Carnival Vista Cruise, where an array of exciting activities awaits you. Whether you’re seeking thrilling water slides and games at WaterWorks, pedaling above the waves on SkyRide, or indulging in delectable dining options, this cruise ship offers something for everyone.

From Hasbro game shows to relaxing in the Serenity Retreat, Carnival Vista promises a diverse and vibrant experience. Dive into the vibrant nightlife, enjoy an outdoor movie at the Carnival Seaside Theater, or pamper yourself at the spa and fitness center. With activities for all ages, a Carnival Vista Cruise guarantees non-stop fun and relaxation.