I'm on Carnival Cruise Line's first ship to set sail in over a year. Here are my first impressions on the vaccinated ship.

Monica HumphriesJul 4, 2021, 19:52 IST

An aerial view of one of Carnival Vista's pools.Monica Humphries/Insider

I'm aboard Carnival Vista, which is Carnival Cruise Line's first ship to leave the US in over 16 months.
Within the first hours of arrival, I experienced how cruising has and hasn't changed.
From boarding to buffet lines, here are my first impressions on the Carnival Vista.

I'm aboard the Carnival Vista - Carnival Cruise Line's first ship to set sail in out of the US more than 16 months.

Carnival Cruise hasn't set sail its fleet of ships in over a year. Monica Humphries/Insider

The fully vaccinated cruise leaves from Galveston, Texas, and makes stops in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.

The Carnival Vista cruise ship. RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images

I arrived in Galveston and boarded the 1,055-foot-long ship on July 3. Here are my first impressions.

The deck on the Carnival Vista cruise ship. Monica Humphries/Insider

Checking in and boarding the Carnival Vista was quick, smooth, and practically identical to the airport experience.

A cruise ship crew member checks my passport and my vaccination card before boarding the ship. Monica Humphries/Insider

When I first stepped onto the ship, the bar was already packed, a DJ was blasting music, and it was clear people were thrilled to be cruising again.

A crowd gathered at the entrance of cruise ship. Monica Humphries/Insider

Within an hour of boarding, people were dancing, exploring the ship's casino, and a few even found the time to decorate their cabin doors.

A decorated cabin door and the cruise's casino. Monica Humphries/Insider

The muster drill, which prepares passengers for an emergency, usually takes a good chunk of time on embarkation day. On this cruise, Carnival had small groups go through the drill, which decreased crowding and took just two minutes.

Cruise ship crew members show passengers how to properly put on a life vest during the muster drill. Monica Humphries/Insider

The muster drill, which prepares passengers for an emergency, usually takes a good chunk of time on embarkation day. On this cruise, Carnival had small groups go through the drill, which decreased crowding and took just two minutes.

I thought my 185-square-bedroom would feel cramped, but the king-sized bed was a game-changer.

The king-size bed is two twin beds pushed together. Monica Humphries/Insider

While some experiences - like the buffet - felt identical to pre-pre-pandemic cruising ...

The empanada station in one buffet on the cruise ship. Monica Humphries/Insider

... other elements on the cruise were quite different and there were reminders of COVID precautions sprinkled throughout the ship.

The screen above the pool shares COVID-related messages while dining areas have places to wash your hands before eating. Monica Humphries/Insider

If you have questions about cruising this summer or want to know what a certain experience aboard a ship is like post-vaccine, email me at mhumphries@insider.com.

The deck on the Carnival Vista cruise ship. Monica Humphries/Insider

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I'm on Carnival Cruise Line's first ship to set sail in over a year. Here are my first impressions on the vaccinated ship.

I'm aboard the Carnival Vista - Carnival Cruise Line's first ship to set sail in out of the US more than 16 months.

The fully vaccinated cruise leaves from Galveston, Texas, and makes stops in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.

I arrived in Galveston and boarded the 1,055-foot-long ship on July 3. Here are my first impressions.

Checking in and boarding the Carnival Vista was quick, smooth, and practically identical to the airport experience.

When I first stepped onto the ship, the bar was already packed, a DJ was blasting music, and it was clear people were thrilled to be cruising again.

Within an hour of boarding, people were dancing, exploring the ship's casino, and a few even found the time to decorate their cabin doors.

The muster drill, which prepares passengers for an emergency, usually takes a good chunk of time on embarkation day. On this cruise, Carnival had small groups go through the drill, which decreased crowding and took just two minutes.

I thought my 185-square-bedroom would feel cramped, but the king-sized bed was a game-changer.

While some experiences - like the buffet - felt identical to pre-pre-pandemic cruising ...

... other elements on the cruise were quite different and there were reminders of COVID precautions sprinkled throughout the ship.

If you have questions about cruising this summer or want to know what a certain experience aboard a ship is like post-vaccine, email me at mhumphries@insider.com.