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 on Carnival Cruise Line's first ship to set sail in over a year. Here are my first impressions on the vaccinated ship.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-84116603%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-230419%2Fiaposm-on-carnival-cruise-lineaposs-first-ship-to-set-sail-in-over-a-year-here-are-my-first-impressions-on-the-vaccinated-ship-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
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.
![I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116695,width-700,height-525,imgsize-902601/iaposm-aboard-the-carnival-vista-carnival-cruise-lineaposs-first-ship-to-set-sail-in-out-of-the-us-more-than-16-months-.jpg)
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 fully vaccinated cruise leaves from Galveston, Texas, and makes stops in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116689,width-700,height-525,imgsize-216451/the-fully-vaccinated-cruise-leaves-from-galveston-texas-and-makes-stops-in-mahogany-bay-honduras-belize-and-cozumel-mexico-.jpg)
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.
![I arrived in Galveston and boarded the 1,055-foot-long ship on July 3. Here are my first impressions.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116688,width-700,height-525,imgsize-421355/i-arrived-in-galveston-and-boarded-the-1055-foot-long-ship-on-july-3-here-are-my-first-impressions-.jpg)
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.
![Checking in and boarding the Carnival Vista was quick, smooth, and practically identical to the airport experience.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116686,width-700,height-525,imgsize-390999/checking-in-and-boarding-the-carnival-vista-was-quick-smooth-and-practically-identical-to-the-airport-experience-.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116683,width-700,height-525,imgsize-186726/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-.jpg)
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.
![Within an hour of boarding, people were dancing, exploring the ship](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116680,width-700,height-525,imgsize-307627/within-an-hour-of-boarding-people-were-dancing-exploring-the-shipaposs-casino-and-a-few-even-found-the-time-to-decorate-their-cabin-doors-.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116677,width-700,height-525,imgsize-137040/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-.jpg)
Cruise ship crew members show passengers how to properly put on a life vest during the muster drill.
Monica Humphries/Insider
I thought my 185-square-bedroom would feel cramped, but the king-sized bed was a game-changer.
![I thought my 185-square-bedroom would feel cramped, but the king-sized bed was a game-changer.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116670,width-700,height-525,imgsize-112443/i-thought-my-185-square-bedroom-would-feel-cramped-but-the-king-sized-bed-was-a-game-changer-.jpg)
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 ...
![While some experiences - like the buffet - felt identical to pre-pre-pandemic cruising ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116667,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1460603/while-some-experiences-like-the-buffet-felt-identical-to-pre-pre-pandemic-cruising-.jpg)
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.
![... other elements on the cruise were quite different and there were reminders of COVID precautions sprinkled throughout the ship.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116664,width-700,height-525,imgsize-153309/-other-elements-on-the-cruise-were-quite-different-and-there-were-reminders-of-covid-precautions-sprinkled-throughout-the-ship-.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-84116662,width-700,height-525,imgsize-421355/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-mhumphriesinsider-com-.jpg)
The deck on the Carnival Vista cruise ship.
Monica Humphries/Insider
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