It seems that Carnival Vista just can’t catch a break when it comes to her propulsion system, and passengers who were sailing aboard the ship’s latest cruise felt the impact. The latest chapter in Vista’s saga unfolded when an announcement was made to passengers onboard that their scheduled return to Port Canaveral on October 13, 2024, would be delayed from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The culprit? Once again, issues with the ship’s notorious azipod propulsion system.
Carnival Vista has been no stranger to propulsion problems. Over the past few years, she has had her fair share of itinerary changes, extended dry dock stays, and even canceled sailings—all linked to her azipods. This latest delay only adds to her growing reputation as a ship with ongoing mechanical issues.
A Delayed Start to a Caribbean Adventure
While passengers on the October 7-13 sailing were inconvenienced by the delayed return, guests looking forward to their cruise departing that same day also faced significant delays. Originally scheduled to leave Port Canaveral at 4:00 p.m. on October 13, 2024, Carnival Vista didn’t set sail until nearly 12 hours later at 4:30 a.m. the following day, October 14. Passengers who had spent the day eagerly anticipating their Eastern Caribbean getaway had to wait a little longer.
Carnival took action to minimize crowding at the cruise terminal by notifying passengers of the delay and advising them to reschedule their arrival times by two hours. The effort was made to ensure that disembarking passengers had ample time to leave the ship without colliding with the arriving cruisers. Even with the best-laid plans, the delayed debarkation inevitably added stress and frustration to what should have been a seamless experience.
Making Up for Lost Time
Despite the late departure, Carnival Vista is determined to make up for lost time. The ship is currently on a 6-day Eastern Caribbean cruise, with its first stop scheduled for Half Moon Cay on Tuesday. Luckily for guests, Monday is a day at sea, giving the ship plenty of time to adjust its course and stay on track for the rest of the voyage. Carnival assured passengers that while embarkation was delayed, the overall itinerary would remain intact, with Half Moon Cay as the first stop, followed by other Eastern Caribbean destinations.
The additional time at sea will hopefully allow the ship’s crew to smooth things over, but one can only wonder if the guests are growing increasingly wary of what might happen next. After all, Carnival Vista’s propulsion issues have become somewhat of a running theme in her recent history.
Vista’s Azipod Woes: A Continuing Problem
For those unfamiliar with the technical side of things, Carnival Vista has been grappling with recurring problems related to her azipods—propulsion units that help the ship move and maneuver. When these systems malfunction, it affects the ship’s speed and itinerary, sometimes leading to significant delays or even cancellations. The azipod issues have been a recurring problem not just for Carnival Vista but for the other ships in the Vista class as well, including Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama.
In fact, Vista has already faced itinerary changes earlier this year due to these issues, and her September 7, 2024, sailing was outright canceled to address the problems in wet dock. Passengers who had their much-anticipated vacations canceled were understandably upset, and the ship’s troubles have caused a stir among Carnival’s loyal fan base.
Carnival’s Vista-Class Troubles: Unraveling and Understanding Azipods
As guests enjoy the rest of their 6-day Caribbean cruise, they’ll no doubt keep their fingers crossed that this will be the last delay they’ll have to endure. Until then, Carnival Vista remains a ship in need of some serious TLC.