Discover the Carnival-Vista: Ratings & Maritime News

On November 7, an urgent medical evacuation took place approximately 45 miles southwest of Mona Island, Puerto Rico, involving a US Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter. A 69-year-old female U.S. citizen aboard the Carnival Vista encountered serious health issues that necessitated immediate medical attention on land. The situation prompted Coast Guard personnel at Sector San Juan to respond swiftly after receiving a call from the cruise ship in the afternoon. They coordinated the deployment of a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen to meet the vessel. Upon arrival, the aircrew dispatched a rescue swimmer to the cruise ship, where preparations were made for a swift extraction. A rescue basket was utilized to lift both the patient’s spouse and a cruise ship nurse, followed by the successful hoist of the patient. The Coast Guard then ensured safe transport of the patient to Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. There, local Emergency Medical Services were on standby to transfer her to Centro Medico’ Hospital for further treatment. For more details, view the report with video here: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3962928/coast-guard-medically-evacuates-us-passenger-from-carnival-vista-cruise-ship-ne/

The Carnival Vista has finalized her dry dock refurbishment in Cadiz, yet travelers will experience a delay in her return journey to Florida due to adverse weather during the transatlantic crossing. Originally scheduled to resume service on February 15, 2024, the cruise ship will now set sail one day later, on February 16, 2024. This change means that guests on the inaugural voyage post-refurbishment will enjoy a 2-night cruise instead of the anticipated 3-night itinerary. Carnival Cruise Line has proactively notified all passengers impacted by the schedule shift, explaining that the combination of bad weather in the Atlantic Ocean and a brief delay in departing Cadiz has necessitated this adjustment. Travelers should also be aware that the embarkation process will now begin one hour earlier. For instance, the new arrival window at the terminal has been adjusted; instead of the previous 11-11:30 a.m. appointment, guests are now requested to arrive between 10-10:30 a.m. Additionally, the itinerary includes a stop in Nassau on February 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., albeit without the originally included day at sea. Those who have booked shore excursions through Carnival will find their plans modified to align with the new schedule. However, passengers with independent tour arrangements are encouraged to reach out to their tour operators to discuss potential options, which may include cancellation or adjustments to their plans.

On the night of December 12, 2023, the Carnival Vista, under the command of Captain Paolo Severini, enacted a dramatic rescue operation 30 nautical miles north of the Dominican Republic. The cruise ship altered its route following an emergency alert from its onboard monitoring system, after the small cargo vessel, m/v Two Brothers, capsized overnight. During this urgent response, the crew of the Carnival Vista spotted six men aboard a life raft who had survived the incident and promptly brought them on board. Among those rescued were captain Valentín Polanco Vásquez, along with crew members Fernando José Cordero Martínez, Ricardo Camacho, Darvin Valentín Polanco Calvo, and Julio Martín Guerrero. Following the rescue, the Carnival Vista continued on its planned itinerary to Amber Cove, having embarked on a six-day voyage that started on December 10. Meanwhile, a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Operation Turks and Caicos was deployed to locate the remaining six missing persons. They were found clinging to debris from the sunken Two Brothers and were successfully airlifted to safety. After their rescue, these castaways were transported to emergency medical services in Puerto Plata, with all 12 survivors reported to be in good health. The Two Brothers had departed from Puerto Plata around 6:30 p.m. on December 12, bound for the Turks & Caicos Islands, carrying a load of vehicles and containers. Preliminary assessments suggest the vessel may have been overloaded, contributing to its sinking. For additional coverage, check out the reports with photos and videos: [Cruise Industry News](https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/12/carnival-vista-rescues-six-people-after-cargo-vessel-capsizes/), [U.S. Coast Guard Press Release](https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3617218/coast-guard-rescues-6-people-from-sunken-vessel-off-dominican-republic/), and [El Nuevo Diario](https://elnuevodiario.com.do/naufraga-en-alta-mar-barco-salio-de-puerto-plata-hacia-las-bahamas/).