Luxurious Cruise liner Carnival Vista entered the Grand Harbour on its maiden call this morning at the Valletta waterfront.

The ship came to Malta carrying more than 4,000 passengers, 80% of whom are American. 1,500 people work on board the gigantic moving hotel which includes swimming pools, eleven restaurants and 14 differently themed bars.

The building of the Carnival Vista took 18 months. Hard to believe it took so little amount of time considering the work involved in its size and luxury.

Carnival Vista was constructed at Italy's Fincantieri shipyard and it will be the first in Carnival Cruise Line's new Vista class.

The arrival was celebrated with an event which included the traditional plaque exchange between the Captain of the ship, Rocco Lubrano and the local port officials.

Mr Lubrano said that normally some passengers may choose to remain on board while at port, but when anchored in Malta, tourists flock out of the ship to visit the island.

This was also a very special day for the Hotel Director on board, Mr Pierre Camilleri. He is one of the very few Maltese on-board Hotel Directors in the industry. Camilleri said he was introduced to the industry by his father, who worked at the local dry docks. "Father, now I'm bringing my own ship home," he said while presenting a souvenir to his parents. He described this event as the climax of his career.

Measuring 133,500 gross tons and holding 3,954 passengers, it will be the largest ship in the cruise line's fleet when it debuts May 1, 2016.

Vista is considered as a fun cruise liner as it also includes the industry's first IMAX theatre, a 450-foot-plus-long water tube slide and a suspended open-air SkyRide. Other new spaces will include an onboard brewery, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack and a dedicated families-only zone with lounge and cabins. Also onboard will be the BlueIguana Cantina and RedFrog Rum Bar; Guy's Burger Joint; the Alchemy bar; Cherry on Top candy store; Hasbro, the Game Show; and the Punchliner Comedy Club, presented by George Lopez.

The ship also will feature more outdoor spaces than any other Carnival ship. Designed to enhance the connection between cruisers and the ocean, Carnival Vista will provide outdoor seating for many of its restaurants and bars.

There are 7 calls to Malta. This is the very first time that a Carnival Cruise Line cruise ship is visiting Malta.

The Ambassador for the USA Kathleen Hill, Ministers for Transport and Tourism were also present.

Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that the fact that most of the passengers on board are Americans will help to diversify the cruise market. Describing the cruise liner industry as one of the most important for the tourism sector in Malta, the Minister said that more than 300 cruise line vessels entered the Grand Harbour in 2015.

Mifsud Brothers Ltd is the port agent for Carnival Cruise Line. Clients include Holland and America Line, Seabourn, P&O and Cunard all of which form part of the Carnival family. 

Photos: Jonathan Borg