Just back from the Vision of the Seas Western Carribean

[ProfessorEFFE]

This was a very nice cruise with a couple of incredibly annoying situations.

 

Embarkation was a real PITA. The ship was late arriving because of fog. The line was way outside the building. So you got into line to get into line. It was a zoo. The porters were outside gathering baggage and after 20 minutes of creeping to get inside the building there were signs saying do not pack wine in your checked baggage. Great timing you wait 1/2 hour to see the sign that could have saved you some grief. Also I have a walking disability and of course there wasn't any place to sit down until after an hour. Once we got into the real line to get your sea pass then things went smoothly. This was the worst embarkation I have experienced. I don't think the personnel were really working for RCI nor was there anyone from the ship supervising. Honestly I don't know if they could have really done anything in that "did they have authority to do so"? We started at 11 and got on board @ 1:30.

 

We had a Grand Suite. We splurged because this was our 40th anniversary. The state room attendant Ruel was amazing as were all of the ships company. The ship is old showing patina, but in pretty good shape too.

 

Because I haven't really had a knock your socks off meal in the main dining room we opted for Specialty restaurants for all but 2 of our evening meals.

 

Isumi was very good, but expensive. It's an ala carte venue and can run over 100 bucks. In my opinion well worth it. We also ate lunch there on the last day and were equally impressed and with a smaller price too. If you're disabled you have to be either carried, or climb the last 15 or so steps up to the restaurant. Also the bathroom is on deck 10, 2 decks down. If you're there @ night and there is a show in the Centrum you CANNOT use the elevators. I am going to make a suggestion to have an oxygen concession on the 11th floor ;)

 

Giovanni's was also very good. Amazing food and amazing service. Well worth the money. We ate there twice.

 

Chops was good. We ate there the last night and we felt rushed. We had 7:30 reservations and @ *15 or so the waiters were cleaning up and setting tables. Most likely we won't go to Chops again on the last day unless we have much earlier reservations. The steak was perfection, onion soup was too. Scallops were overcooked, but certainly edible.

 

We opted for late seating in the MDR and ate 2 meals there. One was good the other wasn't as good as going to Denny's. I expected this. The wait staff was very attentive but seemed to have a lot of tables to take care of.

 

The Concierge lounge was packed every night. But Vojtech adapted quite nicely and we expanded to the sky lounge so there was seating for everyone. There were a lot of Pinnacle and Diamond Plus on this voyage. And to date I had never met anyone who was Pinnacle. On board I bet there were 15 - 25.

 

The diamond lounge was nice but we didn't go there at night. I had heard it was packed as well.

 

The Captain was very visible as were the officers. The Customer relations area was usually packed. I do not know why.

 

The beds were horrid! There is no longer egg crate foam available. Ruel put down 2 comforters and I used 4 pillows on top of that but it was still bad. If I can't find something to bring with me to cure that I won't be sailing RCI again. I am glad I brought Lydocain patches and advil. Oh yes a bottle of 25 advil on board is $11.50 so bring yours from home.

 

I watched the shows on TV, which is a great feature. They broadcast them the next day. I also converted Blu Ray DVD's to M4p so I could play them on my Kindle fire and route them through the tv. For those nights of waking up with a sore back and trying to get back to sleep.

 

The shops were the same fare with the same 70% off scam as on every cruise ship on the planet.

 

First stop Roatan. The port surely has built up since last we landed. We didn't get off the ship. However Roatan has some of the best snorkling and diving on the planet. We did that the last time we were here.

 

Next Belize City. Seas were rough. Tendering in was 20 - 25 minutes. Lines were long, the machines that track if you're on board or not were broken. Decided to stay on board.

 

Cozumel was next. We love it there. We did Salsa, Salsa Margarita. Lots of fun. We learned a lot about making Salsa and Guacamole. Drinks were not strong ... just the opposite. Someone who will remain nameless spiked some of the drinks ... much gratitude. Great time. There was an older lady there in her 80's who could really dance, it was fun to see.

 

Costa Maya. I like it there, but not so fond of the junk shops there. They all sell the same thing and they are aggressive. Some store wanted to sell me 3 cuban cigars for $60. one was a Cohiba and it was a counterfeit. Cohiba has a special way they wrap the cigar and this one wasn't it, beware cigar smokers. We did buy some silver there. It wasn't a spectacular buy but a fair one.

 

The passengers on board were all races, colors and creeds. And one of the nicest group of passengers I have ever sailed with! All were friendly, and seemed to be having a great time.

 

The Meet and Mingle was nice with some Champagne, Wine, and Chops vouchers as prizes, as well as everyone got the blue plastic Royal Carribean mini notebook with pen.

 

The ship rocked a bit, just enough to lull you to sleep so my wife told me.

 

Debarkation was thought up by the same morons who thought up the embarkation. We were @ terminal 3 departing and they wouldn't allow you to use the escalator if you had any bag or a cane. Apparently it's ok to go up them just not down. In all fairness to RCI it has been my experience that most embarkations and debarkations can be a pain, these were more so. The people working in the terminal were also rude adding to the annoyance. The customs agents were outstanding. There were only 3 of them but the remained cheerful.

 

Loved the cruise, crew, the people; hated the bed, embarkation and debarkation.

[Justmekaren918]

Congrats on your 40th anv. I believe you are on target that the embarkation employees are contractors; same with disembarkation. Hopefully they will get it.

 

Thank you for your review. I can understand your concerns, and thankfully I didn't notice some of things you brought to light. The bed in 8088 was liveable. I am glad you enjoyed your meals in 2 of the specialty resturants.

[sheilb4]

Thanks you for taking the time to post your review of The Vision I go on her in 2 weeks so am most interested in reading any up to date perceptions of the experience on her since so many of the recent reviews are poor....

Hopefully the request I made earlier re extra padding for the bed will be honored.... that and my request to "whoever can make it happen" to give me lots of beautiful sunshine too!! lol

[scorpluvsdolphins]

Thank you for your review. I will be getting on her the 30th of December.

If I am not mistaken, the last two weeks of the vision or you could say the first two weeks of December usually have great prices.

Many pinnacle and diamond plus cruisers often traveled the first two weeks of December.

I know some of my friends do because of the price.

I'm paying a fortune for the Christmas cruise, but it is worth it as I have 8088 cabin and I'm going scuba diving.

 

 

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[JOHN 57]

Thank you for the review, glad to see a more positive than negative review. Could you post the Sea Compass. Thank you.

[scorpluvsdolphins]

Oops 20th of December

 

 

 

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[WayTea]

First, congratulations on your 40th.

 

Found your comments to be very informative.

 

We have been looking at a GS (8518) on Vision and now have a second concern regarding sleeping comfort. Our first concern was noise from above. Could you please share your experience? Also, I guess that we should consider a late flight out of Tampa on debarkation day.

Edited December 13, 2014 by WayTea

[nolesrule]

We've sailed out of Tampa twice. One time we were able to walk right in, the other time we had to wait in line. Same with our two sailings out of Port Canaveral. The times with the delay, there had been a delay with ship disembarkation/clearance. If I had to guess, I'd say it had more to do with the security personnel having to work both the outgoing and incoming areas of the port.

[yankee46]

For those not familiar with Port of Tampa at this time of year. Fog is a major player here. It causes major screw ups all the time. When you have 2500 passangers trying to get off and 2500 trying to get on all hell breaks loose. Even though folks are emailed orcalled not to arrive early they still do. Best option is to call the port in the AM takes a lot of stress out of your day.

[BarbJ52]

First, congratulations on your 40th.

 

Found your comments to be very informative.

 

We have been looking at a GS (8518) on Vision and now have a second concern regarding sleeping comfort. Our first concern was noise from above. Could you please share your experience? Also, I guess that we should consider a late flight out of Tampa on debarkation day.

 

Since Professor sleeps with ear plugs, he did not notice any noise and may not be the best to comment. As his other half, I did notice some noise overhead but did not really find it to be bothersome. I did bring ear plugs but never used them. We were in 8014, so just a little further forward than you will be. We did chat with a couple that was even further forward than us and they seemed to be definitely bothered by noise above - especially on the last night.

[RC Cruiser 2006]

I went over Thanksgiving on Vision with many legitimate complaints. I would like to know if the windjammer had a better selection of food and cleanliness. Did the entertainment improve? Read my comments and please let me know if things changed. My friend is going Jan 7th and I would love for them to have a great experience since ours was just not good. How was the smoking smell?

 

Happy 40th anniversary! Blessings!

[Justmekaren918]

Thank you for your review. I will be getting on her the 30th of December.

If I am not mistaken, the last two weeks of the vision or you could say the first two weeks of December usually have great prices.

Many pinnacle and diamond plus cruisers often traveled the first two weeks of December.

I know some of my friends do because of the price.

I'm paying a fortune for the Christmas cruise, but it is worth it as I have 8088 cabin and I'm going scuba diving.

 

 

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I am sorry you are paying a fortune for 8088, but it is a Christmas sailing. Here is the good news you will love the balcony. I suggest to pack a flameless candle and a small fan if you like air movement. Here is the balcony.

 

Vision 8088:

 

 

Private:

 

Enjoy your cruise and merry Christmas.

[ValerieJo]

Did you happen to try the Windjammer? I've been reading some disappointing reviews regarding the Windjammer. Thanks for your review and Happy 40th!

[Podie]

The smoking on the 5th deck coming out of the casino was horrible. I usually play a couple of hundred dollars in the casino but I couldn't get within 25 feet of that smelly place.

 

I also smelled smoke when I was on the balcony but couldn't tell where it was coming from.

[BarbJ52]

I went over Thanksgiving on Vision with many legitimate complaints. I would like to know if the windjammer had a better selection of food and cleanliness. Did the entertainment improve? Read my comments and please let me know if things changed. My friend is going Jan 7th and I would love for them to have a great experience since ours was just not good. How was the smoking smell?

 

Happy 40th anniversary! Blessings!

 

Professor & I noticed that there was not necessarily a large selection of foods in the Windjammer at lunch time, but enough to satisfy us. We did not notice any issues with cleanliness and spoke with a couple very experienced crew members who said they had been brought onboard to help with some unspecified issues. We didn't attend any shows so can't tell you first-hand about that, but did hear some positive comments. As for smoking, the only time that we noticed a few people smoking was Sunday on the pool deck while the football games were being aired on the big screen. Of course, our experiences may differ from others who go to the casino, spend time by the pool, etc.

Edited December 14, 2014 by BarbJ52

[grand isle joe]

Happy 40th......and thanks for the review.....

[kftw]

Thanks for the review. Happy 40th!!

[WayTea]

Since Professor sleeps with ear plugs, he did not notice any noise and may not be the best to comment. As his other half, I did notice some noise overhead but did not really find it to be bothersome. I did bring ear plugs but never used them. We were in 8014, so just a little further forward than you will be. We did chat with a couple that was even further forward than us and they seemed to be definitely bothered by noise above - especially on the last night.

 

Thanks for the quick response. Much appreciated.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for your review.

[Soundview77]

We were @ terminal 3 departing and they wouldn't allow you to use the escalator if you had any bag or a cane.

 

From past experience with various RCI ships/terminals I've observed that you could have one hand occupied with a bag/cane....etc but as long as you had one hand free, you were allowed to use the escalator.

 

I will be on Vision for the 1/3/15 sailing and was planning on carrying my bag off (and using the escalator as I would have one hand free). My question is; in your debarkation, did you need to have both hands free to use the escalator?

[BarbJ52]

:eek:

From past experience with various RCI ships/terminals I've observed that you could have one hand occupied with a bag/cane....etc but as long as you had one hand free, you were allowed to use the escalator.

 

I will be on Vision for the 1/3/15 sailing and was planning on carrying my bag off (and using the escalator as I would have one hand free). My question is; in your debarkation, did you need to have both hands free to use the escalator?

 

Our group debarked immediately following those who carried their bags off. From what I was able to observe, those who only had a small carry-on seemed to be allowed to use the escalator; those with larger bags were sent to the elevators; and those with canes (dh included - with or without a bag) we NOT allowed to take the escalator down. The gentleman ahead of us who had no bags tried his best to get on the escalator, but was refused and was told specifically that it was because he was using a cane. We had to wait in a VERY long line for our turn on the elevator. I located our bags just in time to retrieve one that someone else was mistakenly claiming was his and was ready to walk away with. :eek:

Edited December 14, 2014 by BarbJ52

[ProfessorEFFE]

Windjammer food was ok for me. There were a lot of waiters cleaning tables quite quickly. There is a TV show showing RCI's recommended technique if washing hands. I did use their technique, washed my hands always before entering anywhere where I would touch food or drink and used the hand sanitizers as well. There was some noro virus reported. I take immune suppressants and had no problems. Apparently the technique works :D

 

The room steward Ruel put 2 comforters on top of my mattress and I had pillows from my head to my knees and still I had issues. One night home on our bed and I am fit as a fiddle. I am looking into figuring out if there is anything I could bring that would be portable enough to carry on or pack. I loved the ship, hated the bed.

 

Also there were a few "special employees" strategically placed on the ship to help improve quality. I do think RCI listens.

Edited December 14, 2014 by ProfessorEFFE

[jelliot4]

Thank you for your review. I will be getting on her the 30th of December.

If I am not mistaken, the last two weeks of the vision or you could say the first two weeks of December usually have great prices.

Many pinnacle and diamond plus cruisers often traveled the first two weeks of December.

I know some of my friends do because of the price.

I'm paying a fortune for the Christmas cruise, but it is worth it as I have 8088 cabin and I'm going scuba diving.

 

 

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You might want to show up for embarkation on the 27th, we on the Vision will Belize on the 30th. Unless you meant to say 20th

 

 

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[preschool teacher]

Thanks for review and info....I'm worried about the bed too...we will be on Saturday the 20th and we always get to the port early.....Merry Christmas!!!

[KruzMor]

Good review Professor.

 

Question: does RCI want us to carry the wine on? Almost all other cruises we put it in our checked bags. Thanks for all the good info