Looking for comments regarding Vision of the Seas

Hi!

Just wondered if anyone could comment on Vision of the Seas. I'm looking into the Mexican Riviera sailing in August. I'm concerned that the ship is older. Does it show it's age? Just sailed Adventure of the Seas last Easter and Crown Princess last month. How would this ship compare???? I have 7 year old twin boys so I want to make sure they can enjoy everything and that the adults can also enjoy the amenities. Really just looking for a pampering time for us parents and as much fun as possible for the kids. Any comments would be appreciated!

We did the Feb. 3rd cruise on the Vision and I found it to have exceeded our expectations. The ship is 10 years old, but was in very good shape. The dining room experience was outstanding. Something I was initially worried about as over the years I have seen the dining room experience diminish at times, but every night was a pleasure to good to dinner. We have eaten from basically the same menu for several years. However, the food on the Vision was prepared very well the best we have had in a long time. The guest entertainment was great, but the production shows were the worst we have seen. The cast just didn't seem to sync together. Maybe by August there will be new cast members. Many of the kids onboard seem to be having a great time. In fact several kids in our group were 7 years old and were in the club at every opportunity. The parents had plenty of time to themselves. Our room steward was great and was very attentive to details. Something we haven't seen in a long time. The Vision of the Seas is a beautiful ship and I think you will have a wonderful time.

It is true that Vision is an older ship and I was on it 3 years ago also to the Mexican Riviera. It is not a mega-ton ship like the Adventure of the Seas (138,000 tons vs. 78,000 tons) so you will definitely feel it is a smaller boat. Royal Caribben does a wonderful job of keeping their ships in good shape and Vision is a beautiful boat.

To be honest though, when I cruise now, I look for newer ships and generally shy away from the older ships. Mariner is coming to LA in Feb. 2009 and I am planning to book the Mariner for my next Riviera cruise.

Here's a link to my review of our November cruise: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=34849

I also sailed over New Year's and had an equally wonderful time. There are plenty of activities, the ship is beautifully maintained and she has a wonderful crew. I'm sailing her again in November and am still peeved that we're losing her to Santo Domingo!

We just returned from the Vision this past Sunday. Based on a few comments I had read on the age of the ship I took special note and I was pleased to see that she was in excellent shape and doesn't show her age.

When we checked in to our room the only problem was that the safe wasn't working. We called maintenance and within 5 minutes a man came, checked it, replaced the battery and waited to make sure that it worked for us.

I won't totally agree with RG that the food was great. There seemed to be a lot of the same dishes that we saw on our Caribbean cruise in November and most of our choices were OK but not exciting. My wife did enjoy the seafood platter on Friday night which included a lobster tail. (She enjoyed the second one they gave her too)

The Windjammer food was good - try the afternoon snacks for some different choices.

I will totally agree with RG that the production numbers were week. The first one, a tribute to the 70's made me appreciate 60's music even more.

The Broadway tribute was a little better but not up to the usual standards.

There were lots of kids on board for this time of year and they seemed to be well taken care of by the Adventure Ocean staff.

One difference from the Caribbean itinerary is that sea days seemed to be windier and cooler so you might not spend as much time at the pool. The Solarium is covered but it's not for kids.

I didn't mind the smaller ship for this trip and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

I wish they had sun lamps in the casino - I would have had a better tan.

We've cruised on the Vision twice in the last 2 1/2 years and loved it both times. But then it is the newest ship we've been on so far.

We just got off this past sunday also and loved it. It is a beautiful ship that they take very good car of. There is always someone cleaning! The food was great and we loved the crew. I agree with the shows...we walked out. But you will love it. We are planning to do it again!

We cruised Vision to Alaska in August 2006 for our 25th anniversary. The ship was in very good condition and as noted in previous posts, there is always cleaning and maintenance going on. We had a delightful time and the service was what we expected from RCI. We even got to dine with the captain one night!

Looking at this ship for a mexican cruise in October.

she's a beautiful ship - I'd go again in a red hot minute! Here is my review from last spring and pictures:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=557818

http://www.margaritajohnson.smugmug.com/gallery/2787827_U3Hq7#148617605

Enjoy!!!

Thanks for all of your answers and links to your reviews. It sure makes me feel more comfortable! Hope to decide soon whether we'll be going or not!

We have been on three ships in the Vision class: Vision of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, and Enchantment of the Seas. I loved all of them. They are not the biggest or newest ships out there, but there is something special about them.

All were clean and well kept and the food was very good on all of them. I would sail on any of them again in a second. :)