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Ten Awesome Days on Vision OTS! ~A Pictorial Review~


DarthGrady
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Vision of the Seas: 12/14/2012

Ports: St. Croix, St. Maarten, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts

Intro:

My wife and I decided to take a long cruise in December. We originally booked the Freedom of the Seas, but then learned that Royal Caribbean was doing the "Diamonds in December" event again. So we found a nice 10-night itinerary on the Vision of the Seas that went to some ports that we'd never been to. That combined with 20 Crown and Anchor points was enticement enough, we quickly switched the booking.

Embarkation:

We drove down to Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale) the morning of the cruise, from our home it takes about four hours. The port is very easy to get into, I-595 dead-ends right into it. We left our car at Park-n-Go and rode their shuttle to the terminal. Their rates are much lower than the port's and the shuttle takes only a few minutes. We found the Vision pulled up to Terminal 4, one of the older buildings at Port Everglades. It's currently under renovation, which appeared to be long overdue. We arrived at the terminal at around 1 pm. The lines for security and check-in were nonexistent; we were on board by 1:15.

 

My first look at the Vision from the shuttle

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Edited by DarthGrady
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The Ship:

As a ship buff, I always relish the chance to explore a new one. I enjoy it even more when it's a totally new class. I had never been on a Vision Class ship, so I was eager to tour it. Walking around the decks I could see how Royal Caribbean ships evolved over the years. The Vision contained many elements of the older Sovereign Class ships. I also saw many improvements that were later integrated into the newer Radiance and Voyager Class ships.

I found the ship to be in very good shape for her age and impeccably clean. The crew had decorated her public spaces for the holidays. Her exterior could use some extra attention though. I saw a lot of rusting along the water line and around fittings. This doesn't bother me really, but it does make her look run down compared to the other ships in port.

Deck 4 has the main floor of the central atrium which is home to the Champagne Bar. Up one deck is the Casino Royale, customer service desk, Masquerade Theater and shore excursions desk. The Aquarius Dining Room takes up the aft portion of both decks.

 

Around the Deck 4 atrium lobby

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Hi,

your observations of the ship are very much the same as mine. I think it is a very elegant ship.

 

Your pictures IMHO are very good, perfect exposure and good presentation.

 

I looked at all of them and I like them ........ made me kind of sad that I am not there.

We were on the cruise just previous to yours.

Thank you.

Edited by wieslaw
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Wahoo. Another great Grady trip report! Thanks for sharing with us.

 

Hi,

your observations of the ship are very much the same as mine. I think it is a very elegant ship.

 

Your pictures IMHO are very good, perfect exposure and good presentation.

 

I looked at all of them and I like them ........ made me kind of sad that I am not there.

We were on the cruise just previous to yours.

Thank you.

 

Thanks very much! :)

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To all of those who don't understand when people say the older ships have views from everywhere, your pictures really highlight that! Every lounge has floor to ceiling windows. I just tried out the Oasis class, and am not thoroughly convinced I will not sail above Radiance class again unless the itinerary is to die for!

 

I have had several great cruises on vision class, and am looking at these southern itineraries right now. This is a great use for these ships!

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