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Vision of the seas review

wallypbear

By wallypbear,
in Royal Caribbean International

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erickg2004

erickg2004

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Love your Review..

We will be on the Vision on the 25th of January and i can't wait to escape our cold Quebec winter.. Happy to see that the good old RCI spirit and service is still strong and present on this ship.

We are in our late 30s and early 40s couple that like the RCI attitude, great service and good laughs so we are back this year after going to the sister company CELEBRITY last year..

 

Glad to see good comments on the Vision after seeing so many bad things when she was in Europe.. I guess it has to do with the crowd and expectations!!!!

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wallypbear

wallypbear

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We had planned on a day trip on our own to the Baths at Virgin Gorda. However, early morning rain showers and feeling so relaxed after two wonderful days at sea we changed our minds. Ferries and schedules and taxi's and climbing and stooping. Just did not seem as appealing as when we were planning the cruise. We would do it next time.

Instead we stayed on the ship until 10:30am and enjoyed the pool and hot tubs with just two other guests. Delightful! Love feeling like you own the ship. We decided as we were walking off the ship that we would do what we do best ashore. Drinks and lunch with the best view of the harbor and our ship. Pick up a BVI restaurant and food guide at the information booth on your right just before the cruise ship terminal gate. Go to page 22. Find number 7 on the map. This is where you want to be. The Pub. The most desirable location. Best view , best service, great food. It's just far enough from town. That very few cruise ship passengers spending the day in Roadtown take the time to go there. It was our first time there and won't be our last. It's about a 15 minute walk from the ship. The sidewalk does stop and you must cross the street at one point and then you need to cross back over to reach the pub. You also will pass the impressive stately Government House set high on a hill behind a black wrought iron gate. It's open to the public and costs $3 admission.

We also stopped at Village Cay Marina. Number 10 on the map on the way back. It's much closer to the ship. The view of the marina is very beautiful. Many locals were there having lunch and it was crowded. There is WiFi. However, no view of the ship. Service was very very slow. Even for island time. Very little conch in the fritters. I kept getting an on and off faint sewage smell while we were there. My partner said he did not. Oh and don't get all excited about trying the local beer. There isn't any in the BVI's. Have a few "Painkiller #2's" instead. If you don't care if you miss the ship when it sails then have a few "Painkillers #4's".

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wallypbear

wallypbear

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Love your Review..

We will be on the Vision on the 25th of January and i can't wait to escape our cold Quebec winter.. Happy to see that the good old RCI spirit and service is still strong and present on this ship.

We are in our late 30s and early 40s couple that like the RCI attitude, great service and good laughs so we are back this year after going to the sister company CELEBRITY last year..

 

Glad to see good comments on the Vision after seeing so many bad things when she was in Europe.. I guess it has to do with the crowd and expectations!!!!

 

Thank you erickg2004

Many of the staff and crew have been refreshed since the European season. All the guests on board were very congenial.

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wallypbear

wallypbear

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There are so many options on St. Maarten to choose from. We have been there and done that numerous times. Still being in a very relaxed frame of mind and wanting a easy carefree no thinking involved kind of day.We just grabbed at taxi and went to Orient Beach. When you get off the ship follow the crowds and you will see a sign that says taxi's. You can also just ask any one in a uniform of any kind and they will point the way. As your approaching the taxi stand eager gentleman will ask you where you want to go. If not you can plainly see ORIENT, MAHO, MARIGOT etc. Just cue up and off you go to your desired location within minutes. The cost to Orient is $6pp each way. It's a 15 minute ride over. Once there you will be dropped off at the taxi entrance to the beach. You do not have to make arrangements to be picked up nor do you need to return to the drop off point to get back to the ship. Wherever you wind up along Orient Bay there will be transportation. My partner tipped the driver $3 even though I felt she did not deserve it having barely blurted out a good morning and then was silent for the duration. Most drivers will at least ask how the cruise is going. Is this your first port. Some facts about the island. Tell a joke or at least turn the radio on.

Once on the beach we turned left and walked until we reached Kon Tiki. They have the thickest pads on their lounge chairs and the chairs are not jammed on top of one another. They are set up in two's with space in between. Also the bar and grill area is shaded, tropical with plenty of tables and chairs. The service is nonstop, beer cheap and the unisex(your on the French side) bathrooms are extremely clean. For $40 we got 2 chaise loungers, umbrella, 6 beers and 2 Southern Comfort and clubs.Tip not included.

Orient beach was the place to be that day as there was a wonderful east breeze all day long. Others on the ship complained of extreme heat on other parts of the island.So if it;s a hot day this is the place you want to be as it is on the windward side.

There are island girls and women selling stuff on the beach. Including massages and themselves. Just be friendly. Chat a little bit with the first one that comes by. Buy one thing from them and the Kon Tiki staff will see you made your contribution and shoo the others away if you seem annoyed. I get a kick out of the ones that are walking with a large piece of aloe in their hand, too much make up and booty call clearly showing. "Let me rub some soothing aloe on your back." They say with a come hither look. I let them play the game for awhile why I keep refusing their ware's. Then I just plain out say to them. "I've got aloe as big as you in my backyard. Really, No thank you. Not today." They smile and give up.If not play the gay card. Even if your straight. You win!

After about three hours we packed up and headed further down the beach and stopped at Waikiki Beach. This is closer to the Club Orient Resort. It has a much more European flavor even though the bar and restaurant is typically Hawaiian. We choose a beachfront table. Ordered a few beers and a bowel(big enough for two) of pomme frites. It came with three dipping sauces. It was crispy perfection and hit the spot for the time being. Oh and brush up on your French if you come to this part of the beach. It makes it a lot more fun and much easier to talk with the server's. Prices on the menu may astound you if your not on the Resorts food plan, have a tour lunch ticket or are not used to Euro pricing.

When your ready to go back to the ship just walk off the beach wherever you are. There will be private taxi's. They will tell you the fare to the port which will be high. You tell them NO too much and then what you payed to come over. They will agree. If not move onto the next guy.

You will enjoy your day on Orient beach if you love vibrant beaches,people watching, are easy going, want to chill out and DON'T count on seeing a lot of nudity. It's not there as much as it used to be.

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wallypbear

wallypbear

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This was are second visit to the beautiful island of Antigua. Also, my partner was celebrating his birthday today so I wanted to surprise him with something special. He thought we were going to go over to Dickenson beach and lounge around and drink Wadili beer all day. Too repetitive of what we did the day before on St. Maarten I thought. So I booked the Champagne Catamaran and Lobster Lunch excursion. Put the tickets in his birthday card that I handed to him only moments before leaving the stateroom. He was surprised!!!

We spent a wonderful day on board a the Mystic II catamaran. Sailing off the coast of the island through crystalline turquoise waters,on a brilliant, breezy, sunny day stopping at two jeweled Caribbean beaches. All you can drink beer and spiced rum punch (add more rum if you like), a delicious lobster lunch with champagne and some wonderful new friends we met through Cruise Critic Meet&Mingle.

The first beach we stopped at (Turtle Bay) was something straight out of Robinson Crusoe's Treasure Island. We have beached hopped on Antigua before and wondered how did we ever miss this one. You need to see this coconut palm fringed pristine beach. Heavenly!

The catamaran continued on as we all continued to drink and laugh, ooh and ah as we marveled at the scenic beauty of the coastline. Next stop was just out in the sea at anchor for swimming and snorkeling. I was a little surprised that life jackets were not handed out by the crew as being mandatory for deep waters. They were on board though and highly visible. If you feel more comfortable using one then ask the crew before entering the water.

As we floated around on our backs in the cool water smelling the lobster grilling. My partner and I agreed. That this was one of the best days of our lives!

There is another beach stop after lunch with time for more swimming and to do a little vendor shopping. How could you not pick up a memento or two of this glorious day! Then all too soon it is time to start heading back to ship. This almost full day excursion is well worth the $109 pp. Surprise someone you love with this very special gift.

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wallypbear

wallypbear

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We really struggled for weeks prior to the cruise deciding what to do on Dominica. It would be our first time on the island and we would also be celebrating my birthday. Having read many so many mixed reviews during our research and not very enthusiastic about having to get ultra physical to see what were noted highlights," best of" Dominica. We almost opted to stay aboard ship.

Gladly we wound up on a ship sponsored tour. Emerald Pool and City Highlights. Having had quite a celebration the day and night before we changed our pre booked morning tour to the afternoon. Best strategic move we made during the cruise. We had a leisurely balcony breakfast as we watched another cruise ship appear on the horizon sail slowly into port. Had a little birthday bubbly in the schooner bar then proceeded ashore.

We had a small group of only 15 on the tour. It's a short ride to the first stop which is a very pretty view overlooking the town of Roseau. Then onto the so called botanical gardens for a walk to see a few trees and a bus crushed by a huge banyan during a hurricane. Yawn, should have stayed on the ship. It only got slightly better after that as we started to head to the national park along the coastal road. The tour guide went on and on about what we have seen and what we were going to see while cracking some pretty lame jokes. However I love scenic island drives that twist and turn up lush green mountainsides as the sun sparkles off the sea below and wind up someplace unexpectedly wonderful. This is exactly what took place.

The Emerald Pool is the most stunningly magical place we have ever experienced in the Caribbean. The descent down through the lush tropical rain forest as you hear sound of cascading waters is only a teasing crescendo to the Emerald Pool and grotto below. You almost can not believe the sheer spectacle of this magical place! It's something out of dream or a multi million dollar movie set. Your not really quite sure until plunge into translucent pool. The shock of the icy cold water brings you back to reality quickly. It is an unique experience that you will treasure for the rest of your life. Oh, and that best ever strategic move I was telling you about. We were the last group of the day there. We had the entire place to ourselves. Magical!

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wallypbear

wallypbear

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Another island first for us and the last of five ports on this 10 day cruise. We love beach hopping in the Caribbean. St. Kitts has many to choose from. All easily accessible by taxi or car rental. Choosing the latter, Avis is just a few minutes walk from the ship's gangway.

Cockleshell Bay/Reggae Beach Bar is the furthest out on the peninsular.The ride over provides beautiful coastal scenery while driving through hilly terrain. Roads are not in the best of shape. WATCH OUT for monkey! So drive slowly and enjoy the panoramic vistas. The beach is clean, the is water clear, the view serene. The bar itself has more of a Jamaican vibe to it. We were surprised to find the owner and operator. A young entrepreneur. A fellow Floridian,transplant from Boca Raton sweeping the floor and hauling ice to the bar. He paused his chores to welcome us and brought us a couple of beers. Even though the bar wasn't officially open for the day yet. We talked for a while. It was interesting to hear his story of motivation to move to the island. My partner and I have always had the dream of living in Caribbean. Who doesn't? There is a charming little pier with colorful flags, plenty of sun loungers with smiling beach side servers to keep you happily fed and watered. Jet ski's and other water sport are available.

Frigate Bay North/ Frigate Bay South. Separated by a single road . One side is a quiet magnificent unspoiled stretch of beach.We were the only ones there. Another feel like you own the place moment. While the other side is highly populated with cruise ship guests and hotel dwellers looking for a more spirited beach outing at the popular Shipwreck Beach Bar/ Grill. Here we met up with ship board friends for buckets of beer and lots of laughs. The beach is fine. However, its not going win any of our "best of" awards. Also pay particular attention to the bucket and bottle opener attached to it that they give you. Some of them are old and rusty. Needless to say we did not stay for lunch. Oh, and the production show cast was also enjoying a day partying on this beach. They were much more entertaining here than on the ship. A little less sun and fun and a little more rehearsal time may just shoot this cutesy gang to stardom someday.

Our last but certainly not our least and "best of" beach award goes to St. Kitts Marriott Spa Resort and Casino. Not far from the port. This exquisite property boasts one of the largest powdery white sand beaches in the Caribbean. Food , drink and service is stellar. It was an extremely delightful afternoon here. Hardly any hotel guests staying on the property. Still not quite "on season", it felt very exclusive. Lunch and drinks at beach bar cafe was fabulous! We could have easily been talked into staying on and not returning to the ship for the rest of the voyage. But, nobody wants to miss "lobster night" aboard ship! So, we left well knowing that we would certainly return some day.

Oh, there is some very nice souvenir shopping at the port. Allow a little extra time for this. St Kitts tee's, hats, bags etc are a bargain. Shop keepers amiable. A children's band in colorful costumes proudly paraded while others danced and sang. A very festive affair indeed.

Everyone will enjoy this lovely send off from this peaceful tropic island.

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wallypbear

wallypbear

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My partner and I both agree the Vision Of The Seas is going to placed in a three way tie for our all time favorite cruise ship. We loved every thing about this ship and her ports of call. If your a traditional cruise ship enthusiast who thrives on quality first rate food and service and embrace that "You know your at sea feeling." Then you must set sail on this classic modern liner.

I would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for reading my review. I enjoyed writing it and contributing for my fellow cruise critics.

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not2old

not2old

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Thanks so much for your awesome review, we will be on the Vision in March and can't wait! We love Antigua and St Kitts, truly beautiful Caribbean islands. This will be our first time on a Vision class ship and it sounds like it will be a wonderful experience. Thank you again for your view on this beautiful ship!

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wallypbear

wallypbear

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Thanks so much for your awesome review, we will be on the Vision in March and can't wait! We love Antigua and St Kitts, truly beautiful Caribbean islands. This will be our first time on a Vision class ship and it sounds like it will be a wonderful experience. Thank you again for your view on this beautiful ship!

 

Your very welcome not2old. I could have easily stayed aboard for the next cruise. Bon Voyage!!!

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not2old

not2old

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The Rhapsody to Alaska r/t Seattle was our 1st Alaska cruise, last year we sailed on the Radiance to Alaska, both were D1/D2 corner aft cabins. We loved both ships for different reasons and you won't go wrong with either ship. We are planning a 2014 Alaskan cruise and can't decide which ship but we will be happy with either!Just to be able enough to go again will be enough...

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stretchcruz

stretchcruz

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Thank you so much for the great review. We have been on the Vision 8 times, she is our all time favorite ship, and as soon as we saw she was coming back stateside we booked immediately. We are on the Jan 4 sailing, and have corner aft 7652, which we have had several times before as well. We can't wait and we're so happy that she will live up to our oldtime expectations.

 

We are Diamond and are looking forward to the nightly Diamond event as well. Is it in the Viking Crown? Is it just wine and champagne or can my husband have a beer?

 

Did you happen to run across a head waiter named Roscoe? He was a waiter on one of our first Vision cruises and worked his way up. Since we haven't been on the Vision since 2008 we don't know if he jumped ship or not.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to do a review, it is much appreciated!

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