Vision of the Seas~B2B~Spanish Immersion~Feb. 8th & 15th~My Diary

[vavasmom]

The photos are wonderful.

 

Note to self must try Frozen Mojito while on the Enchantment in May.

 

Were they available at all the bars?

[maxs mom]

We had Muster Drill at 5.....it took a bit longer than last week for some reason. After Muster I went to the Schooner Bar to meet Linda and Tim from New York. They were the only ones from the roll call that wanted to meet. It was very nice seeing them and we said we would try to get together at another time. They had the coveted corner aft JS 8588.

 

When we got to the CL this evening, there were quite a few people there for a change. There was a large group of Panamanians and several American couples. We met the new bar server for the week.....a very quiet guy from Albania.....and for the life of me I can't recall his name. I know it started with an A. He was so quiet and nice. We got to know him a little better as the week wore on. He was really good.

 

 

Soon, most people left and here we were by ourselves again!

 

 

We went to dinner in the MDR tonight. I was able to go to Chops earlier today and make a reservation for Wednesday and still use our BOGO. They just charged the dinner today, so it was already paid for on Wednesday....half price. I really appreciate it when they do that. Some ships do and some ships don't.

 

We were seated in Vivek's section (one of our waiters at breakfast) so he already knew us. I had a spinach and steak salad entrée that I have never had before and it was quite tasty. I love all their new salad entrees!

 

 

There was carrot cake for dessert and it was also very good!

 

 

We could still see the piano guy from this location.

 

 

We thought we might have some luck in the casino tonight. Well.....John did, but I didn't. At least I didn't break any machines tonight!

 

After that, it was time to turn in. As we sailed to Cartagena again, the seas were quite lively. It made for some good sleeping, though.

[maxs mom]

The photos are wonderful.

 

Note to self must try Frozen Mojito while on the Enchantment in May.

 

Were they available at all the bars?

 

Yes.....I believe you can get them at every bar! They are quite tasty.

[SherriZ366]

Yes.....I believe you can get them at every bar! They are quite tasty.

They sound luscious -- I'm going to try one at Boleros when we sail on FR on May 4.

[mommabean]

Great pictures! Question: Does the exterior promenade encircle the entire deck?

 

Actually I don't believe you can walk entirely around the promenade deck. There is a gate that is always closed unless something has changed. We were on Vision for 24 days prior to dry dock and there were some people who complained about it not being open because they had to walk across the forward lobby to reach the other side. They were told that is just they way it is on this ship - closed off to the public around the front because it's a working area.

 

I've been told that most ships in this class do not have full access to the entire promenade deck. Enchantment goes all the way around and if I remember correctly, someone may have told me Grandeur does, too. I cold be wrong about that. Maybe someone else will see this and tell us which ships have a fully open promenade and which don't in the Vision class.

 

It would be nice if something has changed since dry dock.

 

Gina

[mommabean]

Thanks for all the info Jane. Your review is great as always. I sure hope they're still serving frozen mojitos when we're on board. The only time I ever saw that on a ship was in Australia when so many of the suite guests had the alcohol package that they just let everyone have what they wanted. :)

 

Gina

[spinnychick]

Does RC still have the alcohol packages onboard btw? I'd heard a rumour they'd cancelled them for some reason.

[maxs mom]

Gina....I think you're right. You may not be able to walk all the way around on the outside of Deck 5. I know I have on some ship.....it might have been Enchantment or Grandeur. you should be able to get anything you want to drink in the CL.....they have to go out to the Viking Crown bar to get everything and it's never busy. When do you sail? Soon, isn't it?

 

spinnychick.....they DO still have the drink packages as far as I know.

[mommabean]

Gina....I think you're right. You may not be able to walk all the way around on the outside of Deck 5. I know I have on some ship.....it might have been Enchantment or Grandeur. you should be able to get anything you want to drink in the CL.....they have to go out to the Viking Crown bar to get everything and it's never busy. When do you sail? Soon' date=' isn't it?

 

spinnychick.....they DO still have the drink packages as far as I know.[/size']

 

We board on Saturday. DH just got off the phone with Eric. Thank you for helping up with that. All arrangements are made in Spanish. If you managed with English with him, you are really good. :)

 

Gina

[BoyntonBeth]

We board on Saturday. DH just got off the phone with Eric. Thank you for helping up with that. All arrangements are made in Spanish. If you managed with English with him, you are really good. :)

 

Gina

 

Gina,

 

It's been awhile since we were on the same ship. Are you b2b also? Where are you staying?

 

See you Saturday. Or, maybe even tomorrow.

[maxs mom]

Gina.....glad you got everything squared away with Eric. He's a nice guy. I think he did not understand much that we said, but we got along OK! Can't wait to hear about your trip.

 

Beth.....safe travels. you should be all packed!!

[maxs mom]

Sunday ~ Feb. 16, 2014 ~ Cartagena

 

CL for coffee this morning. Met several folks in there this morning, including another Jane!!

 

Breakfast was awesome again. We had a leisurely morning because we didn't dock until 10:30. The sail on to Cartegena is beautiful. Somehow I had a spot on my lens.....Grrrrr!

 

 

 

View from our balcony:

 

 

We had no plans for the day except to relax at the end of the pier near the Welcome Center and Gift Shop and enjoy the aviary.

 

 

Lots of flamingoes around.

 

 

Edited March 6, 2014 by max'smom

[BoyntonBeth]

Gina.....glad you got everything squared away with Eric. He's a nice guy. I think he did not understand much that we said' date=' but we got along OK! Can't wait to hear about your trip.[/size']

 

Beth.....safe travels. you should be all packed!!

 

Does thinking about packing count at all?:eek:

[maxs mom]

We bought 2 hours of Wi-Fi for $5. It worked out pretty well. We found a nice place to sit. You can get fresh squeezed juices of just about any fruit that you can imagine......very nice!

 

 

This parrot came and sat with us!!

 

 

We also had a peacock around our feet!

 

I walked around a little and saw all the wildlife, etc.

 

 

 

[stripe]

Love your review! We sail that same route on the Vision April 5 this year.

I have one question.....in Cartegena do we need to get local money? Or do the taxis, etc all accept US dollars?

Thanks!

[maxs mom]

We stayed there until around 1:30 or so, then caught the shuttle back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ate lunch in the Windjammer.....there was not a soul there.....wonderful. We had a nice afternoon of relaxation.

 

HOWEVER!!!!!........In our new cabin....8568...we are just under the far end of the Solarium. They roll carts through there all day. Laundry carts, carts with towels, food carts, drink carts.....all kinds of carts!!! It sounded like a bowling alley above our heads!! We never had a moment's peace. It subsided in the evenings and over night a bit. But at least 3-4 times during the night I was awakened by this noise. More on this later.

[maxs mom]

Love your review! We sail that same route on the Vision April 5 this year.

I have one question.....in Cartegena do we need to get local money? Or do the taxis, etc all accept US dollars?

Thanks!

 

No need to get any kind of foreign currency for anywhere on this trip. US dollars are accepted everywhere.

[maxs mom]

Be sure and catch the sunset from Cartegena. Absolutely stunning!

 

 

 

[stripe]

No need to get any kind of foreign currency for anywhere on this trip. US dollars are accepted everywhere.

 

Thank you for your speedy reply!

Happy travels!

[jameybano]

Hey!! Another cruise buddy heard from!! And you are cruising .....like real soon!!! Yes.....retirementland is wonderful!!! Bon Voyage!

 

 

Sooooo ready for Spring Break! Every type of winter record was shattered this year :eek:

 

I am taking my son on his first cruise. We are sailing in Aquaclass, really excited about trying Blu.

[maxs mom]

Sooooo ready for Spring Break! Every type of winter record was shattered this year :eek:

 

I am taking my son on his first cruise. We are sailing in Aquaclass, really excited about trying Blu.

 

Oh...you are going to love that!!! Have fun! Aqua Class is the best!!

[maxs mom]

It was a very quiet night in the CL tonight.

 

 

 

Nice view of Cartegena from there.

 

 

Dinner was nice. I had the stuffed pasta again and evidently I had whatever this is.

 

 

More lively partying in the Centrum tonight.

 

 

I broke even in the casino tonight and John won a little. We ran into our new friends Jane and Jim.

 

Back in the cabin we had this wonderful peacock. So funny since we were toe to toe with a peacock this morning!

 

[maxs mom]

Oh....I forgot to post Jane and Jim's Picture in the last post.

 

[SherriZ366]

Actually I don't believe you can walk entirely around the promenade deck. There is a gate that is always closed unless something has changed. We were on Vision for 24 days prior to dry dock and there were some people who complained about it not being open because they had to walk across the forward lobby to reach the other side. They were told that is just they way it is on this ship - closed off to the public around the front because it's a working area.

 

I've been told that most ships in this class do not have full access to the entire promenade deck. Enchantment goes all the way around and if I remember correctly, someone may have told me Grandeur does, too. I cold be wrong about that. Maybe someone else will see this and tell us which ships have a fully open promenade and which don't in the Vision class.

 

It would be nice if something has changed since dry dock.

 

Gina

I think the only Vision class ships that have a promenade going all the way around are Enchantment and Grandeur.

[spinnychick]

Thanks for the pics in Cartagena, we are heading there on a Panama Canal cruise end of March, so nice to build the excitement.