LIVE! Liberty of the Seas April 28, 2023 to Vision of the Seas May 1, 2023: A side-to-side with Dragon of the Seas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

It’s a beautiful day. The ocean is like glass. I find that amazing since we’re out in the open Atlantic Ocean. 

 

 

 

The temperature is very pleasant. Warm enough to be nice, but not nearly as humid as it’s been. We are northeast of the Bahamas, about parallel to Cape  Canaveral.

 

 

 

At this rate, we should get into the Chesapeake Bay tomorrow evening. The time we get in the bay varies so much from Cruise to cruise. Often it is 10pm or after. On our last cruise, it was at dusk.
 

I like to see the lights of the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel. It’s so unique having bridge lights going off in two directions and seeing a gap in the middle where we sail through. 

[ecslady]

@DragonOfTheSeas or anyone  - Can the balcony dividers on Vision be opened, or is that not a feature on this class of ship?  It's been a long time since I was on this class.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

18 minutes ago, ecslady said:

@DragonOfTheSeas or anyone  - Can the balcony dividers on Vision be opened, or is that not a feature on this class of ship?  It's been a long time since I was on this class.

I’m not sure, but I’ll ask my state room attendant. 
 

I don’t think they can be opened. Here is a picture, and there’s a bolt on both sides. It does not appear to have a hinge that opens.

 

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I just attended the veterans ceremony. This one also honored first responders and teachers since we’re in the weeks that I honor those groups, too. 

 

 

it began with a bugler doing America. Then a medley of all the different branches fight songs. As they did the fight song, they were all asked to come up the stairs.

 

 

 

 

then they made some remarks read a poem and sang the national anthem.

 

 

At the end of the ceremony, the captain announced that we were still on vacation, we could eat cake before lunch

 

 

 

I always like to attend this ceremony.

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We went to Abraham Lincoln president and first lady show today. I think that’s the best so far.

 

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

One of the changes that I’ve noticed from before the pandemic. And I don’t know if the vision is the only one in his class that got this Upgrade. But the elevators now have digital call buttons. 

 

I think it makes the elevators come faster, and it’s certainly easier to tell where the elevator is.

 

The only difficulty I’ve seen with it is that if you push the button once inside the elevator, it notes the floor you want. However, if someone pushes that button again, it will turn it off. This works much the same way as a computer touchpad.

 

There were a few times I thought the elevator had a mind of its own. But it’s generally an upgrade. 

 

[perfect match]

Thanks for sharing those beautiful snorkel pictures from your tour with Woodwind! I’m glad to hrear and see that you had such a good experience with them. 🐟😀🐠  Now that I’m not diving much any more, I will most likely book with then the next time I get to Bonaire. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

7 hours ago, perfect match said:

Thanks for sharing those beautiful snorkel pictures from your tour with Woodwind! I’m glad to hrear and see that you had such a good experience with them. 🐟😀🐠  Now that I’m not diving much any more, I will most likely book with then the next time I get to Bonaire. 

You will not be sorry you did. Check out their website. woodwindbonaire.com.
 

They do not advertise, because they don’t need to. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

It’s our last full day of our cruise. We  Will be home tomorrow-early. The weather has definitely become chillier. The Cruisevcompass said high today would be 68. That’s quite a come down from the 88 and steamy that we had in Aruba our last port of call. 
 

The sea is still very calm, thankfully. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Today I am going to share our thoughts on this ship and things we think will be useful to Vision of the Seas cruisers.  This posting will just be a few random items. More things later.

 

1.      The Vision OTS has steam and dry saunas in the men’s [and women’s] locker room.  DH used these a few times during the cruise and enjoyed them.  They are free on this class of ship.  That is not true on all ships.  So, take advantage of that.  Also, the showers in the locker rooms are a good way to deal with a family all trying to get ready at the same time. JMHO

 

2.     If you are trying to unplug from electronics on your cruise, but still need to check in for a flight or contact your ride home the ship sells a 60-minute internet connection for $15 on the last day.  The regular daily rate onboard the Vision is $28 for 24 hrs for one device. This may not be the same rate for all ships. You can spread this out over various days. [i.e. noon one day until noon the next etc.] Also, you can log out of one device and into another at any time—so, you may not need a 2- device package unless both devices need to be connected at the same time.

 

If you do not get a Crown and Anchor discount it will be cheaper to buy internet before the cruise in the planner if you need/want it for the whole cruise. It was regularly $23 for 24hr in our cruise planner. There usually is a sale on Black Friday and Cyber Monday for items in the cruise planner.

 

3.     The app has a chat feature that you can use to communicate with other people on your cruise.  It uses the internet.  But, since this is part of the app and the app is free to use, this feature is too. Passengers really like this.  However, about 2 weeks ago a passenger used it to message everyone on the ship.  This pointed out a weakness, so they disabled it.  [read this in a thread on Cruise Critic] Let’s hope they get a fix soon.  I like the app.  While it is not perfect it is a big upgrade in communication.  

[DragonOfTheSeas]

The ship serves Lavazza coffee in the restaurants, and I find it is pretty good. The coffee shop onboard is called Cafe Latte-tudes. These coffees are not free. I am fond of their Americano and the iced caramel macchiato. 😁☕

 

Here is a price list. They are no more expensive than on land.

 

 

 

Cafe Latte-tudes shares a counter with the Ben and Jerry's ice cream.  [There is a soft serve machine outside the windjammer available all afternoon and ice cream is on the menu each night in the dining] room.  

 

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I have been looking for ducks around the ship. But I am obviously not a very skilled observer. But one of our Facebook members gave me this duck.  🦆

 

Thank you!!

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

 

I’ve never seen this activity before on the ship. It’s kind of a fun fair in the center on the children are having a great time. there are games like golf, Jenna, etc. and demonstrations.  They’re even demonstrating how to make beds using cots. That’s something that I’ve got down pat. Ha ha ha. 

 

 

Magic tricks

 

 

balloon animals for children

 

 

 

this was a good way for crew to showcase their skills And for guests to have fun.

Edited May 10, 2023 by DragonOfTheSeas

[buffet24]

3 hours ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

  I like the app.  While it is not perfect it is a big upgrade in communication.  

It’s pretty cool that I can see your full itinerary on my app while sitting here in Boston!!! 😁

[DELTABLUE]

40 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

 

I’ve never seen this activity before on the ship. It’s kind of a fun fair in the center on the children are having a great time. there are games like golf, Jenna, etc. and demonstrations.  They’re even demonstrating how to make beds using cots. That’s something that I’ve got down pat. Ha ha ha. 

 

 

Magic tricks

 

 

balloon animals for children

 

 

 

this was a good way for crew to showcase their skills And for guests to have fun.

I've seen this a few times.  It always made me think of rainy day activities at summer camp.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

1 hour ago, DELTABLUE said:

I've seen this a few times.  It always made me think of rainy day activities at summer camp.

🤣 

 

🎈 that’s a good analogy, but it was still a lot of fun.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I am going to start my discussion about food.  That is always a big topic on cruises. . . and Royal Caribbean has just launched their new menu in March.  

 

I will start with Breakfast.  

 

Breakfast has always been a favorite meal of mine.  I like almost all types of breakfast food traditionally eaten in the US.  Although, I usually just have yogurt or an English muffin at home.  So, on the ship I look forward to breakfast.  I was not disappointed.  

 

Ate three breakfasts in the windjammer, 2 in the Park Cafe and the rest in the main dining room.  We liked the food in all three places.  In the Park Cafe The premade sandwiches [eggs + ham, breakfast burrito, etc] were not the best.  But, the yogurt parfaits, fruit, pastries, etc were a good light breakfast.  

 

The windjammer served pre made items and had an egg-to-order station.  [omelets, etc]  The days we were there did not have corned beef hash and I missed that.  

 

The main dining room had the same menu everyday--but, plenty of variety.

 

Breakfast service was pretty fast.  But, I must admit we usually arrived within the first half hour of service. I did not take many pictures of the food because I am not awake in the morning. 😉

 

This was DH omelet the first morning. It was too well done.  But, the other days it was fine. Everything is served with the hash browns. 

 

 

My favorite breakfast was the market vegetable breakfast bowl.  It was two fried eggs served over sautéed veggies.  I could have eaten those veggies each night for dinner. 

 

 

My one disappointment at breakfast was the raisin bread--or as I thought of it, the no raisin bread.  The sweet bread was tasty, but it is nothing like the raisin and cranberry bread they used to serve.  

 

 

We tried about half the items between us in 10 days.  If breakfast is a hit, lunch is a bit of a miss.

 

 

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by DragonOfTheSeas

[marci22]

27 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

My one disappointment at breakfast was the raisin bread--or as I thought of it, the no raisin bread.  The sweet bread was tasty, but it is nothing like the raisin and cranberry bread they used to serve.  

 

 

We tried about half the items between us in 10 days.  If breakfast is a hit, lunch is a bit of a miss.

wow, I can't believe they took out the cranberries and raisins. No almonds, either. 😔 Things are looking grim.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Lunch: 

 

We ate lunch in that Park cafe 3 times . . . Once I realized they were open. They have a small but nice salad bar. With one protein each day. 
 

 

The pizza is thin crust and was not bad. Not as good as on land, but DH was happy.  They had some pre-made sandwiches that looked good and other people were ordering them. But I didn’t have any. I did try one of the beef sandwiches. And I found  the beef to be very tough. I didn’t order it again. They had a nice selection of fruit, desserts, and 2 soups each day. I am a big soup fan. 
 

The windjammer have the usual hamburgers, hotdogs, salami, cheese, and sandwich, spreads along with various breads and soups. There was also a salad, bar and fruit opposite the hamburger and hotdog stand. There was a pasta bar each day and a couple of the day as they had stirfry. 
 

There is one thing I noticed about the Windjammer. Those who are familiar with the Windjammer know that it has a circular center section and it used to have serving stations around the perimeter of the circle and then a smaller section in the center of the circle. Now the perimeter food stations are all gone, and there is a line of tables inside what used to be a serving area. The center of the circle is mostly breads and desserts with a few food items. 
 

I found they were less hot food items offered at lunchtime. DH said the hamburgers are better than they were. We found lunch food. They are to be mostly good, and we eat in the Windjammer most days for lunch.
 

we went to the main dining room on the second day for lunch. And while the food was good, it took us an hour and 45 minutes to get our food and eat. That was just too long. But, we tried it again today to see if the service was better. Today it only took an hour and a half, but we feel that still too long for lunch. They were long lags between courses. 
 

this was today’s menu

 

 

The variety is good, and the food was good.

 

 

This is the steak frites

 

and here’s the spaghetti Bolognese

 

 

 

I think desserts are generally better than they were in the past. I often felt they looked better than they taste it. But many of these desserts were really very good. But the service is just so slow.

 

we were seated at a table with two other parties. And our headwaiter from the evening came by. By chance he was also the head waiter of one of the other parties.

 

We discussed the service with him and he said he wasn’t sure what they were going to do on the next cruise. That we only had 1800 passengers on this cruise and there would be 600 more on the next cruise. We asked if there would be any additional staff once they got to Baltimore and he said no, that likely they would increase the length of time for breakfast and lunch by 30 minutes. 
 

The Tutti salad used to be my favorite on sea days. But that’s no longer available.

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We have My Time Dining and have had the same waiters/head waiter each night.  We liked the service the first night and asked to be seated in their section for the cruise.  . .  and we were.  

 

I miss the added variety of the old menus.  However, we always found something we wanted and the food taste was good.  I do feel there are some cutbacks, especially veggies.  Note the size of broccoli and carrots serving. 🙄

 

 

I am not going to post the various menus.  They are available in the app from anyone's phone [even from home].  

 

This was the Caribbean menu.

 

 

 

There were a few new things--for example, this goat cheese tart. It was small but had a very nice flavor

 

 

And of course, the French onion soup is a favorite. 

 

 

Here is the shrimp dish from Caribbean night.  It was very good. 

 

 

 

The only dessert I ordered that I did not care for was the Sticky pudding on UK night. 

 

 

We did not find that there were no substitutions as some people had reported.  I had asked and gotten baked potatoes twice and DH asked for mashed potatoes on a night they were not on the menu at all.  However, they are available with the extra cost filet and the waiter got him some of those.  DH also got fruit salad from the kids menu.  So, I do not feel the wait staff is not allowed to make changes. 

 

We found dinners to be good.  Some dishes were excellent and only a couple were not to my liking.  That happens at some land-based restaurants.  So, I considered dinner a positive experience.  YMMV  Food is a very personal. 

Edited May 10, 2023 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DELTABLUE]

According to Marine Traffic, you are a bit north of Tilgman Island, not quite to Poplar Island.  Am heading to bed to read so want to take this opportunity to say what a pleasure it was to 'cruise' along with you and wish you all safe travels home.😊

[buffet24]

14 hours ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

We have My Time Dining...

What is your personal opinion on MTD versus Set Time Dining?

 

BTW, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your reporting on these sailings... especially, your writing style... it felt balanced as you honestly described how you saw things (good and bad) but always recognizing that others may see it differently...  That is very appealing...

 

We're actually going B2B on Liberty, out of Liberty (Cape that is 😊)  starting May 23rd.... but will look forward to reading your next sailing!!!  Safe ride home...

[LATTELOVE]

20 hours ago, marci22 said:

wow, I can't believe they took out the cranberries and raisins. No almonds, either. 😔 Things are looking grim.

Agree, too much cutback.  Very sad to see 

what they offer now both in the Windjammer and main dining.

We were disappointed on our last cruise on Wonder Of The Seas

3 months ago.

Edited May 11, 2023 by LATTELOVE

[moposh]

I love the French Onion Soup!!  

[rtb]

Thank you again for the help in the dining room and all your pictures and postings, very helpful.  Pat