Visions of Sugarplums - Live from Vision of Seas 12/22/23 to 12/30/23

[Rubyfisch]

Hello everyone! I'm headed out tomorrow on Vision of the Seas of the Christmas sailing. I plan of doing a live review, so please feel free to ask questions, leave comments, etc.

[Rubyfisch]

Obligatory luggage post - I'm headed out this morning to Baltimore, and then after the cruise I'm going to DC for New Year's, and then on to Delaware for a business trip, which is my current excuse for this much luggage for one person ....

 

[Rubyfisch]

I am not a particular nervous traveler, and the flight from Boston to Baltimore is not particularly long, but this time of year, I'd prefer to leave nothing to chance ... So I'm on an 8:40 flight. Which means leaving my apartment in the dark ....

 

Here's a blurry photo from the ride to Logan:

 

[Rubyfisch]

Logan wasn't too crazy - there was no line for bag drop at Southwest, and the pre check line moved pretty smoothly. It was only about ten minutes from getting out to curb to getting through the security.

 

The B Terminal was decked out for the holidays:

 

 

Bonus stuffed monkey:

 

 

[Rubyfisch]

Mobile ordering from Starbucks for the win:

 

[Rubyfisch]

As an interlude while I wait (and wait) for my bags at BWI, a little bit about myself.

 

This is my fifth Royal Caribbean cruise (and sixth overall. I'm traveling solo, bought the key and the refreshment package, have a couple of excursions planned, and am ready for the fun to start.

 

My last cruise was on Holland, which was wonderful and different and lots fun. I enjoyed Holland with my partner ... I think I might have bored as a solo (in case you were curious). Check out this one if you are interested in the review:

 

 

Check out this link if you want to see effectively the same cruise as this one, but colder and with many more logistical issues caused by the weather, aka Christmas 2022 on Enchantment:

 

[Rubyfisch]

And here is the itinerary. We were originally calling in Nassau rather than Bimini. I've never been to Bimini, but I've been to Nassau ... So I was fine with swap. It's an eight day out of Baltimore, which I think is just about perfect for a holiday cruise.

 

[Rubyfisch]

My flight was very smooth - I was in 2A (which effectively just meant I had lots of time to pace around baggage claim as we were half and hour early and baggage at BWI moves at a glacial pace).

 

Here is a Logan on this fine morning:

 

 

And the harbor:

 

 

And the Boston cruise port (normally closed this time of year, although those poor folks on MSC just spent two and half days there):

 

 

And a grainy, blurry picture of NYC:

 

[Rubyfisch]

So,  I have to admit - I hate taxi cabs. I'm old enough to remember how horrible they were in the years leading up to Uber. They were expensive and dirty and the drivers didn't use GPS and would "get lost" and would always claim the meter stopped working or credit card reader didn't work. At least that was my Boston experience. But I also kind of hate figuring out Uber in new airports. I decided to go with the cab line today because it was there and I have too much stuff. And it was a perfectly pleasant experience. It was $45 including tip (and Uber XL would have been about $40, and a regular Uber maybe $32 or so). The convenience of it was worth it.

[Rubyfisch]

And, miraculously, a room was ready. I'm staying at Courtyard at McHenry Row. My view:

 

 

[Rubyfisch]

Ran over to Harris Teeter (conveniently across the street) for some stuff for the trip and for lunch (don't worry - the bananas will get eaten here). I should probably get to finishing up work stuff so I can officially be on vacation.

 

[retiredgram]

Just got off her on the 19th.  Have a wonderful cruise and Merry Christmas.

[Rubyfisch]

10 minutes ago, retiredgram said:

Just got off her on the 19th.  Have a wonderful cruise and Merry Christmas.

Thank you! 

[ValerieJo]

Heading to Baltimore in 2 weeks for the January 6 sailing.  It's a 13 night Southern.  This will be our 3 year in a row doing an itinerary out of Baltimore.  The last 2 years were on Enchantment.  Looking forward to sailing on Vision.  (We sailed on Vision back in 2015).  We also stay at Marriott on McHenry Row.  It's a great location.   Will definitely be following along on your review.  Have a wonderful cruise!

[clochette]

looking forward to following your adventure.

[Rubyfisch]

It's gray and cold in Baltimore. I went across the street and got another cup of coffee, but I'm struggling to stay awake ... I don't normally wake up at 5:45, and I kept waking up thinking I had overslept ....

 

In other news, it looks like little Vision is off the coast of North Carolina:

 

[Rubyfisch]

Sunset ...

 

[Nadey]

Have a great trip and a merry Christmas. I'm looking forward to your review. going on a trip in April on the vision  and we have never traveled out of Baltimore but it will be close that we can drive there. Have never been on this ship . 

[Rubyfisch]

Current status, rewatching the Great British Bakeoff from 2017, eating dinner from the grocery store, and debating rearranging what's in what suitcase ...

 

 

Also, I'm very excited about what I have waiting for me for dessert:

 

[Rubyfisch]

Getting closer:

 

[perfect match]

I’ll be following along. I’m already enjoying your pictures. Thank you.

[Rubyfisch]

Good morning from Baltimore!

 

Vision is here:

 

[zebra36]

Have a great trip!

? Sailed on Vision twice this year without incident but seems lately there have been issues with water/pipe problems on deck 7, would like to hear if this has been resolved or is this just an ongoing problem for an older ship?

[Rubyfisch]

4 minutes ago, zebra36 said:

Have a great trip!

? Sailed on Vision twice this year without incident but seems lately there have been issues with water/pipe problems on deck 7, would like to hear if this has been resolved or is this just an ongoing problem for an older ship?

I'm on deck 3, but I'll keep an eye out.

[Rubyfisch]

Breakfast today, much like breakfast yesterday: