Vision of the Seas

[terinzak]

We will be taking a cruise on Vision to the Mexican Riviera. IF you have cruised on the vision could you tell me what you loved, and hated, about her? Thanks so much!!

[katstoy]

Loved it all!

 

I've done that itinerary twice, going back for our third this March! If I had to change one thing it would be to put a sea day between ports. Three ports in three days is tiring. Logistically, however, that won't work as it takes more than a day to get from/to the Riviera to LA. I do like the two sea days in a row on the return to LA, nice and relaxing.

 

The dining room staff is great. On our last trip (Dec 2006) we had a fun table. The head waiter was the most helpful and entertaining one to date. Usually you just see your head waiter on tip night! On both of the past Vision trips the head waiter was fabulous.

 

If you have any specific questions, ask away . . . .:D

[klfhngr]

I'd like to hear more about her too, we cruise in April on her. What started out as a few of us (8), has now turned to 20+! Any pros/cons on her is greatly appreciated!

[Italy52]

We will be taking a cruise on Vision to the Mexican Riviera. IF you have cruised on the vision could you tell me what you loved, and hated, about her? Thanks so much!!

 

 

We took the Vision of the Seas to the Mexican Rivera in February of this year. We loved everything about the experience. We had an inside cabin (something we usually don't do) and it was nice, the room steward very attentative, the food in the dining room and Windjammer was good, dining staff in both areas very attentative, the layout of the ship was easy to navigate, and the casino was good (slots paid out 3 times for me). Shows were ok - typical cruise ship shows. Ports were just OK for us. Went there because it was easier to get around with a little one than flying to the Caribbean. Good experience overall. Would cruise on Vision again, just not to Mexico -- purely our preference -- don't let that impact your decision.

 

Drawback - would have loved to have a self-serve laundry like on other lines -especially with a little one in toe.

 

Have a great cruise.

[Italy52]

Loved it all!

 

I've done that itinerary twice, going back for our third this March! If I had to change one thing it would be to put a sea day between ports. Three ports in three days is tiring. Logistically, however, that won't work as it takes more than a day to get from/to the Riviera to LA. I do like the two sea days in a row on the return to LA, nice and relaxing.

 

The dining room staff is great. On our last trip (Dec 2006) we had a fun table. The head waiter was the most helpful and entertaining one to date. Usually you just see your head waiter on tip night! On both of the past Vision trips the head waiter was fabulous.

 

If you have any specific questions, ask away . . . .:D

 

We did Vision in February - who was your head waiter - just curious.

[paintedduck]

we sailed the vision to mexico last february and enjoyed ourselves so much that we will sail again in january. we liked the fact that the master of the ship, Captain Bjoerheim, was the most personable and accessable captain we have met. we thought the food and service in the dining room was a notch above that of a celebrity cruise that we just completed. the crew and activity staff was very good. a beautiful ship that seems well maintained.

 

happy sailing

gary

[klfhngr]

Wow, thanks for the info., looking forward to our trip! We've been to these ports like 10 times or so on previous cruises, we don't always cruise for the ports, more for the ships and just to relax! Sounds like Vision of the Seas will be our type of ship! How are the daytime activities? Music? Bands, etc.?

[NEARING 100 CRUISES]

We were on last week during the California fires. We could actually smell the smoke out in the ocean. The cruise overall was just a "good" rating.:rolleyes: Disappointing things were the food in the Windjammer, Rcc singers and dancers, and condition of ship.:confused: Cruise director, activities, dining room, and guest entertainers were good.:) I would be glad to answer specifics. Jerry and Sandy

[jallison8378]

I was on the Vision a few weeks ago for the first time in eight years. The ship is definitely a bit dated, but she's in great condition.

Food and service in the dining room was wonderful. We also had an excellent headwaiter--Amith--who dropped by our table every night.

The Windjammer was complete chaos and horribly designed. There is a small area in the center where they usually set up a taco bar...folks flood in from both sides and crash into each other... it really should be one way. Also annoying was that one side of the Windjammer seemed to be perpetually shut down (and I'm not talking about the time when the buffet transitions from one meal period to another)... don't know why. Good food and service all around, though.

Shows and entertainment were pretty sub-par this time around. I usually never miss a show on a cruise... this time, I only attended 3 (and left 2 of them early). Most of the lounge singers were total amateurs and not all that good. The quality of entertainment seems to be the luck of the draw from cruise to cruise.

Other random things I loved... the bartenders were friendly and helpful (many would call lounge to lounge to track down a bottle of Royal beer for my fiance), hamburgers and fries in the Solarium at 1 a.m. were delicious, room service was speedy, the midnight pool party was fun (they played oldies, which kind of brought all the generations together on the dance floor), the flag ceremony was worth seeing (I'd never seen it before), I could go on and on...

Have a great cruise!!!!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[Amaranthine33]

We will be taking a cruise on Vision to the Mexican Riviera. IF you have cruised on the vision could you tell me what you loved, and hated, about her? Thanks so much!!

 

 

I was on it last month (Seattle/Alaska) and had a wonderful time! I loved loved loved the crew. They are wonderful and top notch. Food is awesome too. I can't think of anything that I hated.

[Family Man]

Three weeks from today, I will be enjoying a relaxing day at sea on her.

[girlbuffalo1]

My husband and I were on the Vision last week and got off yesterday 10/28. For reference we are 25 and 32.

My pros:

 

Dining room service at dinner

*Food in the dining room

*Very quiet rooms (well except for when docking at port)

*Shipshape activities (You collect fake dollars for doing physical activities like walking and doing dance classes and then can cash them in

*Great crafts (we had jewlery making)

*People did not overly harass us about drinks--this was a huge plus

*Los Pampos Gauchos (great argentinian entertainers--however I think this was their last cruise)

*Decent music in the Viking Crown Lounge

*Lots of elevators

 

Cons:

*Not a very big ship so not much shopping ect like you might be used to on some of the other bigger RC ships like the voyager

*Entertainment was rather lacking--one of the comedians was almost what I would consider terrible--they need better productions for the singers and dancers--they have the talent--why waste it on an hour long disco medley

*Gala buffet wasn't very special and seating wasn't planned out very well

*They did not accomodate our request for a table for 2 (DH and I do not like talking to people as a general rule LOL)

*Our anniversary suprise was just a slice of the cheescake that was being served for desert ( I really loved the celebrity cake LOL)

 

Some tips:

*There are two types of chocolate chip cookies--go for the one with the big chips that looks homemade--the one with the small chips that looks from a box--are bad--big chips good (they do both at the windjammer and both at at the pool cafe)

 

*If you like being adventerous try the zip lining in Cabo--very fun--great guys. Also I recommend highly the Sierra Madre horseback tour in Puerto Vallarta--really good--you can ride bareback in the water while a horse swims--it was amazing

 

Any questions?

[TPKeller]

Anyone have trouble getting Main Seating for dinner?

 

Theron

[Italy52]

Anyone have trouble getting Main Seating for dinner?

 

Theron

 

We asked for main seating, table for 4 (+ 17 month old) about four months before our cruise and had no problem getting the table. Only problem we had is they split up the family (DH and myself at one table and DD, SNL, and GD) at another table. As soon as we were on board we checked out the table. DH went to MD and got the table switched with no problem. We got a table for 4 and a high chair for GD.

[klfhngr]

Girlbuff, thanks for the great info.! My mom and aunt are going to be disappointed about the shopping, I'm not going to tell them!! SSSHHH!!!

[Petert]

Hi Terinzak,

 

We sailed on the Vision to Mexico on 14 Oct, and are booked to make our sixth Vision cruise on 9 December (with our daughter and son in law). The ship bright and beautiful, with lots of glass to bring the ocean atmosphere right up close. Very well maintained, with an excellent, cheerful crew that helps to make for a very pleasant experience. We enjoyed the wide variety and quality of the food in the Windjammer, and while it was a bit crowded at times, there was never a wait at the four service lines. The dining room service was excellent, and we found the preparation, presentation, variety and quality of the food to be very good to excellent.

 

The show room entertainment was good, but not exciting, but there were some excellent musicians and music around the ship. The ports of call are interesting and easily navigated, with something to offer for anyone. Plenty of organized activities for sea days, and a nice balance of port and sea days. I am sure that you will enjoy your cruise, I know that we did.

 

Petert

[klfhngr]

Hi Terinzak,

 

We sailed on the Vision to Mexico on 14 Oct, and are booked to make our sixth Vision cruise on 9 December (with our daughter and son in law). The ship bright and beautiful, with lots of glass to bring the ocean atmosphere right up close. Very well maintained, with an excellent, cheerful crew that helps to make for a very pleasant experience. We enjoyed the wide variety and quality of the food in the Windjammer, and while it was a bit crowded at times, there was never a wait at the four service lines. The dining room service was excellent, and we found the preparation, presentation, variety and quality of the food to be very good to excellent.

 

The show room entertainment was good, but not exciting, but there were some excellent musicians and music around the ship. The ports of call are interesting and easily navigated, with something to offer for anyone. Plenty of organized activities for sea days, and a nice balance of port and sea days. I am sure that you will enjoy your cruise, I know that we did.

 

Petert

 

Thanks petert, looks like we better start working out!!!!

[Jrsygrl]

My husband and I sailed the Vision in March of 2006. It was too cold to lay out by the pool when we were at sea and very windy. I think that was the only downfall. Capt. George was fantastic! :) We did whale watching in Cabo on the Zodiac boats and it was beyond words how amazing it was!! :D We went to the Krystal Resort in Puerto Vallarta. I think it was $20 pp to get in. They had a really nice pool and beach plus the money you paid to get in was actually a 'credit' to use in the resort for food and drinks!! We enjoyed it! We also did a sunset sail in PV on a sailboat. If you would like to just sit back and relax I would recommend that! I didn't care for Mazatlan. We did a beach excursion but there were way too many vendors on the beach even though they were roped off.:(

 

Either way we enjoyed the Vision and would sail her again. The sunsets at all 3 ports were breathtaking!

[Jay Bee]

What about the soft serve (frozen yoghurt?) machine? On one ship last year I never saw it, then found out after the cruise that it was hidden up on the level above the Windjammer! Where is it on the Vision and when does it seem to be available?

 

Thanks.

[jjb415]

I sailed on the Vision of the Seas in April-May 2007, during the repositioning from Los Angels to Vancouver.

 

Pros: the lounge entertainment

the shows

the rock wall

the bar staff

the Windjammer staff :)

the Front Office staff

the Salad Bar in the Windjammer

 

Cons: my worst Room Steward ever :mad:

as mentioned, the Winjammer setup (floors always slippery)

lack of variety of food in the Windjammer

 

Still a great ship and wonderful time.

[katstoy]

What about the soft serve (frozen yoghurt?) machine? On one ship last year I never saw it, then found out after the cruise that it was hidden up on the level above the Windjammer! Where is it on the Vision and when does it seem to be available?

 

Thanks.

 

Pool deck, port side, right outside windjammer. It seemed to start up late morning and was available pretty much all day.

[katstoy]

We did Vision in February - who was your head waiter - just curious.

 

 

I don't remember his name:( He was from India and worked the upper level, port side. We were at table 1. It was the first table in from the doors. He came over each night and told jokes and did some magic tricks. We had great table mates, playing practical jokes and having a good time. The wati staff also got in on the fun!

[mcarnett]

We have sailed the Vision of the Seas 6 times. The only thing that has been bad is that we had to get off of her at the end of the cruise. She is large enough to have a lot of activities, but small enough to be imtimate. She is a beautiful ship with lots of glass to see out. Her crew is excellent. You will enjoy her.

 

We will be sad to see her go in 2009, but the good news is that she is being replaced by the Mariner of the Seas. Yes, we are already booked on her.

 

Mike

[DrivesLikeMario]

A special thanks to those that posted the 'cons' about this ship. It's good to hear what didn't live up to expectations instead of only hearing the 'pros'. I think it gives a more balanced view of what to expect. ;)

[Tqrocks]

I will be on Vision, Jan 6, for my first cruise. It's very interesting to see how different everyone experiences their cruise and how diverse tastes run. I believe the cruise lines all try their best to accomodate as many people as possible, keeping in mind that there are those people that no matter what you do they'll have something to complain about. Even some of my friends and relatives have negative things to say about cruises. I'm hoping I don't get jaded by reading some of these boards and start looking for things to complain about. :p

 

On the whole, it sounds like Vision - Mexican Rivera is a GREAT TIME. I just want everything to be wonderful and magical. :)

 

Renee