Vision Solo Review 9/20/2014

Good Day to all,

I know this is a bit late but here is my review of my sailing on the Vision of the Seas that went from FLL to Key West and Grand Cayman.

This was the first time on the Vision, however not the first time on this class as I sailed the Enchantment twice earlier in the year.

As I sailed solo as I often do I went with an Inside room on deck 3. This was a good size room. Bathroom was decent except that it had that pesky shower curtain that liked to get close and personal with you while you take a shower.

Next up is departure day.

Looking forward to your next installment.

Well Saturday was departure day. I made the drive down to FLL in the morning and met up with a good friend of mine for lunch before I went to the parking area.

I used Park N Go for my cruise parking. I have used them since the first cruise out of FLL 3 years ago. They have great service and have updated their website where you can claim your free parking when you book. After I boarded the ship I realized that I left something important in my car that I needed. Well after a call to the parking area they got my lost item from the car and delivered it to me at the Terminal without me having to go back. That was a WOW moment for them.

Embarkation took place on Deck 4 on the Vision. Now I see why Port Canaveral uses Deck 5 because it can get very crowded very quick in the small Centrum area.

It was a stormy afternoon for the Muster Drill and during sailaway. There was a Princes Ship in port with us today. Much different then when I normally sail in December when there are 6-8 ships in port. Terminal 18 looked weird without Oasis or Allure at it.

During Sail-away the Coast Guard boat did some great maneuvers next to us. They were having a great day at their job.

A look at FLL as we leave thru the Channel. In fact the seas were great this whole trip. No rough seas at all.

Next more from Day 1.

Well we sailed by where both Web cams are at. The first webcam which is my favorite sits on top of the Hyatt. The other one is over by the condo's.

While sailing by the condo's they were waving us away.

That night I ate at Chops. I was the second one seated and they were able to seat me without a reservation as I was a solo. This was the first time I ate at Chops since Freedom back in 2011. What a great meal, I may have to make that a tradition. They seated me by a window that had great views of the ocean.

After Chops I went to the Welcome Aboard Show. The show did not feature the normal song and dance number as the crew was preparing for the areal act that night in the centrum. The show was good and the comedean was good eventhough I have seen him before. Cruise Director Steve started that and every event in the theater.

Well that is all for this evening. More tomorrow as I visit Key West for the first time since I was a teenager back in the early 90's

Fantastic review and pics! OK ... I'm ready for more! ;)

Well I will finish Day 1 this evening before bed. Well after the show I checked out and took a pic of the pool area at night. Then I went to the arial show that was at the Centrum. This was a great show. After that I went to bed as I was heading into Key West in the morning.

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Well tomorrow when I get home I will tackle Key West.

Well I will finish Day 1 this evening before bed. Well after the show I checked out and took a pic of the pool area at night. Then I went to the arial show that was at the Centrum. This was a great show. After that I went to bed as I was heading into Key West in the morning.

Well tomorrow when I get home I will tackle Key West. Well have agreat night everyone.

Enjoying your posts.

Keith

Thanks for the pics! I'm sailing on Vision on October 27th and getting excited!

Well on Sunday 9/21 we made a stop in Kew West.

We docked at what they call the B dock. I think that this is the primary dock they use for the cruise ships.

Well this day I was going to do my own tour. I decided to rent a bicycle for the day at the rental place at the end of the pier. Since I got the day pass I was able to ride in the morning drop off the bike for lunch and a nap and go back in the afternoon.

Well once I got my bike I decided to head straight to the Hemmingway House. I have not been there in over 20 years.

I was able to lock up the bike just inside to the left of the front gate. I did take the guided tour of the house. This was a great tour. Along the tour I saw many of the cats that live there.

This one is of the oldest cat on the property.

This pic came while on the tour. This cat followed us for a couple of rooms. He really enjoyed the attention.

At the end of the tour I looked around a little and in the shop. Then I left and continued my self guided bike tour.

Here are some more photos from the Hemmingway House

This was taken in the gift shop.

This is the Study where Hemmingway did most of his work while in Key West

This is the pool at the house along with a garden at the front entrance area

What bike tour is complete without a stop at the southern most point in the US. There was a long line of people getting the pics with the icon. I did not want to wait so I just got a pic of the landmark.

And of course had to get this sign as well.

Well after all morning on the bike I went back to the ship for lunch and a nap. After that I went back out and did some more touring on the bike.

I went to the right this time and found the Truman House. Got a pic of the sign but forgot to get a pic of the house.

Then went to where they had an old Coast Guard ship set up as a museum but unfortunately it was closed.

I was also able to get a pic of our ship from a different angle

After biking around in the afternoon I got back to the port area and was able to get a few more shots before we left.

Well that is all for now. Have to head into work. I will try and post more this evening.

Thanks for the review and great pictures. Hope you can answer a question for me. We have 2nd seating (8:30) dinner. Will we be able to see the Centram Arial Show? Was this show every night?

Thank you and I'm looking forward to the rest of your review.

We'll be sailing the same ship and itinerary in 3 weeks so I'm especially enjoying your review. I like all the pictures. Do you remember what letter category cabin your Inside was? We're in a K.

Love reading it, because I was on the same cruise.

Thanks for the review and great pictures. Hope you can answer a question for me. We have 2nd seating (8:30) dinner. Will we be able to see the Centram Arial Show? Was this show every night?

 

Thank you and I'm looking forward to the rest of your review.

They only had an Arial Show on select nights. I do believe this one was after 10pm. You will have to check the cruise compass for the updated show times.

We'll be sailing the same ship and itinerary in 3 weeks so I'm especially enjoying your review. I like all the pictures. Do you remember what letter category cabin your Inside was? We're in a K.

My room number was 3101, which was a L category room.

Love reading it, because I was on the same cruise.

That is great. Hopefully you had a good time on the cruise. I noticed in your signature that you will be on Indy on Nov 30th. I will also be on that cruise.

Thanks for your observations and the pictures.

We will be on that ship soon .

Well it was time to leave Key West and slowly make our way to Georgetown Grand Cayman.

While leaving I got a shot of the old Coast Guard ship that is now a museum.

There was also a Canadian Naval Ship in port as well.

One last shot of Key West as we sailed away.

This evening was the first of 2 Production shows. I thought that the show was good.

When I returned to my Stateroom there was a friend waiting for me.

Next up the day at sea.

Well the next day was at Sea to get to Grand Cayman.

I relaxed most of the day. I attempted to get passed the first round of table tennis and did not succeed.

However I did attend the Men's Belly Flop contest.

This was hosted by our Cruise Director Steve Davis.

This is a pic of Steve as he mocks the Art Auction announcement at interrupted the show.

Pretty good crowd watching the Contest

There were some special judges this afternoon.

The final flop.

Next up the Captains Reception.

Well this was the night of the Captains Reception. This event was held in the Centrum.

Here is the Captain, Marek Slaby

And the Senior Staff

After that I went to the Theatre to check out the guest performer for the evening. These guys specialized in 60's tunes. This was a great show.

Then it was off to Gambling with the Cruise Director. I came up empty handed again. The Casino Host was the same one that was on Enchantment when I sailed her in March. Good to see familiar faces. More on that later.

Next up is Grand Cayman

Well it is now time to be in Grand Cayman. I did not have anything planned in Grand Cayman except to walk around and check out some of the shops. I did not take a lot of new pics here that I have not taken before, but this time was with a better camera with a better zoom.

Welcome to Grand Cayman

This is a Tender port. This is what was taking us to the Island

On the Tender waiting to leave

Leaving the Vision

There was only one other ship there with us and it was the Carnival Victory.

Next up more pics from Grand Cayman

Well I do like to take pics of Cruise Ships while in port.

Here are some of the Carnival Victory. It looked like Carnival was using the Dynamic Positioning System as they did not anchor like we did.

Some of the Vision, I think the Vision looks better.

Next up some photos from land