DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 #1 Share Posted December 26, 2012 (edited) Vision of the Seas: 12/14/2012 Ports: St. Croix, St. Maarten, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts Intro: My wife and I decided to take a long cruise in December. We originally booked the Freedom of the Seas, but then learned that Royal Caribbean was doing the "Diamonds in December" event again. So we found a nice 10-night itinerary on the Vision of the Seas that went to some ports that we'd never been to. That combined with 20 Crown and Anchor points was enticement enough, we quickly switched the booking. Embarkation: We drove down to Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale) the morning of the cruise, from our home it takes about four hours. The port is very easy to get into, I-595 dead-ends right into it. We left our car at Park-n-Go and rode their shuttle to the terminal. Their rates are much lower than the port's and the shuttle takes only a few minutes. We found the Vision pulled up to Terminal 4, one of the older buildings at Port Everglades. It's currently under renovation, which appeared to be long overdue. We arrived at the terminal at around 1 pm. The lines for security and check-in were nonexistent; we were on board by 1:15. My first look at the Vision from the shuttle Edited December 26, 2012 by DarthGrady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccletzgo Posted December 26, 2012 #2 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Love the Vision. Cant wait to see all your pictures..:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #3 Share Posted December 26, 2012 The Ship: As a ship buff, I always relish the chance to explore a new one. I enjoy it even more when it's a totally new class. I had never been on a Vision Class ship, so I was eager to tour it. Walking around the decks I could see how Royal Caribbean ships evolved over the years. The Vision contained many elements of the older Sovereign Class ships. I also saw many improvements that were later integrated into the newer Radiance and Voyager Class ships. I found the ship to be in very good shape for her age and impeccably clean. The crew had decorated her public spaces for the holidays. Her exterior could use some extra attention though. I saw a lot of rusting along the water line and around fittings. This doesn't bother me really, but it does make her look run down compared to the other ships in port. Deck 4 has the main floor of the central atrium which is home to the Champagne Bar. Up one deck is the Casino Royale, customer service desk, Masquerade Theater and shore excursions desk. The Aquarius Dining Room takes up the aft portion of both decks. Around the Deck 4 atrium lobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #4 Share Posted December 26, 2012 The fountain, behind the grand staircase, Deck 4 lobby An elevator lobby The Campagne Bar, Deck 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted December 26, 2012 The Aquarius Dining Room Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Deck 5: Explorations Desk Masquerade Theater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #7 Share Posted December 26, 2012 The Casino Royale Electric orbs stationed around the casino ...and by special request: a casino ceiling fixture ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFunInTheSun Posted December 26, 2012 #8 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Wahoo. Another great Grady trip report! Thanks for sharing with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #9 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Deck 6: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #10 Share Posted December 26, 2012 More Deck 6 A conference rooms, being used for Hanukkah services Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #11 Share Posted December 26, 2012 The Some Enchanted Evening Lounge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #12 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Thats all for tonight, I'll be back on tomorrow with more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkwolfe Posted December 26, 2012 #13 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Many thanks for another good review Grady. Just a few weeks to go and we'll be aboard for 11 nights! Can't wait! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wieslaw Posted December 26, 2012 #14 Share Posted December 26, 2012 (edited) Hi, your observations of the ship are very much the same as mine. I think it is a very elegant ship. Your pictures IMHO are very good, perfect exposure and good presentation. I looked at all of them and I like them ........ made me kind of sad that I am not there. We were on the cruise just previous to yours. Thank you. Edited December 26, 2012 by wieslaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted December 26, 2012 #15 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Great start, thanks. :) The pictures are beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #16 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Wahoo. Another great Grady trip report! Thanks for sharing with us. Hi,your observations of the ship are very much the same as mine. I think it is a very elegant ship. Your pictures IMHO are very good, perfect exposure and good presentation. I looked at all of them and I like them ........ made me kind of sad that I am not there. We were on the cruise just previous to yours. Thank you. Thanks very much! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 26, 2012 Author #17 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Many thanks for another good review Grady. Just a few weeks to go and we'll be aboard for 11 nights! Can't wait! :D Love the Vision. Cant wait to see all your pictures..:) Shes a great ship, glad you're enjoying the review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohninDC Posted December 26, 2012 #18 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Keep it coming! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goes Cruising Posted December 26, 2012 #19 Share Posted December 26, 2012 To all of those who don't understand when people say the older ships have views from everywhere, your pictures really highlight that! Every lounge has floor to ceiling windows. I just tried out the Oasis class, and am not thoroughly convinced I will not sail above Radiance class again unless the itinerary is to die for! I have had several great cruises on vision class, and am looking at these southern itineraries right now. This is a great use for these ships! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39august Posted December 26, 2012 #20 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Gosh, the Vision is gorgeous! Your pictures make me much more interested now in those 10 and 11 night southern Caribbean cruises. I was somewhat reluctant to book this smaller ship for that length of time. Now, not so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBumb Posted December 26, 2012 #21 Share Posted December 26, 2012 great photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave85 Posted December 26, 2012 #22 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Thanks for the great pictorial review! I, too, am very impressed at how lovely the Vision is from your photos. She's not a ship I ever gave any consideration to sailing, but she's actually quite charming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parroteers Posted December 26, 2012 #23 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Hooray! We are sailing this exact itinerary next week! Can't wait to read more about your review! Tara & Gerard :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trainman-2 Posted December 26, 2012 #24 Share Posted December 26, 2012 The Vision is a great ship with a great crew! She will be even better after the refit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencercoop Posted December 26, 2012 #25 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Great review so far. Can't wait for more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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