Vision: Our family sees a different side of Royal

[RCCL Fan]

 

REVIEW: Vision of the Seas. 3/11

 

Introductions & a big scare:

 

 

 

I like to call us newish Texans. We've been in the state about two years now after a job transfer.

 

One of the "pros" on our "pro/con list" about the move was that we would be driving distance to a RCI ship now.

 

We typically fly to South Florida, so this would be an all new adventure for us.

 

 

 

Us consists of my wife, who proudly proclaims she married me for my diamond status.

She and I went on Oasis together for her first cruise and she's been hooked ever since.

 

We even invited 50 friend and relatives onboard Independence with us and got married that week. She's a stay at home Mom, and while being super super frugal, loves to splurge and pamper herself on RCI ships.

 

We have two daughters

 

 

 

The oldest is 10 years old. In kindergarten, she was doing rhyming words with her class and she had to draw a picture and write a word of something that rhymes with "car"

She chose "bar" and drew herself sitting at the pool bar of a ship, complete with her seapass card and one of those Island Oasis machines.

 

 

Our youngest is 5. She actually took her first steps on board Serenade. Got on the ship crawling, by day 7 she was a walking machine. She also went to Disney and as we headed out of the park announced, "next time lets just go on a cruise"

 

We typically sail every spring break. My oldest's birthday, my birthday, and our anniversary all fall the same week of March, we tend to celebrate them all onboard.

 

I have been sailing with RCI since I was a kid, and clearly have passed my love on to my family. We typically sail Oasis class ships. They have so much to offer families, it's always been our choice.

 

Pre-kids I've sailed just about everything else. The only two classes of ships in the fleet I have not sailed are Quantum and Vision.

 

When Vision offered a 7-day on it's first sailing out of Galveston is caught my eye. When that sailing happened to be during my kids Spring Break AND RCI was offering Kids Sail Free. I got out my credit card immediately.

 

The cruise would visit Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. We had never been to Roatan. We stopped in Costa Maya, 10 years ago during the Inaugural season of Oasis. Falmouth pier wasn't ready for Oasis yet, so we went to Costa Maya instead. Only problem, the little man made port area was still under construction. There was literally nothing there but the pool and a few shops. So this would be a nice return visit.

 

 

 

We were nervous about this cruise. We had some CC friends who sailed vision and absolutely hated it.

 

We looked at the deck plans and yes compared to Oasis class, we were like wow.... there's a single pool up top (that kids can use), and a few bars down below and a rock wall.

 

We could do Liberty, but the route was the same we've done on our past 3 cruises, we needed something new.... and Freedom class is my lease favorite class, (if i had to pick one)

 

We have sailed Radiance class --- and were nervous about it, but it was such an awesome cruise. One of our favorites ever. But we cited the crew, they were fantastic and made the cruise so worth it. What's the chance of getting that again?

 

Was this a bad idea?

 

Sure it was a good price, but would the kids be miserable. We usually sail big and new. This is small and older.

 

We prepped the kids.

 

"This is a different kind of cruise... we will spend lots of relaxing time by the pool."

 

Then we thought about that.... one pool... spring break in Texas... Kids sail free...

 

We were going to be lucky to every get in the pool, we thought, there is only one for kids and there will likely be a million kids on board.

 

"Kids, pack books, and kindles, and coloring books!"

 

We're normally not so alarmist, but this one had me concerned.

 

But we were ready.

 

 

I'm not a big drinker at all. I love frozen mojitos, and that's about it. I usually skip wine at dinner, am not a beer person, enjoy a cocktail here and there but not often.

Every year we buy the drink package, and every year yours truly goes 3-4 days on the ship without ordering a single drink.

 

But with the down time I told my wife, we're getting it again. We'll be sitting by the pool, drinking lots of mojitos.

 

So a few days prior to sailing I went online to buy the drink package.

 

Thank Goodness I did.

 

 

 

 

I log into our account only to get an error message that.... we have no cruise.

 

Now I'm a huge RCI fan, but lets be honest, their IT dept has been known for a hiccup or two.

 

So, I don't worry. I had just talked to RCI a day earlier.

 

I called in to officially create a C&A number for my youngest. Even though she's been on several cruises. I just never bothered to create her own account.

 

Agent added her to our reservation, so I know it's there.

 

I paid in full 4 months ago.

 

Well....

 

Called my TA the next day and asked her to check.

 

Now this woman is older, she was my Mom's travel agent. I've known her FOREVER, and she's booked all 20+ cruises we've taken.

 

Never have I heard her panic and swear and say, "I'll call you back" so fast.

 

Yep I had no cruise.

 

It was cancelled.

 

Long story short.

 

When I called in to add my daughter's C& A number... the agent accessed my reservation.

 

So did my travel agent, as I called her later to give her my youngest new C&A number.

 

Apparently, even though I had bought and paid in full for the trip months earlier one of them somehow, "repriced my reservation"

 

Basically they changed the rate to current prices.

 

The cruise cost more at then point then when I paid.

 

So that night, the computer saw a balance due and saw we were now past our final payment date and it cancelled our reservation entirely.

 

By the time my TA called in, RCI told her, "Sorry that room has been offered to someone else, the ship is sold out, there's no more cabins for them"

 

WHAT????

 

RCI wanted to put us on another ship, but it wasn't driving distance, and we would have to fly ourselves there.

 

Nope not happening.

 

After a ton of back and forth and the TA blaming RCI, and RCI blaming the TA and I refusing to spend 3K on last minute airfare to South Florida Spring Break week, I finally got a call that somehow they got our room back and we were good to go on Vision.

 

This non drinking man, had a drink during this process for sure.

 

So.....

 

Yeah this cruise has been one that we were super nervous about, and didn't have high expectations.

 

But finally it's here and so we're ready to hop in the car, not a plane, and head to the ship.

 

Our little, older, driving distance, Texas ship....

 

 

Up Next..... Day 0   Galveston!

 

Edited March 24, 2019 by RCCL Fan
omission

[ONECRUISER]

Wow! Talk about Cruise Stress, glad got cabin back. Cute kids...

[akcruz]

Wow, what a way to start a cruise, and review.  Looking forward to hearing about your trip.  We too went on Vision with our then 19 year old, we went through the same discussion about activities beforehand.  While we all had a great time, he definitely preferred the bigger ships.

[mimi7ccr]

We're on the Vision for her September Transatlantic, so I'm eagerly awaiting the rest of your review.  I know it's an older ship, 

but I'm old too!!  LOL.  

 

[FionaMG]

2 hours ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

Lovely family pic. 

Great start to review but what a scare! 

Looking forward to reading more. 

 

[RazorbackIslandGirl]

Wow! What a crazy pre-cruise whirl wind!! I can't wait to hear how the cruise turned out. 

[ShillyShally]

2 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Wow! Talk about Cruise Stress, glad got cabin back. Cute kids...

Seriously, after reading post 1 I want a drink to continue this thread!  Fingers crossed I see that was the last stressor!

[ShillyShally]

Also wanted to say your family is beautiful! Love the first steps on the Splendor and would love to know what reaction the teacher gave to your oldest's bar drawing 🙂

[lazydayz]

So glad you got on the ship! Looking forward to your review. 

[ONECRUISER]

47 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

Seriously, after reading post 1 I want a drink to continue this thread!  Fingers crossed I see that was the last stressor!

Yeah, can't Imagine...

[RCCL Fan]

Day 0 Galveston
& Check in



Us North Texans hopped in our minivan, and headed South from Dallas to Houston/Galveston.

A few months after my job relocated us to Dallas/Fort Worth, my brother-in-law was relocated to Houston.

After years of us being on the East Coast and them ,the West, my wife and her sister are so excited to be in the same state.

Even though we have to keep reminding them its a very very big state.

We were planning to stay with them for the night -- and then head to the ship but they're in the middle of a home remodel. They're all sharing one bathroom right now.

So we stopped and hung out in their backyard by the pool, for a bit before checking into our hotel in downtown Galveston.



We chose the Tremont House Hotel.

It's an old historic hotel totally renovated and is now a Grand Wyndham property.

My girls loved the hotel --- it has very tall ceilings and very nice wood floors and plantation shutters. I wasn't crazy about the wallpaper but whatever.....




This hotel offers free parking for the week with your one night stay.

When I made reservations I was told, "You'll park at our sister property then we shuttle you to the ship."

I looked up their sister property, that was adjacent to the hotel, and that seemed easy enough.

When we arrived I learned that's not the sister property they were talking about.

Instead it was another property on the other side of Galveston Island.

The ship was 2 blocks away --- the other property was about 10-15 blocks.
It wasn't far, but I was all proud of myself for finding a hotel right across the street from the ship, with free parking. I was annoyed I would have to drive further away to get on the ship.

I offered the valet cash to just bring my car to the other hotel for us, and we just uber the 2 blocks to the vision.... but none would take me up on it.

So we drove it.

it was pretty painless. We pulled up in front the hotel Galvez, their were valet attendants waiting they unloaded all our gear and put it in the shuttle and we were off.

I paid a lot of tips, but less than what I had offered for the other valets to drive it over.

I think next time we may just stay here to begin with.
 

Check in was OK.

We used the new Royal Caribbean app and pre-filled out everything.

Apparently, when our reservation was cancelled so was everything I filled out ahead of time.

We were pulled from the check-in line and pointed to a table in the corner.

"The agent will help you, just fill out some new forms"

We got there, and there was no agent, just a table filled with different forms.

The wife and I divided up every form we saw on the table, hurried through them and got back in line.

We were approved this time --- and sent to the counter where there was so more issues finding reservation. Everyone kept apologizing saying it was their first day.


Vision had been sailing out of New Orleans.

This was the first sailing from Texas and apparently they hired new staff for check-in. It wasn't the same people who check in passengers on Liberty normally.

We finally got through and onboard our little ship





The ship had spent the past day and a half at sea.... empty.

They had dropped off passengers in New Orleans Saturday morning and remained empty until they got to us on Monday.





I assumed our rooms would be ready upon arrival as they had a day and a half to do what they normally do in 2 hours.

But no --- the rooms were all closed off.

Around 11am they announced all rooms were ready except deck 8.

Guess where we were --- deck 8.

It came online a little later and we headed off to see our room.

Now we had been warned the cabins on Vision were smaller than on other ships.

We were nervous as we walked into our Junior Suite but boy were we pleasantly surprised.




There was plenty of room and the cabin was in great shape. Clean, carpet looked new. Bathroom looked like it had received a recent refresh, it was spotless with plenty of space for the four of us!

Score.




We went out on our balcony, checked out the murky Texas water, only to hear my youngest scream "A dolphin"

Thinking it was her imagination I did the sarcastic parental Wow!!!

then looked down and sure enough there was this dolphin jumping out of the water --- making noises, just putting on a show!



My girls have searched for dolphins and whales from a mini cruise ship balconies over the years.... this time one just hung out, outside our cabin putting on a show.

I had a good feeling about this cruise!


Up Next --- Off to explore the ship!

Edited March 24, 2019 by RCCL Fan
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[RazorbackIslandGirl]

What a beautiful family! Glad to hear things are going so well now that you're finally onboard. Bon Voyage & enjoy your week!

[Wildcatfish]

 

Great family pic in your stateroom!

 

Looking forward to more of your review.

[APDMOM]

Love, love, love the stories about your girls and their cruises! What a wise young lady who already knows cruising is better than Disney. 😁 Enjoy your trip!  

[whitshel]

Awesome start!

[ShillyShally]

2 hours ago, RCCL Fan said:

Even though we have to keep reminding them its a very very big state.

Guess where we were --- deck 8.

Thinking it was her imagination I did the sarcastic parental Wow!!!

HAHAHA - my husband says it isn't a BIG ENOUGH state 🙂  My in-laws live there, and why we don't, we love them, but they think nothing of just jumping in the car...  I'm a native Texan though 🙂

 

Oh no - I would have felt the whole trip still ominous when you heard the cabin announcement - I hope by the end of the trip you were laughing at all the mishaps!

 

And you are not the first parent to choose sarcastic before believing!  Super cool they finally spotted one 🙂

[MsJersey84]

I was super excited to see that you are writing this review. I was thinking to myself this is the only other person on my roll call for the Enchantment of the Seas in Oct and sure enough it was you.. I was like Oh Yeah i am definitely reading this!!! So far its been great!

 

Happy Sailing!!!

[geoblond]

Looking forward to your review.  We’re sailing on Vision soon so anxious to hear your experiences.

PS you have such a beautiful family!

[LBumb]

great start ready for more

[BecciBoo]

And then you found out it has 2 pools not just one....yay.  We love Vision too and have sailed all classes. Vision is small and intimate.  And you can do cheap Grand Suites.  We are booked for a B2B April 10 and 15.

[hachieashley]

We were on board with you.  I remember your girls from the Meet and Mingle. I look forward to hearing what you thought about this cruise,  We went without our kids for this cruise, but are booked on Liberty next spring break with our kids.  We talked to some other parents on Vision that were not impressed with the times Adventure Oceans were open.  Looking forward to your other posts.  

[vacationlover_mn]

Following along 🙂

[colesc15]

Following along! Kind of in your same boat. We did symphony this March and have Vision out of Puerto Rico booked next March due to its awesome itinerary. Worst part is the balcony cabins are currently selling for higher than what we paid for a balcony on Symphony! 

[LuCruise]

Great review so far.  What an adorable family you have.  What stress with your cruise being cancelled but glad to hear it all worked out.  Looking forward to reading more, especially how you like Vision compared with the larger classes.  

[RCCL Fan]

Days 1, 2, --- At Sea




We darted around the ship to explore as soon as we stepped on board.

We hit the pool deck, then deck 5 & 6

My wife then said, Ok --- what's next?

I said well that's about it.

She replied with, Oh Wow.

Yes this is not Oasis or Freedom class --- the ships she knows.

You could tell there was a little bit of reality setting in.




Sailaway was great --- glasses in hand we watched Vision slide her way out of port past all the big oil tankers headed to and from Houston.



Right off the bat we noticed the motion, there was a rocking left and right much more than what we're typically used to... but nothing to dampen the mood.

We headed off to our room to find a bottle of wine waiting for us courtesy of Royal Caribbean, and a certificate for some arcade credits.



We went up to Adventure Ocean to check it out and sign the kids in and OMG!

The line to get into Adventure Ocean stretched out of the room into the hall and across the hall into the arcade.

Parents were filling out the forms to be able to drop off their kids.

I was wondering where are all these kids going to go?

AO doesn't physically have the space for them.

I took the kids to the arcade, while my wife stood in the line for more than an hour.

She comes back looks concerned.

Apparently their are more kids on this cruise than have ever been on the Vision since she's ever been built. The staff kept saying we've never even come close to having this amount of kids on board.

There wasn't the staff, or space, to handle the crowd. Staff told her, it would be on a first come, first serve basis.

They would take the max they're allowed to have in the room and with staff kid ratios, but that would be it.

I think RCI didn't realize it was Spring Break week in Texas when they offered Kids Sail Free on this particular ship.

I'll skip ahead a bit and tell you our kids were not happy, They came back and said that there were too many kids in AO and they didn't want to go back.

This hurt us a bit because our kids usually adore AO, and we have to beg them to hang with us.

Not this trip. They told us kids were hitting other kids, and it was hectic. I spoke to the AO manager and really felt for her. She knew the reviews would be bad, she had parents threatening to get off the ship and cancel their cruise and fly home because there weren't enough babysitters in the nursery etc.

AO manager was doing sitting herself and working with the students instead of planning the next days events.

I give the staff credit for trying to make do out of an impossible situation. I will say I didn't like that they only offered Adventure dining some nights. Other ships offer it nightly.... where you can drop off your kids at AO and they take them to dinner for you and then keep them in AO.





We had an anniversary dinner in Chops and had to change the time because there was no Adventure dining that night.

Speaking of Chops....


Wow

What a meal.

Last year on Allure I was taken aback by the cost of Chops now and what I got for the money. I take that back on Vision. Excellent meal, excellent food, and amazing service. We had a wonderful time here. They went out of their way to make sure we were happy. My wife and I both had the filet, as well as the shrimp.

We worked through several sides and somehow got dessert down too.

Highly recommend it.



Formal Dining Room was good too. . Our table was much too small for our party of 4. We barely had any elbow room and is was a constant chess game of making room for everything.




Our server seemed to have a system. She took all her tables orders in the beginning and then brought out all the first courses at once, then picked them all up. At this point she'd return to the kitchen and come back with everyone's main course.

The struggle was that you found yourself waiting for the people at the next table to finish before you could get your next course.

I wanted to be annoyed by this but she was so doting, so caring to our family and genuinely therefor your happiness you just couldn’t be.

She earned high marks in my book.

Day 1 the head waiter came by to take care of the kids, check on us and make sure all was well. This doesn't typically happen for us, but these guys were on it service wise.





Entertainment was so awesome on this cruise. We got to so many shows, and it was worth it.

There were 3 different comedy acts onboard the ship which is not typical for sure, but boy was it welcome. They were funny, family friendly, and a nice change of pace for us.

On Oasis its always a fight to fit everything in, with schedules and show tickets. This was not like that. Show up early, late, no issue getting a seat and the shows were not boring time fillers we truly found ourselves and our kids laughing.

The shows were fantastic but I can't brag enough about the Cruise Director's staff.
I mean WOW.





Our cruise director's name is Cecilia but goes by CC. Yes, that's CC not CeCe.

She had a heart of gold and was very plugged in at lots of the activities and always around the ship interacting with guests and making sure everyone was having fun.

As good as she was, her staff was even better.

This one guy Orlando... he needs to be a cruise director, like now! He's beyond ready. He owned the activities he participated in with an infectious personality.
I was instantly impressed... reminded me of the great Richard Spacey.

The guy who did Bingo (can't recall name off hand) had a great sense of humor and I got the impression was totally a right hand man to CC. He was always guiding her along with jokes and sayings the times she seemed to struggle with something.

And then there were Palo and Megan. These two just were hard not to like. They're both a little atypical cruise staff. Palo was older, came from Costa cruises. short, toupee, didn't strike you as the kind of guy to let loose, but let me tell you he never hesitated. He was soooo funny.

Megan appears shy and quiet when you first meet her, but turn on some music and she comes out of her shell and boy can she boogie.

I can genuinely say the staff on this ship were the best overall group. They work together so well, and you just see the genuine fun and spirit they have.

On one hand I want RCI to make them all cruise directors in their own right, on the other I don't want them to break them up because they compliment each other so well.

CC and her crew are a solid 10 in my book. I will still give Spacey best cruise director ever.... but he was a one man show -- this was a team effort that truly worked.

Up Next..... Sailing through a storm & The one family pool on sea days.