?? for Magicmom50

[Jahla Jahla]

Saw you were just on the Visions. How was she? We are going to be on here on Sept 10. Anything you can tell me about the ship would really help me. This is first cruise and it is confusing me.

 

Jahla

[B J]

I haven't been on the Vision but I have been on the Rhapsody and the Splendour and they are sister ships. Both are absolutely fantastic. We had no complaints about either ship. Crew, food, entertainment, and condition of the ship are great.Of course, who could complain when everything is being done for you. Hope our cruises are fabulous!!!

[vlpala]

Hi Jahla Jahla, We just returned from Alaska, 8/6 sailing of Vision and 6 nights inland. We had a wonderful time! This was our first cruise as well but we traveled with my parents who have cruised many times and we all thought the ship was very nice - it is amazing how quickly you get use to someone doing everything for you. All the staff was very friendly and willing to talk to you about more then your order if you want. Our waiter Seabastin and asst. waiter Ronald were great! I am a soda drinker and every night my coke was waiting for me at diner. If I followed Seabastin's suggestions I always had the best item on the menu. The food was always good and some nights it was great. My Dad and I liked to eat breakfast in the diningroom but my Mom and husband liked the Windjammer better. I never got a chance to eat lunch in the diningroom.

 

The show the first night was not very good but the other nights we went we really enjoyed ourselves. We saw Nick Lewin who does Comedy Magic act, he was good, and Darrell Joyce a Comedian we thought was very funny. We did not see the Headliner show which had Bobby Arvon in it but when we walked by the theater (which is a very nice space) there was very loud applause. We also only saw one production show and that was enough for us. It was not bad just not our favorite type of show. Plus the male lead had to leave the ship in Vancouver so was not in the show. One of the female singers was very good. We wanted to attend the show on the last night but we were all so tired that we did not make it. The singer in the Champage bar area was very good.

 

We gamble and had a great time in the casino. My husband and I both had a very nice win at the Three Card Poker table the second night which keep bring us back for more. For those of you who play, in two hours this table saw 5 straight flushes (I had two) and four three of a kinds. I have never seen a table that hot.

 

We also had a great time at the games, Name that Tune and trivia. Even though I had done a lot of research before going we also enjoyed the enrichment lecture. I did go to the Port Shopping Presentation but left after 10 minutes. But when you go in they give you all the materials which includes the card to get your free charm bracelet at Diamonds International and the card to get a free charm in each port. I will never wear it but will keep it as a souvenir.

 

We had some great days! We only had light rain in Ketchikan, every other day is was sunny and there were always people in the pool. In Ketchikan we did not schedule a tour but just walked around on our own. We walked around town then up Creek Street and on to the Salmon Hatchery and Totem Heritage Center. We toured both and found them interesting. Next was Skagway. I really liked this city and wish I had more time to explore. We went on the free Park Service lead walking tour at 11:00 (there are several in the day but this was the only one that fit our schedule). It is free but you have to go and pick up a ticket because they limit the number of people on the tour. Then we went on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. I enjoyed it but would probably only do it one way if I had the chance to do it again (train up bus or something else down). Next stop Juneau! I admit I was scared of riding in a helicopter and would not have done it if the rest of our group wasn't going - but it was FANTASTIC!!! We went on the Pilots Choice Tour with Temsco. All of us thought it was the best part of our trip filled with fantastic events. Then we walked around town with the idea that we would do the city walking tour but shopping and tired feet got the best of us and we ended up inthe Red Dog Saloon. We had a great time there singing along with the piano player. The last port was Icy Strait. We walked on the forest and beach trails which I recommend and then went whale watching. I know everyone says to go whale watching in Juneau but our experience was much better then the people I talked to who went in Juneau the day before. Our boat was circled by pods of 5 - 10 whales the whole time. One whale came within 10 feet of the boat and circled it several times. There were also two calves that were rolling on top of the water and then breeching out of the water. When we finally had to leave to get back in time we saw a mother bear and three cubs on the shore. You could not ask for more. The last day at Hubbard Glacier was beatuiful. We had clear weather and got very close to the glacier. Despite the sun it was cold so dress warm when you go up on deck.

 

As you can tell I am still on a high from the trip. If you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will try to answer in a more precise maner.

[magicmom50]

vlpala...We were on the same cruise! It was fantastic and I,too,am still on a high! We loved the ship and thought it was beautiful and easy to navigate.

I agree with you on all counts.The food was good,the waitstaff very good and helpful,the shows were entertaining(we went to all...some better than others),the lounges and public areas great and everything we saw was extraordinary.We even used the internet cafe,the library and the card room.

This was my first cruise on RCI and I wasn't disappointed.

We went to Saxman Native Village and the Lumberjack show in Ketchikan and enjoyed both. Also had time for shopping and snooping.and seeing the salmon ladder.

In Juneau went whale watching with Capt. Larry and saw Orcas,Humpbacks,sea lions,eagles etc. Great day and gorgeous weather!

Did the combo tour in Skagway of Whitepass RR one way with bus tour on return with stop at Liarsville.Liarsville was a little hokey,but enjoyable and we had fun panning for gold.

Our 4 days after the cruise to Denali was amazing.We had clear weather and saw Mt. McKinley in all her it's majesty.The sights were breathtaking!

Anyone going on the Vision to do an Alaskan adventure will be happy!

[Jahla Jahla]

Thanks Vlpala, and Magicmom50 for your reviews. I was beginning to get worried. No one, it seemed had been on the Visions. I am so glad you got back to me.

 

I am now deciding what to pack. Layer, layer, layer. But, trying to figure out what to take is confusing.

 

Question? Do they serve hot chocolate when in Hubbard Bay? and is it $10 like I read somewhere else? Just curious. I will figure out questions I want to ask, but most of them were answered by both of you.

 

Thanks again.

 

Jahla

[vlpala]

We had really great weather the whole trip, only had rain one day in two weeks which based on the locals we talked to is not typical for Alaska. They have had a very dry summer this year and are hoping for rain. Most days I wore pants or jeans and a short sleeve shirt that I would cover with a light jacket or cotton sweater. I needed the sweater in the morning but by about 11:00 had taken it off. At night and when on deck with the ship moving the jacket or sweater went back on. The only time it was cold was at Hubbard and when we were on the glacier durning the helicopter tour. They do sell hot chocolate when you are at the glacier and my husband did buy a cup. It was like $9.00 plus tip but they give it to you in an insulated travel mug with the Royal Caribbean logo on it.

 

Although my packing worked out fine I did bring clothes I never wore. These were mainly the clothes I thought I would wear to dinner. I expected to change each day from what I wore in port into something a little nicer for dinner but other then formal nights I only changed completely once. I did change shirts several days and I only wore jeans to dinner once on western night. We did have first seating for dinner. If we had late seating giving us more time between return from port and dinner I may have changed more often. My mother commented several times about how much more casual this cruise was from others she has taken. Hope this helps with your packing.