Very Disappointing and It Didn't Have To Be

Item: Vision of the Seas
Rating: 2
Author: kayeshuler

Vision of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

kayeshuler

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 44

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 19, 2015

Ship: Vision of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 8085

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

I am a very experienced cruise traveler and have never experienced any cruise I would rate less than 4 stars. This cruise is rated a 2 star because of the food, service and crew's attitude. I wrote a 2 page letter to RCCL, but will try to keep it brief: 1) Food never hot or even warm, expect for the shrimp cocktail which was mushy and at room temperature and the cheesecake which was served room temp and had an odd texture, 2) The photo and entertainment staff were either inexperienced or not trained in customer service, 3) Music on pool deck was overwhelmingly loud (think Carnival Cruise Line on Spring Break), 4) Family of 6 placed at 3 different tables, 5) Sewage system backed up in cabin and unable to use, 6) TV consistently stopped working, 7) Wallpaper peeling in public areas, 8) very old mattress in suite and finally 9) a Junior Suite is NOTHING more than a slightly wider stateroom. Don't waste your money on the "Jr Suite" or the ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

THE ROOM IS NOT THE QUALITY OR SIZE OF A JUNIOR SUITE AS IT IS CALLED BY RCCL.. Don't waste your money and think you are getting a nicer room. The mattress needs to be replaced. RCCL may have replaced the sofa and chairs in 2013 when they "refurbished" it, but they did not replace anything else. The only benefit is a slightly larger balcony

Ship tip

Until RCCL is able to resolve their problems with crew attitude on this ship, pick another ship or another cruise line

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

5 out of 5

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

We zip lined through the jungle and wound up at West Bay. A fabulous excursion

Thumbs Up 2

Belize City, Belize

5 out of 5

We did the Mayan trip and drove roughly 1 hour into the jungle. It was outstanding. I would do it again.

Thumbs Up 7

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

5 out of 5

We bought a day pass ahead of time at the Yaya Beach Club. The people were wonderful and took care of us all day. I will go back there again. It is the best.

Thumbs Up 3

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

WE did not plan anything ahead of time but would up at the Mr. Sanchez Beach club. A little crowded, but nice beach and wonderful service. I would return again

Thumbs Up 4

4 Comments

sweetliberty13 8 years ago

debtoftheseas - we did freeze when we took our pre-Christmas /13 cruise on the Breakaway. It snowed heavily the night before we boarded, the wind chill was probably mid teens when we boarded. If not for the excitement of our first cruise - the weather definitely would have put a damper on the early stages of the trip.

Thumbs Up 0

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deboftheseas 8 years ago

if you cruise as much as we do, we go by itineraries now for the most part, research the ship and see when it was refurbished, one of the nicest older ships wve done is Radiance of the Seas, its been redone and is quite classy. But we are Royal Caribbean diehards...with some Princess thrown in now and then. Hate the decor on Carnival, we might try NCL some day, but for the most part, their itineraries suck, and so do their port times, even on Escape, and Epic And Getaway, Breakaway is OK if you want to freeze going out of NYC

Thumbs Up 2

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sweetliberty13 8 years ago

I am very cautious about booking on older/smaller ships. Thus far we have been spoiled by the newer sheets in the Norwegian and Carnival fleets. Thought about taking RCCL out of Baltimore - but again, an older smaller Grandeur of the Seas.

Thumbs Up 0

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deboftheseas 8 years ago

sometimes these smaller, older ships just don't live up to expectations. I've seen the Jr suites on their largest ships and they are quite a bit larger than a basic balcony stateroom, and even have a bathtub. Sometimes cruising is hit or miss, it shouldn't be, but it is, sorry you experience wass so bad, better luck next time

Thumbs Up 1

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