Vision of the Seas November 2014

Vision of the Seas  November 2014

Our first cruise driving to the port from our condo in Sanibel.  Left around 8 AM for Tampa and parked at the Parktologist's.  Shuttle came shortly and they dropped us off at the luggage drop off area.  Line to enter the building was very long and slow moving.  No priority line.  Once inside we were able to enter the priority line to get our sea pass.  Again, a long line to get on the ship.  We waited a few minutes until 1 pm to enter our room.  A bit smaller than other GS's but the balcony is wider than on the Adventure of the Seas.  The tub is much larger.  We ate lunch at Windjammer and both had hamburgers, struggled with finding something appealing.  We are not fans of the buffet.
After lunch we returned to our room and my bag had arrived.  Muster was at 3:30.  At 3:15 the steward insisted we vacate the room before the signal had been sounded.  Muster was at station 5 on deck 5.  We had to wait for all the stragglers to find their way before starting the drill.  Royal Caribbean is one of only cruise lines that still makes you stand outside in the heat.  After the drill we came back to the room and unpacked.  Went upstairs to get water and listened to the band on the pool deck.  They were okay, but very loud.  Back to our balcony for sunset with drinks from the pool bar.

We went to the concierge lounge for drinks before dinner.  It was very crowded.  Dinner at 7:00.  Our waiter was Roque and assistant waiter was Roland.  I had roast chicken and Greg had roast beef.  Both were good. We missed the entertainment which started at 7:45.  No other entertainment so we went back to the room.

Sunday Sea Day

Thoughts:  Our bed was very hard, room service doesn't have a place to order what is available for suites.  We had to write our order in on the form.  Water is lukewarm at best coming out of the sink.  Shower was barely warm last night but Greg said warm enough for him. Most of the tv channels are non-English channels  and the only English channels available were Turner stations which meant CNN for news. Noise above our room started around 5:30 AM every morning.  Sounded like chairs being a scraped across the floor. Steward is Patrick, nice but not assertive.

Greg woke up very early with his back hurting and I didn't sleep well due to the hard bed.  Room service arrived at 8:30 with breakfast.  My eggs were very undercooked and cold.  Everything was cold.  Greg's omelet was warm, not hot.

Cruise Critic gathering was at 10:30 in the Viking Lounge.  Over 40 people attended.  That was a large group for the small inactive roll call we had.  They gave away several good prizes (not the usual  luggage tags).  CD and activities director conducted the meeting.  A few stayed to mingle but most left quickly.

At noon we had a reception for suites in Chops Grille.  A seated lunch with liquor and appetizers.  Very nicely done.  Officers came by each table and introduced themselves.  Dede from AOL is now in charge of guest relations.  One couple that was not in a suite but had a high status level was indignant that they did not receive an invite and were very vocal about it.  Interesting.  They knew they were supposed to be invited, showed up, and preceded to tongue lash the Concierge.  It was his first cruise as the Concierge.  I felt bad for him and irritated at the couple for making a scene.  The ship was full of cruisers who felt very entitled.  We had bloody Mary's and plenty of appetizers.  We left Chops and  went to MDR and had lunch.  We were both full and only had a salad.  Then back to stateroom.
We both napped at different times, Greg watching football.  Tonight was formal night.  We went to the Concierge lounge at 6:00 and it was full.  We sat in the Viking Crown and visited with a couple until time to go to dinner.  Greg had beef tenderloin and I had shrimp ravioli.  After dinner the captain  talked in the centrum and then the aerial show which was very amateurish.  Then to the theater for a show with Horizon (soul town music).  Pretty good. Patrick placed two comforters on top of the mattress but it was still very hard.  We asked for a mattress topper but was told by Patrick that they don't have them on the ship anymore, but we heard several people saying in the Concierge Lounge that they requested a topper and received it.  Cruisers with high loyalty status certainly received more attention than those of us in a suite.  We saw that throughout the cruise.

Monday. Roatan 24th wedding anniversary

Breakfast in the concierge lounge.  We talked to the Concierge about the hard mattress and he was going to see what he could do. We had to go to the theater to leave the ship for our excursion.  We were off the ship by 10:20 and went straight to the pontoon that took us to Maya Key.  It was better than the last time we were here.  Perfect weather, only one excursion on the island, and food was very good (BBQ chicken and fried sea bass, rice and beans and banana chips).  We stayed until 3:30.

Returned to ship, rested a bit, bathed and dressed for dinner.  We had asked for reservations for Giavanni's at 7:00 but did not receive a confirmation. Called  the concierge and he called back and said we could come at 8.  We said we prefer 7:00.  He called back and said 7:00 was ok.  Went to concierge lounge at 6:00 and again very crowded.  When we went to Giavanni's it was only half full and probably 3/4 full when we left.  Not sure why the request for 7:00 was so difficult.   Only two choices of red by the glass and two choices of white (both Chardonnay).  Greg's first choice was Chianti and we were told that they didn't have it anymore.  2nd choice tasted awful so they pulled his wine from the MDR.  My Chardonnay was fine.  Dinner was very good. Greg had lamb chops and I had veal.  After dinner we went to the production show.  No waiters anywhere.  We asked hostess and finally one came.  I asked for a Brandy Alexander and he said what?  When it came they charged $13.50!  Show was Boogie Wonderland.  Ok, but not fantastic.  Wanted to hear piano player in Schooners.  No one was in Schooners to listen to the music, no waiters coming by taking orders, and the singer was mediocre.  Went to the room.

Tuesday.  Costa Maya

Gave room service another chance and much better today.  They called before delivering and food was hot.  Arrived to rain and lightning, so we cancelled our fly fishing.  Mid morning we walked into the port but didn't stay long.  Owners of the stores were annoying and it was raining lightly.
So we went back to the boat and read for awhile. We had lunch in the MDR which they opened due to so many people staying on board.  We went to the concierge lounge to read for awhile.  Greg returned the call from the beverage manager (Jannear Young Davis) and they visited about the availability of wines, especially Chianti in  Giavanni's and bar service in the theater (or lack thereof).  She sent us two complementary bottles of wine and a cheese plate before dinner.  We dressed for dinner and went to the concierge lounge.  Again it was full and we had to sit in Viking Lounge.  Talked to a couple from the Villages.  For dinner in the MDR, I had prawns and Greg had fried chicken.  They did have a coconut dessert.  Coconut parfait. We watched the aerial show in the Centrum.  Better than the first night but still just ok.  We then went to the R bar and listened to Hott Sands.  Band is pretty good, we immediately had a waiter ask for our drink order and she knew what a brandy Alexander was. Amazing!

Wednesday. Cozumel that didn't happen.

Seas were very rough last night (room had lots of noises) and we were cancelled due to high winds.  Found out two ships did dock but since we do not have azapods, it would be harder for us.  On to Grand Cayman where we will arrive earlier (you would think!).  We had already ordered room service early.  Both had eggs Benedict and it was good.  Room service was very prompt.  We left the room mid morning so Patrick could clean.  We went to the casino bar for Bloody Mary's then to the Concierge Lounge to read.   Concierge told Greg we would receive a 20% off coupon on a future cruise due to the noise above us.  Appreciated but certainly not expected and probably won't be used.  We ate lunch in the Solarium cafe.  Food was just ok.  Solarium was not as crowded as we expected and we found a table easily.  Back to the room to read and nap.  Weather continues to be rainy and very windy so being outside is not an option.  Tonight was formal night.  We went to the Concierge earlier (5:15) and it was packed again.  We were seated in Viking but seats opened up quickly.  Dinner at 7:00.  I had lobster and Greg had prime rib.  They brought Greg lobster too and we split the extra lobster.  We saw the production show which was a compilation of Broadway tunes.  Ok- nothing special.

Thursday.  Grand Cayman.

Since we skipped Cozumel we arrived earlier in Grand Cayman than scheduled.  We ate breakfast in the MDR and then went to the concierge lounge for a ticket to the tender..  Taxi bus took us to Calico Jacks.  It was $5 a person and they filled the bus to capacity before taking off.  We went on down the beach too where the beach was wider and we could rent loungers and umbrellas ($15).  We ate conch fritters and wings at Calico Jacks.  With one drink and 3 beers it was $60! Good but expensive.

We left around 3 and stopped at Margaritaville. Greg got a tshirt and I bought one for Parker.  Sat on the balcony for a bit and then got ready for dinner.  Concierge Lounge then dinner.  I had lasagne and Greg had pork tenderloin.  Went to the theater and gee there were bar waiters everywhere.  We saw the ventriloquist Ron Lucas.  He was excellent.  No music was available after the show- only contests so off to bed.

Friday sea day
Rainy then cloudy and windy all day long.  Greg got up earlier and went for breakfast in the concierge lounge.  We went back to the concierge lounge after I got up via a Bloody Mary from the casino bar.  We read for a while.  Back to the room and MDR for lunch.  The menu had changed slightly and we both had she crab soup and a hamburger.  We had a bridge tour at 3:00.  Ok but not that informative. Vision of the Seas has one of the first woman captain. She was very nice and we saw her around the ship more than most captains.  However, NCL's bridge tour was better.

Drinks in the concierge lounge but again full so we sat in the Viking Lounge.  Visited with a couple from Germany that came over on the Liberty then the Vision and was getting on the Brillance after our cruise.  Dinner was enjoyable talking to a couple next to us from Jacksonville.  I had fried seafood and Greg had turkey.  We barely made the 9:00 show which was a juggler.  Good but not great.  Bags had to be out by 11:00

Saturday. Disembarkation

We were supposed to be off by 8:50 but closer to 9:30.  We were late getting docked due to the high winds getting from Grand Cayman to Tampa.  We had continental breakfast  in Chops while we waited.  Getting bags and through customs every easy.  Called the Parktologist's and they came quickly.  In the car by 10:30 and on our way back to Sanibel.  Not our best cruise.  Definitely, one of our least favorites.  Certainly did not feel that we received our money's worth by sailing in a suite this time.  This was our first cruise at a non holiday time.  Royal Caribbean was selling inside rooms for $199 right before the sailing.  Lots of  Royal Caribbean loyalist from  Florida jumped on the cheap fares.  Heard many bragging out the cheap fares, how they don't pay for any liquor by staying in the Concierge Lounge from 5 to 8, even though there is a separate lounge for high level passengers.  Not the environment that we are used to on a cruise.  The weather didn't help the situation either but that was not the main reason for our negative feel for this cruise.  The biggest complaint was the hard bed and how little we were able to sleep.

Celebrity Eclipse February 2015

Celebrity Eclipse February 2015

This cruise was a 14 day Southern Caribbean cruise.  We selected it mainly because it visited all three of the ABC islands.  Curacao was our only new port.  Sailed in a S2 suite (1667).
Our butler was Singh,  asst steward Sean and unfortunately, I forgot our stewards's name but he was very good.  Our waiter in the MDR was Ivan and sommelier was Alana, both excellent and great personality.  Drove to the port from our condo in Sanibel.

Sunday, February 15th

Left our condo a little before 8.  Friends were staying with us and closed up the condo for us.  Stopped at Rosie's  to eat breakfast on the way out of town.  Arrived at the pier in Miami about noon, dropped the bags off at noon, and parked the car at the garage across the street.  $20 a day is very high but may be worth the convenience.  We walked across the street to the terminal.  Priority lines were very short and there was plenty of help to get sorted into the correct line.  On the ship in probably 20 minutes.

Buffet was very crowded and and very hard to find a table.  Rooms were ready early, around 1:10.  Muster was in Blu via video and short except for the crowds leaving.  There was a CC sail away at the Sunset bar right after muster.  We stopped and bought the unlimited internet for $260.  That  price was after a 25% discount for Captains Club, but for 14 days we thought it was reasonable.  Headed to the Sunset bar where we had a very good turnout for sailaway. One of the members on the roll call made name tags which was a huge help in meeting people.  We met the two couples that are joining us on our Curaçao excursion.

Returned to our room and the luggage had arrived.  The room 1667- S2 is nice but not as big as many of our suites.  The bathroom is small with only one sink but the tub is full size which is nice and has a rain shower head with a wand.  The wand is nice for washing your hair.  Balcony is wide but not very deep.  Again smaller than many suites but large enough for two chairs with ottomans and a table large enough for eating.

We made dinner reservations for 6:30 and no had wait.  We were set in the back which in the end was a nice, quiet location.  This is where we were always seated in the MDR.   We both had prime rib and it was very good with Blueberry banana crepes for dessert.  Went for a drink in the Passport bar before the show.  Music was Sonata and they were good.  After drinking my rum and coke, I decided I needed to upgrade.  My Pyrat rum is much better!  The show in the theater was a comedian, Darrell Joyce.  He was very good as was Steelon who played the steel pan before the comedian.


Monday. Sea Day

We had room service for breakfast.  It will be served by our butler Singh every day.  He did exchange the champagne for a pignot Grigio.  Breakfast was on time and only complaint, it was just warm.

We attended the Cruise Critic Connections Party at 11:00 in the Sky Lounge.  Good turnout but not much interaction.  CD, captain and several officers attended  but not much conversation.  No one spoke except CD.

We ate lunch in the MDR.  Greg had a Cobb salad and I had a  cheeseburger.  Came back to the room and Greg worked and I sat on the balcony.  Around 4 we went for drinks at the pool bar.  Area was fairly empty.  Tonight was formal night and we ate the MDR.  Both had frog legs for appetizer, I had corn soup and Greg had spinach salad, then we both had rack of lamb.  All was very good.  Dessert was Apple crisp for Greg and creme brûlée for me.  Production show Edge was in the theater.  We had two ladies next to me that talked loudly throughout the show.  Man behind told them told them to be quiet and I asked once.  They had way too much to drink.  After the show we went to the Molecular Bar where I had a Tanned Russian which was excellent.

Tuesday. Sea day

Started with breakfast on the balcony.  Food was warmer today.  I spent time on the balcony and Greg worked.  Left room at 11:00, walked around the ship and then had a Bloody Mary on the back of Ocean View.  We had lunch in the MDR.  We both had turkey panini.  Spent afternoon on the balcony and Greg worked.  Dinner tonight was in the specialty restaurant Murano. Because we were in a suite, we had two nights free in a specialty restaurant and friends had purchased an additional dinner for us.  Murano was very good.  I had cheese soufflé and veal tenderloin.  Greg had diver scallop Wellington, tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad and venison loin.  After dinner , we stopped at the martini bar then to the theater.  Show in the theater was the Unexpected Boys which was a Jersey Boys tribute.  They were really good.  Ended the day at the Ensemble Bar, listening to Blue Velvet jazz group.

Wednesday, Aruba

Docked by 8:00.  Thompson celebration was the only other cruise ship in port.  We had breakfast on the balcony and left about 8:30.  Took a taxi to Palm Beach ($14) where we rented loungers and an umbrella for $35.  It was not crowded when we arrived but it got very crowded quickly.  We left around 1:00.

Had to take the bus back ($4) because we couldn't find a taxi.  We ate at the Mast Grill on the ship and returned to our room to clean up and rest.  We had a sunset cruise booked and left the room around 4:30.  There were waaaay too many people on the catamaran.  Just okay.  Came back and changed for dinner. We were able to get into Blu, but service was weak.  We sat there for a long time before ordering dinner or wine.  The sommelier is horribly understaffed .  We both had quail but Greg asked for a different entree, meatloaf the second time.  Very small servings.  We finished just in time to see the comedian - Frank Klett.  He was good, not great.  We the went to Sky Lounge where the singers and dancers did Interactive Theater- swing music.

Thursday Curaçao

We had breakfast on the balcony.  Met our tour guide at 8:30. Anne, Paul, Wayne and Joni from the roll call joined us on a tour with Natasja with Dushi Taxi.  We toured the West side after going through downtown. In the downtown area we saw the swing bridge and the floating market.

We stopped at very scenic cliffs on the north coast.

We spent about 45 min at Kneppa beach which was gorgeous from above.  There were no loungers and it was very rocky walking into the water. We were a little disappointed at our beach stop but  we knew this wasn't a beach day.  It would have been better to take pictures and move along.

We saw the flamingos and stopped at an artist gallery as well as the Blue Curaçao factory.   We came back to the ship, grabbed a bite from the buffet, and walked through the downtown area. Very relaxing.  Stopped for a drink and then returned to the ship.

We ate in the MDR tonight.  Greg had beef bourginion and I had chicken.  Dessert was banana foster.  We went to the Ensemble lounge and enjoyed Baer Stevens on the guitar.  The theater show was Bobbie Eakes.  She was in Bold and Beautiful and All My Children and was Miss Georgia.  She had a really good voice and sang enjoyable songs.

Friday Bonaire

Breakfast in the room because it was raining.  A rare thing for Bonaire.  We walked around the town for a bit and then came back to the boat for lunch.

We ate in the buffet because the MDR is not open on port days.  We met Renee at 1:30 for snorkeling. On our prior trip with Renee, we had another couple with us that were rude, pushed us out of the way in the water, and made our trip less enjoyable, so this time we booked a private excursion. We went to the same first stop that we did on the prior cruise but the second stop was in front of a resort.  Again, the snorkeling was very good and we enjoyed it being just the two of us.

Dinner was in Qsine with  a group of 27 of our closest friends from cruise critic!  We had three large tables.  It was a lot of food and some very good but we probably won't do it again.  Dinner was at 7:30 and we didn't leave until after 11:00.  The table mates were very enjoyable and that made it a good experience.

Saturday Sea day

We had a light breakfast in the room then went down to the pool area around 11:00 to get a Bloody Mary and listen to Steelon then Baer Stevens.  We ate lunch in the MDR.  Choices were yucky and we both had a cheeseburger.   Went back to the room, where I sat on the balcony a bit but it was hot.  We went down to the solarium around four and easily found seats but Greg thought the pool was really cold.  Tonight was formal night and we ate in the MDR.   I had Ahi Tuna and Greg had Chateaubriand.  Both were really good.  Dessert was pineapple upside down cake.  The show was the Eclipse.  The aerials and acrobatics were excellent but the music and costumes were not.  I would describe it as jungle chanting.  We stopped at the molecular bar and both had a Tanned Russian.

Sunday Barbados

Breakfast in the room because it had rained.  We left the boat around 9 and grabbed a taxi to Accra Beach.  The tiki bar said at first that they had no loungers available, so were leaving.  The owner came out and said they could find 2 chairs but no umbrella. We were able to put the loungers in the shade.  Accra has changed a lot in 8 years.  Much more crowded with solid loungers and umbrellas.  We had a great waiter that took care of us all day.  The seas were rough but still a nice beach day.
We left around 1:30.  I bought a postcard in the terminal and sent it to Parker and Greg bought a       t-shirt.  We sat at the bar while Greg had a beer.  Dinner tonight in the MDR and we both had veal Oscar.  The show in the theater was Laszlo and Claudia, two classical violinists.  They were very good.

Monday St Lucia

Breakfast on the balcony and off the boat at 8:00.  We went with Spencer Ambrose to Jouliese beach between the Pitons.  It was our third trip, second time going straight to the beach.  We arrived first and was able to get chairs under the palapa.  The palapas were new this trip.  They had built three of them and there were significantly more loungers but they were not in the best shape.  We snorkeled immediately which was a good plan because there was an endless amount to boats coming and going with hundreds of snorkelers.  The snorkeling is still excellent, maybe better than the last time we snorkeled here, however the number of people on tours here has quadrupled.  It is almost not enjoyable.   The tour included lunch and plenty of drinks and cost $60 each.  One older lady drank waaayyyy too much and had a pretty loose mouth.  I was sure she was going to throw up on the way back but she did not.  She did fall on me as we were getting out of the boat.

We had an invite to the helipad for sailaway at 4:45 but when we got back after 4:00, it was raining, and we were soaking wet.  We should have gone as it cleared up right at sailaway but started raining again.  We had drinks in the Martini Bar before supper.  Dinner in the MDR with Greg having prime rib and I had Chiquita chicken.  Theater was Justino who did a low key allusion/magic show.

Tuesday Antigua

Breakfast on the balcony with the sun shining brightly.  We left around 8:30 and got a taxi to Dickinson beach for $6 each.  It was a large van but we were the only passengers.  We were the first on the beach and rented two chairs and an umbrella for $22.  It was between Sandals and Ana's restaurant.  The beach was beautiful.  Very shallow with a slow surf, water was turquoise.  We ate at Ana's for lunch.  It was good but a bit formal for a beach bar but it was not expensive.  We asked the cab to come back at 1:00 but he was a no show.

 Luckily, we found another cab.  The driver was well spoken and very interesting to talk to.  He dropped us down town and we shopped a bit.  Bought a picture and a shirt set for Parker.  Came back to the room and set on the balcony which faced town and was in the shade through sailaway.  We had drinks in the Ensemble Lounge before dinner.  Dinner tonight was in the specialty restaurant Tuscan Grill.  I had veal chop and Greg had snapper.  Both were very good.  We ended with Limoncello and Amaretto.  Too late to see the show so we went to Sky Lounge and listened to Sonato, then watched the Singers and Dancers poolside, singing and dancing to Motown tunes.

Wednesday St Kitts

Breakfast on the balcony and off the ship quickly.  There were 3 ships in port and one resort was completely full so we were concerned about crowding.  Took a private taxi to Friars beach-Shipwreck Bar.  Nobody was there until after 10 and it was never crowded. A little concerning being the only people on the beach.  The beach has lost a lot of sand from when we were here last time, it was windy, and the water temperature was cool.  We did not snorkel but had a relaxing day.  We ate lunch and left at 1:30.

Our cab driver returned for us.  Dropped our beach bag off at the room and went back into the port area for a few souvenirs.  Dinner tonight was in the MDR.  I had  flounder and Greg had roasted chicken.  The show was an Illusian and mentalist- Wayne Hoffman.  The CD Sue Denning had a One woman show at 10:30 and we stayed to watch.  She was excellent.

Thursday  St Maarten

Breakfast on the balcony and down to the Passport bar to meet our group from Cruise Critic for our trip to Anguilla.  We went with Capt. Bob and our guide was Ruddick.  We stopped at Juluuca

and Crocus Bay before our main stop at Shoal Bay.  It was as pretty as described.

We ate lunch at Madeariman,

walked the beach, and laid on a lounger.  We left around 2:30.  The ride back was rougher and wetter but much better than the last trip to Anguilla.  The boat had 3-300 hp motors.  We stopped at Moho beach and watched several planes land and take off.  We returned by 4:00 and headed straight to the boat.  It was a great excursion and Shoal bay is as beautiful as all the pictures. For as beautiful as it is, I'm not sure we would do it again from a cruise ship.  Logistics to get there are not easy.  The boat ride is long, very rough and time on the beach very short. But glad we did it today.

We had  dinner in the MDR.  I had shrimp pasta and Greg had Osso Bucco.  The theater production was a Beatle's tribute band - Hard Days Night.  They were good but the not as good as a previous group that we have seen.

Friday Sea Day

Slept in.  Greg went to cafe bacio for coffee and brought  a Bloody Mary back for me.    Read for awhile on the balcony then went to the cruise critic luncheon.  It was in the MDR.  Probably about 25 attended.  I spent the afternoon on the balcony and Greg worked.  Dinner was formal and we went to the MDR.  I had lobster and Greg had beef Wellington.  We listened to Baer Stevens before going to the production show, which was Ovations, songs from Broadway.  We returned to the Ensemble Lounge to listen to Baer Stevens and the jazz group.

Saturday Sea Day

Greg went for coffee around 8:00 and I got up around 9:00.  We went for bloody Mary's and found seats in the solarium.  Attendants were actually removing people's stuff from unattended loungers.  I stayed and Greg went back to the room.  We ate lunch at the pool grill and then went back to the room.  I sat on the balcony for awhile and Greg napped. Then we packed. Last night in the MDR.  We both had veal chops.  Went to the Ensemble Lounge for drinks and to listen to the guitarist, Baer Stevens.  Show in the theater was a comedienne, Miguel Washington.  Cruise director sang a beginning and ending song as well as the winner of the eclipse voice contest.  Back to the room to put the bags out.

Sunday disembarkation

Had breakfast in the MDR and waited outside the theater for our number to be called.  First time there was not a lounge for suites to wait in. Getting off the ship was a bit disorganized.   Luggage came out on carousels which was nice.  Walked across street and waited for Greg to find the car.  He tried twice and then I went.  Took me awhile but I found it. That was a new experience!   Loaded up the luggage and headed back to Sanibel.