Cruise Talk: First Time Out

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Topic: First Time Out

soon2cruise
First Class Passenger
Member # 1827

posted 02-27-2001 12:36 PM

Hi everyone! I am new to the board and very excited to be here. I will be taking my first cruise on Royal Carribbean's Vision of the Seas to the Carribbean on March 23rd. Has anyone sailed this ship on a Carribbean itinerary? Does anyone have any advice for a first timer? My husband went on a 4 day 4 years ago, but that was it. We're both so excited. Any info would be appreciated.

Posts: 41 | From: Maryland, USA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 02-27-2001 01:14 PM

soon2cruise: Welcome aboard here and when you get on the ship> If your first cruise is anything like ours you are in for the ride of your life. We were on the vision of the seas 1/19/01. I posted a review here in the reader review section. I am not much of a writer and it is only my opinion any questions feel free to ask. I do not remember the dates but several people from this board are going in March on the Vision. Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 02-27-2001 01:37 PM

We have been on the Vision of the Seas and to the Caribbean a few times. Any SPECIFIC questions and I would love to answer them. Reading passengers reviews is very helpful before your first cruise.

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

soon2cruise
First Class Passenger
Member # 1827

posted 02-27-2001 03:03 PM

Ok, I was asked to get specific so here goes: What would you say is the best thing about the Vision of the Seas? What would you say is the worst? What activities would you recommend I try on board (which ones did you enjoy)? What are the best on-shore excursions to try for the Carribbean ports? What entrees did you particulary enjoy? Which entrees did you not enjoy? What is the one thing you wished you had packed but didn't? Would you say that a couple in their mid to late twenties could have a good time while on board this ship? How is the night life? Have you ever had to contend with sea sickness and if so, what rememdy would you recommend? Which dinner seating seemed to work best for you? Did you leave your port of origin on time? Did you return on time? If not, how late was the ship? I think that's it for now, but I'm thinking up more. Oh! Where can I get a picture to use as my wallpaper on my desktop of the Vision? I want one that looks nice when it is blown up to full size. Thanks so much guys for the kind help and encouragement!

Posts: 41 | From: Maryland, USA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-27-2001 03:24 PM

Welcome aboard! Wow, now that's what I call specific questions, but I'm sure that our CruiseTalkers can help

I've not been on this particular ship, but I may be able to offer a few general tips: 1) Don't worry about Sea sickness, it is unlikely. You can always get some tablets from the ships medical centre if it does happen. 2) Dining, I like the late sitting, because you do not need to rush to change after getting back from your excursions. However, some people prefer to eat earlier. 4) Ships tend to be pretty punctual with there arrival and departure times, unless there is unforeseen circumstances.

Do check out this web sites resources on ships. "Vision" is featured in both links:

For Cruise Ship and Cruise Line profiles:
http://www.cruiseserver.net/travelpage/

For Readers Reviews:
http://www.travelpage.com/yourfav/yourfav_cruise.htm

When you return from your cruise, please tell us all about it!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-27-2001 03:35 PM

soon2cruise...I think you will be surprised how big "Vision of the Seas" really is!

She is 78,491 tons, that's bigger than the Titanic and QE2! She has 1000 passenger cabins, 11 decks, and can carry 2,435 passengers and a crew of 660.

She will feel more like a floating luxary Hotel with her own shopping Mall, rather than a "boat"

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

recab
First Class Passenger
Member # 1677

posted 02-27-2001 05:16 PM

Hi Malcolm,
Sorry but that´s NOT a pic of the Vision of the Seas, but rather one the Grandeur sisters.

Posts: 730 | From: Aland, Finland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-27-2001 06:51 PM

The night life is very good on RCCL. At least I liked it.

The shows are very good, don't miss em. Normally they feature an old singer or group that can still crank. Great comedians and usually a fantastic cruise director. The new show lounges are the best in the business as well. Not a bad seat in the house. Nice cushy chairs.

Two or three bands usually play at night and then you have the disco. Plenty of good dancin. The dance floors are not anything great, but nobody dances on a cruise ship anyway, so it doesn't matter. We love to dance. It seems we are performing solos every night whether we like it or not.

On top of this, they have their late night fun and games activities. They are all a crack up! Trust me on this one. Read your cruise compass everyday and plan.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 02-27-2001 07:08 PM

The best feature on the ship is the Grand Atrium. Worst thing was the lazy bus boys. Too many dirty tables by the pool and in the buffet. Very nice Grand Buffet. Casino is fun! Let us know which port you want to ask about excursions. There are too many to name. We loved Stingray City in Grand Cayman. Undersea Explorer in Nassau. Sapphire beach on St.Thomas by taxi, etc. etc. Celebrity has wonderful beef, bread sticks,stuffing and Augratin potatoes. Loved the fish entrees and had a fantastic turkey dinner that was great. Key Lime Pie..This is making me hungry

I always take an extension cord and a three socket adapter, also a small colapsable cooler to take pop or cold water to the beach.Lots of places to dance and have a good time at night, whatever your age. Best thing for sea sickness is sea sickness patches.We always choose second seating. That gives us more time in port before we have to get ready for dinner. We left port on time. They have a cool map on the ship that shows the ships position at all times. I would cruise again on the Vision.
O.K. what next?

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 02-28-2001 07:58 PM

Here's an interesting photo taken by K&K on their cruise on the Vision of the Seas

Click here for a larger (much) version of the image

Thanks K&K

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Blizzard54
First Class Passenger
Member # 1824

posted 02-28-2001 09:49 PM

I have sailed on both the Vision and her twin the Rhapsody. They are both very nice ships. In the things to not miss, I would say Quest. It is fun, sit up front and join a team. Read the daily Compass! I prefer 2nd seating. The menu is a place to experiment. Try things you would not order in a resturant. Try something new!

If you post what ports you are going to we could give better information on them
We took out first cruise in out mid 20's.
We have not stopped since!
Night life is pretty good. For late night it's the Viking Crown Lounge (if you can get to it) Just remember the only elevator that goes there in the one aft.
I sailed the ship on the West Coast of Mexico. Usually the northbound portion returning to LA is a little rough, on those ships I never felt any motion. I have been on ships in very heavy seas, I found that the elastic wrist band, that is usually sold in the gift shop, works well.
Enjoy the trip and let us know how it went.

Posts: 118 | From: Seattle,WA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

soon2cruise
First Class Passenger
Member # 1827

posted 03-01-2001 01:03 PM

Thanks everyone for the great tips and pics. Here are the ports of call we are due to visit: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao. Any specific great things to do in these places or specific things to avoid in these places? I'm counting the days. Can anyone tell me how to survive this antzy anticipation I am suffering through every single day until the 23rd? I'm about to die here!

Posts: 41 | From: Maryland, USA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 03-01-2001 03:08 PM

Soon2cruise: Looks like most of the islands have been covered so I will just add a couple of things. Unless you are taking one of the ships tours (tulum, cancun shoping xcaret) you will not be able to get off in Playa del Carmen. You can take the ferry over from Cozumel but if you have not been to Cozumel I would explore that island by shopping and taking a cab out to Chanahba great snorkling nature walks and you can swim with the dolphins if you want. In Curacao I would take a cab out to Baya Beach club on caracas bay island. there you can swin and snorkle out to and over the sunken tug boat (this is where the ships tour will go) It is about $16.00 for the cab and about $3.00 to get on the island which includes a soft drink. They rent snorkle equipment and there is a bar and restaurant. Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Suzie249
First Class Passenger
Member # 1825

posted 03-01-2001 05:38 PM

soon2cruise I just realized that we will not be going to any of the same ports.and as for the antzy anticipation,I'm with you on that one. I think my husband is getting sick of me talking about the cruise. that's all i do. i guess the trick is to keep as busy as you can.hope you have a great trip.

Posts: 15 | From: buffalo,ny,u.s.a. | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Blizzard54
First Class Passenger
Member # 1824

posted 03-01-2001 08:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by soon2cruise:
Thanks everyone for the great tips and pics. Here are the ports of call we are due to visit: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao. Any specific great things to do in these places or specific things to avoid in these places? I'm counting the days. Can anyone tell me how to survive this antzy anticipation I am suffering through every single day until the 23rd? I'm about to die here!

Depending on your budget you may want to just explore on your own in some of the ports. Here is my 2 bits worth...
Cozumel: Cleanest Mexican city I have been to. (east or west coast) We have just taken a cab to town and explored/shopped. The Mayan ruins tour is worth seeing if you are into that sort of thing. Ocho Rios: I STRONGLY recomend that you take ships tour or stay onboard. It is not a place to "explore". The last time we were there we could see guards with machine guns around the docks. Georgetown is a very nice place. Do not expect bargain shopping. Very clear water for snorkeling/diving. Curacao: A good place to explore. We walked to the floating market and shopping areas.
As for the anticipation... That is part of the joy. It is hard the first time because you do not know what ot expect. Next time you will have the memories. I alway like to have a trip booked to have something to look forward to.

Posts: 118 | From: Seattle,WA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

soon2cruise
First Class Passenger
Member # 1827

posted 03-02-2001 11:15 AM

Ocho Rios....guards and machine guns? Oh my. Doesn't sound too good. Maybe I'll explore that one from afar. Thanks for the tips on what to do and not do in these ports. I'm really looking forward to the beaches; I've heard so much about how beautiful they are. And yep, I'll be keeping busy alright. Got packed schedules for every weekend until sailing. Seems to me like the time will have flown by before I know it. But I still can't wait. Look for my review AS SOON AS I hit dry land.

Posts: 41 | From: Maryland, USA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

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