Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Recap - Vision of the Seas
March 15 – 22nd, 2014
 

Colon, Panama is the port of Vision of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Ship that will sail from here to Cartagena in Columbia, Willemstad, Curacao, Oranjestad in Aruba and Kralendijk in Bonaire then back to Colon.

Tom and I have done this trip many times but this trip he was unable to go because of commitments at home so here I am, all by myself in a Junior Suite. I have to admit it is surreal to be here without him. We always do this trip together as it our way of having a bit of a break with nothing to do but read and visit if we want or just laze away in our room. These suites have a balcony so they are very nice and roomy for two. I see many inside rooms cramped with 3 or 4 people and wonder how they can do it…but there you are. People travel for different reasons. I want space and I want quiet. I like the idea that I can have my meals when or where I choose too.

We have been on three different ships on this same route over the years. The interior of the rooms may change but the rooms sizes don’t. This motif is mostly green and beige and that is fine with me. I have to admit it is nice getting on a ship and knowing exactly where everything is.

There are the regular restaurants like the Windjammer Café and the Aquarius Dining Room and the Park Café for quick bites, but on this ship you will also find the Chef’s Table, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi. We have had dinner at all but the Chefs Table. Did we like them? Oh yes, we loved them all. Mouthwatering steaks at Chops Grille, fantastic Italian fare at Giovanni’s and excellent sushi at Izumi.

I like the size of this ship. Around 2100 guests with a staff of 700. Comfortable and each member of staff we have met has been friendly and helpful. For instance this trip I had issues with my card not being able to have all information on it so that I could get internet going or access to the Diamond Lounge, it seemed when one thing would work right the other didn’t. Our concierge Efern was so helpful and didn’t even flinch when I approached him for the umpteenth time needing something looked at. Maria at Guest Services always smiled as well. I think we both found it bizarre that so much could happen to one card…I couldn’t even charge anything for a while! It was sorted with grace and speed.

What I also enjoy about this cruise is that all our stops have walk off – you don’t have to worry about tendering in. That is really nice.

So tonight, the 15th we are at sea as we make our way from Colon to Cartagena, Columbia. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. for those eating in the dining room, others will eat up in the Windjammers Café which faces the front of the ship and still others will eat in the many specialty restaurants. There is a show tonight as well, lounges to sit and relax in with a drink and friends and the shops are open to wander through. The cruise begins…it is always a bit choppy on this part of the trip and you can see the water in the pool in the solarium swishing back and forth.