Vision of the Seas Review

3.5 / 5.0
1,211 reviews

Vision of the Seas - Transatlantic

Review for Transatlantic Cruise on Vision of the Seas
User Avatar
mischief1
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Nov 2010
Cabin: Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

Where to begin: from start to finish, our 14 day trans-atlantic voyage last fall on RC's "Vision of the Seas" was not very visionary!!! There was neither signage nor RC personnel stationed outside the terminal pierside in Lisbon on the early afternoon of 30 Nov 2010 which contributed mightily to the confusion of the Portuguese-speaking masses milling around in the rain, even though there were quite obviously 2 RC ships tied at opposite ends of the long pier.

Once on board it quickly became apparent that this RC voyage should have been advertised as an expeditious/low cost ferry boat service for 2,000-odd Brazilian expatriots heading home to the New World for the holidays/or emigrating Portuguese leaving behind the financial chaos on the Iberian peninsula (with all their worldly possessions). (Our female cabin steward noted that many of the extended Portuguese-speaking families under her care had rented a couple cabins, one for all their steamer trunks/luggage/worldly possessions, and one to crash in. Think: 10 bags per person!)

Although the Vision had been in dry dock in Lisbon for an "Extreme Makeover" for approx 2 weeks prior to our 30 Nov departure, it would appear that the RC administative staff must have "pencil-whipped" everyones' passport/visa paperwork prior to sailing. Half way to Brazil, we were notified by the "my time dining" head waiter on deck 5 that our dining options were being severely constrained since half of his kitchen and wait staff were confined to their staterooms by on board Brazilian customs/immigration officials for "paperwork irregularities". In fact, 125 crewmembers were summarily escorted off the ship at our first port of call, Recife, and promptly deported! Likewise, we'd typically depart for breakfast mid-morning, and alert our overworked cabin steward that she could make up our room, but it was rarely made up before mid-afternoon.

Cabin Review

Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

Cabin D2

Great room with huge, wraparound balcony on stern/port side, with plenty of room on the veranda for two tables, two chairs, and two chaise lounges. We were the envy of all our fellow English speaking passengers nearby, along the stern. It was our own little Shangri-La Retreat! Could have done a bunch of deep sea fishing all the way across the South Atlantic!

previous reviewnext review

Find a Vision of the Seas Cruise from $389

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.