Vision of the Seas

Vision of the Seas is the last Vision-class ship from Royal Caribbean, launched way back in 1998. The Vision class ships are the smallest vessels Royal Caribbean has to offer, known for being intimate, mostly adult-oriented ships that provide a cozy atmosphere and some great Caribbean itineraries starting at around $350. 

The Vision class ships are usually hit or miss, with Enchantment of the Seas offering plenty of pool space but a poor selection of specialty dining venues, while Grandeur of the Seas delivers a mature atmosphere but feels dated in some aspects. We’re glad to say that Vision is the best ship in the class, offering a solid mix of specialty restaurants, some awesome spots to relax, and overall great prices for travelers who want to save money while still enjoying some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world.

What we like about Vision of the Seas

Vision-class ships are known for their slower-paced atmosphere, where lounging by the pool and reading a book are considered main attractions, not wastes of time. This is an older vessel that lacks the giant waterparks, waterslides, ice rinks, or bumper cars that helped catapult Royal Caribbean into becoming the most popular cruise brand in the world. Vision of the Seas does have a rock-climbing wall and swimming pools, but the vibe onboard is all about relaxing at your own pace. The atmosphere is more mature, with fewer children onboard compared to mega-resorts like Wonder of the Seas or Utopia of the Seas.

Another area where Vision of the Seas gets a thumbs-up is specialty dining, which is great news considering that the ship launched just one year before - Enchantment of the Seas - was actually criticized by us for its lack of dining venues. Vision of the Seas, however, has an impressive selection of paid restaurants for a ship of its size. It features Chops Grille, Izumi, Chef’s Table, and Giovanni’s Table, basically doubling the number of specialty restaurants offered on Enchantment of the Seas.

One big advantage of having that many specialty restaurants on a small cruise ship is how easy it is to get to your favorite. Vision of the Seas has an intimate layout that makes it hard to get lost. You know how, on a giant mega-resort ship, you can walk for 30 minutes just to get from your favorite bar to the restaurant you’ve been dying to try? Well, on Vision of the Seas almost everything is just five minutes apart. That makes the ship feel cozier, and you quickly get to know your favorite bartenders and waiters.

What we don’t like about Vision of the Seas

Vision of the Seas is an older ship, and almost thirty years old. Refurbishments have given it some nice upgrades, but at the end of the day, the core of the ship is still from the ’90s. The public spaces look fine, and the multiple restaurants are definitely a nice touch, but the ship lacks the modern venues you’ll find on the newest Royal Caribbean vessels, which is understandable.

One area that feels lacking, in our opinion, is the staterooms. They’re mostly small, as you’d expect from a ship of that age, but I wish Royal Caribbean had made more updates to bring them in line with modern expectations. I’m talking about increasing storage space and, especially, adding more USB ports near the bed. That’s an area where the ship still feels like a relic of the past, and one that could be improved without being limited by its age. The bathrooms, at least, are okay, even if most staterooms still use the old shower curtains.

Conclusion

Vision of the Seas is a pretty good ship and one of the best options if you’re looking for a Royal Caribbean cruise that feels small, intimate, and more adult-oriented. It’s the best Vision-class ship when it comes to dining and, if you don’t mind your staterooms feeling a bit outdated, it’s definitely a great choice for a relaxing and chill time in the Caribbean.