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The Cruise Couldn't Have Been Better! by
Tim T from Kalispell, MT Sailing date: Dec 2008Pros: Friendliness of the Crew Cons: Nothing For a 10-year-old ship, it was in excellent shape. Everything was extremely clean and the crew was warm and welcoming at all times. This was our first cruise and we were celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. We couldn't have chosen a better cruise line or ship. We felt as though we were special despite choosing one of the less expensive staterooms. Ship QualityThe ship, The Vision of the Seas, is 80,000 tons, and the largest ship that can fit through the Panama Canal. Newer ships eclipse the Vision in size and amenities, but we felt that this was a great size; not too small nor too big. The crew knew our names and we were able to get to know MANY of the passengers and have a good time. Any larger and it would have been more formal and impersonal. It was very clean and the layout was easy to learn and navigate. The decor didn't appear to be dated and there were plenty of amenities for us to enjoy. So much, in fact, that we didn't find much time to read our books because we stayed so busy. Dining/FoodThe dining experience was quite good. My wife and I have enjoyed fine dining all over the world and were pleasantly surprised with the good quality level of the entrees and variety offered. Each day the staff prepared new gourmet dishes for us to enjoy. There were many dining options for us to eat, though larger ships often have a few extra restaurants that the Vision of the Seas didn't have. The service was superb and the wait staff went above and beyond to leave us satisfied. Stateroom QualityThe size of our stateroom was larger than we expected. For a large interior room, we felt very comfortable at all times. It was in great condition and always clean for us. The Hotel Director, Benny Weidacher, went out of his way to make our stay as enjoyable as possible. Ship Staff QualityBeyond reproach! The wonderful people on board that made the day to day operations run smoothly were always pleasant and friendly. We had a genuine sense that they enjoyed their jobs and wanted us to feel at home. It was great getting to know them and hear their stories. The 795 crew members came from over 50 different countries. They spend 6 months on the ship before going home to see their families for 6 weeks. Then they do it all over again. Despite being away from their families for so long, they seem to enjoy working on the ship. Captain Ingar Neerland seems very proud of the crew under his command. Entertainment & ActivitiesMy wife and I worked for decades at major Las Vegas Strip hotels. The entertainment on board the Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas did in fact rival Las Vegas. We saw comedians, singers, dancers, a ventriloquist, a major production show and plenty of smaller bands all over the ship. The activities around the pool and in the lounge are designed for passengers to mingle and get to know each other. Although this was our first cruise, we met dozens of other couples that have 25-50 cruises under their belts. Each and every couple we met said that John Blair, the Cruise Director, is the best in the industry. John was awesome.  
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Mazatlan, MexicoWe enjoyed a van tour by one of the longest running tour guides - Mazatlan Frank. We saw much of Mazatlan and had time in the afternoon to explore on our own when the tour was over. We booked the tour directly from Frank's website and he was waiting for us when we came off the ship. Google Mazatlan Frank and view the tours he has available.
Don't Miss: Mazatlan Frank's Tour Puerto Vallarta, MexicoBy far, our favorite port. We booked a tour through "Bike Mex" prior to taking the cruise. The mountain bike tours they provide are as strenuous or relaxing as you want them to be. We wanted to see the real Puerto Vallarta. Oscar, the owner, took us through the agriculture area just outside the downtown area where we stopped and took lots of photos and handed out LOTS of candy to the poor kids in the outskirts. We swam in a river and had lots of great contacts with the locals. It was much better than eating and shopping at the tourist areas. Lots of fun and memories to last a lifetime!
Don't Miss: Bike Mex Tour Cabo San Lucas, MexicoIt is a nice port, but we were inundated by vendors and boat tour operators for blocks after getting off the water taxi. We found the best response to all of them was to simply say, "No thank you" and continue walking. The food and drinking games at the Giggling Marlin are a must see. It's an easy walk from the pier.
Don't Miss: The Giggling Marlin 15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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  Honeymoon Adventure. by
Douglas from Oly, WA Sailing date: May 2007Pros: The captian as he was very much involved; taking evasive action in the mist of the icebergs for our safe return to port on time. The most incredible thing was all the art works. Like the whole ship was a colage from works of art, schulptures, paintings, music, food carvings and talent. There was just not enough time for a sight seeing tour and experience all the other activities. Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: I couldn't figure how to keep track of every thing that I wanted to do. So I missed out on making a few new friends and doing things that I wanted to.
Entertainment: There was a good variety of shows to choose from.
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Juneau, AlaskaJuneau what's good for you?
The tramway is a must, for the view of Gods creation: Birds and bears in the mountians. Would like to have been offered a tour of the capital as an option.
Don't Miss: Take a walk to the glacier from the info center and see the water fall up close. Skagway, AlaskaDon't Miss: Local art works. Paintings, jewelry and schulptures. Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord, AlaskaDon't Miss: Horse tail falls. Amazing how the water just shoots off of the cliff like fire hose. Prince Rupert, British ColumbiaPrince Rupert is History.
It was kinda sad to see how much the native culture has had to change because of US.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Many things to do. by
Cynthia from Tulare, California Sailing date: Oct 2006Pros: Everything, I loved it all. There were a large amount of things to do on the ship. All the performances were great. Loved the food. Everyone was very helpful & informative. Entertainment & Activities
Entertainment: They were great! 6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Very good cruise. Service was GREAT. by
Roy from Castro Valley, CA Sailing date: Mar 2007Pros: Staff and cabins. Nothing bad to say at all. Very relaxing vacation. Entertainment & Activities
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Mazatlan, MexicoNice People.
Don't Miss: Eating off of the ship on the beach. Puerto Vallarta, MexicoNice Metro town in Mexico.
We walked about and watched people and had lunch.
Don't Miss: Have a nice meal off of the ship. Fun shopping. Cabo San Lucas, MexicoWe walked around the pier and "people watched".
Just went in and walked about. Taking the tender was a drag as we had to wait until about noon to get off the ship.
Don't Miss: Going to the Office and watching the people and take a water taxi... 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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I found the crew to be very professional by
Beverly from St. George, UT Sailing date: Dec 2006Pros: Friendly staff. I love cruising. As a widow, I find it is the easist way for me to get around. Entertainment & Activities
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Cheap! You get what you pay for!! by
Prabhu from Australia Sailing date: May 2006Pros: Like any other luxury cuiser sufficiently large! Could be better if more quality and variety entertainment programmes to suit majority of passangers. Entertainment & Activities
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Just not our cup of tea. by
Sabah from Los Angeles Sailing date: Apr 2007Pros: The theater. A very expensive price to read a book. It's preferable to fly and enjoy a destination and have more control over one's itineray. Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: The outdoor pool and hot tubs were unavailable unless one wanted to squeeze in with the children or teens. There was a festive atmosphere on the deck that was great when in the mood, but very invasive if one wanted to sit out and read, etc.
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Mazatlan, MexicoNice old town.
Don't Miss: Strolling old town. Puerto Vallarta, MexicoA city of many options.
We enjoyed the beaches.
Cabo San Lucas, MexicoDull. Unless one is going fishing...
4 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Wrong choice for me... by
Carol from St. Paul, MN Sailing date: Mar 2007Pros: Great service. This would not be a cruise I would choose again, not through the fault of the cruiseline, but rather because I prefer fewer young children and more ports of call (fewer days at sea). Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: Too crowded to use many offerings.
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Mazatlan, MexicoDeer Island Tour.
We had a great time.
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoTequila Town and Country Tour.
Not what we expected. Tequila factory was interesting. The rest was a shopping trip and not what we wanted.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Comfortable, affordable, had opportunity by
Bernice from BC, Canada Sailing date: Feb 2006Pros: The food. Of the other two cruise lines I've sailed with, this is the one I have most often recommended to others - Very Satisfied. Entertainment & Activities
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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First timers. by
A Traveler from Los Angeles Sailing date: Jan 2007Pros: The best feature was the solarium, no kids allowed. But on the return trip you're going against the wind so no one wanted to use the outdoor pool and the ships staff didn't really enforce the ''no kids in the solarium'' rule too wells. Overall everything was really great!!!! Only 2 complaints 1) The pool bar service was lousy. If you want great service, head for the champagne bar!!!!! 2) They really sock it to you with the price of drinks!!!! Entertainment & Activities
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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