Supplement to Travel Trade
September 2000

Vision of the Seas

It’s been almost one year since The Vision of the Seas, the last of Royal Caribbean’s six Project Vision series, made its debut to rave reviews in the Europe market. After a sellout season, the 78,491-ton Vision headed to North America last fall, where it continues to score high marks with passengers.

At 915 feet long and 105.6 feet wide, the mega-ship barely makes it through the Panama Canal locks, with only inches to spare on each side. But, the 2,000-passenger Vision never overwhelms passengers with its size and, in fact, offers a multitude of places for those seeking quiet solitude.

Named for the vistas opened by the abundance of glass windows, the Vision of the Seas is a masterpiece of design. Embarkation is on Deck 4 into the Centrum, usually the hub of onboard passenger activity.

Brass-rimmed glass balconies surround the Centrum’s focal point, a towering sculpture of stainless steel, float glass, gold-plated brass and acrylic. Named “Ariel” after the sprite-like spirit of light and air in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” the soaring sculpture’s polished surfaces reflect the soft colors, lavish marble and sparkling lights of the Centrum.

The sculpture is the most prominent piece on a ship laden with outstanding works of art, most of which are contemporary and in mixed mediums.

Below “Ariel,” a soothing, trickling-water sound emanates from the small rock-bottomed pool and mini-waterfall. It’s gentle music to those sitting in comfortable armchairs on the elevated marble platform nearby. This area is also a convenient setting for special presentations — such as the cooking demonstration offered by Executive Chef Fritz Halbedl from Austria (who revealed his mother’s recipe for strudel during our cruise) and his assistants.

Glass-enclosed bubble elevators glide up and down the Centrum. Inside the elevators, carpets — shaded in the corals, blues and beiges that predominate throughout the ship — are imprinted with the current day of the week — a helpful reminder, particularly on longer voyages when time seems to have been suspended.

Tucked away in the forward section of Level 4 of the Centrum is the Champagne Terrace, which serves a vast selection of fine wines and champagnes. This relaxed area is the perfect place to have a drink and dance — there is live music from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. every evening.

In addition, a pianist, singer or violinist entertains on Deck 4 of the Centrum at various times throughout the day.

Level 5 of the Centrum offers comfortable club chairs and settees in beiges and blues on both port and starboard sides, with panoramic views from the huge windows. The purser’s office — open 24 hours — is located on this level, as is the Shore Excursion desk. As we discovered on our Panama Canal cruise, passengers should book popular port tours early to avoid being shut out.

The Casino Royale is also located on Deck 5. This is everything a casino should be — slightly gaudy and very glitzy — with flashing neon lights and ample good luck symbols. The “action” includes roulette, craps, Caribbean stud poker and slot machines. The casino’s bar is under an acrylic canopy bearing the signs of the Zodiac.

The casino is cleverly located just outside the main level of the two-level Masquerade Theater — so that the post-theater crowd exits through it. The 881-seat theater is a delight, with cushy leather-trimmed upholstered seats, meticulously maintained brass railings, state-of-the art sound and light, and a stunning stage curtain with sequins and glitter adorning colorful Renaissance masked ball figures.

A word of praise is in order for the outstanding caliber of entertainment. On our cruise, a different entertainer was featured almost every night and each one — from comedian to vocalist to the “big name” Osmond Brothers — exceeded expectations. The Vision’s own ensemble group, the Wave Revue Singers & Dancers, are talented performers, and the productions were Broadway caliber. The Boutiques of Centrum are located forward on Level 6. During sea days, one can buy souvenirs, tax- and duty-free liquor and cigarettes, perfume, fine jewelry and cruisewear. The photo shop is also on this level.

Aft on Deck 6 is the quietly intimate Schooner Bar, complete with a ship’s mast, nautically-themed art, comfortable leather club chairs and large-screen TV where videos are shown. Piano entertainment is offered before and after dinner.

Past the Schooner Bar is one of the ship’s more popular venues, the Some Enchanted Evening Lounge. Comfortable beige sofas and armchairs are arranged in a semi-circle facing a dance floor and small stage. By day, the lounge is the setting for a variety of activities, including Bingorama, line dance lessons and moderate exercises. By night, the lounge features music, dancing and after-theatre games, such as Trivia Challenge.

Another lounge on Deck 6, the Showboat, was in use for most of our journey by the Park West Auctions at Sea, selling art ranging from Disney animation to contemporary art to masterworks.

The most sophisticated lounge is the two-level Viking Crown, aft on Deck 11, featuring a small dance floor, where a d.j. plays disco music until the wee hours. Stylish, plush suede-and-leather armchairs overlook the pool deck and offer a romantic setting for late-night drinks.

The library and the game room are opposite each other on Deck 7. The wood-paneled library, on the starboard side, features comfortable armchairs, and a surprisingly extensive variety of books ranging from art to history to popular fiction. Books can be taken out on the “honor system.” Daily trivia sheets are also distributed here.

The game room features card tables, upholstered barrel chairs, and a variety of board and card games. Throughout the room, charming watercolors by American artist Anne Hathaway depict a whimsical monkey playing various games, such as Monopoly, Bingo, and backgammon. The spattered coral and blue rug incorporates playing card suit designs. The large windows offer fabulous panoramas. Those seeking a partner for bridge, poker or other games can sign a log book here.

Other quiet places on the Vision include the Explorer’s Lounge on Deck 8, a comfortable nook for reading and relaxing.

On Decks 5 and 6, the two-level blue-carpeted Aquarius Dining Room, which seats 1,200, is glamorous and elegant. The blue-upholstered chairs and banquettes seat two to 12.

The floor-to-ceiling windows have drapes trimmed in orange bands that are pulled back so as not to obstruct the view. Roman shades are lowered as needed to block the sun. Crystal overhead light fixtures and wall sconces provide subtle lighting after the sun goes down. A piano and string ensemble plays during dinner and, occasionally, the congenial waiters will burst out into a well-rehearsed song.

The international staff of waiters go out of their way to pamper guests and have an uncanny way of memorizing food likes and dislikes. The menu features “ShipShape” entrees with calorie counts in addition to regular fare, with vegetarian and special menu requests available with advance notice.

For those who prefer more casual dining, the airy Windjammer Cafe, forward on the usually lively Pool Deck, serves Early Bird coffee and Danish from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.; Late Risers breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; afternoon tea and snacks from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and casual dinner service, offering a selection from the dinner menu, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Self-serve coffee, tea and iced tea are always available on the deck just outside the Cafe.

Another casual dining option is the Solarium Cafe on Deck 9. The tiled Solarium has a stunning Mayan decor, indoor raised pool and two Jacuzzis under a sliding glass roof. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and palms, with white and green metal table and chairs placed by the windows. Pizza, hot dogs, burgers, chicken and vegetarian burgers are available from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the Cafe.

During our cruise, the Vision offered one spectacular midnight buffet, which opened at 11:30 p.m. to those who wanted to photograph the awesome sculptures carved out of ice, margarine — and, yes, even bread. The buffet itself didn’t open until 12:30 a.m.— and many passengers had already called it a night. On most other nights, waiters strolled through the casino and other public areas with trays of late-night snacks.

The Beauty Salon adjoining the Solarium offers massages, facial treatments, haircuts and more. Upstairs, aft on Deck 10, the ShipShape Center, open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, schedules daily fitness classes and features a workout area with treadmills, Cybex strength equipment stations, step machines, Life Cycles and virtual bikes. Personal trainers are available to fine tune an existing workout or help newcomers get started.

Also on Deck 10, which is the jogging deck, are 12 putting holes and shuffleboard. Forward on Deck 10 is the FantaSEAS Teen Center and nightclub, with supervised activities offered to ages 13-17. Opposite is Club Adventure Ocean Children’s Room, a sunny, cheerful play and meeting room for ages 3 to 12 (divided by age group).

When the ship is at sea, complimentary Club activities take place from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with meal breaks so kids can join their parents. An hourly fee is charged for late night group baby-sitting from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and for a limited schedule of supervised activities when the ship is in port.

There are 593 oceanview staterooms, ranging from 153-square feet to the Royal Suites’ 1,140-square feet (229 have balconies). The 407 interior cabins range from 135-square feet to 169 square feet. All cabins convert to queen-size bed configuration and 429 staterooms have third and fourth berths. Blue, white and peach tones predominate in the fabrics and carpeting. Closet and shelf space is ample. Each cabin has a color TV (CNN and closed-circuit movies are always available and, occasionally we picked up a major network affiliate from the U.S.) A small safe and mini-refrigerator stocked with beverages are also staples.

All outside staterooms on Deck 7 and 8 feature balconies, and Deck 8 cabins have tubs instead of showers. All bathrooms in every category are surprisingly roomy, with large mirrored medicine cabinets and plenty of counter space. Complimentary turndown service places the Cruise Compass, a schedule of the next day’s activities, and the TimesFax, a printed edition of very condensed New York Times news, on your pillow each night. Room service is available 24 hours.

For those in need of structured activities, the Vision more than obliges. Among the most popular are the ShipShape activities, ranging from daily Walk-A-Thons to stretch classes, and geared to all ages and levels of fitness.

One ShipShape dollar is awarded for every activity completed. The dollars can be redeemed toward the end of the cruise for visors, t-shirts, workout towels and water bottles. On a longer cruise, those dollars can add up, and amassing them can become a competitive obsession — as well as great fun. (“The traveler’s checks are under the mattress, but the ShipShape dollars are in the safe,” is how our dinner tablemate put it.)

When a ship runs this smoothly and seamlessly, credit must be given to the team effort that makes it possible. Malcolm Chapple, hotel director, manages almost every “non-technical” aspect of the sea-going experience. He’s been a hotel officer since 1974, when he started with P&O Cruise Line, and his experience shows. Supervising a hotel staff of 658 comprised of 59 nationalities (the crew numbers 767, with officers) is a tall order, and Chapple brings it off admirably.

Also a standout is Cruise Director Jacqui Perry who is new to the Vision, although she’s been with Royal Caribbean since 1988. Talented and outgoing, she manages to exude genuine non-stop enthusiasm and good humor.

Captain Leif Otto Bang, who is Norwegian but lives with his family in Florida when he’s not at sea, started his distinguished 40-year career at the age of 14 as a cadet aboard a windjammer. He joined Royal Caribbean in 1971 and in 1996 served for one year in Asia as captain of the Sun Viking, a ship he recalls with much fondness.

The best testimony to a cruise line is the number of repeat passengers. On our cruise, which was filled to capacity, 902 passengers had the distinction of being veteran Royal Caribbean cruisers.

There was considerable “buzz” on the Vision about the new Voyager of the Seas, the 142,000-ton Eagle Class ship scheduled to debut in November. Though several fellow passengers had already booked a Voyager cruise, the sentiment appeared unanimous: everyone would sail the Vision of the Seas again at least one more time, thanks to an extraordinary cruising experience.