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I spent 5 nights onboard one in every of Royal Caribbean’s oldest cruise ships. I appreciated the facilities however did not benefit from the inconsistent buffet


Rising up, I primarily cruised on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships. Nonetheless, inside the previous yr, I’ve began branching out to discover what makes their older vessels interesting. 

After spending 5 nights onboard Imaginative and prescient of the Seas, I found a stage of intimacy that the bigger ships lack. Nonetheless, not all the pieces about this 20+ year-old ship was good. 

Whereas I appreciated the general ambiance, some areas confirmed the ship’s true age, such because the cabin’s rest room, which I discovered to be dated in comparison with the modern, trendy design of newer vessels. Plus, the leisure choices had been extra restricted. I missed the Broadway-style reveals and the AquaTheater’s high-diving spectacles. 

That mentioned, the appeal of Imaginative and prescient of the Seas captivated me. It was harking back to a special period of cruising, the place the main target was connecting with the ocean and fellow passengers, moderately than flashy points of interest. Royal Caribbean ships did not all the time have FlowRider surf simulators, water slides, and ice skating rinks onboard! 

Ease of embarking from Baltimore

Many cruisers—together with myself—restrict their searches to well-liked ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Seattle, and Cape Liberty. Nonetheless, Royal Caribbean additionally deploys ships from smaller ports, equivalent to Tampa and Baltimore. 

Although smaller, crusing from Baltimore is handy for individuals who reside within the DMV space, with the Maryland Cruise Terminal simply 40 miles from the center of Washington D.C. The Baltimore/Washington Worldwide Thurgood Marshall Airport can also be solely 10 miles away, so it is simple to entry if you happen to’re flying in. 

Earlier this yr, I had a horrible expertise embarking on Carnival Elation in Jacksonville, Florida. I used to be nervous I would have an analogous expertise in Maryland, with each ports being outdated in comparison with newer terminals in South Florida and even Galveston. 

Fortunately, the Maryland Cruise Terminal was environment friendly, clear, and well-organized. After clearing safety, the port brokers checked our journey documentation, and we had been onboard Imaginative and prescient of the Seas in lower than twenty minutes, akin to the time it has taken to board bigger ships in trendy services. 

We discovered disembarkation to be simply as straightforward. Our assigned group was scheduled to be referred to as off round 9:00am; nonetheless, the method went sooner than anticipated, with all teams receiving clearance at 8:45am as we completed breakfast within the Principal Eating Room.  

As soon as off, finding our suitcases was straightforward, and I used to be impressed with the terminal’s rideshare pick-up space. As a substitute of pulling as much as the sidewalk, all automobiles had been instructed to drag right into a parking spot, successfully lowering congestion and serving to hold the world organized. 

Learn extra: 30 cruise ship embarkation do’s and don’ts

Spectacular principal and specialty eating

In comparison with current sailings on Quantum and Freedom of the Seas, Imaginative and prescient’s principal and specialty eating expertise did not depart a lot to be desired. Izumi, particularly, was a standout. 

The whole lot was drool-worthy, from the edamame to the creamy firecracker shrimp rolls, savory miso ramen, and tender champagne lobster roll. For my part, it was definitely worth the $40 per individual upcharge (word the value contains the pre-cruise Cruise Planner sale and gratuity). 

Other than one meal in Hamilton, Bermuda, the remaining nights had been spent within the Principal Eating Room. Previous to the cruise, I suggested my buddy to not count on something mindblowing. Whereas I’ve discovered included cruise meals passable, it is hardly ever distinctive. 

To my shock, a couple of dishes within the MDR had been that good, such because the French Onion Soup, Rustic Hen Korma, Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp, and Tirasmu. 

Although Imaginative and prescient would not have as many venues as bigger ships within the fleet, what it lacks in amount, it makes up for in high quality! 

Learn extra: I spent 5 days consuming on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Right here’s all the pieces I ate, together with some dishes I’d skip

Actions and facilities 

Imaginative and prescient of the Seas may not have a few of the WOW elements which have come to outline the Royal Caribbean model (i.e., the Excellent Storm water slides, FlowRider surf simulator, AquaTheater, zip line, and extra), however you will not be bored throughout your cruise. 

On embarkation day, we determined to attend the silent disco within the Centrum. It was a energetic exercise that was extra well-liked than I assumed! After dancing the evening away, we labored up an urge for food and headed to the Park Cafe within the Solarium for some pizza. 

Whereas the subsequent day was extra stress-free, I liked the enclosed Solarium. It proved to be the proper retreat, as most of our cruise was plagued with poor climate. 

Moreover, it was steps away from the complimentary sauna and steam room within the Vitality Spa. This made it straightforward to modify from lounging within the peaceable Solarium to stress-free within the sauna and letting the warmth work its magic each time we needed. 

Whether or not we needed to attend a trivia session, watch a manufacturing present, hearken to reside music on the Schooner Bar, strive our luck at Bingo, climb the rock wall, or take part in The Loopy Quest, there was all the time one thing to maintain us entertained.

Learn extra: All about Imaginative and prescient Class cruise ships

Fundamental cabin

My inside stateroom on Imaginative and prescient was like a time capsule. 

The delicate lighting and furnishings had been easy but inviting, and I appreciated the practical format with loads of storage, a small seating space, and twin nightstands with additional drawers. 

That mentioned, essentially the most disappointing side of my cabin was the clingy bathe curtain. Irrespective of how laborious I attempted, it all the time appeared drawn to my pores and skin, making showering a bit difficult. Due to this, extra water would escape from the bathe than I would like. 

Learn extra: I sailed in tiny inside cabins on outdated Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships. I would solely guide one once more

I additionally want Royal Caribbean would replace its older cabins to function extra charging choices. Once I cruised on Carnival Elation, a ship roughly the identical age as Imaginative and prescient, I used to be shocked to seek out a number of shops, together with USB ports beside the mattress. 

Fortunately, I got here ready with European energy adapters, so we may use all 4 shops (two American and two European) on the vainness. I would additionally suggest bringing a transportable charger if you wish to cost your cellphone in mattress, as there are not any shops close to the bedside. 

Learn extra: Royal Caribbean banned outlet extenders on its cruise ships. Its change began a debate about what’s allowed

Inconsistent buffet

My least favourite factor about Imaginative and prescient of the Seas was the buffet, significantly throughout breakfast. I get pleasure from a easy breakfast, sometimes eggs for protein, fruit, and a hashbrown patty, and all through my 5 days onboard, the standard of the Windjammer’s breakfast assorted vastly. 

On the primary full morning, my eggs had been chilly—although I appreciated the small avocado toast. The eggs had been once more chilly the next day, however the hash brown patty was completely crispy. Issues went actually downhill from there.

Deciding to combine it up, I grabbed a hardboiled egg as a substitute of scrambled eggs, however the warmth lamp made the shell too scorching to the touch. By the point I lastly eliminated the shell, I discovered the hardboiled egg to be overcooked, rubbery, and dry. 

Moreover, the hash brown wasn’t as crispy because the day earlier than. As a substitute, it was on the soggy aspect. After a couple of disappointing breakfasts within the Windjammer, we determined to carve out additional time every morning to eat within the Principal Eating Room, the place the standard of the meals was constantly higher. 

Learn extra: 11 issues it is best to by no means do at a cruise ship buffet