Cruise ships, regardless of size, are like floating cities, packed with amenities and activities catering to diverse travelers. Having sailed on some of the world's newest and largest ships, I've recently begun to explore older ships to see why they remain popular among many cruisers.
One ship that caught my eye in particular was Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas. Not only had I never stepped foot on a Vision Class ship, but I was interested to see what sailing from Baltimore, Maryland, would be like. Plus, the 5-night cruise was to Bermuda, a destination I had yet to explore.
I came away with a newfound appreciation for older vessels after spending 5 nights onboard Vision. Everything from the Main Dining Room's food quality to the hidden nooks around the ship made for a memorable cruise experience.
Here are 7 things that surprised me most about sailing on one of Royal Caribbean's oldest cruise ships.
Read more: I spent $1,780 on a budget cruise to Bermuda on an old cruise ship. It was worth the money
Complimentary sauna and steam room
On embarkation day, I discovered the complimentary sauna and steam room during a tour of the Vitality Spa. On newer ships, everything from facials to massages, pedicures, and access to the thermal suite costs extra. However, the included sauna and steam room were a welcome surprise.
As expected, they weren't as lavish as thermal suites on new cruise ships, but the simplicity was part of their charm. My friend and I made do with the facilities and rinsed off in a cold shower before entering the warm sauna, mimicking a cold plunge.
Perhaps the most striking thing about these amenities was how relatively empty they stayed throughout the cruise.
Since they're included in the cost of the cruise fare, I assumed there would be at least one other passenger taking advantage of the facilities. There were only two instances I encountered other guests in the sauna, making it seem like a well-kept secret.
High-quality dining
Last October, I cruised on Freedom of the Seas and was disappointed by the quality of the food in the Main Dining Room.
Unfortunately, the disappointment continued on my Alaskan cruise aboard Quantum of the Seas. Many of the dishes felt lackluster, mirroring my dining experience on Freedom. As such, I didn't have high hopes for the food's quality on Vision of the Seas.
While the buffet offered a surprising range of options for a small cruise ship, it was your standard buffet food. However, I was blown away by Izumi and the Main Dining Room.
Everything at Izumi—from the salty edamame to the fresh sushi and creamy firecracker shrimp roll— was a hit. It was well worth the money. In fact, one of my biggest regrets from my cruise was not trying another specialty restaurant, or at least returning to Izumi.
Still, the Main Dining Room was far more impressive than previous Royal Caribbean cruises, with the French Onion Soup, Tiramisu, Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp, and Rustic Chicken Korma standing out the most.
Read more: Vision of the Seas Food Review, Pictures
Ease of Baltimore's cruise terminal
Earlier this year, I sailed out of Jacksonville, Florida, and wasn't impressed with the experience. The terminal facilities were outdated, and Carnival Elation's embarkation process took longer than boarding mega-ships in places like Miami.
I was weary that I'd have a similar experience in Baltimore. While the port is used more than Jacksonville's, it's still outdated compared to state-of-the-art facilities in South Florida. However, my apprehensions quickly faded as we pulled into the terminal.
The parking line was relatively long, but few guests were being dropped off via rideshare. We bypassed the snake of passenger cars and were dropped off in front of the terminal in mere seconds. After handing our suitcases to a porter, we walked into the terminal, went through security, had our travel documentation checked, and stepped foot on the ship in about twenty minutes!
Disembarkation was just as easy. Because we had a later flight out of BWI, we weren't concerned with rushing off the ship to call a Lyft. Instead, we selected the latest disembarkation time.
The process moved quicker than expected, and they called for all groups at 8:45am, though we weren't supposed to be able to get off the ship until 9:00am.
The rideshare pick-up area was incredibly organized, with each driver being instructed into a parking spot to wait for their passengers. It helped eliminate confusion and ensured we were in our Lyft to the airport in no time!
Ocean-focused Centrum
Unlike Freedom and Oasis Class ships, Vision of the Seas was designed to highlight the beauty of the ocean. It did not take long to realize this, either.
As I stepped onto the ship and walked into the multi-deck Centrum, I was immediately captivated by the floor-to-ceiling windows. With natural light pouring in, the atrium was illuminated. Despite staying in an interior cabin, we were never far from great views, whether in the Solarium or while grabbing a drink at the Schooner Bar.
As I moved about the ship for 5 nights, I appreciated the old-school design that fostered a connection with the ocean.
Relaxing, enclosed adults-only Solarium
My favorite (and I mean favorite!) spot on any Royal Caribbean ship is the Solarium. As someone in their mid-20s and childless by choice, it's the perfect retreat for peace and quiet, especially on voyages with a large percentage of kids onboard.
Thankfully, there weren't too many kids on my 5-night cruise to Bermuda. Still, the Solarium provided a shielded retreat from the inclement weather that plagued most of our sailing.
While the pool was closed for the first two days, my friend and I made the most of our time there, camping out with our books. We spent hours talking, indulging in snacks from the nearby Park Cafe, and enjoying the easy access to the sauna!
There was only one day we had issues finding seats. For the rest of the cruise, we weren't worried about battling with chair hogs for a prime spot.
Easy-to-navigate layout
Overall, I found Vision of the Seas easy to navigate. Though I was a bit taken aback by the Windjammer in the front of the ship and the Solarium in the back, I had my bearings by the second day.
The Centrum acted as a natural hub, making it easy to orient myself and find my way around. Cafe Latte-tudes, for instance, was located on Deck 6 near the Art Gallery overlooking the atrium, whereas the casino was easily accessible on Deck 5 near Guest Services.
Measuring just over 78,000 gross registered tons (GRT), Vision of the Seas is a far cry from today's mega-ships. Because of its small size, I spent less time going from Point A to Point B, allowing me to maximize my time enjoying the amenities.
Read more: Surprising advantages small cruise ships have over mega-ships
Great value for money
From the quality of the food to the onboard amenities, I felt I got my money's worth during my sailing on Vision of the Seas.
The total cost for the cruise was $1,396.76 for two people, which breaks down to just $279.35 per night, or about $700 per person. This included unlimited dining in the complimentary venues, select drinks, entertainment, accommodation, and transportation to Bermuda!
The Main Dining Room exceeded my expectations, and even the specialty restaurant Izumi was well worth the extra cost. Beyond dining, we were kept entertained with game shows, karaoke, and original production shows featuring a cast of talented performers.
Read more: I sailed in tiny interior cabins on old Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships. I'd only book one again
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
