Today's newest cruise ships offer the most onboard dining options and activities, such as innovative restaurants like Royal Caribbean's Utopia Station: Royal Railway and Carnival's BOLT rollercoaster. However, is newer always better?
Having sailed primarily on Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Freedom Class, I wondered why many cruisers remained loyal to the dated Vision Class ships.
Measuring anywhere from 78,000 to 82,910 gross registered tons (GRT), they are the smallest vessels in the fleet and lack the same "WOW" factor that the cruise line's larger, mega-ships have. You won't, for instance, find surf simulators, ice skating rinks, waterslides, or zip-lines onboard.
I decided to finally sail on a Vision Class ship after finding an affordable cruise to Bermuda from Baltimore, Maryland. I had never been to Bermuda or sailed from Maryland, so this trip offered the perfect opportunity to check off a few "firsts" from my list.
I wasn't sure whether I'd enjoy the tiny Vision of the Seas, but I gained a newfound appreciation for a different era of cruising. Rather than packing ships full of flashy attractions, the primary focus was on intimate service and connecting with the sea and fellow passengers.
Still, those flashy attractions are what make mega-ships my preferred way to cruise. Plus, I love the dining variety on larger ships—I'm not limited to the buffet, Main Dining Room, and one or two other spots.
Overall, my experience onboard Vision of the Seas exceeded my expectations. While, yes, the ship was dated and felt like a flashback to the 1990s (especially in the cabin), the food quality and service were top-notch. I also appreciated not feeling nickel and dimed for certain amenities.
While Baltimore's terminal isn't as updated as Miami's, embarkation was just as smooth
Royal Caribbean has perfected the embarkation experience in Miami. I've never spent more than fifteen minutes going through security and having my documentation checked, even on ships as large as Symphony of the Seas.
That said, I was hesitant that an older terminal might not be efficient. Earlier that year, I cruised on Carnival Elation from Jacksonville and experienced the most chaotic embarkation process to date! Conversely, sailing from Miami on mega-ships like Carnival Celebration is a breeze.
I worried the same would be true for a lesser-used port like Baltimore compared to Royal Caribbean's new terminal in Florida. Thankfully, my concerns turned out to be baseless, and everything went smoothly.
While the parking line was long, rideshares zipped right up to bag drop! After handing off our luggage to the porter, we proceeded to the terminal, passed through security, verified our travel documentation, and were onboard in about twenty minutes.
Vision of the Seas was easy to navigate
Vision's layout had a natural flow that made navigating the ship effortless. The ocean-focused Centrum acted as a hub and connected the public areas with its airy design. For example, Cafe Latte-tudes, the specialty coffee shop, was on Deck 6 near the Art Gallery. One deck below was Guest Services, which was steps away from the casino.
Unlike Royal's Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis Class ships, the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Centrum offered stunning views and natural light from many frequently visited spots. Conversely, the Royal Promenade has a disconnected feel and resembles a shopping mall more than a cruise ship.
One advantage to cruising on smaller ships is that you'll spend less time walking from one venue to another. With everything relatively close together, it was easy to grab a drink from your favorite bartender before going to dinner in the Main Dining Room without trekking across the entire ship.
Satisfying dining experience
My last Royal Caribbean cruise before Vision was aboard Quantum of the Seas to Alaska. Though I loved my first cruise to The Last Frontier, the dining on Quantum was a con.
Most dishes fell flat and left a lot to be desired. Whether in the Main Dining Room or one of the ship's specialty restaurants, something was always missing to make the meal feel complete.
I knew my experience aboard Vision would be different after dinner on embarkation day.
Since it was my friend's first cruise, we splurged on a specialty meal at Izumi, the extra-cost sushi restaurant. The meal was nothing short of exceptional.
Everything from the salty edamame to the creamy champagne roll and crispy firecracker shrimp was a homerun. It was so delicious I wish we had returned during our 5-night cruise!
The Main Dining Room was also a highlight. It offered the classic cruise ship dining experience in a multi-story dining room. While the food wasn't Michelin-star worthy, the dishes were tasty and better than anything I could prepare at home.
A few noteworthy dishes include the Tiramisu, French Onion Soup, Rustic Chicken Korma, and Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp. The latter cannot be missed on Caribbean night—it's one of my favorite courses on a Royal Caribbean cruise!
My least favorite venue on Vision of the Seas was the buffet. I found that the quality of breakfast varied greatly. My scrambled eggs were often cold, and the hardboiled eggs were overcooked and rubbery. The crispiness of the hashbrown patty was inconsistent, too.
Read more: I spent 5 days eating on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
I wish the cabin had received more TLC
Royal Caribbean isn't known for gutting their older cabins. Instead, they'll usually receive a basic refresh. However, I wish they would invest more in updating their oldest staterooms.
For instance, I sailed on Carnival Elation, a Fantasy Class ship the same age as Vision of the Seas, earlier last year and was surprised by the modern touches, including multiple American outlets and USB ports.
Not only that but some were located beside the bed, making charging my phone at night more convenient than using a portable charger or leaving it on the vanity. In comparison, my interior cabin on Vision had two American and two European outlets near the vanity.
I was also disappointed that one of the nightstands was broken and missing a back panel. We didn't use that drawer out of fear that something could unexpectedly tumble out. Additionally, the cabin lacked a mini-fridge.
That said, the bathroom was nicer than expected. Though they didn't get rid of the pesky shower curtain, work had obviously been done to the sink area. The backsplash even reminded me of Oasis and Allure of the Seas!
Read more: I sailed in windowless inside cabins on 7 different cruise ships
Should you book a cruise on a Vision Class ship?
Overall, Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas is a blast to the past but offers a good value. I paid just $698.38, including port fees and gratuities, for my 5-night cruise aboard Vision, bringing the total cost for two guests in an inside cabin to $1,396.76.
Did I think the cruise was worth $140 per night? Considering the cost included my meals, gratuities, entertainment, and accommodation, I'd say it was a fair price. It would have cost much more to plan a land-based trip to Bermuda, especially if I was splurging on three-course meals nightly.
No, it wasn't the cheapest cruise I've ever taken, but cruise fares have risen over the past few years. It's becoming harder to find jaw-dropping deals, even on old cruise ships.
While Vision isn't the flashiest of Royal Caribbean's ships, it offers a no-frills escape for guests not interested in attractions like FlowRider surf simulators, ice skating rinks, and zip lines. In fact, there was a time when ships like Vision of the Seas were the norm.
However, if you want to entertain teenagers or thrill seekers, a Vision Class ship might not meet your vacation needs. Vision excels at providing a basic experience focused on intimacy, good food, and—typically—unique ports of call.
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.
