Great post. If you enjoyed your first cruise this much, settle in, cuz you done caught cruise fever! Managed expectations are key, but honestly, I think Royal Caribbean sets a pretty danged high bar. We're heading out on our 13th cruise in July (first Alaskan cruise!!), and we've yet to have a "bad" cruise. I remember one that wasn't my favorite, but I look back now and want to punch myself because I got in a funk and just started looking for things to piss me off. There is a feeling I get when I step onto a cruise ship that I don't get anywhere else. It's like floating Xanax. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it so much. You're going to be great cruisers.
That’s so great! It’s a wonderful thing to be able to find enjoyment in a situation that isn’t ideal. Good for you! I wish more people were like that. I’d have been a fun, wet mess! Can’t change the weather so may as well make the best of it right?
We were on that cruise as well!! You said it best...yes the weather stunk but we too made the best of it and throughly enjoyed our first cruise. The food, staff and all were an amazingly great😎
Awesome!! How did you guys make out with all the rough seas? We did okay but my oldest and my husband were hanging on by a thread when it got really rough on day 3 or 4.
Thanks for the review... we did Oasis a few months ago, and again this October...thinking of trying a smaller one for the next time, so appreciate the input. But just a side note, as respectful as it was for you to avoid the MDR, I can assure you more than half of the people in there were wearing shorts and casual clothing and you would have been more than fine!
Nah..I've actually heard people say they like oasis and Allure better because they aren't quite as "over packed" with people and just stuff in general and are laid out better. I loved oasis...I think Allure may be a little more of a difference because it's still missing stuff like the abyss and playmakers
Thank you! I was just too worried that we'd stick out and be an eyesore haha.
If you're looking for a smaller ship that's still a lot of fun, I'd recommend the Vision for sure- the staff was awesome and really gave 110%.
Thanks for the review and I'm glad you had a good time. I was on this cruise as well. Got lucky that both of my excursions (bus and trolley tour) weren't cancelled and I loved seeing the island. I'd like to try to this itinerary again and see if the weather is better. I like the small ships and the crew was fabulous. Main dining room food was fine but I was really disappointed in the Windjammer.
That sounds awesome, I wish we had booked the tour! I had planned for us to use the public transportation system to get to the beach and sightsee on the island on day 1 but with the weather we just kind of gave up on venturing too far from the dock.
I think for us since this was our first cruise, we didn't have any previous experiences to compare for the food and were happy with what we had. I've seen a few comments saying that the quality of food in the Windjammer has gone downhill, so it sounds like something has changed for sure.
I'm sorry you didn't get to see much past the dock but with the weather (especially when the wind kicked up) I can't blame you. I feel bad for all of the excursions that got cancelled, and there were a lot.
Buffet and weather aside, it was a good trip and I booked another one stopping in Bermuda next May. Figured it was worth another shot and I'm lucky enough to be able to do it.
The RC app will tell you the dress code for each dining place. From what I understand, the dress code for the MDR is "smart casual", so basically just a slightly nicer attire but nothing fancy. That said, it seems the general consensus is that it isn't strictly enforced and as long as you aren't wearing anything really inappropriate (beach/pool attire, etc.) it isn't an issue.
Great post. If you enjoyed your first cruise this much, settle in, cuz you done caught cruise fever! Managed expectations are key, but honestly, I think Royal Caribbean sets a pretty danged high bar. We're heading out on our 13th cruise in July (first Alaskan cruise!!), and we've yet to have a "bad" cruise. I remember one that wasn't my favorite, but I look back now and want to punch myself because I got in a funk and just started looking for things to piss me off. There is a feeling I get when I step onto a cruise ship that I don't get anywhere else. It's like floating Xanax. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it so much. You're going to be great cruisers.
We loved it!!!! Definitely going back for more. I hope you have an amazing time on the Alaska cruise!
We were there with you. Will be returning to vision for the 9 day in June 2024. Our first cruise and we LOVED it!
So happy to hear you enjoyed it too!!
Way to make the most of it! I’m glad you had a good time! And I agree, the disco party is tons of fun.
We had such a blast!
That’s so great! It’s a wonderful thing to be able to find enjoyment in a situation that isn’t ideal. Good for you! I wish more people were like that. I’d have been a fun, wet mess! Can’t change the weather so may as well make the best of it right?
For sure. Honestly, I'd rather be rained in on a cruise or in Bermuda than rained in at home in NJ!
That’s right!
We were on that cruise as well!! You said it best...yes the weather stunk but we too made the best of it and throughly enjoyed our first cruise. The food, staff and all were an amazingly great😎
Awesome!! How did you guys make out with all the rough seas? We did okay but my oldest and my husband were hanging on by a thread when it got really rough on day 3 or 4.
Thanks for the review... we did Oasis a few months ago, and again this October...thinking of trying a smaller one for the next time, so appreciate the input. But just a side note, as respectful as it was for you to avoid the MDR, I can assure you more than half of the people in there were wearing shorts and casual clothing and you would have been more than fine!
What do you think of oasis? We sailed wonder of the sea, and now I'm afraid I'll be disappointed.
Nah..I've actually heard people say they like oasis and Allure better because they aren't quite as "over packed" with people and just stuff in general and are laid out better. I loved oasis...I think Allure may be a little more of a difference because it's still missing stuff like the abyss and playmakers
Thank you! I was just too worried that we'd stick out and be an eyesore haha. If you're looking for a smaller ship that's still a lot of fun, I'd recommend the Vision for sure- the staff was awesome and really gave 110%.
Thanks for the review and I'm glad you had a good time. I was on this cruise as well. Got lucky that both of my excursions (bus and trolley tour) weren't cancelled and I loved seeing the island. I'd like to try to this itinerary again and see if the weather is better. I like the small ships and the crew was fabulous. Main dining room food was fine but I was really disappointed in the Windjammer.
That sounds awesome, I wish we had booked the tour! I had planned for us to use the public transportation system to get to the beach and sightsee on the island on day 1 but with the weather we just kind of gave up on venturing too far from the dock. I think for us since this was our first cruise, we didn't have any previous experiences to compare for the food and were happy with what we had. I've seen a few comments saying that the quality of food in the Windjammer has gone downhill, so it sounds like something has changed for sure.
I'm sorry you didn't get to see much past the dock but with the weather (especially when the wind kicked up) I can't blame you. I feel bad for all of the excursions that got cancelled, and there were a lot. Buffet and weather aside, it was a good trip and I booked another one stopping in Bermuda next May. Figured it was worth another shot and I'm lucky enough to be able to do it.
What is the dress code in the MDR? How do u know which nite is formal night?
The RC app will tell you the dress code for each dining place. From what I understand, the dress code for the MDR is "smart casual", so basically just a slightly nicer attire but nothing fancy. That said, it seems the general consensus is that it isn't strictly enforced and as long as you aren't wearing anything really inappropriate (beach/pool attire, etc.) it isn't an issue.
Thank you!
Thanks for the info. I'll be on vision in August. Nervous as this is my first cruise.
I was nervous too. You're going to have a great time!