Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:36:01 -0500 (EST)
From: "Lori Flores" <loflo45@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Review - Vision of the Seas - October 22 - 29, 2006

The ship itself looked attractive enough, there was ample seating around the pool/deck areas and in the casual dining room.

Our room steward was wonderful, our waiter and head waiter were very good, the assistant waiter however left much to be desired. To be fair, I have to wonder why these employees are directed to spend so much time doling out the one dinner roll allotted to each guest than is worth it - time is money and it seems ridiculous to devote so much time to a piece of bread. I finally gave up on getting a glass of ice tea and drank water with dinner every night.

The food was average - the lobster was tasteless. The buffets in the Windjammer Cafe were OK, though one night the entrees were duck and fish -I love fish so that works for me, but my travelling companion does not, and the duck just plain (literally) stunk. I couldn't get it past my nose let alone my mouth.

The beds were the worst I have ever slept on in my entire life. They were sheet metal cots with approx. 6 inch thick, very low density foam pads - even with two "egg crate" mattress pads I was still extremely uncomfortable and couldn't sleep more than a couple hours at a time, getting an average of about four hours consecutive sleep per day. RCI's response to this? "Well you can't expect Sealy Posturepedic", and of course "No one has ever complained before". I heard many guests on ship complaining bitterly about the beds, including one woman who had cruised extensively and said these were the worst beds she'd ever seen.

RCI chose to refurbish the cabins while guests were on board, so guests on the 2nd deck were given an 8 hour window of time in which they were expected to vacate their cabins so that carpets could be replaced. They were also asked not to have any belongings on beds or furniture.

The "mattresses" were changed out during disembarkation, taking up two elevators and a lot of floor space - to hell with the guests trying to disembark with luggage, etc.

Service in the Schooner Bar was awful. If you didn't add to the already 15% gratuity you were ignored. One waiter would look right at us, and then turn his back - serving no one.

We only made one port due to Hurrican Paul (we were sailing the Mexican Riviera). Can't blame this on the cruise line certainly, but it would have been nice had our onboard experience been a little more accomodating.

If I ever cruise again, which I doubt, it certainly will not be with RCI.