It’s Cruise Ship Monday!
Today brings us Royal Caribbean International’s Vision-class–Grandeur of the Seas (1996), Rhapsody of the Seas (1997), Enchantment of the Seas (1997) and Vision of the Seas (1998).
The Vision-class ships are the smallest of the Royal Caribbean fleet, carrying about 2,000 passengers and weighing between 73,817 and 82,910 tons. They were not initially built as a “class” of ships, but rather three pairs of sister ships. They were also not named for the first ship built, unlike other Royal Caribbean classes. Vision of the Seas was actually the last ship in the fleet to be built.
When they debuted, Vision-class ships were built with diesel-electric propulsion systems, allowing the larger engines to be placed in the middle of the vessel, providing better weight balance, making them the fastest ships built in 25 years. They were also designed with more glass windows than any other ships, giving guests more views of the ocean from the interior of the vessel.
With the Vision-class ships being the smallest, they do not offer as many attractions and amenities as the larger ships. The ships appeal more to cruisers who are more excited about destinations than onboard attractions. Vision-class ships often sail port call-intensive itineraries throughout Europe during the summer season. They also feature itineraries that visit Southern Caribbean islands like the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and more.
Each Vision-class ship offers the main dining room and Windjammer Cafe as well as the popular Schooner Bar, Solarium Bar and R Bar. Rhapsody of the Seas has the largest selection of dining offering the Oasis-class original Park Cafe in addition to Chops Grille, Izumi and Giovanni’s Table which are also found on Vision of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. Enchantment of the Seas’ only specialty restaurant is Chops Grille, but it is the only vessel with Boleros, a Latin-themed nightclub.
While Enchantment of the Seas offers fewer dining options, it offers more in entertainment. For example, it has the only bungee trampoline area in the Royal Caribbean fleet. It is found on the Sport Deck and allows guests to bounce up to 35 feet above the deck! Enchantment of the Seas also has three pools, while the other ships in this class have two. Grandeur of the Seas features four whirlpools, but the other three ships in this class have six. Each Vision-class ship offers Broadway-style shows, live music, games, a casino and other activities.
Grandeur of the Seas sails from both Tampa and Fort Lauderdale in Florida. She primarily offers Western Caribbean and Bahamas & Perfect Day itineraries from Tampa, and Southern Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. Rhapsody of the Seas sails from Tampa, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico. She offers Western and Southern Caribbean itineraries. Enchantment of the Seas sails from Tampa offering various sailings to the Western Caribbean and Bahamas. Vision of the Seas currently sails from Baltimore, Maryland offering itineraries to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Canada & New England, and the Southern Caribbean.