Vision class cruise ships
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PROFILE AND REVIEW
ROYAL CARIBBEAN'SVISION CLASS |
Vision of the Seas
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The Vision class includes six cruise ships that were built for Royal Caribbean. Two of the ships, Marella Discovery (formerly
Splendor of the Seas) and Marella Discovery 2 (formerly Legend of the Seas) now sail for Marella Cruises, which Royal has an
interest in through its association with TUI. The other four, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Vision of the Seas, remain with Royal. (In 2019, it was announced that in 2021 Grandeur would be transferred to Royal's
Spanish affiliate Pullmantur Cruises but when that line went into the Spanish form of bankruptcy, the planned transfer was
cancelled).
Ranging from 69,130 to 82,910 gross tons, the Vision ships would be considered small to medium size cruise ships. They offer
a resort-style casual cruise experience. The interiors are not gaudy but rather have a contemporary elegance.
The ships have undergone several refurbishment since they were constructed in the 1990s. Enchantment received the most
extensive of these when the ship was cut in half in 2005 and a 73-foot long addition inserted in the middle. While the
refurbishment have kept the ships viable in the North American and British markets, the Vision class ships do not have such trademark Royal Caribbean features as a Royal Promenade.
Their relatively smaller size, however, allows them to operate in ports where the larger Royal ships cannot (e.g., Baltimore). In
addition, they are popular with cruisers who prefer a more intimate ship.
The Royal Caribbean Vision class ships have a large two-level main dining room at the stern of the ship. On the Marella ships, there is a separate dining venue on the upper level. All of the ships have several extra-charge specialty restaurants as well as complimentary alternative dining venues. Unlike later Royal Caribbean ships, the buffet dining room on this class is at the
front of the ship.
Most cruise ship classes are named after the first ship built in that class. However, Vision of the Seas was actually the last one built in this class. The first ship was Legend of the Seas (Marella Discovery 2) which entered service in May 1995.
The Vision class ships were built in pairs. Legend and Splendor (Marella Discovery) were built together; Enchantment and Grandeur; and finally Rhapsody and Vision. The first pair and the third pair were built by Chantiers l'Atlantique in France while the second pair were built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland.
Although all six ships are similar, they are not identical. For example, they varied in size even before Enchantment was enlarged. However, as built, each ship was very similar to the other ship in its pairing.
All six ships are powered by diesel-electric systems and have two traditional propellers. This arrangement gives them a cruising speed of 22 knots, which was faster than most cruise ships when they were built. Now, it is about average.
Splendor of the Seas) and Marella Discovery 2 (formerly Legend of the Seas) now sail for Marella Cruises, which Royal has an
interest in through its association with TUI. The other four, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Vision of the Seas, remain with Royal. (In 2019, it was announced that in 2021 Grandeur would be transferred to Royal's
Spanish affiliate Pullmantur Cruises but when that line went into the Spanish form of bankruptcy, the planned transfer was
cancelled).
Ranging from 69,130 to 82,910 gross tons, the Vision ships would be considered small to medium size cruise ships. They offer
a resort-style casual cruise experience. The interiors are not gaudy but rather have a contemporary elegance.
The ships have undergone several refurbishment since they were constructed in the 1990s. Enchantment received the most
extensive of these when the ship was cut in half in 2005 and a 73-foot long addition inserted in the middle. While the
refurbishment have kept the ships viable in the North American and British markets, the Vision class ships do not have such trademark Royal Caribbean features as a Royal Promenade.
Their relatively smaller size, however, allows them to operate in ports where the larger Royal ships cannot (e.g., Baltimore). In
addition, they are popular with cruisers who prefer a more intimate ship.
The Royal Caribbean Vision class ships have a large two-level main dining room at the stern of the ship. On the Marella ships, there is a separate dining venue on the upper level. All of the ships have several extra-charge specialty restaurants as well as complimentary alternative dining venues. Unlike later Royal Caribbean ships, the buffet dining room on this class is at the
front of the ship.
Most cruise ship classes are named after the first ship built in that class. However, Vision of the Seas was actually the last one built in this class. The first ship was Legend of the Seas (Marella Discovery 2) which entered service in May 1995.
The Vision class ships were built in pairs. Legend and Splendor (Marella Discovery) were built together; Enchantment and Grandeur; and finally Rhapsody and Vision. The first pair and the third pair were built by Chantiers l'Atlantique in France while the second pair were built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland.
Although all six ships are similar, they are not identical. For example, they varied in size even before Enchantment was enlarged. However, as built, each ship was very similar to the other ship in its pairing.
All six ships are powered by diesel-electric systems and have two traditional propellers. This arrangement gives them a cruising speed of 22 knots, which was faster than most cruise ships when they were built. Now, it is about average.
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Cruise ship class profile and review - - Royal Caribbean - - Vision class