Baltic cruise part 2 – Ship Life

Launched in 1998, with a major refit in 2011, she is a true beauty from bow to stern.  Her exterior was designed with glass walls allowing the views from outside to ripple through to her interior.  More than two acres of glass was used in the ship’s construction to ensure people could get the feeling of being at sea even when inside.  She is one of the best ships afloat for viewing the passing scenery.  Size isn’t everything of course, and midsize ships have a certain charm owing to their greater coziness and the convenience of having everything close by.  Still, Vision and her Vision-class ships do feel a bit dated however a mid size ship like her is perfect for a Baltic cruise especially when cruising into Stockholm with its 25000 islands.

For those of you who have never cruised before, here’s an insight into what life is like onboard.  There are fabulous kids and teen clubs, which entertain the children from 8am – 2am, which is where our oldest daughter spent her time onboard and was always the last in bed!  There are theater shows, talks, demonstrations, dancing classes, fitness classes, spa treatments, games, trivia competitions, bingo, piano bars…… or you can just relax by the pool, and all this is detailed in a daily itinerary which is delivered to your stateroom each night by your stateroom steward. Your stateroom is serviced twice a day, so you don’t have to do a thing!

We had an ocean view room which was fine for us.  We only slept and changed in it.

Vision has two pools onboard. One is the main swimming pool which also has a large movie screen where you can watch movies whilst wallowing in the pool or at night under the stars. The second pool is under cover and is for adults only. Children are allowed when the weather is inclement.

Most public rooms are located on Decks 5 and 6, radiating out from a central seven-story atrium full of faux palm trees and glass elevators. At the base of the atrium, on Deck 4, the Champagne Bar offers musical entertainment to go with its namesake bubbly.  It is here where most evenings we were privileged to meet our crew and singing captain.

On Deck 5, there’s the Masquerade Theater and Casino. On Deck 6, there’s the nautically themed Schooner Bar for piano entertainment and relaxation and six shops.  Up at the top of the ship, Deck 11’s Viking Crown Lounge is an observation lounge by day and disco by night.

Cruising is the easiest and most affordable way to travel with all food, entertainment and accommodation included, so unpacking is done once and there’s no hassle of catching planes/trains/taxi’s to each new country.