Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	428
Accommodation	200	166
Food	400	241
Service	400	299
Entertainment	100	81
Cruise	400	294

How this score is created

This contemporary ship, sister to Rhapsody of the Seas, shares design features that make all Royal Caribbean International ships identifiable, including a Viking Crown Lounge (which is also the ship’s disco). The Viking Crown Lounge is just aft of the center of the ship (above the central atrium lobby), with the funnel located well aft – a departure from all other RCI ships to date. The ship’s stern is beautifully rounded. There is a reas­onable amount of open-air walking space, although this can become cluttered with sunloungers (which, incidentally, do not have cushioned pads).

Inside, the ship provides RCI’s interpretation of a floating contemporary hotel, and presents the nicest mix of colors and decor of any of the Vision-class ships, with lots of warm beige and pink tones (particularly in the expansive atrium).

The artwork (which cost $6 million) is plentiful, colorful and very creative, with more previously blank wall space covered with interesting artworks of differing shapes and sizes. Most noticeable is the extensive use of glass (two beautiful glass sculptures stand out – one in the atrium (at the entrance to a Champagne Bar), one on the upper level of the Viking Crown Lounge). There are plenty of public rooms, bars and lounges, as well as a large, well-lit casino.

The Viking Crown Lounge is a multi-level nightspot (the music can be loud and overbearing, however, and so can cigarette smoke around the bar – one of few places where smokers can light up). Perhaps the best atmosphere is in the nautical-theme Schooner Bar. The Library has an excellent array of hardbacks, and a neat wooden sculpture of something that looks like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008