I just returned from back-to-back cruises on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas out of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The itineraries included 8 ports of call in the southern Caribbean, half of which I had not visited before. This was my primary reason for selecting these cruises. The second reason was the low price. Since the ship has some age, I expected to find a lot of wear with nicks, scrapes, scratches, and worn patches. Instead, the ship was in very good repair, very clean, and beautifully decorated. However, many of the expected little amenities had disappeared. In the cabin there were no chocolates on the pillows at night. In the bathroom there were no little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hand/body cream, or toothpaste. At the sink was a little motel size bar of soap. In the shower was a wall dispenser of shampoo/conditioner. There was no miniature refrigerator. The available bar snacks and drinks crowded the top of the dressing table. There were no bathrobes. Pool towels were available only at the pools. The only stateroom amenity was the towel animals. On this ship there is no speciality dining room. One eats in the main dining room or in the cafeteria on the Lido deck. There was no Baked Alaska. There was no chocolate buffet. There was no special chef's dinner. The ice cream dispensers were often empty. And raisin oatmeal cookies were available only once a week. One waiter explained that the company was trying to cut expenses. Are other cruise lines also cutting back on the little extras that make cruising more pleasurable than other types of travel? Would I recommend this ship and these itineraries? Yes, but be forewarned that lower prices may suggest fewer amenities that use to be included. Would I cruise on this ship again? Yes. In fact in three weeks I shall take this very ship on it's transatlantic crossing to Europe. I already know what to expect and shall enjoy those aspects of the ship that I like. So don't let a few little extras keep you from enjoying your cruise. Happy Cruising!