We chose this cruise for the ports. Certainly, not the ship. After cruising on Oasis, Allure, Anthem and the Freedom class ships, the Vision of the Seas leaves a lot to be desired. The exterior shows rust, the lifeboats, used for tenders, had engines that would not start, and duct tape on the bottom of the boats. My luggage was never delivered to my room. I found it at the other end of the hall and had to get it myself. The breakfast food in the windjammer was never hot. The dinner menu in the dining room is not as good as it used to be. There were no lobster tails on this 12 night cruise. Filet cost extra. If you wanted shampoo in your room, you had to ask for it. The cruise director, Ken Jones, was the least talented cruise director I have ever had. He introduced the acts and did a very weak morning show. I guess Royal saves the best staff for the bigger ships. The captain was great. He was very informative and very outgoing. He actually sang several times in the centrum. The piano man in the Schooner Bar, Anselmo Boles was the best performer on the entire cruise. He was sensational. The ship excursions in Belgium, Scotland and Ireland were all excellent. Lots of castles, cathedrals and scenery. The weather in Edinburgh caused tender issues but that couldn't be helped. Royal Caribbean needs to either upgrade the older ships like the Vision or replace them with newer ones. They are building enough new ones so get rid of the 27 year old ships that don't even have the days of the week on the elevator floors.