Did the 12 day Enchantment of the Seas from Baltimore, 12/6 to 12/18. Wanted to try driving to the Port and boarding instead of flying to Fla. My expectations were not high, as Baltimore is not generally regarded as a prime departure location and RCI had trouble filling the ship as recently as 2 weeks prior. But they managed to do it by cutting prices. What a surprise!! RCI did not skrimp. The food , the entertainment, the service, everything was as good or better than any other cruise we have been on...[now diamond members and have done other cruise lines as well].

The crowd was great and friendly, some coming in groups from as far away as England. Plus there was Jerry, who has been on a 144 RCI cruises, and apparently will be embalmed and placed on a yardarm or a bowsprit at the front of one of the RCI ships when it is his time to go, like one of those wooden mermaids.

And let me tell you, there is nothing like driving to the port [or being dropped off] with no airplanes and no hotel. And then getting right in your car when you disembark, and 50 minutes to home. Would you rather spend your day on a cruise ship, even if cold outside, or going to and thru airports, to hotel, back to cruise terminal?. On the ship in the cold weather on the way to warm climates is a great way to thaw, chill out and enjoy being pampered on the ship. Some people even drove from Cleveland , Ohio, and that well beats airports, shuttles and hotel..although staying overnight in Baltimore like some people did is pretty good too, as some of the hotels have 12 days free parking and shuttle to the ship. This was a great cruise with a great itinerary. And this was a great crowd on this ship...very little grouchiness that I saw..maybe b/c everyone realized that others might be neighbors. Read more