Enchantment of the Seas Review

Enchanting Adventures

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Enchantment of the Seas
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tatorsmom
First Time Cruiser • Age 40s

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Value for Money
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Sail Date: Jul 2008
Cabin: Junior Suite with Balcony
Traveled with children

This is our second time cruising, and our 2nd time with RCCL. Last year we were booked for a 3 night aboard Sovereign of the Seas, this year, the perfect cruise was a 5 night aboard the Enchantment. We booked in March and got a decent deal. I did all the reservations online with RCCL, this was wonderful and perfect for us, as I get a lot of enjoyment out of the planning process. We were flying via Southwest Airlines on non-rev passes (a first for us and I was very nervous). After the tips our friend gave us, we had no problems and arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday afternoon (our embarkation was Saturday morning). We came down early to help with possible flight delays and to get some R&R before the cruise (highly recommended). We stayed at the Sheraton Yankee Clipper (I booked this thru Priceline - I placed a $70/night bid and got it!) This is not the first time I have used Priceline in this fashion and I definitely recommend it. The hotel is older but right on the beach. We found it to be just right for our needs (DO NOT do the breakfast buffet - $18.00 pp for nothing and they tack on an $8 "service charge" for table service). Ate at Bubba Gumps (10-15 min. walk) and at Shooters. Both were okay, nothing remarkable. Do NOT recommend the intercostal taxi - very long and boring, but we did see Johnny Depps' yacht. The concierge at the hotel was very helpful in arranging taxi service to Port Everglades, and the driver gave us his card to call for pick-up after debarkation, this was very nice. We were a group of 4. My husband, 17 and 6-year-old daughters and myself. We arrived at Port Everglades around 1030 and were able to get right in, I was looking forward to VIP check-in (we booked a suite), but we got there so early, that it wasn't available yet. But we were within the first 30 in line, so to me, that made up for it. After we checked in, we had a bit of a wait in the staging area, our youngest made friends with 2 20-something girls from New York - Lisa and her friend. They were so nice to Taylor and we saw them several times throughout the cruise and they always had something nice to say. We were onboard by 1115 and at hitting the Windjammer and pools (we wore our suites underneath and that was the best decision, as we didn't have to find a place to change or wait for luggage). At 1, we made our way to our cabin, directly under the main pool deck, we could look above our balcony and see the suspension bridge. Our cabin was perfect. 2 sitting chairs, which became storage, a fold-out sofa and queen size bed with reading lamps (great for me!). The ottomans were storage containers as well, and we found plenty of storage throughout. The balcony was great, wish we had a chaise lounge instead of 2 chairs, but that's okay. Vanity was good sized, fridge with water and soda that was kept stocked. No alcohol, which was fine with us. The bathroom was more than adequate and our tub/shower combo was just right, no close encounters with the shower curtain. I was afraid our trip was off to a rocky start, the attendant delivering the luggage made it clear that she would rather be anywhere and doing anything but her job. I was praying she wasn't our stateroom attendant. Our prayers were answered! Kelvin was our attendant, and he was extremely quiet, but very kind and always greeted us or told us good night. He had at least 2 towel animals every night, and by the 5th night, our room resembled a small zoo. We ate in My Fair Lady on the first night and had some reservations. When we dined in the dining room on the Sovereign, it was not a pleasant experience, and we didn't want to repeat that here. Never fear, it was perfect! Haydar (Head Waiter), Chow (Assistant Waiter) and Thereasa (Waitress) made our evenings so enjoyable. We were placed next to the Captains table at First Seating, and by the end of the evening, Thereasa knew that my husband can empty a glass of water in 2 seconds, knew both our girls names and their beverage preferences and were so funny and kind. Chow did little tricks for his "princess Taylor" and made subtle and delicious suggestions for dining. I was disappointed that the dress code of no shorts/flip-flops at dinner was not enforced. The food was delicious and the entertainment by the dining staff was not to be missed. We ate there every night but one (our Cozumel stop - too tired). I do want to say that we were disappointed in the snack bar - no Johnny Rockets and no Sorrentos, just pizza and cold burgers/hot dogs if you wanted something after hours. We hit most of the shows, the comedian was great, so were the RCCL singers and dancers, their shows were outstanding. Elvis was good and the Love and Marriage show was the best. Mark, Rachel, Tolga, Eric and everybody else made our days fun and memorable. We played BINGO and Tom won twice (GOT IT!). We have lots of pictures with the Cruise Directors staff - I wish they could be with us next September on the Radiance. I did experience some motion sickness, but not too much (I am VERY suseptable), and I did get to watch a storm off the balcony - it was beautiful. The 3 of us did take time in the spa - I had a facial and sea-salt scrub - wonderful. Stephanie did a pick-3 and she was floating by the time she was finished. Tom had a hot shave and trim. He was not impressed. He said the technician was rude and snobbish and the treatment broke his face out. Stephanie seemed to enjoy everything. She was smiling every time we saw her. She did not participate in any of the teen scene, but that's not what she's into. We spent a lot of time together and enjoyed every minute. She really enjoyed the cruise director and staff and they were always ready with coversation and jokes. 70's and 80's night really got her going and we've got the pictures to prove it. In Grand Cayman, we did Stingray City, Reef Snorkeling and 7-mile-beach. If I had it to do over again, we would just play with the stingrays all day. Reef snorkeling was okay, 7-mile-beach was pitiful. I do not recommend Stingray City for young children. Taylor had a full blown panic attack and had to sit out, but after she calmed down, she was fine watching the beautiful creatures from the back of the boat. You get to be right in there with them and they are so friendly and sociable. For Cozumel, we did Playa Mia beach break and it was much more enjoyable than the beach at Grand Cayman. We parasailed and it was the most amazing thing I've ever done. Tom and Stephanie (our oldest) went up together, then Taylor and myself. I thought she would be terrified, she wasn't. She was waiving to everyone and we just floated above the ocean and in front of a tropical rain shower. So peaceful. Be aware, if you get off the ship, you will need a photo id and your sea pass to get back on (drivers license is fine). We missed the midnight buffet, we were too tired. Taylor participated in Adventure Ocean - she loves making new friends. They made space mud, had a carnival, talent show, became pirates for one night (and put on a little show in the Orpheum Theater) and had a pajama party complete with pizza and movies. Debarkation was fairly painless, but we waited and waited, nobody was going anywhere, so we just walked off and our luggage was waiting for us. I will say that the liquor pickup was very poorly managed. We had purchased a bottle of Strawberry Tequila in Cozumel and some rum and Crown on the ship. They had 2 separate sections - one for onboard purchases and one of shore purchase - and only 1 person managing the shore purchase - easy to see what they were pushing here. They had recorded our shore purchase under the wrong room number and sent us back and forth between them and customer service for 45 minutes. It was the worst thing about the trip. Customs was fine as was our trip home. We have already booked next year's cruise - Mexican Riviera while we were onboard - good deals. So we'll see you soon.

Cabin Review

Junior Suite with Balcony

Cabin JS

Located directly under pool deck, lots of feet thumping, muffled, overhead. Didn't bother us, just noticed in passing. Storage was great, no other problems.

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