Enchantment of the Seas Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,960 reviews

Excellent time on Enchantment

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Enchantment of the Seas
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billyboy41
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Jul 2009
Cabin: Large Inside Stateroom

This was our 8th cruise, all with RCCL.   Last 6 have been on Voyager class or Freedom class ships and we've had balcony each time.   Due to circumstances this cruse was shorter, on a smaller ship and we had an inside cabin.   The ship - we liked Enchantment very much.  Room:Room was OK-  we were in the expanded area of the ship and had a shower with a real door, not a curtain.   This was our first inside cabin and was OK but a bit small.  Layout was strange as the door into the room was at the side of the room (next to the bed) and not on the end like most other cabins.  This put the vanity area across from the bathroom door and caused a very tight squeeze.  Eventually we put the chair into the closet to try and have a bit more room.   Pool deck:  The pool deck was one of the best we've had, primarily due to the expansion which gave it more room and the pools being end to end instead of side to side (like on voyager ships).   This allowed for many more chairs on the pool deck itself and not having to go up to the walking deck to find a decent seat. Solarium:  was beautiful and very spacious, unlike on Voyager/Freedom class ships.  Also enclosed with a retractable roof for bad weather (we had 1 partial day of rain).    Was a very comfortable area and again, plenty of chairsCentrum:  Was nice,  however re really missed not having the promenade like on Voyager/Freedom ships.  We love to go to Promenade cafe (or Sorrento's on Freedom), grab a snack and watch people.  Also, the promenade makes it very easy to get from front to back and is just a fun walk.   The centrum area was nice and was used for music and a 70's disco party the last night but was not the same.    Interestingly, there is shopping area that went front to back, however we never went thru it - it was not convienient or a "draw".Theater and lounges...-  Main theatre was nice, but chairs were a bit uncomfortable (to us).  They did have a nice cup holder  -  Spotlight lounge - seats were very uncomfortable to us and 1/2 of them faced away from the stage area - made it difficult to sit and see when it was crowded.   Had Quest and other "game shows" there-  Bolero's Lounge - Latin music - very nice if you enjoy the music.  energy in the room was high and lots of dancing. -  Schooner Bar - Area is long and narrow - I think makes it hard to capture a crowd.  the Piano player was OK, but never really seemed to get the crowd going (this was the second cruise we had him) and I think as a result - not big crowds (same as last time).  We;ve been on other cruises where the Schooner bar is standing room only as the piano player really engages the crowd and his playing and interaction are a really great time.       Note - we did miss the pub that the Voyager/Freedom class ships have and the music played there.  Food- Main Dining Room - food was better than the past couple cruises.  Not sure why, but was tastier with a good selection.  It may be due to less meals being prepared (smaller ship).  Service was OK, seemed like our table was one of the last ones served though - that's due to waiter and # tables he had.  - Windjammer - was Fair at best.  The area is too small for the size ship (and it has been expanded).  We found ourselves fighting and searching for tables.   Food itself was OK, but not great.  Note - we have seen windjammer food quality to down over the past years. - Chops - had a wonderful dinner and service.  Was first time to Chops - we usually have gone to Portifino's on the other ships.   One note - we went on the last night and the MDR had lobster night on the last night (which we've never seen before).   The waiter told us that they previously had many cancellations for Chops due to lobster night on the last night and that they could now bring us a lobster tail if we wanted one (only on lobster night).  We happily took him up on the offer- Late night and later afternoon snacks - Horrible!   They set out an area of teh solarium for late afternoon or late night snacks.   The snacks consisted of hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza.  They were bad! and the area seemed like an afterthought.    This was one of the biggest items we missed from the Voyager/Freedom ships - being able to go to Cafe Promenade (or Sorrento's on Freedom) and get a decent snack, coffee, desert, etc.  Embarkation and Debarkationboth were very smooth.  We are Platinum members and were able to use priority, however we had table mates that did not and they were very happy with the process for getting on and off the ship.  Shows- Comedian the first night - he was very funny and also did an adult comedy show later in the cruise, also very funny.  these are hit and miss.- Headliner show - there was only one and it was the best we;ve seen on a cruise - Beatlemania Live is a Beatle's tribute band that provides an excellent recreation of the Beatles.  they did 4 costume changes, the music and show was fabulous.  I've not seen a theater on a cruise ship as engaged/rocking as this one was. - production Shows - not all that good.  they seemed old and outdated.  the dancers/singers were only OK.   Note - the best production show's we've seen (by far) were on Freedom.  this may be a case of the better the singer/dancer, the bigger ship the go to.  - Magician the last night - he was pretty good - again hit and miss with who they have on.    

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Large Inside Stateroom

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