We sailed on the Enchantment of the Seas on Aug 25th on a 4 night cruise. I have sailed three Disney cruises (fantastic but costly), one Carnival Cruise (Sensation....never again!) and Royal Carib Liberty of the Seas (loved it!!) A little ... Read More
We sailed on the Enchantment of the Seas on Aug 25th on a 4 night cruise. I have sailed three Disney cruises (fantastic but costly), one Carnival Cruise (Sensation....never again!) and Royal Carib Liberty of the Seas (loved it!!) A little background were a family of 4, hubby, wife, (in our 30's) and 11 year old son and 7 year old daughter. We are from New York, take one big vacation a year, but I always try not to overspend and live on a budget. Disney is just too much money for us, so we needed an alternative. So for those who can relate, read on! And maybe those who cant, can pick up a tip or two.
We flew in from New York to Orlando and picked up our rental a day before the cruise, we rented from Thrifty and checked our rates the minute we put a deposit down on our cruise. The rates went up and down and I would hold with no penalty until the price dropped which was a few weeks before the cruise. We stayed with family the night before and drove the 40 minute ride to the port. We parked at the park and cruise, this is simply a no brainer, but I must say out of all the cruises I took this was the first time I parked here! But now that I've parked here, will never park at the port ever again. Right off the highway and half the price!! Park your car here!!!!!!
We got to the port at 12 and after a short wait on line we were walking on the boat, we passed on taking the picture. We were an entire family of 12 extended family on the boat, and we all skipped this photo opportunity. Yes, we went straight to windjammer, yes it was crowded, but got a seat quickly, and enjoyed the food. The staff got our lemonades and even asked if we needed anything. We got the soda package before the cruise,and we loved loved loved the soda machine, never more then a line of one to get our cups refilled. Rooms were ready at 1/1:30pm and we had a balcony (room 7616), room was kind of tight for the four of us, but we managed and enjoyed the balcony, never heard our neighbors, but did hear the music from the pool, but once we closed the balcony, didnt hear a thing!
Our waiters Sissy and Karan, were fantastic, food was always hot, always fast, and always delicious. We really liked them. Every night they did a trick for the kids and we all loved it. Every meal, and I mean every meal was delicious from the My Fair Lady dinning room to the windjammer! You could never go hungry. Im a picky eater, and I enjoyed everything. Never went to the pay restaurants (stuck to my budget).
We could not go to the private island due to Hurricane Crystal Ball making the ocean very active, our first and last night of the cruise, was very rocky. I tried to ignore it, but it was a rough ride. We were really looking forward to going to the private island, but the captain decided to cruise slowly to Nassau at 3pm instead. There were plenty of activities on the boat, but we stayed by the pool and my family was very happy there. Seats were hard to find, because everyone was on the boat!
The next day we decided to get off the boat at Nassau after eating breakfast at the My Fair Lady (really good sit down food) then headed to Nassau. Ive been to Nassau a few times so i knew what to expect, and walked right through it, with a polite "no thank you." We decided to go to Junkanoo Beach (free), it was a 15 minute walk and was absolutely great! You can ask any of the locals and they will tell you how to get there, its a straight walk (no dark alleys!)I knew what to expect from the beach by doing my homework and it was a great free beach break for us, and there were plenty of other cruisers on the beach too! When we got hungry around 2pm we walked backed to the boat and had lunch!
The kids went to the Kids club and some days they loved it, others they didnt. Either way they went for an hour to give me and my husband some time alone. We went to Love and Marriage, was cute, went to Michael Jackson trivia, we tied for first place (was fun), went to 11pm all white dance pool party (liked it).
We met a few cruiser who didnt enjoy the cruise. Yes its an older boat, but I expected that. Its not gawdy like the older Carnival boats, and the crowd was a perfect mix of everyone and every age! I truly feel like, with any vacation, its what you make of it! We took many opportunities to go to the shows that we would enjoy and bring the kids to the pool not only during the afternoon but after dinner, around 9. Then there were times we stayed in the room and relaxed, we even ordered breakfast one morning, and it came on time and it was good! We work hard all year and we danced, laughed, swam in the pool and the ocean and ate great meals. I truly cant afford the bigger boats, we have to fly to Florida so thats an added expense.
We disembarked according to our floor and we were selected for the 8:40 disembarkment, and we were off the boat and on the shuttle to our car by 9am!
I loved this boat and this cruise!
Tips:
Go to Junkanoo Beach, if you want to sun bath and swim, expect it to be not the most fancy but its free!
Bring a few waters for your room, so you can take them to the beach.
Be patient, and you will get a table at the windjammer!:)
Park at the Park and Cruise (its fantastic!)
Bring a pillow (they are a little uncomfortable)
Bring some cash so you can give an extra tip to those who you feel deserve it.
Smile and Enjoy yourself!! (I know my review is long but hopefully it will help someone!) Read Less
Sail Date
August 2014