Tell me why you love the Enchantment of the Sea

[444cruiser]

I have read many people on here say they have a "special place in their heart" for the EOS. I'm curious as to why. What makes it so special/different from the other ships in the fleet?
Thanks,
Teresa

[KarinaGW]

I love the layout of the ship. It's very easy to get around. Because of its stretch a few years ago it is more than a simple Vision class ship. It has extras that it didn't have previously like Chops and the very pretty pool deck. Yet, it is not overwhelmingly large but a nice manageable size.

I never found a lack of things to do. There is a lot of open glass and space. The crew is very efficient and friendly.

I have sailed the Voyager class ships and have little interest in Liberty class and NO interest in Oasis whatsoever. Enchantment is definitely my favorite and I was never so happy as when I saw that she was moving up to baltimore which is a scant hour away from my home. I have already made reservations for her 3rd cruise out of baltimore. I would have made it the first, but the third one is also my birthday.

[John Henry on CC]

....because she is a beautiful ship with outstanding facilities and a stellar crew.

[Darkwolfe]

Enchantment is unique in the RCCL fleet. The stretch rather made her a class by herself and it shows in the pride her crew takes in both the care of the ship and the care for the passengers onboard.

Here's my review from when I was on board a couple of years ago. Oh, and if you're in the shops and thought you saw the same guy twice, you didn't. There's a two twin brothers that work the shops (or did when I was there).

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...?EntryID=34008

[Bette And Bill]

The ship is beautiful, and it ports close to us at least for now. Makes for a nice quick getaway on a ship that has everything and somethings the other ships do not, like the bungi trampolines.

[KeywestK]

As Darkwolfe (Hi David and Tammie!!) stated, Enchantment is unique in RCI's fleet. We sailed on her both pre- and post-stretch, and she is now more in line with the Radiance-class ships, which is my favorite. She is just the right size, easy to navigate, absolutely beautiful, has an fantastic crew, and is in beautiful condition. She will be moving to Baltimore next year, and we are excited about that and are planning to cruise on her again to Bermuda.

I don't think I ever heard anyone diss this wonderful ship. If you have the opportunity to sail on her, do not miss it!

Karen

[temple1]

Our favorite so far. I also think she is a beautiful and well laid out ship. She has most of the bells and whistles of the larger ships without being over powering. Also deck 10 with its "sails" is a beautiful addition. We also think the Solarium is one of the best areas on the ship.

[cruisnpat]

I have not been on her yet but I love all the ships because I'm on vacation and I don't have to do any cooking or cleaning.

Pat

[CLQ]

The starting place in talking about the Enchantment is to acknowledge what she isn't. She isn't Voyager-class or larger. There isn't an ice rink nor Royal Promenade, which we very much enjoy if we're on a ship that has them. But Enchantment isn't that kind of ship. So, for me there shouldn't be a lot of effort to compare.

Taken as she is, the ship was a nice size. We enjoyed the enclosed Solarium, the Main DR, and the theatre. The Centrum and commons spaces flowed well and we never felt crowded. These were nice, large spaces that we thought were as well done as on any RCI ship we've sailed. I liked the layout of the ship, and we enjoyed the art and decor as well.

We felt that the crew did a fantastic job. I have to say that our aft JS was one of the most enjoyable we've stayed in. The balcony especially was the best we've had, including the 10th deck aft balconies we've had on Voyager-class.

It's just a great ship. We had a fine trip, on an itinerary we would repeat again right now.

[ChriStephanie]

I'm leaving on our first cruise with RCL and on this ship on Thursday of next week on the Enchantment and I'm really looking forward to finding my own reasons why the Enchantment of the Seas is so enchanting! Every cruise of the 15+ I've been on is special in it's own way. I grew up outside of Baltimore and after this cruise, sailing out of my "home port" will be very hard to resist - I might have to give in to the temptation to plan our next vacation on the Enchantment out of Baltimore. I'm so excited! I just can't wait

[Jkbcws]

I've been on her 3 times and it is by far my favorite ship, especially since my husband and I got married on Enchantment in June! The ceremony and reception were in the Viking Crown Lounge with amazing 360 degree views! My guests LOVED the ship also. It's so unique and there's always something to do. I wish they would have renovated more ships like her!

[rebeljohn]

Looks like we picked a nice ship for our first RCCL cruise. We'll be on her for a Halloween cruise. Looking forward to the RCCL experience.................

[NC-CRUISERS]

Sailed her four times already..beatiful ship, friendly staff, easy to get around...hope to cruise her again...

[Germancruiser]

What a great thread- I sailed on the EOS when she did her Maiden Voyage out of Southampton. Well by then ( 1997) she was one of the biggest ships in the world
( biggest was a Carnival ship by then) . There was this nameing cereomony which was unforgetable. Then was Petula Clark on board to preform.
It was a cruise experience in itself- you could even " smell" that she was brand new. I sailed her again half a year later, but had unforutnatly never the chance to sail her after her stretch. I loved the layout, the dinning room, the windjammer- and the deck area on the very aft of the ship, prommenade deck. I lay there almost alone all the time in my deck chair. I don´t know if that is still possible but the cruises on EOS where one of the best I ever had. So I hope to sail again someday.
Michael

[444cruiser]

Thanks so much to everyone that responded to my OP. We are sailing the EOS over Thanksgiving this year. Can't wait!

[Linda/Ohio]

First ship we ever sailed--when she was pretty new in 1998. We fell in love with cruising. We have been on the Enchantment both pre and post stretch. I personally don't like the cavernous feel of the Voyager class ships. I like the Enchantment, Jewel, Brilliance...

[Tabbymom]

This is a great thread and very timely for me - really looking forward to next month! Just curious - can you get the same great free pastries at Latte'tudes as the ones at Cafe Promenade? And how late does it stay open? I loved the quick early morning and late night snacks on the Mariner (not to mention the best free coffee on the ship) and am hoping Latte'tudes will do the same job on Enchantment.

[KevInPitt]

I agree this is a great thread - I am glad I stumbled upon it. We just returned from our first cruise on the Carnival Miracle we are planning for another.

Learning of the Enchantment to begin sailing out of within-driving-distance Baltimore next year, which was also highly recommeded by fellow CCers during the M&G, I thought it a good idea to find some additional input.

We sailed on the Miracle out of New York with MOL who had mobility issues and could not fly to a different port. Now we are planning a first-time cruise for my DM who hates to fly. So a port within driving distance such as Baltimore on a ship with such glowing recommendations as the Enchantment is first on our list.

Any other suggestions or recommendations for full enjoyment of the Enchantment would be greatly appreciated for novice cruisers!

Thanks!

KEVIN

[snausman]

Sailed on her for the first time last week. I love this ship, its just the right size. The crew were wonderful and had just a great time. I would book her again in a minute.

[ORB]

The Partner and I just finished a b2b on Enchantment--our second and third cruises on her.

As Goldilocks would say, she is "just right"--a good size, with ample space not to feel crowded but small enough to feel intimate and personal. The Captain and crew are all proud of the ship, and recognize that it has a special place in the hearts of many RC repeaters.

If you've been watching too much HGTV you might think some of the surfaces and decor are "dated", but it is a ship of high-quality materials and the original designers--whoever they were--were extremely talented. As a result, the ship has a lot of personality.

Our waiter told us she has almost two weeks of dry-dock before she starts out of Baltimore, so I will be very interested in hearing about her after her facelift. I expect we will be back at some point--especially with her change in itinerary.