Considering Enchantment in Nov - need feedback

We are considering the Enchantment for 11/10/12 and I'm looking for some feedback....

First, we are a family of 4. Kids are 8 and 11. First cruise was last year on the Allure. Everyone loved it and I really want to go again.

Problem is that with oldest now in Middle School taking a full week off of school is becoming more problematic. Cruising during peak times like spring break and summer do not appeal to me due to crowding, cost and difficulty with adult work schedules.

The positives for this cruise are:

1 - that week our schools are closed 2 days, so only 3 missed for a week vacation

2 - price is good

3 - weather should be ok

4 - travel is drive-able. I don't mind flying but this year wanted to keep the overall vacation cost down so driving saves about $1200.00. Not to mention added bonus of no luggage restrictions!

I know the Enchantment is smaller. I know we will lose the ice skating rink/shows and mini-golf (not to mention the items specific to Oasis class). We loved the Allure and will go again some day, but frankly felt compelled to do EVERYTHING and that left little time for relaxation or just sitting by the pool.

I would love to try Explorer (it is bigger and closer) but they don't have a 7-night that week. Maybe next year.

Questions:

1 - Staterooms - How do the staterooms compare? Are size about the same? On Allure we had a D3 on deck 10. I want a balcony. Any recommendations?

2 - Dining - We liked the MDR. Are the menus about the same? We found the windjammer ok as well. Is the selection, hours, set up about the same? No real desire to try specialty for-a-fee places. Are there other places to eat?

3 - Snacks - We became addicted to the great chocolate chunk cookies from the Allure Promenade Cafe. They had other great snacks too. Is there a place on Enchantment to get cookies or other snacks throughout the day?

And what about ice cream or frozen yogurt? Is there a location to get that? Self-serve?

4 - Kids - My kids loved the Adventure Ocean program. Again, due to so much on the Allure they didn't get as much time there are they wanted. I've read many reviews on Enchantment and some dates say there are lots of kids and others say hardly any on a given cruise. Does anyone have experience with November? I don't need hundreds but I'm concerned if there are only 20 kids on the whole ship mine won't be too happy. This is veterans day week so I assume most schools have at least 1 day off.

5 -Weather - I know it is unpredictable and that the first and last day could be cooler. From what I've read the other days and ports should be warm enough for swimming. Is there enough to do to keep us busy those first and last days on board? Again, relaxation would be nice, but boredom..not so much.

Any other Enchantment tips I should know? I'm really on the fence on this one so I need a push one way or the other. If this isn't the right choice, we will try for something next spring or fall I guess.

thanks:)

I just got off the Enchantment OTS on Saturday. I posted a review. It is about 29 1/2 type written pages plus it has about 90 photographs. Here is a link ...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1591335

Cookies, Ben & Jerry ice cream and free soft serve are all available.

Enchantment was fine when we did the Bermuda cruise last year. Only downside is that the ship was lengthened some time ago so obviously now has more cabins. Unfortunately the restaurants and theatre are still the same size so if you want a seat you better be there early otherwise you will have a problem, same applies to the non MDR eating establishments.

Questions:

1 - Staterooms - How do the staterooms compare? Are size about the same? On Allure we had a D3 on deck 10. I want a balcony. Any recommendations?

I haven't been on the Allure, but the interior cabin we had on the Enchantment was comfortable for my wife and I. Sorry that I can't speak to that class of cabin.

2 - Dining - We liked the MDR. Are the menus about the same? We found the windjammer ok as well. Is the selection, hours, set up about the same? No real desire to try specialty for-a-fee places. Are there other places to eat?

AFAIK, the options on the Enchantment are some of the same as all the other RCCL ships, but would be more limited because it's a smaller ship. My wife and I really enjoyed the food in the MDR the most, but the Windjammer was fine. You can also get a few fast food options up in the Solarium, and there is a for-fee steak restaurant, but we stuck with the MDR and the WJ.

3 - Snacks - We became addicted to the great chocolate chunk cookies from the Allure Promenade Cafe. They had other great snacks too. Is there a place on Enchantment to get cookies or other snacks throughout the day?

And what about ice cream or frozen yogurt? Is there a location to get that? Self-serve?

There is a self-serve yogurt machine on the pool deck between the pool and the WJ cafe - it's off to one side, so you have to look a little to find it. There is a coffee shop on Deck 5 which offers some treat options as well as Ben & Jerry's ice cream. (I got too many milkshakes!)

4 - Kids - My kids loved the Adventure Ocean program. Again, due to so much on the Allure they didn't get as much time there are they wanted. I've read many reviews on Enchantment and some dates say there are lots of kids and others say hardly any on a given cruise. Does anyone have experience with November? I don't need hundreds but I'm concerned if there are only 20 kids on the whole ship mine won't be too happy. This is veterans day week so I assume most schools have at least 1 day off.

Can't comment on this.

5 -Weather - I know it is unpredictable and that the first and last day could be cooler. From what I've read the other days and ports should be warm enough for swimming. Is there enough to do to keep us busy those first and last days on board? Again, relaxation would be nice, but boredom..not so much.

We were on a 5 night cruise, and not being drinkers or casino-goers, we had just about the right amount to do. We attended some of the game show events, and my wife actually won a decent amount at Bingo. (If Omar is still the Bingo host you have to do this - he is a funny guy!) By the time the cruise was over we would have been out of things to do.

Any other Enchantment tips I should know? I'm really on the fence on this one so I need a push one way or the other. If this isn't the right choice, we will try for something next spring or fall I guess.

I wish I had been on the Allure to compare for you, but I wonder how you liked your Cruise Director. I thought John Blair was a bit cheesy, but if you get past that, you have a good time. Captain Gus is a great guy with a great sense of humor - we actually got to eat at his table in the MDR one night.

Good luck in making your decision!

Never been on Allure but imho Enhancement was "just my size" (so far) and I wouldn't hesitate a second to sail on her again. Explorer would take some arm twisting though............unless of course it were free :rolleyes:.

I'll be sailing on Enchantment 11/24/12 for the fourth time and love the ship. That being said I am a 63 with no kids and find the ship is great for me. I am not sure I would consider it a really kid friendly ship with loads of things that would entertain kids but that is just my opinion.

We have traveled on the EOTS twice...once to Canada in June and the other in Nov to Bermuda. The ship was nice. We had a junior suite and a balcony in the aft. Both rooms were just fine for two, would work with 4. Our little one was not with us however all the other parents raved about the Adventure Ocean activities. The weather was great to and from Bermuda in Nov. MDR was delicious and the staff was amazing.

I like the Enchantment, I was on her last month and booked her again for December not long after I got off. I thought of driving to Baltimore from LI but decided to take Amtrak instead and it ended up being cheaper, although I travel as a single not as a family.

As for the cabins, they should be comparable to Allure's. I was on Oasis and thought the cabins were a bit smaller than other ships'. If you want a balcony book early since she only has two decks with balcony cabins, 7 and 8, with 8 having mostly suites and junior suites.

The pool deck is quite large due to the lengthening with two full pools and a kids splash zone. There is also an enclosed solarium that is usually adults only unless the weather is bad in which case they might allow kids during certain hours of the day.

The Windjammer does get a bit crowded at times, but then thst's true of most ships. As others have said, there is a cafe in the solarium that serves pizza, hot dogs, hamurgers, desserts, etc.

Enjoy your cruise, whichever ship you decide to sail on.

I like the Enchantment, I was on her last month and booked her again for December not long after I got off. I thought of driving to Baltimore from LI but decided to take Amtrak instead and it ended up being cheaper, although I travel as a single not as a family.

 

As for the cabins, they should be comparable to Allure's. I was on Oasis and thought the cabins were a bit smaller than other ships'. If you want a balcony book early since she only has two decks with balcony cabins, 7 and 8, with 8 having mostly suites and junior suites.

 

The pool deck is quite large due to the lengthening with two full pools and a kids splash zone. There is also an enclosed solarium that is usually adults only unless the weather is bad in which case they might allow kids during certain hours of the day.

 

The Windjammer does get a bit crowded at times, but then thst's true of most ships. As others have said, there is a cafe in the solarium that serves pizza, hot dogs, hamurgers, desserts, etc.

 

Enjoy your cruise, whichever ship you decide to sail on.

DH and I will be on the Enchantment at the end of May. We are also from Long Island and assumed that we would drive to Baltimore. Where did you pick up Amtrack from and how long did it take you? Thank you.

Thank you ALL for the feedback so far.

Cuizer2 - Your review was very helpful and the pictures are great. Thanks.

Lossforgain - Our cruise director was ok. I honestly can't even tell you his name right now. I don't remember seeing him a lot, but when we did he was funny and personable. It was our first cruise and we really were busy trying to squeeze in everything the kids and adults wanted to do.

Deebeecruiser - For your November cruise, do you remember anything about the amount of kids on board?

Keep the feedback coming! We will probably make up our mind next week and if we decide to go, next I'll need ideas for the ports, and info a nice hotel for the night before (where we can leave the car).

:)

DH and I will be on the Enchantment at the end of May. We are also from Long Island and assumed that we would drive to Baltimore. Where did you pick up Amtrack from and how long did it take you? Thank you.

I took the LIRR to Penn Station (NY) and took Amtrak from there to Baltimore's Penn Station. The train to Baltimore took 2 hours 40 minutes. Amtrak does have a limit of two bags per person since most trains do not have checked baggage. There are overhead racks and a baggage area in the passenger cars. I think the train is a viable option if you are not travelling too heavy and if you book early the fare is quite reasonable, i.e. less than $50 per person. The trains are all reserved seating, so you do need to pre-book.

I'm curious, what did you decide to do?

Leaving tomorrow on the Enchantment. Love that ship. Easiest embarkation and debarkation too. I had my whole family of 9 on the ship last Thanksgiving and all the kids loved it as did the adults. The kids were 15,13 and 8 yrs. old.

Whatever you decide, you will be happy......After all, it is a cruise.;)

Didn't realize this was an old thread.:o Hope you had fun, whatever you decided to do.

We decided to GO!!!

I really just want family time and relaxation. Now I just hope for nice weather. It would be great if the new menus were rolled out, but when I called they couldn't tell me for sure if they were or not. I'm looking forward to a smaller ship and seeing what that cruising experience is like. The drive down is only 5 hours so that shouldn't be a big deal either. And the thought of packing without air restrictions is GREAT!

cruzinlady194 - if you could report back anything of interest I would much appreciate it, especially regarding the menus, ship movement (dh gets a bit seasick sometimes) or if there were a lot of kids on board.

22 days left!!!!:)

We decided to GO!!!

It would be great if the new menus were rolled out, but when I called they couldn't tell me for sure if they were or not. :)

The new menu on the Enchantment was rolled out on 10/4/12. Enjoy! I love the Enchantment and sailing out of Baltimore. :D

I have only experienced seasickness once (on my 1st ever cruise), and I've chalked up the lack of it to the jumbo ships I've been on.

This spring, while on the enchantment, the trip back up the east coast, particularly the Bay was rough! Barf bags EVERYWHERE!

We decided to GO!!!

 

I really just want family time and relaxation. Now I just hope for nice weather. It would be great if the new menus were rolled out, but when I called they couldn't tell me for sure if they were or not. I'm looking forward to a smaller ship and seeing what that cruising experience is like. The drive down is only 5 hours so that shouldn't be a big deal either. And the thought of packing without air restrictions is GREAT!

 

cruzinlady194 - if you could report back anything of interest I would much appreciate it, especially regarding the menus, ship movement (dh gets a bit seasick sometimes) or if there were a lot of kids on board.

 

22 days left!!!!:)

we are looking for a great interior cabin...anyone stayed in one?

we are looking for a great interior cabin...anyone stayed in one?

Yes--we stayed in an inside cabin in late March. It is a small cabin. There is hardly any room from the end of the bed to the desk on one side and loveseat on the other.

Having said that--we spent little time in our room and enjoyed our cruise very much. We would book it again if the itinerary and price were right.

we are looking for a great interior cabin...anyone stayed in one?

DD and her BFF stayed in 8131. It was small, but then, pretty much anything below a jr. Suite is going to be at least a little cramped. There was room for the two of them, plenty of closet space, and I think there was also a small sofa. Their only complaint was that they wished for a window, but they did have access to DH and my jr. Suite.