Enchantment July 23-27 review

Returned on Friday Enchantment of the Seas (7/23-7/27). This was my third time on her. 2000: 1st time when she was new; 2009: 2nd after stretch and 2018: 3rd now. Still a favorite, and beautiful/great ship. I am a diamond on RCCL, so I have cruised a number of times on RCCL (Nordic Empress, Sovereign of the Seas, Mariner, Freedom, Allure - most multiple times) and have cruised on other lines (Carnival/Princess/Celebrity).

This cruise included six of us - myself (59) and mom (85) in a handicapped room, along with sister and brother in law and another couple (our age). All were Diamond Plus, except me (diamond). We had My Time Dining set for 7:45.

For the most the food was very good. A few meals (the prime rib) was excellent - melted in my mouth! The coconut shrimp (appetizer) was terrible - dry and no taste of coconut. We ate in Chops the first night.....very good! Most breakfasts were a visit to Diamond Club or the Solarium Cafe. Lunch split between Solarium or Windjammer.

Food that stands out - Waldorf Salad, chicken salad, Escargot, onion soup, shrimp cocktail, shrimp dish on formal night, Creme brûlée, chocolate cake, warm cookie with ice cream....to name a few. Last morning we ate in Dining room. I always get the Eggs Benedict.....this time they were terrible. To the point I could not eat them. (and I like airplane food!!!). This was the first time I ever had a meal (or two) on a ship that I did not like. I am not a picky eater either. But it would not stop me from cruising RCCL! Just my opinion. .... But note...both times the staff was MORE than eager to get me something else. They actually felt bad. Also, the Eggs Benedict at the Solarium Cafe (made to order) was better than dining room - but the egg sandwiches there (Solarium Cafe) were not that good. They did have a nice selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches/paninis and salads. Their oatmeal and fresh yogurt parfait was great!! Fresh fruit too!!

The service on the ship was wonderful, friendly and very helpful. We stayed in a handicap room (3618) as mom uses a walker and needs the walk-in shower/extra room in the room for her walker. The room was clean and cabin had plenty of space for storage and getting around/space. There were reviews that the rooms weren't clean/needed updating. Yes they are older, but they were clean....the window in room had some dirt on the outside, but didn't ruin my cruise :). Also this room had a refrigerator in the room. Note: the safe needs a card with a magnetic strip - so bring one. (We were used to the combination for safe on newer ships). But a magnetic strip from a drug store/food store card will work - so you don't have to use a credit card.

Ship stopped in Nassau, but we stayed on board and enjoyed the empty ship/pool. Three of us (not mom) planned on getting off in Cocoa Cay. Waited till 9:45/10:00 and figured the line for tender would be less. Wrong! It was backed up past 4th floor on the stairway. Waited by the pool a bit longer. Went down to tender deck 1/1 or 2 around 10:30/10:45 and was told to go up to the 4th floor for the end of the line. ONE HOUR Wait. We went back to pool area. "Third time is the charm" they say? Nope. Still a line from tender area to the forth deck at 11:30/11:45! STill a ONE HOUR wait! At this point we decided - not getting off. Went to a very empty windjammer, had lunch and enjoyed a very empty main pool.....guess most people were standing in line on the stairs to get off.... Now I have been to Cocoa Cay many times. I have never experienced the tender problem like this! Was it due to the construction on the island? Was it that only two tenders were operating? Never got a straight answer. Weather was fine.... But it was very disappointing that I couldn't get off and see Cocoa Cay for the last time as it is - before it becomes "A Perfect Day at Cocoa Cay" with all the modern additions...... And had I rented a cabana/bed I would have been extremely upset that I couldn't get off in the a.m..... Although I was told they would/did take the people that had tours/rentals off in time.

We didn't go to many shows. Caught a few in Atrium. They were good. Music there and around ship was good. Went to Battle of the Sexes and Quest. Both were very good. Quest was really nice in a smaller venue (compared to ice rink area on larger ships). Schooner bar is always a favorite of ours... Piano player there was ok.

Thoughts: Diamond Plus lounge was closed due to replacing leaking windows so Diamond Plus and suites were in concierge lounge. Was fine....little crowded at 6:00 but emptied out for first seating of dinner soon after. Solarium pool was salt water. Main pools fresh (but had a hint of salt??)

I had the ultimate beverage pkg. As I mentioned before, mom is in handicap room; she does not drink. I called in May (Memorial day sale) to get beverage package for myself, since you can't do it on line for only one person in room .... They wanted me to buy the water package for her. Explained it would go to waste. RCCL wouldn't budge, said I had to buy a package for her. I decided I would pay as I go instead. Called again in July and explained mom didn't drink (85 yrs old/handicap room etc) and medications...... They waived it and allowed me to purchase. So as many people have said - call again if you don't get the answer/result you want. It depends on who you get on the phone...

More thoughts: Towel Animals two out of four nights.....asked for ice in room and received it every night. Requested extra towels, each day they were left in room. We requested 'savory bites' in dining room which RCCL did away with (tiny bread roles with seeds) and the next few nights we had them. Noticed that instead of waiter coming around with 'choice of breads' RCCL has a bread basket put on table instead.

We ALL felt that the wait staff are over worked! Cruise lines have made cuts in wait staff! They do their best, but at times it shows. One can only do so much. Remember, it's not always their fault - they are waiting on many tables....

Side note - Beverage package: if you drink six drinks a day it is worth it .....At least it was for me. (I do not drink like this at home though! It's vacation!!). Besides, if you don't like a drink or want to try a new drink and don't like it, it's no extra ... so you could try many different 'drinks of the day' etc. Drinks were nice. If you wanted it in a larger glass, they would accommodate. Bar service was fine, pleasant and friendly. I don't think I heard "no" the entire 4/5 days. Everyone from guest services to concierge lounge to wait staff were great. Any staff that passed by would say hello, very friendly?

Also, Diamond Plus will get 30% of on drink package on board.....so if you don't purchase in advance - Diamond Plus can get the deal. Ask. If bar tender doesn't know, tell him to call. We did. Others, book in advance! They do have deals BOGO in Chops for Diamond Plus members. We paid $37 for two at dinner for first night in Chops - great deal I think!!

Ask me questions, I'll try and answer 😉. Hope this covers some things. Not isufe of how to post pics.....will do when I figure it out.

Thanks so much for the review! We head out on August 24 :)

Thanks for the review. We leave for the three day on Friday. Not pleased about the tender situation. I hope this was a one off occurrence. I agree completely about the drink package. I get a chance to try different drinks.

Is there pizza available at any time on the ship?

Thanks for the review. We leave for the three day on Friday. Not pleased about the tender situation. I hope this was a one off occurrence. I agree completely about the drink package. I get a chance to try different drinks.

Is there pizza available at any time on the ship?

Yes there is pizza available at the Solarium Cafe. It wasn't as good as what is available on the Freedom.

We have a group of 6 doing the 4 night in December. Just got my confirmation of 7:45 dining time for us, for MTD for all 4 nights. Were you seated at the same table every night, with the same wait staff? Were you pleased with this dining option? We have a Bungalow reserved-- hoping that we get priority tender tickets!!

Thanks for the review! We sail in April 2019 on Enchantment so I believe the new pier will be done by then at Coco Cay so we won't have to tender.

How was the crowd at the various pools? Did you get the same table each night with My Time Dining? We also made our MTD reservations ahead of time at the same time each night.

We have a group of 6 doing the 4 night in December. Just got my confirmation of 7:45 dining time for us, for MTD for all 4 nights. Were you seated at the same table every night, with the same wait staff? Were you pleased with this dining option? We have a Bungalow reserved-- hoping that we get priority tender tickets!!

The first time we went to the dining room was on the second night (first night was Chops). They sat us all the way in the back of the dining room - picture mom on walker, walking through entire dining room....not good. The next two nights they had us up near the front. Great table, great staff. The waiter from the other table in the back even. came to check on us 😉, as did the Head Waiter, to make sure we were happy and all was ok. RCCL does go out of their way.

We enjoy going to the dining room for dinner when on cruises. The menu has changed. Seems a little less choices but still a variety. Older menu choices were better.

Thanks for the review! We sail in April 2019 on Enchantment so I believe the new pier will be done by then at Coco Cay so we won't have to tender.

 

How was the crowd at the various pools? Did you get the same table each night with My Time Dining? We also made our MTD reservations ahead of time at the same time each night.

The pools are always crowded on ships. Spent most of the time in the Solarium pool. Only on sea day did we notice a lack of lounge chairs. There were always tables with chairs. Main pool was crowded, especially later in day and sea day.

Thanks for the review.

That would be irritating with such a long wait all day for tenders to Coco Cay. I too, want to see the island one more time before the "Perfect day" changes. I was hoping that the pier would be done for our Sept 18th arrival, but not sure as documents were just issued and show us tendering.

If you saw it from the ship.. did it appear that the pier was getting close?

Ask me questions, I'll try and answer 😉. Hope this covers some things. Not isufe of how to post pics.....will do when I figure it out.

Thanks for taking the time, I'm looking forward to Enchantment for the first time. Lots of good info here, I will be doing a review and post some pics in about 60 days. Thanks for the breakfast reminders.

Thanks for the review.

 

That would be irritating with such a long wait all day for tenders to Coco Cay. I too, want to see the island one more time before the "Perfect day" changes. I was hoping that the pier would be done for our Sept 18th arrival, but not sure as documents were just issued and show us tendering.

 

If you saw it from the ship.. did it appear that the pier was getting close?

I hope we get some updated pier pics in the next 6 weeks. When I was on Majesty I booked an 8:30am scuba dive and the beach bed, which we did again this time. Our excursions met in the theater and we were escorted to the first tender. If they do that on Echantment, you can Cmurph+1 are welcome to say you're with us at the beach bed.

Returned on Friday Enchantment of the Seas (7/23-7/27). We requested 'savory bites' in dining room which RCCL did away with (tiny bread roles with seeds) and the next few nights we had them. Noticed that instead of waiter coming around with 'choice of breads' RCCL has a bread basket put on table instead.

Thank you for the review. We look forward to sailing her again this November. I was wondering what happened to those little triangle/seed rolls. Now I know how to get them.

Erika