New to Royal and Really Nervous

My family and I are past Carnival cruisers trying Royal Caribbean for the first time. I booked a Christmas cruise on the Enchantment of the Seas and I’m really nervous. I suppose a little background information would be nice :) Cruising will be I Keishawna (Kei) age 34, my husband Chris (49), sons Anthony (14) and Eric (11), Step-daughter (28) and my mother in-law. Any information or advice is greatly appreciated. Also this is my step-daughters first cruise ever. Please help.

What are you actually nervous about? What questions can we answer or advice can we give? As you don't give much info about why you're nervous, etc., its hard to offer any advice or consolation.

Lovely ship, fun being onboard for holidays, etc...

I'm going on my first Royal cruise next October. After looking at the many videos available, I can't wait. The ship looks absolutely beautiful.

Well, I have to admit that I would feel the same way if I cruised Carnival for the first time. For us, Royal feels like coming home. There is a certain comfort level associated with RCI because we have cruised them so many times and know what to expect. I assume that's most likely it.... you don't know what to expect.

What are your specific concerns, if any?

I will be on enchanted in less than 2 weeks. Give me a list of things you'd like to know about the ship and ill make it my personal mission to find out.

Pictures, documents, scans whatever you need.

Not sure why you are nervous. I have been on the Enchantment and enjoyed it. A cruise is always what you make of it. I have never sailed Carnival so cannot compare. Each ship and each cruise line has its own personality and I enjoy the differences. Let us know your concerns so we can speak to them and hopefully make you less nervous.

My family and I are past Carnival cruisers trying Royal Caribbean for the first time. I booked a Christmas cruise on the Enchantment of the Seas and I’m really nervous. I suppose a little background information would be nice :) Cruising will be I Keishawna (Kei) age 34, my husband Chris (49), sons Anthony (14) and Eric (11), Step-daughter (28) and my mother in-law. Any information or advice is greatly appreciated. Also this is my step-daughters first cruise ever. Please help.

Click on the Enchantment of the Seas forum directly above your post. Lots of information on the ship.

Tom

Nervousness is probably caused by the unfamiliarity of the cruising event about to happen.

Try to channel that energy into excitement by scheduling things to do at ports, going to your Roll call.

I am always nervous for other reasons.

Flight delays

What did I forget

What if a hurricaine comes.

Relax.

Enjoy

Sea Ya

Thanks for all of the positive feedback. I'm just nervous about being on a different cruise line for the first time and not knowing what to expect. Also, my sons really enjoyed the children programs on Carnival and I don't want them to be disappointed.

Thanks for all of the positive feedback. I'm just nervous about being on a different cruise line for the first time and not knowing what to expect. Also, my sons really enjoyed the children programs on Carnival and I don't want them to be disappointed.

I remember feeling that same trepidation the first time I took a cruise. It was a leap of faith to get on that ship not knowing what I'd gotten myself into! I shouldn't have worried. My first cruise, on the Voyager of the Seas, was the beginning of a long and happy relationship with cruise vacations. At least you're one step ahead because you already know that you like ships! The next step, liking the Enchantment, will be easy. She's such a pretty ship. Have you read MPoole3's reviews? Read those and your nervousness will be replaced with excitement, guaranteed. Have fun with your family now!! ;) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2140183

Thanks for all of the positive feedback. I'm just nervous about being on a different cruise line for the first time and not knowing what to expect. Also, my sons really enjoyed the children programs on Carnival and I don't want them to be disappointed.

Do you remember your first cruise? It was "novel." If you're like me, you had no idea what to expect. For me, it was magical. It was so much above my expectations. That is what cruising a new line will be. The difference is that you'll compare it to Carnival. So you need to know that Royal Caribbean is not Carnival.

I have sailed many times on RCCL and 4 time on Carnival. You will likely find the service and food similar. But the ship is totally different. RCCL does not have a dedicated Karaoke Bar for example, but Carnival does. I love the design and decor of RCCL over Carnival. I think the cabins are more richly appointed as are most of the ship areas. You can go from bow to stern on any deck.

You may like Carnival bette as you have been on them before. But you should find that Royal Caribbean is a lot of fun. The ships are beautiful. Not familiar with the children's program, but all accounts I've read are very positive. I really think you'll enjoy it. If you get back and still like Carnival better, then at least you know. So, don't be nervous, be excited. You are about to embark on a great adventure. It'll be fun.

The lines are more alike than different. As you've cruised before, you have pretty good idea of what to expect. Dining is similar, cabins are similar, etc. RCI has a great kids program. And lots of daily activities.

Maybe if you could give us specific questions or concerns, we can answer more in depth.

Not to hijack, but I am in the same boat (sorry) as I move from cruising Disney/Princess to trying out RCI.

I was set to be the second cruise of dynamic dining, glad that is getting pushed back. I am just worried about all the post dry dock changes on the Oasis, poor service, ECT.

The entertainment, cruise port, ship seems like a no brainer, but I love having a great serving team. I guess I will have to take a leap of faith, I have had excellent luck with servers, from great to phenomenal. Hoping to score again, sooooo glad that I will not be a dynamic dining guinea pig.

Thanks for all of the positive feedback. I'm just nervous about being on a different cruise line for the first time and not knowing what to expect. Also, my sons really enjoyed the children programs on Carnival and I don't want them to be disappointed.

The basics of cruising are about the same for every line. It's each cruise lines nuances that separate them. Unless something unusual happens, I can't see you be disappointed in your cruise.

Not to hijack, but I am in the same boat (sorry) as I move from cruising Disney/Princess to trying out RCI.

 

I was set to be the second cruise of dynamic dining, glad that is getting pushed back. I am just worried about all the post dry dock changes on the Oasis, poor service, ECT.

 

The entertainment, cruise port, ship seems like a no brainer, but I love having a great serving team. I guess I will have to take a leap of faith, I have had excellent luck with servers, from great to phenomenal. Hoping to score again, sooooo glad that I will not be a dynamic dining guinea pig.

We had a wonderful time on the Oasis Westbound transatlantic, post drydock changes. Great service in dining room, room steward, casino, clubs, etc. For our outta time on Oasis, we loved it. The changes are minimal and the new dining room decor is lovely. And wasted now that they are postponing DD, which personally I'm bummed about as we were going to cruise Oasis again in May.....maybe not now that it's being postponed. She's a great ship, I'm sure you'll love her!

twindaddy, you will love the Oasis. the service we had was great. I am glad dd has been changed as my granddaughter was really looking forward to the same wait staff each night. she loves that experience that they remember what she likes. She loves baked potato and they had one for her each evening no matter what the menu.

Kei, i have never had children in the kids program but from what I heard they have a blast. Read reviews but remember reviews are subjective. some people are never happy. As I once read, when people go on a cruise they all of a sudden become a food critic. You will enjoy and the change will make you feel like you are on a first cruise all over again.

We did our 1st RC cruise in Oct after several Carnival cruises. You are going to love it!

You will find that the Carnival/RCI experience is more similar than different. RCI's standard cabins aren't as roomy as Carnivals, but RCI's ships are MUCH easier to navigate....

The overall "feel" will be about the same. No worries!

Thanks for all of the positive feedback. I'm just nervous about being on a different cruise line for the first time and not knowing what to expect. Also, my sons really enjoyed the children programs on Carnival and I don't want them to be disappointed.

Based on the cruises in your signature, you'll find that Enchantment is more like the Valor than the Fantasy. Enchantment's pool deck is much larger, but there's no water slides - Enchantment does have a bungee trampoline on the top deck, however, and that's a blast:).

IMO, The kids programs are comparable - we couldn't get our 7YO grandson out of the kids club on Enchantment (he's been on that ship twice). While Carnival has it's adults only serenity zone, Enchantment has an adults only solarium - which is much larger than Carnival's adults only area.

Food choices and venues are similar, but we liked the Windjammer buffet's food choices more than the choices we found in Carnival's Lido café. Balconies on Enchantment are larger than on Carnival, but the rooms are a tad smaller.

IMO, the ship's décor is much more open and inviting on Enchantment than on Carnival. I always found Carnival's interior décor to be a bit dark and moody.

Ok, may I play? Please be gentle, I am new to Royal, having just booked LOS to Bermuda in May. I am platinum on Carnival but am looking forward to trying something different.

But, I am hearing that there are no self service ice/drink stations in the Windjammer or elswhere. Is this true? How about coffee? Are we going to have to stand in line for iced tea?

Sorry to be a PIA, and I am sure I will have more questions as the cruise approaches. I am still trying to get my brain around the concept of making reservations for MyTime dining. We usually have easy seating......should I make a MT dining reservation for all five nights at 6 or 6:30? And at what point can I make these?

Ok, thanks you all! Back to doing my homework on the boards and reading as fast as I can!

Ok, may I play? Please be gentle, I am new to Royal, having just booked LOS to Bermuda in May. I am platinum on Carnival but am looking forward to trying something different.

 

But, I am hearing that there are no self service ice/drink stations in the Windjammer or elswhere. Is this true? How about coffee? Are we going to have to stand in line for iced tea?

 

Sorry to be a PIA, and I am sure I will have more questions as the cruise approaches. I am still trying to get my brain around the concept of making reservations for MyTime dining. We usually have easy seating......should I make a MT dining reservation for all five nights at 6 or 6:30? And at what point can I make these?

 

Ok, thanks you all! Back to doing my homework on the boards and reading as fast as I can!

Our experience lately is that the servers in Windjammer will have glasses already filled with iced tea or lemonade, and you can go up to the station and grab the glasses yourself. There will also be roving servers that will fetch drinks for you. Same with coffee.

In Cafe Promenade, in deck 5, self-serve coffee is available 24 hours.

If you're interested, my Enchantment of the Seas review is linked in my signature. What has got you nervous? You will have fun!!

Ok, may I play? Please be gentle, I am new to Royal, having just booked LOS to Bermuda in May. I am platinum on Carnival but am looking forward to trying something different.

 

But, I am hearing that there are no self service ice/drink stations in the Windjammer or elswhere. Is this true? How about coffee? Are we going to have to stand in line for iced tea?

 

Sorry to be a PIA, and I am sure I will have more questions as the cruise approaches. I am still trying to get my brain around the concept of making reservations for MyTime dining. We usually have easy seating......should I make a MT dining reservation for all five nights at 6 or 6:30? And at what point can I make these?

 

Ok, thanks you all! Back to doing my homework on the boards and reading as fast as I can!

I'm curious about this as well. I don't understand MyTime Dining for RCI. On Carnival, you were hungry you went to the dining room. With RCI it seems like there's truly not "my time", you have to make a reservation. I think that really limits the flexibility. The one time I went to the MDR on my first RCI cruise I went without a reservation and the woman looked at me like I'd slapped her across the face. Then she seated me with a group that was already halfway through their dinner and it was very awkward. It was such an awful experience that I went to the Windjammer the rest of the cruise. Can someone explain??

1. I'm excited to see how it went. You never came back to ask any questions, so I hope you found your answers.

2. Do you make your step-daughter who is basically your age call you mom? That would rock, in a very Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure way.