Thank you! Enchantment info needed

[amazer]

We have never been on a cruise and we leave on Enchantment Jun 26. hadn't heard anything much about this ship until the other day and was getting concerned [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]I am very naive and feel clueless. We booked online and didn't get too much info. We booked the 1st seating for meals. What is this I hear about theme nights, getting dressed up, etc? It is me, my husband and 2 sons ages 17 and 11. So far we booked Soto tours in Grand Cayman to Stingray City and haven't decided who to go with in Ocho Rios yet. Also, do you have to pay for the things you do and entertainment on the ship? I thought all you paid for was the casino and drinks. Help!

[lauren0309]

You do not have to pay for the shows. The only extras are drinks, photographs, casino, bingo, massages and spa services. We're thinking of booking with Soto also and Ionie McBean for Dunns River Falls. When you get back, let us know how you liked the excursions and the ship. Have fun!

Majesty of the Seas 3/02
Monarch of the Seas 2/03
Serenade of the Seas 11/03

Till the Enchantment!
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[amazer]

another thing I forgot to ask about...we have an outside cabin and the 4 of us are staying in there. Are we crazy? There is no balcony but at least we have a window. Any one else ever stay with 4 in a room? we are deck 2 stateroom 2098. Thanks

[kayak]

Hi - yes we have had our children stay in the cabin with us. The 2 pullmans fold down from the ceiling and the boys will love them - very comfortable and they gets some steps to climb up - Just the getting dressed for dinner becomes a problem - I would usually go down early with my husband and then the boys would come in 30 to 45 minutes later and we would just go sit in one of the bars until they were dressed.

Only problem with 1st seating dinner is getting back to the ship after excursions and having to bath and get dressed in a hurry and not be able to relax. We really enjoy 2nd seating even though it is later - lots of time to relax, take a nap, bathe and dress without a rush. You can change your seating when you get aboard.

Are you on the 7 night or the 5 night? There are 2 formal nights on the 7 night cruise and 1 formal on the 5 night. They are some times fairly dressy - my DH loves to wear a tux so we really dress up and I have usually rented one for the boys, but a nice pair of slacks and jacket are very acceptable with a tie.

You always have the alternative to eat dinner in the Windjammer - the food is really good and you don't have to dress up as much.

Kayak

[Julma]

I have never been on the Enchantment, but have taken several cruises with four of us in a room. I would leave the kids and my husband to get ready in the room and I would throw a cover-up, head to the spa and take my shower and do my hair there.

[amazer]

we are on a 5 night cruise. So I guess there is 1 formal night. My family does NOT like to dress up so should we go and eat somewhere else besides he dining room that night?
We went to an all inclusive resort in Mexico last year and everything was paid for and we loved it. I feel like we are going to get nickeled and dimed on this cruise (which I already think is expensive)

[dbarry]

amazer-

Hi there my sister, niece, granddaughter and I are on the same sailing as you. June 26th. I have never been on the Enchantment but this won't be my first cruise, so if I can answer any questions you have I'd be happy to.

We are also booked for the early dinner. I've done both and personally, I prefer the early time. For me the late dinner really cut into the evening entertainment. I like to dance, and I have been known to spend a little time in the casino. I also like to see all of the shows. It is true that you may have to hurry back to get ready for dinner, but we plan on being back from the ports by 4 p.m. anyway.

We made reservations with Captain Bryan and Honey Suckle Beach Rides in Grand Cayman and with Peat Taylor in Jamaica. We are all so excited (and a bit scared) about swimming with the stingrays, riding horses on the beach, climbing Dunn's River Falls, tubing on the White River and spending time at Margaritaville. Whew! We are going to be tired!

When I originally booked our cabins I had all four of us in one oceanview cabin. I thought it was definitely doable. I wasn't sure how the 4 of us where going to work the bathroom schedule though. In any case I checked into getting two outside cabins and it only cost $400 more than the one cabin. That seems reasonable to me. My sister and I have cruised before. My niece(18) and my granddaughter(15)haven't cruised before. I have a feeling that this will be the first of many (I hope) cruises that we will share.

By the way there is one formal night (Sunday night, the first at sea day) and one smart casual (Monday- Jamaica). I think smart casual is less dressy than formal and a little dressier than casual.

If you have any questions, just ask away. Everything that I have ever read about the Enchantment was wonderful. Except the coffee. Oh well!

Darlene

Sovereign of the Seas 5/00
Fantasy 6/00
Monarch of the Seas 10/02
Grand Princess 6/03
Sovereign of the Seas 02/04

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6/26/04 Enchantment Graduation Celebration

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[jemingway]

Amazer, Enchantment is a great ship and I am sure you will love it. It's kind of like when my son started school, he was very stressed. I kept asking him what he was concerned about. Finally, he told us that he didn't know what he was supposed to do at school. We assured him that they would guide him through it and he would do fine, which he did. A first cruise is somewhat like that. All you have to do is show up and they will make sure that you want to be a return passenger. I believe it is a better value than any land based vacation when you consider what you get for your money.

JV The 4 stages of cruising: planning, anticipation, experience and reflection.

[amazer]

Thank you all for your advice and uplifting words. I am always uneasy about doing something new. I don't know what I would have done without the info I'm getting from these boards! I'm thinking we won't be spending a lot of time in the rooms so the 4 of us will hopefully be able to get along! The last thing I want to hear from the boys is "I'm bored". I just don't want to keep giving them money to keep them entertained.

My kids are BIG soda drinkers so I guess I'll get those cards so we don't have to keep paying for every drink individually. I hope the coffee isn't as bad as I had heard. Is the Beatles show still playing onboard? On our trip to Mexico last year there was a Michael Jackson impersonator who was amazing.
One more question...Is it usually very windy on the outdoor decks? Thanks again, all