From the Enchantment - Feb 27 cruise

[cruzinlady1947]

Thanks for keeping us so well informed and the pictures are absolutely beautiful.

 

I too, am sorry your cruise is ending. But, all good things come to an end. And besides that, I will be boarding after you get off. A little selfish, I guess. ;)

 

We are all anxious for our upcoming cruise since they just altered the itinerary and didn't drop any ports. Can't wait for the sunset at Key West. :cool:

 

Thanks again. Really enjoyed your reports and pics.

 

Gwen :)

Edited March 7, 2012 by cruzinlady1947

[Cuizer2]

We are heading back to Baltimore doing about 19 knots, not bad considering we are going uphill. The crew is having a fire drill. I think if they what to make it realistic they should have the passengers running around screaming and yelling - in other words, acting normal.

 

Since my pictures are a big hit, I have braved the ship's Interent and uploaded six more pictures ...

 

Coming into San Juan ...

 

 

The Eurodam coming into San Juan ...

 

 

You've probably heard about this already. A very large frog attacked one of the local bars ...

 

 

Leaving San Juan ...

 

 

The Enchantment of the Seas docked in San Juan (note - it is not moving) ...

 

 

Panoramic view of Old San Juan ...

 

 

We are having four to eight foot seas today, so the ship is doing a little bit of rolling.

[rafinmd]

We are heading back to Baltimore doing about 19 knots, not bad considering we are going uphill. The crew is having a fire drill. I think if they what to make it realistic they should have the passengers running around screaming and yelling - in other words, acting normal.

 

Since my pictures are a big hit, I have braved the ship's Interent and uploaded six more pictures ...

 

Coming into San Juan ...

 

 

The Eurodam coming into San Juan ...

 

 

You've probably heard about this already. A very large frog attacked one of the local bars ...

 

 

Leaving San Juan ...

 

 

The Enchantment of the Seas docked in San Juan (note - it is not moving) ...

 

 

Panoramic view of Old San Juan ...

 

 

We are having four to eight foot seas today, so the ship is doing a little bit of rolling.

 

Thank you (and all the others) for the reports. One quick question, where did you take the picture coming into San Juan? From WJ, perhaps. It was the perfect spot for me coming into SJ on a not very pleasant day. A lot of both advantages and disadvantages of the front location, but I found it great as a pre-arrival location.

 

Roy

[Cuizer2]

Thank you (and all the others) for the reports. One quick question, where did you take the picture coming into San Juan? From WJ, perhaps. It was the perfect spot for me coming into SJ on a not very pleasant day. A lot of both advantages and disadvantages of the front location, but I found it great as a pre-arrival location.

 

Roy

 

I do not like to shoot through glass. I was on the deck just above the Windjammer when I took those photographs as we entered San Juan.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Cuizer2

[Cuizer2]

I am still working on my review. Here is an excerpt from today ...

 

Then I decide to search for one of the passengers. I first saw him at embarkation. He was greeting all the shore side staff, so I assumed he worked for Royal Caribbean. However, as I saw him walk around the ship I realized that he was one of the passengers. Nonetheless, he knows everyone. Finally I overheard one of the crew members ask him how his birthday party was. He said what a great time he had and that the captain was there. At the past guest reception it was announced that they were recognizing an Elite couple who had the second most points on this cruise. Why the couple with the second most points? As a side note, apparently out of the millions of C&A members, only about 140 have made it to the Elite level.

At any rate I began to put together the puzzle pieces. This might be a very famous passenger that I have heard about. So I decided to hunt him down. I found him by the pool, saying hello to one of the crew members. I asked him if he was a famous passenger that I had heard about and he replied, “Guilty as charged”. His name is Jack, he is from Canada, this is his 152nd cruise, he cruises once per month, so he has been cruising for about thirteen years (as have I, but I am only averaging 1.5 cruises per year) and he knows all the crew members and Captains on all the ships. It was nice meeting him.

I went back to my cabin, but the room steward was still working in the cabin, so I walked around deck five (the promenade deck) a bit, then headed up to the Viking Crown Lounge to enjoy the view for a while. While up there I suddenly noticed that EVERYONE was getting up from their pool side lounge chairs. There is only one thing that could make everyone move at the same time – its raining.

So I head back to the cabin to update this. Last time I check we had four to eight foot seas. Right now they are showing that stupid forward view cam which is showing lots of water drops, so I can’t get the current information which is far more interesting than watching water drops slide down a glass window. At any rate the ship is rolling enough that it is hard to walk straight, except for the drunks, they are having no trouble walking straight. I was really challenging this morning as I was walking forward in the hallway and one of the crew was bringing a tray full of food to one of the cabins. That was someone I definitely did not want to accidentally bump into.

Well, the captain just made his noon time announcement. The closest land is about 3.4 miles away; however it is covered by 18,071 feet of water. The closest dry land is Grand Turk, about 195 miles away. We are 377 miles from San Juan and 1004 miles from Baltimore. We need to average 15.3 knots to be on time to pick up the pilot. We are currently going about 19 knots in an effort to put this wind behind us. Our starboard is being hit by thirteen foot waves which are expected to increase to eighteen feet by tonight. The air temperature is 77 degrees and the sea temperature is 81 degrees, which is the same as the pool temperature (which is being hit by my estimate of twelve to fifteen inch waves).

Things are starting to really rock and roll. A drawer open all by itself. I had to lock my sliding door to keep it from opening. Every once in a while we get hit by a really big wave and the entire ship shakes.

So I decide the best thing to do is take some ginger, lie down and watch the Green Lantern on TV. Having seen it I am glad I didn’t pay good money to see it in the theater.

 

And a few more pictures ...

 

As you can see, Costa is still doing close drive-bys ...

 

 

This is what it looks like when two cruise ships cruise by you side by side at 40 knots IF you have a camera with a very fast shutter speed ...

 

 

Royal Caribbean is upgrading its lifeboats in the hope that it will get more people to attend the muster drills ...

 

 

Megan's Bay from the Mountain Top ...

 

 

 

Our cruise ...

 

Edited March 7, 2012 by Cuizer2

[mstelly]

Still no new news about the issues the ship was having or if they have been fixed?

[TPKeller]

Still no new news about the issues the ship was having or if they have been fixed?

They have already made alterations to the March 10 sailing, to accommodate the slower speed that the ship can travel. That almost certainly means that the problem has not yet been fixed.

 

Theron

[stevensoap]

I am still working on my review. Here is an excerpt from today ...

Royal Caribbean is upgrading its lifeboats in the hope that it will get more people to attend the muster drills ...

 

 

I tried to leave just one picture but guess that didn't work. The yachts!

 

 

Good one. Maybe Costa should consider this upgrade!

 

That "side-by-side" shot kinda reminds me of a giant subway! The ENOS and the Pride pass close in the Chesapeake sometimes. Let me see if I can't find that video.

 

Sudsy:D

Edited March 7, 2012 by stevensoap

[stevensoap]

Let's see if this link works first then I may have another! he Carnival Pride and the ENOS passing in the Chesapeake Bay.

 

 

Strangers in the Night

 

 

Sudsy

Edited March 7, 2012 by stevensoap

[xxoocruiser]

Still no new news about the issues the ship was having or if they have been fixed?

 

Nothing has changed since CRUIZER2 was so kind to provide an update in post #102 of this thread.

Edited March 7, 2012 by xxoocruiser

[dixieva]

Thanks for posting live from the ship! Your pictures are great. Enjoy the time you have remaining!

I hope someone who is getting on the March 10th cruise will post live! I am booked on the 12 day leaving when that one gets back on March 19th so will be anxiously waiting for news on the repairs-or lack thereof:)!

[BND]

Thanks for posting live from the ship! Your pictures are great. Enjoy the time you have remaining!

I hope someone who is getting on the March 10th cruise will post live! I am booked on the 12 day leaving when that one gets back on March 19th so will be anxiously waiting for news on the repairs-or lack thereof:)!

 

I usually get online a few times while we're cruising, but I'm not taking my netbook on this trip. If I can get on using their computers, I may post a short update, but no photos. We'll see if anyone else on our rollcall plans to.

[stevensoap]

Thanks for posting live from the ship! Your pictures are great. Enjoy the time you have remaining!

 

I hope someone who is getting on the March 10th cruise will post live! I am booked on the 12 day leaving when that one gets back on March 19th so will be anxiously waiting for news on the repairs-or lack thereof:)!

 

 

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHIP THAT CAN DO 20 kts VS A SHIP THAT CAN DO 23 kts.

 

It's not an issue.

 

They like 15.

 

They do 16-17 normally. (nominally)

 

Watch their patterns at night when moving from port to port. (marine traffic dot com) They PLAN and usually do 10 or less.

 

It's all $$$$ (Casino open and saving fuel)

 

Enjoy your crui$e and forget about the rest!

 

Please send me your address so I know where to send the bill!

 

Sudsy:eek::eek::D

Edited March 7, 2012 by stevensoap

[dixieva]

Oh but I will know the difference if the 3 knots per hour causes us to miss one of our ports.

 

Thanks for the advice though and the technical information. I won't send you my address but my phone number is (555) 5555-5555---call anytime:D!

[dixieva]

I usually get online a few times while we're cruising, but I'm not taking my netbook on this trip. If I can get on using their computers, I may post a short update, but no photos. We'll see if anyone else on our rollcall plans to.

 

 

That would be great! I don't need pictures-I did this cruise last year so I'm fine with a short report!

 

Hope you have a great time!

[mstelly]

oh but i will know the difference if the 3 knots per hour causes us to miss one of our ports.

 

Thanks for the advice though and the technical information. I won't send you my address but my phone number is (555) 5555-5555---call anytime:d!

 

;-) lol!!!

[vavasmom]

All the pictures on this thread are excellent. I have enjoyed reading this all week. I loved the comment about the frog taking over the building!

 

To those on board (or about to board) - would it be possible to find out if the gym has an ergometer (rowing machine with the wheel)? We sail on the 31.

 

My teen has been using one since surgery last year and it would be nice if she could continue her routine (and before the comments start she is over 16 so she is allowed in the gym). She used on one the Pride last year but I can not remember if there was one on the Enchantment (she missed last summer's EN cruise due to summer camp).

 

Thanks,

Barbara

[Cuizer2]

Still no new news about the issues the ship was having or if they have been fixed?

 

It has not been fixed and there is no estimate on when. The part they need has to be manufactured. Once made it will be sent to the ship and then it can be repaired. Until then the ship cannot make full speed. However, we know it is capable of going at least 19 knots.

[mstelly]

It has not been fixed and there is no estimate on when. The part they need has to be manufactured. Once made it will be sent to the ship and then it can be repaired. Until then the ship cannot make full speed. However, we know it is capable of going at least 19 knots.

 

Thank you very much! Photos and info you are giving is GREAT!

[TPKeller]

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHIP THAT CAN DO 20 kts VS A SHIP THAT CAN DO 23 kts.

True enough, but it is quite easy to know the difference between a ship that is GOING 20 knots vs. 23 knots.... as long as you have a GPS, and a clear view of the sky! :D

 

Theron

Edited March 8, 2012 by TPKeller

[stevensoap]

True enough, but it is quite easy to know the difference between a ship that is GOING 20 knots vs. 23 knots.... as long as you have a GPS, and a clear view of the sky! :D

 

Theron

 

Or look at the TV when it's up. If that's what really concerns you then spend your vacation time measuring the speed at which you are traveling.

 

I just don't get it.

 

It's a VACATION.

 

Sudsy:D

[Cuizer2]

The captain just gave his noon time report. We are 782 miles from San Juan and 599 miles from Baltimore. So we will have to average 14.25 knots to be on time. He expects that we will be on time.

 

The seas are 8-10 feet now, he expects 5-8 feet tonight. There is over 17,500 feet of water under the ship.

 

Currently we have very nice weather and I noticed the pool deck and the pools are full as I made my way to lunch today.

 

At 1pm there is a special C&A function and at 2pm there is the Captain's Corner.

[TPKeller]

at 2pm there is the Captain's Corner.

This is the most likely place to hear an update on the repairs. And it will probably come up very early in the questions, so you wouldn't even have to stick around very long! ;)

 

Theron

[emelvee]

The Eurodam coming into San Juan ...

 

They should write the ship's names in the sky like that more often...makes it easier to identify them. ;)

[Cuizer2]

I just got back from the Captain’s Corner. I asked the captain if there is an estimate as to when the engine would be repaired. He explained there are four engines turning generators which create the electricity that the ship runs on. Those four engines are working fine. However, the port side propulsion engine is only able to develop 70% of its maximum torque. As a result the ship cannot reach full speed. Thus, when traveling as fast as it can (right now) some people will see a difference is the size of the wake from each propeller. There is an estimate as to when the repairs will be made, but it is not official yet, so he would not tell what the estimate is. I also asked the hotel director if someone misses the ship, would they go into the safe to get the passport. He said no, there is too much liability if they did that.