Enchantment of the Seas Review with Pics!

[CruiserJul]

Tree at Orlando Airport

 

DH and I booked the 3 day EOS Dec. 13 cruise for DH's 50th birthday. We have cruised mostly Carnival. This was our first RCI cruise. We liked it well enough but prefer Carnival. We flew in the night before to Orlando. We stayed at a Holiday Inn and Suites across from Universal. We walked 20 minutes over to City Walk since we planned on eating at Margaritaville. It was a nice evening for a walk. Florida was going through a cold spell like we were at home! (But not nearly as bad).

Edited December 22, 2013 by CruiserJul

[CruiserJul]

Walkway to Universal

 

We've been to Universal a few times but it is always in summer and have never enjoyed walking around outside the park since always so hot!

 

Resort boat

 

 

Mini golf at City Walk

 

Our destination

 

It was too dark to take pics of the food but I had a couple of tacos and DH had a chicken sandwich and of course we both had margaritas! They had a guitar player out on the patio singing Buffett songs. The patio was comfortable since they had heaters. After dinner we walked around and enjoyed the Christmas decorations. We stopped at the Starbucks and got pastries for breakfast since this hotel did not include breakfast with the stay.

[proudpatriot07]

I'm pretty sure we'll be booking this ship for the Spring, so I'm gonna follow along. What a beautiful Christmas tree!

[CruiserJul]

Embarkation Day!

 

Weather still a little cool for Florida. We drove to the port and parked at Park and Cruise to say 1/2 the cost of cruise parking at the pier. Supposedly the 1st shuttle to the pier is at 11. It's not true. They wait until the shuttle is filled up which was like 40 minutes and then left for the pier. At least it's only a 5 minute drive to the pier! There was no line at that time and we breezed right through security with our 2 bottles of wine. They didn't even open the carryon to check it. Then a few minutes later we were on board! Our first stop was the cafe in the Solarium - the Park Cafe since we thought the Windjammer would be crowded. Our first meal:

 

DH had a roast beef on weck and I had a veggie quesadilla. Also fruit and lemon cheesecake. This really is a nice option for meals since it is never very crowded and good choices. The Solarium is just beautiful! Loved the warm pool and hot tubs!

 

Bread fish from the buffet...lol.

 

The WJ area food stations were set up well but it seems like the seating area is too small. We walked around a while before our room was ready.

 

 

Pics of our interior cabin 2557

 

 

 

Carnival cabins are bigger, but this room did have adequate storage. The bathroom and shower are another story:eek:. No amenities basket either like Carnival has and only shampoo in the shower-no shower gel.

[NorthCarolinaBelle]

Looking forward to more! We leave on Dec 27th.

[jjrabbits]

Thanks for the review! We leave on Dec. 30th and your pics will help with the wait!!

Renee

[ShanCharles]

Thanks for the review. Would love to hear ans see more :rolleyes:

[04mach1]

Like your review so far !!

[CruiserJul]

Before muster drill we walked around a little.

 

Casino Floor

 

 

Spotlight Lounge

 

Schooner Bar...Good place for a drink before dinner. They had a piano player at that time.

 

Viking Crown Lounge:

[CruiserJul]

Went to the Windjammer Buffet just to check it out. The food stations looked like they were spread out well enough to avoid lines but the seating area seemed pretty small.

 

 

The famous honey stung chicken and seafood paella...both good.

 

 

After muster we went to the Solarium pool and hot tub for sail away. Seemed like a nice warm option compared to being on deck....

[cruisinmom1]

We're going on the NY Cruise-keep posting, I'm getting excited!! :)

[proudpatriot07]

I love those casino floors, makes me excited to go on this ship in the Spring :).

[cruise pup]

We're going on the NY Cruise-keep posting, I'm getting excited!! :)

 

I take it you mean New Years by NY and not New York.

[CruiserJul]

We headed to dinner - we had MTD. Carnival alway seated us at a table for just our party but on RCI we were seated with 3 other couples.

I had the eggplant and artichoke tart for an app. I really liked it!

 

 

DH had the shrimp cocktail and the seafood rillets:

 

 

 

For the entree I had the horseradish crusted salmon and DH had the strip steak (not the best he's ever had):

 

 

 

I did really enjoy my meal. DH ordered carrot cake and blueberry peach crumble which he said were ok.

[CruiserJul]

This was probably our busiest night on board. We went to the show which had very talented singers and an orchestra. Then we headed to the liquor tasting and the jewelry raffle. We rested for a bit then headed to the centrum for the 70s party. The Centrum is a happening place on RCI.

 

Sometime between dinner and the 70s party there was a master mixologist from Canada telling stories about how he came up with his signature drinks and then they came around with samples (kinda fun!).

 

The seas were pretty rough that night and they placed sea sick bags in the hallways. I had taken Bonine so I was good.

 

Headed for bed at 12:15 - no towel animals this night...boo!

[cruise pup]

Salmon looks really good. Glad you enjoyed it. I need to try it on my next cruise, coming up a week from Friday. By the way, your food porn is excellent. However, your microlens makes one believe those are jumbo shrimp which I know isn't the case, especially since the parsley looks the size of celery. ;) I usually order a double shrimp cocktail. Well, it's not like ordering double cheesecake. :D

Edited December 24, 2013 by cruise pup

[CruiserJul]

Nassau Day!

 

We were to arrive in Nassau at noon. We got up around 8:30 and found out that the upper decks were closed due to high winds. I went to breakfast at the Park Cafe and got a breakfast burrito with salsa and fruit. DH went to the buffet. Later DH went to a pirate talk - a passenger on board has read up on the history of the pirates of the Caribbean and DH said it was very interesting. I headed to the gym and used the elliptical.

 

Before getting off the ship around noon we decided to eat lunch on board. I again went to Park Cafe and got a made to order salad and DH got part of the "big sandwhich" they made up on deck. A bunch of large subs kind of put together is really all it was. Then we headed for some soft serve. One thing I like better about Carnival is they have 24hr soft serve - including yogurt - and pizza.

 

There was not much of a line to get off the ship so we headed out about 12:30 and walked to John Watlings Distillery. It's about a 20 min. walk, but partly uphill. It was a very nice day - in the 80's.

 

Sugar banana at JW:

 

They give you a short but entertaining tour and then you can sample their 3 different rums.

 

 

There is a nice patio where you can order a cocktail and sit...but DH had other plans...:D.

[CruiserJul]

We headed to a liquor store on the way to Junkanoo Beach. DH bought 2 cans of Goombay punch and 4 small bottles (200ml) of Ricardo Gold rum. The rum was only about $8! We walked to the beach and had our rum punch cocktails...I love the Bahamas :p! They have an open container policy so you can just bring your own drink to the beach or wherever! Such a nice day too...

 

 

 

The only bad thing was the bees enjoyed our drinks as well :rolleyes:.

[loyalroyal17]

Walkway to Universal

 

We've been to Universal a few times but it is always in summer and have never enjoyed walking around outside the park since always so hot!

 

Resort boat

 

 

Mini golf at City Walk

 

Our destination

 

It was too dark to take pics of the food but I had a couple of tacos and DH had a chicken sandwich and of course we both had margaritas! They had a guitar player out on the patio singing Buffett songs. The patio was comfortable since they had heaters. After dinner we walked around and enjoyed the Christmas decorations. We stopped at the Starbucks and got pastries for breakfast since this hotel did not include breakfast with the stay.

 

So glad I stumbled upon your review. We will be sailing on the Enchantment January 20 and love looking at your pics. We also went to Margaritaville in Universal. I had the Cheeseburger in Paradise, which I like to try at all the Margaritaville's, and have to see this one was the best one I've had! Thanks for posting a picture.

[NorthCarolinaBelle]

Loving your review! So I gather that you liked Junkanoo Beach? We are planning to give it a try when we cruise this Friday :D:D:D and wondered if there is one place that's better than another on the beach. And were you able to rent chairs? Thanks so much!

[Clarea]

Loving your review! So I gather that you liked Junkanoo Beach? We are planning to give it a try when we cruise this Friday :D:D:D and wondered if there is one place that's better than another on the beach. And were you able to rent chairs? Thanks so much!

Junkanoo is not a huge beach, you can walk around the entire beach and pick whatever spot you like.

Edited December 25, 2013 by clarea

[CruiserJul]

Salmon looks really good. Glad you enjoyed it. I need to try it on my next cruise, coming up a week from Friday. By the way, your food porn is excellent. However, your microlens makes one believe those are jumbo shrimp which I know isn't the case, especially since the parsley looks the size of celery. ;) I usually order a double shrimp cocktail. Well, it's not like ordering double cheesecake. :D

 

No, the shrimp really aren't jumbo size...so you could order two and not break the bank calorie wise ;) Have fun on your cruise!

[CruiserJul]

Loving your review! So I gather that you liked Junkanoo Beach? We are planning to give it a try when we cruise this Friday :D:D:D and wondered if there is one place that's better than another on the beach. And were you able to rent chairs? Thanks so much!

 

I didn't see anyone that rented chairs so I'm not sure that is an option. Junkanoo is not that big so it just depends on whether you want to be close to the bar/food or a little distance away.

[CruiserJul]

We stayed at the beach until about 5 and did some shopping. I bought some perfume and we went to the local grocery and bought candy for DS that we don't have at home and DH bought a couple cocktails in a can which were really good. They were called England Joes vodka fruit martini.

 

We went back to the ship sometime after 6, got showers and headed to WJ for dinner. It was formal night but we decided this cruise not to pack formal clothes. Plus duck and prime rib don't excite me. Carnival has lobster on their first formal night.

 

WJ was good though. They had a section with a lof of different kinds of sushi plus there was an Indian food section which I went for since I don't eat that at home too often. I had butter chicken and chicken biryani. DH had duck, fried chicken, quiche with artichokes and salad. After dinner we went to the Captain's reception and got free champagne. We enjoyed watching the Parade of Nations.

 

I went to bed shortly thereafter but DH went to the Love and Marriage show. He said they picked 4 couples and it was very entertaining.

 

Towel animal:

[cruisenfever]

We headed to dinner - we had MTD. Carnival alway seated us at a table for just our party but on RCI we were seated with 3 other couples.

Did you request a Table for 2 prior to be seated?