Enchantment Of The Seas Review January 5th - 14th 2013

[Bmorecruiser021]

Hello Everyone!

 

This will be my first review, and just like my first cruise, I will use this as a learning experience. Please feel free to provide constructive criticism, as I just returned from my second cruise in June and plan on writing a review for that one after posting this one. As you can see, this cruise happened almost two years ago, however, after reading and participating with CC for over a year now, I wanted to give back and share some of my thoughts and insight I have learned thus far. I’ll try not to be too wordy, just give you a play by play of the cruise and tell you about some learning experiences I have encountered.

 

 

First a little background; My name is Kraig, and like I said this was my first cruise and now my first review. This cruise was mine and my wife’s honeymoon. We got married in August 2012 and waited till January 2013 to cruise. Having never cruised before, I had no clue what to do. We live about 20 minutes outside Baltimore, so I googled cruises out of Baltimore. Found out only Carnival and Royal sail out of Baltimore, and I have not heard good thing about Carnival so Royal it was. Called the number online and ended up talking to a booking agent with Vacations To Go. This was our first learning experience. We booked an interior cabin on deck two. The travel agent said it was a great price, and we got some OBC, but now, knowing what I know, we paid too much. But that’s ok, like I said, learning experience. So what I learned was to book it on my own, through RCI, and watch for price drops and deals (witch I did on our following cruise) The other learning experience I have to repot is stay on top of your travel agent, make sure they are doing what you asked them to do, like telling Royal about you special occasions or dinning preferences, but more on that later.

 

 

 

 

Saturday ~ January 5th 2013 ~ Baltimore

 

So the big day arrived, January 5th 2013, and we couldn’t be more excited!:D Departure was easy and quick. Had the in-laws drop us off at noon and were on the ship by 1pm.

 

 

[Bmorecruiser021]

Our first look at the ship! :D

 

 

Having never been cruising before I had no Idea if the Enchantment was a big ship or little ship; another one of those learning experiences. I thought all ships had flow riders and mini golf, boy was I wrong, but that’s OK we still had a great time and found plenty to do!

 

The terminal

 

 

 

We entered on deck four and our first view of the atrium was stunning! All decorated for the holidays, absolutely beautiful.

 

 

[Bmorecruiser021]

Went up to the Viking Crown Lounge to explore and take in the sights. The view of the city was incredible.

 

 

 

 

After exploring for a bit we found our way to the windjammer. Very crowded, but we were able to find a seat and enjoy our lunch. After lunch there was more exploring to do and at 1:30 they opened the cabins.

 

 

Muster went quickly but it was cold, definitely recommend a jacket or sweater if you sail out of a northern port in the winter.

 

And then we were off, sailed right past Fort McHenry and under the Key Bridge.

 

 

[Bmorecruiser021]

 

 

Went to the welcome aboard show, this being my first cruise I went to every show, did not want to miss a thing – which is funny cause we ended up missing dinner and eating at the windjammer tonight. Then up to the Viking Crown for drinks and to watch something on the jumbo screen (I cant remember and did not write it down)

 

 

 

After was the casino, I did all right – chalked it up to first cruise luck.

 

 

Then to bed, tomorrow was going to be a big day, Ravens game to watch! :D

[Bmorecruiser021]

Sunday ~ January 6th 2013 ~ Sea Day

 

Woke up around 10 and ate breakfast in the windjammer.

 

 

Explored the ship some more and then headed to Boleros to watch the Ravens game. We got there early and were able to get a great seat. WE WON! and I swear I felt the whole ship rock from all the people jumping up and down :D

 

 

We stayed for the Skins game, and unfortunately they lost, no beltway Superbowl this year :rolleyes:

 

After the games we went back to our cabin and took a nap before dinner. Dinner way another learning experience, we had standard late seating, and when we showed up, we were at a table of 8 :eek: Not the romantic candle lit dinner I had envisioned. But as luck would have it, NONE of our tablemates ever showed up, not one night for the entire cruise. We had this big table all to ourselves and our servers were incredible!

 

[Bmorecruiser021]

Max and Yu, Max is on the Brilliance now and I don’t know where Yu is. :( Having been on another cruise now, to compare this service too, I can honestly say this duo was absolutely superb!

 

To the casino, where it was another good night, and then we watched “name that tune” in the atrium. It was hilarious!

 

 

After the show we went to our cabin to find our first towel animal :)

 

 

What a great first full day on a cruise :D