Enchantment May 16-20th- Trip Review

[Sunkissed Mommy]

Photos from Coco Cay

It was a nice morning when we were there.

 

 

 

[Sunkissed Mommy]

My son enjoying some soup that I brought back from Park Cafe.

 

 

Fruit & Green Tortilla Chips for my son at dinner each night.

 

[Mommabear2Five]

Your son is adorable and that balcony looks like a dream!

[Bookgirl66]

We will be on Enchantment on June 13 in that exact room! And my daughter and her boyfriend have 7666! So excited to see the pictures of what we can expect!

 

 

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[Sunkissed Mommy]

I've been to Nassau many times. Typically I stay on the ship there because so many people get off. We chose to get off the ship this time.

 

Being that we had my son with us we decided to head over to Atlantis. We figured we'd stand in the lobby area where they have the big aquarium that is open to the public and let him watch the fish and creatures swimming around.

 

But before that we wanted to check on some cologne and makeup prices. We had already priced them on the ship (where we had $200 OBC waiting to be used). Every store we went in to was more $ than back on the ship. A couple of the makeup stores weren't even interested in making a sale. One lady/employee was talking to her friend, going on and on. When we finally had the chance to ask about a product she wouldn't even look at us and said she didn't have it. I don't need my butt kissed, but the manager of the store must not be concerned with employee behavior!

 

So that was all a bust! We then headed back to Festival place. We chose to go on a ferry over to Paradise Island because I did not bring my son's car seat. So we paid our $8 per person for round trip and "waited" by the stand for more people. Once we had about 12 people (and 20 minutes later) we walked over to the docks. Once loaded on the boat we "waited" another 20 minutes until the ferry was full. Off we wen toward Paradise Island.

 

We dock under the overpass. The last time I took a ferry was in 2003, every other time I've taken a taxi. So this dock was a bit far of a walk for me. It was hot and humid. I'm from Florida, but this was still hot and humid in my opinion. It wasn't a pretty day either! So we get to the Marketplace Shops and ask for directions to the main lobby where the aquarium is. Everyone is friendly and they send us on our way. At the entrance to Atlantis (where the shops/mall is) we asked again to make sure we're headed in the right direction. Again, friendly smiles send us along. We finally get through the casino and to the lobby entrance and a man stop us. He says the lobby is not open to the public and hasn't been for years. This may very well be true as my last visit to Atlantis was in 2010. BUT I would assume that I would have gotten wind of this at SOME point along the way. Nope. I even had a friend go to Atlantis to do this very same thing back in March. They did not have a problem. My mom questioned the man as to why the 4 other Atlantis employees did not mention this to us as we made our merry way toward the lobby. He said they did. I laughed. How would he know if they did or did not? He was not there. By the way, they DID NOT say nything about the lobby being closed to resort visitors.

 

So we were disappointed and a bit upset. It was hot. We now had a cranky 3 year old and NO aquarium which had been promised to the 3 year old. We had to walk all the way back to the dock and wait for another ferry. When one came I was told I could not bring the stroller on. I was confused and asked him to repeat. The guy said the stroller would take up space that a paying person could have. I was irritated and argued with him until he allowed me to bring my stroller (which was a fold-up umbrella style stroller btw). I said I would lay it on the floor by my feet. He wouldn't let me and made me leave it off the ferry. I kept my eye on it because my nice camera and my son's beloved monkey doll here in the basket. Once he crammed every last soul on the boat (well over 60 people and I only counted 20 lifejackets) he stuck the stroller on the end. Then another person walked up and he went to move it and my thing started to topple out. I jumped up to grab it and he got angry with me. I was so over the entire experience at this point I just wanted to be back on the ship. Not to mention the heat and fumes made me incredibly nauseous because of my current medical situation (not ready to talk about that yet).

 

I could not have been happier to get on the ship and finally pull away that afternoon! I posted the following picture on my Facebook that afternoon and captioned it- See Ya Nassau- You suck!

 

 

I don't think I will ever get off the ship there again. Too much chaos, anxiety, and nonsense. Not worth my time!

Edited May 24, 2016 by Sunkissed Mommy

[Sunkissed Mommy]

We live in Florida, so Key West isn't a HUGE deal to us. But we decided to get off and just walk around, possibly take a trolley tour. The morning began with some nasty weather and sitting off the coast for a while. Captain Angel came over the PA system and explained we had to wait for it to clear up before entering the channel. At one point it was pretty nasty out and I couldn't see the dividing line between the ocean and the sky.

 

 

We ended up only being delayed about 30 minutes before it cleared up and we entered the channel. Being that we visited a foreign country, everyone had to go through immigration check. We were given assigned times. The earliest groups began at 10am and the latest was 11:45- which was ours. They assigned the times by muster station location. If you chose not to go through the process (even if staying onboard) you would receive a $3,300 fine from the U.S. Government, per person. They were serious about this. We went to the theater at our assigned time where a crew member scanned our SeaPass. We then snaked through the theater to a customs agent who checked our passports. After getting them checked by an agent, they punched a hole (oddly shaped as seen in the picture below).

 

 

Then when we proceeded to the gangway there were more customs agents checking to be sure the SeaPass cards were punched. Then the usual bing bong machine to scan off the ship. I had expected the process to be much worse than it actually was. it went very smoothly and took no time at all.

Edited May 24, 2016 by Sunkissed Mommy

[Sunkissed Mommy]

When we got off the ship we looked in to a hop on hop off trolley ride. But at $30 per person it just didn't seem worth it to us as Key West is so small and we've been there multiple times before. Of course my 3 year old had a mini-meltdown because we weren't riding on the "train" but too bad. Kids gotta learn he won't always get his way.

 

We came upon the Key West Aquarium. It was reasonable at $13 a person and my son was free. It is small, but it kept my son happy and entertained for plenty of time. Multiple touch tanks and feeding opportunities make is a quaint and interesting place.

 

 

 

 

 

[vickiw0318]

Here is a picture of your balcony ;)

 

 

 

Thank you! Having a hard time waiting until Monday.

[Merion_Mom]

My first JS and only aft cabin was in the Enchantment in 1999. One of my favorite cruises - possibly because it was the last cruise we took "BK" (before kids) Looking forward to your review!!

 

 

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We date thngs "BC". Before Children. ;) :)

[Merion_Mom]

When we first got in to our room we had a card inviting us to the Exclusive Top Tier event. I am Diamond and my mom is Platinum. It said 8pm in the Centrum on Night 2. I thought it was strange that is was in an open venue, but thought nothing of it.

 

So 8pm comes on night 2. We arrived the Centrum a little bit before then. Out comes the cruise director announcing that this is the Captain's Champagne Reception. He announced that there were 2,400 +/- people onboard the ship and about 400+/- Crown and Anchor Members. Then they announced the top 3 cruisers onboard, handed Mario his bottle of Champagne and said he had over 6000 cruise points, and that was that concerning Crown and Anchor. While I am in NO WAY an elitist, I found this to be a cheat. This was not a Top Tier Event. This was the Captain's reception. Those are different events. The Top Tier Events typically include appetizers, 1-2 mixed drinks, and held in a separate venue. This was everyone together, not EXCLUSIVE! The rest of the event revolved around the Captain, other officers, photos with the captain, and captain centered things.

 

I don't know if this particular sailing was done this way or if that's just what the CD has chosen to do on this ship. I give it a thumbs down. lol.

 

That's what Enchantment does on these short runs. They did the same thing the following cruise.

 

What, you didn't wave at me? ;) :D

[Merion_Mom]

We live in Florida, so Key West isn't a HUGE deal to us. But we decided to get off and just walk around, possibly take a trolley tour. The morning began with some nasty weather and sitting off the coast for a while. Captain Angel came over the PA system and explained we had to wait for it to clear up before entering the channel. At one point it was pretty nasty out and I couldn't see the dividing line between the ocean and the sky.

 

 

We ended up only being delayed about 30 minutes before it cleared up and we entered the channel. Being that we visited a foreign country, everyone had to go through immigration check. We were given assigned times. The earliest groups began at 10am and the latest was 11:45- which was ours. They assigned the times by muster station location. If you chose not to go through the process (even if staying onboard) you would receive a $3,300 fine from the U.S. Government, per person. They were serious about this. We went to the theater at our assigned time where a crew member scanned our SeaPass. We then snaked through the theater to a customs agent who checked our passports. After getting them checked by an agent, they punched a hole (oddly shaped as seen in the picture below).

 

 

Then when we proceeded to the gangway there were more customs agents checking to be sure the SeaPass cards were punched. Then the usual bing bong machine to scan off the ship. I had expected the process to be much worse than it actually was. it went very smoothly and took no time at all.

 

You and I had the same muster station! And we still missed each other! :eek:

[Bookgirl66]

I'm still anxiously awaiting 'The Tilt' [emoji6]

 

 

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[Pencruise]

I'm still anxiously awaiting 'The Tilt' [emoji6]

 

 

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We were also on this cruise - the ship experienced an unusually strong gust of wind which was totally unexpected and very strong and the ship tilted to the left side - the captain explained it and assured us that there was nothing to worry about. He followed up the initial announcement a short while later too to reassure everyone. The only thing we experienced as we were getting ready for dinner at the time, was an empty water bottle falling on the floor. Great cruise, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

The only thing we experienced as we were getting ready for dinner at the time, was an empty water bottle falling on the floor. Great cruise, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

 

We had a slightly different experience!

 

Sorry I've been MIA. Returned home and had to go back in to mom-mode!

 

So when the tilt happened we were waiting for the Adventure Ocean pirate parade in the Centrum. It was right before 8pm. I went to use the restroom quickly before the show was supposed to begin. When I got in there I started to feel the ship tilt a bit. I wasn't concerned because I've been on ships that are sailing through a hurricane (Liberty in 2010). Things happen. But the ship just kept listing. The garbage cans in the bathroom slid across the floor to the opposite wall. One lady yelled out that she peed on herself! :eek:

 

Once I left the bathroom I saw a bit of disarray on the Centrum. The band had stopped. I walked over to my mom, by the bar, and she was laughing with another couple. I guess the scene in the centrum was a little more dramatic. Many people ran when the ship started tilting. Apparently the bartenders ran to the bar and protected the bottles. I was only able to get a picture of the aftermath.

 

 

 

The captain came on and explained we had a 60 knot wind gust come out of nowhere. That the ship is fine and that we'll all be fine. About 30 minutes later he came on again and said that we were now back on course for Key West. I knew all these timings because I was anxiously awaiting my son with Adventure Ocean and kept checking the time.

 

Many things were delayed (including second seating dinner). We did not have second seating but we spoke with Merilyn (our server) the next night and she told us that everything went flying in the dining room and galley. They filled 15 large garbage bins with broken glass and plates. She said that all the food that was prepped in the galley also flew off the counter and the chefs had to remake food. So seating/dinner was delayed for the latter group. We noticed the larger than normal crowd in the centrum after the whole incident.

 

I also, later, asked my son if he felt the ship "wiggle" and he said that they were in a line and they all fell in to each other. I can imagine it felt a little more exaggerated in the Adventure Ocean club because it is on one of the top decks and they are little kids with not so perfect balance.

 

In the end it was NOT a big deal. Many first time cruisers were a little freaked out because it CAN be scary if you don't know what it's like to cruise. It was a little exciting though ;)

[Sunkissed Mommy]

That's what Enchantment does on these short runs. They did the same thing the following cruise.

 

What, you didn't wave at me? ;) :D

 

I don't know what you look like! lol Were you sitting with Mario? I saw him because I've been on a number of cruises where he's been onboard.

 

Thats kinda disappointing. Two years ago on Enchantment they had an actual party. Things change I guess. We can't cruise again for over a year now so I am sure even more changes will occur in that time. I'll definitely have withdrawals.

[cincicruisers]

Great review, I am looking forward to the rest.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

Back again.

 

VOOM Internet

So Royal is advertising that Voom is on all ships now. I received an email about a week before the cruise offering a "discount rate" for the 4-days if I pre-purchased a plan. I was a little skeptical. I dont really like to use my phone on vacation anyway. One of the joys of getting on a ship has always been disconnecting for a bit! I did use my coupon for a free 24 hours of internet the day we were in Nassau. It was slow as molasses. Just like the old internet. Voom is currently a sham. It's not the real deal.

 

Pool Deck

Something that stood out to both my mom and myself was the amount of rust on the railings. There wasn't nearly that much two years ago. Rust typically doesn't bother me, but it just seemed like more than an acceptable amount. The actual floors on the pool deck and Deck 10 were dirty. I didn't understand why because a simple power washing would have done the trick, but there were a lot of black patches and it also stood out to me.

 

The pool was never busy, but maybe that's because 3/4 of the days were port days. So it was nice that my son could play in the pool without it being a crazy madhouse. I love that there is a pool split in half. One side shallow and the other side regular depth. He enjoyed the pool and had no interest in the spray pad right next to it.

 

[JAC22682]

Your reviews are so helpful as a cruise lover with a 20 month old considering cruising with him for the first time. I know your son might be too big now, but do you know if RCCL is still doing the toy lending program? I'm having trouble finding a straight answer! Thanks again!

[Sunkissed Mommy]

Your reviews are so helpful as a cruise lover with a 20 month old considering cruising with him for the first time. I know your son might be too big now, but do you know if RCCL is still doing the toy lending program? I'm having trouble finding a straight answer! Thanks again!

 

Oh wow, I never got a notice that you asked this. I am not sure about the toy lending because I haven't been on a cruise since this one.. I had a 8 week stow away onboard with me then ;) He's about to turn 7 months old and we're prepping for HIS first cruise in a few weeks, but it's on Carnival.

 

When I asked last time they said they would keep the toys and bags because people used them but as the toys would get worn they wont be replaced.