8/10 - 8/14 Enchantment Review

[LSM1018]

Part 1....

I would like to begin by saying the Enchantment is a beautiful ship. There is something to see on every deck and in every nook and cranny. The staff is the best I have had to date. Now for the details…….

 

This was a “girls” cruise, and the first I have sailed without my husband. It made this trip a little different than my other cruises. Usually I do what I want, when I want, but on this trip I was more of a team player. My sister and I (2 Tennessee girls) flew together to meet my cousin (a Pennsylvania girl) in Ft. Lauderdale. Of course this was the morning of the heightened security. I was drying my hair when I heard the news. We hurried to the airport, and while we were waiting in line the check in, stowed all (at least I thought it was all) of our banned good in our checked bags. I even put my contacts case in my checked bag. We checked in and headed for the security line. There were bins full of banned goods, including about a dozen highlighters. This was the one thing I hadn’t thought of putting in my checked bag. As we all know, highlighters are essential for keeping track of the daily activities in the Cruise Compass. I sadly added my highlighter to the others, and made a mental note to get a new one in Key West. We made it through security without a hitch and went to wait in the A line at the Southwest gate. While we waited, I bought a diet coke for the trip. I (stupidly) assumed if you bought something in the secure area you could carry it on the plane. Oh, no, you can’t. I was stopped just as I set foot through the gate. At least they just threw it away and didn’t make a big scene. The plane was 20-30 minutes late, so we left Nashville around 10:15 am. After an uneventful flight, we landed in Ft. Lauderdale at about 1:15 pm. I have never flown in the day of the cruise. We always fly or drive in at least the day before. After I heard of the heightened security I made all kinds of mental notes of how we could catch up with the ship in Key West if we didn’t make it on time. When we went down to baggage claim there was a RCI rep looking for folks who had purchased transfers. We didn’t, so we asked if they had room, and how much they charged. She replied they may have room, and it was $12 per person. Our cousin, who was supposed to arrive an hour before us, was to be waiting at our baggage carousel, but she wasn’t there. We got our bags and went upstairs to see if we could find someone to ask about her flight. She left Pittsburgh very early on Delta, and had a stop at JFK in NYC before heading to Ft. Lauderdale. It turned out that her flight was delayed at JFK, and she got in around the same time we did. We went outside to the taxi area and asked for the price to the port. It was $15 plus tip for all 3 of us, so we never went back to the RCI rep. We were at the port in about 7 minutes.

 

I never received my paper documents, and asked my travel agent if she could get me the edocs. She said all we really needed was the SetSail pass, so that is all we had when we arrived at the dock. I was a bit skeptical, but she was right. I am Platinum, while my companions are Gold, so we went to the regular checkin desk. They allowed us to use separate credit cards for each Sea Pass, which was great. When Harry (who my cousin wanted to smuggle on the ship with us) went to find our Sea Passes, he came back and asked if per chance we were in a suite. I WISH!!! We had booked an inside guaranty, and I supposed it was possible to be visited by the Upgrade Fairy, but it was not to be. Our Passes were in the Platinum/Diamond/Suite section, so even if only one member of your party is elevated status, you can all check in there.

 

We were on the ship 15 minutes after arriving at the port. We arrived at our cabin to find we were assigned cabin 3123, which is an access cabin on deck 3. I hoped we had not deprived someone else a cruise because we were in that stateroom. I won’t say any more about the stateroom. Our attendant was Richard from Jamaica, and he was WONDERFUL. He had robes waiting for all of us and said he didn’t want to leave just one for me because the other girls would be jealous. He brought us goodies every night. We had lotions and shampoos and chocolate and coffee and the C&A picture frames. Again, Richard was THE BEST!

 

We headed to the Windjammer to begin our 4 days of eating. I was surprised to see there was no hand sanitizer at the Windjammer entrance. The salads were the first thing we came to. It was a weird set up, where you go in a semicircle to get to the different stations, and no one knew which direction you were supposed to be going. The food was fresh and plentiful, and everyone found something they liked. The Windjammer was very crowded, and it took a few minutes of carrying our plates around to find a vacant table. I suggest you send one member of your party to find a seat so you don’t end up wandering around with your hands full looking for one.

 

After we ate, we went out to find a place where I could have a cigarette. Yes, I am a loathsome smoker, and the only one in our party. The seating outside the Windjammer was done in teak and granite, and was the prettiest I have seen on a ship. When we were on the Vision in March, the staff covered each pretty tile table with white formica tops. What a mistake. I’m sure they are easier to keep clean, but to cover tile with formica……..

 

My sister hadn’t been on a RCI ship since the 80s. My cousin also cruised in the 80s, and more recently on the Majesty. Neither of them had been on a ship with a Solarium, and were very impressed with Enchantment’s. We wandered around checking out the different areas on the ship. Then it was time for the muster drill, and we dutifully went to stand in line. It was fairly quick and painless. There were fewer stragglers than on previous cruises. We returned our life jackets to the room and headed back to the pool deck for sail away. I bought a round of drinks and we relaxed from the hectic day of getting to the ship on time.

 

They were having liquor tasting at the Shops on Board, and that was a mistake. People are crazy when there is free liquor to be had. Even if it is teeny tiny cups. I purchased an overpriced Royal Caribbean lighter to replace the one I left at home, knowing that I had to give it up again in 4 days. We went back to the room to get ready for the night’s entertainment, the singers and dancers and comedian Billy Garran. The show was OK to good. It was then that I found out that our cruise director was Paul Rutter and this was his first week on the ship.

 

I had chosen late seating at a large table. We received table 404 on deck 4, a 6 top. We enjoy meeting new people and we were looking forward to meeting our tablemates. They never showed up the entire cruise. Our waiter was Catalin from Romania, our assistant waiter was Julia. I can’t remember where she was from, but she pronounced her name Hoolya. Catalin was an absolute dream. He has a wonderful attitude and took superb care of us each night. The food in the dining room was above average. I wouldn’t say the best I ever had (Celebrity), but very good. I have heard others say they didn’t get enough to eat, but I found the portions were more than enough.

 

After dinner we went to the Champagne Terrace. Me for a smoke, and my sister in search of a cold diet coke in a can. Yes, she is an addict, and it has to be out of a can. No glasses with ice for her! There, we were fortunate to meet Marianna from Mexico. My sister asked for a cold diet coke, and Marianna explained that they save the room in the fridge for beer. My sister decided to just get a warm can and use it as a replacement for the cold one in our mini fridge. Marianna said she would keep a few diet cokes in the fridge just for her. And she did, the entire cruise. I can’t say enough that Marianna went above and beyond. She always had a smile, an ashtray, and a cold diet coke. We went to the casino and I actually came out ahead. We were exhausted, and went back to our cabin to unpack and get ready for the day ahead.

[LSM1018]

I was up and at the pool deck (for coffee and a smoke) before sunrise. We were docked in Key West, and the sunrise was obscured by clouds. My cousin knew where to come looking for me. She was already in her bathing suit and spent a little while in a lounge chair and then in the hot tub. She had it all to herself. It sprinkled a little bit, and we went back to the cabin to wake my sister to go to breakfast before going in to Key West. We ate in the Windjammer, and the breakfast was excellent. We met a party of 9, and I shared some coupons that I had printed for buy-one-get-one-free for various attractions. I found them on the Ports of Call boards.

 

We got off the ship around 11, and went to Eckerd’s where I could replace my highlighter. We shopped a bit and then went to the info desk for the Couch Train tour. The tour was an hour and a half, and by then we didn’t have enough time as we had to be back on the ship by 1:30. Oh well. We went to Margaritaville and had a drink and then did some more shopping. I had seen a show on the Food Network (Paula Dean’s sons) about Key West. They featured the key-lime-pie-on-a-stick-dipped-in-chocolate at the Blond Giraffe. I checked out their web site before we left and found to order the pie, it was $165. Granted, it was 15 slices, but $165…….. So, I thought even it was $10 a slice, I had to have me some of that. We found the store without much problem, but the sign on the door said they didn’t open until 1. I was devastated. But then, the sign pointed us around the corner to another Blond Giraffe, so I was happy again. Folks, that pie is the die for. And it was only $3.50 for a slice. After expecting $10, I felt like I saved a bundle.

 

We went back to the ship, ate lunch in the Windjammer, then settled into a few lounge chairs. I can’t find my Cruise Compass for the remainder of the day, but I believe the Platinum/Diamond reception was that afternoon. I went up and explained that I would not attend because I was with others that were not invited. The Loyalty Ambassador (I can’t remember her name) told me to bring them along, so we headed to the Viking Crown Lounge. The appetizers and drinks were very good.

 

I had brought my laptop so we could keep in touch with family during the cruise. I went to the Internet Café and set up an account and prepaid $25 for 60 minutes. I also used my C&A coupon for another $7.50 credit. There were various hot spots around the ship. All the lounges on deck 6, the library on deck 7, the Solarium on deck 9, and the Viking Crown on deck 11. I had also brought a USB VoIP phone and was able to use Skype to call home. Skype calls to US land and cell lines are free through the end of the year, or at least that’s what I thought. It turned out that only calls inside the US to lines in the US are free. But, it was only two cents a minute, so it was way cheaper than any other method of telephone calls. The wireless connection was better than I expected. Not as fast as my DSL at home, but much better than dial up.

 

We then spent a little more time in the casino, and I was again ahead. We got ready for formal night and went to the Capitan’s reception. The Bacardi cocktails were tasty. It was then that I found out our Capitan, Tor Olson, just got on the ship Thursday. New Cruise Director and a new Capitan. Capitan Olson was very engaging and introduced everyone to the Ship’s Officers.

 

My companions didn’t want to have formal portraits made, so we waited with Marianna for dinner. We had another good meal in the Dining Room. I went back to the casino. This time, I lost everything I had gained and then some. My cousin went to the show and said it was OK. We went back to the cabin for a good night’s sleep.

 

The ship wasn’t supposed to dock in Cozumel until later in the morning, so my sister and I went to the Dining Room for breakfast. I had to request runny yolks in my Eggs Benedict, and they were perfect. We met some nice folks from Virginia and New York and had a very pleasant breakfast.

 

The ship was not able to dock on time due to the current (or was it a new Capitan???). We lost an hour, so the Capitan said we could stay an extra hour in port. I heard that RCI helped rebuild the dock after Hurricane Wilma, so we docked while the 2 Carnival ships in port tendered in. The Carnival passengers made it to town sooner than we did, even with tendering.

 

We got in the line for a taxi, which moved surprisingly fast. We asked to be dropped of at the Forum Shops, as they were at the end of the shopping district. It was $2 per person. My favorite shopping destination in Cozumel is Los Cinco Soles. They have the best souvenirs. My favorite is a beach bag, mexican blanket, 2 shot glasses, and a liter of Tequila. On previous trips, they charged $20, but on this trip, it was $14.95. Since we couldn’t carry liquids on the plane and I was afraid to pack glass bottles in my checked bag, I had to pass it up.

 

We did a lot more shopping and then stopped and had $1 beers. That was one of the best beers I have ever had. It could be because it was about 190 degrees outside. We downed the beers in record time, and I set off to find a henna tattoo. Not a good thing to do after almost shooting a beer! I found a place and asked the guy how much. He replied it depended on size. I asked what he had for $5, and we settled on a 2 inch sun which he quickly placed on my ankle. It was supposed to last 2-3 weeks, but it is fading fast. We then went to Carlos and Charlie’s. I have never been to Cozumel without the kids, and C&C’s was not a place I wanted to take them. This was the first time I have been outside the entrance and not seen kids throwing up in the street. Maybe because it was fairly early in the day??? Anyway, we ventured inside for the show consisting of a whole lot of bumping and grinding courtesy of the patrons. I could now see why there was so much vomiting on my earlier trips. The C&C staff poured shots and pitchers into every mouth on the dance (that’s putting it mildly) floor. But, be prepared, if you are not on the dance floor, they charge you for the shots. We found that out the hard way. We had a ring side table, and I asked our waiter what was in the pitchers. He replied sangria, and returned to pour us a sample. Carlos and Charlie’s is not a place for the faint of heart.

 

Cozumel, or at least the shopping district, is almost back to pre-Wilma shape. I was surprised how lovely it was after such a devastating storm. You have to hand it to the folks there.

 

We were too late for lunch, so we had Afternoon Snacks in the Windjammer. It was surprisingly good. I’ve heard many comments to the contrary, but I found the pizza to be wonderful!

 

The show that night was before dinner, “Chucky” & David Morgan. Chucky is a puppet. My cousin is a kindergarten teacher, and even she thought it was juvenile. We left after the 50th time Chucky said “stupid” and went to hang out with Marianna while waiting for dinner.

 

After an excellent dinner, we went to lose more money in the Casino. The Casino is one of the prettiest I have seen. There is a raised floor at the entrance with all kinds of sea things under glass. It was beautiful. We didn’t make it to the Love and Marriage game show, and went back to the cabin for bed. I knew I had to get up early to get a lounge chair for our lone sea day!

 

Evidently no one gets up as early as I do, and there was absolutely no one at the pool deck. I got 3 lounge chairs by the pool and was, within minutes, joined by my companions. We took turns getting breakfast so as to not appear to be chair hogs. I waited in line for an omlette, and it was worth the wait. We had ring side seats for the ice carving demonstration and the sexy legs contest. The pool bar is the nicest I have seen on any ship. It runs horizontal to the pool on the port side of the ship and has about 20 stools. It’s great to sit there and see the ocean. On the starboard side of the ship are large “portholes” built into the pool deck so you can look down and see the waves.

 

We stayed at the pool most of the day and finally returned to the cabin to get our tips in order. I almost always tip more than the suggested, and this time we felt our service was so good we tipped double. Dinner was, again, excellent.

 

We had early flights home, 11:45 and 12:15, so earlier in the cruise I had requested self disembarkation. I was given Travel Lite 1, and we were among the first off the ship. It’s a good thing, because we were assigned Purple 1 which may have gotten us off the ship too late to catch our flight. We waited in our stateroom until we were called at 8:15, and we were at the airport by 8:45, in more than enough time to catch our flights. We waited again in the Southwest A line, and I then had the worst experience of the vacation. The woman in front of me turned around and threw up all over my backpack. Gross!!!!!! Thank goodness it was all zipped up and my sister had a washcloth in her purse. I was able to get most of it off. I must have taken off a layer of skin washing my hands. When I got home, I removed all of my stuff and into the trash went the backpack.

 

To sum it all up, the Enchantment is a wonderful ship, with an even more wonderful staff, and I would have loved to have sailed her longer. With Southwest’s DING! fare of $39 from Nashville to Ft. Lauderdale, I will sail her again as soon as I can!

[madelyn]

Thanks for the review!:)

I sailed on Enchantment pre and post stretch. She is a great ship. We are going back in Dec.

You just brought back all my memories and now I can't wait...guess I will have to.

[phillychick]

I'm sailing the Enchantment on 8/28 & after your wonderful review, can't wait to board. Thanks for the indepth review.:)

 

Barbara from Philly

[tw67]

Thanks so much for the review! I will be on the same cruise with Barbara from Philly! How was the cruise director? I know you said he just got on the ship. Thanks again! I am so excited, I can't even sit still!!

 

Terry

[LSM1018]

Thanks so much for the review! I will be on the same cruise with Barbara from Philly! How was the cruise director? I know you said he just got on the ship. Thanks again! I am so excited, I can't even sit still!!

 

Terry

 

The only time I saw him was at shows and activities. He was OK, but nothing to write home about.

[aggie0811]

Great review! I'll be on her Sept. 2 and I'm counting the seconds.

[ScottieLuvr]

Thanks for a great review! My two sisters are treating me to a first-ever sister's vacation in honor of my upcoming 50th birthday. Boy, it sure sounds like we'll have a wonderful cruise and it'll be quite a treat for us. We sail on 9/11, 5 day.

 

Cathy from Elgin, Illinois

[mommabean]

Thanks so much for the review! I will be on the same cruise with Barbara from Philly! How was the cruise director? I know you said he just got on the ship. Thanks again! I am so excited, I can't even sit still!!

 

Terry

I just got off the 8/14 sailing and I think the cruise director was great. He is very different than any other one I've had. I felt he is down to earth and very approachable. If you get out there and do things, you will see plenty of him. His name is Paul Rutter. He is very tall and thin. I found him to be most interesting. Go to the behind the scenes tour and you will find out a lot of interesting things, have the opportunity to ask him questions, and if you like, you can speak to him personally after the tour. He seems unrushed and is very friendly.

 

Also, be sure to go to the schooner bar at night. James Barr is the piano player/entertainer there. He plays and sings every night. I enjoyed him a lot. He gets off the ship on Sept. 7th.

[tw67]

I just got off the 8/14 sailing and I think the cruise director was great. He is very different than any other one I've had. I felt he is down to earth and very approachable. If you get out there and do things, you will see plenty of him. His name is Paul Rutter. He is very tall and thin. I found him to be most interesting. Go to the behind the scenes tour and you will find out a lot of interesting things, have the opportunity to ask him questions, and if you like, you can speak to him personally after the tour. He seems unrushed and is very friendly.

 

Also, be sure to go to the schooner bar at night. James Barr is the piano player/entertainer there. He plays and sings every night. I enjoyed him a lot. He gets off the ship on Sept. 7th.

 

 

Oh, I guess I can hang out at the schooner bar at night if you say he is good!! I am sure my arm can be twisted enough!! I love piano players, so trust me, that is what I am looking for! I am not into the "club" and dancing scene, and it isn't too hard to convince my husband to go with me to the bar!! :D

 

When is the behind the scenes tour? (if you remember??) I love things like that!!

 

Terry

[jillybabes]

Thanks for the review, we will be on the ship Jan 15th, 5 nt ...Our first aft cabin:D ...Later, Jill:cool:

[mommabean]

Oh, I guess I can hang out at the schooner bar at night if you say he is good!! I am sure my arm can be twisted enough!! I love piano players, so trust me, that is what I am looking for! I am not into the "club" and dancing scene, and it isn't too hard to convince my husband to go with me to the bar!! :D

 

When is the behind the scenes tour? (if you remember??) I love things like that!!

 

Terry

 

Terry,

 

The behind the scenes tour was on our sea day - the last day of our cruise.

 

James Barr really is good. He'll take some requests. He's friendly. And you might even be able to get a seat right at his piano on one of the stools going around it. On some cruises you need to get there early for a piano seat. Other times everyone is too timid to sit there and the stools are there for the taking at any time.

[Merion_Mom]

The plane was 20-30 minutes late, so we left Nashville around 10:15 am. After an uneventful flight, we landed in Ft. Lauderdale at about 1:15 pm. I have never flown in the day of the cruise. We always fly or drive in at least the day before. After I heard of the heightened security I made all kinds of mental notes of how we could catch up with the ship in Key West if we didn’t make it on time.

 

Lisa, thank you for a very enjoyable review.

 

I just wanted to let you know that if you HAD missed the ship in Fort Lauderdale, you would NOT have been permitted to board the ship in Key West. That would be a violation of the PSA, the Passenger Services Act, more commonly known as the Jones Act.

 

I know that you or someone will ask, "What's that?", so here's a very lucid explanation:

http://www.sealetter.com/Oct-99/alancol.html

[LSM1018]

Lisa, thank you for a very enjoyable review.

 

I just wanted to let you know that if you HAD missed the ship in Fort Lauderdale, you would NOT have been permitted to board the ship in Key West. That would be a violation of the PSA, the Passenger Services Act, more commonly known as the Jones Act.

 

I know that you or someone will ask, "What's that?", so here's a very lucid explanation:

http://www.sealetter.com/Oct-99/alancol.html

 

MM,

I'm glad you didn't tell me that while I was making my plans. It was the one thing that kept me sane. I don't think I will fly in the day of the cruise again. Too much stress! Thanks for the tip. :o

Lisa

[cruiser82]

Hello, I'm on the same cruise as Barbara and Terry (they beat me to this thread!). Thanks for your review. Do you remember if 'Stage to Screen' was still being performed? I heard about it from a past Enchantment passenger and it sounded really interesting.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise :)

[UGADawg579]

Had a quick question, my wife and myself, along with another couple will be on the 8/28 cruise. Is there any dancing that you can do at night? Like in the clubs on the Voyager class ships (The Dungeon)?

[piercetc4]

thanks for the review- we get to go on the enchantment sept 7th - will miss the piano player but know we will have a wonderful time anyway..... am sure his replacement will be good as well-

[beej]

Lisa, thanks for the great review. I too am on the 8/28 cruise with Phillychick, Terry and Niya and now UGADAWG579. Welcome and come meet us at the pool bar at 3PM.

 

After that review, I can't wait forthis week to be over and be on my way. do you remember if they played Quest one night?

 

Again, thanx for the great review Beej

[mommabean]

Hello, I'm on the same cruise as Barbara and Terry (they beat me to this thread!). Thanks for your review. Do you remember if 'Stage to Screen' was still being performed? I heard about it from a past Enchantment passenger and it sounded really interesting.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise :)

 

Niya,

 

This show was performed on my cruise but it was also the last cruise for this particular cast. They did not say if the new cast of the Royal Caribbean singers and dancers getting on the ship on 8/19 would be doing the same show.

 

Personally, it was the least favorite of all the shows I've seen. But I didn't know any of the songs so that makes a difference to me. If you know a lot of stage music, you will probably like it, if that's what the new singers will be performing.

[mommabean]

Had a quick question, my wife and myself, along with another couple will be on the 8/28 cruise. Is there any dancing that you can do at night? Like in the clubs on the Voyager class ships (The Dungeon)?

 

The regular dancing was going on in the Viking Crown lounge on my cruise. That was a first since that is usually the more quiet and subdued area.

 

There was also a lot of latin dancing going on in Boleros each night. Some of the dancers were really good - nice to watch. I couldn't help but wonder if they have their own choreographed dance steps or if they are really that in tune with each other to not miss a beat.

[mommabean]

Hello, I'm on the same cruise as Barbara and Terry (they beat me to this thread!). Thanks for your review. Do you remember if 'Stage to Screen' was still being performed? I heard about it from a past Enchantment passenger and it sounded really interesting.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise :)

 

 

One more thing Niya, I saw your room. I went on a tour. What a treat you are in for. Tell Eulalee that the Smythes say hello. We loved her. She always had a smile on her face and kept our room tidy and clean always.

 

Unlike my room - a GS - I understand that your room is nice and quiet - soundproof apparently. I never in my life heard so much "thunder" overhead. At 5am every morning there were carts rolling around in the Windjammer directly over my room. The woman who had your room never heard a thing.

[tw67]

One more thing Niya, I saw your room. I went on a tour. What a treat you are in for. Tell Eulalee that the Smythes say hello. We loved her. She always had a smile on her face and kept our room tidy and clean always.

 

Unlike my room - a GS - I understand that your room is nice and quiet - soundproof apparently. I never in my life heard so much "thunder" overhead. At 5am every morning there were carts rolling around in the Windjammer directly over my room. The woman who had your room never heard a thing.

 

 

By chance when you were taking a tour of Niya's room, did you notice the family size stateroom across the hall, the other room right next to the bridge?? I have never been able to see a picture of it, and I am dying to find out what it looks like...of course in a week I will!!!!

 

Terry

[cruiser82]

Niya,

 

This show was performed on my cruise but it was also the last cruise for this particular cast. They did not say if the new cast of the Royal Caribbean singers and dancers getting on the ship on 8/19 would be doing the same show.

 

Personally, it was the least favorite of all the shows I've seen. But I didn't know any of the songs so that makes a difference to me. If you know a lot of stage music, you will probably like it, if that's what the new singers will be performing.

 

Thanks for the info, I would have been really disappointed if I was already on the cruise and found out that the show wasn't being performed! I like most musical theater songs and would go to any show featuring them, but like you I enjoy the show better when I'm familiar with the songs. Thanks again :)

[mommabean]

Terry, No I didn't see your room. The door was down the other hall and I never even walked over to that side on my deck. I bet it is plenty roomy though.

[Merion_Mom]

MM,

I'm glad you didn't tell me that while I was making my plans. It was the one thing that kept me sane. I don't think I will fly in the day of the cruise again. Too much stress! Thanks for the tip. :o

Lisa

Lisa, I am glad that your timing worked out after all, too. :)

 

In case you didn't realize from my wording or haven't read my posts in years gone by, I missed my cruise in Fort Lauderdale and THOUGHT that I could catch up with it in Key West. :rolleyes: (if you care, you can click on the links in my signature next to "Jewel")