Back from Enchantment otS

[RBOrrell]

Hello all,

 

We are back in snowy Ontario after a week away - 5 nights aboard the Enchantment and a day at the beginning and end in Fort Lauderdale.

 

My wife and I's second cruise (first one was on Serenade) and the first for our children.

 

Overall it was a good trip - weather was great. Key West was a great stop - too bad it was for only a half day. Cozumel was good - daughter and I swam with the dolphins. Belize - not terribly impressed - spoke to alot of other people and they agreed. Even spoke to one of the headlining entertainers in the elevator and he agreed about Belize.

 

We sailed on March 12 and we were in two 3rd deck inside rooms. Rooms were fine for what you are there for.

 

I would not reccomend this time of year to anyone however. It was our kid's March break (Spring Break to residents of the USA) and it coincided with the break of what seemed like half of the student body of UCF (University of Central Florida). The alcohol was flowing freely and they more or less took over the pool area. Younger children were not able to use much of the pool because of their loud behaviours and some excessive language. Lot's of debutantes were flaunting their wares as were the jocks.

 

During our first night on board, we were woken up around 3:00am by what sounded like a fight or wrestling. We heard someone throw-up (in the hall I think) and then they proceeded to knock on various doors. We heard later that the captain kicked some UCF people off the ship in Key West because of unruley conduct. Not sure if it was from the incident in our hallway or not.

 

The crowning acheivement (although it is not a young person's thing) was the near-porn level sexual encounter that we had a front row ear for around 2:30am the last two nights we were on board. She was very vocal managed at least a solid hour. They were in the room beside us and we could hear pretty much everything. Good for her! :o

 

If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to ask and I hope to answer them.

[wolfcathorse]

Who was your captain? Glad to hear he wasn't afraid to boot unruly passengers!

[PH8]

After crusing on the MJ March 9th,I swore I would rather cruise with kids rather than SBers........they werent too bad on our cruise(even thou they put bubbles in the hot tubs),but we heard the stories of what they did the week before(stole bottles of liquor from the Schooner Bar, knocked on doors late at night, drank waaaaaaaaay too much,etc)..........

[mommabean]

Sorry to hear about the naughty UCFers. I have one of those - she opted to eat her way through France for credit for her Spring break - lucky girl. Her flight arrived home 2 hours late last night - she missed the last connection to Orlando so DH went to MIA - picked her and her friend up and drove them all the way back so she wouldn't miss class this morning. Her 3rd year - hasn't missed class yet...or so she says. ;)

 

Anyway - who is now the cruise director on The Enchantment? I'm going soon and wondering if it is Paul or Carly at this time.

 

I agree about Belize - we did your same itinerary last August. That's why we are doing the 4 nighter that skips Belize but still hits Key West and Cozumel. We have a friend in Key West and I love Cozumel. Not to mention I miss Julian. I need my concierge entertainment fix. :D Oh, the ship is pretty nice, too!

[RBOrrell]

Who was your captain? Glad to hear he wasn't afraid to boot unruly passengers!

 

The captain was Tor Olsen.

[RBOrrell]

Sorry to hear about the naughty UCFers. I have one of those - she opted to eat her way through France for credit for her Spring break - lucky girl. Her flight arrived home 2 hours late last night - she missed the last connection to Orlando so DH went to MIA - picked her and her friend up and drove them all the way back so she wouldn't miss class this morning. Her 3rd year - hasn't missed class yet...or so she says. ;)

 

Anyway - who is now the cruise director on The Enchantment? I'm going soon and wondering if it is Paul or Carly at this time.

 

I agree about Belize - we did your same itinerary last August. That's why we are doing the 4 nighter that skips Belize but still hits Key West and Cozumel. We have a friend in Key West and I love Cozumel. Not to mention I miss Julian. I need my concierge entertainment fix. :D Oh, the ship is pretty nice, too!

 

The CD is Paul Rutter.

 

By the way, the entertainment was great on this cruise. There was a comic the first night who did an all-adult show the last night. At Cozumel we picked up Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (Ricky Nelson's sons - Ozzie's grandsons) and they performed that night. They also performed in the Centrum during the day at sea. I met them in the elevator after coming back from Belize and we chatted a bit - seems they were similarly not impressed with Belize.

[Gnote]

Was on the Enchantment of The Seas March 12th. Been on 5 prior Princess Cruises. I will stick with Princess. The Food on R.C. was terrible the buffets closed really early. No Seafood Night. Ask for a ashtray at the pool deck bar was given an empty beer can by a uncaring bar tender. I could go on and on overall worst Cruise ever....

[mommabean]

Well, hopefully by the time I go on Enchantment again on April 5th, Spring Break will be mostly over for college students and it will be back to business as usual - a great cruise on a great ship.

 

I always think they do a great job on the food considering the tremendous quantity they have to prepare. I intend on going to Chops one night for food that is better than any on land steak house where I've eaten. In August the food in Chops was GREAT - although the service was a little odd because I don't think the waiter and the asst. liked each other. It seemed they were faking it and just trying to make it through the night together.

 

It will be interesting for me to see if Paul Rutter is still on board when we go. He's my all time favorite which is strange because so many people don't seem overly impressed with him. A CD wouldn't make or break my cruise though - only I could do that. :)

 

I'm not sure that unruly Spring Breakers could ruin it for me or not. I hope I never have to find out.

 

I've never needed an ash tray. I don't know what I'd think if I got a beer can. Maybe that was an odd attempt at being funny. I think I would have said, "No, I want a real one please...thank you in advance." Or something like that.

 

I can't help but wonder if anyone has ever complained about the entertainment in the concierge lounge. :D I happen to love that, too.

 

The Nelsons were on my very first cruise. I hope we get someone special on my next cruise. I had Johnny Thunder on my first 2 Majesty cruises. Having someone extra special seems to be the luck of the draw.

[Laurie12820]

Hello all,

 

We are back in snowy Ontario after a week away - 5 nights aboard the Enchantment and a day at the beginning and end in Fort Lauderdale.

 

My wife and I's second cruise (first one was on Serenade) and the first for our children.

 

Overall it was a good trip - weather was great. Key West was a great stop - too bad it was for only a half day. Cozumel was good - daughter and I swam with the dolphins. Belize - not terribly impressed - spoke to alot of other people and they agreed. Even spoke to one of the headlining entertainers in the elevator and he agreed about Belize.

 

We sailed on March 12 and we were in two 3rd deck inside rooms. Rooms were fine for what you are there for.

 

I would not reccomend this time of year to anyone however. It was our kid's March break (Spring Break to residents of the USA) and it coincided with the break of what seemed like half of the student body of UCF (University of Central Florida). The alcohol was flowing freely and they more or less took over the pool area. Younger children were not able to use much of the pool because of their loud behaviours and some excessive language. Lot's of debutantes were flaunting their wares as were the jocks.

 

During our first night on board, we were woken up around 3:00am by what sounded like a fight or wrestling. We heard someone throw-up (in the hall I think) and then they proceeded to knock on various doors. We heard later that the captain kicked some UCF people off the ship in Key West because of unruley conduct. Not sure if it was from the incident in our hallway or not.

 

The crowning acheivement (although it is not a young person's thing) was the near-porn level sexual encounter that we had a front row ear for around 2:30am the last two nights we were on board. She was very vocal managed at least a solid hour. They were in the room beside us and we could hear pretty much everything. Good for her! :o

 

If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to ask and I hope to answer them.

 

Sorry to hear about the Spring Breakers. We are going in July and can't wait!

[PH8]

Was on the Enchantment of The Seas March 12th. Been on 5 prior Princess Cruises. I will stick with Princess. The Food on R.C. was terrible the buffets closed really early. No Seafood Night. Ask for a ashtray at the pool deck bar was given an empty beer can by a uncaring bar tender. I could go on and on overall worst Cruise ever....

To each his own...thats why there are many cruise lines to pick from........

[Tanker4]

To each his own...thats why there are many cruise lines to pick from........

We were on the March 12th cruise on the Enchantment and it was one of the best we've ever been on. As a previous poster noted, "To each his own" I guess.

 

Tanker4

[BethCarp]

How old are your kids? Did they go to Adventure Ocean at all? My kids will be 3 and 6 when we go in November. I assume in you were in Chankanaab for the dolphin swim? Not sure if we'll do the swim, but we might want to explore the park. Did you do anything else in Coz? What did you do in Key West? I'm not seeing anything of interest there, so we'll probably just get some lunch and wander around a bit.

[Firefighterhoop]

I have tried 1 short spring break cruise and will never do that again, as for the same problems you described, and I am younger! :) Hopefully those little events (Which I ran into the same problems with) didn't ruin a lot of your vacation, and you were able to make the best out of things.

 

I guess I know for sure when not to plan a cruise now!

 

We had Capt. Tor Olsen on the Mariner 2 years ago, seemed like a really nice guy.

 

Scott

[Firefighterhoop]

Was on the Enchantment of The Seas March 12th. Been on 5 prior Princess Cruises. I will stick with Princess. The Food on R.C. was terrible the buffets closed really early. No Seafood Night. Ask for a ashtray at the pool deck bar was given an empty beer can by a uncaring bar tender. I could go on and on overall worst Cruise ever....

 

 

I like the food on RCCL better, But I do have to agree, it is nice on princess where the buffet is open every night 24hrs, so if you get hungry for a midnight snack they have a pretty big selection, which changes everynight from pizza, to sandwiches deserts (Princess).

 

Some of my family likes RCCL, some princess, so as people have said, what ever blows your dress up;)

 

Scott

[lojill]

Thanks for your review it was good and precise. We are going March 31st on Enchantment with our kids because that is when they are on spring break. I hope most of the teenagers have gone back to school beginning April. Some college start their quarter in April. I'm from Columbus,oh. Anybody with more information that will help. We had no choice but book it now. Was the weather good or windy.

[RBOrrell]

How old are your kids? Did they go to Adventure Ocean at all? My kids will be 3 and 6 when we go in November. I assume in you were in Chankanaab for the dolphin swim? Not sure if we'll do the swim, but we might want to explore the park. Did you do anything else in Coz? What did you do in Key West? I'm not seeing anything of interest there, so we'll probably just get some lunch and wander around a bit.

 

Our kids are 18 and 11/ We went to Adventure Ocean to check it out for the younger one but she was interested in hanging out with us instead.

 

Yes, we were at Chankanaab for the dolphin swim. We booked it online with Dolphin Discovery rather than through RCCL. Saved some money that way. It was only a 5 minute / $10 taxi ride each way. We got there around 10 local time and stayed there until 3 or 4 local time. You can get some $2 off coupons for admission to the park at their web site as well.

 

Key West was a walk-about place. We walked up to Hemingway's house (did not go in - there was quite a line up). Looked in some shops. I bought some cigars at Sunset Cigar, had a mojito at Willie T's. I was thinking about doing a para-sail but did not get around to it.

[ms-getaway]

My boyfriend and I will be on the enchantment May3rd for the 4 nighter. (this is his first cruise ever and his first time flying, what a sheltered life lol) We are 30, and 34. and like to have fun. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do fairly inexpensive in key west and cozumel? This is pretty much a quick getaway and we are still veryyyyy happy just being together. for him a cold beer and being together:D Any ideas are greatly appreciated. I tend to try to stay away from the overpriced shore excursions that the ship offers. not scared to venture out on my own armed with the right information.

[BethCarp]

Does anyone have any ideas on what to do fairly inexpensive in key west and cozumel? This is pretty much a quick getaway and we are still veryyyyy happy just being together. for him a cold beer and being together:D Any ideas are greatly appreciated. I tend to try to stay away from the overpriced shore excursions that the ship offers. not scared to venture out on my own armed with the right information.

 

You should hop over to the Cozumel section on the Ports-of Call boards. There's plenty of info on beach excursions that you can do on your own. The main one that's talked about over there is Paradise Beach. The manager even posts here. Of course there are plenty of others too that are talked about.

[sprite]

Hi RBO - we'll be staying in a deck 3 inside cabin as well - do you have any pics of yours you can share? Can you tell me if the showers have those curtains (that like to stick to you) or the sliding doors? I've never stayed in an inside cabin - ever feel confined? Anything to recommend I bring for the cabin?

 

Also, would you happen to know if they serve Raspberry Bacardi at the bars?

 

Thanks!

[RBOrrell]

Hi RBO - we'll be staying in a deck 3 inside cabin as well - do you have any pics of yours you can share? Can you tell me if the showers have those curtains (that like to stick to you) or the sliding doors? I've never stayed in an inside cabin - ever feel confined? Anything to recommend I bring for the cabin?

 

Also, would you happen to know if they serve Raspberry Bacardi at the bars?

 

Thanks!

 

Hi Sprite.

 

We were in 3579 and 3581. While they were beside each other, they did not have doors to each other - the doors went to cabins on the other sides (hence the free audio porno :) ). I don't have any pictures of it unfortunitly. I did not take any with my digital and the films are still at the processor.

 

The showers had the sliding doors (circular shower) and the bathrooms were exactly the same as the ones in the balcony cabin we had on Serenade in Nov 2005.

 

I never felt confined in the cabin. There is alot of storage space (drawers, cupboards, etc.). When you enter the room, the closet is behind the door as it opens, the bathroom on the opposite side. There is a sitting area with one chair and a small glass top table. The dresser/desk had a chair and the TV was there and the safe above it. There were at least 4 drawers on either side of the dresser/desk and there were storage areas on either side of the mirror. Our empty suitcases fit under the bed and one of them is quite large. The only thing with the inside rooms was the utter darkness - even during daytime, if the lights were out. To prevent stubbed toes, we left the bathroom light on at night when sleeping (a crack at the top and bottom shone through). We gave our kids in the next room a flashlight too. The phones did not have the clock feature on them, so I would suggest a travel alarm clock if you are the type that wakes up in the night and wonder what time it was - instead of turning on a light.

 

As far as Raspberry Bacardi... most definitly had that. At one point I counted, raspberry, lemon, coconut, mango, melon Bacardis on the shelf. The bartender on Serenade turned me on to raspberry Bacardi, Coke and lime.

[SC_Sam]

My boyfriend and I will be on the enchantment May3rd for the 4 nighter. (this is his first cruise ever and his first time flying, what a sheltered life lol) We are 30, and 34. and like to have fun. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do fairly inexpensive in key west and cozumel? This is pretty much a quick getaway and we are still veryyyyy happy just being together. for him a cold beer and being together:D Any ideas are greatly appreciated. I tend to try to stay away from the overpriced shore excursions that the ship offers. not scared to venture out on my own armed with the right information.

 

Key West is great to just wander around town and explore. A visit to Jimmy Buffett's Original Margaritaville wouldn't be bad.

 

At Cozumel, I'd probably just find a beach to park at.

[ms-getaway]

Thanks sam for the info. I know i would sure like a piece of that chocolate dipped key lime pie on a stick!! and I would love to see Margaritaville, I have been to the one in ocho rios. had a blast!!! Is it easy to find a beach thats nice and offers drinks in coz?? Or is it better to purchase one of A.I. beach breaks??

[elleluv]

If you want a nice beach that serves drinks in Coz, I would just hop in a cab and go to Paradise Beach.... Good service, drinks and food!

[sprite]

Thanks so much for your response. We're going to be in 3081 which is right behind 3581!! We're definitely bringing nightlights (yes, more than one) and a travel clock.

 

Razz and diet coke is my favorite drink of all time so it's great to hear I won't be thirsty. I was so disappointed when I couldn't find it anywhere on the Carib Princess last time. I had to drool at the bottle in the shop on board!

[sherezada]

My boyfriend and I will be on the enchantment May3rd for the 4 nighter. (this is his first cruise ever and his first time flying, what a sheltered life lol) We are 30, and 34. and like to have fun. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do fairly inexpensive in key west and cozumel? This is pretty much a quick getaway and we are still veryyyyy happy just being together. for him a cold beer and being together:D Any ideas are greatly appreciated. I tend to try to stay away from the overpriced shore excursions that the ship offers. not scared to venture out on my own armed with the right information.

 

Hey Ms-Getaway, we are almost in the same boat, no pun intended. This will be the first cruise ever for my boyfriend and I (and our first vacation together as well). He is 30 and I will be 29 aboard the cruise on May 5th (since it falls on a weekend this year, I wanted to do something special, so we decided on a cruise). I too wanted to know of things to do at our stops that didn't require us to shell out too much more money, so I'm glad you asked.

 

By the way, anyone knows if I can get any special treats due to it being my birthday...like a cabin upgrade, perhaps? :D