"Live" Enchantment of the Seas, May 19-28

[Butch Snider]

I'll be sailing on Enchantment out of Baltimore this January, so any information you can share about the port and their boarding/disembarkation procedures would be most appreciated.

[MaryTiller]

I snapped this shot of you departint the Baltimore Cruise Terminal this afternoon. We will be on board Thursday, 6-16-11!!! Can't wait to hear your live report.

[regg1216]

I'm with Jack -- keep her clean and in one piece. I'll wave at you as we are boarding on the 28th. :D

 

Bon Voyage!

Look for Derren with the bar staff, tell him Regina and Mike said Hi and where is my email? Tell him I will be sending chocolate next month.

[Bothofus]

Hope you are having a blast. DH and I will board Enchantment on June 2 also. Can't wait to read your reviews.

 

Rachel

[The Martins]

 

My Favorite Photo is from the Enchantment of the Seas Schooner Bar at sunset

 

Dude, you are WAY overchicked! :D;)

[mpoole3]

hahaha Yeah it happens what can I say!

[crusinmama06]

Dude, you are WAY overchicked! :D;)

 

hahaha Yeah it happens what can I say!

 

Hey! I think its obvious that mpoole is a GENTLEMAN that takes his lady on cruises! That's how he gets the hot chick. ;) Others should take notes!

[sailawayjack]

Hey! I think its obvious that mpoole is a GENTLEMAN that takes his lady on cruises! That's how he gets the hot chick. ;) Others should take notes!

 

:cool:Yeah--no shorts and t-shirts there. The guy learned what ladies are looking for at a young age:cool:JACK IS SAILING IN 8:cool:

[rafinmd]

Sorry I took so long posting from the ship. I think I'm a bit oriented and organized now.

 

I returned to Locust Point Cruise Terminal about 12:45. Security and embarkation were a total of about 20 minutes. There has been some discussion of restrictions of things brought on board. With regard to soft drinks I brought a six pack of diet soda with no problem whatsoever. I also like to eat an apple sliced up with a paring knife. Knowing this might be a problem I bought one at a local hardware store that I was willing to lose(less than $1). The security guards said nothing to me but I heard them talking among themselves about a 4-inch blade limit and mine was under 3.

 

The rooms do not officially open until 2, but when I stopped by the room the key worked and I left my daypack in the closet. I found the ship a bit difficult to navigate at first, with deck diagrams and directions few and far between. I slowly made my way up deck by deck looking for the Windjammer without much idea where I was going. About 1:30 there was an announcement that rooms were open and lunch was served on deck 9. I found the WJ at the very front of the ship.

 

Muster drill was held at 3:30. Muster stations are outside on deck5 by the boats and we were not required to take our life jackets. As of the muster drill I had not received my checked bag so I spent most of the afternoon exploring the ship while checking on the bag periodically.

 

After the muster I headed up to deck 10 for sailaway. We dropped lines at 3:50, about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. It was a fairly tight U-turn to get away from the pier, but we sailed past Ft. Mchenry about 4:20 and under the Key Bridge a half hour later. When I returned to my room the bag was there so I unpacked for about 45 minutes. My steward, Friday introduced himself. I left about 5:45 and went on deck for the sail past the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Annapolis, then down to dinner in the My Fair Lady dining room. I have a table for 4 with Connie and Donnie from Bel Air, about a half hour North of Baltimore and Jetty from Glascow, Scotland. Donnie works for his county government and is about 10 years from retirement. Jetty is mostly retired from a furniture business now run by his sons. He speaks with quite a thick brogue. Bento, from Portugal, is our waiter. This is the first time on RCI for all of us. It seemed like quite a compatible group and we finished dinner about 7:50.

 

The Welcome Aboard Show was at 7:45, one show between dinner seatings. The theater was very crowded and I initially sat on the aisle steps, but after adjusting to the light I ended up in a seat on the first row. There was a short presentation by the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers, an introduction to shipboard activities by Cruise Director Carly Voileau and Activities Manager Paul, and some comedy with Al Katz.

 

Returning to my room, I confirmed that I had made some technological blunders for this cruise. I have 2 digital cameras but in final packing had been unable to locate 1 camera or the charger for the second. Hoping I had earlier packed the missing components I also took my video camera which can take stills. After fully unpacking, I found that I had nothing unexpected. I usually carry a netbook on most cruises. With a short trip to and from the ship, I took my full sized notebook this time. I plug my camera memory directly into the netbook but must use an adapter for the full size laptop and it doesn’t support the large memory cards I am currently using. Fortunately I was able to connect the USB cable from my scanner to the video camera and download my pictures that way (I have now placed smaller memory chips in the camera for future use) but the process was slow. When that was over I was ready for bed.

 

I normally close each day’s post with a “Parting Shot”. It could be anything, related or not to the cruise, the events of the day on or off the ship or most anything else. For today’s parting shot, I have long wanted to do a cruise from my home port of Baltimore. Fort McHenry is pretty low to the ground and not a spectacular sight like the Statue of Liberty but it has such an important place in our history that it was still a great thrill to sail past it.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

I have added photos of the first evening's regular and vitality to my blog at the link on my signature. At this time I have not been able to get the scanned programs to load.

 

Roy

[crusinmama06]

Thank you for the chops menu pages! I know what I'm having. :D

 

Looking forward to the rest of your journey!

[Bothofus]

Hi, Roy.

 

Can't wait to read your next posts! Thanks for the info and pics. I'm from Bel Air, too, so am racking my brain to see if I know any couple named Connie and Donnie :)

 

Hope you're having a blast,

 

Rachel

[Alysia]

Thank you Roy for posting live from the ship. Now I am getting very excited for my cruise on the Enchantment of the Seas. How do you like the ship? Hope you have a great time!

[sailawayjack]

Thank you for the chops menu pages! I know what I'm having. :D

 

Looking forward to the rest of your journey!

 

:cool:Porterhouse sounds real good. Thanks. Keep going strong Roy. I'll be there in 7:cool:JACK IS SAILING AGAIN

[KirkNC]

Bon Voyage, looking forward to your posts.

 

Kirk

[rafinmd]

I’m normally an early bird, and woke this morning at a pretty usual 5am. When I went up to the WJ coffee was on and the wind was rather howling, with a 10kt headwind creating an effective force of 30kt. Walking on the Enchantment of the Seas takes place on the “Jogging Track” on Deck 10. It is above most of the structures of the ship, making nice views but it is quite exposed to the weather. The surface is some kind of painted composite except for a short teak section on each side (I found out at the evening reception that this “bridge” covers the section where the ship was lengthened 70 feet in 2005). I much prefer the teak promenade decks on some other ships but got in a pleasant walk anyway, punctuated by a very beautiful sunrise.

 

After the walk I took a look at the Morning Show with CD Carly Boileau and Activities director Paul, then headed to breakfast.

 

My room 3542 is an outside cabin on deck 3, a quiet location with cabins directly above and below mine. It is one of the smallest cabins I have used on a large ship, large enough for me but it would be a challenge (especially closet space) for a couple. One thing I did not like when I arrived was that the head of the bed was right against the window making it awkward to see out. I casually asked Friday this morning if it would be possible to convert it to twin beds. No problem. The change was made by the time I got back from breakfast and there are now only 2 small nightstands between me and my window.

 

There was a 9:00 “First Time Cruisers Ship Talk and Tour”. While I am hardly new to cruising it is my first time on RCI and Enchantment and I got a quick overview of the ship. I thought the Cruise Critic (computer chat group on cruising) Meet and Mingle was this morning, but there was no one there when I went to the location. When I went to inquire at guest services the person had no clue what this RCI sponsored event was, quite disappointing.

 

On our roll call there was a discussion of decorating doors. A thumbnail of my door is attached.

 

At his noon update Captain Gus (Anderson) told us we were 400 Nautical Miles from Baltimore and expecting mostly good seas and weather.

 

There were not really a lot of afternoon events that interested me and I spent part of the afternoon reading. After trying the pool deck and finding it way too windy to hold a book, the solarium worked a lot better. I think we may have a few Crystal people looking at this thread and I have brought a bit of Crystal with me. I am currently reading “Why Geography Matters” by Harm de Blig. Mr. de Blig was a speaker in their enrichment program on my 2008 Transatlantic Cruise. If I finish that book next is a novel by Kathy Reichs, Forensic Anthropologist, and Novelist and creator of TV’s bones series.

 

I did find my way up to the WJ for afternoon tea and enjoyed a very nice scone.

 

 

This was the first of 2 formal nights on the ship. The Captain’s welcome aboard reception in the Spotlight Lounge was at 5:15 with an introduction of the ship’s officers. Captain Gus noted we have 2376 passengers on board, the largest contingent I have sailed with to date. We generally looked quite good tonight as we enjoyed a pleasant dinner (I had the Duck). The evening entertainment was singer Hal Frazer, doing mostly music from about the 50's to 70's.

 

Today’s parting shot comes from Captain Gus’s words of wisdom at his noon update: “Character is what you do when nobody is watching”.

 

Roy

sked2.pdf

[Philly Steve]

Hi Roy, thanks for the updates!

 

Sorry to hear about the Meet & Mingle miss. You should have received a notice in your stateroom about the event which required registration.

 

Also, during my recent Enchantment cruise, I found coffee service in the Casino one early morning. Seems to be spotty and WJ is the best bet. ;)

 

And, if you get a chance, check out the shipyard worker sculpture near the bar in the Viking Crown. It's pretty cool.

 

[Welovetokruze]

Smooth sailing Roy, My wife and I will be getting on 6-2 for the same cruise (our 4th trip on this itinerary) and our 1st on the Enchantment. Your posts are very enjoyable. Keep up the fine work.

Glenn :D

[rafinmd]

Thanks for all the nice comments. I'm in the Viking Crown Lounge now and I'll check out the sculpture when I sign off.

 

Although I rose again today at 5:30, today’s walk was extended to several small walks. The wind was very brisk this morning and making my way forward on Deck 10 became a tiring chore. I managed only 2 miles before breakfast while taking breaks for Carly’s Morning show, and a little more than a mile after. This morning we had the “Walk for Wishes”, benefitting the Make a Wish Foundation, and that plus a few laps after completed my days walk. I would guess we had probably 200 people doing the walk, including Activities Manager Paul Lancaster and Captain Gus. Total participation including those who purchased shirts but may not have walked was about 300. Captain Gus posed for photos with a number of participants and when I completed my first lap after the organized walk he was still there posing with walkers. Very nice.

 

I’m continuing to explore the ship. I did take a walk around much of the outer deck on deck 5. In theory, at least, it goes most of the way around the ship (parts of it are now closed for maintenance and the bow is never open), but it may be an alternative when it’s just too windy for deck 10. At his noon update Captain Gus told us we have gone 900 nautical miles from Baltimore at an average of 21 knots and we have another 460 left requiring an average of 19.

 

The adult belly flop competition was held at 1PM. I saw only a brief view of the contestant introductions and enjoyed the uncrowded time in WJ during the contest.

 

Dinner was great in the My Fair Lady dining room despite only 3 of us being present. I had the roast beef followed by the pineapple upside down cake.

 

The internet had not been working in the afternoon. There was a 7:45 session of Majority Rules. I was in the Boleros lounge but trying to catch up on online matters so I “kind of” saw the event but missed the details. There were teams of people who were answering questions like “what is the first thing you would take if you had to abandon ship”. The teams seemed to be greatly enjoying themselves. The Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers performed “Cam’t Stop the Rock, a Tribute to Great Movie Music”. The troupe of 4 singers and 7 dancers put on an excellent show. The one sad note on the evening is that the Orpheum Theater is really too small for the size of the ship. People were sitting on the stairs, unable to find seats, 15 minutes before the show. There was a “Love and Marriage” gameshow at 10:30, after my bedtime.

 

Today’s parting shot is becoming something of a habit, starting last October:

 

“Today’s parting shot looks back to another, much different, summer trip I made in 2009. I spent a week at the BSA’s Philmont Training Center in Cimarron, NM. I traveled to New Mexico with a contingent of my Troop’s scouts headed out on a trek, camping with them one night, taking day hikes, and sharing some pre-trek events with them at the Philmont base camp. I explored Santa Fe with 6 of these scouts and 2 of their parents. On Sunday evening (1am Monday my time) one of those six will be recognized as an Eagle Scout. While I look forward eagerly to Alexandria, a part of my heart will be back in Maryland. I will miss the ceremony but was fortunate to be part of this outstanding young man's review panel that confirmed his worthiness for the award. Best wishes, Michael. Congratulations, and well done!

 

Mr. Ferguson”

 

I had a similar parting shot in February and now it’s happening again. Of course I’m thrilled about the event but sorry I will be missing it. The young man being recognized tonight was not one of the 6 I joined in Santa Fe but has been an outstanding member of the group. Kevin, Congratulations and Well Done.

 

Mr. Ferguson

sked3.pdf

[rafinmd]

FWIW, I'll be boarding the Enchantment Thursday for a 9-day (I suspect you'll be NE/Canada while I'm still Caribbean but should still be somewhat the same. I plan a "live" thread and a companion blog with some pictures/scans. I'm hoping to post the schedule page of the paper fairly regularly.

 

Roy

 

I knew I prominised this somewhere (on another thread) and with my technical startup issues I missed day 1, so here it is,'

 

Roy

sked1.pdf

[Alysia]

Hello Roy.... hope you are having a GREAT time. Can you let me know who the Piano player is in the Schooner Bar? Thank you.... Hope you have smooth sailing!

[rotty2]

Hello Roy.... hope you are having a GREAT time. Can you let me know who the Piano player is in the Schooner Bar? Thank you.... Hope you have smooth sailing!

 

Alysia, From the Cruise Compasses that Roy has posted so far it states "Piano entertainment with Angelo in the Schooner Bar".

[Alysia]

Alysia, From the Cruise Compasses that Roy has posted so far it states "Piano entertainment with Angelo in the Schooner Bar".

 

Thank you!

[rafinmd]

Hi Roy, thanks for the updates!

 

Sorry to hear about the Meet & Mingle miss. You should have received a notice in your stateroom about the event which required registration.

 

Also, during my recent Enchantment cruise, I found coffee service in the Casino one early morning. Seems to be spotty and WJ is the best bet. ;)

 

And, if you get a chance, check out the shipyard worker sculpture near the bar in the Viking Crown. It's pretty cool.

 

 

A couple of photos are attached.

[rafinmd]

This question came up in a “live” thread a few months ago:

 

Greetings from the Mariner, excuse any typos doing this from my phone. Wow check in was so fast and easy, we were on board right at 11:30, we just finished lunch in the Windjammer which was where Tom wanted to go. Well it is not in the league of Celebrity and HAL is also a lot better I would say it is equal to NCL and better than Princess. Have not seen much of the ship yet but now heading oit to explore. Yes I had a glass of wine for lunch so the cruise is off to a great start!:)

 

Just out of curiosity, Lisa, have you ever been to Kings Court on QM2. If so, how do you compare it with the Windjammer?

 

Roy

 

Lisa replied that she had not been on QM2, so I might as well try to answer the question I had asked earlier. Of course my comments are about the Enchantment WJ rather than the Mariner.

 

Tableware: Kings Court. The WJ dishes are a lightweight plastic which feels kind of cheap compared to the china in KC.

 

Service: Mostly WJ. Within 2-3 minutes after I first sat down in WJ 2 different stewards came by and asked me about drinks. I like a glass of skim milk with lunch and it was always easy in WJ. Tables can get to be a bit scarce in either place but there was generally a steward within seconds in WJ cleaning the table and getting it ready for the next person. The one weak spot in WJ service is that there didn’t seem to be much in the way of help for infirm people getting from the serving line to a table. Maybe that reflects a younger demographic for RCI (not always but probably on average),

 

Availibility: KC The KC seating area is open 24/7. The 4 KC serving stations serve meals on staggered hours so a section which closes early for breakfast can be restocked for lunch and ready to open soon after the last of the breakfast stations closes. There is something available in KC pretty much round the clock while it is not unusual to see WJ totally closed. That said, there was rarely if ever a time I wanted something to eat and couldn’t find it at WJ.

 

Quality of food: Equal

 

Selection: KC With it’s 4 themed serving areas, 3 of which can provide a full meal from salad through desert, KC has a very wide variety of food. At WJ there were times I looked at the selection and found only 1 or 2 things I wanted.

 

Ambience: WJ hands down. With it’s position high at the front of the ship WJ is a beautiful setting with stunning views. With the serving area set in the middle and tables around the outside, every WJ seat has a great view and is a very pleasant place to be. It is also light and airy, with the skylights on the top making it feel very open. KC is midship on a middle deck and is set back behind the promenade deck with many tables that have essentially no view outside. There are a few tables in alcoves jutting into the promenade deck that are relatively nice but they are often unavailable and still no match for the WJ tables.

 

Overall, I give a slight edge to KC because the selection of food is very important to me, but I can readily understand how others could prefer WJ based on some of it’s very strong points.

 

Roy