Enchantment of the Seas 3day cruise

[ishari]

My DH and I are looking at booking a quick weekend jaunt on the Enchantment to get away from real life for a weekend. This would be his first time on a Vision class ship...I've been on the Rhapsody before and thought it was a lovely ship, but haven't tried the Enchantment. This would be the first time I've done a cruise that was shorter than 5 days...

 

Because it's such a quick trip (and I really don't care much for Nassau) I was wondering if anybody has done a weekend cruise like this and opted to spend most of the time on board? Does RCI expect you to get off the ship so they plan fewer things during the days/do they close amenities during port days? Does bar service stay open while in either port?

 

I feel like I should know these answers already since I have been on several cruises - many of which through RCI, but I haven't been on a weekend cruise so I didn't know if things were slightly different...

[spookwife]

the bars will be open while in port.. only the casino and shops are closed.

 

not all the bars may be staffed however. but the Pool bar and at least one indoor one will be serving. as for activities, we seldom do anything like that so really cannot comment.

 

we often spend the day on board. Pool is less crowded at the every least.

 

we loved EN and were very sorry to see her leave Baltimore. she has a TERRIFIC crew.

[Bead Pirate]

We do the 3 night about every 4-5 weeks since the Enchantment got down here to PC... (In fact get on her again in the morning)

 

It is a quick getaway packed full of all of the activities and diversions you would expect on a longer cruise. We seldom get to bed before 4AM and come back from this cruise exhausted! (always take Monday off to recover). The activities in the Centrum are a blast as we have 70's night on Friday which always gets people moving and the cruise just keeps on going from there...

 

We get into Nassau bright and early (around noon) and do not leave until midnight... tendering starts around 10 in the morning for Coco... at sea last night.

 

A lot of folks stay on the ship and the bars have always been staffed at port (even the casino opens in Nassau around 6 PM)... as noted above the party just keeps on going.

 

This is a bit different from the longer RCL cruises we have all come to enjoy (read peaceful and relaxed) as this cruise is a bit of a party barge (done with the usual RCL upscale approach) and so much on the schedule that you may feel like you cannot get to it all in (that's OK just book another one for next month!)

[stones902]

the bars will be open while in port.. only the casino and shops are closed.

 

not all the bars may be staffed however. but the Pool bar and at least one indoor one will be serving. as for activities, we seldom do anything like that so really cannot comment.

 

we often spend the day on board. Pool is less crowded at the every least.

 

we loved EN and were very sorry to see her leave Baltimore. she has a TERRIFIC crew.

 

If I am not mistaken, the casino & shops are opened on board at some point during the evening per an agreement between RCI & Bahamian Authorities, at least that was our experience a few weekends ago.

[Envelope21]

We also take this cruise quite frequently. Nassau is not much of a draw for us either and we often stay on the ship. I believe it is true that the casino on the ship is open in the evening. Royal has an evening excursion that is a sunset champagne catamaran cruise that goes out right at sunset. It was a very nice little ride and they provide 2 or 3 glasses of champagne. Coca Cay is wonderful. We have probably been there 10 times and we never get tired of it. We are also going to be on the ship tomorrow! Woohoo! Good luck!

[spookwife]

If I am not mistaken, the casino & shops are opened on board at some point during the evening per an agreement between RCI & Bahamian Authorities, at least that was our experience a few weekends ago.

 

hmm must be post Baltimore then cuz that wasn't the case on our last EN in Nassau( which ended up being Xmas day so NOTHING was open any where heheheh)

[vavasmom]

We did a three day in early August. It is very different than stopping in Nassau on a longer cruise. Since royal is trying to fit it all in there were plenty of activities while in port. I also think the casino opened after a certain hour.

 

The feel is very different and me met multiple people who never got off the ship.

 

I really enjoyed the long weekend (flew in from DC on Thursday and back on Monday pm)

 

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[cjdixon4]

My DH and I are looking at booking a quick weekend jaunt on the Enchantment to get away from real life for a weekend. This would be his first time on a Vision class ship...I've been on the Rhapsody before and thought it was a lovely ship, but haven't tried the Enchantment. This would be the first time I've done a cruise that was shorter than 5 days...

 

Because it's such a quick trip (and I really don't care much for Nassau) I was wondering if anybody has done a weekend cruise like this and opted to spend most of the time on board? Does RCI expect you to get off the ship so they plan fewer things during the days/do they close amenities during port days? Does bar service stay open while in either port?

 

I feel like I should know these answers already since I have been on several cruises - many of which through RCI, but I haven't been on a weekend cruise so I didn't know if things were slightly different...

 

Yep. Just did the 3-day in May, and had a fantastic time. We've done Nassau so much, we could walk the town blindfolded. We chose to disembark to hang out for lunch at Senor Frogs, then we got back on the ship to chill out. Many people however, choose to use that time to lay out at the pool or check out a movie in the theater, etc. RCI doesn't "expect" you to get off the ship at port; the choice is yours. Just be aware that the casino and the shops are closed until the ship pulls out of port. Yes, you can get drinks if you choose.

 

It's not hugely different from a week long sailing...just a lot of enjoyment in a shorter itinerary!

[stones902]

hmm must be post Baltimore then cuz that wasn't the case on our last EN in Nassau( which ended up being Xmas day so NOTHING was open any where heheheh)

 

Our cruise was August 16 from PC. The Cruise Director even made an announcement about it on board.

 

 

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[Hozhoni]

We are cruising this itinerary again Oct 5 on EN OTS...like many of you been to Nassau many many times....this time I registered for the People to People cultural experience through the Bahamian tourist office....you can Google it. We are being paired up with a host family for about 4 hours for a private tour, authentic lunch and/or cultural experience...its a really neat program. Its free but of course you want to tip your host family. It's gotten great reviews on CC too...I'm so excited to do something different this time and to get to know some locals :)

Dawn

 

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[Fla Mike]

Royal has an evening excursion that is a sunset champagne catamaran cruise that goes out right at sunset. It was a very nice little ride and they provide 2 or 3 glasses of champagne.

 

 

We did the Champagne Catamaran cruise on our 3 day Enchantment cruise in May... it was wonderfully relaxing, beautiful.

[stones902]

We are cruising this itinerary again Oct 5 on EN OTS...like many of you been to Nassau many many times....this time I registered for the People to People cultural experience through the Bahamian tourist office....you can Google it. We are being paired up with a host family for about 4 hours for a private tour, authentic lunch and/or cultural experience...its a really neat program. Its free but of course you want to tip your host family. It's gotten great reviews on CC too...I'm so excited to do something different this time and to get to know some locals :)

Dawn

 

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That's an excellent suggestion. We'll sign up for People to People next time we hit Nassau. Thanks for mentioning the experience!

 

 

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[Hozhoni]

That's an excellent suggestion. We'll sign up for People to People next time we hit Nassau. Thanks for mentioning the experience!

 

 

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You are very welcome...Yes it looks awesome...thanks. I'm looking forward to it :)

 

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[LindaO]

Mom has trouble walking... so we stay on board. If your cruise stays in Nassau until mid-night they will open the on-board casino and shops around 6pm. We usually go to trivia, maybe see a movie. A couple of weeks ago we sat in the Viking Crown Lounge and watched the NCL ship do a drill where they lowered all the life boats... it as interesting. We just relax on board. The short cruises are great... I hope you enjoy your cruise!

[Ourusualbeach]

We are cruising this itinerary again Oct 5 on EN OTS...like many of you been to Nassau many many times....this time I registered for the People to People cultural experience through the Bahamian tourist office....you can Google it. We are being paired up with a host family for about 4 hours for a private tour, authentic lunch and/or cultural experience...its a really neat program. Its free but of course you want to tip your host family. It's gotten great reviews on CC too...I'm so excited to do something different this time and to get to know some locals :)

Dawn

 

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Googling it now. Thanks

[Hozhoni]

Googling it now. Thanks

 

Yay! You are welcome

 

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[CruisinCrow]

We did the Champagne Catamaran cruise on our 3 day Enchantment cruise in May... it was wonderfully relaxing, beautiful.

 

I'd like to hear more about the sunset cruise. How long did it last? What time did you get back to the ship? Was it mostly adults?

[Fla Mike]

I'd like to hear more about the sunset cruise. How long did it last? What time did you get back to the ship? Was it mostly adults?

 

I'm guessing about 30-40 people, it lasted about 3 hours and got us back right at dusk, (remember this was mid May).

 

There was a good mix of ages, we are in our late 50's and we hung with the older folks on deck, most of the younger 20-30 somethings went up to the bow and let loose.

 

The crew was great, sights were awesome, 2 glasses of bubbly for free and then cash bar if you like.

 

Do it again in a heartbeat, and we do not like Nassau!

[wayne_trisha]

We do the 3 night about every 4-5 weeks since the Enchantment got down here to PC... (In fact get on her again in the morning)

 

It is a quick getaway packed full of all of the activities and diversions you would expect on a longer cruise. We seldom get to bed before 4AM and come back from this cruise exhausted! (always take Monday off to recover). The activities in the Centrum are a blast as we have 70's night on Friday which always gets people moving and the cruise just keeps on going from there...

 

We get into Nassau bright and early (around noon) and do not leave until midnight... tendering starts around 10 in the morning for Coco... at sea last night.

 

A lot of folks stay on the ship and the bars have always been staffed at port (even the casino opens in Nassau around 6 PM)... as noted above the party just keeps on going.

 

This is a bit different from the longer RCL cruises we have all come to enjoy (read peaceful and relaxed) as this cruise is a bit of a party barge (done with the usual RCL upscale approach) and so much on the schedule that you may feel like you cannot get to it all in (that's OK just book another one for next month!)

 

To positively contrast with you, we are nearly opposite. Work gets us up around 4:00-4:30 AM but we get a bit longer sleep but still up early before the sun. This means early to bed as well. We just got off Enchantment Monday and had a fabulous time. We might have tried to stay up late for the events but we didn’t and loved our cruise. A weekend away, no work, phones, kids, office, etc to take away from our time.

[JosieCat-MN]

Did this cruise in July. On the Nassau day, the casino was open from 9-11:30 in the a.m. and reopened at 7:00 p.m. that night. I'm not sure when it opened on the CocoCay day, but I went in the afternoon and it was open.

 

They did have the Windjammer closed on the CocoCay day for lunch - and routed us to the MDR. We weren't dressed for it, so we left and went to the Park Cafe.

 

It's actually nice to stay on the ship as the pools aren't crowded at all.