Enchantment Rescues Cuban Rafters

[grannynanny]

Just returned yesterday from Enchantment. Friday night at about 6:20pm the Captain came on and told us he just did a 360 turn because he saw a distress (SOS?) signal in the water. Went up to Deck 10 and found lots of passangers looking out to sea. And that's when we saw a light flashing in the distance, getting closer and closer. The ship had a spotlight following the light, and pretty soon, we were able to see "somethng" in the water.

Next thing, a rescue boat went out and we were able to see them take people off the raft. They were brought back to the ship and then the rescue boat went out again and towed in what seemed to be a small inflatable raft.

We were told by the rescue team and then by an announcement by the Captain, that there were 4 adults in fair condition, mostley dehydrated. They were approximately 35 miles off the Cuban coast and had been drifting for 5 days. Can't even imagine what it was like for the, on Tuesday, the seas were so rough that 4 ships were turned away from Key West and the dock was closed. There rafters had to be in those seas..just imagine, 5 days and still only 35 miles off the coast of Cuba!! Can't imagine what it will be like for them when they are sent back to Cuba...very sad!!!

 

Now, a short review...the ship is beautiful, we were on Enchantment 2 times previously, and must say, the "stretched" ship is truly wonderful. We had a "new cabin" outside on deck 2, our children had an inside "old" cabin across the hall from us. The cabins were pretty much the same, a few changes in the bathroom counter set up and of course, the main difference is the addition of a plastic shower enclosure instead of a flimsy curtain, but unfortunately, the shower is just as small as the old ones. We ate in Chops Grill Thanksgiving night, they offered a Turkey dinner, which I had and the rest of my family had meat, it was a wonderful experience. This was our first cruise as Diamond C&A members, and the Conceige Lounge was a great experience, Guiseppe is so friendly and accomadating, and his "Rum Surpise" drink was the best! The food in My Fair Lady was very good, our waiter Raj from India and Assistant Waiter Marcos from Portugal were wonderful.

Also, Carlos, the Loyal Ambassador was very helpful. The only problem was the cruise was too short for us...we like the longer ones and wish we could have stayed on longer.

 

One more thing, my granddaughter really wanter to Bungee, but the only time to do that was on sea days, and most of the time it was closed due to winds. We tendered to Cozumel, there is still much to clean up, but much improvement since Wilma. My granddaughter and I did the Catamaran Snorkel and Beach tour in the afternoon thru the ship, it was lots of fun.

The next day, daughter and granddaughter went cave tubing with Yhony, the had a great time. Would recomment Yhony very highly. Although he was not their guide, their guide was wonderful.

 

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask. We did the 5 night itinerary to Key West, Cozumel and Belize.

 

Nancy

[Lsmitty]

Grannynanny,

 

Hi, newbie here. I've been thinking about taking my 2 DD's on the Enchantment in Feb., but not sure if they would like the kids program. They are 14yr and 10 yrs. Did they have a teens club? Was the kids area spacious? This would be our 1st cruise, thought a 5 day one would be the right amount of time. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Lsmitty

[BeachBumMama]

We had some friends last year with young teens and I know 3 of them had the best time. They had all kinds of activites etc. As for this being your first cruise and thinking 5 days is a right amount of time, you'll be sorry you only booked 5 when you return. lol

 

I was on Enchantment before she was stretched and thought it was a lovely ship, only better now.

[erniesband]

We were on Enchantment several years ago, and rescued some Cuban rafters, too. Quite an experience! In our case, we were overflown by a Coast Guard plane, which radioed the bridge and asked us to go back to get them. These rafters, too, had been in the water several days, were brought aboard Enchantment to be re-hydrated and cleaned up, and their raft was winched aboard and put on the bow area. The Coast Guard came by later that evening and took them off of Enchantment to a CG boat which we could see had numerous Cubans (all plucked from the sea?) aboard. We never did find out what happened to "our" Cubans.

[pammeyk1]

I was also on the Enchantment for Thanksgiving week. The rafters thing was unbelievable. I cannot believe anyone is so desperate to risk being out on a raft in those waters. The winds were high, the waves were rocking the boat and there they were signaling wth a flash light. I was glad Captain Per went back for them, I would hate to think someone would just pass them by.

 

This was my first cruise and I have to say that I am now sold on cruising for my vacations! The Enchantment was great.. so clean.. most everyone very friendly. I was a bit disappointed that we did not get to Key West, but after the night of rocking and rolling in the rough waters and wind, I understand why we had to pass up that port.

 

Cozumel was a very sad sight. So much destruction everywhere. I am sure before the hurricane it was a much prettier place. We spent time shopping, then reboarded the ship and hung out at the pool and around.

 

Belize City was nice. Of course, I didn't leave the shopping area, which I loved.

 

I didn't do any organized excursions for my first cruise. I just wanted to get the feel of the ports, etc., do some shopping. I think on my next cruise I'll sign up for an excursion or two.

 

The food on the Enchantment was good. I was a bit disappointed with the Thanksgiving dinner in the dining room, but of course, the cooks weren't American and could not be expected to turn out a dinner like Mom used to make, so I made the best of it. Chop's Grill was great!! We had dinner there on Friday evening and loved it. Great food for the $20.00 cover you pay. Of course drinks were extra.

 

The Boleras bar was really nice. We quickly made friends Joel, one of the bartenders from the Phillipines. Was nice to get to know him. We have all exchanged emails and plan to keep in touch. He is a sweetheart.. a hard worker, and misses his wife and 16-month-old daughter terribly!!

 

As for the casino, I had been told prior to the cruise that winnings were slim on a cruise ship. Wellllll, my best friend hit the first night after 3 spins ($15.00) and won $1074.00. The second night I hit for $1165.00 after spending (7.00), and my sister hit for $1000 on the last night of the cruise after playing about $10.00. I actually took the cruise, drove to Ft. Lauderdale from North Carolina, and back, shopped, etc and came home iwth more money than I took with me. I learned a little about playing craps and in about 5 minutes or so had a won 75.00. Not too bad huh?

 

All and all, the Enchantment has me sold. The staterooms aren't nearly as small as I imagined and as far as the rough seas, well I just donned my sea bracelets and never even got a little nauseous. (Most of the people were sick.)

 

I recommend this cruise to anyone!!

[lovetocruiserccl]

I was also on the Enchantment for Thanksgiving week. The rafters thing was unbelievable. I cannot believe anyone is so desperate to risk being out on a raft in those waters. The winds were high, the waves were rocking the boat and there they were signaling wth a flash light. I was glad Captain Per went back for them, I would hate to think someone would just pass them by.

 

This was my first cruise and I have to say that I am now sold on cruising for my vacations! The Enchantment was great.. so clean.. most everyone very friendly. I was a bit disappointed that we did not get to Key West, but after the night of rocking and rolling in the rough waters and wind, I understand why we had to pass up that port.

 

Cozumel was a very sad sight. So much destruction everywhere. I am sure before the hurricane it was a much prettier place. We spent time shopping, then reboarded the ship and hung out at the pool and around.

 

Belize City was nice. Of course, I didn't leave the shopping area, which I loved.

 

I didn't do any organized excursions for my first cruise. I just wanted to get the feel of the ports, etc., do some shopping. I think on my next cruise I'll sign up for an excursion or two.

 

The food on the Enchantment was good. I was a bit disappointed with the Thanksgiving dinner in the dining room, but of course, the cooks weren't American and could not be expected to turn out a dinner like Mom used to make, so I made the best of it. Chop's Grill was great!! We had dinner there on Friday evening and loved it. Great food for the $20.00 cover you pay. Of course drinks were extra.

 

The Boleras bar was really nice. We quickly made friends Joel, one of the bartenders from the Phillipines. Was nice to get to know him. We have all exchanged emails and plan to keep in touch. He is a sweetheart.. a hard worker, and misses his wife and 16-month-old daughter terribly!!

 

As for the casino, I had been told prior to the cruise that winnings were slim on a cruise ship. Wellllll, my best friend hit the first night after 3 spins ($15.00) and won $1074.00. The second night I hit for $1165.00 after spending (7.00), and my sister hit for $1000 on the last night of the cruise after playing about $10.00. I actually took the cruise, drove to Ft. Lauderdale from North Carolina, and back, shopped, etc and came home iwth more money than I took with me. I learned a little about playing craps and in about 5 minutes or so had a won 75.00. Not too bad huh?

 

All and all, the Enchantment has me sold. The staterooms aren't nearly as small as I imagined and as far as the rough seas, well I just donned my sea bracelets and never even got a little nauseous. (Most of the people were sick.)

 

I recommend this cruise to anyone!!

 

 

What slots were you playing?

[AmandaNS]

I think what the Captain did was fantastic. I think that in desperation people often "make a break" without realizing just how dangerous it is... or perhaps getting into the raft with no food and water and hoping to drift somewhere safe just shows how desperate their situation was.

[pammeyk1]

We played Wheel of Fortune. Another guy on the cruise hit one night for $1500, the next night for $1700, and the next to last night for $1700. His dad his Wheel of Fortune as well for $1000 two different times. Seems like those were the loose machines on our cruise