Blue Collar Diamond's return to cruising - Enchantment 5/19/22

[erinsmom03]

We had one of those over the water cabanas at the beach club last month. We were looking forward to it so much! The weather on our cruise had been beautiful throughout our entire cruise. Coco Cay was our last day. Wouldn't you know, we got about an hour and a half before the gloomy gray weather turned ugly. It rained like crazy, the rain was pouring through the cabana sideways. We were soaked, and freezing. I actually hid out in our shower room with our daughter just to get out of the rain for a few minutes towards the end. It lasted a long time... and when it stopped we had a couple hours of okay weather... not much sunshine and a little cool. 

The cabana was very nice, and I got a great price for it. But after that experience, I think I'd rather just do the price to enjoy the beach club and skip the cabana in the future.

[Lionesss]

Great review.

 

Your pictures were nicely taken, good job.

 

Take care

[ccotting]

I am enjoying your review very much too!  We are booked on Enchantment next year and I hear that since she was stretched she does not have a sauna or steam available.  I appreciate in the Caribbean you may not have checked but we will be travelling to Alaska and things may not be so toastie!

[perfect match]

Thanks for doing this review, Bill. I enjoyed cruising along with you again, even though my cruise was just a virtual one this time. 🛳

[BillOh]

9 hours ago, ccotting said:

I am enjoying your review very much too!  We are booked on Enchantment next year and I hear that since she was stretched she does not have a sauna or steam available.  I appreciate in the Caribbean you may not have checked but we will be travelling to Alaska and things may not be so toastie!

I didn't check, normally I get into the gym a few times, but the weather was perfect and I did a lot of walking on the upper deck.

[Mikew0805]

Nice review, Bill.

 

It does suck about that $18 drink package, and I was cracking up at the joke about them planning to avoid having to honor.. Too funny! 

 

I have not been on Enchantment in a long time. I think the last time was the time I met you and Gina. I believe there was a cast involved back then, but I might be confusing that with Mariner.

 

I would really like to get back on the Enchantment, but based on her homeports for the foreseeable future, I doubt that will happen. 😞

 

 

[BillOh]

9 minutes ago, Mikew0805 said:

Nice review, Bill.

 

It does suck about that $18 drink package, and I was cracking up at the joke about them planning to avoid having to honor.. Too funny! 

 

I have not been on Enchantment in a long time. I think the last time was the time I met you and Gina. I believe there was a cast involved back then, but I might be confusing that with Mariner.

 

I would really like to get back on the Enchantment, but based on her homeports for the foreseeable future, I doubt that will happen. 😞

 

 

Mike,

 

Good to hear from you. I hope that your avatar with your dog means he is doing well? I remember what you went through with him prior to our first Enchantment cruise!

[Mikew0805]

1 hour ago, BillOh said:

Mike,

 

Good to hear from you. I hope that your avatar with your dog means he is doing well? I remember what you went through with him prior to our first Enchantment cruise!

Hi Bill, it's nice to talk with you again too.

 

No, I lost him on Dec 19, 2019. So he made it another year or so after Enchantment. He was 16 years old... and I still have bad days. I will likely never change that avatar.

[BillOh]

Still haven't got that Crystal block. Will ask on Mariner in Sept if we don't have it by then.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

1 hour ago, BillOh said:

Still haven't got that Crystal block. Will ask on Mariner in Sept if we don't have it by then.

We have not gotten our block either and it was a March25-April 2 cruise.  We cruise at the end of the month again.  [but not on Enchantment] I plan to ask the loyalty person on that cruise. 

[Nunagoras]

On 6/6/2022 at 12:53 PM, BillOh said:

The rest of day 6 was uneventful, but enjoyable. I didn't make any note of what we had in the MDR, but it was good and service continued to be excellent.  We did a little walking around and went to look at the pictures in the photo gallery of which we each just got our one free one.   We did make note of a guy, well dressed, wearing a Royal name tag taking photos of an empty display case at the jewelry store.  We didn't really take note of that till we heard the story the next day.

 

The first of two sea days that ended our cruise featured the calmest seas I have ever seen on a cruise.

 

 

This was another pool day for us.    Near us were about 4 girls who might have been anywhere from 19-25 by my guess.  They seemed to be hitting it off with a couple of guys about the same age.  It was pleasant seeing everyone having a good time.    One of them started talking about the glass and broken display case in the shops so my wife spoke up and asked what happened.  One of the girls reported some guy, about 40 was following them around and being creepy.  They ducked into a shop and told the crew member there that they were being followed by someone they didn't know. The guy , whom they said was very drunk retreated and then they heard the crash of glass and looked out and saw the guy reach in and pull out a "Rolex watch".    Security asked them what happened and reviewed security footage with them.  The figured out who the guy was and he was confined to his cabin with security outside the remainder of the cruise.  He was escorted off the ship and directly to the Port police when we returned. (I didn't see any  of this myself)

 

Wow! Simply wow!...

 

First of it all congrats to the nice review. It seems pretty clear for me that there are 2 RCCL's. One for at least such a Freedom and above class ships, the other for the older ones. Tonnes of reviews from the big newer ships. Less so for those older ones like Enchantment is. The newer ones resemble far more than just a 4* mainstream hotel in land. If it wasn't for the number of guests and the space per guest, I'd say they'd resemble a nice 5* one. So now; ships like Enchantment are sadly falling down to such a 3* European tourism industry standards... Not that it is bad, but nice to know! I believe those ships more adequate to those 3-5 night getaways than for an 8 nights full cruise, but that is just IMHO.

 

So now on that incident on the store: Wow!... I don't know what the US law says about this, but let me to give an idea for what would to be the fate of said guy, if the crime was committed here in Portugal, or during a cruise with Lisbon as home port. First of it all he would to be held like he was from the moment he was found to the moment the ship docks and has clearance to debark. Then he would to be sent to our investigation police to be sent to a court room and then charged with at least two crimes: Stalking against that girl and aggravated robbery (assuming the sum of the stolen watch and the damage on the store values surpassed some $5,000). Possibly a 3rd crime of disobedience to the ships authorities if that was the case. Such a crime cocktail good enough for some 20 years jail time here in theory, and never a suspended penalty!... At least he should be certainly subject to preventive detention... Sadly sometimes, there are those ones whom doesn't measure the consequences of their acts together. Hope that at least RCCL puts him on the black list, so he may to learn something from that adventure by being blocked from cruising again.

[shipgeeks]

Nunagoras, Thank you for your interesting comments about the incident.

One thing I would like to remark on is the fact that the older RC ships such as Enchantment (which we much prefer to the big theme park ships) typically do longer cruises, rather than shorter ones.  Most of her cruises are 8, 9, or 12 nights, with the exception of some 5-night Bermuda cruises during that season.  We regulars appreciate that, and the ship has a high repeat rate, usually sails full, and has many B2Bs aboard at any time.  We think she is in great shape.  Not as many food venues, but good quality in MDR, WJ, etc., probably similar to that of the megaships. 

[Nunagoras]

1 hour ago, shipgeeks said:

Nunagoras, Thank you for your interesting comments about the incident.

One thing I would like to remark on is the fact that the older RC ships such as Enchantment (which we much prefer to the big theme park ships) typically do longer cruises, rather than shorter ones.  Most of her cruises are 8, 9, or 12 nights, with the exception of some 5-night Bermuda cruises during that season.  We regulars appreciate that, and the ship has a high repeat rate, usually sails full, and has many B2Bs aboard at any time.  We think she is in great shape.  Not as many food venues, but good quality in MDR, WJ, etc., probably similar to that of the megaships. 

Many thanks to your wonderful remark on the older ships. TBHH; there are very few reviews of them. My memory sticks to a few ones on those Cuba cruises back in the day when they were in season... So; now, Enchantment from the OP photos seems quite dated. Yeah, they were taking care of some areas, but, standards seem not to be the same as the Freedom and above classes of which most of the reviews are from. And TBHH, I don't really know what those ships usually do; quite surprised with the longer cruises!... I'm more prevalent on the MSC boards once that is my cruise line of choice lately, but I usually come to the RCCL boards, mostly in search of the Oasis class ships reviews to remember my then wonderful Allure cruise back in the day!... And sometimes to wander on some curiosities!... Today I wanted to see what an older RCCL ship would look like. From my market analyst point of view; it seems a lesser standards than on the other ones, if nothing is failing on me!...

 

Have a nice day!...

[Another_Critic]

4 hours ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

We have not gotten our block either and it was a March25-April 2 cruise. 

Got mine on July 7th for the same cruise.

 

Still haven't gotten my Anthem block from Dec. 5th cruise. (Enchantment LA submitted a request).

[shipgeeks]

Nunagoras, I think Empress is the ship that did the Cuba cruises.  She is older, and smaller yet, than Enchantment. After sailing on her, we thought Grandeur and Enchantment were big!

Lest you think that we only like smaller ships, I might mention that our other favorite ship in recent years was MSC Seaside.  We sailed Bella, presumably with a full ship, and loved it.  I think what she has in common with RC's Vision Class ships is the connection with the outside - sea and sky.  I just cannot imagine choosing a ship with a promenade down the middle, and so few chances to connect with the ocean.  IMO, a promenade is the thing that circles a ship, on the outside, so walkers and sitters can enjoy the view (and the little flying fish).

Enchantment will be repositioning to Alaska in 2023, followed by trans-Pacific and then a long stay in Australia.  Baltimore will be getting Vision of the Seas, and continuing the protocol of mostly longer cruises.

[BillOh]

On 7/18/2022 at 7:47 PM, shipgeeks said:

Nunagoras, I think Empress is the ship that did the Cuba cruises.  She is older, and smaller yet, than Enchantment. After sailing on her, we thought Grandeur and Enchantment were big!

Lest you think that we only like smaller ships, I might mention that our other favorite ship in recent years was MSC Seaside.  We sailed Bella, presumably with a full ship, and loved it.  I think what she has in common with RC's Vision Class ships is the connection with the outside - sea and sky.  I just cannot imagine choosing a ship with a promenade down the middle, and so few chances to connect with the ocean.  IMO, a promenade is the thing that circles a ship, on the outside, so walkers and sitters can enjoy the view (and the little flying fish).

Enchantment will be repositioning to Alaska in 2023, followed by trans-Pacific and then a long stay in Australia.  Baltimore will be getting Vision of the Seas, and continuing the protocol of mostly longer cruises.

Was Empress the only Royal ship to do so? I saw a few pics from reviews, but never got around to booking one.

[Another_Critic]

1 hour ago, BillOh said:

Was Empress the only Royal ship to do so? I saw a few pics from reviews, but never got around to booking one.

Majesty also went to Cuba.

[BillOh]

17 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Majesty also went to Cuba.

Thanks for that, I knew there was another and it involved me somehow.  When they stopped doing that they moved some ships around and a cruise I was on got the ship changed. That was how I ended up on Enchantment the firs time.

 

[BillOh]

On 6/13/2022 at 4:32 PM, Mikew0805 said:

Hi Bill, it's nice to talk with you again too.

 

No, I lost him on Dec 19, 2019. So he made it another year or so after Enchantment. He was 16 years old... and I still have bad days. I will likely never change that avatar.

Have a great time on Harmony!

[Mikew0805]

1 hour ago, BillOh said:

Have a great time on Harmony!

Thanks, Bill.  I am looking forward to it. It has been a hard few weeks at work and I need some sleep! LOL

[BillOh]

On 6/6/2022 at 1:44 AM, perfect match said:

Bill, when I saw that you’re cruising again in September, I thought it might be possible that our paths would cross again. Barry and I enjoyed meeting you and Gina back in 2019 on Symphony. I did a little searching and found that, unfortunately we will just miss each other in September. We’re cruising on Harmony the week before you’re cruising on Mariner. IIRC, it’s not going to be the first time that has happened. 

Just found out we are missing another cruise friend who is on your sailing.  Linda and her Daughter Katie were on our 2013 Allure cruise and are on Harmony with you.   She is around our age, and will be with her 30 something (maybe) daughter.  

[BillOh]

FYI, early in October our crystal block came, took about 4 months. 

[BillOh]

On 6/6/2022 at 1:44 AM, perfect match said:

Bill, when I saw that you’re cruising again in September, I thought it might be possible that our paths would cross again. Barry and I enjoyed meeting you and Gina back in 2019 on Symphony. I did a little searching and found that, unfortunately we will just miss each other in September. We’re cruising on Harmony the week before you’re cruising on Mariner. IIRC, it’s not going to be the first time that has happened. 

This year Sept 16-21 we are trying something different. I got a "free cruise" on Carnival, so we are going to try Freedom out of PC

[BillOh]

On 6/13/2022 at 2:55 PM, Mikew0805 said:

Nice review, Bill.

 

It does suck about that $18 drink package, and I was cracking up at the joke about them planning to avoid having to honor.. Too funny! 

 

I have not been on Enchantment in a long time. I think the last time was the time I met you and Gina. I believe there was a cast involved back then, but I might be confusing that with Mariner.

 

I would really like to get back on the Enchantment, but based on her homeports for the foreseeable future, I doubt that will happen. 😞

 

 

I noticed she is coming back to Tampa!   We are about to board our first Carnival cruise Saturday!

[Mikew0805]

5 hours ago, BillOh said:

I noticed she is coming back to Tampa!   We are about to board our first Carnival cruise Saturday!

Hey there.. enjoy Carnival. I have not been on the Freedom, but I have sure loved all of my CCL cruises.

 

Yep, will be trying to get on Enchantment a few times for the 4 days runs in 2024/2025.