Back from the Enchantment

[Twistergirrl]

Hi, I'm a first time cruiser, I will try to just keep it to the basics.

6/19 We had a red eye in to FLL, from Ohare. No problems, very easy to get a taxi to port,

expect to pay $15 or more. There is construction traffic and things are slow. The port itself was very ugly. Not made to cater to tourists.

Boarding was very easy, we were one of the first group there. Lots of lines though, they try to make it as smooth as possible.

Lunch at the WindJammer was good. Room was clean.

Dinner in the dinning room was excelent, we were in the back at table 98. Our waitstaff was very polite, energetic, and friendly. Bernardo (waiter) CJ (asst. waiter), and Daniel (Head Waiter).

We werent able to make the show, just too tired.

 

6/20 Key West. Needed more time to see this wonderful city.

Formal night dinner, they suprised us with an anniversery song, and cheesecake. Very embarassing, very cute.

Show was very good (of course)

 

6/21 Cozumel is still recovering, but no reason to not have fun.

We snorkled and did some shopping.

Dinner was tastey and the show fun.

 

6/22 Belize. It took forever to get off the ship, lots of waiting around and standing in lines, when we finally got on the tender, it was about 15minutes to the port. We went on the Cave-Tubeing.com tour. Very cool. Dont go and just hang out in Belize. Go with a tour guide. Belize is very poor, the #1 source of income is tourism, and not much else. Kinda scary.

Lobster night was yummy, show was good.

 

6/23 At sea. The staff did a good job of keeping kids out of the solarium (adult pool) Lots of neat things to see and do. I mainly slept and hung out at the pool reading.

 

6/24 Disembarking. Lots of lines, lots of waiting.

We went off on our own and did some touristy things in Ft. Lauterdale. Everglades airboat rides, very fun.

 

 

All in all my husband and I had a nice time. The food in the windjammer was good. Live music everywhere. Our stateroom steward was amazing (Fernando), and he made some nifty towel critters for us. The only complaints I have are that the beds in my room (K large interior stateroom) were hard foam blocks. And the coffee is really bad.

I wore the patch, and it worked very nicely, as the seas got rocky after sailing from Cozumel. No problems for me. Although it did blur my vision, so it was a bit difficult to read.

 

Hope this was helpful, I will try to answer any questions.

[BearySweet2Cruise]

Thanks for the review.. we are on the enchantment in 31 days and are so looking forward to it. Glad you had a great time.. I am taking the kids to the hemmingway house a few other things as we see fit while in KW.. not booking excursions in KW as I know this is a town where we can do this all on our own. Booked the atlantis submarines in Coz. Our enchantment trip is not going to Belize because we are on the 4 night sailing, but we will be in Belize on the Legend in Novemeber. we are booking cave tubing there.

 

What did you like best in Key West? and did you like the cave tubing?

[Twistergirrl]

We did the Trolly tour, most of the tours like the Hemmingway house, or the Little white house can be done in less than an hour each. I just loved the energy of the town, we plan on going back and visiting longer.

 

Cave tubing was excellent. I really dont have enough ways of saying how cool it is.

[lyndamarie6]

We will be on the Enchantment on July 8th just have a few questions if you don't mind?

 

Did you do the online check in, if so, did you find it to save you more time or was the line for online check in long? Do you recommend doing online check in?

 

What kind of food is served after 10:30pm and where would we get food besides room service?

 

We are not smokers did you find there was alot of smoke on the ship?

 

Do they have karoke every night?

 

How were the beds?

 

Thank you!!!!!

[Twistergirrl]

We will be on the Enchantment on July 8th just have a few questions if you don't mind?

 

Did you do the online check in, if so, did you find it to save you more time or was the line for online check in long? Do you recommend doing online check in?

 

Online check in made things smoother.

 

What kind of food is served after 10:30pm and where would we get food besides room service?

 

I didnt eat after dinner, I think there were midnight buffets.

 

We are not smokers did you find there was alot of smoke on the ship?

 

Smoke wasnt so bad, I wasnt bothered by it.

 

Do they have karoke every night?

 

No idea. I know they did it one night.

 

How were the beds?

 

Crappy. Hard foam blocks. Mabey the suites have something nicer.

 

Thank you!!!!!

 

Hope this helps

[stressedmomof4]

Hi,

 

We will also be on the Enchantment 7/8 cruise with our family of 6. Maybe we will meet up? We've done this cruise two years ago and it was a blast.

[CruisinMommas]

Yes, do the online checking. There is a 12:30 buffet with desserts, chocloates and more. 12:30 because the let you take pictures. There is also a late night buffet on the pooldeck with dancing weather permitting. Check the cruise compass for times of places to ear. We got to Ben and Jerrys minutes after they closed. We did not notice smoking as a problem, we both are non-smokers.Those who did smoke sat in the areas allowed for smoking. Great crew with good service enjoy.

[VU80]

We will be on Enchantment in less than a month. Would you please check your cruise compass and verify the times that you were in Cozumel. Did the compass state 10a to 7p? This eastern vs. central time and trying to schedule private tours is complicated (we are only doing this since the cruiseline doesn't offer what we would like to do for our first time in Coz). Thanks for your help!

[Twistergirrl]

We will be on Enchantment in less than a month. Would you please check your cruise compass and verify the times that you were in Cozumel. Did the compass state 10a to 7p? This eastern vs. central time and trying to schedule private tours is complicated (we are only doing this since the cruiseline doesn't offer what we would like to do for our first time in Coz). Thanks for your help!

 

You need to be back 1/2hr before the ship launches. Just check your itinerary, There is some flex, due to number of ships in port, weather, customs, ect... I wouldnt try to do too much all in one day. Cozumel is very close to Cancun, and its very inexpensive to go there. Or Just talk with the guides, they know the schedules fairly well.

[lyndamarie6]

Stressmomof4

Perhaps we can meet do you have kids? My son who is 17 decided last minute not to take the cruise with us and work for his father in south florida (we live in northern florida now) as he pays his own car insurance. His father pays him 400.00 a week and he's working all summer so that he will only need a light part time job during his last year in high school to pay for his gas, I understand but am not happy about that decision but I understand....my daugher is 14 now will turn 15 in November and since we had already paid for the cruise we are taking her nice friend with us who is 13.

 

I lived the past 16 years in Coral Springs, Broward County Florida and moved to Clay County Florida under Jacksonville, where do you live?

 

As for all of you who answered my questions I thank you so very much!!

[wolfcathorse]

Twistergirrl - who was your captain. Capt Gunnar or Capt Per.

[Twistergirrl]

Twistergirrl - who was your captain. Capt Gunnar or Capt Per.

 

Capt. Gunnar. Carly was CD, and was awesome.

[wolfcathorse]

TY I will update the dates on my Current Captains thread.

[the_admiral]

I was on the 6/19 sailing with Twistergirll. I'll put my two cents in.

 

We will be on the Enchantment on July 8th just have a few questions if you don't mind?

 

Did you do the online check in, if so, did you find it to save you more time or was the line for online check in long? Do you recommend doing online check in?

 

Online check-in is so simple, and I really believe it speeds things along in the terminal. Do it.

 

What kind of food is served after 10:30pm and where would we get food besides room service?

 

Late night, your only option other than room service would be the Solarium. Your choices are burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and fries. The quality of these items ranks alongside school hot lunch. If you're not a picky eater, it tastes fine. If you have a discriminating palate, skip it. Room service selections are going to be about the same quality, but does offer a few more choices.

 

We are not smokers did you find there was alot of smoke on the ship?

 

The only time I noticed it was in the casino. We took over the texas hold 'em table on departure morning, and played some dice and card games to pass the time. A couple came in, planted themselves at the roulette table next to us, and lit up. You've got a whole starboard open deck to smoke on. I thought it was kind of rude. The absence of an ash tray didn't even stop them. They just ashed into what was left of their morning coffee.

 

Do they have karoke every night?

 

The had it at least 3 or 4 nights, if not all of them.

 

How were the beds?

 

If you like a firm bed, fine. If you like a soft bed, terrible. The easiest thing to do is exhaust yourself in port, and you won't care what the bed feels like.

 

Thank you!!!!!

[lyndamarie6]

Thank you all oh one more question if you don't mind, are the lounges and public areas tend to be cool, should I bring something that has long sleeves? Thanks again!

[Twistergirrl]

Thank you all oh one more question if you don't mind, are the lounges and public areas tend to be cool, should I bring something that has long sleeves? Thanks again!

 

Nope just right. I am not a big fan of super cooled areas (meat locker) It was nice, diddnt get stuffy or hot in the crowed areas either.

[lyndamarie6]

Finally a cruise ship where you don't freeze or feel hot perfect! Nice to hear thank you.

[the_admiral]

Nope just right. I am not a big fan of super cooled areas (meat locker) It was nice, diddnt get stuffy or hot in the crowed areas either.

 

I'm going to have to disagree with you. I was pretty warm all over the ship. I need air movement to stay cool, and there is none on the ship. Next time, I'm packing a small fan for the stateroom. I couldn't believe that the shops in port weren't trying to sell the battery operated ones.. You got bombarded with them at Disney.

[*erika*]

I'm going to have to disagree with you. I was pretty warm all over the ship. I need air movement to stay cool, and there is none on the ship. Next time, I'm packing a small fan for the stateroom. I couldn't believe that the shops in port weren't trying to sell the battery operated ones.. You got bombarded with them at Disney.

 

And I have to disagree with you. I found it to be cold very often. I always had a long sleeved shirt of some type on, especially at dinner.

[Twistergirrl]

And I have to disagree with you. I found it to be cold very often. I always had a long sleeved shirt of some type on, especially at dinner.

 

Well, the 3 bears are alive and well :D

 

Anyone notice the windtunnel effect on 8th deck? I cant remember the day, but wow, was the wind fierce.

[the_admiral]

I think it was the sea day where the wind was howling. The automatic doors to the outside deck weren't working so well, so I had to open the swing out door, and I had to push pretty hard.

[scssting]

This was our second time on this ship. Had a GREAT time... Boarded the ship at 1:00. Was fast and easy. Had lunch in the Windjamer.

Had an Aft. Junior Suite on Deck 7 that was AWESOME. Cabin attendant Earl was very friendly. Beds were very comfortable. Temperature on ship was perfect for us. Never to hot or cold in the air conditioning. (I am usually always cold)

Food was good. (I am not picky) Room service was slow. Pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs available in the solarium pool all night until about 4:00 am. Dining room waiter Jason was very nice.

Pools were crowded but always found a lounge chair to use.

Shows were ok. I have seen better on Royal Caribbean (Beatlemania). Cruise director Carly was ok. Had some I liked better.

We were off the ship by 10.00am the last day.

 

Do not book your excursions thru the ship. You will pay way to much.

**Key West we parasailed for 35.00 per person. Thru ship it was 70.00.

**Cozumel we went to Paradise Beach. Took a taxi for $5.00 per person each way. Than bought an all day wristband for $8.00 to use the kayaks, rafts, water trampoline and water iceburg. The lounge chairs and umbrellas were Free.

**Belize we did cave tubing. Booked thru cave-tubing.com. We were a group of 15. Had Yhony, Dutch, Tigre and PJ guiding us thru the caves. They were wonderful. Would definately recommend them. Cost $45.00 per person. Than gave them a tip. They deserved it.

 

Great cruise!! Can't wait to book the next one.

[the_admiral]

Twistergirrl -

 

I'm sorry I didn't show up for our meeting the second day. I had a pretty wicked cold up until the day of Belize.

[rolloman]

I have been on the Enchantment twice. The first time the Cruise director Matt was probably the best I have ever had. Second visit this year was Carly who with out a doubt was the worst cruise director I have experienced on any ship I have been on.

[Twistergirrl]

I have been on the Enchantment twice. The first time the Cruise director Matt was probably the best I have ever had. Second visit this year was Carly who with out a doubt was the worst cruise director I have experienced on any ship I have been on.

 

Well if she is the worst that RCI has to offer... I can only look forward to some stunning future cruises. I had fun, lots of fun. Mabey its because "I diddnt know any better" being a first time cruiser. I felt the entertainment was excellent. The staff I had put the "Royal" in RCI.