Enchantment of the Seas 4 Day Cruise Review-February 20-24, 2017

[firegal2539]

ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEAS 4 DAY BAHAMA & KEY WEST CRUISE

FEBRUARY 20-24, 2017

A little about myself. I am a solo cruiser, in my 60s. I retired 3 years ago and most of my friends are still working and I wanted to cruise so I decided to do it by myself. I love to solo cruise, do what I want, when I want and where I want. On a cruise, you won’t find me at the pool, I don’t like playing Lounger Lotto, (hoping to get a chair), or at the bars, I don’t drink, but I will sit and watch the entertainment, you will find me in the casino, at the shows, trying the restaurants and walking around the ship, just to see her.

 

February 20, 2017-Embarkation Day, Monday

 

I flew from DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth International) at 7:05 am to Fort Lauderdale. We arrived in Fort Lauderdale about 20 minutes late, approximately 9:45 am. I headed to the luggage carousel, the airline asked for volunteers to check their carryon and I did. I always hope they will do this so I don’t have to schlep the luggage around the airport.

 

I retrieved my luggage and looked for the Royal reps to get on the transfer bus. I always buy transfers from the cruise line because they guarantee you will make it to your ship. I found the stand and the rep. told me there was an hour wait until the next shuttle to Miami because they had so many people at Terminal 1 and 2, they filled the bus, so they were putting another bus in service. There were 20 people waiting for the shuttle. After waiting 75 minutes the shuttle finally appeared.

 

Arrived at the Port of Miami around 1230 pm. The check in was Eazy Peazy. There was no one in Terminal H. The people that got off of the bus were what was in the terminal. Even the check in reps were commenting on how few people there were.

 

Around 1245 I was on the ship and was told the rooms weren’t quite ready, have a seat and a drink and they would announce when we could go to them. At 130 I got up to check the door to the hallway and it was still closed. Around 145 it was finally opened. I went to my cabin to see what it looked like.

I always book an Ocean View cabin this one was on Deck 4, Cabin 4048. It is the smallest Ocean View I have ever stayed in. It was an adequate room but I couldn’t see how two people would fit and still be talking to each other at the end of the cruise. The bed was a queen, right under the window, so in order to look out the window you either kneeled or stood on the bed. There was a tiny end table about 16†wide on either side of the bed. There was about 16†of walking room to get to the head of the bed. A couch was against one wall and across was the desk with 3 drawers. There was no refrigerator in the room, it had been removed. The closet was two doors wide and had a safe in it. The bathroom was so tiny, part of me was in the shower and part of me was in the bathroom, I had wet floors all the time.

 

There has been much discussion about the mattresses and yes, the mattress was hard (I asked for a topper but was told Royal doesn’t do toppers any more, something about cleaning them) but I found it easy to sleep on, what I didn’t like was the 4 hard pillows, not one fluffy one in the bunch. A serious problem was the cabin was freezing. The room attendant tried to fix it but couldn’t, called maintenance and was told that was as warm as the thermostat would go. By Wednesday I had an ear ache, a sore throat, runny nose and cough. Another serious problem was the window in the cabin is one that is lit up when we are sailing. There are lights all around the window and there was a curtain but it didn’t stop the light from coming in. I didn’t have to turn the room lights on because the window was so bright. I finally put towels all the way around the window and held them with duct tape (a woman’s best friend) to stop the light.

 

The t.v. showed the same programs for four days. I have just gotten off of a Princess and a NCL cruise that ran brand new movies, 1 or 2, every night in my cabin. I watched 12 movies that came out in 2016. Royal shows two movies on the outside screen, and it is the same movies every day, Deepwater Horizon and the BFG, over and over but not in the room. I saw the same episode of The Big Bang Theory 20 times. Seriously put a few new movies on the t.v., I like to fall asleep watching t.v.

 

My Fair Lady is the MDR on Enchantment. Deck 4 is the set time dining that starts at 6 pm and Deck 5 is the anytime dining that starts at 545 pm. There was never a line at the set time dining but always a line at the anytime. My table mates were a couple from Los Angeles, he is a fire captain and I worked for a fire department for 30 years, the other couple was from Michigan and a solo lady from Washington DC. They were fun and engaging and we were always last out of the MDR. The food was very good, I was pleasantly surprised.

 

The theater had a comedian, Steve Miller, unfortunately it didn’t bode well for him because about 60 to 70% of the seats were empty, and people were getting up and leaving during the show, including me.

 

The casino was small, 5 tables, and 150 slot machines. Some chairs were marked “For Players Only†but the smokers ignored the signs and sat and smoked.

 

Went to bed about 11 pm was really tired.

 

February 21, 2017, Tuesday, Coca Cay Private Island

 

I ate breakfast Tuesday in the MDR but the food arrived cold and the eggs looked like jello. Didn’t eat there for breakfast again. Instead I went to the Café Latte-Tudes for the free breakfast pastries, also the lunch sandwiches and desserts. They were delicious. The Café is the home of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream.

 

This ship had the coke machines, one right next to Café Latte-Tudes and in Windjammer, which was very convenient. I stopped at the R Bar, Oasis Pool Bar, Boleros and the Casino Bar to have my cup filled.

 

Went to look at the Art Auction, I never go but like to look at the pictures. Very small, only about 40 to 50 pictures.

 

The Internet Café and Library had 12 computer terminals and terrible connectivity. The Library was a joke, it might as well be removed and two more computers put in. There was four shelves with about 40 books.

 

Deck 9 was the Solarium and Pool area. Only 1 pool and adult only pool in the Solarium and it was crowded all the time. No loungers available because the towel hogs took them. The Solarium Pool area was beautiful, quiet and peaceful but children were still allowed to run around the area.

 

Today was Coca Cay but it was misty and windy and I am not especially fond of tenders, especially when they are bobbing all over. I stayed onboard, did a puzzle, watched the pianist, got a sandwich and a dessert from Café Latte-tudes, brought it to the room and ate there.

 

Tonight was formal night according to my table mates. Passengers were turned away at the door if they had shorts, (women & men), hats, and tank tops. Royal really stuck to the dress code. I wore a pair of capris in Chops but no one said a thing to me. Dinner at Chops was wonderful. I bought my meal online and saved $11 so to me it was a bargain.

 

Other places to eat were Windjammers, ate a small lunch there and didn’t like it, Windjammer Marketplace, Solarium Park Café, was open the odd hours, between breakfast and lunch, lunch and dinner, late night, etc. The food was ok.

 

Went to the production show and again, was not impressed, it was almost like the dancers and singers were just going through the motions and not really trying to entertain the passengers. The theater was only half full.

 

Today was non-smoking in the casino and the casino crew really watched for anyone trying to light up. There were no ashtrays but a few passengers tried and were told to go to another area. Went to my cabin around 11 pm.

 

February 22, 2017, Wednesday, Nassau, Bahamas

 

Nassau Bahamas is one of my favorite ports. I just love the rhythm and feel of the place. I don’t find the vendors pushy at all. Majesty OTS and Enchantment were the only ships in port, very unusual. Many vendors weren’t open and taxis didn’t line the port street like they usually do. Our time to leave was 530 pm and we all had the pleasure of watching two people running for the ship at 550 pm. I am surprised the Captain waited because they weren’t on a ship excursion. I am sorry but I love watching them run for the gangway, I know, it is terrible of me.

 

Returned to the ship around 3, after losing more money in the Atlantis Casino, took a nap and went to the dining room for dinner. The solo cruiser and I were the only people sitting at our table. For lunch I went upstairs to the Windjammer but the food wasn’t good at all, so I just left my plate on the table and went to the Café and got a dessert.

 

Tonight’s entertainment was Billy Prudhomme, juggler/comedian extraordinaire. I would like to know how you can do both of those things at the same time. Again, theater empty and passengers were walking out.

 

Went to the casino but wasn’t feeling good, so I went to my cabin.

 

February 23, 2017, Thursday, Key West, Florida

 

We were notified last night that there was an immigration inspection this morning before getting off of the ship in Key West. I have never had this happen before, many passengers hadn’t and you want to see a bunch of riled up passengers who were late for excursions, shopping, etc. If we had an excursion, which I did, we went to Deck 5 and sat around for 30 minutes. Then a crew member came and got us and brought us up to Deck 6, then walked us to the front of the ship and down the stairs to Deck 5 to the theater. Ok, I know this made no sense and now the passengers were getting vocal and a little mean. You walked into the theater, down to the front and up the other side where Immigration looked at your passport and room key and then you could go. I didn’t understand this at all. This is somewhere around my 25th to 30th cruise and I have never had to do this. I wonder if Donald had something to do with it.

 

Key West was wonderful. I think I could live there if it wasn’t so expensive. Back on the ship around 4 and changed for dinner. Casual night and the food was great, Italian, loved it. Said goodbye to my tablemates.

 

Went to the Parade of Flags which was a cool thing to watch once but probably not again.

 

Back to the casino to receive my $200 cruise certificate. Don’t know whether I will use it since there are so many stipulations on it. Went to my cabin to pack and realized all I had was a carryon bag so I waited until the morning to pack everything.

 

There was no entertainment in the bars, with the exception of the Schooner, it has a musician every night. The Atrium had a piano player during dinner hour.

 

Disembarkation Day-February 24, 2017, Friday, Miami

On disembarkation day I received a text from American Airlines telling me my flight had been pushed back 2 hours and 30 minutes. I called them and I was told if I could be at the airport at 1115 am I could have a seat on the 1136 am flight. I have never walked so fast, begged to be moved up to the front of the line at port immigration and begged the shuttle driver to leave as soon as possible because I could miss my flight. When I got to the airport I had 30 minutes before my flight to make it to my gate. They put me on a cart with a driver and I was there within 10 minutes, but I don’t think I will ever do that again.

 

My Thoughts (These are just my thoughts, someone else might love this kind of cruise)

 

A four day cruise is not something I will do again. If I lived in Florida or the port where it was sailing from that would be another matter, but when you add air and the cost of the cruise for less than 80 hours on a ship, it just wasn’t worth it.

 

My impressions of Enchantment, she is an old lady who has seen better days and she is showing her age in many places. She is up for another refurbishment in 2017 but they just can’t add enough to her to make her interesting. Worn seats, carpeting, and flooring and rust was showing everywhere. I am not a fan of small ships, which is what I consider the Enchantment. Yes, you can find everything very easily but there isn’t much to find. Limited dining options, limited bar options, no entertainment, not enough computers for internet, no library. There were some nice shops but with limited amounts of merchandise. I like the midsize ships, 2,500 to 3,200 passengers. I want something to do besides trivia, arts & crafts and ice carving.

 

I found the crew to be less than friendly to the passengers. My stateroom attendant was nice but I really didn’t notice his presence most of the time. The rest of the crew, when you passed them in the hallway, a few said Good Morning, Good Evening, but for the most part they walked by with their heads down and not talking to passengers. There was no presence of ship officers. On my last cruise they could be found all over the ship, including the Captain, Hotel Manager, Cruise Director, etc., but not on this ship. The only time I saw them was during the Parade of Flags on the last night.

 

My room steward was helpful, but on the first day I asked for ice in the morning and at night and he stated that if I didn’t use it, he couldn’t refill it, new Royal rules. Sorry, I don’t believe that. He had to find an ice bucket because my cabin didn’t have one. I asked where the refrigerator was and he stated Royal had pulled them out of certain rooms. I bring a sandwich or a pastry to my cabin but had no place to keep it cool because I had no refrigerator.

 

If you like a small ship atmosphere, with nothing for the kids or you to do, then it might be the ship for you, it just didn’t interest me at all. I won’t book another cruise on her or probably any of the Vision class ships.

 

Candie

Picture 1, 2 & 3 are the cabin

Picture 4 is My Fair Lady (MDR)

Picture 5 is Bolero Bar

Picture 6 is Windjammer

Picture 7 is Atlantis

Picture 8 is the Atrium

Picture 9 is a yacht docked Nassau, is was bought for $100,000,000. It comes with it's own helicopter, two sailboats attached on the sides and a 25 foot Criss-Craft.

 

[Matt]

 

 

If you like a small ship atmosphere, with nothing for the kids or you to do, then it might be the ship for you, it just didn’t interest me at all. I won’t book another cruise on her or probably any of the Vision class ships.

I'm curious, what were your expectations going into this cruise with a ship like Enchantment? Had you only done larger ships before?

[firegal2539]

Hi Matt,

 

I have sailed on the Explorer, 4,029 passengers, Serenade, 2490 passengers, Vision, 2416 passengers, and the Jewel, 3343 passengers and leaving in 2 weeks on the Indy, 4370 passengers. On Princess, I have sailed the Royal Princess, 3600 passengers, Golden Princess, 2600 passengers and Grand Princess, 3100 passengers. On NCL I have sailed mostly the biggest ships, Escape and Epic. I am kind of all over the place on the size of a ship I will sail.

 

I think what the problem was, I felt there was nothing to do. There was a huge group of teenagers (great kids) from Brazil, all young ladies, celebrating their Quinceaneras, and I felt like there was nothing for them to do. Mostly you would find them in small groups huddled around their IPhones, up by the pool.

 

I found I spent more time in my room then anywhere else because I didn't feel good but I couldn't find anything to do that interested me. The Cruise Compass devoted only one page, (the 2nd page) with what was going on, where it was at and what time. Most of the time there are two pages.

 

I try not to go in to any cruise with high expectations because almost always they get shot down. I expected to have decent theater shows, at least 4 or 5 dining choices, a large choice of things to do each day and most of those weren't met. I couldn't find many really bad things to complain about, such as the toilet didn't work or the room flooded. None of that occurred, the room was freezing and the lights around the window were like having the aurora borealis in my room, not really RCCL's fault.

 

I guess I was just disappointed in the ship, the venues, etc.

 

Candie

[monctonguy]

Wow...I must  be really missing out on what other cruise lines offer, as I have done Enchantment many times and never bored. But then again....I am not a fussy eater, drink, and hang by the pool and hit the bar/clubs at night so I guess that makes a difference.

 

Cpl of things I will mention.....if you don't like playing Lounger Lotto...just go up one deck where there are lots if chairs.

 

Also, I think Enchantment has about 2400 guests and you say you like mid-size starting around 2500...well that is pretty close.

 

Never have a problem finding a game in the casino on any cruise on her so far.

 

My experience was the same at Key West and having to do Customs..and that was when Obama was president, so can't blame the line up on Trump this time..lol

 

Missing out on Coco Cay was a mistake. It wasn't that bad if they were doing the tender's. I usually complain when the stop them for the slightest winds or waves.....so if they had them going, it had to be pretty smooth sailing.

 

I have stayed in smaller rooms with no issues....with both friends as well as a significant other(on different cruises of course..lol) and while the rooms are small, we hardly spend anytime in them. I don't cruise to sit in my room and look out a window, when I can actually be outside enjoying it!

 

 

I admit, the TV options has always left something to be desired.

 

If you spent a lot of time in your room cause you didn't feel good, well that would defn damper your perspective on the ship/experience/cruise.

 

At the end of the day, its your opinion and experience.....but the way you make it sound, makes me wonder just how amazing other cruise lines must be compared to Royal!

[firegal2539]

monctonguy,

 

I am not giving this review to show that Royal is better or worse than any other cruise line. I have sailed Princess, Royal, Norwegian, Carnival, and Celebrity and I wouldn't do another Carnival, ever, and my favorites are Royal and Princess. They seem to offer more bang for the buck and more to do onboard.

 

I was just disappointed because there was so little to do on the ship. It was like everything was abbreviated. I was just trying to give my review. I have sailed Royal many times and 95% of my reviews are about how amazing the cruise, ship, cabin, crew was and I would definitely sail again.

 

Sorry if I upset any members, that wasn't my purpose in giving my review.

 

Candie

[monctonguy]

Not upset and your experience is your experience.......

 

Just was very opposite of my experience multiple times on that ship, so I was surprised.