Enchantment of the Seas Royal Caribbean
Written: Oct 07 '02 (Updated Dec 14 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: the backbone of the ship - THE STAFF
Cons: NONE
The Bottom Line: You cannot beat this vacation and the service was above par
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| susidee34's Full Review: Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas |
The first thing I learned was the difference between the term boat and ship which was supplied by my travel companion SurgRN911 (Diane) and passed down from her brother Gungian. The difference between the two – a ship can carry a boat - plain and simple.
The Ship
Eleven stories above water, 4 stories below water. Cabins for passengers are on deck 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8. We booked our cruise in January, 2002, on cabin deck 2 at the recommendation of our travel agent. As we learned (and Diane already knew from past experience), the closer to cruise time and the more last minute cruisers that sign on, we kept getting moved up for the same price – aren’t they just the clever roosters? We ended up on deck 7, thank you very much, in a lovely stateroom for the same price we paid for deck 2 – snicker.
Two good size and remarkably comfortable beds with end tables, a desk, lounge chair, ample storage and closets, a wall safe, and a wonderful bathroom. Since you are undoubtedly wondering, the toilet paper was very acceptable, the beds were not noisy, and the shower was to die for. I could have lived in that shower and never left.
We were next to the card room and the library (yes, Gungian, we did actually enter the library just in your honor) and there were two weddings performed while we were at sea (everybody say awwwwww). In fact, there were 77 honeymoon couples on our cruise, but we didn’t see them – grin – and one was even across the hall from us. A nice older couple that we saw at check out – smile.
My Fair Lady Dining Room
The main seating dining room is a two-level affair, decks 4 & 5. Grand entrance stairway or side entrance directly to your table. This is the formal dining room, requiring nicer attire. We had two formal evenings (we didn’t attend either one) with cocktail gowns and tuxedos; one smart casual with nice dresses or pant suits and coats and ties for the gentlemen; one Caribbean attire evening; the balance were all casual dress with no shorts or tank tops allowed.
This is assigned seating for dinner, open seating for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast and lunch are more casual attire, with shorts and tank tops allowed. It is very elegant at all meals with linens and more plates, glasses and silverware than I know the requirements for, therefore I avoided that area entirely. We are not total heathens, though, we did eat twice in this formal setting.
At the end of the cruise a midnight buffet is set up in this dining room. You are allotted one hour before eating to take pictures of the extravaganza and then invited back to eat to your hearts content. Pictures you ask? Why take pictures of food? This is like nothing you have seen before – it isn’t food, it is an absolute visual masterpiece. I am sure you are familiar with ice sculpturing but not food sculpturing. It was simply amazing.
Windjammer Cafe
This is where we did the majority of our eating. Offering the same food as My Fair Lady, but in a more casual setting, The Windjammer Cafe is located off the pool area. Evening dinner, although buffet, was linens and candlelight. The room is entirely glass affording a breathtaking view, or you can opt to eat outside under the enclosed terrace area. Breakfast and lunch were very informal and all buffet style.
Also available was a midday snack in this area, if you want to term it a snack.
If you didn’t see the food you wanted, all you had to do was ask and they supplied it. Anyway, anytime, anyhow. Feedings began at 6 AM and went until 4 AM, room service was available 24 hours a day. Wouldn’t want to be a cook on this ship.
Solarium
Just in case you missed one of the other many feedings, the Solarium Cafe offered hamburgers, fries, hot dogs and pizza until 4 a.m. every night.
The Solarium also contained an indoor pool and whirlpools and was adjacent to the exercise area, or so they told me. I understand, however, they offer a full exercise program with a full spa, beauty salon and treatment area.
Dag, ain’t there any booze on this vessel?
1 - Champagne Lounge (smoking/non-smoking areas) Live quartet with ballroom dancing, located in the Centrum of the ship, 4th floor.
2 – Schooner Bar (smoking/non-smoking areas) Piano bar, located on 6th floor.
3 – Carousel Lounge (smoking/non-smoking areas) Full band offering everything from Big Band Era through the scooty-boot of the 2000’s. This is also the lounge that holds the Karoke singing each night and the adult passenger talent show. It was also the site of several Bingo games (total jackpot finally reached $11,000 and yes, it is won before the end of the cruise but not by me), game shows, and The Quest, which we came in at the end of and were sorry we missed. Sort of an adult scavenger hunt, if you get the drift. Full dance floor, located on 6th floor.
4 – Crown & Anchor Lounge – for cigar and pipe afficandos located on 8th floor.
5 – Windjammer Bar – poolside, smoking starboard, non-smoking port side. Live calypso band at least 20 hours a day, lots and lots of booze, pool games, dancing, and horse racing (that was a hoot), 9th floor.
6 – Viking Crown Lounge - a swinging, hot, techno rocking club on the 11th floor. This is were we got the pleasure of seeing the Village People up close and personal (not the REAL ones, but staff impersonating them and quite well I might add) and where we also had the pleasure of seeing, in all their glory, the Shippendales. Again, this is staff baring it all for our viewing enjoyment. What a group. This club stayed open until at least 4 a.m. every night – whew!
7 – Casino Sports Bar – smoking, taped music, a bazillion TV’s and a lot of Casino noise in the background, 5th floor.
8 – Fascinating Rhythm Lounge – non-smoking, non-music. Never saw a soul sitting here, adjacent to Carousel & Schooner, 6th floor. Strange name for a non-musical lounge.
That’s Entertainment
An excellent staff provided live entertainment, two shows per night, in the Orpheum Theatre. A two-level theatre covering deck 5 & 6, showed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which we missed; several game shows including a hilarious Love & Marriage; and the big final Bingo game, giving away that $11,000.
Stage productions were top quality with great costumes and music supplied by a stellar band. First night entertainment was the hysterical Jeff the Juggler, who stayed on board for the entire cruise. Second night was supposed to be Bowzer from Sha-Na-Na fame, but because we did not land in Key West, they flew him on to our next stop. The plane was delayed because of weather and he didn’t make Jamaica, so he flew to the next port. Nope, didn’t get him there either because we couldn’t land in Grand Cayman. We finally picked him up in Cozumel, Mexico, and he remained for the balance of the cruise as well.
Bowzer’s getting up there in years folks, but his back up singers are well worth the price of admission, which was free! An outstanding group from Philly known as the Stingrays, catch them some time if possible.
Also entertaining us was a lousy female impressionist by the name of Jan Downs. I figure if you have to TELL us who you are giving an impression of, then you have failed in your duty. Final night entertainment was also a weak Levent, a miserable magician, although he came there directly from Vegas. Maybe they threw him out of town? However, all was not lost, because a grand mimic and impressionist by the name of Scott Record broke the week up on Wednesday with a wonderful show.
What happened to my children, they are missing
Well not mine, but everyone that brought one on board was probably saying that – probably sometimes with a sigh of relief. The Youth Program is exceptional on board this ship. They gather up these little munchkins and keep them busy and entertained for the entire cruise, even offering babysitting services in your cabin so you can hit the nightspots.
Youth services also holds activities for mid-teens, and late-teens, keeping them occupied and out of trouble as well. Swimming, dancing, exercising and teen tours – what a great group of service people. Sincerely, you were hardly aware there were almost 200 children on board the ship.
Man, I really need a new dress
Full shopping on board, duty free, from a pack of gum to the loftiest gem you could desire. Clothing, booze, jewelry, smokes, shoes, hats, gowns, you name it and you can find it. There was also a nice art auction, with some grand masters, but we didn’t attend that either.
Naturally there are ATM’s aplenty, charging a steep $5.00 fee per use, a complete Photo Shop, Internet Café @ $.50 per minute, Tuxedo Rental for the gala nights and formal portraits taken every night. In fact, that photographer is very busy, so watch what you are doing because you never can tell when you will find your shapshot on the wall – smile.
I’m sure you are probably wondering what the Hell we did do on the cruise, since we don’t drink or dance or get off board. Why, what else?
Casino Royale
Of course, it was only open, as were the shops, when we were actually at sea. But we survived – smile.
My suggestion? Unless you got a boatload of money you don’t have anything to do with then stay out of the Casino Royale. The table games were a hoot to watch, especially Craps, but the slots – oh my aching wallet! Actually, I saw two hits, on the last day, one for $3000 and one for $20,000, both on dollar slots. The rest of us did nothing but donate to the cause. But it was fun, and it was vacation right?
The Most Important Thing Of All
The staff – you cannot say enough about the staff on board this cruise. The cruise director, Marc Walker, (who was the Indian in the Village People and one of the strippers in the Shippendales) absolutely made the entire cruise work. With all the delays and changes, he still maintained his calm, took time to talk to you, ran from one end of the ship to the other and I don’t think he slept a wink for the entire week. His 70 backup staff were just as exceptional and talented.
All wait staff were personable (from all points around the world), presented themselves well, courteous and kind, laughing and fun.
Cabin stewards/stewardesses – an incredible bunch of people. I learned how to make towel animals and left one for our steward (he laughed so hard he cried). Always there, always helpful and always pleasant. Rooms were kept in wonderful order. What a bunch – everyone give a large round of applause for them!
Finally, those unsung heroes you never see. The bunch below level pressing those sheets, washing those towels and pressing your clothes. The cooks, the dishwashers, the launders, the engine crew, the crew staff – everyone that makes the heart of the ship operate and never gets tip of the hat.
Checking in and checking out
Check in through Royal Caribbean headquarters and clearing customs – 20 minutes.
Check out, including collecting luggage, customs, finding a taxi and getting to airport – 30 minutes.
I consider this incredible considering there were approximately 2500 passengers on board, representing 17 countries and each person toting at least 3 suitcases. Just friggin incredible!
A few of the top ten stupid questions asked by fellow passengers:
Does the crew live on board? (what? Commute each day by jet ski?)
Does the ship generate its own electricity? (did they think we had a really big extension cord?)
Do the toilets have fresh water or salt water in them? (cruise director offered prize to anyone that tested it)
What time is the midnight buffet? (no comment required)
Do the stairs go up or down? (ok, I can forgive this, I know some places do that)
Going on a cruise? Thinking of a cruise? I can’t speak highly enough of Royal Caribbean and the beautiful Enchantment of the Seas. I can’t wait for my next one!
Thanks,
Susi
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
susidee34
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Member: SusiDee
Location: Gastonia NC
Reviews written: 1530
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About Me:
It's easier to build a child than repair an adult
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