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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: H. Michael Ball
Email: heberb@workmail.com
Age: 50
Occupation: Letter Carrier, USPS
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Enchantment
SailingDate: Feb. 18, 2001
Itinerary: Eastern Caribbea
Cabin: 8574 - C
FoodDiningRoom: 70
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 100
FoodVariety: 60
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 50
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 95
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 75
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 85
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 80
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 02 Mar 2001
Time: 15:41:02
Remote Name: ts03-ip60.hevanet.com
Remote User:
Comments
Enchantment of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) Eastern Caribbean (Feb. 18 - 25, 2001) by
H. Michael Ball, heberb@hevanet.com
Overview:
This was the third cruise for my wife and I, having sailed on The Crown Princess (Feb. 1999) and the
Regal Princess (Feb. 2000) Both were 10 day cruises to the Mexican Riviera. These are sister ships
with space ratios of 44. We enjoyed most aspects of what Princess had to offer, but realized that a
good comparison could only be accomplished with experience aboard other lines. A Florida travel
agent gave us a good offer for a balcony suite aboard The Enchantment - an offer too good to pass
up so we jumped at it.
Both The Regal and Crown have standard in/out room size of 190 sq. feet. We had tried the inside and
outside/window but had never booked with a veranda. Our Enchantment suite would be on Deck 8,
Bridge Deck, with a size of 245 sq. feet. What's more, the price per day would be similar to an outside
window cabin aboard Princess.... but would the service and facilities be as good? Only one way to find
out.... take the plunge and try RCI.
Getting There:
My wife and I are both letter carriers from Portland, Oregon. We had to work 2/17, (the day before
departure.) No way out of it. We would have liked to depart a few days early, stayed in Ft.
Lauderdale.... get over any jet lag, and be ready for the cruise. Our only option was to try and make
the best of it. We managed to get off early, get home and do all the last minute packing.
The flight was red eye on Delta Airlines from Portland to Atlanta on a Boeing 767. Then Atlanta to Ft.
Lauderdale on an L 1011. All went well... no delays and we managed to doze throughout the flights.
Embarkation:
We did not book our flight through RCI and had to take a taxi to the port facilities... no big deal, it's
about five minutes from the airport, but the taxi driver was concerned that it was too early and that the
port authorities would not allow entrance during the disembarkation from the previous cruise. No
problem - the guards waived us through to the front of the terminal. By then it was 9:00 am. We
entered the building on the south side and sat with about twenty other people in an undersized waiting
area. Note: RCI representatives were not present in the front of the terminal. My wife went out front to
have a cigarette... she ended up directing new arrivals to the waiting area. They were lost and
disoriented. The waiting area is at the south end of the terminal building.
We waited from 9:00 am until 11:45 am. The barrier was opened and we proceeded to a short line of
waiting passengers. RCI has a number system of some sort.... you take your number and go to the
respective line - this was not used on our early embarkation. The process was quick and smooth. The
attendant helping us seemed too secretarial and unfriendly. It might have had something to do with my
dropping our paperwork onto her keyboard and making a mess of things. My apology and explanation
of a red eye flight and lack of sleep did not bring a smile to her face... oh well, not on board yet. Done
and off to the picture line. RCI does not use picture ID as does Princess. These were the standard
photos which they try to sell during the cruise. RCI uses a credit card, (called supercharge.) This will
purchase anything aboard ship, acts as your key to the stateroom and will open your personal room
safe.
Finally, up an enclosed, inclined walkway similar to what you'd find at an airport terminal. It was steep
enough to be a problem to the older passengers. To the top... and then.... aboard the ship - king's X !
! We had made it and were aboard The Enchantment of the Seas ! One enters mid ship at The Atrium
- similar to The Crown and Regal but more modernistic, bright and colorful.
We had the entire ship to ourselves for a number of hours. Did our customary exploring. Nice to finally
be on a ship with a complete promenade deck.
Quarters:
I did my homework and had studied the deck plans on the internet. We declined an escort to our room
and took a mid ship elevator to deck 8, Bridge Deck. Note: Enchantment has elevators and stairwells
mid ship and forward... none to aft. At muster station drill I had a group of people follow me aft, thinking
that I knew what I was doing. They followed me around to the other side of our deck and forward to the
lifts mid ship. Herd mentality, I suppose.
The suite was everything we had envisioned.... 245 sq. feet with a fold out couch and two matching
chairs, ample storage space and a veranda large enough for two chairs, a table and one deck chair.
The retainer was of green tinted glass. The bathroom was adequate with a bathtub. Note: RCI does
not furnish a hair dryer. Don't forget to bring one along. Our suite was aft and to starboard. Note: when
taking the Eastern Caribbean cruise to St. Martin and St. Thomas, it is best to book on the port side -
much better view of your destinations.
We met our steward and I tipped him - yes, I tipped him at the beginning of the cruise. This was a new
technique I learned from my friends Tom and Mary Milano. The staff aboard ship enjoys attention and
recognition. I tipped him $50 in a envelope with a note stating that this was a down payment on what I
knew would be exceptional service. I also asked him if, at the end of the cruise, we might be allowed to
stay in our suite until our color code was announced. He said no problem, and while other passengers
had to wait in public areas, we sat in our cabin and watched TV. On the last night of the cruise I tipped
him another $20.
Cuisine:
My Fair Lady - Formal Dining, Decks 4 and 5 aft - The service was excellent. The food was, well,
okay.... and just okay. It was well prepared and served warm but lacked anything which one could call
'special'. With Princess we had a much greater selection with appetizers, soups, salads, pasta dishes,
(every night,) and desserts. With RCI we had appetizers, one salad with no selection, the main entree
and dessert.... that's it! The area is spacious with a main floor and surrounding balcony. As with our
cabin steward, I tipped our waiter $50 on the first night with a similar note. I asked him to suggest
entrees if my selections were for items that he knew to be sub standard. He said no problem. The next
night I tipped the asst. waiter $30 with a similar note. The last night of dining I again tipped the waiter
and his assistant - $20 and $10, respectively. The headwaiter received $10, (for what I don't know.) He
would come around and chat with a gracious smile... he separated our crustaceans from their shells on
several occasions... no flambe on this cruise.
We booked second sitting, thinking that this would give us ample time to prepare for dinner after shore
excursions. Problem is, on days in port, the second sitting has an early entertainment show, starting at
7:00 PM, instead of 10:30 PM. It makes for a rush to refresh and dress with little time to observe the
departure from a port.
My wife, Pat, suffered seasickness on days one and two. She was unable to attend dinner. The seas
were 15 feet with gale force side winds of 40 mph. The sky was overcast and with the howling wind, it
was almost comical to watch the sun worshipers in their deck chairs, grasping their clothes and towels
as they flapped wildly in the air. The UV rays went through the overcast and severely burned many
passengers.
Windjammer Cafe - Buffet, deck 9, forward - This seemed an unusual set up... having the buffet so far
forward. Aboard The Crown and Regal Princess the casino is in this location . Rough seas can be felt
most severely in this area. So here we had hordes of people trying to balance food trays with
beverages in a pitching sea. I must say that I never had to wait in line and there were always open
tables with a fantastic view of the surroundings. Again, the food was just okay and nothing to write
home about. We saw much more fruit on Princess... tons of fruit. It was actually hard to find fruit on the
Enchantment. They really, really need to work on this.
Burger/Pizza Bar - Dogs and burgers and pizza slices, deck 9 aft. Located at the port side adjacent to
the solarium pool. Ample seating. Beverage machine.
Entertainment:
The Orpheum Showroom, decks 5 & 6. A beautiful theatre; well laid out. Spacious and inviting. The
shows were professional and well rehearsed. My wife liked the dancers aboard Princess more... they
seemed more energetic and vital. This RCI dance troupe was well choreographed but used much more
extremity gestures verses full body movement... as if they were saving their energies for something
else. The Coasters offered entertainment on night 5 with such songs as Charlie Brown, Yakity Yak,
etc. A juggler, comedians and the like.
Sun Deck, deck 9, forward from the main pool. Customary Caribbean sounds by a group called Mega
4. Not quite our style but well appreciated by many passengers.
Casino Royale, deck 5, mid ship. Numerous slot machines. Ample gaming tables. Roulette. Craps.
Caribbean Poker. Black jack minimum is $5, one table only. The rest are $10. Smoking area.
Bars / Lounges:
The Schooner Bar, deck 6. We spent many hours here, meeting new people and chatting with the
Jamaican bartenders. One entire side of the bar is glass, giving a great view. Relaxing piano music.
Chips and dips from 5:30 PM.
The Carousel Lounge, deck 6, aft. Live music and bar, bingo and The Captain's Party. We went here
for the bingo one day. We tried to go to the Captain's Party but were both too seasick to make it
through the reception line. Went back to our suite and ordered room service.
The Viking Crown Lounge, deck 11, mid ship. It offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the ocean. It is
an observatory during the day and a disco at night. We checked it out on day one but never went
back. I swear, it looks like a big UFO parked on top of the ship. Our little joke was how RCI rented that
space to the aliens for human abductions.
Pool Areas:
Main pool, Sun Deck, deck 9. Open to all ages. Dual hot tubs. Crowded with deck chairs and sun
worshippers. Note: RCI seems to have the same deck chair problem we experienced on Princess:
people reserving chairs with their towels and personal affects early in the morning and returning hours
later to sun bath. RCI had numerous signs around the deck - no reserving of deck chairs. This went
unheeded by the guests. This is surely a problem on most cruise lines and I don't know if there is a
good solution to the problem... perhaps more staff to confiscate the left items and take them to a
massive lost and found... then you would have guests lodging complaints that they were only gone ten
minutes to get their coppertone from the cabin. I don't know... sunbathing seems to be a hassle while
at sea.
The Solarium Pool, Sun Deck, deck 9, aft. As Tom Milano put it, 'If someone led you blindfolded into
the Solarium pool area and then removed the blindfold, you very well might think you were in a Roman
Garden in ancient times.' Limited to ages 16 and older. Dual hot tubs and shower stalls. The glassed
roof slides open.
Excursions:
Note: Make sure to book your excursions as soon as you get on board. With Princess you can book
ahead of time; well before the cruise date. Not so with RCI. Their excursions are numerous, varied and
well organized but as with the two excursions we took, they can fill up rather quickly and you are left
with second and third options.
Sint Maartin: We opted to do our own thing - shop in Philipsburg and find a beach by taxi. The
shopping was fun and we found some good deals. The natives were friendly and spoke fluent English.
This southern half of the island is governed by the Dutch and has an Amsterdam flavor to it... sort of
anything goes and very laid back. After shopping we went back to the ship, (parked with four others at
the new dock,) refreshed and took a taxi to Dawn Beach. Dawn Beach is smaller but closer than Orient
Beach. We had problems getting a taxi back. We took one vehicle which turned out not to be a taxi at
all.... just a local trying to make a few extra dollars. He dropped us short of the new dock facility so as
not to get in trouble with the port authority.
St. Thomas: We took the Atlantis submarine excursion. Cost was appx. $75 PP and well worth it. This is
real sub - electric driven. You dive as deep as 85 feet. The water is clear and the bottom sand is
white... plenty of light and visibility. We saw numerous reef sharks, barracuda, lobster, yellow fin jacks,
sea turtles; you name it. The dive lasts appx. one hour but seems longer. I filmed with a camcorder and
found that I couldn't put it down. Well narrated. The shopping in St. Thomas was not what I expected.
Seemed like every other store was for jewelry. This is U.S. territory with post offices, zip codes and
many regulations which I don't think you would find on St. Maartin nor The Bahamas.
Nassau: Sting Ray City - swimming with the rays. Like the Atlantis Sub, this excursion filled up quickly.
Make sure to get in reservations right away. Cost is appx. $50 PP. We took a boat out to Blue Lagoon
Island. The facility had a bar, souvenir building, and ample bathrooms. Plenty of snorkels and masks.
No foot fins allowed. At first I thought we would just be viewing the rays.... then I managed to touch one,
then another and another. The staff handed out portions of squid as food and the rays responded
very well - eating right out of our hands. Pat and I were the last to leave the lagoon. We took an
underwater camera and got some great shots of these beautiful creatures. There are appx. 15 rays
within the enclosure, along with numerous schools of small fish. Idea: bring pressure cans of cheese
whiz - the fish will gather to feed on it. We shopped downtown but found it limiting. Absolutely no kahlua
to be found. Again, many jewelry stores and your usual gift shops.
Ft. Lauderdale: We stayed an extra day at The Embassy Suites on 17th Street. At the end of this
review I will add that experience. We had some problems with the staff but I'm sure that much of it was
due to being accustomed to the pampering one receives on a cruise. Not so in a land based hotel.
Itinerary:
Enchantment of the Seas offers seven day cruises from Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale, leaving on
Sundays. She alternates between eastern and western excursions.
And Finally:
There is a youth center. Many, many children on board. Most were behaved but children will be
children. On one occasion, we entered an elevator to find a group of teen-age girls. They asked us
where we wanted to go and pushed the buttons for others. They were bored and were trying to amuse
themselves.
I must mention that this is a cruise originating on the east coast. We are western folk and use to
manners and hospitality. We found many of our fellow passengers to be rude and without any sort of
etiquette.
Would we sail on RCI again? Yes, the price is right and, other than the food, the cruise was a
marvelous experience.
To read about our experiences at The Embassy Suites in Ft. Lauderdale, scroll down below my
signature.
Happy sailing,
H. Michael Ball, heberb@hevanet.com
The Stay at Embassy Suites and a Minor Fiasco at the Airport:
Staying at Embassy Suites was a real letdown after being pampered on the cruise ship. The facility
was beautiful and our suite was spacious, (almost like being in a barn after staying in the ship suite,)
but the staff seemed unfriendly and apathetic. Is this normal behavior on the East Coast? I don't know.
Upon arrival I wanted a cup of coffee. We noticed a coffee station in the atrium but the attendant
bluntly told me that it was closed. She turned away from me and began mumbling as if perturbed by my
inquiry. I went to the room to make my own..... all that was there was decaf. We ended up at their bar
and had two mochas at $3.50 a pop! I later called the desk and requested regular coffee -
housekeeping sent me four more bags of decaf! At this point I developed an attitude and poured out
my frustration to the poor receptionist at the front desk. They sent us free room service of coffee and
what seemed like a weeks supply of coffee and condiments for the room. Fact is, I shouldn't have had
to go through that experience.... not at $200 per night.
We ate at The Outback Steakhouse which was next door..... best meal of the entire vacation - shrimp,
lobster, steaks; in a friendly and efficient atmosphere.
Next day we planned for lunch in the embassy atrium restaurant. We stood and waited to be seated...
and waited..... and waited.... finally, a waitress called us over while she bussed at the buffet line..... told
us to just have a seat.. hmmm..... So we sit down and the first thing we notice is that Pat's table spoon
is filthy... geeeeze, forget it, let's check out and eat at the airport.
Get to the airport at about 12:30 pm to find that Delta had canceled our flight due to mechanical
problems on the L-1011. Arranged a flight on American which didn't leave until 7:50 pm. Delta gave us
a $12 voucher for the restaurant.... their way of saying 'we're sorry'. Needless to say, we had hours
and hours of sitting at the airport... reading and people watching. The AA planes were old and small,
(727's,) but they do have more leg room - just like they preach on their TV adds.
Name: Barb Colasante
Email: BColasante@cs.com
Age: 41
Occupation: PT office manager/homemaker
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Enchantment
SailingDate: 3/11/01
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
Cabin: 8078/C
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 60
FoodMidnightBuffets: 75
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 75
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 100
LoungeService:
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 75
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 70
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 Mar 2001
Time: 16:37:10
Remote Name: spider-wd034.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
Comments
Enchantment of the Seas
We just returned from a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise, following the same route as Carnival’s Paradise,
which is the one we took last year during spring break. We couldn’t help comparing Enchantment and
Paradise all week, especially since we saw her docked near us at 3 of the 4 ports!
We arranged our own airfare, arriving in Ft. Lauderdale at 12:50pm. Embarkation took 75 minutes w/lots
of standing. My parents (late 60’s) arrived at 10:45 am and had no wait at all. This was a negative
comparison to Paradise since last year we arrived at the same time and got right on.
Our family of 4, including 15 & 12 year old girls, had a category C suite aft on deck 8. My parents were
midship, same type cabin, same deck. We booked this cruise with only 3 weeks notice. At first we had 3
outside cabins on deck 4, but my husband balked at paying almost $6000 for the girls to have their own
cabin. Then our travel agent found a suite that slept 4, had a balcony, and cost only $3450. We decided
to do it since the cabin was bigger (245 sq. ft), had a 55sq ft balcony, and last year we all bunked together
on Paradise in a 190 sq ft cabin with no problem. My parents upgraded to the same deck for ease of
communication between us. The cabin was nice but we decided we prefer bunk beds because they take
up less floor space. It was tight walking past end of beds and the only vanity/mirror in the room. The
bathroom was bigger than on Paradise and had a tub, which enabled 2 people with swimsuits on to get
showered at the same time. The girls shared a queen size sleeper sofa, which the cabin steward opened
at night and put away during the day.
The balcony was very relaxing, but we didn’t spend as much time on it as we thought we would. A few of us
would use it before dinner and before bed, while waiting for the others to get ready. We watched as we
took off from ports, and coming into ports, also. It was nice because my parents were on the opposite side
so we could switch, depending on which had a view or shade. The balconies have small overhangs above,
but the sun angle was such that it comes directly onto the balcony frequently anyway.
Food: I had read the bad commentaries and generally like anything if I don’t have to cook or clean up. The
food isn’t bad, just plain. However, I do highly recommend the chilled fruit soups that come with dinner and
lunch. They are great! Paradise did not have anything like them, although the food on Paradise was
definitely better. Service in the main dining room was also incredibly slow. We sat at a table for 6 with my
parents and the first night we couldn’t believe how long it took between courses. We were seated at the
entrance to the dining room and the kitchen was in the back, so maybe just walking took up part of the
time, but it was a huge negative in our comparison. The waiter and asst. waiter were very friendly and
Enchantment has a “head waiter” (8 of them) instead of a maitre’d. He actually helped once in a while, too,
and visited us every night. He was also very friendly. Our waiter and head waiter were from Jamaica which
was one of our stops and they gave us good info about touring there. The asst. waiter was from Turkey,
very nervous, and new. We really liked helping him relax and getting to know them all. But the best service
we had all week was when we were in Cozumel and 2 of their 3 tables didn’t show up for dinner.
The midnight buffets were very small, mostly appetizers. The grand buffet was not grand. Paradise’s was
much better and bigger. My 12 year old did not like the food at all and lost 4 lbs. We asked for a children’s
menu since she wanted macaroni and cheese, and they didn’t have one. They did bring her a bowl of
cheese noodles, tho. They really did try to please, it’s just that they have too many people to take care of
so dinners always took at least 2 hours. Other people left before us so not everyone had our delay.
We didn’t ever order 2 main courses. On Paradise we did that several times. Also on Paradise, both
formal nights offered lobster and filet mignon. On Enchantment only one night the whole week had lobster.
We ordered an extra one for my daughter, knowing she wouldn’t eat it, because to have asked for another
one after the first ones were delivered would have taken another half hour!!
Windjammer Café was always buffet style and we had breakfast there 6 times. It was very good but a staff
member is positioned at the coffee machine to pour your coffee into the mug and it was annoying. That
area is crowded to begin with, then to put an extra person there was one more obstacle to maneuver
around. Lunches there were also good, but not varied. The only ethnic thing offered all week was on St.
Patrick’s day. We were hoping for Mexican while in Cozumel. Breakfast and lunch in the main dining room
were much faster and their Eggs Benedict were done perfectly. By the Solarium (quiet pool) is a hot dog,
hamburger, pizza counter. The burgers were okay but the pizza was lacking. My 12 year old thought the
pizza we got on the way home on US Airways was the best food she had all week!!!
There is no ice cream machine on Enchantment as there is on Paradise. No hot chocolate machine either.
The only beverages offered for free during the day are water and iced tea. We missed the fruit juices and
lemonade on Paradise.
Shows: Very good. The dancers are energetic and skilled. The comedians were good. We especially
enjoyed getting to know the juggler/comedian personally during the cruise. He offered free juggling
classes, which my girls attended. We also were seated with him at open seating lunch one day and he
joined us for coffee one day. Really nice guy – so talented and funny! One of the best things about
Enchantment was that the sight lines from every seat were great, even though the theater seemed smaller
than on Paradise. You can show up 20 minutes before show time and still get a great seat! On Paradise
you had to get there 45 minutes early just to get a seat because they played bingo there every night and
the best seats went early. It was great here because we could shop and look at photos after our slow
dinner, without rushing straight to the theater to hold a seat.
My parents were thrilled because the surprise show was “The Platters”, a singing group they grew up
hearing.
Pools: We never had a problem getting chairs because we seek shade. We used the quiet pool (Solarium)
all week. It’s for 12 yrs and up, no music or ball playing and the rules were enforced by a “deck patrol.” I’m
glad because one day some loud 17–21 yr olds showed up and started playing beach ball in the pool.
Since it’s salt water, people were not happy getting splashed in the eyes. After about 15 minutes, a patrol
man told them to stop. The 2 hot tubs in this area are great. They never had more than 7 people in them,
compared to Paradise’s 13!!, and the people didn’t stay in too long. On Paradise, the quiet pool’s hot tub
was clogged with the same group of college kids all week. This was another great positive for
Enchantment.
Excursions: We took the kayaking excursion in Key West. It was okay, no insects at all as some have
reported here. We saw baby jellyfish, lots of mangrove trees, and some birds. We had frozen key lime pie
on a stick ($5.00) at a shop right by the pier. We don’t highly recommend this excursion. We like to kayak
and it was interesting, but not repeatable any time soon.
In Cozumel we went to Chankanaub Park on our own, by taxi. My parents came, too. The snorkeling is
absolutely awesome!! We saw all kinds of beautiful fish. My mother couldn’t snorkel, but just standing in
the water waist deep, she saw tons of fish swarming around her! Admission = $10.00 cash. Taxi = $8.00.
They don’t take credit cards. Shopping in Cozumel at the pier is frustrating. Deduct 70% for every price
tag you see and stick to your guns. Paying too much is irritating.
Grand Cayman: We did the 8:30am stingray snorkel. We did the 9:30am one on Paradise last year. This
year they were hungry!! My 12 year old got back in the boat after only 10 minutes!! Last year she loved it.
They were all around, rubbing on our legs. At first, nobody at all was snorkeling. It was too crowded to
begin with. The boat operators group you between boats. After more people got on the boat, we were able
to snorkel and see puffer and trumpet fish as well as stingrays. I’m much more comfortable with my feet off
the ground anyway! My husband fed a big one with his hand in the wrong position and had his fingers
sucked into a ray’s mouth. He could feel the two bony plates as they scrapped his fingers. Ouch! He had
small abrasions to show for it all week, but he did learn to hold the bait the right way!
Jamaica: My daughters, husband, and father did the horseback riding. We did it last year, too. They had a
great time, especially my father! My mother and I took a taxi to the Taj Mahal shopping area. She bought
some gold jewelry at good prices. When my daughters returned I took them there again for souvenirs. It’s
only a two-minute cab ride from the pier. RCI’s pier there is ugly! Paradise is at the new, pretty pier and
they can walk to the shopping center.
Noise: Our cabin, 8078, was 2 floors above the Carousel Lounge, but I could still hear them the first and
second night thru my pillow. They also hold pool parties on deck 9 and my parents heard that several
nights until 1am. I didn’t think vibration would be noticeable since we had sailed on Paradise and enjoyed
ship movement, but on Enchantment, there is definitely some major quivering going on when they dock.
It’s weird! The whole bed would shake rapidly back and forth like a vibrating bed. It only lasted half a
minute at a time, repeating for several minutes, but it would wake us up! I imagine lower decks felt it more.
We also heard lots of drawer banging, door closing and other loud bangs (?) during the night. It was much
noisier than our cabin on Paradise. The sofa bed creaked loudly, too, so we ended up putting the
mattress on the floor every night. The very first night the intercom started blaring at 6:30 am and again at
8:00 am. Then at 10 and noon! We complained to my parents and they showed us that it could be turned
off altogether. Thank goodness!
Teens programs: Mine refused to go. We did pass through one evening about 10:30pm to go to the
observation deck to see the stars. It’s a great view! There were about 15 teens sitting on 2 sofas talking.
They were there for a good hour doing nothing but talk. The one 17 year old girl that tried to befriend my
15 year old (who is 5’11” and looks older) at the beginning of the cruise, later told her how she was
hanging out with the singles groups, being offered drinks, and staying out until 2:30 am. Made me glad my
girls didn’t want to join!
Overall, we had a fun cruise. We wish the ship were totally non-smoking like Paradise, though. We had to
leave a late show in the Carousel lounge because of smoke, and once in the Centrium, while my parents
were dancing, two men were smoking and making nasty comments to people who complained about it.
There is no smoking in the dining rooms and main show room. We smelled smoke in the hallways
occasionally and while in port, the halls smelled like latrines. Uggg!
I would cruise RCI again, but we’ll probably get 2 cabins for privacy sake. The balcony was nice, but I’ll
settle for an outside window. We will try Princess, Celebrity or Holland America next time in order to
attempt to find the best of both of these ships in one.
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