Enchantment from Baltimore to Bermuda, need tips and reviews

[heyabbott]

We are heading to Bermuda from Baltimore on the Enchantment of the Seas 8-6-11. We've been on the Navigator once before and my wife and I have been on the Westerdam, HAL.

 

We are taking our 15 and 18 year old daughters and traveling with other family for my in-laws 80 birthdays

 

We have late seating and we are on deck 7, balcony rooms.

 

Does anyone have dinner menus from a 5 night cruise on Enchantment?

 

Is the formal night really adhered to on an August cruise. It's too hot for my tux and I may be to fat for it as well ;). Can I get away with khakis, button down shirts and a blazer?

What entertainment is 'don't miss'? Is the casino crowded on this type of cruise?

 

What's the pool chair situation? Which pool area is best to relax, drink and read?

 

Excursions in Bermuda? Are the ships excursions worth it? What to do in Bermuda. We get there on Tuesday morning and leave wednesday afternoon. IS the ship crowded when docked?

 

I've only been on calm Caribbean waters, is the Atlantic trip to Bermuda a calm Caribbean-like voyage?

 

Any tips and advise from you pros would be helpful.

 

This is likely the last vacation as a family, as the older daughter is off to college the week after we return. GO HOKIES!!

 

Thanks in advance

[KelJ]

We went to Bermuda three weeks ago on the Explorer out of NJ. There is a link to my review in my signature below.

[ozzy77]

i am also taking the 5 night and interested in seeing a 5 night menu...so i will keep an eye on your thread. Also FYI if you go to the ports of call and go to Bermuda there is alot of info. From everything I have read I decided that its easy enough to do your own transportation and save alot of money to just take the bus or ferry. We did however, book the night life bermuda triangle glass bottom tour(mouthful) though the ship being that its 10:00 at night. We plan on visiting Horseshoe bay which they say is one of the most beautiful beaches most people have seen and is a must stop. The snorkling excursion at "snorkle beach" seemed tempting until I read that that was a man made beach and leaves alot to be desired but this is all things that can be read over at the ports of call. if no one posts a 5 night menu could you take pictures or write down yours and post it when you get back....Thanks! have a great trip

[jackretired]

We are heading to Bermuda from Baltimore on the Enchantment of the Seas 8-6-11. We've been on the Navigator once before and my wife and I have been on the Westerdam, HAL.

 

We are taking our 15 and 18 year old daughters and traveling with other family for my in-laws 80 birthdays

 

We have late seating and we are on deck 7, balcony rooms.

 

Does anyone have dinner menus from a 5 night cruise on Enchantment?

 

Is the formal night really adhered to on an August cruise. It's too hot for my tux and I may be to fat for it as well ;). YES. Can I get away with khakis, button down shirts and a blazer? YES.

What entertainment is 'don't miss'? Is the casino crowded on this type of cruise? YES.

 

What's the pool chair situation? Which pool area is best to relax, drink and read? Solarium.

 

Excursions in Bermuda? Are the ships excursions worth it? What to do in Bermuda. We get there on Tuesday morning and leave wednesday afternoon. IS the ship crowded when docked? NO, a great time to go to the pool.

 

I've only been on calm Caribbean waters, is the Atlantic trip to Bermuda a calm Caribbean-like voyage?

 

Any tips and advise from you pros would be helpful.

 

This is likely the last vacation as a family, as the older daughter is off to college the week after we return. GO HOKIES!!

 

Thanks in advance

 

Make sure you do "Tea Time"

Bring cash for the casino.

If you take an excursion on Wednesday, book it with the ship.

Find/join your meet & mingle board.

Bermuda is wonderful, clean, expensive, drives on wrong side of the road, has pink beaches. Good bus/ferry system, Good private tours(tuesday). NO casino.

[heyabbott]

Thanks so far.

 

BTW, is there a midnight buffet on a 5 night cruise?I've never been able to eat, too full, but I have lots of nice pictures.:D

[morgan1312]

Also, the ship's casino stores, etc... will not be open any night you stay over in Bermuda. Anything that doesn't open till you're out to see will not be open while in Bermuda.

 

There is a very small slot parlor in Hamilton in one of the bar's along the waterfront. At least there used to be, it's been too many years for me to remember the name of the place.

 

As for formal nights on the Enchantment, you would be fine in khaki's and button down shirt, although I know some people on these boards will blast me for that. There will be other people dressed that way, some even less dressed up.

[slukas]

Do you know on which night is the formal dinner on the 5 day Bermuda cruise?

 

Thanks!

[smahama]

No advice, just wanted to say I'll be on this cruise too! Only 4 days! Wahoo!

[checkard]

ozzy posted

We did however, book the Night Life Bermuda Triangle glass bottom tour

 

We did this tour several years ago through the ship also but we were disappointed. All we saw was a little bit of brown coral, a few fish and what they said was a boat hull (not much there to see). However, there is a big piece of wood sticking out of the water that they circle around for a little bit. Maybe we were just there at a bad time and that was why it didn't seem all that great.

 

You can walk to Snorkel Beach from the pier. No need to book an excursion if you have your own snorkel gear. Nice, calm beach right beside the fort.

[sjb317]

Enchantment is a lovely ship, we really liked it! Definitely go to Horseshoe Bay as it is a beautiful beach and very simple to get to by bus. The bus system in Bermuda is cheap & easy as is the ferry. You can get bus/ferry passes right outside the ship.

 

I've always enjoyed Bermuda but in my opinion, it is an expensive place to visit. Restaurants, shopping, etc. are all pricey. The beaches are free.

 

Sherri:)

[pjlee3333]

Do you know on which night is the formal dinner on the 5 day Bermuda cruise?

 

Thanks!

 

2nd day of the cruise (ie Sunday).

 

 

Also for those who have mentioned Snorkle Park, starting this year there is a charge to visit it. May still be worth it just be prepared to pay the fee ($5.00 per person, I think) to enter.

[HokieK]

We are heading to Bermuda from Baltimore on the Enchantment of the Seas 8-6-11. We've been on the Navigator once before and my wife and I have been on the Westerdam, HAL.

 

 

What's the pool chair situation? Which pool area is best to relax, drink and read?

 

Excursions in Bermuda? Are the ships excursions worth it? What to do in Bermuda. We get there on Tuesday morning and leave wednesday afternoon. IS the ship crowded when docked?

 

I've only been on calm Caribbean waters, is the Atlantic trip to Bermuda a calm Caribbean-like voyage?

 

 

This is likely the last vacation as a family, as the older daughter is off to college the week after we return. GO HOKIES!!

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

Great questions - I'll subscribe to this if you all keep adding to it, as I'm on the Enchantment in October going to Bermuda. I'm really interested to hear about the pool situation (my biggest fear of being stuck on a ship while out to sea and having the pools just teeming with people)....

 

Oh yeah, and GO HOKIES!!

[megr1125]

If you find ANY post by RADIO here on CC, he does magnificent LIVE FROM reports...and in his signature will be links to his website with all sorts of neat info and gorgeous photos/videos....

 

THAT should answer all of your questions......

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1303484&highlight=enchantment

 

there is a link to a live from thread...he JUST last week was on a ships tour so I am sure that he posted photos on his website!!

[heyabbott]

Great questions - I'll subscribe to this if you all keep adding to it, as I'm on the Enchantment in October going to Bermuda. I'm really interested to hear about the pool situation (my biggest fear of being stuck on a ship while out to sea and having the pools just teeming with people)....

 

Oh yeah, and GO HOKIES!!

 

 

GO HOKIES

 

Less than a week after we get back we are taking our daughter to Va Tech for her freshman year.

 

I've been on 2 cruises, Navigator and Westerdam(HAL), the pools are teaming with people. It's very crowded and and people are on top of each other. It's my ONLY complaint about cruises. And in my 2 experiences, even the nicest people can be rude and selfish around the pool deck, especially as it comes to deck chairs.

[HokieK]

She'll love Tech - my husband and I are both grads and now I patiently put up with his obsession with everything maroon & orange.

 

The pool issue is one of the things that almost had me not book this first cruise. We'll have our 3 year old with us, so I can only hope that we'll be mainly at the kids only pool (hopefully empty since school will be in session) and that it won't be too bad.

 

Have fun - only a couple of days away for you! Let us all know when you get back how it was!

[cardamon]

We went to Bermuda three weeks ago on the Explorer out of NJ. There is a link to my review in my signature below.

Kelly, you mentioned that you went to a beach for Sea Glass. Could you please give me specific directions to the beach? Is it near King's Wharf? I am going on the Enchantment in November and this is on my list of things to do. Thank you!:cool: