"LIVE" from Enchantment of the Seas / Jan 7, 2012

[Jeepers385]

Yea, another cruise with Radio.

We just got off the Enchantment in December and already miss her.:(

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . . We had our Muster Drill down on Deck 5 at 3:30, and we sailed away promptly at 4PM. It was nice to see the Baltimore Skyline fade away as we head down south for a few days.

 

We passed under the Chesapeake Bay bridge right at about 6PM. We are scheduled to drop off the pilot at the Cape Henry Pilot Station (just south of Virginia beach) after midnight. . .No I won’t be up for that. . . .

 

 

I don’t think I can remember a time when there was no real sail away party up on the outer decks. There wasn’t a “Live” Band, but there was music playing. I didn't see any Cruise staff either. . .just alot of passengers .

 

The temps got up to the low 60’s this afternoon, but when we pulled away from the pier it seemed to get real cold. . . real quick.

 

I have been tracking our position on my iPad, and GPS, and my brother is tracking along on his Nook. We expect to see the Carnival Pride pass us going north by the time we approach the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel around 11PM(ish).

 

 

I want to make it down to the welcome Aboard Show at 7:45. . .This will really let all passengers know, that they are on a Cruise for the next 9 Nights. We have a dinner reservation at Chops right after the Show, and I am looking forward to that. . .

 

 

I have to go down to deck 5 and set up the “My Time Dining” request with the Head Waiter. I will try to get a reservation for around 6PM each evening.

 

The Captain this Cruise is Anders Ingebrigtsen, and the Hotel Director is Michael Landry. Our Cruise Director will be Mitch Merucci. Danny league is the Loyalty Ambassador, and Charmaine Fernandez is the lovely Concierge up on Deck 8.

 

 

Here are a few pics from our Sail Away from cruise Maryland. . .I am ready for a Cruise !

 

More pics tomorrow !

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

Our Muster drill was crowded. . .but no Life Preservers were needed,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I make my way up to Deck 10, I see that the pools are still waiting for passengers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was surprised to find that the Solarium now allows children for several hours per day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We pull away from the pier slowly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We wont see this pier again for a few days. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We sail past the city on a lovely sunny day

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Radio]

Here are a few more. . .

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of passengers were enjoying our sail away

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Long Baltimore. . . I’m heading down to the Bahamas !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We make it by Fort McHenry. . .home of the Star Spangled Banner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are about to go under the Francis Scott “Key” Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We might make it under this bridge. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will be in the Atlantic Ocean tomorrow morning

 

 

 

 

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[cruzinlady1947]

Radio,

 

Nice to see you cruising again. A quick Q.

I am thinking of doing Lancaster PA on the drive to Baltimore.

Any info or opinions would be appreciated.

 

Jack

Hi Jack, I live about 20 miles from Lancaster. It is a nice place to visit and of course shop. There are tons of outlets. The Amish are very interesting to see. And, of course, the food is outstanding (in my opinion). Shady Maple is the best smorgasboard to visit. It is in Blue Ball, which is not that far from Lancaster.

 

Sorry to hi-jack this thread.

 

Have a great cruise Radio. We are on the same itinerary on March 10. Can't wait for your reports and pictures.

 

Thanks,

Gwen :)

[Trainman-2]

Have a Great Cruise Radio!

 

Judith and I will be traveling along with you via Cruise Critic.

 

 

Trainman-2

[My2Kitties]

Following along...thanks so much for doing these "Live" posts...

[celie1110]

I am so excited to read this live post. I always seemto catch the live posts when they are over. Lol

 

Love it so far:D

[grtfldave]

Following along...thanks so much for doing these "Live" posts...[/

Mark, Looking forward to your posts. We sail Voyager in March so your pictures and posts

will give us taste of Vision Class as well as get us ready for our annual spring cruise!

[counsdr]

Great pictures Radio!!!!! I wonder why they are now allowing children in the solarium pool? I tried to zoom in on the sign and see what it said, but at no point did it become clear. Maybe it's just the time of year.

Enjoy your first evening on board and Chops. A lot will have changed since I was on her, so i'm anxious to see everything.

I wish RCCL would do cruises out of Charleston for me!!!!!

 

Cheryl

[baggal]

 

Voyager is Voyager class.......and did you know that you can subscribe to this thread without ever posting? Just go to the top where it says "Thread Tools" and click on "Subscribe to this thread" .

 

We can all read along without cluttering it up with "me too" posts. :D

 

Thanks for this great hint!

[Penguin66]

Thanks for the pictures of the Enchantment. Have cruised out of Baltimore twice now on the Pride and will going on the Enchantment at the end of April, so will be watching to get a good look at this ship and maybe see how it compares to the Pride.

 

 

Rich

[counsdr]

I sailed out of Maryland on the Galaxy in 2002. I liked leaving from there as it was an easy drive from NJ. We stopped in Charleston on that cruise and now ten years later, i'm living here. Who'd a thunk!!!:rolleyes:

 

Cheryl

[Jeepers385]

Great pictures Radio!!!!! I wonder why they are now allowing children in the solarium pool? I tried to zoom in on the sign and see what it said, but at no point did it become clear. Maybe it's just the time of year.

 

Cheryl

 

Definitely because of the time of year. We were on her in December and the first 2 days were cooler and very windy, same coming back. We also didn't have that many kids since it was a 12 day cruise but the week after us had over 600 kids (Christmas week).

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Hi Radio! Hope you enjoy Chops this evening!

 

Was Charmaine Fernandez Concierge on Oasis this past June/July? I have to go back to my review, I swear that was who was on Oasis. If it is the same, she was beyond wonderful. A lovely, lovely person! :)

 

I keep thinking, "I wish i was on a ship rocking me to sleep tonight..."

[wallygator]

Hi Radio! Hope you enjoy Chops this evening!

 

Was Charmaine Fernandez Concierge on Oasis this past June/July? I have to go back to my review, I swear that was who was on Oasis. If it is the same, she was beyond wonderful. A lovely, lovely person! :)

 

I keep thinking, "I wish i was on a ship rocking me to sleep tonight..."

 

 

Is this who you refer to? I'm thinking yes. If so she was in the Diamond Lounge on the Oasis and she was special.

 

 

[will773]

Great sailaway pics! Hope you stay up to see the Pride!

[The Big Booper]

Another "Live with Radio" thread! And before tax season too so I can pay attention!!

 

To the guy up thread, I had a broken ankle in late July and I was on the Silhouette Dec 12th so keep your chin up and it will get better.

 

Now back to the cruise.

[jmf123]

Another "Live with Radio" thread! And before tax season too so I can pay attention!!

 

To the guy up thread, I had a broken ankle in late July and I was on the Silhouette Dec 12th so keep your chin up and it will get better.

 

Now back to the cruise.

 

Actually girl...thank you for the encouragement Big Booper! Getting better every day. ;)

[dwdwnurse]

Hi Mark - I am definitely tuned in and ready to sail with you!!!

 

We are sailing on the Enchantment for the first time in June to Bermuda - I can't wait to see your pictures :)

 

Thanks for taking us along! Happy sails!!!

 

Debbe

[Radio]

Hi Mark - I am definitely tuned in and ready to sail with you!!!

 

We are sailing on the Enchantment for the first time in June to Bermuda - I can't wait to see your pictures :)

 

Thanks for taking us along! Happy sails!!!

 

Debbe

 

Great Debbe. . . I'll be back on Enchantment in May for a 6 Nt Bermuda !

 

Radio

;);)

[read52]

Thanks for the pictures of the Enchantment. Have cruised out of Baltimore twice now on the Pride and will going on the Enchantment at the end of April, so will be watching to get a good look at this ship and maybe see how it compares to the Pride.

 

 

Rich

 

 

I have been on the Enchantment once and going again in June. We have been on the Pride twice. The Pride is cheaper but Carnival has less activities. We had an aft corner balcony which was great.

[BND]

Great pictures Radio!!!!! I wonder why they are now allowing children in the solarium pool? I tried to zoom in on the sign and see what it said, but at no point did it become clear. Maybe it's just the time of year.

Enjoy your first evening on board and Chops. A lot will have changed since I was on her, so i'm anxious to see everything.

I wish RCCL would do cruises out of Charleston for me!!!!!

 

Cheryl

 

I was wondering the same thing about the solarium pool. One more way they're whittling away at adult only areas. At this point, there aren't any. In July, they didn't allow children at all.

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . . Welcome to Day 2 of “LIVE” from Enchantment of the Seas.

I was able to make it to the Welcome Aboard Show last night, and it appears that the entertainment for this Cruise will be varied. . .in a good way. There will be 2 Production Shows, several Comedy Shows, and Headline entertainers throughout our trip/ Our CD, Mitch seems like a likeable (Very funny) guy, that is full of energy.

 

My dinner at Chops last night was very good, as I was able to enjoy a nice tender cut of filet mignon, and I had to have some of the Mississippi Mud Pie ! I must say, that Chops was very slow last night, and the waiters all agreed that it is normal for the first night. Our waiter assured us that the crab cakes served in Chops are not the normal type that Marylanders may be used to. . .It was however, very good.

 

I had to stop in the “Radio Friendly” Casino Royale, and I wasn’t disappointed. I was down for the count at about 10:30, and had to get some sleep. I woke up for some reason at about 1:30. . .just after we dropped off the Pilot in Cape Henry. I was surprised to see how calm the water was out in the ocean.

 

The water is very calm today too. . . We are about 15nm east of Cape Hatteras, and the seas are very calm. As the sun is coming up this morning, it appears that we should have clear skies and the temps will increase as we head closer to Florida.

 

Warning, Warning. . . Attention all Coffee Lovers ! Starbucks is now available on Enchantment of the Seas. . . Wow ! Frappucino, Tazo, Café Americano, or just plain Starbucks Coffee. I think I may be spending a little time down on Deck 6.

 

There is a Bahamas Port and Excursion talk this morning in the Orpheum Theater, and our Cruise Critic Meeting will be held this afternoon up in the Viking Crown Lounge at 1:45.

 

 

Here are a few pics from last night, and early this morning. . .

 

Thanks for all of the nice comments, and thanks for tuning in !

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

 

The Welcome Aboard show only lasted about 45 min. . .So Late dining at 8:30 would not be missed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers were very talented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our waiter and one of the cooks last night in Chops were very happy to have their photo taken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starbucks is now proudly brewed in Café Latte-Tudes on Deck 6. . .That’s what I’m talking about !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to visit the Concierge Lounge this morning. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhh. . . .This is music to my ears.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Radio]

Here are a few more pics from this morning. . . More pics coming this afternoon.

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

There are only a few passengers up at 5AM. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few clouds overhead, but they should be gone soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Solarium is very quiet and calm. It is one of the favorite passenger areas on Enchantment of the Seas. (I will get the details on the family hours in the Solarium)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sun will be up strong soon. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Radio Press room, up in the Viking Crown Lounge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Current Location

 

 

 

 

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[beachbuddy]

Radio,

Love the photos....keep them coming. I keep forgetting about the Enchantment sailing out of Maryland...........I'm really gonna pay attention to your live because this one might be in my future. We need to sail before June and I don't really want to fly anywhere. Enjoy your cruise!!

Patty