Smooth Sailing on Enchantment Feb 17 2014 Bahamas- photo review

[Familygoboston]

Dinner

 

Day 1 Mojo Menu

 

MOJO Menu offerings:

Steak and Spinach salad

Seafood Spaghetti

Horse Radish Crusted Fillet of Salmon

Mojo Marinated Pork

Slow Roaster Prime Rib

Soft Shell Tortillas

 

And of course every menu offers these daily:

Linguine Pomodoro

Beef Sliders

Fillet of Cod

Grilled Chicken Breast

Strip Steak

 

Here is something I had never seen done before; rather than serve individual rolls to passengers, a bread basket was left on the table. I actually like this better because it allows you to serve yourself another roll when you want one, which is sometimes in the middle of a meal, rather than just at the beginning of a meal. I know for some, it represents cost cutting and the end of civilized dining, but I was appreciative!

 

bread basket:

 

 

 

 

 

So that was my first and last photo of food! (well, maybe you might see something edible here and there) As general rule, I don't do food porn for two reasons...it's hard to shoot food well (I know what your are thinking, well, you didn't shoot anything else well, so what's stopping you now!) And because the menus are exactly the same across the entire cruise line...there are other threads that do a good job of sharing food porn that have excellent food photos, of the EXACT same dishes I ate! If you google the name of each nights menu, or a dish you are interested in, you can easily find photos all over the internet, and they are pretty much the same on every ship on every sailing!

 

The second reason I don't shoot food or comment on it, is that I am woefully uninformed about food. I have whole categories of food I haven't eaten in 30 years (like meat;)). Most of the food I eat is raw or minimally processed, and sometimes it's only recently been dug out ground near my home. (DH says the things I eat are only foods because the colonists, who were starving to death, had unearthed it from the near frozen ground and said "but we could eat THIS!!" So, he would tell you I don't have a good sense of what might be cooked or prepared well, or not! I tend to like anything I eat because my expectations are postive responses to the questions "will it fuel me?", "is it edible"? and "will eating it for a lifetime not kill me?" If I answer yes to these questions, it's all good...but other diners may be far more discerning!

 

So I will just share what we ate and any major positive or negative impressions. We had watermelon raspberry soup, and spinach salad, artichoke tart, salmon and seafood spaghetti, for dessert mom and DD enjoyed blueberry peach crisp and carrot cake. In the past I have found the salmon dry and tasteless, but on this ship, it was very good!

 

Dinner took from 6-7 and was very efficient, which is one of the reasons I like MTD. Our head waiter, Asun, made the rounds, she was from Turkey, and the only female head waiter on Enchantment. We fell in love with her, because when I mentioned that I was traveling to Istanbul in a few months, not a night went by when she didn't arrive at our table with a restaurant suggestion, tip and even her sisters email address! I feel like if I don't contact her and meet her for traditional Turkish coffee, I will be letting Asun down in some way!! She earned a WOW, for sure, and I noticed in CMoore19's review that they mentioned her too!

Edited March 6, 2014 by Familygoboston

[jackie101]

I agree!! :D While the cruise line isn't responsible for dressing their passengers, (if they were they might have made the guy who wore the "cops for pot legalization" tee shirt every single day of one cruise I recently took, take it off and wash it! ;)) I do agree the cruise line should not shut down venues for groups (like a whole pool on a sea day!) and I mentioned that they did a poor job managing the buffets everywhere, and that I think they should have separate buffets or buffet times for groups.

Loving your review and pictures :D

[TxStacey]

Thanks!! Probably...the tour company is Fun Times, and I'm sure they do it at least once or twice a year (there is always another crop of 15 yo's coming up!!)

I think the only way to "avoid" it would be to ask Customer Service if there are any groups on board. And even then I'm not sure they would reveal that to you because while some folks might want to avoid 400 15 yo girls, there are just enough creeps out there who would not:( and the cruise line, I'm sure would not want to advertise this underage cohort ahead of time!

 

 

 

Yes, I'm sure that your group wont make a dent! Please see my Allure Eastern 2013 review (linked in my signature)...I have posted a contract, with a set of guidelines for older teens. Check around post 18ish or 58ish...can't remember exactly, and one page got cut off, so I posted that page near the end too. I have used it with my own girls and others have too. You can adapt it for your own rules and girls.

 

But generally, it gives you an outline of behavioral expectations to discuss with the girls ahead of time. I don't know your girls (mine aren't drinkers) but you might want to let them know that they will absolutely put you all right off the ship if they catch them drinking, or adults giving them alcohol, or if they return from port really out of control...it's happened, it's right in the cruise contract and they have a very sharp eye for this behavior especially on short cruises during traditional spring break season (March):eek:

 

They are seniors..so 21-22 and within drinking age. I have 7 of them staying at my house the night before they fly out, so they will definitely get an earful from me regarding safety etc. I do feel sorry for any families that are sailing on this cruise, as it was billed as "The College Spring Break Cruise" by a major travel agency (The 5th Annual to be exact). While my girls didn't book through them, some of their friends did. I'm sure they will have a great time, but I wouldn't want to be on this cruise with children.

Edited March 6, 2014 by TxStacey

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

They are seniors..so 21-22 and within drinking age. I have 7 of them staying at my house the night before they fly out, so they will definitely get an earful from me regarding safety etc. I do feel sorry for any families that are sailing on this cruise, as it was billed as "The College Spring Break Cruise" by a major travel agency (The 5th Annual to be exact). While my girls didn't book through them, some of their friends did. I'm sure they will have a great time, but I wouldn't want to be on this cruise with children.

 

Which cruise are you referring to?

[renee1222]

My only issue with the "quinceanera" girls is that the cruise line creates an exception to the rule, allowing girls under age 21 to stay in rooms together without adult supervision. If I tried to take even 20 18 year olds with me as the only adult, I would be refused. I know it is a huge moneymaker for the company, but it is frustrating that by changing the rules for one group, it does create frustration for other passengers. Considering they have groups like this on many cruises (Allure, Enchantment, Majesty, etc) throughout the year, it might be nice if they could do a full charter and let the girls have the entire cruise ship once a year.

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

Do you, or any other recent Enchantment guest know if there was a mixology class offered on board?

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

Do you know if there's was a mixology class offered on board? Thanks!!

[Familygoboston]

Loving your review and pictures :D

Thanks!! Feel free to jump in:D

 

My only issue with the "quinceanera" girls is that the cruise line creates an exception to the rule, allowing girls under age 21 to stay in rooms together without adult supervision. If I tried to take even 20 18 year olds with me as the only adult, I would be refused. I know it is a huge moneymaker for the company, but it is frustrating that by changing the rules for one group, it does create frustration for other passengers. Considering they have groups like this on many cruises (Allure, Enchantment, Majesty, etc) throughout the year, it might be nice if they could do a full charter and let the girls have the entire cruise ship once a year.

 

 

Totally agree, I was shocked to see 4 girls in a room and no chaperon nearby. I would think the least they should do would be 1 chaperon per 6-7 girls in connecting cabins that hold 3-4 each. But this group seemed to be chaperoned by guys, so that wasn't happening with this group. A full charter or proved them their own buffet area, or schedule a staggered schedule.

[Familygoboston]

Do you know if there's was a mixology class offered on board? Thanks!!

 

Brett, I will have all the Cruise Compasses up by the end of this (which could be days from now:rolleyes:) and I just took a quick perusal, but I don't remember seeing one.

 

Lots and lots of trivia!! Harry Potter trivia, Split the difference trivia, Speed trivia, tri-bond trivia, (anyone know what this:confused:) famous couples trivia, fact or fake it trivia, Scattaglorious, name that tune trivia, general knowledge trivia, tv tunes trivia...and I may have missed a couple...did I tell you this was only a FOUR DAY cruise!

 

I did find one thing you might like!! Sea day 4 : Bar Trivia with your mixologist at the R bar at 6PM (I'm not even kidding!:D)

 

Oh, look, I did miss one...general knowledge trivia:rolleyes:

 

Oh, btw: the spring break cruise (5th annual- because I'm bettin' most of these kids need 5 or 6 years) March 3 and March 10, advertised as the "largest spring break cruise", so unless you are on board now or boarding soon, you have missed it!

Edited March 6, 2014 by Familygoboston

[renee1222]

Totally agree, I was shocked to see 4 girls in a room and no chaperon nearby. I would think the least they should do would be 1 chaperon per 6-7 girls in connecting cabins that hold 3-4 each. But this group seemed to be chaperoned by guys, so that wasn't happening with this group. A full charter or proved them their own buffet area, or schedule a staggered schedule.

 

 

Call me overprotective, but there is no way in H*** that my 15 year old daughter would travel overseas with good looking male chaperones in their twenties. :eek:

[Familygoboston]

[

 

Call me overprotective, but there is no way in H*** that my 15 year old daughter would travel overseas with good looking male chaperones in their twenties. :eek:

 

I thought the same thing :eek: I know I'm overprotective; but watching the way the older male passengers were watching these girls, I wouldn't sleep for 2 weeks while she was gone!

Edited March 6, 2014 by Familygoboston

[TxStacey]

Which cruise are you referring to?

 

The one that leaves this Monday, March 10th...Enchantment of the Seas. It is billed as the largest Spring Break Cruise by the travel company that promoted it. Who knows if it is just hype to get the college kids to take that particular one. It worked for my daughter and her friends..They were going to go on one out of Galveston initially, until they saw this one advertised. Sorry Familygoboston..I didn't mean to highjack your thread..carry on! :)

Edited March 6, 2014 by TxStacey

[jackie101]

Call me overprotective, but there is no way in H*** that my 15 year old daughter would travel overseas with good looking male chaperones in their twenties. :eek:

100% agree. It was crazy :eek:

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

The one that leaves this Monday, March 10th...Enchantment of the Seas. It is billed as the largest Spring Break Cruise by the travel company that promoted it. Who knows if it is just hype to get the college kids to take that particular one. It worked for my daughter and her friends..They were going to go on one out of Galveston initially, until they saw this one advertised. Sorry Familygoboston..I didn't mean to highjack your thread..carry on! :)

 

 

Phew!

[Familygoboston]

After Dinner Welcome Aboard Show

 

After dinner, we headed to the Orpheum Theater for the "Welcome Aboard" show. The Royal Caribbean singers and dancers were lovely, as always, and the CD Mark was funny and I thought pretty fresh and had the ability to think and joke quickly on his feet. DD said, "this is a good CD". Unfortunately, as the week wore on, it was obvious Marc was not feeling well. He was a gamer and did a fine job all week, but we noticed by night 4 the Assistant CD ran Quest because he looked clearly under the weather at the Farewell show

 

Theater:

 

 

 

 

 

CD Marc Walker

 

The crowd was in a good mood, a nice crowd with plenty of enthusiasm, and no one seemed to be overdoing it with the alcohol, which is something we've noticed on shorter cruises. The girls must have had their own agenda, because when Marc Walker announced the passenger count by nationality when he said 380 from Argentina, you could hear a pin drop- there was not a young lady in the house ;-) The comedian, Al Romas was excellent, really funny with some fresh stuff and very interactive and improve with the audience, using a young homeschooled boy from FL (who I recognized because his mom was on our Roll Call!) and a newlywed couple from New Brunswick to heckle and improv a bit , without ever being insulting. This was a family show, but we caught his late night act later in the cruise too. He was great!

 

Inside the Orpheum Theater

 

 

 

 

The "reserved" section for Gold Pass holders is in the very back of the theater in the mezzanine level on deck 5, it is not a separate level but a section that is in the rear and slightly elevated behind the seats in the photo above. I think if you had a gold pass, I'd just choose better seats elsewhere. The stairs to the front of the photo above lead to the side balconies. The balcony section wraps around the whole theater so there are 3 full sections of seats in the balcony you can also reach from deck 6. Because of the safety glass screens up there, the first row of the balcony is not ideal as it's like watching the show through a "window".

 

We liked the seats on the sides of the balcony about 2-3 rows back. And if we decided not to stay for a whole show, we could leave unobtrusively (we never had to, we enjoyed the shows overall) In this shot DM and DD are in the middle section of the balcony.

 

DM and DD enjoy a laugh before the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marc also introduced the Captain Johan and he in turn introduced some of his Senior Officers. Photos of them from that distance would be useless, but they had a nice photo gallery of everyone on Deck 5...it's better than a photo of the stage, but not much...sorry! But those who cruise frequently might recognize a few friendly faces, even if you can't read the name tags!!

 

[Familygoboston]

A Little Shopping in the Centrum and Some Possible Misdirection in the Casino

 

When I cruise with DH, we rarely step foot into the shops, I tend to be terribly cynical about the whole thing, and can make lots of snarky jokes, but both DM and DD enjoy a nice look around, so I indulge them. DM likes to scope out how many inches of gold she can afford with her casino winnings and DD likes to add to her travel mug collection. But I think they really just like the sport and spectacle of it. We certainly don't spend very much! This will be my one and only trip, but DM will admit to slinking back there alone another time or two before the cruise ends, just to see whats what. I tolerate it one night because I love them both.

 

I had not packed a fleece or sweatshirt and took advantage of a 50% off sale and bought a sweatshirt worth 35 bucks for 35 bucks- half off! ( see- there's the snark!) DD got her blue Enchantment mug to add to her Jewel and Allure mug cruise collection. DM needed lipstick (well, she didn't NEED a lipstick because the one she thought she hadn't packed...was the same one she found at the bottom of her bag when she got home and unpacked :rolleyes:) DD found a pretty costume jewelry ring to buy with her allowance.

 

Centrum Shops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is another easy target of my snark...I find it the height of silliness that they present these items for sale on a table for hours before the "sale" and then cover them..."oh, no, you can't buy these yet, we simply cannot sell them to you, we just won't, you just have to wait and hope we have a enough of $10 scarves, and handbags (that you can get at Walmart for $7) to sell you after we unveil them at exactly 6 PM".

 

If they "aren't for sale", why not leave them in the shop instead of setting them out on a table? Why not just bring it all out when it actually goes on sale? And why are the things the same price for the whole cruise called "on sale" anyway? It just begs me to mock it...and I can't resist!! So here it is, some wonderful things waiting for the big moment, to be unveiled and finally be available to me, the captive cruiser, to buy! I don't know what was under there, because I didn't stick around to find out, but whatever it was I bet it cost $19.95 and I could get it Amazon for $15.95 and free shipping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a successful shopping trip, DM went to the casino, where her penny slot machine paid out 2.58 cents over her $20 investment after a 1/2 hour of play, it's winning night on the first night, woohoo! (as you can see I'm snarky about the casino too)

 

Casino

 

 

Oh...here's a good tip...if you are ever deck 5 and have to pee...the men's and ladies rooms are hidden in a little alcove to the right of this photo at the entrance to the casino. I tell you this because there might come a time when you have to go, and you follow the little men's or ladies signs, and you walk all the way through the casino and you don't see it, so you look at the little sign again and then turn around and you walk back through the casino, and then you still don't find it, so you might now have your legs crossed at this point and you might be muttering about "why is that sign wrong...where is that dang WC?!" as you walk through the casino AGAIN. I am not saying this happened to anyone I know, but it could happen to you, so I just thought I'd give you that hint, even though that really didn't happen to me.

 

 

 

Although I don't usually step foot into the casino unless the design of the ship forces me through it, or I'm looking for the bathroom, I am partial to these fun displays under the flooring in the Casino Royales on RCI ships!! Unfortunately, this is a glaring (pun intended) example of how, had my DH taken this photo, it would have been 1000% better than this!

 

[Familygoboston]

Are we really still on day one??!!??

 

(I warned you the 4 night would take 8 to review:rolleyes:)

 

Unfortunately, DD did not want to go up to the teen center and there wasn't anyplace offering "current music" that she wanted to dance.

 

Here is the teen center by day, in case your teen wants to spend some time there!!

 

Teen Center

Arcade

 

 

 

 

 

Dance Floor

 

 

 

 

 

Sitting area

 

 

 

 

I didn't get photos of the childrens center because there were children in it, and it always feels wrong to take pictures of other peoples kids in Adventure Ocean.

 

 

So we decided to work of our excess energy at the fitness center at 9 and put in 1/2 hour on the ellipticals. I love the fitness center on this class, with the panoramic windows looking out over the bow where the fitness machines are lined up.

 

Fitness Center Spa entrance; you can enter the Spa from the Solarium on deck 9 and go up an interior stair to the fitness center, or enter directly from deck 10.

[Cruzin-K]

Great review!

 

I can't even imagine being on a ship the size of the Enchantment with 300 quinceneara girls on board :eek: On my January Allure cruise we had about 35 or so, on a ship the size of the Allure. We only noticed them when they were hogging some of the lines for photos on formal night, or walking into the MDR a half hour after late seating dinner had started :rolleyes: Their dresses on formal night were certainly :eek: I don't know how it was on the Enchantment, but if I had a 15 year old I'd never let her out of the house wearing what these girls were wearing.

 

I'm looking forward to the rest of the review. I'm hoping to take an Enchantment cruise next year sometime.

[Familygoboston]

Yup, you read that right...still here...still day 1!

 

Our time on the elliptical machine burned exactly 1/2 the calories we would next consume at the Ben and Jerry's at the Cafe Lattetudes. We were in fitness clothes (I know, ridiculous, huh?) so rather than muck up the classy atmosphere of the Centrum with our sweaty duds, we went to the solarium to enjoy the ice cream.

 

Ben and Jerry's and Cafe Lattetudes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The top right flavors you can't read because on my "glaringly" bad photo are vanilla and Phish food. Luckily, unlike the sweets and the desserts at the WJ, they did not run out of B&J's (probably because it costs extra) or I can not say what I might have done:mad:

 

 

 

Expect a pretty hearty line here in the mornings. They usually have 2 people on, but they don't move as swiftly as the baristas at your local shop! But there is a nice place to sit and the internet cafe right nearby.

 

 

 

 

 

The solarium was pretty hopping at night. When Enchantment was STRE___TCH___ED some Oasis-style features were added, including the great Park Cafe. I loved having one on board and it's open for breakfast, lunch on sea days and "snacks" mid afternoon and late night (pretty much anytime when the WJ is closed) It fits here in the sense that it feels most "park-like" in the Solarium.

 

But I'll be honest when you retrofit a ship, the way Enchantment was, you get unintended consequences. In this case the Solarium at late night turns in to a parade of kids (they youngest with their parents, but the older teens on their own) coming for free snacks, or looking for other teens there. It is not the restful adult only environment found on ship these changes were modeled after (Oasis) because a prime teen spot is (cafe) is located in a supposed "adult only area" rather than on a Royal Promenade or sports deck somewhere else on the ship. So during the day, and at night when the Park Cafe is open, there is a constant flow of people, including kids coming and going; which is fine, except it really isn't what was intended for the Solarium.

 

After the ice cream DD headed out for a stroll on the upper jogging deck and then went in to listen to the band in the Centrum. After that we headed back to our cabin and to get ready for Cococay! And day 1 is FINALLY done!!

 

Up next: Cruise Compasses for Day 1 and Internet "stuff'

[Familygoboston]

Cruise Compasses Day 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teen Compass (for the week) We also got single sheet daily "Teen Compasses" about half the days we were on board, unfortunately they were for 12-14, so they weren't much use to DD aged 16.75. I didn't bother scanning them, since they are an incomplete set and didn't add much information over this. But it appears that for each age range, their might be a daily Compass available.

 

 

 

[myacuna]

tri-bond trivia, (anyone know what this:confused:)

 

 

What do these three things have in common: an elephant, a car and an item you can pack thing in?

 

Answer: a trunk

 

THAT is tri-bond trivia :) I only know because our compass had a description. I wish we had gone to that one! We really enjoyed trivia on our Freedom cruise.

[Familygoboston]

The one that leaves this Monday, March 10th...Enchantment of the Seas. It is billed as the largest Spring Break Cruise by the travel company that promoted it. Who knows if it is just hype to get the college kids to take that particular one. It worked for my daughter and her friends..They were going to go on one out of Galveston initially, until they saw this one advertised. Sorry Familygoboston..I didn't mean to highjack your thread..carry on! :)

It's not hijacking whatsoever!! Its a "discussion board" - discuss away!!

 

What do these three things have in common: an elephant, a car and an item you can pack thing in?

 

Answer: a trunk

 

THAT is tri-bond trivia :) I only know because our compass had a description. I wish we had gone to that one! We really enjoyed trivia on our Freedom cruise.

 

Ah! I get it!! DH also likes trivia, but is extraordinarily dangerous. He's sworn off them for now, looking for a 12 step, it's scary the levels he will go to for a key chain:eek:

[jackie101]

Great review!

 

I can't even imagine being on a ship the size of the Enchantment with 300 quinceneara girls on board :eek: On my January Allure cruise we had about 35 or so, on a ship the size of the Allure. We only noticed them when they were hogging some of the lines for photos on formal night, or walking into the MDR a half hour after late seating dinner had started :rolleyes: Their dresses on formal night were certainly :eek: I don't know how it was on the Enchantment, but if I had a 15 year old I'd never let her out of the house wearing what these girls were wearing.

 

I'm looking forward to the rest of the review. I'm hoping to take an Enchantment cruise next year sometime.

There clothing/bathing suit choices were :eek:...my 3 boys so more naked bums in 4 days then I have in my entire life:(

[Darkwolfe]

When Enchantment was STRE___TCH___ED some Oasis-style features were added...

 

I'm afraid I must give you a mild poke on that phrase. Enchantment was stretched some years before Oasis was even announced. I want to say 2005, but my own memory might be a little off there.

 

But still, a great review! :)

[jerseygirl226]

Wow...love the cabin pictures. we are going to be in our first JS and it's 7172...just a floor below this one but I"m sure it looks the same. Thanks...can't wait to just hang out on the balcony...going in August...Teacher here so have to go when school is out.

 

Loving the review...and love the way you write.