Do you guys like Enchantment?

[kwazi07]

My kids are 9, 11, and 13. They are always respectful and quiet. Do you think they could eat in the cafe itself? We plan on eating in there on embarkation day.

[summersigh]

We've stayed at the Residence Inn a number of times and like it, but never stayed at the Country Inn & Suites. Country Inn does seem to get good reports. Check the Florida Departures board for more info:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

 

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites with a park & cruise type deal for a cruise of ours. The room was nice and clean. The "free" breakfast was good. They have a pool folks seemed to be enjoying. The free shuttle (both ways) was on time and the people that ran it were very nice and helpful.

We would stay there again for sure.:)

[cjdixon4]

As you can see in my signature, I'm sailing on the Enchantment OTS in five months. Is this a nice ship? I understand that it is older (actually older than my first cruise, Carnival Paradise) but is it kept up well? How long are the waits for the rock climbing walls/trampolines? Also, how are crowds? We found the Paradise to be quite crowded? All in all, how is RCCL compared to CCL?

Thanks!

 

 

Hi OP-

I really had a terrific time on Enchantment last May 2013. Post-refurb, it's pretty nice and not as crowded as I expected it to be with more cabins added. Personally, for quality I'll take an RCI cruise anyday over Carnival...but again, that's just me. The activities have your average wait times, but you really cant make a general statement about that; it all depends on the particular day. Enchantment was so much fun, and I've included a link to my review for you to check out (with pics) if you are so inclined. Have a great sailing!!! :cool:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1851391

[summersigh]

In my observation the problem folks have with kids in the Solarium/Park Café is that some are not there to eat and are allowed to run around unsupervised. Yelling and excess splashing in that pool area are understandably frowned on.

 

I do understand that on days that the weather is bad kids are allowed in the Solarium to swim - the only fair choice IMHO.

 

I don't think the posters on this thread sound like they have the kind of family dynamics that would result in the rowdy children but there are those on board who feel they paid $$ for a cruise and they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want ... regardless of the same rights their fellow cruisers deserve. :(

[kwazi07]

We are staying at the Fairfield Inn in Titusville. Less than an hour from port. $100 a night. New hotel. And they are partnered with the port, so with your stay you get a 40% off coupon to park at the cruise terminal. Makes it almost the same price as the off site parking options. Just another option...

 

The rate for both of these hotels is the same. Should I book Residence and do Park n Cruise for 8 dollars, or Fairfield and park at the port for 9? I'm leaning torwrds Residence, it is a lot closer to the port.

[SMN73]

The rate for both of these hotels is the same. Should I book Residence and do Park n Cruise for 8 dollars, or Fairfield and park at the port for 9? I'm leaning torwrds Residence, it is a lot closer to the port.

 

It's a personal preference I'm sure. I've heard great things about the park n cruise shuttles. I made my choice due to several reasons... I am a control freak and want to hand my bags to the porter (smile). I like the fact that the cruise terminal is patrolled by Port Canaveral police. And we plan on doing the self disembark and want to go straight to our car and go. Others like staying right at the port. I'd only heard about the Fairfield deal in one other post so I just wanted to pass the info along. :-)

[debandbruce]

We loved the Enchantment, it was our first cruise and got us hooked for sure. She is a nice size and we loved the crew. Have a great trip!!

[kwazi07]

Has anyone been on a Carnival Fantasy class size ship or similar and the Enchantment? If so, how is the ~10,000 ton size difference. In my signature, the Enchantment does not look that much larger.

[renee1222]

I've also been on the Carnival Elation (Fantasy class). I'm no expert in ship tonnage, but I can tell you the Enchantment is a huge improvement over the Elation! The MDR, for one, is much more elegant. I seem to remember that there were 2 separate MDR on the Elation and people often got confused and went to the wrong one. I remember having a difficult time finding the entrance to the MDR and often trying to enter from the wrong deck. Also, maneuvering the Elation was more challenging because on some decks you could not walk from one end of the ship to the other without running into a wall, therefore having to go up or down a flight of stairs to continue. The staterooms as well as the lounges and just the ship in general are decorated much more nicely. Also, the Solarium on the Enchantment is sooooo much nicer than the Serenity deck on Fantasy class ships!

 

The Elation was my first ever cruise, and I did enjoy it. However, since then, I have sailed Royal Caribbean 5 times in a row, if that tells you anything.

[Pumbaamd]

My kids are 9, 11, and 13. They are always respectful and quiet. Do you think they could eat in the cafe itself? We plan on eating in there on embarkation day.

Your entire family will be welcome to have breakfast, lunch and night time snacks in the Park Café. Embarkation day is a wise choice. The world at large is at the WJ. That section of the Solarium is for dining, age does not matter. Enjoy EN!

Rick and Deirdra (11 cruises on EN)

Edited March 6, 2014 by Pumbaamd

[kwazi07]

I've also been on the Carnival Elation (Fantasy class). I'm no expert in ship tonnage, but I can tell you the Enchantment is a huge improvement over the Elation! The MDR, for one, is much more elegant. I seem to remember that there were 2 separate MDR on the Elation and people often got confused and went to the wrong one. I remember having a difficult time finding the entrance to the MDR and often trying to enter from the wrong deck. Also, maneuvering the Elation was more challenging because on some decks you could not walk from one end of the ship to the other without running into a wall, therefore having to go up or down a flight of stairs to continue. The staterooms as well as the lounges and just the ship in general are decorated much more nicely. Also, the Solarium on the Enchantment is sooooo much nicer than the Serenity deck on Fantasy class ships!

 

The Elation was my first ever cruise, and I did enjoy it. However, since then, I have sailed Royal Caribbean 5 times in a row, if that tells you anything.

 

Wow, I hope it works out that way for us!

[Pumbaamd]

84 replies to this thread and no one has mentioned the outstanding service from the crew and staff on Enchantment. We've sailed on her 11 times, because of her crew and staff, not that we wanted to go to Nassau and Coco Cay 11 times. "Friendly" is indeed an understatement. Cabin attendants, bar staff, WJ and MDR personnel, always a pleasure. Officers and crew walking the deck, always saying hello and easy to start up a conversation with. From Guest Services Schnezz, to Reyno in the CL, Colette in C&A, and bar servers Alberto and Vaughan, thanks for welcoming us to your family.

Rick and Deirdra

[kwazi07]

84 replies to this thread and no one has mentioned the outstanding service from the crew and staff on Enchantment. We've sailed on her 11 times, because of her crew and staff, not that we wanted to go to Nassau and Coco Cay 11 times. "Friendly" is indeed an understatement. Cabin attendants, bar staff, WJ and MDR personnel, always a pleasure. Officers and crew walking the deck, always saying hello and easy to start up a conversation with. From Guest Services Schnezz, to Reyno in the CL, Colette in C&A, and bar servers Alberto and Vaughan, thanks for welcoming us to your family.

Rick and Deirdra

 

Do the stewards introduce themselves to you? They didn't on Carnival. We would like to request our beds separated.

[Clarea]

Do the stewards introduce themselves to you? They didn't on Carnival. We would like to request our beds separated.

Sure, they usually try to touch base with you before muster. They introduce themselves, ask what you would like to be called, and ask if need anything for the stateroom. That's when you ask for ice service if you want it.

[Oshawapilot]

Yes, I will say that Enchantment's crew was excellent.

 

As for kids in the solarium, my daughter is 13, and as a vegan there was actually quite a few things in the park cafe that she could eat that were not available elsewhere, so she quietly and respectfully did come into the solarium and go to the park cafe throughout the day without any problem whatsoever. I think the key is "quiet and respectful" for kids who want to go the the cafe - attract no attention to yourself and they'll have no problem.

 

She did not stay in the solarium after getting her food as she was very self conscious of the fact that she technically wasn't even supposed to be in there, so she took the food out and ate with her friends elsewhere.

 

Come in screaming, yelling, whining, or crying, and I guarantee you that children will be escorted out, along with their parents if they're along. Saw it many times across all RCI ships, rightfully so.

[SMN73]

Do the stewards introduce themselves to you? They didn't on Carnival. We would like to request our beds separated.

 

You can request the beds be separated online.

[Pumbaamd]

She did not stay in the solarium after getting her food as she was very self conscious of the fact that she technically wasn't even supposed to be in there, so she took the food out and ate with her friends elsewhere.

Come in screaming, yelling, whining, or crying, and I guarantee you that children will be escorted out, along with their parents if they're along. Saw it many times across all RCI ships, rightfully so.

Having been on EN so many times, if your daughter and her friends, who we hope are as mature as she is, they could most likely have lunch there on their own. Technically, she's there for lunch, not to splash about in the pool and disturb us old people.

Rick and Deirdra

[vavasmom]

I happen to love the Enchantment. I have sailed her both from Baltimore (6, 7, 8, and 9 night cruises) and from her new home in Orlando (3 nights). Her crew has always been outstanding. Marc Walker is an excellent cruise director for the short cruises. His energy was infectious.

 

I personally love the pool deck. When she sailed from Baltimore the windjammer and theater were often packed to the gills. Our shorter cruise from Florida the only jams were boarding day before rooms opened and about 45 minutes before tendering to Coco Cay started. I like the ship so much I selected it to take my sister on for her first cruise.

 

BTW kids have always been welcome in the food area of the Solarium - before it was Park Cafe they had pizzas and snacks.

[kwazi07]

Is a junior suite worth it?

[Clarea]

Is a junior suite worth it?

Can't answer that question without details. How long is the cruise? How much more is the JS than a balcony? What ship?

[kwazi07]

Can't answer that question without details. How long is the cruise? How much more is the JS than a balcony? What ship?

 

Enchantment, 4 nights, and about 70 more.

[Clarea]

Enchantment, 4 nights, and about 70 more.

That would be worth it to me. I like the extra space and the double points.

[kwazi07]

Ugh, my TA said that at the Trip and quad occupancy rooms are sold out:mad:

[nolesrule]

Ugh, my TA said that at the Trip and quad occupancy rooms are sold out:mad:

 

What sailing date?

[kwazi07]

What sailing date?

 

August 4th.