Enchantment Short Review- July 14-18

[AmandaKaye79]

We booked this cruise as a last minute trip a few days before sailing and got a great price. We stayed at Radisson at the Port and got the free parking and shuttle. The last time, the shuttle line was crazy to get to the port, but this time, there was no wait. It may have been the difference in leaving on a Sunday versus a Monday.

 

Day 1- We arrived at the port and breezed thru check in until the lady went to get our ship cards. About 15 minutes later, she still wasn't back. Finally, she came back with what I assume was a supervisor asking if we knew Mr. & Mrs. X. We did not know the couple mentioned but it seemed they had accidentally been booked into our same cabin. UT O... Supervisor said since we arrived first, the cabin was ours and she would take care of it. Later we found out that the cabin was booked by another couple and their children were next door to us. All of that couples stuff was delivered to our room throughout the week (Diamond welcome gift, letters from various people, C & A party invitations, etc). We tried to get everything to the children next door by putting it under the door.

 

Anyway... on to the cruise...We had Mark as a cruise director (Bing Bong). He was pretty funny and entertaining. I went to the spa raffle (as always) and actually won... get ready.... a SCALP massage... what in the world? Oh well, a win is a win and I stopped in the spa and got my head massaged for a few. :D

 

They had $1.00 beginner blackjack on this day so we stopped by the casino for that. Fun times. I went to the welcome aboard show and it was staring some comic. We had just seen this comic on Freedom in May and he did the same exact set of jokes. We knew all of them before he said them, so we ended up leaving.

 

I went by Karaoke- hilarious as always. Stopped in for Bingo $300 cash prize. Didn't win. Lots of frustrations because those crazy bingo machines were malfunctioning. But in the end, someone finally won.

 

I missed the Silent Disco, wanted to go but I forgot about it. Maybe next time.

[AmandaKaye79]

Day 2- We were in Cococay from 8-5pm. We had breakfast in the Windjammer. It was pretty good. We got off the ship around 10:30 after waiting around 30 minutes on the tender line. There were 2 ships in port. I think next time in CocoCay, I might stay on the ship...

 

Why? Lets see, the tender line was long, the walk to find a chair was even longer. We walked all the way to what I assumed was almost the end of the line before finally spotting 2 people getting up and leaving. We snagged those chairs. We tried to get the "grill" lunch but my goodness the lines were out of control. We ended up getting a few "desserts" and waiting to eat lunch when we got back on the ship. Don't get me wrong, I love Cococay, but this was a bad experience with the huge crowds present.

 

Back on the ship- I got my free "scalp" massage and then went to dinner. I didn't mention dinner in the first section...

 

Dinner Probs- We were assigned a table (table for 8). At this table, there were 2 adults sitting and then we sat down. About 5 minutes later a family of 5 came in. For some reason, the 3 children were assigned to our table and the 2 adults were assigned to a different table. They were speaking another language but I could tell they were not happy. The waiters were telling them to go up and speak to someone but I don't know if they didn't understand or what so we offered to give them our seats and sit at the table for 2. We enjoy meeting others at dinner so we hated the table for 2, but it was only a few nights so we managed. All was well.

 

Dinner on nights 1-2 was good. Just ok. Wasn't my favorite ship for food.

 

After dinner I went to the 70s disco party. It was so much fun. I enjoyed all the dancing and entertainers. Don't miss watching this even if you don't participate.

 

After disco party, I went to the late night comic show.

 

Questions? Up next Day 3- Nassau

[AmandaKaye79]

Day 3- Nassau

 

Today was our 4 year anniversary so we slept in a little bit and got up around 10am. We headed out to Nassau and took local bus #10 to the Melia Resort for a day pass. We ended up getting the day pass with lunch included. It was $50. I don't recommend doing this. Just get the day pass for $30 and buy your own lunch. Nothing on the menu was $20, everything was cheaper. The highest price thing was a hamburger for $19.

 

The resort was nice. We had 2 beach chairs and an umbrella. They had swim up bars, several pools, and water sports available as well. The beach wasn't crowded and getting there on the local bus was easy and cheap, $1.25 each.

 

I would recommend doing this if you are looking for a nice, relaxing beach day.

 

Around 4pm, the storms started coming in. We headed back to town for some shopping. Of course I just had to have the Del Sol color changing glasses that they were promoting on the ship talk shows for shopping. haha. Stopped in at Senor Frogs for a few things and then headed back to the ship since it was still raining.

 

We had planned to do the sunset champagne cruise but didn't book ahead because we wanted to make sure there was actually a sun to set. Glad we didn't book. Decided to go to Chops instead and enjoy an anniversary meal.

 

We missed the crown and anchor top tier party because it was held early in the afternoon (seems odd since this was a midnight port day).

 

After dinner, we went to the juggling show. OMG. He was so funny. I loved him and his show. Probably my favorite one on the cruise.

 

Stayed for the love and marriage show. I really want them to get some new questions. The show is always hilarious, but when you have seen it 10 times, you are ready for a change. Either way, show is funny. Don't miss it.

 

After, we played a little poker in the casino.

 

Went up to Park Cafe for a late night snack. They had great late night snacks: pizza, chili cheese nachos, sandwiches. On another note, they also had mini bags of chips, great to take off the ship to eat on the beach!

 

Questions? Day 4- Sea Day up next!

[BillOh]

They had $1.00 beginner blackjack on this day so we stopped by the casino for that.

 

I've never heard of that being offered. , I would try it sometime.

Edited July 18, 2014 by BillOh

[AmandaKaye79]

Day 4- Last day of the cruise and it was a sea day. Of course, I didn't get up early. I think I slept until around noon. I went up to get some lunch. They had a poolside buffet that looked good. I had some tacos from the poolside and some pizza from park cafe.

 

I watched the belly flop competition. Fun times. Went to casino to watch hubby play in the blackjack tourney. He got 2nd place. We played in a poker tourney and he also placed in that one. Notice there are no instances of me actually winning except the famous "scalp" massage. :D

 

We went to dinner and the waiter was mad that we missed our "anniversary" night with him so he insisted on singing to us again even though Chops staff had already sang the night before. So we agreed. Nice gesture.

 

After dinner, we watched the quest. I thought this one was a little more boring than usual. Things took a while and the teams were so large because they just split up the room. Only 4 men decided to do the final round where they dressed up as women.

 

After the quest, stopped by the casino one last time and then to park cafe for a few last minute late night snacks.

 

Then it was off to pack.

 

We did self carry off for luggage and after over sleeping, we got off the ship at 8:15. Absolutely no lines, no waiting, nothing. Walked straight off.

 

[AmandaKaye79]

I've never heard of that, I would try it sometime.

 

They had it twice on this cruise that I saw in the compass. We only did it once because the other time we were in port. On day 1 it only lasted 1 hour. On the Cococay day, it lasted from 12-3pm.

 

[AmandaKaye79]

1. Enjoyed the cruise- got a great last minute price!

 

2. Food was just average, nothing spectacular!

 

3. Cococay was overcrowded with long lines!

 

4. We loved the Melia in Nassau for a beach day!

 

5. Skip the Port & Shopping shows, they all want you to buy diamonds.

 

6. Go to every raffle- they give away some great prizes like scalp massages.haha.

 

7. We were on deck 3, there was some sort of room flooding I assume from toilet. It smelled horrible for about 3 days. They had huge fans blowing in the hallways but the smell wasn't good. It was around the 3100s area. We were 3135 and it was a few down from us.

 

8. There were tons of children on this cruise- I think they said over 1,000. There was a huge group of teens from Argentina celebrating something. I think maybe 400 girls or something like that.

 

**We found someones shoes under our bed so it makes you wonder how well the rooms are really cleaned.

 

If you have questions, please ask. I will be glad to share!

[BillOh]

Day 2- We were in Cococay from 8-5pm. We had breakfast in the Windjammer. It was pretty good. We got off the ship around 10:30 after waiting around 30 minutes on the tender line. There were 2 ships in port. I think next time in CocoCay, I might stay on the ship...

 

Why? Lets see, the tender line was long, the walk to find a chair was even longer. We walked all the way to what I assumed was almost the end of the line before finally spotting 2 people getting up and leaving. We snagged those chairs. We tried to get the "grill" lunch but my goodness the lines were out of control. We ended up getting a few "desserts" and waiting to eat lunch when we got back on the ship. Don't get me wrong, I love Cococay, but this was a bad experience with the huge crowds present.

 

 

I've been to Coco Cay 3 times and once there were 2 ships there and I am in complete agreement with you based on my experiences. But the day I was there with 2 ships it was Majesty and Sovereign, so in all likelyhood Enchantment and what ever the other ship was, is most likely even more people than I had to deal with, but that was back in 2007, I don't know if they have more tenders or not? I picked Freedom for my next cruise and I know she stops there and that would be a lot of people for that island, especially tendering. Do you remember what the other ship was?

[AmandaKaye79]

Do you remember what the other ship was?

 

The ship was Grandeur of the Seas.

[j&bcruzing]

Thanks for posting your review. My dh and I leave on July 21. Glad to see a more recent review right before we leave and me packing. We are also on deck 3.

 

Did you have an inside? If so, what did you think about?

[cruiseapril]

Interesting review.

 

Glad you liked the Melia resort- it is one of our favorites.

 

We enjoyed the Enchantment in March- liked the Solarium and Park Cafe.

[AmandaKaye79]

Thanks for posting your review. My dh and I leave on July 21. Glad to see a more recent review right before we leave and me packing. We are also on deck 3.

 

 

 

Did you have an inside? If so, what did you think about?

 

 

We had an inside. It was our first inside room ever. I missed the window and balcony. I hated not being able to tell if it was sunny or raining without going up to the deck. It was hard to determine my clothing. Why put on swimsuit if it is storming, you know?

 

Room itself was fine. Plenty of room. I missed the refrigerator but I'm not sure if that was because we were in an interior or because of the ship. Maybe someone else can answer.

 

 

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[dacsmom]

We had an inside. It was our first inside room ever. I missed the window and balcony. I hated not being able to tell if it was sunny or raining without going up to the deck. It was hard to determine my clothing. Why put on swimsuit if it is storming, you know?

 

Room itself was fine. Plenty of room. I missed the refrigerator but I'm not sure if that was because we were in an interior or because of the ship. Maybe someone else can answer.

 

 

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Great review, thanks. When I book an inside cabin I just turn on the TV to see what the weather is outside. They always have a live channel running.

[AmandaKaye79]

Great review, thanks. When I book an inside cabin I just turn on the TV to see what the weather is outside. They always have a live channel running.

 

 

Oh yeah!! I should have thought of that. I'm not sure if we even used the tv.

 

 

 

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[Familygoboston]

Thanks for your review! The teens carried pink and purple FUNTIMES bags? You, we had them on our cruise...it's why the lines to and from coco cay and the buffets on Cococay are so bad :( Also, never any ice cream in the machine, if there was they were 50 deep waiting to get it all, no desserts in the WJ and they buzz sawed through the free sweets at the Latte Tudes cafe- unless you bought it or got it served in the MDR, you weren't having any sweets on that cruise:eek:

[AlexanderBeetle]

Thanks for the review. My wife and I will be taking this cruise in October but I think Nassau and Coco cay are switched. We are really looking forward to it!

[PhilNDebbieAtSea]

Thanks for your review!!!

 

 

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[AmandaKaye79]

Thanks for your review! The teens carried pink and purple FUNTIMES bags? You, we had them on our cruise...it's why the lines to and from coco cay and the buffets on Cococay are so bad :( Also, never any ice cream in the machine, if there was they were 50 deep waiting to get it all, no desserts in the WJ and they buzz sawed through the free sweets at the Latte Tudes cafe- unless you bought it or got it served in the MDR, you weren't having any sweets on that cruise:eek:

 

 

I think the teens had pink and black bags that said Fifteens on it. I think they usually had a separate eating section. We were in park cafe around 1am and they all came in and got in line. Soon a waiter came and escorted them to the other side where I assumed they had a private buffet set up because they all came back with food. So we never noticed a food shortage.

 

 

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[liquorstore]

Thanks for the good review. We're sailing on the 28th with a poker group (Ante Up Poker Cruise)

[gelli8112]

Thanks for the review. Sailed on The Enchantment in November. I enjoyed the flashback.

[maureencruiser]

.it's why the lines to and from coco cay and the buffets on Cococay are so bad :(

 

I have a question about the buffet on CocoCay. I was also there with both the Enchantment and the Grandeur. After waiting in the long line, I THOUGHT that what I saw was hot dogs, burgers, chicken, fries, beans or whatever, about six feet worth of food. Then, the same items again every six feet. Am I right about that? Everyone was waiting in one long line when the food was actually the same every six feet and we could have been in 5 or 6 lines. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. :D

[gelli8112]

I have a question about the buffet on CocoCay. I was also there with both the Enchantment and the Grandeur. After waiting in the long line, I THOUGHT that what I saw was hot dogs, burgers, chicken, fries, beans or whatever, about six feet worth of food. Then, the same items again every six feet. Am I right about that? Everyone was waiting in one long line when the food was actually the same every six feet and we could have been in 5 or 6 lines. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. :D

 

Nope, your right. That's the way it is.

[maureencruiser]

Nope, your right. That's the way it is.

 

Wait, I was right? Alert the media! :D So, why doesn't Royal have someone there to tell all the people in the one long line? I almost started a fight when I told a couple to just go up and get food, they didn't have to wait. They started heading to the next station and some guy started yelling at them. I got the hell out of there. :o

[gelli8112]

Wait, I was right? Alert the media! :D So, why doesn't Royal have someone there to tell all the people in the one long line? I almost started a fight when I told a couple to just go up and get food, they didn't have to wait. They started heading to the next station and some guy started yelling at them. I got the hell out of there. :o

 

You tossed fuel on the hot coals and walked away. That's hilarious. :D

[jfstorm]

Hi, thanks for the timely review! I have a few questions for you. We are father and son heading out on our "last" summer cruise by ourselves before college. Our schedule works best with this cruise. Sailed RCI on the Navigator and twice on the Radiance class ships out of Tampa. This will be (only slightly) the smallest and oldest ship we've been on. Trying to decide what cabin is a little challenging. We can do interior or Ocean view, likely don't see the value in the balcony on a 4 night cruise unless a rate drop happens. I'm a light sleeper so concerned about deck noise on 8, theater and club noise on 7 and 4. Not a big fan of being st the bottom of the skip but leaving that way right now. Recommendations? I suppose we will have to deal with the 2 ships at coco cay as well. Oh well, it's summer. Deciding on s beach day or activity for Nassau also. Usually stay on the ship here, but don't want to waste the day as we will probably have just enough time to explore on the sea day and first 2 anyway. Might splurge for Atlantis aquaventure since we are in port for the whole day until midnight. Strangely enough, I have always seen this cruise as a sea day for the last day. Most places have it listed as such, except for RCIs mobile site and AAA which list the last day acc Grand Bahama Island (not Freeport though) wondering? If not Atlantis, thinking right now either BC Hilton or Melia for a resort beach day. Feedback?