Enchantment of the Seas review 2/13/2015 cruise

[Smiley4]

Just back from the Enchantment Valentine's Day cruise. Boarding was very easy. The new terminal at Port Canaveral is excellent. The parking garage is easy in and easy out. If you're paying cash, as the parking venues were unmanned, it accepts no bills larger than 20's. You can pay cash or use a credit card.

 

I got to the garage about 1 pm and was on the ship by 1 15 pm. Rooms were opened at precisely 1 30 pm. I stayed in a junior suite on deck 7. Plenty of room, large closet and nice balcony. Did the lifeboat drill at 3 30 it was cold and windy while standing out there so most just started heading back inside. We ended it early :). Did not eat in the main dining room or Chops any of the 3 nights. I either ate room service or at the windjammer. Played lots of different types of trivia and spent time in the casino. The casino is small. 2 roulette tables, 1 craps table with terrible odds, several blackjack tables but only 1 with a 10 dollar minimum, a 3 card poker and a let it ride game. Everything else was a higher limit for blackjack, although they did have 1 dollar blackjack on Sunday. The casino was very smoky.

 

Day 2 was in Nassau from noon to midnight. Did not get off the ship. Actually went for a long run while in the gym. Not a person was around as most had got off the ship. The weather was about 70 degrees and Sunny in Nassau. I bought the 1 hour Internet package which was free for diamond members. Select the discount hour package then go to guest relations and have them credit back the cost.

 

The next day was supposed to be at Cococay, arrived, dropped anchor and then a few minutes later the captain came on and said it was too windy and we weren't going to be able to do it. We then headed back to Port Canaveral at a slow crawl, 9 nautical miles to be exact. That turned Sunday into a sea day. Lots of activities going on even though it didn't seem rough at all. Not sure why they keep missing Cococay.

 

Had a medical emergency Sunday morning at 4 am onboard. You heard the old alpha, alpha, alpha deck 2 something. Wasn't sure what the emergency was but about 10 am here comes the coast guard helicopter. Dropped a rescuer with a basket, took a passenger up with him and off they went. Still not sure what the injury was but it was cool to see the rescue in progress. That was my first. Maybe someone on here knows from another source?

 

Debarkation was smooth and easy this morning. I did the self walk off and was off the ship by 7 30 and in my car by 7 40. Very painless.

 

Any questions you might have, please feel free to ask. I don't have the compasses but I'm pretty familiar with much of what was offered.

[closecruiser]

When you got to the terminal how was it for those carrying on water or 12 pack of soda. We leave at the end of the week and would like to carry a 12 pack of soda and some water with us.

 

Thank you.

[Clarea]

When you got to the terminal how was it for those carrying on water or 12 pack of soda. We leave at the end of the week and would like to carry a 12 pack of soda and some water with us.

 

Thank you.

I have had the porters reject water at Port Canveral before. They also rejected it as a carry on. However, this was during the spring break period, so they may have been more aggresive in enforcing the rules then.

[Smiley4]

I skipped the porters as I carried my own luggage on. I didn't take soda or water but the lady and her husband in front of me did. We went through the diamond line and the security didn't say a word. She took a 12 pack of coke and her husband had a case of water. It wasn't hidden and was obvious and there wasn't a word said. The security was port security and not RCCL people so maybe that had something to do with it.

[closecruiser]

Thanks for the replies. I never had a problem at the old terminal but wasn't sure what to expect at the new terminal 1.

[alfaeric]

Sorry to hear that you missed Coco Cay- we were there the day before on the Majesty- and the weather was just good enough that we could tender.

 

I think they were getting desperate, too- as it had been 4 or 5 cruises since they had been to Coco Cay before ours.

 

Our weather was really nice- about 72, light breeze, just great sun. So it was actually comfortable to sun ourselves...

 

Sadly, I had a gut feeling that the weather was getting a little worse for you guys- especially seeing how windy it was in Nassau yesterday.

[Smiley4]

Alfaeric,

 

 

Once I read the compass and it listed the winds for the day of Cococay as 25 to 30 km's, I knew we weren't going to make it in. I was surprised that I heard the anchor dropping and we even made an attempt. We could clearly see that it wasn't going to happen. I'm surprised they didn't stay longer at Nassau or with so many misses, start thinking about a new substitute port. Maybe Freeport or Grand Bahama Island.

 

I've cruised for a long time so it doesn't matter to me if we ever make it in there but with all the last minute cancellations, many people onboard were quite upset especially as the excursions desk continued to sell and sell and sell, Cococay excursions right up to the last minute.

 

Our lifeboat drill on Friday was probably the coldest I've ever experienced with temps in the 50's and high winds. I could tell then Cococay wasn't happening.

[Dunfer]

Thank you for your Review! We're boarding Enchantment this Monday. It will be my second time on her. So far, it looks like the weather will be in our favor to make it to Coco Cay. Keeping my fingers crossed because I really enjoy it there, but I'm prepared if we don't make it. I'm sure we'll find plenty of things to do, whether in Nassau, or a Sea Day. It doesn't take much to keep me happy on a cruise!

[rcplat_fan10]

Hi, We are taking the short weekend trip this Friday. Can anyone tell me if there is a show both nights and what the times are. We are trying to decide what time to eat dinner since we have the any time dining. thanks Becky

[Clarea]

Hi, We are taking the short weekend trip this Friday. Can anyone tell me if there is a show both nights and what the times are. We are trying to decide what time to eat dinner since we have the any time dining. thanks Becky

There is a show on all nights. The first night there is one show at around 7:45pm. The other two nights there are two shows, timed to be convenient for the traditional dining times of 5:45pm and 8pm.

[kirian]

Thank you for your Review! We're boarding Enchantment this Monday. It will be my second time on her. So far, it looks like the weather will be in our favor to make it to Coco Cay. Keeping my fingers crossed because I really enjoy it there, but I'm prepared if we don't make it. I'm sure we'll find plenty of things to do, whether in Nassau, or a Sea Day. It doesn't take much to keep me happy on a cruise!

 

Hi Dunfer,

 

I'm hoping you're right about the weather for next week.... I'm on the same cruise :D Like you, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference where we end up each day (as long as I'm on a cruise ship, I'm happy!!!), but it will be my friend's first cruise, so for her sake, I'm hoping we can do the stop at Coco Cay.

 

Melissa

 

PS - OP, thanks for the mini-review of your recent cruise :)

[Dem920]

Just got off the same sailing and have been sick. since I got back to NC. Guess the Norovirus got me. Oh well at least I'm home and the cruise was super fun. Even without docking in Coco Cay. Wondering if anyone else got sick. Glad I got sick after 8 hour car ride and not while on the ship. Would not have wanted to be quarantined.

 

 

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[Smiley4]

Dem920,

 

I was on deck 7 port side and didn't get sick. What area were you in? I was regularly speaking with the 4 or 5 cabins around me and that wasn't mentioned. I'm sorry that happened to you.

 

Dunker and Kirian,

 

RCCL gave us a compass for the normal 3rd day and then when Cococay was cancelled they gave us another compass with a bunch more activities added. It was a nice day weather wise, just a bit windy.

 

For a ship nearly 20 years old it still looks in great shape.

[Dem920]

Smiley

 

Deck 2 but who knows where I got it. I used about a gallon of the sanitizer. Hey it happens. Glad it didn't ruin my trip.

 

 

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[Brandywine_101]

Alfaeric,

 

 

Once I read the compass and it listed the winds for the day of Cococay as 25 to 30 km's, I knew we weren't going to make it in. I was surprised that I heard the anchor dropping and we even made an attempt. We could clearly see that it wasn't going to happen. I'm surprised they didn't stay longer at Nassau or with so many misses, start thinking about a new substitute port. Maybe Freeport or Grand Bahama Island.

 

I've cruised for a long time so it doesn't matter to me if we ever make it in there but with all the last minute cancellations, many people onboard were quite upset especially as the excursions desk continued to sell and sell and sell, Cococay excursions right up to the last minute.

 

Our lifeboat drill on Friday was probably the coldest I've ever experienced with temps in the 50's and high winds. I could tell then Cococay wasn't happening.

You really have me worried. We sail out on Monday the 23rd, and if conditions don't improve quickly I'm assuming we'll not get to port at the cay either. I'll be super bummed as it's our first cruise. Like you said, if I had a few cruises under my belt, and had been there before, I wouldn't care so much. I wonder why they don't by-pass Cocoa Cay and use another stop-over as it's constantly being by-passed anyway. It's almost like false advertising to say the ship will stop at the "tropical island" and then all it does is shimmie by it.

[Smiley4]

Brandywine_101,

 

 

I feel for you. This has been going on for a long time. I get that their contract basically says they can do whatever but if you're paying for 2 ports and only getting 1, then why not refund half the port charges per person? That seems to make sense. They'd lose a fortune by doing that and then they would come up with a better solution.

 

I sensed the disappointment all over my cruise with people that had booked excursions and were even dressed and ready to disembark. I was sad for them.

 

Be glad you're not on the ship this week. I see no way they can make it into Coco Cay this week with the weather we're having.

[Brandywine_101]

Brandywine_101,

 

 

I feel for you. This has been going on for a long time. I get that their contract basically says they can do whatever but if you're paying for 2 ports and only getting 1, then why not refund half the port charges per person? That seems to make sense. They'd lose a fortune by doing that and then they would come up with a better solution.

 

I sensed the disappointment all over my cruise with people that had booked excursions and were even dressed and ready to disembark. I was sad for them.

 

Be glad you're not on the ship this week. I see no way they can make it into Coco Cay this week with the weather we're having.

I seriously hope we get to Cocoa Cay. My hubby wants to get a cabinette and just relax there. Also, I see you live in Florida, what's the forecast going into the weekend? We'll be flying in the day before, staying at the Best Western at Cocoa Beach because I've also never been on a beach before - I'm seriously NOT a water person, but my hubby is so I'm doing this for him, God help me. Anyway, I chose the BW as I was hoping to take in the view from a oceanfront room. But if it's going to rain Sunday/Monday, I'll save my pennies and just stay in Port Canaveral. Thanks!

[Susie51]

Thank you for your review. Sorry you missed Coco Cay.

[littlej]

Hi Brandywine,

Everyone has their own favorite weather website, mine is Weather Underground. Use this to watch Cocoa Beach's weather over the next few days to decide whether to splurge on that oceanfront room. As of now, Sunday shows a chance of rain. I'm going to be watching the weather closely in the Caribbean and Florida in 2 weeks to decide if I need to pack that rain jacket and an extra pair of long pants!

 

Weather Underground also has a cool device called a trip/travel planner where you can put in the location (say, Cocoa Beach or Nassau) and see what the historical weather has been for the last several years.

 

jenny

[Smiley4]

Expecting 30's the next 3 nights with wind, the lowest temps in 3 years here then a significant warmup by the weekend and into next week. It's all about the wind. It was beautiful, bright and sunny during my 3 night cruise but the wind was there daily and Coco Cay didn't happen.

[Brandywine_101]

Hi Brandywine,

Everyone has their own favorite weather website, mine is Weather Underground. Use this to watch Cocoa Beach's weather over the next few days to decide whether to splurge on that oceanfront room. As of now, Sunday shows a chance of rain. I'm going to be watching the weather closely in the Caribbean and Florida in 2 weeks to decide if I need to pack that rain jacket and an extra pair of long pants!

 

Weather Underground also has a cool device called a trip/travel planner where you can put in the location (say, Cocoa Beach or Nassau) and see what the historical weather has been for the last several years.

 

jenny

Wow, thanks for that tip Jenny. I will do!

[Brandywine_101]

Expecting 30's the next 3 nights with wind, the lowest temps in 3 years here then a significant warmup by the weekend and into next week. It's all about the wind. It was beautiful, bright and sunny during my 3 night cruise but the wind was there daily and Coco Cay didn't happen.

Oh I see, it's based on the wind. Okay, thanks. I'll know what to watch out for. Thank you!

[mich23]

Here's a question. Do they refund the money for excursions if we don't stop at Coco Cay?

[Clarea]

Here's a question. Do they refund the money for excursions if we don't stop at Coco Cay?

Yes.