Enchantment of the Seas Review / Observations

[peteukmcr]

After all the recent changes in beverage prices, Internet options, and Diamond + CL access I thought I'd provide and update from my experience on Enchantment at the present time.

 

When I can I will post photos of bar menus and other info.

 

In general the beverage menus list a very limited selection. At the pool bar cocktails are $10. Wines are priced up to $12 per glass.

 

In the Schooner Bar all drinks on the menu are $12.

 

In the Spotlight Lounge there are no prices on the menu!

 

Btw the menus in the Schooner Bar are on normal printed paper that have been cut to fit into the menu holders.

 

In general it is extremely difficult to find a beverage menu, there are hardly any available. For example the pool bar has 1 which has to be shared and then it was taken away by the staff.

 

They are pushing the beverage packages everywhere. There is still waiter service around the pool, but it is patchy and again trying to push the packages.

[peteukmcr]

D+ members now get a $59.90 discount off packages or 2 consecutive 24 hour unlimited access for 1 device.

 

Unlimited access for 1 device is $99.95 less discount = $40.05

 

Unlimited access for 2 devices is $119.95 less discount = $60.05

 

These prices are for the 4 day sailing.

[peteukmcr]

We only received a letter from the Diamond Concierge advising we can visit the Diamond Club.

 

No sandals nor shorts allowed in the evening, but that didn't stop at least 3 people in there last night!

 

Coffee machine broken too.

 

However, as there is no sign saying only Suite Guests and Pinnacles are allowed in the Concierge Lounge, my card allows me to access and so that's where we went! That coffee machine is also broken!

[peteukmcr]

Managed to anchor at Coco Cay which is surprising due to the inclement weather.

[peteukmcr]

 

 

 

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[Yuridog]

Thank you so much for the information and observations. Information on Enchantment isn't as plentiful as other ships, so this is appreciated.

[sassy0930]

Thanks! We'll be on her this weekend and this is great information!

[Ladymom30]

I was on the Enchantment 4/20 and I was not impressed at all. Our room was pretty gross actually. I took pictures to send to RCCL but they didn't want to see them. I am no a complainer but the mildew in the shower and the filthy showerhead was something I could not ignore. When we first went in there was a big ball of gray hair in the shower too..ewwwww.

[John&LaLa]

D+ members now get a $59.90 discount off packages or 2 consecutive 24 hour unlimited access for 1 device.

 

Unlimited access for 1 device is $99.95 less discount = $40.05

 

Unlimited access for 2 devices is $119.95 less discount = $60.05

 

These prices are for the 4 day sailing.

 

When I first read, I thought you were still talking about drink package. ;)

[peteukmcr]

Just a to say we have the premium beverage package as they no longer offer a wine & dine package and I'm not paying their prices for a bottle.

 

However, I now know why RCI are pushing these. You think you're getting a good deal if you can have any wine up to $12 and cocktails up to the same value. 4 drinks a day and you've nearly broken even. But there's a snag with that offer, and it's actually being able to get served a drink!

 

This ship has a great number of bars, but where's the staff? Example, there are 2 bars on the pool deck but the lines are horrendous. The Oasis bar is in a great location, but only 2 staff who obviously only serve the young and gorgeous.

 

So RCI are making a killing as people aren't drinking that much because you can't get one!

 

It's the same at the Solarium bar, 2 deep and people walking away!

 

It's so disappointing not to have beverage menus available.

[peteukmcr]

We went for dinner last night at 8:45 and seated immediately at a table for 2 as requested.

 

However, just as experienced on Allure, dinner was rushed to the point that within 30 minutes we'd had starter, salad and main course. Then tepid coffee appeared with dessert. In and out within 40 minutes. Now my partner doesn't normally say anything but challenged the wait staff why we were being rushed. The reply was 'we thought that's what you wanted'. We were never asked.

 

This is in the main dining room, not Windjammer.

 

It had better be good tonight!

[John&LaLa]

It's a crappy shoot for the staff, some will complain that service takes to long. Maybe you should set your expectations up front. Especially on the short cruises

[peteukmcr]

It's a crappy shoot for the staff, some will complain that service takes to long. Maybe you should set your expectations up front. Especially on the short cruises

And what should my expectations be? Short cruise, long cruise, what's the difference? What happened to the Royal Anchor Gold Service that kept us with RCI since 2004?

 

Oh and no towels on the pool deck, station empty and that's both towels and staff!

[peteukmcr]

When I first read, I thought you were still talking about drink package. ;)

My #2 post has a heading entitled 'Internet' :D

[John&LaLa]

And what should my expectations be? Short cruise, long cruise, what's the difference? What happened to the Royal Anchor Gold Service that kept us with RCI since 2004?

 

Oh and no towels on the pool deck, station empty and that's both towels and staff!

 

I, like the waiter have no idea what your expectations are. One of the shortcomings of MTD.

 

Short cruises tend to be more casual and some people want to head back out to the action vs a long dinner

 

No idea about pool towels. I thought there were two stations anyway

 

Hope things improve. Your cruise is often what you make of it

 

Cheers

[John&LaLa]

My #2 post has a heading entitled 'Internet' :D

 

You don't see headings on the Android app. :)

[peteukmcr]

Just a little update on the Premium Beverage package and the availability of wines. One of the Chardonnay options is priced at $12 and is the most expensive on the menu (well when there are prices shown) and it's quite nice as opposed to some of the others available. We have been able to get this once, never again since day 1. The bar in the Spotlight lounge is often closed where we first tried this wine and every other bar where it is listed on the menu don't have it. They have the cheaper wines though!

 

Also, although you can use the beverage package in the MDR, the options available are not the same as in the bars, so you can't necessarily get the wine you've enjoyed at a bar with your dinner.

[peteukmcr]

The staff on Enchantment are really friendly with a couple of exceptions. Guest Services staff being one of them. RCI really need to get some more pleasant Guest Services staff and more of them to be honest.

 

Yet again they have ignored my instruction NOT to convert my onboard charges to the currency of my non-US credit card. They do this every single cruise and so convert the charges using their inferior exchange rate and so make more money out of us non-US guests. When challenged they blame the check in agents who I reminded of my choice.

 

Obviously on the last day they say they can't change it (actually they can, they just don't want to because I have had it changed on other cruises when I demand they honour my instruction).

 

So I decide to pay off a lot of the balance using travellers cheques which RCI still state they accept as a form of payment.

 

Mmm, Guest Services - 'let me see if I can accept these'

Me - 'why can't you?'

Guest Services - 'there's a limit I can accept'

Me - 'what's the limit so I know for the future?'

Guest Services - ignores my question and 'countersign the cheque and date it'

 

Overheard conversation regarding request for wheelchair assistance when disembarking.

Guest - 'we arranged with RCI HQ that we have wheelchair assistance at 7:30 am tomorrow'

Guest Services - 'No, wheelchair assistance is only available at 8:40 am'

Guest - 'but we arranged it for 7:30'

Guest Services - 'sorry only at 8:40, there's nothing we can do'

 

Result - one slightly disgruntled guest (me) one very upset guest who needs wheelchair assistance.

Edited May 7, 2015 by peteukmcr

[peteukmcr]

Great pool party last night as we left Nassau with a buffet too. Entertainment staff working hard to ensure everyone had a good time.

 

Yesterday someone escorted ashore in handcuffs and then some unfortunate guest stretchered off to hospital. Hope it isn't too serious and they recover quickly.

 

There are not too many annoying announcements throughout the day, but of course the ones for bingo are still broadcast.

[DarthGrady]

The CL coffee machine must have just broken, it was working on the 4/17 cruise.

[molly361]

I have noticed what seems like a cutback on bartenders and bar servers on our last few cruises.

[peteukmcr]

Solarium Bar I have found the best place to get served.

 

 

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[F27TW]

I have noticed what seems like a cutback on bartenders and bar servers on our last few cruises.

 

I noticed it on our Enchantment cruise this past Mar and on Explorer last June .. this line is really beginning to make me scratch my head .. they push these drink package to make u pay in advance for cocktails .. THEN make it difficult for u to get what u paid for by decreasing the # of servers and bartenders ... great plan, Royal Caribbean.

 

Cuz people NEVER notice when they are being swindled and cheated out of their money, right ? ... Real good move, RC. Keep pissing people off.

Edited May 7, 2015 by F27TW

[peteukmcr]

I noticed it on our Enchantment cruise this past Mar and on Explorer last June .. this line is really beginning to make me scratch my head .. they push these drink package to make u pay in advance for cocktails .. THEN make it difficult for u to get what u paid for by decreasing the # of servers and bartenders ... great plan, Royal Caribbean.

 

Cuz people NEVER notice when they are being swindled and cheated out of their money, right ? ... Real good move, RC. Keep pissing people off.

I agree, but it's not the lack of servers that we've experienced (which is definitely an issue) but it's the inability to get the drinks that are detailed on the shockingly reduced bar menus. On 3 separate occasions in 3 separate bars we were unable to get our drink of choice from the menu tonight. I wouldn't mind if I was asking for a drink not on the menu but I'm not. RCI, don't advertise what you can't deliver.

 

Oh and btw they still haven't had the courtesy to reply to my question re my credit card charge instructions.

 

Maybe I'll have better luck on Carnival tomorrow, and Celebrity in September.

 

Bye bye RCI.

[DarthGrady]

I noticed it on our Enchantment cruise this past Mar and on Explorer last June .. this line is really beginning to make me scratch my head .. they push these drink package to make u pay in advance for cocktails .. THEN make it difficult for u to get what u paid for by decreasing the # of servers and bartenders ... great plan, Royal Caribbean.

 

Cuz people NEVER notice when they are being swindled and cheated out of their money, right ? ... Real good move, RC. Keep pissing people off.

 

I agree, but it's not the lack of servers that we've experienced (which is definitely an issue) but it's the inability to get the drinks that are detailed on the shockingly reduced bar menus. On 3 separate occasions in 3 separate bars we were unable to get our drink of choice from the menu tonight. I wouldn't mind if I was asking for a drink not on the menu but I'm not. RCI, don't advertise what you can't deliver.

 

Oh and btw they still haven't had the courtesy to reply to my question re my credit card charge instructions.

 

Maybe I'll have better luck on Carnival tomorrow, and Celebrity in September.

 

Bye bye RCI.

 

Unfortunately, I've had similar experiences on Carnival. I used to do an annual open-bar cruise with my friends on CCL. It varied by bar and ship, but there were many times when it was obvious that the bartenders were actively avoiding people with the open-bar cards.

 

It actually got a bit better when Cheers (Carnival's new drink program) came out, as the crew seemed to get more used to dealing with the issue.

 

Sadly Carnival took away our old open-bar package and tried to force us into Cheers, which is capped at 15 drinks a day. For a bunch of boozers, this is unacceptable.

 

So we're coming to RCI this year since they don't cap their packages. Hopefully we don't run into these same issues, although it looks like we might after seeing posts like F27TW's.