New to RCL...But now I am second guessing our ship.

[MsJersey84]

Hi Everyone,

 

My husband and I finally decided to try a new cruise line we are Carnival veterans and we decided its time to change things up. After going back and forth with what cruise line should we try we finally decided RCL. We are super excited and cant wait to see what RCL has to offer. We are booked the Enchantment of the sea because during the last RCL sale last week the price was too good to pass up on, but now I am wondering did we make the right choice the enchantment is an older ship?!?! As I read all the reviews they are mostly of the newer ships with all the new features and I wonder. Can older ships be just as amazing as the newer ones?? Which do you prefer the older ships or the newer ships??

 

Thanks in advance 

[dreadpirate3]

Enchantment is a great ship! I really enjoyed it, we've sailed most classes from Sovereign to Freedom and will be on the Symphony next. You will love it.

[Clarea]

Yes, Enchantment is one of the older RC ships.    If you are new to RC, I suggest you try an Oasis class ship.  Enchantment won't be much different than older Carnival ships, though it does have a very large pool deck.

[Crazy planning mom]

When you sail on Carnival, do you prefer the newer ships like Vista, Horizon, or Breeze or do you sailer the smaller older ships?  The answer to that question should guide you to the right answer.

[mooseman52b]

We sailed Enchantment on a B2B 5 weeks ago and had a wonderful time. Great crew on an older ship still makes for a great vacation without all the bells & whistles.

[MrFunInTheSun]

 It appears you've sailed on the Carnival Conquest which launched in 2002. Enchantment is only 6 years older than that, launched in 1996. Conquest is a few few feet shorter than Enchantment being 953 vs 990 ft. Conquest has a passenger count of 2,980 vs Enchantment passenger count of 2,446.

 

With that said I wouldn't really call Enchantment that much of an older ship compared what you are used to with Carnival. Enchantment is a nice ship. She does lack some of the bells and whistles as the newest Oasis class ships, but non the less she's a nice ship. Will say though you really shouldn't judge the Royal Caribbean line based on sailing on the Enchantment, not anymore than a person shouldn't judge Carnival sailing on a Fantasy class ship vice one of their newer ships.

 

If you are able to do it, I'd recommend switching your sailing to Harmony of the Seas or Symphony of the seas if you are looking to be totally WoW'd.

 

Happy Sailing!

[BettyCruiser]

I would suggest something newer and bigger, but not going straight to Oasis class, try Voyager or Freedom class first then move up to Oasis class.

[MsJersey84]

Thank you Everyone

Edited March 15, 2019 by MsJersey84

[MrFunInTheSun]

9 minutes ago, MsJersey84 said:

Thank you Everyone

 

Here's a super old trip report I did of Enchantment with quite a few pictures in it.

 

 

[MsJersey84]

19 minutes ago, MrFunInTheSun said:

 

Here's a super old trip report I did of Enchantment with quite a few pictures in it.

 

Thank you

 

[PigsCanFly]

We have sailed on all 6 classes on RCI (in the last 4 yrs).  We have not been on the Enchantment, but have been on the Grandeur 3 times in the same class.  The reason that most of our recent cruises have been with Royal is not the size of the ship, but the quality of the crew and entertainment folks.  The RCI ships are all a pleasure.  The variety of activities on different classes is refreshing.  Oh, by the way, the casino staff (hosts, dealers and servers) are outstanding across the fleet!

[Mikew0805]

2 hours ago, MsJersey84 said:

Hi Everyone,

 

My husband and I finally decided to try a new cruise line we are Carnival veterans and we decided its time to change things up. After going back and forth with what cruise line should we try we finally decided RCL. We are super excited and cant wait to see what RCL has to offer. We are booked the Enchantment of the sea because during the last RCL sale last week the price was too good to pass up on, but now I am wondering did we make the right choice the enchantment is an older ship?!?! As I read all the reviews they are mostly of the newer ships with all the new features and I wonder. Can older ships be just as amazing as the newer ones?? Which do you prefer the older ships or the newer ships??

 

Thanks in advance 

I like most all ships. There is a big difference between the Enchantment and the Conquest. The Conquest is much larger. (30k GRT)  I really like the Enchantment, but do not expect the cabins to be the same, they are much smaller on Enchantment. 

 

The Dining room and Windjammer between the two are roughly the same. Maybe a few more options in the Windjammer vs. the Conquest Lido restaurant. However, there are more options that are included on the Conquest. Guy's, Blue Iguana, and Carnival Deli are much better than what you will find at the Park Cafe on the Enchantment. (Also as of this last September, the pizza is not even close to CCL Pizza) You will still not go hungry, there are just not as many options.

 

The ship is pretty, and there is not all of that neon that is on the Conquest. The activities are about the same between the two lines, and for this class of a ship on RCI, the entertainment is about the same as well. The Enchantment does have a live orchestra in the main show lounge vs. the pre recorded music in the Playlist Productions on Carnival. 

 

I think the service from the crew is about equal on both lines.

 

I think if you got a good deal you should give it a shot, just set expectations accordingly. 

Edited March 15, 2019 by Mikew0805