How is Enchantment of the seas?

[latebuyer]

Looking to go to alaska next year. I know the ship is old, but i’m wondering if viewing decks are ok to see scenery? Also i hear the food is good. Is that correct?

[Rubyfisch]

Not sure if you saw it, but there was a pretty detailed review of a sailing from a couple of weeks ago.

 

I'm booked on Enchantment for a Christmas cruise this year. I accept that she has fewer bells and whistles I'm exchange for not having to travel to Florida in December.

 

[BND]

We were just on a 20 night b2b on EN in April.  It was our second and third cruises on her.  I have yet to figure out why people expect an older smaller ship to  have a lot of bells and whistles and tons of things for kids and some active adults to do.  That is not what the smaller ships were built for.  Honestly, when the older smaller ships were built, they were actually the largest ships at the time, but they weren't built to be playgrounds.  They were built to sail on, dine on, see shows, gamble and relax.  Viewing is fine and there are actually a lot more inside areas to view from than on the larger newer ships.  Besides out door decks, there is a Viking Crown Lounge with large windows and the Centrum has large windows on several decks with seating.  We have also cruised on GR seven times and Vision once.  We're back on EN in July.  And, the ship isn't old by maritime standards, but apparently it is by some cruisers standards.

[latebuyer]

Thanks for sharing that link. Sounds like he had a good time. Thanks for sharing your review.

Edited June 11, 2022 by latebuyer

[fac429]

Sailed on the Enchantment on a 3 night Bahamas cruise back in 2018.  Loved it.  I realize a lot could have changed since then (especially given COVID, staffing, etc.) but we had a really good time.  Full disclosure, I haven't been on a ship much bigger than the Enchantment.  But my family of 3 (my son was 9 at the time) had a wonderful time.  As for views, other than my vague recollections of having good views off the pool deck and the walkway (on the casino deck I think ?) I don't really remember how good the viewing was on other parts of the ship.  

[slyster]

we are sailing EOS in two months.  We chose it for convenience and ports, not for the ship itself.  I love the bigger ships, but I have been on GOS, the sister ship to Enchantment.  I'm looking forward to the cruise.  I'm following along!

[Crism]

I just got off Enchantment this morning from a 9 night to Bermuda, Nassau, and Coco.

Also, sorry to burst any bubbles in advance.

 

I was NOT very happy with this ship, and it was my 8th this year. 

 

The maintenance and upkeep of the ship is unfortunately, very poor.  Rust and tug rub marks on the side (and no one painting it at ANY port), rust on the beautiful arches at the pool deck and outer trim areas, Deck 5 Forward Sliding Doors completely broken the entire trip, Sliding Door by the Concierge/Diamond Club broken (and leaking water into the floor underneath the wood), Deck 6 had a ceiling leak with buckets under it, Ship temperature seemed uncontrollable (some days super hot, some days super cold), Multiple broken machines at the gym, Pool TV off/broken the entire trip, Archaic hand dryers in some bathrooms (not all have been replaced by the high powered ones), No padded seating in the Solarium like other ships, 0 varnish on any railings (down to the bare wood), the beautiful Oasis Bar at the pool was never opened and sat there empty.

 

In addition to the maintenance issues, the Cruise Director got the Rona on Day 2, disappeared, and never returned.  They had a Royal Caribbean Singer from the show taking his place the entire week.  He did a good job, but it was definitely a learning experience.  I'm not sure why he did it instead of an Activities Manager (who we never saw...maybe Rona also?) or any of the other cruise staff out and about doing trivias, etc.  He definitely did his best though!

 

Note that there will only be 1 Production show, Can't Stop the Rock.  The cast has been onboard since December and never bothered to learn the 2nd show.  They said the second show will return when the next cast comes onboard (they'll learn it in Miami, hopefully).  With that said, entertainment was THIN this week.  1 production show, no singer/dancer showcase except at Welcome Aboard and Farewell, LOTS of trivias and karaoke, one night had just movies in the theatre, Love and Marriage at 1pm (awful time as others have said).

 

I booked this trip since I hadn't been on Enchantment in years and wanted to try her out.  I did it and am happy I did, but she needs a little TLC on the maintenance/appearance side of things.  I looked at my pictures from Rhapsody and Vision, and they weren't like this.  Personally I'm not a fan of Baltimore either so next time I'll pick a cruise from NJ or FL.

 

Now that is out of the way, let's end on a high note.  The Pianist, Oryna, is FANTASTIC.  Also the band Rockport can sing just about anything you throw at them in the Centrum.  Food?  I had no issues, but I'm not picky.  I went to the Dining Room on nights I like the menu and Windjammer other days.  Lots of the same selection with different sauces throughout the week, but a few surprises in there also.  Enchantment has the "faster" wifi also so Surf+Stream worked fine.  Many people I talked to had 0-5 cruises under their belt and were having a fabulous time so I'm sure you will also if she is right for you!

 

 

[Crism]

3 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Looking to go to alaska next year. I know the ship is old, but i’m wondering if viewing decks are ok to see scenery? Also i hear the food is good. Is that correct?

To specifically address your question, smaller ships in Alaska tend to be a good thing.  You can get into Sounds and ports the big ships can't.  Enchantment has a lot of open space on the top deck for sightseeing also.  Food typically depends on the chefs onboard, but I've never had any glaring issues like others will tell you about here.

[broadwaybaby123]

Ask me again in 2 weeks!

[Aquahound]

4 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Looking to go to alaska next year. I know the ship is old, but i’m wondering if viewing decks are ok to see scenery? 

 

Vision Class ships (Enchantment) are excellent for scenery.  In fact, I'd say Vision and Radiance Class are the 2 best classes of RCI ships for that purpose.  

[LorraineP]

4 hours ago, slyster said:

we are sailing EOS in two months.  We chose it for convenience and ports, not for the ship itself.  I love the bigger ships, but I have been on GOS, the sister ship to Enchantment.  I'm looking forward to the cruise.  I'm following along!

Agree with you. Was on Enchantment in March for 16 nights had an April 5 nighter booked cancelled that once we got home. Very disappointed with the Enchantment. Have been on the Grandeur numerous times out of Baltimore & everything about it much better, condition of ship, food, entertainment, specialty restaurants, etc. 

[alfaeric]

1 hour ago, Aquahound said:

 

Vision Class ships (Enchantment) are excellent for scenery.  In fact, I'd say Vision and Radiance Class are the 2 best classes of RCI ships for that purpose.  

+1 - we did Alaska and Greek Isles on Enchantments little sister, the Rhapsody.  Loved it.  

 

For a port and viewing intensive cruise like Alaska, the upsides of having an older style cruise ship outweighs the loss of any bells and whistles.  

 

If you can somehow manage to get one of the massive balconies with a corner aft suite- quadruple bonus.

[F27TW]

We did a 4 night Bahamas outta Port Canaveral on Enchantment a few years ago when she was based there.   A little older ship, of course, but great cruise .. awesome Cruise Director Marc "Bing Bong" Walker.    Loved the upper pool deck and the bars that were sideways along the windows.  Hadn't seen that setup on other RC ships.    Also remember an amazing BBQ lunch up there as we were pulling into Nassau that day.   Older, but well kept ship. 

 

Coolest part:  if you know where it is, you can actually tell where whe ship was cut in half at one point and the new section added in!    This the new section.   Deck below shows the bar I mentioned.   cool ship!   (Internet pic .. not mine)

 

Edited June 11, 2022 by F27TW

[BND]

9 minutes ago, F27TW said:

We did a 4 night Bahamas outta Port Canaveral on Enchanement a few years ago when she was based there.   A little older ship, of course, but great cruise .. awesome Cruise Director Marc "Bing Bong" Walker.    Loved the upper pool deck and the bars that were sideways along the windows.  Hadn't seen that setup on other RC ships.    Also remember an amazing BBQ lunch up there as we were pulling into Nassau that day.   Older, but well kept ship. 

 

Coolest part:  if you know where it is, you can actually tell where whe ship was cut in half at one point and the new section added in!    This the new section.   Deck below shows the bar I mentioned.   cool ship!   (Internet pic .. not mine)

 

Marc is on Mariner now.  He tries to stay working out of PC because his two daughters (young) live in the Orlando area.

 

There is a Bolero's in the extended section.  Also, a bar on the pool deck that wasn't open yet in April.  They were short staffed and cruises were operating at 40-60% full.  

 

We're back on 22 July for a 6 night Bermuda cruise and I'm interested to see what has changed since April as they are sailing more full.  We love the smaller ships.  We get to know the crew.  We met Bobby Broughton (CD) on his very first cruise for RCI on GR out of Baltimore a few years ago and had him again in April.  We stopped and talked to him on the first day and a couple more times.  You see the same barstaff and some, like the ones in the DL and CL get to know you and your cabin number for drinks.  

[F27TW]

1 minute ago, BND said:

Marc is on Mariner now.  He tries to stay working out of PC because his two daughters (young) live in the Orlando area.

 

There is a Bolero's in the extended section.  Also, a bar on the pool deck that wasn't open yet in April.  They were short staffed and cruises were operating at 40-60% full.  

 

We're back on 22 July for a 6 night Bermuda cruise and I'm interested to see what has changed since April as they are sailing more full.  We love the smaller ships.  We get to know the crew.  We met Bobby Broughton (CD) on his very first cruise for RCI on GR out of Baltimore a few years ago and had him again in April.  We stopped and talked to him on the first day and a couple more times.  You see the same barstaff and some, like the ones in the DL and CL get to know you and your cabin number for drinks.  

 

Have a great cruise!    I'd sail on Enchantment again any time.   I like the smaller, more intimate ships as you do.   Honestly,  the Oasis class (unlike to most here) is of zero interest to me ... just too d*mn many people.    

[latebuyer]

Thanks everyone. I was disappointed serenade of the seas wasn’t cruising to alaska next year so wondered about enchantment. It sounds good, other than old which i knew.

[shipgeeks]

I have to agree with all the posters who say the viewing potential is excellent -- that's the special element of Vision Class ships.

I would have to disagree with much of Crism's post, above.  We also just got off Enchantment, and found none of the negatives mentioned there.

We have three more Enchantment cruises booked, and would love to sail on her in Alaska.

[HicksRA]

If Radiance is doing the same/similar itineraries, I’d recommend booking it. A lot nicer and a lot more glass for better views. 
 

About the only way I’d cruise on Enchantment again is if it was a free cruise. 

[slyster]

4 hours ago, LorraineP said:

Agree with you. Was on Enchantment in March for 16 nights had an April 5 nighter booked cancelled that once we got home. Very disappointed with the Enchantment. Have been on the Grandeur numerous times out of Baltimore & everything about it much better, condition of ship, food, entertainment, specialty restaurants, etc. 

interesting!  I thought both ships were very similar?  We sailed on Grandeur 4 years ago out of Baltimore.  It was a nice ship for our Bermuda cruise.  I also noticed Enchantment is 10,000 more tons?  I thought they were very similar ships.

[slyster]

3 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

I have to agree with all the posters who say the viewing potential is excellent -- that's the special element of Vision Class ships.

I would have to disagree with much of Crism's post, above.  We also just got off Enchantment, and found none of the negatives mentioned there.

We have three more Enchantment cruises booked, and would love to sail on her in Alaska.

I think it’s all about expectations.  I’m not expecting bells and whistles with Enchantment.  I am looking forward to the centrum, dining room, windjammer, and some of the other entertainment venues, but I definitely do not have high expectations.  I sailed Grandeur a few years ago and it was a nice ship out of Baltimore. 

[sushitex]

Like others have written here, yes, there was more rust that I expected on the Enchantment while we were on her for 21 nights this past April and May. We  overlooked that, but it was hard to get over the staff shortages and crowding in places such as the Windjammer during 2 of our 3 cruises on her. During one sea day, for example, we decided to eat lunch there instead of the MDR because the line for the MDR was also long. No empty tables at all inside the Windjammer; we ended up sharing a table with another couple on the pool deck. Some of the wait staff in the MDR   also had to double up as bar waiters, so getting a  glass of tea refilled often took awhile.

 

 We also learned to try to find a seat at least 30 minutes in advance if we wanted to play trivia in the Schooner Bar.  
 

I sincerely hope, for the  current crew’s sake and sanity, that Royal has been able to hire enough staff to address the service  issues by now ( or will soon.) 

[HicksRA]

7 minutes ago, slyster said:

interesting!  I thought both ships were very similar?  We sailed on Grandeur 4 years ago out of Baltimore.  It was a nice ship for our Bermuda cruise.  I also noticed Enchantment is 10,000 more tons?  I thought they were very similar ships.

The reason for 10,000 more tons is because Enchantment was split in the middle and an extended section was added. It was originally the same as all other Vision class ships. 

[BND]

5 minutes ago, slyster said:

interesting!  I thought both ships were very similar?  We sailed on Grandeur 4 years ago out of Baltimore.  It was a nice ship for our Bermuda cruise.  I also noticed Enchantment is 10,000 more tons?  I thought they were very similar ships.

They are the same class.  EN  was cut in half and stretched in 2005.  73 feet was added. It's actually about 8,000 tons larger.  In the "stretched" areas, cabins were added, as was a Boleros and deck 9 , more deck space was added.  On Deck 10, bridges were added.  

[slyster]

4 minutes ago, HicksRA said:

The reason for 10,000 more tons is because Enchantment was split in the middle and an extended section was added. It was originally the same as all other Vision class ships. 

 

Oh! Thank you for that.  I see that the pool decks are different.  I didn’t realize that when viewing the deck plans earlier.  

[slyster]

4 minutes ago, BND said:

They are the same class.  EN  was cut in half and stretched in 2005.  73 feet was added. It's actually about 8,000 tons larger.  In the "stretched" areas, cabins were added, as was a Boleros and deck 9 , more deck space was added.  On Deck 10, bridges were added.  

Thanks for the extra details.  I didn’t catch that Boleros was not on Grandeur.  I saw the pool deck was different though.  Good to know!