My fiancee and I are honeymooning on the Royal Caribbean Cruise lines "Enchantment of the Seas" ship.

Question

Can anyone give us some feedback from this cruiseline specifically, or even this cruise ship. Advice, dos and don't are also appreciated. Best well-rounded answer gets the points...

Answer 1

Well Casey D first let me congratulate you on your upcoming wedding! and secondly I think you made a great decision for your honeymoon.  I am 22 and love to cruise, especially with Royal Caribbean, and as a matter of fact took my first cruise on the Enchantment with my sister last April, and presently have a 5 night this August planned for my boyfriend and me.  One note: If you are flying into the port, book a night in the port you are sailing out of the day before you board the ship so you don't have to board right from the airplane.. saves a lot of worry and rushing!

I love this ship,  I feel that it isn't too small, and yet not the biggest, but still offers so much.  I would like to comment on the crew that we encountered last spring, they were absolutely amazing! (which is why I chose to book this ship for my bf's first cruise)  You get to party, like on a Carnival, but you also get spoiled, like on the Princess line - it is a win win situation!  

I think that RCI is a great cruise line, and they are willing to work with their customers, I felt that the embarkation and disembark went smoothly, (make sure you do the online check in before you board as it makes the embarkation go quickly) our room was always kept quite clean, the food was better than on some ships, and definitely reserve your spot at Chop's Grill.  There is a $20 per person cover charge but well worth the service, the food, and the ambiance.  My favorite bar on board was Bolero's because that was were I found the best bartenders who could make a real drink!  The drinks can add up, so make sure you know what you are signing for, there is also a 15% gratuity added to every barbill.  I would look for the daily specials which will be listed on your cruise compass (found in your stateroom each day, or also available at the guest relations) these drinks are offered at a cheaper rate and found them to be quite tasty.  My favorite drink on the ship was a Mojito, if you like mint, lime, and rum.  RCI has an onboard account that you set up beforehand, with any major CC or cash. Here is an explanation that I pulled from royalcaribbean.com

         "All of Royal Caribbean International ships operate on a "cashless" system, meaning your boarding card, (also known as your SeaPass card), will be used as a charge card to make all onboard purchases. Normally to activate this SeaPass account, most guests provide a credit card, (American Express, Optima, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Diner's Club), to have these purchases charged to at the end of their cruise. Additionally, the SeaPass system may be activated with traveler's checks, debit cards or cash.

A running tab of all your purchases will be kept under separate folio numbers for each guest and an itemized statement left in your stateroom the night before disembarkation. If you provided a credit card and there are no discrepancies, the amount will be charged to your account on the morning of disembarkation. If you have used traveler's checks or cash to activate the account, you will need to settle the account at the Guest Relations desk, (to either receive a reimbursement of the unused amount you originally left or to pay the balance of what you have charged over the amount of what you originally left).

Please note:

We require guests to place a deposit if they are paying for their SeaPass account with cash. There is a $500 daily limit on cash accounts for 7+ night sailings and $300 for 2/3/4/5 night sailings. Once the daily cash limit is reached, we will call the guest and inform the guest that the limit has been reached."

That card will be your room key, your charge card for the ship (that automatically goes to your onboard account ) and it is also how you get on and off of the ship.  Also added to your account is your daily tips that are RCI's gratuity guidelines as follows:

Suite attendant: $5.75 USD a day per guest

Stateroom attendant: $3.50 USD a day per guest

Dining Room Waiter: $3.50 USD a day per guest

Assistant Waiter: $2.00 USD a day per guest

Headwaiter: $.75 USD a day per guest

Note: These gratuities apply to guests of all ages.  Also If you are in a suite then you will be charged the Suite attendant rate, or in a normal stateroom, then just the $3.50 - not both as I know some people can get confused on that!

I'm not sure what ports you are going to, but I am sure you will have a blast, lots of shopping, lounging at the beaches, and eating/drinking!  I would suggest trying some sort of snorkel/snuba activity - the reefs are amazing down there!  Also maybe try parasailing or waverunners if they are available at your ports.

Not sure what else there is left to say here, just that Enchantment of the Seas is one of my favorites, and you should have a memorable time sailing on her!  Bon Voyage!

You can find reviews of the ship at www.cruisecritic.com or even www.cruisereviews.com and see what others have to say about their trips, also.   I find cruise critic to be a very informative site and they also have boards for roll calls to where you might be able to chat with people that are taking the same cruise as you and meet them beforehand.

Answer 2

oh honey! what a great idea royal caribbean is an excellent choice and enchantment of the seas is a super ship it was the first one that i ever cruised on how wonderful it was. the my fair lady dinning room is beautiful you will not regret this have a wonderful time .and congratulation's on your marriage.