Enchantment of the Seas Review
Enchantment of the Seas might not have all the jaw-dropping features of newer Royal Caribbean ships, but its fun, friendly onboard atmosphere makes for a wonderful vacation. The crew are always smiling and ready with a joke, and your fellow cruisers, many of whom are on their first cruise ever, will share their contagious excitement about all the daily activities. Plus, with fewer than 2,500 cruisers on most sailings, it's easy to meet and get to know your shipmates. You'll see the same folks day after day on the pool deck or at trivia or lighting up the stage during karaoke.
The excellent food and lack of extra-fee venues make mealtime a pleasure onboard. You're rarely bombarded by extra things to spend money on -- minus the first two days of beverage package pushing, of course, or a walk through the shopping promenade. There's a cool rock climbing wall at the back of the ship, and at the front is a funky four-trampoline Jump Zone where kids and teenagers have a blast jumping and somersaulting while attached to bungee cords. Both activities are free of charge.
Enchantment also lacks some modern amenities -- you better bring a multi-outlet cord extension (non-power surge protectant) or USB adaptor if you want to be able to charge all your electronics -- and the decor is dated. Anyone looking for the Royal Caribbean you see in commercials (ziplines, surf simulators, robot bartenders) might be disappointed. But, for a comfortable, easygoing cruise with lots of happy faces and simple fun, Enchantment of the Seas can't be beat.
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Inclusions
Included with your cruise fare:
- One main dining room, the buffet and select other food counters
- All theater shows
- Use of rock climbing wall and trampoline/bungee Jump Zone
- Most daily activities, unless noted below
- Use of the gym, but not most classes
- Kids' programming, except extra-fee group babysitting at night
Not included with your cruise fare:
- Gratuities ($14.50 per person, per day or $17.50 per person, per day for those staying in suites)
- All drinks beyond water, tea (including iced tea), coffee and select juices in the buffet, plus an 18 percent auto-gratuity on extra-fee beverages
- Spa treatments, plus automatic 18 percent gratuity
- Shore excursions
- Wi-Fi
- Activities including, but not limited to, bingo, wine tastings, all-access ship tour, cupcake decorating classes and sushi making classes
- Photos and artwork
- Nursery service for babies and toddlers, 6 months to 3 years old
Fellow Passengers
Enchantment of the Seas is an overwhelmingly American ship, with 90 percent of the passenger base coming from Texas and about 5 percent coming from drive-to cities in surrounding states. The bulk of the passengers tend to be 20 to 65 years old, with more under-18s than over-65s. Additionally, you'll find lots of first-time cruisers onboard, as well as past cruisers who have never sailed with Royal Caribbean. There's also usually a significant number of Indians onboard, though most live in the Houston area and are not coming from out of the country. When Enchantment moves to San Juan in late 2020, the demographic is expected to change dramatically.
Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas Dress Code
Daytime: Casual. Shorts, T-shirts and bathing suits are the norm.
Evening: Dinner is casual most nights, with jeans, capris, slacks, T-shirts and collared shirts being common, although plenty of couples dressed in suits and dresses. The once-per-cruise "Wear Your Best" asks cruisers to spiffy up, though how they do so is up to them. Most dressed to the nines, with men in suits (tuxes are rare) and women in dresses.
Not permitted: Swimwear is only permitted on the pool deck, though we saw women in cover-ups in the buffet; shorts are off limits at dinner time in all dining venues, except the buffet.
For more information, visit Cruise Line Dress Codes: Royal Caribbean.
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Pleasantly surprised with the charm of this little ship.
2-5 Cruises
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Age 40s
Nice getaway
10+ Cruises
•
Age 60s
Make sure to plan ahead for the egg-drop competition! RoyalCaribbean4nightCruise
First Time Cruiser
•
Age 50s
EXCELLENT FOOD !
2-5 Cruises
•
Age 60s
