Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas

 

“The great difference between voyages rests not with the ships, but with the people you meet on them.”

Amelia E. Barr

Vacation time is here. We left our home early, but not early enough, and drove up to Baltimore, Maryland on Thursday, the day before our cruise to Bermuda. It was a ten hour drive from Augusta, Georgia and we seemed to be leading hurricane Ian north. The bands of clouds stretched out in front of us until we arrived in Virginia when we saw the first blue skies and sunshine of our trip. We had out run the storm. Our trip went well making good time on highway I-95 until we got to the Washington DC area around 3:30 pm where the traffic came to a complete stop and was bumper to bumper for most of the way from there to Baltimore. Lesson learned. Tip: Get through the DC area between 9 am and 2 pm or after 8 pm to avoid nasty traffic or better yet, avoid I-95 altogether.

Best Western Plus Hotel and Conference Center

Tradewinds Menu

We headed to our hotel for the night which was just on the north side of the Baltimore Tunnel. Tip: I would highly recommend booking a room at the Best Western Plus Hotel and Conference Center located at 5625 O’Donnell Street which offered ParkSleepFly deal for the cruise, if you are driving. This is a great hotel that is reasonable priced with safe parking while away on a cruise. This hotel had a restaurant  called Tradewinds, bar, and offered a full hot breakfast in the morning. As an added bonus, they had a free shuttle to the cruise port and pick up at the port after the cruise.

The first site of our cruise ship from the hotel

As we checked in, we met up with two friends that were joining us on the cruise. This hotel worked out perfectly. The hotel was beautiful and our room offered a beautiful view of Baltimore and God graced us a beautiful sunset that night. Baltimore looked beautiful in the distance with the red sky lighting up the city. We had a lovely night with our friends starting with a delicious dinner at Tradewinds and ended with meeting up with another couple we were cruising with later that night and having drinks in our room. It was great being together again with good friends.

The next morning, we had a lovely hot breakfast at the hotel before getting the shuttle to the cruise port. Before leaving, we parked our car in the cruise parking lot next to the hotel where it would stay for the week while we were away. When the shuttle driver dropped us off, he explained where to meet the shuttle after we returned from the cruise. This was a pro move as when we returned, they were right there waiting for us. This worked out so well.

After being dropped off at the cruise port, we followed the sign and got in line for the time we were scheduled to board the ship, Tip: Make sure you print your luggage tags so they can be loaded up your luggage on the trucks to be taken to the ship and placed outside your stateroom. That way you won’t have to drag it around with you till your room is available. Also, pack a small carry on with a bathing suit, medication, and anything you may need before you can get into your room. That way you are ready for fun immediately. Also if you are bringing soda, wine, or champagne, put that in your carry on as well. 

The line moved very fast. The workers at the port were very friendly, efficient, and helpful. We showed them our paperwork and got through the process quickly. It was such a breeze. Tip: Keep all your paperwork together in a folder and have it easily accessible. Put your passports, boarding pass, copy of vaccination record into the folder, and any other pertinent items. Also keep your drivers license or picture |ID in hand. Tip: I took a picture of our passports so when we go ashore for an excursion, I do not have to bring my actual passport. I leave the real passports in our safe onboard so I have no chance of losing them.

Let the vacation begin

After we were cleared to board, we walked up the ramp and onto the ship. The staff happily greeted us. We were told where our muster station was and went directly there to get cleared to start our vacation. The muster station is where you would go in the event of an emergency. The crew makes sure you know how to put on a life jacket and makes sure you watched or will watch the video about if there is an emergency on the ship. That went smooth and quick since now you meet up individually instead of as a group. After completing our muster drill, we were told to go to deck nine till our room would be ready and get something to eat. As we sat and had our lunch in the Windjammer.  As we sat enjoying our lunch, we saw the day was getting stormy with the dark clouds of Hurricane Ian approaching.  When our room was ready, we headed there and got unpacked.

My man, Joe and his new friend

Luggage being delivered to staterooms

We met our room steward, Sutarto in the hallway who greeted us with a contagious smile and asked if we need anything. We asked for extra pillows which he brought to us within a few minutes. Tip: When you get in your room, check to make sure everything works so you can tell your steward so he can get things worked out for you. Also let him know if you need ice, pillows, extra blankets, more hangers, etc. They are there to make your cruise as wonderful as possible and they will do everything they can for you to make this the best cruise ever.

Tug boats coming in to help the ship leave port

As we were leaving the port, it got dark and the rain came in so there was no Sailaway party on the top deck. Instead they held it at the ships atrium. The captain of the ship came on and announced, our cruise ship would be delayed because of the hurricane. He said the US Coast Guard closed the coastal waters from Cape Charles to Virginia and North Carolina borders due to strong winds. No ships were allowed in or out of the Chesapeake Bay. Later that day, the captain anchored at the mouth of the Potomac River in the Chesapeake Bay. The water was calm there. The next morning about 10 am, we got cleared to continue with our route to Bermuda. This delay made us lose a half a day in Bermuda. Leaving the bay, the seas were rough, as you can imagine, with lots of wind, rain, and huge swells of at least ten feet. The rain was coming down so hard, at times you couldn’t see anything out of the windows. This ship handled the swells really well and it wasn’t uncomfortable at all.

The ship docked in Bermuda

Enchantment of the Seas is a Vision Class ship that is registered in Nassau, Bahamas and is the third oldest ship in the Royal Caribbean line up but is in good shape. This ship was built in Kuaemer Masa Yards Helsinki New Shipyard, Helsinki, Finland. Its maiden voyage was on July 13th, 1997. In 2005 this ship went through an overhaul in Keppel Verdine Shipyard in Rotterdam where it was actually cut in half and then added a 73 foot section that had been built ahead of time. That renovation was completed in just over a month with the new section adding 151 new passenger cabins. How crazy sounding is that. The ship did go through one more refurbishment in 2012 where it was dry docked in Freeport, Bahamas.

This ship can hold 2,440 passengers with 975 passenger cabins. There are 437 crew cabins with a capacity of 760 crew members. The ship is 988.71 feet long with 11 decks and is now sailing out of Baltimore until the Spring of 2023. Then it will be re-positioned and will be cruising out of Europe. Now on to explore this beautiful ship.

Before the ship got too busy, I figured it was a great time to get some pictures. I wandered up to see where the Diamond Club is located. I could not enter as I have not reached the Diamond Status yet. I heard there was a Bungee Trampoline on top of the ship which I never saw as the weather did not cooperate on this cruise with so much wind and rain. Many of the outside events had to be canceled or moved to other places on board.

The self guided Veterans get together

On Deck 11 is the Concierge Club and Viking Crown Lounge. We attended a self guided Veterans get together in the Viking Crown Lounge. It was nice to meet with these Veterans and share stories. This lounge is a nice quiet place to get together with friends during the day and late at night becomes an active night club. The views are terrific with an 180-degree view of the ship and ocean. The bar was not open during the day so if you want a drink, get one before going to the lounge.

Where the children go. 

The castaway

Rock wall

Fitness Center

Vitality Spa

Video Arcade

Deck 10 is where the Kids Club, Voyagers, Adventure Ocean, Teen Center, and Royal Babies and Tots club is located. I met the staff and they were very friendly and fun loving. While there, I found a castaway grasshopper on the outside of the window that wanted to sail to Bermuda with us. He will be surely surprised when he gets off the ship in Bermuda.    The Vitality Spa and Fitness Center are on the same deck along with the walking track if you are looking for fitness or pampering. Everyone I met in those places were extremely nice and welcomed me to look around. The spa was gorgeous and looked like a great place to start your cruise. The video arcade and the rock climbing wall is also on deck 10.

Splash pad

Belly flop contest

Solarium Pool

Deck 9 midship is where the pools are located. In the main area, there are two pools, four hot tubs and a big screen above the pool that was not working well but when it is working, they show movies that you can watch while in the pool. The Oasis Bar is located nearby if you would like a liquid refreshment. There was a kids splash area next to the pools. On the last day of our cruise when the weather improved, they offered many events including a Belly Flop contest on that level. That was hysterical. The Solarium is the adult only pool which was a lovely area decorated with beautiful blue decor. This was a great place to relax as the roof can open and close depending on the weather. For this cruise it remained closed making it a great place to swim or go in one of their hot tubs and not have to worry about the weather. The Solarium Bar right there for your convenience.

Windjammer

Joe, Mike, and new veteran friend and wife

Looking for something eat? Deck 9 has the Windjammer Cafe which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner cafeteria style and in a casual setting. This ship was different than most in that the Windjammer Cafe was located in the front of the ship instead of the back like most ships. It offered great views with windows all around.  Along with all the great entrees, salads, soups, desserts, and more; soft ice cream is available during the day. And if you are looking for a snack anytime day or night, the Park Cafe in the Solarium Bar offers the best Pizza to snack on.

Hallway to our room

Our beautiful room with an ocean view

Towel bear

Towel mouse

Deck seven and eight are mainly staterooms as well as lovely displays of art that is available for sale. All cabins for the passengers are located on decks 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8. We were located on Deck four and had a great room with an ocean view. It was a small but nice room with an even smaller bathroom but it didn’t matter at all as we were hardly ever in our room. The room came with a good amount of storage, clothes hangers, television, hair dryer, safe, and the bathroom had soap that could be used for body wash or shampoo We love the towel animals that were delivered nightly by our room steward.  Tip: Bring trail sizes of what shampoo and conditioner you like to normally us. It will just make you feel more at home. Also there are not many plugs (I believe our room only had three) so you can bring a small plug into the wall outlet extender with multiple plugs. You can not bring the one with a cord. If you do, they will take it and return it to you on the last day.

Ben and Jerry's and Latte-Tude

Internet Cafe

Silent Party

Chops Grill

Rockport Band

Shopping area

Deck 6 is where the photo gallery and art gallery is located. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Shoppe and Cafe Latte-tude was where you could get your fix of fancy coffee, tea, or hot chocolate craving as well as grab a fancy pastries for an extra charge. They have an internet cafe right next to Cafe Latte-tude which seemed to stay empty all of the time. I assume because those who wanted internet just used their phones. You can schedule your next cruise for a discount on this level or if you are looking for a quiet place, you can grab a book to read in the Library. Chops Grille, a specialty restaurant, is on this level. We scheduled a meal there with our group of friends. It was a great meal and we were well pampered. Just remember, there is an extra fee for this restaurant. Looking for a something special to remember this trip? You can easily find it in one of the shops on this level. The Schooner Bar was a nice place to be where they offered Trivia through out the day and had a piano player who also played at different times during the day. This area was always busy. The Spotlight Lounge was also on Deck 6 where they had entertainment and where we enjoyed watching Karaoke and a silent dance party. The silent party is where the  room stays silent but people have on headsets and danced music no one else could hear. It was wild to watch.

Live show with cruise ship band

Orpheum Theater

Love and Marriage Show

Casino

Area on the casino floor

Ships band - They were Fabulous

Deck five boasts of the Orpheum Theater which had two floors and was where you would go to see shows. During this cruise there was a production show, magician, and comedian. Also during the day here they held the welcome aboard show, Bingo, showed movies, and had the Love and Marriage Show. Tip: The Love and Marriage show is a show that can’t be missed on the ship. It is always a great show to see that is hysterical with three couples, one newlywed, one married around 25 years, and one who was married for the most years. The questions they ask are funny and as the couples compare their answers; you never know what will come out. The casino was on deck five which was a happening place once we got out to sea. If you wanted to book an excursion it could be found on this floor as well as guest services. I noted that the guest services counter never had a line which I had never seen on any other cruise ship. Royal Caribbean must be doing something right. Boleros was a nice show area for bands to play and game shows. We saw the ships band perform there which included a trombone, trumpet, saxophone, drum, bass, and guitar. They were terrific. They only played one show which was a disappointment. They were definitely under utilized.

My Fair Lady Dining Room

Our friends, Debbie, Sue, Steve, and Mike

Paul, Debbie, and Sue

Bob, Joy, and my handsome husband, Joe

Towel folding demonstration

George

Game show in Atrium

Rockport Band

Entertainers at the Atrium Show

Flash mob dance

Parade of Flags

Deck four and five was where the main dining room, My Fair Lady was located.   It is a gorgeous dining room with a grand staircase.   Deck four was where the beautiful Centrum was to be found. This is a gorgeous area where you can see up to the eighth floor accented with changing colored lights on each floor. There are two glass elevators that go up to the 9th floor that run all day carrying happy passengers from one place to the next. There was always something happening there all day with music, shows, dance contests, dance classes, towel folding demonstrations, and stretch classes. I enjoyed the stretch classes and dance classes with the crew members and especially enjoyed the fun spirit of the cruise director, Eric. On the last night, there was a parade of flags representing all 60 nationalities that were working on this cruise ship. It was a great show. Eric also organized a flash mob dance in the Centrum on the last night that was so fun. What a great idea. My new friend, Tracy and I joined in. What fun.  She did great. I did not, but I had a great time. George, a piano player played there often and was very entertaining.  The R Bar was conveniently located there.

Veterans Program

The Pros of this ship was that even being an older ship, it was well taken care of and was a classic style cruise ship. Never did it feel crowded even with many people on the ship. There was always plenty to do and made it easy to get around. The food was delicious and all the staff were friendly and helpful. Eric, the cruise director did a great job getting people involved and having fun. The ships band was fabulous and the musicians were all extremely talented. Our room was a decent size with plenty of storage and was always kept immaculate. There were plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view around the ship. We loved how they honored Veterans. There were a lot on board with us. The Rockport Band was amazing. They could play anything. We loved their rendition of The Sounds of Silence.

Joe on a beautiful ship day

Me squinting terribly in the sun

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The Cons were there was only one production show on this trip. The comedian and magician filled the other nights. The food was not always as hot as it should. The internet was a little slow but that I’m sure was due to the weather since other reviews said it was the fastest internet ever. Being an older ship, you could see rust in some areas and some things were slightly dated. The ships band should have played more.

Nightime at sea

I would recommend this ship. We had a great time on it and met some lovely people who we hope to keep as friends and cruise mates. Check this ship out.

Till next time. Bye for now.