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| Member Cruise Review |
We flew down to Fort Lauderdale on the day of the cruise, something I don't like - to start your day having to stand in line at 0500 to get through a massive queue for Security screening..... aaargh..... we generally go down the day before so we can relax after flying and before cruising. No problems were encountered though, so all's well that ends well... We flew from Louisville to Pittsburgh and then direct to Fort Lauderdale,arriving around 11.30. We got a taxi over to the ship and got in the very short 'Private Departure' line for those Platinum and above. The line moved quickly until it came time for the seapass photos to be taken then the machine went.... bingbong... we waited a few minutes for someone to come and troubleshoot the problem and then it's all aboard. First stop the Windjammer, which seemed surprisingly small, all arranged in a circle, with pasta/Asian/dessert counters in an outer circle. There was some to-ing and fro-ing and not a very good traffic pattern there as you had to go back and forward to get your desired items. Food was OK, good salad bar which always gets my vote. At 1pm we were able to go to our room, which was a last minute purchase- inside forward on deck 7, it was your typical inside room, enough space to swing a cat and hang a bat from the curtain rail (which our steward did on a couple of evenings) and the usual minute shower with clinging shower curtain. Whoever said that on RCCL you should just apply soap to the shower walls then just spin around had it right. Our luggage didn't arrive until 7pm,which is the latest we've ever had it been delivered, even on the Freedom of the Seas we had it before dinner. We went up on deck and were pleasantly surprised by the pool deck, two large pools and an adult only Solarium which was covered by a retractable glass roof. I know where I'll be.... Muster stations was the usual 'hurry up and wait' for all the stragglers to show up. After that,sailaway, by now the clouds were gathering and weather looking a bit iffy, but lots of people up on deck and general excitement and merriment going on. We usually eat in the dining room on the first evening and then not again,but since we had no suitcase to change we just headed up to the Windjammer for dinner. My travel companion was my 19yr old GS, Ian- who only found a couple of other teens onboard that week, so it was not the high energy cruise like he is used to in the summer, but he managed to have a good time, as he is very sociable. The first evening show was called 'Welcome aboard showtime'- the Cruise Director is Marc Walker, he comes from Weymouth, and he made the cruise a lot of fun, he's really funny and high energy. Al Romas ,the comedian on the first night show was good,however apart from the RCCL singers and dancers show called 'Can't stop the Rock' on Day 4 which was fantastic,specially the Men In Black segment, I thought the other entertainers were dated and boring. On the second day the headliner was 'An Hour of Power with the Dynamic Australian Entertainer (direct from Los Vegas) Greg Bonham........ yawn... I almost fell asleep watching his "ratpack" style cabaret. Our first port of call Key West, just a short visit,we docked at 0700 and left at 1330. Just time enough to visit Margaritaville, look for that lost shaker of salt, have a couple of Margaritas, stroll around Key West, buy some illicit booze and figure out ways to smuggle it back onboard. When we got to the gangway and the security screening I held my breath- RCCL doesn't allow you to bring your own alcohol onboard and warning signs are everywhere.... the LARGE bottle of vodka in a plastic bottle didn't not set off the alarms and was not noticed.... the small bottle of bourbon I had in my shorts pocket did ring the bells however- the little Phillipino lady doing the screening asked me to empty my pocket which I did- when she saw the bottle she asked "Is that Alcohol?"- I said " It's Jim Beam" and then she looked quite puzzled and said "Oh, OK" and waved me through. We practically ran to the elevators and got lost in the crowd.... ha Didn't bother with the show that night, went to Boleros and watched all the beautiful people doing the Salsa Merengue and Tango.... sigh... then turned in fairy early. Next day we arrived at Cozumel- we docked at the International Pier which is a $6 taxi ride from town, no biggie, but I prefer the main pier for shopping convenience. It was a bad hair day, VERY blustery but still hot and and a good sightseeing day. We went to the Forum Shops and did some 'posh' shopping, then strolled the main road and did a lot of window shopping and I bought some really nice inexpensive silver earrings, Cozumel is known for good silver products. From there I went to Pancho's Backyard, my favorite spot in Cozumel , good food and lovely surroundings, lots of courtyards with tropical plants and mariachi music playing. I had a little conversation and ordered my food to practise my smattering of Spanish, and got what I ordered (ha)..... I was eating alone, a couple seated at the next table introduced themselves to me..... come to find out they were from Oxford.... then the people on the other side heard us chatting and introduced themselves, they were from Sheffield- small world, huh? Have to go to Cozumel to meet Brits obviously! After my lovely meal (Tamales con Arroz y Coca Cola) I strolled into the shop at the same place and admired all the mexican handicrafts, pottery etc that it would be too impractical to carry around and try to get back home with me. From there I went to Margaritaville and DGS went to Senor Frogs and Carlos 'n Charlies- if you've ever been to the Caribbean you have seen these drinking holes all over the place, and I'm sure you have heard them- it's a sort of 18-30 affair; the music is SO LOUD you can feel it from the street, lots of pouring of shots in the mouth and dancing the Conga and various risque dances... I trotted off to Margaritaville- Jimmy Buffett the singer of 'Wasting away in Margaritaville' has these places all over the Caribbean, bar- restaurant - retail store in a tropical location- this one was on the waterfront and it had several decks going down to the ocean, the surf was WILD that day and came crashing over the lower deck- great stuff- they have tiki bars with swings for seats- fun. I had some tapas, a couple of Margaritas and did some retail shopping(Tshirts and stuff for their bar) for DD who loves Jimmy B (as do I). Next day was Belize and weather was decidedly iffy, we decided we would sleep on a bit and go into town later- this was a tender port and the ride was around 30mins- not sure where we were headed other than to get a ferry over to Caulker Caye to do some swimming etc...... then after our short nap (4hrs later) we decided against it and stayed onboard, by the pool and I went to play Trivia, take some photos,piddle about. Last day coming up- arrgh- the ship was rocking and rolling all night long, don't know when I've ever felt so much motion in the ocean..... all morning too, then we got alongside Cuba and all the swell disappeared, thankfully- I had just reached the stage where I was feeling quite queasy and wishing it would stop soon, when it did. The usual around the pool competitions were held that afternoon- Mr Enchantment, BellyFlop etc and I didn't miss any of them. Had a couple of Pina Coladas,read my book, napped, ah bliss! That evening the farewell show was well attended and sadly it was time to start the packing! We did self disembarking, which is usually a breeze- when ever you feel like it you just get an elevator, go on down to the gangway and off you go- last month I was off Majesty at 0720 and on my way to the airport, but it was organised chaos on Enchantment. We had Private Departure Lounge tickets,but when I asked at Guest Services if that would get me off fastest I got couple of different replies.... that's because, as I found out the next day, no one knows the answer to the question. We had a 1000 flight booked.... the ship was docked at 0700 and yet they didn't open the gangway until 0830- by this time I was getting worried as FLL airport security lines are LONG.... but finally we got off, whizzed past a sleepy Customs Agent and hopped into a cab. Made it to the airport in plenty of time. Now, where to cruise next? |
Royal Caribbean International Enchantment of the Seas October 2007 by Cruise Fairy Caribbean |
| Cabin: Inside #7061 |
| Cruise Line = Royal Caribbean Ship Name = Enchantment of the Seas Date of Sailing = October 22nd 2007 How many cruises have you done = 9 Ship Facilities = 4 Entertainment = 4 Food = 4 Cabin Layout = 5 Bars & Lounges = 5 Ports of Call = 4 Cabin Number = 7061 Cabin location = 4 Type of Cabin = Inside Cabin Steward = 5 Overall cruise rating out of 5 = 4 |