Enchantment of the Seas

Enchantment of the Seas is the third-ever Vision-class ship and one of the oldest ships in the current Royal Caribbean lineup. It will soon turn thirty years old, as the ship launched in 1997. To put things in perspective, the oldest Royal Caribbean ship is from 1996 and shares some of the same amenities as Enchantment. 

As is the case with most of these older ships, Enchantment attracts an adult audience that mostly wants to relax, not pay a ton for a cruise, and still have a good time onboard while enjoying great service and getting a tan in the Caribbean. Does this ship serve that purpose well? Let’s check it out.

What we like about Enchantment of the Seas

Enchantment of the Seas is an older ship, and it isn’t a mega-resort at sea like the newer Royal Caribbean ships. This ship is mostly for those who want a quiet atmosphere on a Royal Caribbean ship without spending a ton. In fact, you don’t need to go on a Holland America or an Azamara cruise to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, as the Vision-class ships offer just that. 

Since these ships don’t have waterparks, waterslides, or over-the-top entertainment options, they don’t tend to attract many families with children. Adults looking to celebrate a special occasion or just relax are their main focus. So, want to go on an adult adventure with the love of your life or longtime friends and still not spend a fortune? Enchantment of the Seas is ready to deliver. This is an intimate ship that’s easy to move around, full of windows facing the ocean, and has a natural, quiet atmosphere that is perfect for grabbing a book, sitting down, and watching the hours go by.

Enchantment of the Seas also has very good prices, sometimes even better than what Grandeur of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas offer, and those ships are actually a bit older. Enchantment is a great option for 4- and 5-day cruises to the Caribbean, with prices starting at $310. A 5-day Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay cruise starts at just $380. These are excellent prices and a great choice for couples who want a quick vacation without spending a ton.

I also like that there’s plenty of space to move around on the ship (if you don’t count the Windjammer buffet, but we’ll get to that soon), especially on the top deck. This is thanks to a 2005 refurbishment that actually stretched the ship by 73 feet. I’m not sure how they did it, but the extra space is very welcome, particularly near the pool, making it airy with plenty of seating. Interestingly, Enchantment of the Seas is the only Vision-class ship to receive this kind of overhaul, and it’s a welcome change. From my research, the ship added more cabins and the pool area got a lot bigger, even though Enchantment didn’t gain any new special venues or common areas.

What we don’t like about Enchantment of the Seas

Enchantment of the Seas will soon be 30 years old, and with age come a few problems. We know this ship doesn’t have as many entertainment options as the newest vessels, and that’s actually fine. Not having a waterpark or any unique entertainment options helps keep prices down and attracts mostly adults looking for a quiet experience. 

There are, however, some design issues on Enchantment that have nothing to do with age. For example, there is just one main theater onboard where all the shows and performances take place. Sure, there are bars where you can listen to someone playing the piano, but when it comes to bigger shows, there’s just one theater, and that’s a bit disappointing for a ship that is nowadays mostly aimed at adults. 

There’s also a lack of specialty dining venues onboard. You get the Chef’s Table and Chops Grille, and that’s about it, while similar ships in the fleet feature Giovanni’s Table and Izumi. For a ship that leans on a classic design and aims to attract an adult crowd, that’s a significant oversight.

A lot of the dining venues also feel small. Windjammer, the classic buffet, can be a bit claustrophobic and hard to navigate, with many tables placed right next to the buffet. This makes it a chaotic place to eat, full of noise, which goes against the ship’s overall idea of providing a relaxing experience. It’s actually strange that Windjammer feels so small when the top deck and pool area are spacious and there are plenty of open spaces with ocean views.

Conclusion

Enchantment of the Seas is a solid ship and a great choice if you want a Royal Caribbean experience with plenty of space to enjoy the pool and soak up the sun. It doesn’t have as many activities as the newer ships, and the entertainment options are limited, but it offers great prices and fun Caribbean itineraries for those looking for a relaxing vacation.