Royal Caribbean has some massive ships. You've probably seen the Icon of the Seas or the Wonder—floating cities with 20 decks and enough water slides to fill a theme park. But then there’s the Enchantment of the Seas cruise, a ship that feels like a relic from a different era, yet somehow stays booked solid year after year.
It’s small. By modern standards, it’s basically a boutique hotel compared to the mega-ships.
Launched in 1997 and stretched in 2005—literally cut in half to add a 73-foot midsection—this ship occupies a weird, wonderful niche in the cruising world. If you're looking for the robot bartenders or the "North Star" glass pod that swings you over the ocean, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want a ship that can actually fit into smaller ports and doesn't require a GPS to find your cabin, this is it.
The Mid-Life Growth Spurt That Changed Everything
Most people don't realize that Enchantment of the Seas isn't the same ship it was in the late 90s. In 2005, Royal Caribbean did something kind of insane. They put the ship in dry dock at Keppel Verolme in Rotterdam, sliced it down the middle, and slid in a pre-built section.
This added 151 staterooms. More importantly, it added those suspension bridges on the pool deck that everyone talks about.
The bridges have glass floors. Walking across them while the ship is at sea is a trip. You’re looking straight down at the water rushing past, which is either exhilarating or terrifying depending on how many margaritas you had at Schooner Bar. This "stretch" also gave the ship more floor-to-ceiling windows than almost any other vessel in the fleet at that time. It’s why the ship feels so bright. You’re always seeing the horizon.
What It’s Actually Like Onboard Right Now
Honestly, the ship shows its age in spots. You’ll find some slightly worn carpets or brass fixtures that have seen better days. But there is a charm to the Vision Class that the giant ships lack.
The Centrum is the heart of the ship. It’s an open-concept atrium that spans several decks. Instead of a massive mall-like "Promenade," you get this vertical space where people actually hang out. They do these aerial acrobatic shows here sometimes. You’ll be sitting at the R Bar, sipping a gin martini, and suddenly someone is spinning from a silk ribbon forty feet above your head. It’s intimate. You start recognizing the crew by day three. That just doesn’t happen on the 6,000-passenger giants.
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The Food Situation
Don't expect fifteen different specialty restaurants. On an Enchantment of the Seas cruise, your options are more streamlined.
- The My Fair Lady Dining Room: This is the main hub. It’s two tiers. The service here is usually faster than on the bigger ships because the kitchen isn't trying to feed a small nation.
- Windjammer Marketplace: Your standard buffet. It’s located at the front of the ship, which is a bit unusual. Pro tip: go all the way to the front for the best views of the bow while you eat your breakfast burrito.
- Chops Grille: The high-end steakhouse. It’s the one place where it’s worth the extra cover charge. The filet mignon is consistently better than anything in the main dining room.
- Park Cafe: This was a brilliant addition during the 2012 revitalization. They have the "Kummelweck" roast beef sandwich. If you know, you know. It’s the best snack on the ship.
Why the Itineraries Matter More Than the Ship
Here is the real secret about Enchantment. Because it’s smaller, it goes places the big girls can’t.
I’ve seen this ship pull into ports in the Western Caribbean or the Bahamas where an Oasis-class ship would literally bottom out. If you’re sailing out of Tampa or Baltimore—two common homeports for Enchantment—you’re getting a very different vibe.
Sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa is a rite of passage. The clearance is so tight it looks like the funnel is going to scrape the bottom of the bridge. Everyone crowds the top deck. It’s a collective "hold your breath" moment that brings the whole ship together. You don’t get that kind of drama on a ship that’s permanently docked in Miami.
The "Old School" Amenities
There’s no FlowRider surf simulator. There’s no ice skating rink.
Instead, you get the Jump Zone—four bungee trampolines on the top deck. It’s a bit of a throwback, but kids (and brave adults) love it. There’s also the rock-climbing wall, which is a Royal Caribbean staple, and a decent miniature golf course.
The Solarium is the best part of the ship for adults. It’s an indoor-outdoor pool area with a retractable glass roof. Since Enchantment often sails from colder climates like Baltimore, this is a lifesaver. You can be in the middle of a North Atlantic chill but still be swimming in 80-degree air. It’s quiet. No loud Caribbean music, just the sound of the water and people reading Kindles.
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Addressing the Room Issues
Let’s be real about the cabins. They are small.
If you are used to a modern hotel room, a standard interior or oceanview cabin on Enchantment is going to feel like a walk-in closet. The bathrooms have the "capsule" showers with the clingy curtains. It’s vintage Royal Caribbean.
However, the Junior Suites on this ship are surprisingly spacious. Because of the 2005 stretch, many of the balconies are deeper than what you’d find on the newer ships. If you can swing the upgrade, the extra square footage makes a massive difference in your sanity levels by day five.
The Crowd and the Vibe
Who sails on this ship? It’s not the "spring break" crowd usually. You get a lot of retirees who love the familiarity, and young families who don't want to spend $5,000 on a week-long cruise.
It’s a social ship. Because there are fewer "attractions" to run off to, people spend more time talking to each other. The Schooner Bar, with its distinct gunpowder and oiled-wood smell, is the nightly hangout. There’s a piano player, people singing along to Billy Joel, and a sense that you’re actually on a boat, not in a Vegas casino.
Common Misconceptions
People think "old" means "boring." That's not quite right.
Enchantment has a surprisingly high-energy casino and the Viking Crown Lounge, which offers 360-degree views from the highest point of the ship. At night, it turns into a club. Is it the most modern club? No. But the drinks are cold and the view of the moon hitting the wake is spectacular.
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Another myth is that the ship is unstable because it was stretched. Physics actually worked in Royal Caribbean's favor here. The added length actually improved the ship's stability in certain sea conditions, though it still "feels" the waves more than a 220,000-ton behemoth would. If you get seasick easily, grab a cabin mid-ship and on a lower deck.
Practical Advice for Booking
If you’re looking at an Enchantment of the Seas cruise, check the deck plans before you pick a room.
Avoid the cabins directly under the pool deck (Deck 9) if you like to sleep in. You will hear the "thump-thump" of crew members moving deck chairs at 6:00 AM.
Also, keep an eye on the dry dock schedule. Ships this age get refreshed every few years to keep them coast-guard compliant and aesthetically "okay." If the ship just came out of dry dock, that's the best time to go. Everything is fresh.
Things to Pack That You Won't Need on Newer Ships
- Magnetic Hooks: Most of the walls are metal. Since storage is tight, hanging your bags or hats on the wall is a game changer.
- A Multi-Plug Outlet (No Surge Protector): Older ships have very few outlets. You'll likely have one at the desk and that's it. Make sure it's cruise-approved.
- A Light Jacket: The AC on Enchantment is notoriously "all or nothing." The public spaces can get chilly.
The Final Reality Check
Enchantment of the Seas isn't for everyone. If you need a different activity every thirty minutes to keep from getting bored, you’ll probably find it too quiet. It’s a ship for people who actually like the ocean. It’s for people who want to watch the sunset from a teak-lined deck and enjoy a dinner where the waiter remembers their name.
It represents a time when cruising was about the journey and the ports, not just about how many slides you could fit on the top deck. It’s quirky, it’s a little dated, and it’s one of the most comfortable "sea-faring" experiences left in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
To make the most of this trip, focus on the itineraries. Look for the 4-night or 5-night "short" cruises that hit Perfect Day at CocoCay. Combining the classic feel of Enchantment with the high-tech madness of Royal Caribbean’s private island is the perfect balance. You get the quiet ship for sleeping and relaxing, and the crazy waterpark for your adrenaline fix.
Book your dining reservations and shore excursions through the Royal Caribbean app at least 30 days before sailing. This ship is small, and the popular excursions in smaller ports sell out fast. If you're sailing from a port like Baltimore, arrive a day early. The traffic and port logistics for smaller regional hubs can be more unpredictable than the major terminals in Miami or Port Canaveral.
Lastly, check your Crown & Anchor Society points. Older ships like Enchantment often have more "loyalty" events because the passenger base tends to be more experienced cruisers. It's a great place to network and find out which ships the "pros" are booking next.