Public Areas & Facilities

In 2005 Enchantment of the Seas was the third Royal Caribbean ship to be lengthened to increase her capacity and facilities. After she was cut in half, a new, 73-foot middle section containing 151 staterooms and suspension bridges that span the pool area and overhang the sea were added. Not only was the pool area expanded by almost 50%, four bungee trampolines were installed -- a first at sea. For real thrills you can soar high above the bow while safely tethered to the trampoline.

For a buzz of a different sort, a new pool bar juts out over the water where peek-a-boo windows set into the deck afford views of the sea below. Nearby floor-mounted water jets create a splash deck for children that transforms into a lighted fountain after dark. Recreational facilities and the spa were also expanded during the renovation. Not to be overlooked, interiors now include the South Beach-style Bolero's lounge as well as Latte-Tudes coffee and ice-cream bar, a specialty steak-house restaurant, and an enlarged Windjammer Café.

Restaurants

The double-deck formal dining room serves meals in two assigned evening seatings. Chop's Grill steak house requires reservations and carries a supplement. The casual Windjammer buffet serves three meals a day, including a laid-back dinner. A counter in the Solarium serves pizza by the slice and Latte-Tudes sells specialty coffees and pastries. Room service is 24 hours a day.

What Works & What Doesn't

When increasing the number of cabins -- and thereby accommodating more passengers--other areas of a ship can suffer overload, particularly the dining rooms, lounges, pool area. In the case of Enchantment of the Seas, those potential problems received careful consideration. The transformation of an underutilized lounge into Chops Grille and the addition of both a concierge lounge and Bolero's Latin nightclub were brilliant moves.

Two new family cabins that sleep six to eight were also added during the stretch.

Accommodations

Layout: Cabins are light and comfortable, although the smallest can be a tight squeeze for more than two adults. Every cabin has adequate closet and drawer-shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves.

Amenities: Light woods, pastel colors, a vanity-desk, TV, personal safe, a hair dryer, and a sitting area with sofa, chair, and table are typical features in all categories. Bathrooms have shampoo and bath gel.

Suites: All full suites and family suites have private balconies, a small refrigerator-minibar; full suites include concierge service. Royal Suites have a living room, wet bar, separate dining area, TV, stereo, and VCR, separate bedroom, bathroom (with twin sinks, a whirlpool tub, steam shower, and bidet), and separate powder room. Owner's Suites have separate living area, mini-bar, TV, stereo, and VCR, bathroom with combination bathtub-shower, and double sink.

Good to Know: Fourteen staterooms are designed for wheelchair accessibility.

Category	Size (square feet)
Royal/Owner's Suite	1,119 /511
Other Suites*	277-610
Superior/Large Ocean View	190/154
Family Ocean View/Interior	449/230
Large/Standard Interior	146/140
*Grand (349 sq. ft.), Royal Family (532 sq. ft.), Jr. (245 sq. ft).

Favorites

Family-Friendly Splurge: Lunch with the kids at Johnny Rockets is worth the extra charge. The popular diner that was added to Enchantment of the Seas during her stretch has a flat charge for food (though the malts are extra), but is a lot cheaper than its shoreside counterparts.

Best Added Value: With a nod to variety, the jogging track contains a vitality course. Between laps, fitness stops offer runners the opportunity to jump rope, use sit-up/press-up bars and a step-up station, as well as cool down by performing suggested stretching moves.

Our Favorite Spot for a Nightcap: The poolside Island Bar is only steps away from the splash deck, which is transformed at night into a decorative fountain with fiber-optic lights playing off the water.

Best Place to Escape the Crowds: The tranquil solitude of the librarys with oversized leather chairs, can be welcome; however it has an under-abundance of books.