Enchantment Of The Seas

The 1997-built Enchantment of the Seas cruise ship is the 4th Vision-class Royal Caribbean liner, with sisterships Vision OTS, Legend OTS (now Marella Discovery 2), Grandeur OTS, Rhapsody OTS, and Splendour OTS (now Marella Discovery).

The vessel (IMO number 9111802) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311733000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US-based passenger shipping company, a trademarked travel brand, and a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). Established in 1968, RCI currently holds over 20% of the global cruise market. It also operates RCG’s largest fleet, both in number of vessels and gross tonnage (ship size and capacity).

All RCI ships have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 2000-passenger Enchantment OTS was enlarged during her 2005 drydock, when a 73-ft / 22-m long midsection was added.

This explains why parts of the ship appear newer while others show more wear. Although her exterior shows some fading, the midsection (inside and outside) still looks relatively new and includes a larger pool deck, suspension bridges, Boleros Latin Lounge, Ben & Jerry’s, Champagne Bar, and the Centrum Atrium with glass-enclosed elevators.

Decks and Cabins

Enchantment Of The Seas staterooms (1142 total, across 22 categories) include 94 Suites, 154 Balcony, 431 Oceanview, and 463 Inside cabins. Sizes range between 130-150-190 ft² (12-14-18 m²). Most balconies are 40 ft² / 4 m². The largest is the Royal Suite (1185 ft² / 110 m² plus a 140 ft² / 13 m² terrace). Wheelchair-accessible cabins total 19.

The ship has 12 decks, of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

For a quick bite, passengers can visit Enchantment’s Windjammer Marketplace. Arranged in stations, it offers a variety of options from cheeses and pizza to carved meats and desserts. Afternoon Tea is served daily from 3 pm. During busy hours, seating may be limited. For formal dining, the 2-level My Fair Lady Dining Room is open daily from 7–9:30 am for breakfast and from 12–1:30 pm for lunch (operating as Brasserie 30, featuring dishes such as shells with pesto sauce). Dinner is offered at set times of 6 pm and 8:30 pm, or via “anytime dining” from 6–9:30 pm.

Alternative dining includes Chops Grille (specialty steakhouse, $25 per person, reservations recommended).

Complete list of Enchantment of the Seas restaurants and dining venues:

• My Fair Lady Restaurant (1346-seat aft Dining Room; offers Brasserie 30 lunch on sea days)
• Windjammer Cafe (566-seat buffet; Early Breakfast from 6:30 am, Breakfast 7–11:30 am, Lunch 11:30 am–3:30 pm, Dinner 6:30–9 pm)
• Chops Grille (108-seat specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
• Park Cafe (68-seat complimentary deli, serving the Solarium area)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Orpheum Theater hosts nightly entertainment, including comedy shows, musical revues, and free first-run movies, spanning Decks 5 and 6. Casino Royale, located on Deck 5 between Boleros Lounge and the Orpheum Theater, features a see-through floor near the entrance, flashing lights, and table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, plus slot machines.

On the pool deck, passengers enjoy fun contests such as Ms. Biceps and belly-flop competitions. Enrichment activities include complimentary gaming lessons and dance classes, but formal lectures are not common. Shore excursions booked via the “Explorations!” desk include glass-bottom boat tours, sightseeing trips, and beach outings. Some beaches, however, may be accessible independently at lower cost or free of charge.

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, Adventure Ocean (youth program), Internet/WiFi access, and laundry service.

Complete list of Enchantment of the Seas lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues:

• Orpheum Theater (870 seats; production shows with dance, acrobatics, comedy, and games)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery
• The Centrum (5-deck atrium and social hub, aerial acrobatics entertainment); Spotlight Lounge (575-seat show lounge); Crown Lounge (fka Diamond Club, for past guests); Concierge Club (for suite guests and loyal past guests); Viking Crown Lounge & Nightclub
• R Bar (52-seat cocktail bar); Boleros Lounge (113-seat Latin bar); Cafe Latte-tudes (36-seat coffee bar, serving Starbucks); Ben & Jerry’s (ice cream bar); Schooner Bar (135-seat piano bar); Island Bar; Oasis Bar
• Centrum Boutiques (duty-free shopping: clothing, perfumes, jewelry, logo souvenirs, alcohol, cigarettes)
• Casino Royale (259-seat)
• Royal Caribbean Online Center (Internet room, 24-hour)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 6 Jacuzzis; 3 pools
• Solarium (includes cafe bar, pool bar, and adults-only pool)
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Video Arcade; Fuel Teen Disco; Royal Babies & Tots Nursery
• Adventure Beach; Adventure Ocean kids club
• Sports Court (golf simulator, table tennis, basketball); Vita Course jogging track; Rock-climbing wall; Bungee trampolines

Itineraries

Enchantment of the Seas’ program originally focused on year-round short breaks (3- and 4-day roundtrips) to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida.

In 2021, she was repositioned to Baltimore, Maryland, replacing Grandeur OTS. Roundtrips (5-7-8-12 nights) visit Bermuda (Kings Wharf/5-night), Florida-Bahamas (7-8 nights), and the Southern Caribbean (12 nights).

In summer 2023, the ship was deployed in Europe/Mediterranean for 7-day voyages from Greece (Piraeus-Athens), Italy (Civitavecchia-Rome, Porto Corsini-Ravenna), and Spain (Barcelona). Following her Mediterranean season, Enchantment OTS repositioned to Tampa, Florida, for 7-day Western Caribbean roundtrips to Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya), Honduras (Roatan Island), and Belize City. In 2023-2024-2025, she offers short breaks (4-5 nights) from Tampa to Mexico (Cozumel, Cozumel + Costa Maya), 7-night summer voyages (Roatan, Belize City, Mexico, Bahamas/CocoCay), plus select Florida-Bahamas itineraries to Nassau, Freeport, CocoCay, and Key West, Florida.

Royal Caribbean's Enchantment and Grandeur were the first liners of a major cruise company to feature a Dynamic Positioning System. Enchantment OTS was built in Finland and completed on July 3, 1997. Her godmother was Colleen Fain, wife of Richard D. Fain (Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean International). The naming ceremony was held on July 12, 1997, at Port Southampton (England, UK), followed by the inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) on July 13.

As a Vision-class ship, Enchantment features the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 11, crowning the 7-deck-high Centrum Atrium. This venue offers panoramic 360-degree sea views.

Enchantment OTS refurbishment 2015 review

Enchantment OTS first entered drydock in 2005 in Rotterdam (Holland) for a major refit, which included a mid-body extension. In 2012, she underwent refurbishment in Freeport (Bahamas). In 2015, the ship received multiple upgrades, including new technology, refreshed dining menus, and added features. The deck plan changes after the 2015 drydock included:

• Installation of a giant poolside movie screen
• Addition of the complimentary “Park Cafe” (deli restaurant)
• Introduction of the “Chef’s Table” (gourmet dining package)
• Addition of the 1960s-themed “R Bar”
• Addition of a nursery

In September-October 2021, the ship was drydocked at Navantia Shipyard (Cadiz, Spain) for general maintenance and routine technical work.

The following YouTube video reviews the ship’s lengthening project (2005 drydock refit and refurbishment).