Seven Nights Aboard Enchantment of the Seas: My First Royal Caribbean Cruise
October 10–17, 2026 | Tampa, Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatán and Cozumel
I've cruised before, but until this October, Royal Caribbean was still one of the cruise lines I hadn't experienced for myself. Having sailed on Celebrity's Apex and Ascent, along with Virgin Voyages, I was curious to see how Royal Caribbean would compare. I also wanted to try cruising solo, something that seemed like a natural next step after years of traveling independently by car, plane and train.
So I booked seven nights aboard Enchantment of the Seas, sailing round-trip from Tampa with stops in Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatán and Cozumel. I had excursions planned in three of the four ports, but I also wanted some time to explore the ship, relax and see how I liked having an entire week to do whatever appealed to me.
Enchantment of the Seas is a Vision-class ship that entered service in 1997. At approximately 83,000 gross tons, she's one of the smaller and older ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, particularly compared with the enormous floating resorts the cruise line is building today. She's also considerably smaller than the Celebrity ships I've sailed recently, so I knew going in that I wasn't going to have the same selection of restaurants, entertainment venues or amenities.
But I've never been convinced that bigger and newer automatically mean better. Sometimes a smaller ship has advantages of its own, and I was interested in discovering what those might be.
As it turned out, there were quite a few things I enjoyed, some things I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about, and a handful of experiences that had very little to do with the ship itself but became some of my favorite memories of the week.
First Impressions and Finding My Way Around
Embarkation in Tampa went relatively smoothly. I arrived toward the later part of the boarding window, and there were plenty of staff available to help direct passengers. There were a few moments when I felt like the instructions assumed everyone had sailed with Royal Caribbean before, and I wasn't always entirely sure what came next. Nothing that caused a major problem, but I did find myself asking a few questions along the way.
Once onboard, I checked in at my muster station, dropped my bag in my cabin and started wandering around. One of the first things I appreciated was how manageable the ship felt. There weren't endless decks of restaurants and attractions to figure out, and I didn't feel like I needed a map every time I wanted to go somewhere.
I particularly liked the shopping promenade, which had a little indoor mall feel, with shops arranged along a walkway. I actually preferred this layout to some of the shopping areas on Celebrity's Apex and Ascent. It was pleasant to wander through, even when I wasn't particularly interested in buying anything.
The adults-only Solarium was another favorite. It had beautiful architectural details that reminded me of something classical or Mediterranean, although I'm not entirely sure what the correct description would be. Whatever the inspiration, I thought it was a lovely space, and I found myself returning there throughout the week. The ship also had several bars and lounges, including Boleros, and was already decorated for Halloween, with themed events planned throughout the sailing.
My ocean-view cabin was comfortable and clean, with a good bed and enough storage for everything I'd brought. There were, however, a few maintenance issues that caught my attention. Some drawers were difficult to open and close, the finish on parts of the wood surfaces was worn or peeling, and the shower curtain was discolored and missing a few hooks. None of these things significantly affected my vacation, but I do think they're worth mentioning. I expected an older ship to look different from a newer one, although age alone doesn't necessarily explain maintenance issues.
One thing Royal Caribbean handled particularly well was a request I'd made before sailing. I travel with medication that requires refrigeration, and because my cabin didn't have a standard refrigerator, I'd contacted the accessibility department ahead of time. They arranged to have a small medication refrigerator placed in the cabin, and it was already plugged in and waiting when I arrived. That was one less thing to worry about, and I appreciated how smoothly it was handled.
Dining: Some Hits, Some Misses and One Very Good Mushroom Soup
Dining was probably where I noticed the biggest difference between Enchantment of the Seas and the newer ships I'd experienced. The primary options were My Fair Lady main dining room, the Windjammer buffet, Park Café and Chops Grille steakhouse. Having become accustomed to a wider selection of restaurants on Celebrity and Virgin Voyages, I definitely noticed the more limited choices, although I knew that was part of sailing on a smaller ship.
The Windjammer wasn't my favorite. The buffet had a relatively compact serving area, and when things got busy, it could become pretty chaotic. Between people navigating the food stations, trying to find tables and maneuvering around one another, there were times when it felt more crowded than I would have liked. I also found some of the food a little bland for my tastes. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't something I particularly looked forward to, either.
I eventually developed a breakfast routine that made the experience much more enjoyable. I'd collect my food from the Windjammer and then head over to the Solarium near Park Café, or sometimes find a spot closer to the pool near the ice cream station. Both areas had coffee and tea stations nearby, so I could settle in somewhere quieter without having to return to the buffet for a drink. Since I generally took everything I wanted on my first trip through, it worked beautifully. Sometimes finding a better place to sit is all it takes to turn a frustrating breakfast into a pleasant one.
Chops Grille, on the other hand, was a highlight. I booked lunch there on our first sea day and enjoyed it enough to return for dinner later in the cruise. The food was generally very good, and the service was wonderful. My steak was cooked perfectly the first time, although the second visit required a little adjustment when it arrived underdone. I also had some fries that were a bit cool on one occasion, but neither issue was particularly significant.
What I really loved was the mushroom soup. I don't know exactly what they put in that soup, but it was one of my favorite things I ate during the entire cruise. I ordered it both times, and when I later had the opportunity to tour the ship's kitchens, I was hoping I'd get a closer look at how they made it. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to uncover the secret.
One thing worth considering if you're interested in specialty dining is that Chops offered lunch at approximately half the price of dinner during my sailing, with fairly similar menus. I certainly didn't feel like I was missing out by going at lunchtime. It's a good example of how a little research can help you enjoy an experience without necessarily paying the highest price for it.
I also enjoyed the main dining room, My Fair Lady, although a large part of that was because of my server, Made. Over the course of the week, he remembered my preferences, joked with me and made dinner something I genuinely looked forward to. On one evening when I was seated at a different table, the experience was noticeably different, and it made me appreciate just how much he had contributed to my enjoyment of the dining room.
Made wasn't the only crew member who made an impression. Carmelo, my cabin steward, was wonderful, and Ribi at Chops remembered me when I returned for dinner. I don't know how they manage to keep track of so many passengers, but those little moments of recognition make a difference. It's nice to feel like someone remembers you rather than simply seeing another person coming through the door.
The Unexpected Connections
One evening in the main dining room, I was seated between two other tables for two, and before long, we were all chatting. At the table to my left were Diana and Katie, two sign language interpreters who were onboard to assist a family with a deaf member. They explained that their work included interpreting shows and accompanying the family on cruise-line excursions. I'd seen interpreters at events before, but I hadn't really considered how those services might work on a cruise ship. It was a fascinating reminder that accessibility involves much more than cabins and physical accommodations, and it's something I'd like to explore further in a separate article.
On the other side were a mother and daughter traveling together, one from North Carolina and the other from the Napa area. Before long, we'd developed a little group of women chatting across the tables, and what could have been a quiet dinner alone became one of the more memorable social experiences of the cruise. It's one of the things I enjoy about traveling independently. Being alone doesn't necessarily mean being lonely, and sometimes it actually makes it easier to meet people.
Four Caribbean Ports, Four Very Different Days
Our Western Caribbean itinerary included Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatán and Cozumel, and I approached each port a little differently. I booked excursions in three of the four destinations, leaving Cozumel open because I'd visited before and wanted a day without a schedule.
In Costa Maya, I visited the Maya ruins at Limones, enjoyed a tequila tasting and spent time at Cora's Place Bacalar, a beautiful lagoon-front retreat where the mosquitoes apparently considered my long-sleeved sun shirt a minor inconvenience rather than a barrier.
Belize turned out to be one of my favorite days, although it wasn't what I'd originally planned. A shoulder injury convinced me to trade a reef-fishing excursion for a Garifuna cultural and cooking experience, where we learned to prepare hudut, a traditional dish made with fish, coconut broth and mashed plantains. I enjoyed it so much that I brought the recipe home to try myself.
Roatán brought beautiful scarlet macaws, capuchin monkeys and a rather unfortunate incident involving a monkey and a little boy's glasses at Gumbalimba Park. By the time we reached Cozumel, I was ready for a quieter afternoon, and one of my favorite moments was simply working on a jigsaw puzzle with a grandmother and granddaughter aboard the ship.
Each port offered something different, and some of my favorite experiences weren't necessarily the ones I'd originally planned. I'll share more about those adventures separately, because there's quite a bit more to each story than I can fit into a review of the ship itself.
Life Onboard and a Look Behind the Scenes
There was plenty to do throughout the week, including trivia, crafts, dance lessons, exercise classes and evening entertainment. I didn't participate in everything, but I enjoyed having the options. One thing that amused me was seeing stretching and exercise classes taking place in the Centrum, the main central area of the ship. I'd often be looking down from one of the upper decks while people were exercising below, and although I understand why the space was convenient, I'm not sure I'd be particularly enthusiastic about doing my stretches while everyone wandered past and looked down at me.
The ship also hosted several themed evenings, including Halloween festivities, a white party, tropical night, a 1970s celebration and two dressy evenings. I hadn't packed a Halloween costume because I couldn't justify giving up the luggage space, but plenty of other passengers had gone all out. There were inflatable sharks, elaborate clown costumes and all sorts of other creations. I enjoyed seeing everyone participate, even if I wasn't joining in myself.
On our final sea day, I participated in a galley tour and brunch, which turned out to be one of the more interesting onboard activities. We began with a glass, or perhaps two, of champagne or mimosas before heading behind the scenes to see where much of the ship's food was prepared. After touring the galley, we returned to the main dining room for a lovely brunch.
The kitchens were enormous, and I was fascinated by the amount of coordination involved in preparing meals for so many people every day. We saw crew members making bread, preparing desserts and canapés, cutting fresh ingredients for salads and working on enormous quantities of soup. Between food preparation, inventory management, cleaning and all the other operations passengers rarely see, it's an extraordinary amount of work happening behind the scenes.
A Little About Cruising Solo
Although I'd traveled independently many times before, this was my first opportunity to experience a cruise entirely on my own. I was curious about how it would feel, particularly since cruises are often marketed around couples, families and groups.
I found that I was very comfortable throughout the sailing, and I appreciated being able to spend my time exactly as I wanted. My husband and I travel very well together, but even when you're traveling with someone you enjoy, there's still another person to consider. On this trip, I felt absolutely no obligation to join an activity, attend a show or do anything else that didn't appeal to me in the moment. There was something wonderfully fun about that freedom.
I also found that traveling alone didn't mean spending the week alone. Between conversations in the dining room, people I met on excursions and unexpected moments like the puzzle table, there were plenty of opportunities to connect with others. And when I wanted some quiet, I could simply head back to my cabin or find somewhere to sit and watch the ocean.
There were a few practical differences, of course, but overall, I enjoyed the experience enough that I'd happily cruise solo again. I think cruising could also be an interesting introduction to independent travel for someone who's curious about taking that first trip on their own. I'll share more about the experience, including some of the little things I hadn't considered before sailing, in a separate article.
Who Would Enjoy Enchantment of the Seas?
I think Enchantment of the Seas could appeal to travelers who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience and don't necessarily need an enormous selection of restaurants, attractions and entertainment options. If you're someone who likes spending time exploring ports, relaxing by the pool, enjoying a good meal and having a manageable ship to return to each evening, there are certainly things to appreciate about her.
On the other hand, if part of the appeal of Royal Caribbean for you is the idea of waterslides, elaborate entertainment venues, endless dining choices and all the attractions found on their newest ships, I'd suggest looking at a different vessel. The experience can vary considerably across the fleet, and I think it's important to understand what a particular ship offers before booking.
I'd also encourage anyone considering an older ship to look carefully at recent reviews and cabin information. I enjoyed my ocean-view cabin overall, but some of the maintenance issues I encountered are worth keeping in mind, particularly if updated accommodations are an important part of your vacation experience.
Would I Sail Royal Caribbean Again?
Absolutely. I enjoyed my week aboard Enchantment of the Seas, and the wonderful crew, comfortable atmosphere and interesting itinerary gave me plenty of reasons to look back on the experience fondly. There were some things I'd change, particularly when it came to dining variety and cabin maintenance, but none of those things prevented me from having a good cruise.
Having now sailed with several different cruise lines, I'm finding that there are things I enjoy about each of them, and things I'd probably do differently the next time around. I don't think there's necessarily one cruise line, or even one type of ship, that's going to be the best choice for everyone. The more important question is what kind of experience you're hoping to have.
I'd certainly consider sailing with Royal Caribbean again, although I suspect my next experience might be on one of their newer ships, just to see how the two compare. For me, this trip reinforced how much the ship itself can shape a cruise experience, even when you're sailing with the same company.
And that's one of the things I enjoy most about travel. Every trip gives me something new to think about, whether it's a cultural experience I hadn't planned on, a conversation with someone I'd never otherwise have met, or a better understanding of what makes a particular trip the right fit.
Plan thoughtfully, travel fully.
Thinking about a cruise of your own?
One of the things I've learned from sailing with different cruise lines is how much the ship itself can shape the experience. The right choice isn't necessarily the newest, biggest or most expensive ship. It's the one that fits how you like to travel.
If you're considering a cruise and aren't quite sure where to start, I'd be happy to help you explore the options and find something that feels right for you.
