Enchantment of the seas: RCI's newly stretched Vision Class vessel has been enhanced with new enchantments

One afternoon back in 1997, during an inaugural-season sailing of Royal Caribbean International's Enchantment of the Seas (part of the line's innovative six-ship Vision Class), I sat in her seven-level atrium enjoying its oversized windows and glass walls--offering a crystal-clear sense of being at sea no matter where you turn--plus its glass elevators, shimmering sculpture, and contemporary light-toned decor that added to the open and airy ambiance. A string quartet provided just as light (almost caress-like) sounds near the Champagne Terrace. I remember thinking, "Wow! What a breathtaking ship!" Now, after last summer's $60-million stretch project, plus a general sprucing up of the vessel's existing parts, there is simply more enchantment to wow her lucky passengers.

The lengthening of the cruise liner was in itself awe-inspiring, an engineering marvel accomplished through the teamwork of two European shipyards--Aker Finnyards of Finland, where the ship was originally built and where the new mid-section was constructed; and Keppel Verolme of Rotterdam, where the mid-body was inserted after being barged 1,430 miles. Done in a dry-dock for the first time ever, the stretch took only 31 days to complete, thanks to modern technology (25 years ago it would taken three months). Now the two key parts of the process can be accomplished swiftly: splitting the vessel by cutting through more than 1,969 linear feet of steel with gas torches and circular saws took only six days, and just two weeks were needed to reconnect the parts, including the welding of the steel exterior and reattaching nearly 1,300 individual cables, pipes, and ducts on each end of the new mid-body.

When the gargantuan task was completed through the participation of more than 850 workers, the Enchantment of the Seas had a new 73-foot midsection with 151 staterooms and a variety of features and amenities--much more to take your breath away. So much so that Royal Caribbean International would be justified in calling this ship its "Ultra Vision Class" vessel.

The lengthened 81,500-gross-register-ton/2,730-passenger Enchantment of the Seas--the largest cruise ship ever to be stretched, and the first RCI has lengthened since the Nordic Prince a quarter-century ago--now looks and feels more like the line's latest vessels (its Radiance Class and Voyager Class) as a result of the addition of "Royal Caribbean icon features," said Adam Goldstein, RCI president, during a preview cruise last summer. The line's hallmark rock-climbing wall had already been brought onboard Enchantment of the Seas in 2003, but with the stretch-added real estate, there was room for additional icon facilities, like RCI's Latin-themed bar and one of its specialty restaurants--plus some surprises of her very own.

New features on the revitalized Enchantment of the Seas "attract those who want a lot of choices when they go on vacation, and those with the get-out-there, explorer mind-set," Goldstein said. "We tried to make the whole ship 'pop,' if you will, in the new section and throughout."

Certainly an eye-popping new feature is the pair of suspension bridges on Deck 10 spanning more than 75 feet on either side of the pool deck below, and supported by dramatic white arches. It was a pleasure to go for a stroll on Deck 10 and enjoy the expansive vistas from this architectural breakthrough. The bridges cross over two new areas of the pool deck, which jut out and hang over the ocean. These areas are edged with 14-foot-high sheets of glass and feature peek-a-boo windows in the floor that provide additional ocean perspectives. The overhanging space portside has a new island bar; the starboardside space features additional seating for relaxation and enjoyment of the sounds of a tropical band.

The lengthening expanded the lido area by nearly 50 percent. It now boasts two pools (one was added in the stretch), and guests can choose from one of four canopied whirlpools. The youngest sailors have a new, circular, interactive Splash Deck for their own enjoyment. It has 64 water jets on the floor, perimeter, and on a central dome--40 of the jets are connected to an interactive touchpad so children can spray each other as if by (liquid) magic. With this Splash Deck and RCI's excellent age-specific children's program (recently expanded, incidentally, in a partnership with toy-maker Fisher-Price that provides enriching activities for babies and toddlers and their parents) mom, dad, and the kids will have the time of their lives. The Splash Deck becomes a decorative area with a fiber-optic light and water show at night.

Yet another surprise--and arguably the one with the greatest "wow" factor--is the quartet of bungee trampolines located forward on Deck 10. Intrepid guests wear a harness connected to two bungee cords when they jump on the inflatable trampolines, and are propelled skyward--talk about taking your breath away! Accomplished participants reach altitudes of 35 feet and more, and can, if they wish, do multiple flips in mid-air. The harness keeps guests safely centered when they land; it almost made a participant of a non-daredevil guest like me--but not quite, thank you. It was nonetheless as fun to watch as the rock climbing, on Deck 10 aft, which I am also quite content to just observe.

Active passengers further appreciate the ship's new Vitality Course; this quarter-mile jogging/walking track has four fitness stops with a variety of exercise equipment. Meanwhile, the fitness center has been expanded, as was the Enchantment Day Spa, which was enlarged with five additional treatment rooms. A variety of fitness classes are offered; some, like yoga and pilates, have a $10 fee.

Other features of the lengthened ship include such popular RCI signature spaces as the Boleros Latin Lounge, a hot spot for dancing, people-watching, and fun cocktails, including tequila specialty drinks, Cuban mojitos, and Brazilian capirinhas. Also on-board now is the 100-seat Chops Grille, one of RCI's specialty restaurants (reservations are required and the fee is $20 per-person). It serves steakhouse fare, including filet mignon and salmon, and features an open kitchen and extensive wine list. Latte-tudes is another new area offering pastries and specialty espresso drinks from Seattle's Best Coffee as well as Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Indoor areas expanded as a result of the stretch include the art-auction venue, the Casino Royale (which acquired more slot machines), and the shopping area on Deck 6 that has new boutiques, including a Fossil watch shop, fine jewelry store, and a photo electronics shop. The nearby Photo Gallery has new digital kiosks.

The former Windjammer Cafe is now the Windjammer Marketplace, offering multiple food-service islands including: Jade, RCI's eclectic mix of Asian cuisines: the Mediterranean Marketplace, with specialties from that corner of the world; an international section; a carving station; plus deli, salad bar, and dessert sections. The Welcome Aboard lunch was bountiful with two soup selections including a delectable black-bean soup; sushi and other Asian specialties; a variety of pastas; salads and fruits; roasted pork loin in the carving station; hazelnut cake, pastries, cookies, and other goodies at the dessert bar.

The balcony of My Fair Lady, the main dining room, has been extended to accommodate more tables for the increased passenger roster following the stretch. The service was lively and attentive, and the food was delicious, with the grilled entrees including Black Angus top sirloin and filet of Norwegian salmon outstanding.

After dinner, most guests attend the excellent production shows presented by the 12-member cast of the Royal Caribbean Singers & Dancers as well as the variety entertainment featured in the Orpheum Theatre on decks 5 and 6. The showroom was renovated during the refit, receiving new carpeting and seating. Our favorite areas for nighttime entertainment included the nautically themed Schooner Bar on Deck 6 for piano music and a cocktail before dinner, Boleros on Deck 5 for Latin jazz after dinner, and the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 11 where a DJ holds court until the wee hours. Teenagers have their own disco, Fuel, just added to the ship.

When an active and entertaining day is done, Enchantment of the Seas staterooms are comfortable and functional homes afloat. All existing cabins were refurbished with new carpets, drapes, mattresses, bedspreads, locks, and telephones. Ours, one of the existing cabins (balcony stateroom number 7024 located forward on Deck 7), looked as fresh and new as could be.

The Enchantment of the Seas sailed a series of New England/ Canada itineraries after re-entering service on July 7, then returned to Fort Lauderdale in October to resume her four- and five-night Western Caribbean voyages. Four-night sailings to Key West and Cozumel are brochure-priced from $889 (per-person/double-occupancy), while five-night cruises to Key West, Cozumel, and Belize start at $1,179. But wherever she sails in the future, RCI has gone to great lengths to ensure that the Enchantment of the Seas lives up to the excitement and quality cruise experience guests expect from Royal Caribbean.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean International (Cruise Travel Magazine) 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132 or log on to www.royalcaribbean.com.

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