Karen Phillips

Age: 40
Occupation: Committee on Special Education Secretary
Number of Cruises: 2
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Ship: Enchantment of the Seas
Sailing Date: April 16th, 2005
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

I thought that I should express my feelings about my family's cruising experience aboard the Enchantment of the Seas. It was my 2nd time cruising, but the first and last time aboard the Enchantment. My husband and I decided to book a cruise for my daughter's high school graduation gift and it was my husband's very first cruise, and needless to say he says it will definitely be his last.

As I am sure you have read in two other reviews from the same trip, our cruise was cut short due to engine troubles. We arrived in Ocho Rios, Jamaica approximately 2 hours late, and we were never told the reason for arriving late. After re-boarding and while getting ready for the 6:00 p.m. dinner, the captain came over the announcements and stated that due to engine difficulties we would not be going to Grand Cayman Islands and would instead be heading back to Fort Lauderdale because it would take double the time to return. I spoke with a lot of very upset people, some of which were on the cruise chapperoning a group of middle school chorus kids. The teacher of this group of kids did not let the kids get off the ship in Jamaica so that they could practice for their performance. They were going to allow them to get off ship at Grand Cayman Islands for the day. This poor group of students never did get off because of bypassing Grand Cayman Islands. Another couple was to be married at Grand Cayman Islands and therefore their wedding was ruined because they also were not able to get off ship. What happened to their friends and family that were to meet them on the island for the ceremony?

Another issue that I would like to bring up was the amount of papers, plastic glasses, etc. that were flying around on Deck 9 (the pool deck), as well as dirty dishes that were sitting on the tables yet at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. When we did finally sit down for breakfast, someone was swiping a dirty mop around and under our table and chairs while we were eating. How much of this garbage actually went overboard and polluted the waters?

Lastly, I was informed by my 18-year old daughter that a Jamaican Bar Server in the Viking Lounge was consistently trying to "hit on her" and even went as far as grabbing her behind and asked her to meet him in his room at a certain time when he was on break. Needless to say, my daughter never left our side for the remainder of the trip.

I will say that I am very upset in how RCCL handled our shortened trip. I would have thought that our trip would have been at least pro-rated by a day for each of us, or even given us 30-40% of our money back or to be used towards our next cruise. By giving us $150 of on-board ship credit, we basically gave the money right back to them.

I am very sad in knowing that our trip of a lifetime, and probably our last trip as a family, was ruined. My husband has vowed to me that he will never set foot on a cruise again, which really upsets me because I do want to continue cruising, but I know he will never go with me again.
 

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