A fun and relaxing trip

First time in Baltimore. Such an easy port. From front door to ship is a very short walk. Slight confusion of lines at door, but RC helped get it sorted quickly. Suite line had 2 lines, one for people traveling with kids that needed testing, and one for everyone else. Pass that a quick metal detector, then walk up with papers in hand to an employee with an iPad. Check in took all of 3 minutes. Take the 1st cruise photo, then walk to ship. They have a pretty steep angled gangway as it starts at ground level and goes to Deck 4. But anyone could also use an alternate method of using Deck 1 gangway then elevator to whatever floor you wanted. My wife has bad knees, and this was a lifesaver. We have learned over time to stop rushing to pier at 9am, we like to show up about 11. No lines. Easy on, do muster check-in, then have drink/lunch, by which point the rooms are ready for entry.

We are typically a main dining room user only. We try to avoid the buffet, its always crazy town. Did hit the buffet twice. Some random thoughts. Buffet needed longer hours, there was very little snacking outside B/L/D times. Only one specialty restaurant on board, think they need at least a 2nd option. My wife likes to get the 3 night dining package if we can get it at a good price, obviously we didn't do that this time. We did go to Chops for 1 dinner. It was extremely slow service, like over 2 hours. And our steaks were no where close to Medium Rare. Other people we know had similar issues. Last day, we did the "Taste of Royal Lunch", also held in Chops. It had a steak too, Med-Rare it was not... barely any pink, but the waiter seemed to think it was perfect. Normally chops is excellent, so I will let it pass. Most ships have a "Café" with sandwiches and pizza", Enchantment does too, but its all the way forward in the solarium... its not near any hang out spots. The floor to it can be wet and slippery, and the tables around it need more busboy activity. I sort of wish there was a place for guests to help and take their own plates to a bin or something. We only went here once, its just too out of the way. We went to the coffee shop a lot for "Spirited coffees", but made sure we visited before 10pm when then close. Buffet closes at 8:30!!! Main dining room, service speed was a bit mixed, got better as the cruise went along. I have a pet peeve on the menu choices, but its only that I have been fortunate to cruise a lot this year (after cancellations the past 2 years), and that is the menu needs more variety. Having the classics on the menu each day is fine, but the rotation of menu items each day is the same from ship to ship, down to the day of the trip. Its good when you have a favorite entrée, but bad when you truly want to try something new. As I said, its minor, and only affects frequent cruisers. Room service was included for a suite, got it a lot for Breakfast. Generally good. Room service menu is pretty small, but it gets the job done.

Only used the pools and hot tubs. No issue with Royal Caribbean. More of an issue with unsupervised kids in pools and hot tubs. Listen kids, the hot tub is not a pool. God I sound old. Solarium area is nice, but really wish it was open air. Pool deck area got extremely hot to walk barefoot.. people had their shoes piled up around the pool, could use some mats. Funny in the solarium where the floor is not hot, they had mats, but for a better reason, the tile floor in the solarium is extremely slippery with wet feet. The mats are only directly around the pool. I came real close to wiping out on the way back to my pool chair.

Always had a show each night of some sort in the Theater. Most were very good. As a larger person, always got there early for the couches at the back of theater, the seats are just too tight and TOO LOW. Not comfortable at all. Rockport, the house band constantly was playing somewhere on the ship, they were always excellent. The piano player in Schooner was good, but he talked too much, an hour long event I think he got in 4-5 songs, but I still enjoyed it. Enjoyed all live music events, we skipped events where it said "pre-recorded", those don't make any sense to us.

Room steward was beyond excellent. We tend to tip extra on the last day, but went a lot higher this time around. He just knew our schedule, was always present, and knew our names and was talkative without cornering us. :) Waiters and wait staff did a good job, they pushed a bit to hard every night asking for "10 stars" on the end of cruise review. Again a RC issue, if you tell a waiter a drink the 1st night, they just bring it every night when you show up. But here's the thing, I change up every night. Just because I asked for a tea today, doesn't mean I will have the same drink tomorrow. Nitpick, I know. The ship is always being cleaned and maintained. They do a great job.

I like the open Centrum as a gathering spot Tables and chairs on multiple levels. Too bad you have to go to "4" to get bar service while seated. Everything was easy to find, no dead ends. Nice ship, well maintained for its age.

I am spoiled now. I have another cruise coming up and its a regular balcony cabin, I am going to be depressed on vacation. :) Grand Suite was awesome, so much room , and nice chairs on the balcony too. We actually spent more time in our room as it was a good hang out spot. Two sinks each with its own deep medicine cabinet. I have never fully unpacked bathroom supplies before, but could on this trip. We had cabinets that we didn't even use, so much storage.

Oddly customs was before luggage, but simply checked to see if passport was expired. Very quick, no lines. Got luggage and was at "car pick up" spot in a very short walk, easiest and shortest disembarkation ever.