Finally, we’re embarking on our first cruise. The sightseeing in Rome is just the introduction, and this cruise is the main event of our trip.
Mediterranean Cruise, Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas
This time, we used Royal Caribbean! The ship we boarded was Enchantment of the Seas!
It looks like a large ship, but compared to other Royal Caribbean cruise ships, it’s relatively small and older. It was built in 1997 and underwent a major renovation in 2005. Since we’ll be stopping at ports almost every day on this cruise, we prioritized the destinations we wanted to visit over the size and age of the ship.
The 7-night, 8-day cruise schedule starts with departure from Rome, followed by stops in Amalfi, Sicily, and Turkey (Kusadasi). There’s a Sea Day onboard, then visits to Santorini Island, Mykonos Island, and finally, arrival in Athens.
It’s like a dream to be able to visit three countries in one week.
How to get from Rome to the port?
The departure point is Rome, Italy, but in reality, the cruise departs from the port of Civitavecchia, which is about an hour away from Rome.
Since it was our first time in Italy, we arrived in Rome about three days before the cruise to enjoy some sightseeing.
For more details, click here!
On the day of the cruise, we took the train from Termini Station to Civitavecchia. We had a bit of trouble with buying tickets, so it’s important to leave with plenty of time to spare. The platform is a bit tucked away, so be aware of that too! And don’t forget to validate your ticket before boarding!
Since we were traveling with a group of six people, we had six suitcases. It was quite difficult to find space for our luggage on the train, and we had a hard time managing it.
If you have a lot of suitcases, it’s definitely better to arrange for a car transfer from the hotel to the port in advance!
After getting off the train, there will be people waiting to offer shuttle services to the port, so don’t hesitate to ask for help! Walking to the port can be quite tiring.
Check-in and safety drill
We were dropped off right in front of the cruise ship and immediately proceeded with check-in. Just like at the airport check-in, we stood in line and showed our passports.
After check-in, make sure to go to the safety drill as soon as possible! We had lunch first, so we ended up being one of the last ones to attend. Sorry about that…
There will be repeated announcements reminding you to attend the safety drill, so it’s hard to forget, but please make sure you go! It’s not a drill with all passengers; instead, it’s a brief explanation for just your group, so it’s over in no time.
We checked in about three hours before departure and then headed straight to the lunch buffet. Of course, the meal cost is included in the cruise price, so we had to eat as much as we can!
Finally, it’s time to set sail!
After the safety drill, we headed to our room, and then straight to the pool with the kids. After a while, the ship set sail. Surrounded by the blue sky and blue sea, it was absolutely amazing!
It’s recommended to pre-select your dining time with My Time Dining for dinner
With Royal Caribbean, you can pre-book your dining time for the main dining room through “My Time Dining.”
At first, I thought it would be fine to go to dinner whenever I wanted without making a reservation, but in the end, I strongly recommend reserving your dinner in advance!
We had reserved dinner for every night at 7 PM in advance. Of course, we were seated immediately with no wait. It varies by day, but dinner time can get quite busy, and it seemed like people without reservations had to wait a long time.
From the second day onwards, we were assigned the same table with the same waiters, and that turned out to be a great decision! My 4-year-old daughter is quite picky, and the only vegetable she would eat was cherry tomatoes. Since it wasn’t on the menu, I asked the waiters, and they prepared it for her. From the next day onwards, our assigned waiter started calling her “My tomato girl” and made sure to bring the tomatoes without us asking, which was really helpful.
The waiters are assigned to specific tables, so if the service and the waiter’s attitude are good, you can request to have the same table reserved at the reception, and you’ll have the same waiter each time. The Royal Caribbean crew members are truly kind, thoughtful, and made our experience so pleasant. We were able to enjoy our time on board comfortably.
Now, let’s get to the main topic, the dinner… In the main dining room, it’s a set menu with appetizers, mains, and desserts served each time. The theme changes every day, offering Italian, French, and other cuisines, so it keeps things interesting and prevents boredom. You can choose not only meat dishes but also fish, allowing you to adjust based on your mood that day. My husband, in particular, is very picky about how his meat is cooked, and if it’s even slightly overcooked, he wouldn’t accept. But all the steaks, prime ribs, and roast beef we had in the main dining room were absolutely delicious. Definitely give them a try!
In addition to the main dining room, there is also a buffet-style restaurant called Windjammer Cafe. Honestly, the taste is just okay, but if you’re unable to dine in the main dining room, this could be a good alternative. There were also paid dining options, but we didn’t use them this time. We were more than satisfied with the meals included in the cruise package at the main dining room.
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