Enchantment of the Seas is worth it for budget-conscious travelers who want a no-frills Royal Caribbean Caribbean experience — fares regularly start at $60–$90/person/night for an interior, but the older ship and limited amenities mean it's not the right call for everyone.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Enchantment of the Seas keeps showing up on Reddit's cruise forums for one reason: the price looks suspiciously good. The question is whether that bargain fare survives contact with the full trip cost — drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions can easily double what you paid for the cabin.
What Enchantment of the Seas Actually Costs in 2025–2026
Enchantment of the Seas is a Vision-class Royal Caribbean ship (built 1997, refurbished). She's not Icon of the Seas — and that's reflected in the fares. Short Bahamas and Caribbean runs out of Baltimore and Tampa are her bread and butter, which keeps base prices competitive.
Dave's take: Royal Caribbean doesn't discount as hard in those final weeks before departure like Carnival does, so that "suspiciously good" Enchantment fare you're spotting might actually be close to the real price — which means the real math is whether the full trip cost (drinks, gratuities, the works) fits your budget compared to a Carnival itinerary at the same sailing date. The passenger mix tends to be more refined than you'll find on Carnival, and the specialty dining is genuinely a step above, but you're paying for both.
— Dave Giovacchini, Travel Mutiny
| Cost Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin fare (per person/night) | $60–$90 (interior) | $110–$160 (ocean view/balcony) | $200–$350 (Jr. Suite/GS) |
| Royal Caribbean gratuities | $18/person/day | $18/person/day | $18/person/day |
| Deluxe Beverage Package | $75–$95/person/day | $75–$95/person/day | $75–$95/person/day |
| Wi-Fi (Voom Surf+Stream) | $20–$30/person/day | $20–$30/person/day | $20–$30/person/day |
| Specialty dining (per cover) | Skip it | $35–$50/cover | $50–$60/cover |
| Shore excursions (per port) | $0 (independent) | $60–$120/person | $150–$250/person |
| Realistic all-in total (7 nights, per person) | ~$850–$1,100 | ~$1,400–$2,000 | ~$2,500–$3,500+ |
The budget column assumes you skip the drink package, do independent shore excursions, buy Wi-Fi only if needed, and drink beer ($7.50 + 18% gratuity = ~$8.85/drink) selectively at the bar.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Determine Whether It's Worth It for You
Age of the ship. Enchantment launched in 1997. The FlowRider, rock climbing wall, and other Royal Caribbean signature features are present in limited form — don't expect the waterpark-at-sea experience of Wonder or Icon. If ship entertainment drives your decision, this is a dealbreaker.
Itinerary fit. Enchantment's short 4–5 night Bahamas sailings and 7-night Caribbean routes are ideal for first-timers, port-focused travelers, or people who just want cheap sun access. If you're spending most of your time ashore, an older ship matters much less.
The drink package math. Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package is typically $75–$95/person/day pre-cruise (check your Cruise Planner — pricing fluctuates constantly). At $8.85 all-in per domestic beer and ~$15–$16 for a premium cocktail after the 18% gratuity, you need 5–6 drinks per person per day to break even. On a port-heavy itinerary, that's harder to hit. On a sea-day sailing, doable. The package cap on Royal Caribbean is $14 per drink — anything above triggers an upcharge.
Gratuities are non-negotiable. Royal Caribbean charges $18/person/day in gratuities. On a 7-night sailing for two, that's $252 you're not seeing in the base fare. Budget for it from day one.
Wi-Fi cost. Voom Surf+Stream typically runs $20–$30/person/day on Enchantment. Prices have been creeping up industry-wide as Starlink upgrades roll out. If two of you need internet the whole trip, add ~$280–$420 to your total.
Baltimore departures. This is actually a sleeper value play. No flights = no baggage fees, no airport chaos, no hotel the night before. If you're within driving distance of Baltimore, Enchantment can be genuinely cheaper all-in than a Carnival sailing from Miami once you factor in travel costs.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Get the Best Value from Enchantment
Book the drink package pre-cruise, not onboard. Pre-cruise pricing in the Cruise Planner is consistently lower than the onboard rate. Watch for Royal Caribbean's periodic 30–40% off Cruise Planner sales — they're real and they hit drink packages.
Skip specialty dining. Enchantment's specialty dining roster is limited compared to newer ships. The main dining room on a Vision-class ship is actually decent — Giovanni's Table and Chops Grille are present on some sailings, but at $35–$60/cover, the value case is weak unless you have a dining package deal.
Do the Bahamas independently. Nassau and CocoCay (Royal Caribbean's private island) are both walkable/manageable without booking a ship excursion. Save the $60–$120/person shore excursion spend for a port where the ship's access genuinely adds value.
Interior cabins are the play here. Enchantment's balcony cabins are fine but the ship is old enough that the cabin hardware shows its age. Spend the least on the room, the most on experiences. A Promenade View interior is a quirky upgrade that's usually only a few dollars more than a standard interior.
Crown & Anchor status matters. Even Gold tier (one cruise) gets you small perks. If you've sailed Royal Caribbean before, log into your account before pricing anything — loyalty discounts occasionally appear in the Cruise Planner.
Who Should Book Enchantment — And Who Should Skip It
| Traveler Type | Verdict |
|---|---|
| First-time cruiser on a budget | ✅ Great entry point — lower stakes, lower price |
| Families with young kids | ✅ Works well for short Bahamas runs, CocoCay is excellent |
| Cruise veterans wanting modern amenities | ❌ Go newer — Symphony, Wonder, Icon |
| Drive-to-port travelers from Mid-Atlantic/Southeast | ✅ Baltimore departure is a genuine money-saver |
| Serious foodies/entertainment seekers | ❌ Limited specialty dining, smaller entertainment program |
| Solo travelers | ⚠️ Solo supplements hit hard — check for solo cabin availability |
| Couples wanting a romantic balcony | ⚠️ Balconies work, but the hardware feels dated vs. newer ships |
Enchantment of the Seas is worth it if you're price-sensitive, port-focused, or driving to Baltimore — and you're not expecting a floating resort. It's a solid, honest cruise at a fair price. What it isn't is the Royal Caribbean experience you see in the commercials. Manage expectations and you'll have a good trip. Walk on expecting Icon-level wow factor and you'll be disappointed.
Before you book, run your full cost breakdown — cabin, gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions — with CruiseMutiny to see what this sailing actually costs you all-in. You might be surprised how fast that $70/night interior becomes a $200/night trip.