5 Nights on Enchantment of the Seas – Hits, Misses, and Real Talk

When you picture a Royal Caribbean cruise, you probably imagine:

Endless buffets
Sparkling beaches
Non-stop fun

Well… yes and no.

I just spent five nights on Enchantment of the Seas out of Tampa, hitting Costa Maya and Cozumel. There were some amazing moments—ruins, tequila tastings, and lazy beach time—but there were also a few surprises (and realities) I definitely didn’t see coming.

This is the full breakdown:
Day by day. The hits. The misses. And what it’s really like on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Day 1 – Departure from Tampa

Embarkation Day = Organized Chaos

“2025 Cruise. Melendez Family Cruise. Let’s go!”

Day one is all about embarkation—also known as organized chaos.

We got to the Tampa port a few hours early, went through the check-in lines, handed over our passports, and let that classic “I’m really doing this” cruise excitement slowly build.

Walking under Enchantment of the Seas for the first time hits you with full floating-hotel energy:

Big atrium
Glass elevators
Carpeted halls
The smell of food around every corner

There’s a moment when you step onboard and think:
“Okay, this is home for the next five nights.”

First drink of the cruise?
Handled.

Before the ship even left port:

People were already in the pool
Bars were busy
The buffet looked like the eighth wonder of the world

Out by the main pool, there was a sail away party:

Two pools (one adults-only, one kid-friendly)
A big dance floor
Music blasting
People already living their best vacation lives

The sail away from Tampa was a whole vibe. As the downtown skyline got smaller and the Gulf opened up in front of us, that’s when it really hit:

Vacation has officially begun.

Day 2 – Sea Day #1

Getting to Know the Ship

Day two was our first full sea day, which means:

No rushing for excursions
No sprinting off the ship
Just open ocean and a full schedule of whatever-you-want

Sea days have this strange magic where the ship feels both relaxing and busy at the same time.

You’ve got:

Pool people – camped out all day, cocktail in hand
Spa people – robes, treatments, and slow motion energy
Activity people – trivia, karaoke, games, kids’ club

We used this day to really explore the ship:

Checked out different restaurants
Walked the decks
Found our favorite corners to read and people-watch
Tested the buffet line (can you get through without overloading your plate? Answer: rarely.)

At one point, we ended up in the dining room singing happy birthday to a family member with the staff and half the restaurant joining in. Cruises are good at manufacturing these little “event” moments, and if you lean into it, it’s pretty fun.

Sea days are also when you realize how far from home you really are.
You look out and see nothing but water in every direction.

It’s equal parts peaceful and surreal.

Day 3 – Costa Maya, Mexico

Mayan Ruins, Heat, and History

Day three brought us to Costa Maya, Mexico—one of the ports I was most excited about.

This wasn’t just a “sit at the beach and drink all day” kind of stop. Costa Maya is about history.

We booked a Mayan Ruins excursion through the ship:

Short walk down the long cruise pier
Excursion area was well-organized with clear zones and signs
Guides directed you to your specific tour group

We boarded a bus and headed inland for a four-hour ruins tour.

Walking through the Mayan ruins is one of those bucket list travel moments:

Stone temples rising out of the jungle
Steep steps (that you can’t always climb)
Thick heat and humidity
A quiet sense of “people lived, worshipped, and ruled here centuries ago”

I kept flashing back to scenes from Mel Gibson’s “Apocalypto”. Our guide confirmed that while the movie is obviously dramatized, some details were surprisingly accurate.

The ruins we visited:

Multiple structures
Some around four or five stories tall
Some roped off with no climbing allowed
Others you could walk around and view from different angles

The heat and humidity were no joke, but the experience was absolutely worth it.

After the ruins, Costa Maya has:

A more low-key village feel
Beach clubs
Bars and restaurants
Souvenir shops and stalls

You can grab a drink in the village of Mahahual, relax at a beach, or just wander. It doesn’t feel as polished or crowded as some bigger ports, and that’s part of the charm.

For me, Costa Maya was all about balance:
Ancient history in the morning.
Modern Caribbean chill in the afternoon.

Day 4 – Cozumel, Mexico

City Tour, Tequila Tasting, and Beach Time

If Costa Maya is about ruins and history, Cozumel is about culture and fun.

We booked a city and island tour that included:

Open-air bus tour around the island
Walking stops in town
A proper tequila tasting
Beach time at the end

Stepping off the ship in Cozumel, you’re greeted by:

A giant Mexican flag
Rows of shops and restaurants
A very “cruise port” energy

The city itself? Fun but very touristy.

You will be approached by vendors:

Souvenir sellers
Tour sellers
“My friend, just have a look!” guys

It’s not aggressive, but it absolutely feels like a port designed for tourists, not a slice of pure local culture. Still, it’s interesting if you keep your expectations realistic.

The tequila tasting was a highlight.

This wasn’t just pounding shots in a bar. It was:

A sit-down explanation of how tequila is made
The difference between blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo
How to taste versus just knock it back

I ended up buying a special bottle you can only get there—extra limited quantity. The host proudly claimed you wouldn’t find it in regular liquor stores anywhere else.

Was it marketing? Sure.
Was it still a cool experience? Definitely.

After that, we headed to a beach resort:

Tram ride from the parking area
Beach loungers
Pina coladas
Warm Caribbean water
Not nearly enough time

Cozumel really offered it all in one excursion:

Sightseeing
Local products and flavors
Beach relaxation

It’s not the deepest cultural dive you’ll ever take, but as a cruise day, it hit a lot of good notes.

Day 5 – Sea Day #2

The Slow Goodbye

Day five was our second sea day, and it felt very different from the first.

On the first sea day, you’re still exploring.
On the last sea day, you’re squeezing in everything you haven’t done yet.

By this point, you:

Know your favorite lounges
Know which buffet lines move faster
Know which shows are worth it
Know your go-to quiet corners

This day becomes:

One more dip in the pool
One last specialty dinner or new restaurant
One more drink at your favorite bar
One last sunset from the top deck

There’s something about that final sea sunset. You know land is coming, work is coming, normal life is coming… so you savor every minute of that open horizon.

So, What Is a Royal Caribbean Cruise Really Like?

Cruising the Western Caribbean on Enchantment of the Seas was definitely an adventure.

The Hits:

Easy, mostly stress-free logistics
Waking up in new countries without having to pack and repack
Mix of history (Mayan ruins), culture (tequila tasting, city tours), and beach time
Lots of built-in entertainment onboard
Great memories with family

The Misses & Realities:

Ports can feel very touristy and “curated”
Buffets can be overwhelming (in both good and bad ways)
Crowds everywhere if you don’t time things right
Not every moment feels magical—sometimes it’s just lines, noise, and waiting

But that’s the point of an honest review:
Cruises aren’t perfect—but they can be really fun if you know what to expect.

If you enjoyed this honest take and want more real-world travel reviews, guides, and behind-the-scenes stories, make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel.

And as always…
Travel Far.

Google Maps Links

📍 Port of Tampa Bay – Cruise Terminal
📍 Costa Maya, Mexico
📍 Cozumel, Mexico

What It’s Really Like on a Royal Caribbean Cruise