Just returned from a cruise on the Regal Empress

[Hold]

We just sailed this ship and came away sad. She is the last of her breed and must be taken out of service by 2010 since she cannot meet the new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements.

The staff was wonderful and they tried as hard, or harder than any I have ever seen to please us, and all the guests. They kept this old ship clean and as polished as you can expect a 53 year old ship to be.

We came away sad, seeing that the owners are making lots of last minute efforts to save her, but clearly are making some poor choices as they try to stay afloat financially. I cannot find any major travel agencies that will even offer her as an option any more. We had to call the line directly to make a reservation.

There is clearly no effort to do anything to the ship but that which needs to be done to keep her sailing. Bedding is worn well beyond it's life. Our beds were a mis-matched set of old stained mattresses and foundations, the main ceiling light was a giant-old light fixture from a public room, the television set was set on an old piece of wood that had been screwed into the wall, the furniture was badly chipped and broken.

Our biggest disappointment was that on this (February) cruise, during the height of the cruise (winter) season, the Captain came out and sheepishly stated to everyone that "the ship has a capacity of 1200, but on this cruise we have only 250...(and), their are more crew on board than paying guests". Other crew said that this was not a fluke, but the norm. I cannot see how she can keep sailing financially at this rate.

In their efforts to raise badly needed funding, the line has add a $20 per person bill to each passenger for a "Fuel Surcharge". If you add up the cost of even their cheapest cabin, the usual port fees (which they don't include in their advertised price), and this "fuel fee", you are actually paying more for this 2 day trip, than if you purchased similar accomidations on a line like Carnival for a 3 or 4 day trip.

Unless you want to see an old classic ocean liner, most people trying to sail for a little will choose a budget line like Carnival ... and it's clear to see that they are.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that she won't even make it to 2010 at this rate.

Sad to see a grand old lady of the sea end her career like this.

In closing, I commend the staff... they are trying their hearts out to save this majestic old ship. :(

[AndrewFM]

That's really sad...It was docked next to us in Nassau and it looked like everyone was having fun (from what I could see when I looked over at it)

She seems like a fun ship for a perfect 2 night getaway...I hope I can cruise on it one day

[linnealee]

I just got off it today and it made me YEARN for a big ship! Like others have been saying in other posts, it is more worth it going on a four day on RC instead. There really wasn't much to do and the entertainment wasn't great. The saying you get what you pay for is really true.

[lvtotrvl1]

I sailed her 4 times...you are right...the cabins were not much, but the crew made up for it. I would cruise her again...it will be too bad when she disappears.

[SForman]

That's really sad...It was docked next to us in Nassau and it looked like everyone was having fun (from what I could see when I looked over at it)

She seems like a fun ship for a perfect 2 night getaway...I hope I can cruise on it one day

Living in Florida it's great for a quick escape from reality. The woodwork on the ship is beautiful. People just need to not have great expectations and they'll have a fun time.

[keeponcruising]

I love this little ship:) . It will be my 3rd time on it. I too live in S. FL and agree it is a great escape and no need to take vacation days. How often can you go to a foreign country in 2 days? I sail 4/14!! I have 2 seven days booked for later in the year. This fulfills the need until the time comes for my 7 day cruises.

Ellen

[bryanool]

We went on this trip last year, and being experienced cruisers, we actually had a good time. I hope that Imperial Majesty gets another ship when the Regal Empress is forced to retire. It's great for us living in S. Florida.. I know Carnival has the Holiday up for sale.. Anyone from I.M. listening! I'm sure if it was a better looking ship with some entertainment it would get more passengers. What I like best about this concept is that you can leave for a short cruise on a early week day .. Being in the restaurant business, I can't take Fri and Sat off for a 3 or 4 day cruise.

[Linerguy]

I'd take the Regal Empress over the Holiday anyday,...

-Russ

[woodofpine]

Safety of Lives at Sea - can't fault that...

Still it will be sad that a generation of such Cool naval architecture is passing away (and getting run down in anticipation) even though this ship shouldn't be a first timer's 'first cruise expectation' voyage.

RE's dining staff are excellent; hope they carry on.

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

Have wanted to cruise on her for some time... Hope to book her as a pre cruise to my 7 dayer on day- before 2010.

[scapino]

We just sailed this ship and came away sad. She is the last of her breed and must be taken out of service by 2010 since she cannot meet the new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements.

The staff was wonderful and they tried as hard, or harder than any I have ever seen to please us, and all the guests. They kept this old ship clean and as polished as you can expect a 53 year old ship to be.

We came away sad, seeing that the owners are making lots of last minute efforts to save her, but clearly are making some poor choices as they try to stay afloat financially. I cannot find any major travel agencies that will even offer her as an option any more. We had to call the line directly to make a reservation.

There is clearly no effort to do anything to the ship but that which needs to be done to keep her sailing. Bedding is worn well beyond it's life. Our beds were a mis-matched set of old stained mattresses and foundations, the main ceiling light was a giant-old light fixture from a public room, the television set was set on an old piece of wood that had been screwed into the wall, the furniture was badly chipped and broken.

Our biggest disappointment was that on this (February) cruise, during the height of the cruise (winter) season, the Captain came out and sheepishly stated to everyone that "the ship has a capacity of 1200, but on this cruise we have only 250...(and), their are more crew on board than paying guests". Other crew said that this was not a fluke, but the norm. I cannot see how she can keep sailing financially at this rate.

In their efforts to raise badly needed funding, the line has add a $20 per person bill to each passenger for a "Fuel Surcharge". If you add up the cost of even their cheapest cabin, the usual port fees (which they don't include in their advertised price), and this "fuel fee", you are actually paying more for this 2 day trip, than if you purchased similar accomidations on a line like Carnival for a 3 or 4 day trip.

Unless you want to see an old classic ocean liner, most people trying to sail for a little will choose a budget line like Carnival ... and it's clear to see that they are.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that she won't even make it to 2010 at this rate.

Sad to see a grand old lady of the sea end her career like this.

In closing, I commend the staff... they are trying their hearts out to save this majestic old ship. :(

A grand old lady? She's a dump that should be put out of her misery ASAP

[coaster]

I never got to go on Regal Empress when she was still leaving from Port Manatee. We had had reservations on her from a cruise auction site and Regal Cruises went out of business right before we sailed. Glad we got our money back from the auction site though. However, the pricing per night under Imperial with the fuel surcharge and all is just as much as other lines right now. It is no wonder why they are struggling to fill berths.

[mbisson]

A grand old lady? She's a dump that should be put out of her misery ASAP

And this information was based on your cruise you took when?

[sagiv666]

We just sailed this ship and came away sad. She is the last of her breed and must be taken out of service by 2010 since she cannot meet the new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements.

The staff was wonderful and they tried as hard, or harder than any I have ever seen to please us, and all the guests. They kept this old ship clean and as polished as you can expect a 53 year old ship to be.

We came away sad, seeing that the owners are making lots of last minute efforts to save her, but clearly are making some poor choices as they try to stay afloat financially. I cannot find any major travel agencies that will even offer her as an option any more. We had to call the line directly to make a reservation.

There is clearly no effort to do anything to the ship but that which needs to be done to keep her sailing. Bedding is worn well beyond it's life. Our beds were a mis-matched set of old stained mattresses and foundations, the main ceiling light was a giant-old light fixture from a public room, the television set was set on an old piece of wood that had been screwed into the wall, the furniture was badly chipped and broken.

Our biggest disappointment was that on this (February) cruise, during the height of the cruise (winter) season, the Captain came out and sheepishly stated to everyone that "the ship has a capacity of 1200, but on this cruise we have only 250...(and), their are more crew on board than paying guests". Other crew said that this was not a fluke, but the norm. I cannot see how she can keep sailing financially at this rate.

In their efforts to raise badly needed funding, the line has add a $20 per person bill to each passenger for a "Fuel Surcharge". If you add up the cost of even their cheapest cabin, the usual port fees (which they don't include in their advertised price), and this "fuel fee", you are actually paying more for this 2 day trip, than if you purchased similar accomidations on a line like Carnival for a 3 or 4 day trip.

Unless you want to see an old classic ocean liner, most people trying to sail for a little will choose a budget line like Carnival ... and it's clear to see that they are.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that she won't even make it to 2010 at this rate.

Sad to see a grand old lady of the sea end her career like this.

In closing, I commend the staff... they are trying their hearts out to save this majestic old ship. :(

I like to believe that today nothing is made like in days gone by -- don't try to match the quality. But I feel bad when there is an effort to keep alive something that has had its day. It would be more merciful to the ship if they took her out of service now and let those who knew her in the past remember her the way she was.
As sad as I feel, I feel worse for the crew. When this ship no longer cruises, they will be out of jobs. I would hope they find positions on cruise ships of more up-to-date fleets.
I read the posts in the forum, and even those that defend the ship -- like yours -- agree that her days have passed, and we shouldn't expect the luxury promised on the DVD we received. We plan to cruise on the ship as part of a vacation package to Florida which we purchased. On one hand, I expect exactly what you describe -- and in a sense am curious about sailing on one of the old hands of the cruise industry.
We are experienced cruisers, with such lines as Holland america, NCL, and Royal Caribbean. This promises to be an experience more than a vacation.:rolleyes: