TheBamBam
September 4th, 2007, 10:34 PM
Well, I would like to let everyone know that I have been on 16 cruises. Carnival, RCCL, NCL and Crystal. For each one, I have different expectations.
Carnival is the fun ship. RCCL and NCL are a little bit less partying and gives a bit more in service. Crystal is Service to a level that far exceeds the other cruiselines I have been on. I do not include this, but there used to be a overnight cruise from Portland, ME to Nova Scotia and back, The Scotia Prince. It was just a 23 hour cruise The cabin were basic with the bathroom down the hall. LOL Basically a ferry boat that had cabins. 11,000 tons. I based my expectations of the Regal Empress to this. I felt that was fair.
Boarding the ship: I have to admit, it would help if they send something to cruiser to explain what was needed. That alone would save alot of time. Everything has to be in duplicate. Right now, you do not need a passport, but I think that is changing next year. Well, once the documents are filled out, you wait in another line to x-ray the bags. Where you go to another line to get your cabin assignment. Finally, the final line where you get to choose your dinner assignment. One hour later, we were on the ship.
The Regal Empress: You see the other ships in the port and then there is the Regal Empress. You can see it is a much older ship. Think the top deck of the Empress barely made it to the first window of some of the Mega Ships. One thing you notice, when you first walk in, is that there is no grand entrance, no Wow factor. I nice enterence way but no waterfalls, grand stair case. or anything like that. After dropping off the luggage in the cabin, I'll go over the cabin a bit later, we went to the pool deck. Small pool, but 2 good size Jacquzis. We had lunch at the buffet. Nothing great, but the food was hot and not too bad at all. They even had a carving station. Drinks are push upon you often, a polite no got them to go elsewhere. They were not just letting the ship fall to pieces like I have heard in other reviews. They were painting and cleaning the deck and other parts of the ship. The show room was big enough to hold everyone and there really were not noot many "bad seats" there at all. The casino was suprisingly large. I guess we can figure out what there money makers are. The was actually impressed with the size and the appearence of the Diningroom. I thought it was quite nice.
OK, the cabin: We booked a cat 12 cabin and decided to stay there. Ok, the cabin could not have been more than 90 sq. ft. The Bathroom was 4x4 max. The shower was tiny, however, the secret was to simply shower without the curtain. There is a drain in the bathroom floor, so water would drian down there. Upper and lower beds. I actually thought they were comfortable. I just brought a weekender bag which fitted nicely under my bed. No TV. There is no TV in any cabin Cat 8 and below. The cabin was clean. I didn't see mold or anything else like that in the bathroom. The chest of draws was a bit worn, but functioned. They did have a bed turndown each evening. No chocolates though. We actually had a Cat 12 cabin on the upper deck. so everything was in easy access.
Food: It was actually good. I would put it in the same level as Carnival. Dinner was served. Warm foods were warm and cold was cold. I actually had worst on other cruises before. They serve a Midnight buffet each night. Good food. Italian the first night and Mexican the 2nd. They did have a VERY basic room service. Cold sandwiches and a chef's salad. They were quick and not bad.
Service was overall very good. I never felt I was a bothering the staff. They were glad to help. I was on Crystal Symphony last Dec. and our waiter was downright rude.
Good shows and a pretty active disco and bars. It was really a lot of fun in the evening. The casino had the slots and most other games you expect from a ship's casino They even had a true Texas Hold'em $3/$6.
It was actually a smooth sailing both ways from the Bahamas. we arrived in the Bahamas on a Sunday, so shopping was limited to the typical tourist stuff. Other than that and going to the beach, not too much to do there.
As cruise ships goes, I was expecting a Motel 6 and got a Days Inn. A true rating, I would give it a 2 1/2 stars, Based on what I expected from this cruise line, giving what I read about it before I boarded, I would give it 3 1/2 stars. I had fun and would do it again.
In final: This is not a typical cruise ship. She is older and is showing her age. If you enter this with a open mind and not too high expectations, you will have a good time.
Joel
Carnival is the fun ship. RCCL and NCL are a little bit less partying and gives a bit more in service. Crystal is Service to a level that far exceeds the other cruiselines I have been on. I do not include this, but there used to be a overnight cruise from Portland, ME to Nova Scotia and back, The Scotia Prince. It was just a 23 hour cruise The cabin were basic with the bathroom down the hall. LOL Basically a ferry boat that had cabins. 11,000 tons. I based my expectations of the Regal Empress to this. I felt that was fair.
Boarding the ship: I have to admit, it would help if they send something to cruiser to explain what was needed. That alone would save alot of time. Everything has to be in duplicate. Right now, you do not need a passport, but I think that is changing next year. Well, once the documents are filled out, you wait in another line to x-ray the bags. Where you go to another line to get your cabin assignment. Finally, the final line where you get to choose your dinner assignment. One hour later, we were on the ship.
The Regal Empress: You see the other ships in the port and then there is the Regal Empress. You can see it is a much older ship. Think the top deck of the Empress barely made it to the first window of some of the Mega Ships. One thing you notice, when you first walk in, is that there is no grand entrance, no Wow factor. I nice enterence way but no waterfalls, grand stair case. or anything like that. After dropping off the luggage in the cabin, I'll go over the cabin a bit later, we went to the pool deck. Small pool, but 2 good size Jacquzis. We had lunch at the buffet. Nothing great, but the food was hot and not too bad at all. They even had a carving station. Drinks are push upon you often, a polite no got them to go elsewhere. They were not just letting the ship fall to pieces like I have heard in other reviews. They were painting and cleaning the deck and other parts of the ship. The show room was big enough to hold everyone and there really were not noot many "bad seats" there at all. The casino was suprisingly large. I guess we can figure out what there money makers are. The was actually impressed with the size and the appearence of the Diningroom. I thought it was quite nice.
OK, the cabin: We booked a cat 12 cabin and decided to stay there. Ok, the cabin could not have been more than 90 sq. ft. The Bathroom was 4x4 max. The shower was tiny, however, the secret was to simply shower without the curtain. There is a drain in the bathroom floor, so water would drian down there. Upper and lower beds. I actually thought they were comfortable. I just brought a weekender bag which fitted nicely under my bed. No TV. There is no TV in any cabin Cat 8 and below. The cabin was clean. I didn't see mold or anything else like that in the bathroom. The chest of draws was a bit worn, but functioned. They did have a bed turndown each evening. No chocolates though. We actually had a Cat 12 cabin on the upper deck. so everything was in easy access.
Food: It was actually good. I would put it in the same level as Carnival. Dinner was served. Warm foods were warm and cold was cold. I actually had worst on other cruises before. They serve a Midnight buffet each night. Good food. Italian the first night and Mexican the 2nd. They did have a VERY basic room service. Cold sandwiches and a chef's salad. They were quick and not bad.
Service was overall very good. I never felt I was a bothering the staff. They were glad to help. I was on Crystal Symphony last Dec. and our waiter was downright rude.
Good shows and a pretty active disco and bars. It was really a lot of fun in the evening. The casino had the slots and most other games you expect from a ship's casino They even had a true Texas Hold'em $3/$6.
It was actually a smooth sailing both ways from the Bahamas. we arrived in the Bahamas on a Sunday, so shopping was limited to the typical tourist stuff. Other than that and going to the beach, not too much to do there.
As cruise ships goes, I was expecting a Motel 6 and got a Days Inn. A true rating, I would give it a 2 1/2 stars, Based on what I expected from this cruise line, giving what I read about it before I boarded, I would give it 3 1/2 stars. I had fun and would do it again.
In final: This is not a typical cruise ship. She is older and is showing her age. If you enter this with a open mind and not too high expectations, you will have a good time.
Joel