Empress 1/17/05 review

[KathytheKidd]

Nita, thanks for posting your review...reading it made me anxious to cruise again.

denb, your picture of the aft balcony brought back memories of our last cruise on the Rhapsody. We were in 8652 an aft also, it was probably the best cabin we ever stayed in.

[NitaBcruising]

Thanks Kathy, it was nice of you to come here to read it! :)

 

Bob and Denb, thanks for your contributions! :D

[sunnygram]

Nita - I see that you and Gary are booked on the TP next march. We're possibly interested in that cruise but need encouragement - never been on Princess, never been to that part of the globe. What can you tell me? What kind of ship is it? Don't want to go on another ship quite as small as Empress - what kind of cabin did you book? What about the itinerary? I know you've cruised the south pacific before, so any infor would be appreciated. Thanks Beryl

[BuckeyeJohn]

Vicki, on the 1/17 sailing you could purchase liquor onboard and have it in your room for an extra $9.50 per bottle. We had an aft JS (7186) but it's laid out differently than 8686. Our balcony was comfortable with a couple of chairs and a table. Yours will be larger.

 

We have traveled a fair amount, but this was our first cruise experience. We weren't sure what to expect, but we found the Empress and her crew to be very enjoyable. I guess folks that are used to the larger class of ships don't think much of the Empress, but for me it sure beat sitting in my office for 11 days. Was it a good experience? We're now looking at an Alaskan cruise. Enough said.

 

Nita, thanks for the pictures and great review. Since we were on several of the island tours with you, I don't have much to add. Just be prepared for a good time on the Empress and this itinerary. Remember, you are only fighting with that shower curtain for about 10 minutes a day.

[erniesband]

Hi, everyone from the 1/17 cruise - Jodi and Ernie here. (For those of you on this thread who weren't on that cruise, we're Sunnygram's neice and nephew and BuckeyeJohn's brother- and sister-in-law.) We enjoyed our cruise, too - and this is the first time we've been on a ship this small. As Bob4Cruise mentioned, there were some rough seas, but we enjoyed it - made for good sleeping :D , and yes, the cabins are small - our JS was a little smaller than the D1's we get on Radiance Class ships, with poorer storage. We had cabin 9616 - more open shelves to store your clothes in than drawers or closed shelves, and some positively unusable little triangular shelves under the dressing table. And the dreaded shower curtain in the teeny bathroom. Radiance class ships have round shower stalls with shower doors. We did have a sitting area, since we weren't in an aft js, which gave us enough space to deal with. But then again, who spends a heck of a lot of time in their cabin?

 

We went to the RCI singers and dancers' shows, and thought they were some of the best production shows we've ever seen. The only game show we went to was Quest, and yep, it's still a ball. ITS, the Boleros dance band was good (and from the Cleveland area, I might add). We thought the ship's crew was superb (with the exception of my sister and brother-in-law's invisible cabin steward), and enjoyed our dining room experience, including the food. Noone at our table went to Portofino's, or even the Windjammer, for dinner. We did breakfast in either the Windjammer or or cabin, and lunched in the Windjammer a couple of times. The rest of our lunches were on the islands. The Windjammer is still the older cafeteria-line style. The food was fine, but I do prefer the newer Windjammers. They were rather slow to clean off the tables in the Windjammer, so on the sea day and on the last day it could be difficult finding a place to eat in there. One more note about our cabin - we had the thermostat turned up all the way, but it was still too chilly unless we had the balcony door open. Others had the opposite complaint. Bring your bungee cord - the balcony door is not a sliding door, and does not stay open, you'll need to bungee it to the verandah railing, and if you're in an aft, you won't have anywhere to bungee it to, at least my sister and brother-in-law didn't.

 

We got to San Juan one day early, in the evening, and stayed at The Milano, on Forteleza in Old San Juan. The rooms are small, but not bad. There is no porter service, but they do have a luggage cart you can snag to move your luggage. The roof-top restaurant serves a basic continental breakfast (included in your room rate), but cannot be reached by elevator - only the stairs. We had front queen rooms, which are the largest in the place (and still not big), and could hear the outside kind of like it was inside. We'd stay there again, though, all things considered. The rate wasn't bad for San Juan in January. Had dinner at the Parrot Club, one of our favorite places, and once again, it didn't disappoint. We had intended on eating at Dragonfly, but as it turns out, they aren't open on Sundays. We'll have to eat there next year, when we get in on a Friday.

 

Monday, St. Maarten, 4 of us spent the morning walking around Phillipsburg (check out the YodaGuy - he's the guy who designed Yoda for the Star Wars movies, and now has a shop with his original art and interesting momentos from Star Wars in Phillipsburg), then caught a cab to Orient Beach. Had a very interesting cab driver, who claims that Bob Dole owns large portions of the French side of the island. :rolleyes: He also said he was certain we'd see Nichole Kidman and Roseanne Barr on St. Barth's - walking hand in hand on the beach. Saw a BIG yacht in the harbor there - named the Christina O, out of Athens. Any guesses who THAT belongs to?

 

Tuesday, St. Barth's - my aunt, uncle, sil, bil and the 2 of us took a different taxi tour than Nita did, but probably saw the same things. We ended up at St. Jean beach, too, on the other side of it from Nita. We ate lunch at a restaurant on the beach there, Nikki's on the beach. Expensive, but good. Came out to $66.00 for the two of us - for sushi, spring rolls and cokes.

 

We were on Ilva's tour on St. Kitt's, and Mandoo's in Grenada, and echo the above opinions. We had rain each of these days, on and off, and saw a beautiful rainbow on St. Kitt's. Mandoo didn't take us to the waterfall that Cheryl and Kevin and Bob and Vicki went to - he didn't trust the roads up there yet, and I am willing to agree with Bob that they were among the first to try and get there since the hurricane hit. We were also on the Glory tour in Barbados.

 

On St. Lucia the six of us took a tour with Frank, and had a great time! The 2 of us have been to St. Lucia several times, and have seen all of the sites (including spending a day at Ti Kaye a couple of years ago, when the water was calmer and the snorkeling wonderful), but my aunt and uncle and sil and bil hadn't. We tried getting some snorkeling in at Anse Chastenet in the afternoon, but the water was rough, lots of sand in it made visibility poor, and, it was raining. Back to the ship... We enjoyed Frank's tour, and will probably see him when we return to St. Lucia next year.

 

On Margarita we stayed by the pier - there are bunches of shops and stalls there, most with the usual cruise stop chachkis, but some nicer handmade stuff mixed in, and a beach with chairs and shade to rent, $10.00 for 2 chairs and shade for the day. There's a bar/grill with music, and the beer vendors on the 2 beaches had their boomboxes cranked up. The water was shallow and calm. No rain!!!

 

In Curacao, we walked around Willemstad in the morning - we love Willemstad, for the color and the architechture, went to the synagogue, found a little cafe for lunch, and then took a cab to Jan Thiel beach. $3.00 per person admission, $3.00 for chairs. Good facilities, nice atmosphere. This is not a typical cruiser's destination - it was recommended by our taxi driver, and seems to serve mostly Dutch visitors and island residents. Snorkeling there was like being in a huge aquarium - pretty clear, very calm. There's a small wreck within easy swimming distance, but there wasn't a lot of sea life hanging out by it. Saw plenty of fish, not much coral.

 

In Aruba, the 6 of us rented a Suzuki SUV and did some off-roading, following the path of one of the 4x4 tours. Again, the 2 of us have been there before, and served as tour guides for the other 4. Tried a couple of different beaches for snorkeling in the afternoon, Arashi, and Baby Beach, but due to the wind, the waves, and the sand in the water, didn't end up spending much time on the beach. No rain, though :D

 

We were all ready for our sea day! Spent it relaxing, packing and sitting on deck - where it clouded over, and started raining. Oh well, still enjoyed our cruise, and little rain is a whole lot better than snow!

 

We did the El Yunque tour, along with my mom, who had stayed on board for most of the cruise, before we came home. NOTE: DON'T SIGN UP FOR THIS TOUR IF YOUR FLIGHT IS BEFORE 5:30 pm - two of the people on the tour had a 4:30 flight, despite the notation on the Explorations paperwork, and were very nervous about making their flight. The rainforest tour is worth doing - pretty, and the only tropical rainforest in the US park system. However, our guide spoke almost no English. Made it to the airport by 2:30, but that can't be guaranteed. It's a great way to spend the day, and not have to worry about dragging your luggage around - RCI puts in on a truck to the airport in the morning, and you pick it up there at the American Airlines holding area (it is watched during the day while you're not there). If you need a porter to get your luggage back to your airline, you'll have to talk to someone about getting one for you.

 

We enjoyed our cruise, being with our family and our cruise critic friends, and are all set to go again next year, back to the Radiance class southern itinerary, on Serenade.

 

Jodi

[Spanky My]

Another good review! Keep them coming folks the more we read the better educated many us will be for our upcoming trip on the empress of the sea. Thanks again...Spanky My

[bob4cruise]

We had an aft JS (7186) but it's laid out differently than 8686. Our balcony was comfortable with a couple of chairs and a table. Yours will be larger.

but we found the Empress and her crew to be very enjoyable. I guess folks that are used to the larger class of ships don't think much of the Empress, but for me it sure beat sitting in my office for 11 days. Was it a good experience? We're now looking at an Alaskan cruise.

 

make sure you book a balcony for alaska you'll get to use it a lot more while cruising the glaser days..

 

and I love your beats sitting in the office for 11 day's that's almost what I say when people tell me I'm crasy for working on the i-net a couple nites per cruise. but that's how I got to take 27 cruises in 5 years.

 

BobG

[NitaBcruising]

Thanks Jodi, for adding your comments! I think it's the addition of what others did, that can make for a more balanced overview! And beings we weren't on all the same excursions, I learned from you, too! In fact, can you give me the contact info for Frank on St. Lucia? We are going back in Nov. and it's one of our stops. An island tour sounds good, beings it's been a few years since we did one.

 

Also, I wrote the info down for what you did in Curacao, as we'll also be going there again! Do you recall how much the taxi was each way to Jan Thiel beach?

 

BTW, it was great meeting all the CCers on this cruise! We enjoyed your company on tours and on the ship!

[NitaBcruising]

Nita - I see that you and Gary are booked on the TP next march. We're possibly interested in that cruise but need encouragement - never been on Princess, never been to that part of the globe. What can you tell me? What kind of ship is it? Don't want to go on another ship quite as small as Empress - what kind of cabin did you book? What about the itinerary? I know you've cruised the south pacific before, so any infor would be appreciated. Thanks Beryl

 

Beryl, I love the Tahitian Princess and French Polynesia! Definitely my favorite destination and ship! But, the TP is smaller, only 680 persons! It is tastefully done, and still not very old, as it was the Rennaisance IV. It is sometimes quite rough to and from Rarotonga, and it bothers some folks. I just take a less-drowsy dramamine and do fine. We get a balcony on this ship, preferably mid-ship.

 

The itinerary is great, but not a lot of sightseeing to do, other than circle island tours, or 4x4 tours that can be quite rough. I never do them, as my back can't take the rough rides! We always do snorkeling, swimming with sting rays and sharks, and island picnics. A sunset cruise on the overnighter in Bora Bora is also very nice! The beauty of the islands is stunning, with beautiful warm, turquoise water, high mountains, some nice beachs, and friendly local people! Car rentals are easy to do, if you book in advance. There is one road around each island, so you can't get lost! This is a good choice, with a good map! Not much shopping on the islands. Papeete and Raroronga are the best places to shop a bit. Otherwise it's local crafts or black pearls only!

 

Princess is about my favorite line, along with Celebrity. But the Empress was right up there, too, except for the smaller cabins! Service was very good, and the food was also good.

 

I hope this helps!

[TwiliteNights]

Can anyone tell me what time the lifeboat drill is on the Empress. If you've stated it previously, excuse me for asking again.

 

Thanks ahead of time for the info.

[NitaBcruising]

Twilite,

 

I was trying to outwait someone to answer, as I'm not postivie! I THINK it was at 5:30 pm (maybe 5:00 ?) the first night. Anyone else remember for sure??? :o

[JH1002]

Lifeboat Drill was 5:30PM

[NitaBcruising]

Thanks Jennifer! I'm glad someone remembered positively! :D

[pcumberl]

Nita,

 

Do you recall which beach you went to in Grenada as part of Mandoo's tour? Was it Grand Anse? We have scheduled a tour through him next month but unfortuantely won't be in his vehicle due to a family booking a private tour with him ahead of us. He did say we'd be riding with an associate of his that would be following his vehicle - a caravan of sorts. TIA.

 

~Paul

 

PS. Feels strange posting on the RCCI board :o.

[NitaBcruising]

Nita,

 

Do you recall which beach you went to in Grenada as part of Mandoo's tour? Was it Grand Anse? We have scheduled a tour through him next month but unfortuantely won't be in his vehicle due to a family booking a private tour with him ahead of us. He did say we'd be riding with an associate of his that would be following his vehicle - a caravan of sorts. TIA.

 

~Paul

 

PS. Feels strange posting on the RCCI board :o.

 

Paul, no, I can't remember! :o It was not Grand Anse, but just beyond it. I'm not sure why we didn't go to Grand Anse, as that was what we thought we'd do. The beach we went to was very nice, and had chair rentals, plus a cafe. I know if someone on the tour sees this, they may remember. I will too, when I hear it! :rolleyes:

 

If you are caravanning, you will still get the benefit of his tour info at the sights. He was very knowledgeable at the spice estate. I'm sure he will have a very good assistant! Have fun, and I hope someone else from my group sees this! :)

[NitaBcruising]

Paul, it was Morne Rouge Beach! It is just south of Grand Anse Beach.

Thanks Jennifer for the answer! :D I knew someone would know! :)

[pcumberl]

[quote name='Nita']..it was Morne Rouge Beach! It is just south of Grand Anse Beach.[/QUOTE]Cool, thanks! I had heard Morne Rouge was just past Grand Anse. There's a Party Catamaran Excursion offered by Princess that takes you there where you pass Grand Anse. I had asked Jumbie about it in the Caribbean - Others Forum. He mentioned it looked in good shape. I've also read that it is inundated with vendors that don't like to take no for an answer. Did you find this to be the case? In any event, Mandoo replied to me saying his tour for us would be be stopping at Grand Anse. Either one would be fine since we've never visited his home. Grand Anse this time, Morne Rouge next time. Isn't cruising fun :) !

~Paul

[NitaBcruising]

Paul,

You're welcome! We weren't on the beach very long, as we ate first, then ran out of time! And we may have gotten there late enough that the vendors were gone. Anyway, no problem for us!

BTW, a quick comment to all about dealing with the purser's desk. When we got our bill the last morning, I had DH check it against my receipts. We found a drink on the bill, that wasn't ours. I know it wasn't, as we don't drink, just soda. So, I took it down to the purser's desk, even though $7.48 isn't much money. But, if this happened a lot, they could make a lot, from a little pp! I believe it was Juan at the purser's desk, he checked it out, and told me it would be later when it was fixed. I just checked my CC bill and the total charged reflects the minus of that drink amount! Kudos for Juan and RCI! :D I'm glad I took the few minutes to do this, as I feel very good about RCI and their help!

[maxs mom]

Hello Everyone!

I really appreciate all the information that you are providing here. Keep it coming. We are boarding the Empress for the fourth time on March 14th. Looking forward to this itinerary.

If there is anyone sailing on the 14th of March....check in with our Roll Call....we've got a great group, but looking for more. Here is the link:

[url="http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=88635"]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=88635[/url]

[NitaBcruising]

I saw on that other thread where they saw missing switch type plates in the elevators. I wouldn't have seen that, as I use the stairs! I also didn't gain any weight on this cruise! And, I had ice cream or some dessert every day, even twice mostly!

And one person said they had mold on their shower curtain, so I checked mine better. It was perfectly clean! I would've mentioned it to the steward, if I was her!

I'm sure many of the complaints about this cruise, is the ship not being anything like the other RCI ships! And the small cabins! I didn't like that the cabins were small, but it was okay, and I loved the itinerary, and the ship, other than the cabin size! :) I know earlier on this thread, Bob commented on the dancing at night. So, it didn't die down completely at night! And the casino stayed busy into the night! :D

[sunnygram]

Hi NIta - funny you should mention the shower curtain (I didn't think there was anything funny about the shower curtain) - ours was pretty beat up and had mold spots. I did not mention it to the steward but we came back to our cabin, I think maybe day 4, and there was a brand new fresh curtain hanging. Clearly, when they refurbished the Empress it was only in the public areas. The cabins haven't been touched but perhaps they are planning to that the next time in dry dock about a year from now. The first night out our cabin was very, very warm. I was not feeling well because of very rough seas, so perhaps it was partly me. Anyhow, we called maintenance and a guy came up and checked the temp in the cabin and then removed the cover of the AC on the ceiling, saying we'd get more air and he'd be back the next day (day 2) to replace it. He never came back and we had the "hole" in our ceiling the whole cruise. We didn't complain because the room temp was comfortable and I need a cool room. Just thought that was strange.[img]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon5.gif[/img]:rolleyes:

[AltaJoe]

ust back from a week away and I'm going back looking at eh Empress posts. Thanks to all on this one. Its a keeper.

[gamomluvs2cruise]

We will be on the Empress in May.(5-day) On our Mariner cruise last Sept., sushi was served in the Windjammer. Is this offered on the Empress as well?

I am enjoying all of your reviews and advice on the Empress. Although our itinerary will be different and shorter, I'm hoping to be able to experience some of the same shows that you all have seen on the Empress.

Thanks again!:)

[erniesband]

Don't know about the sushi, since we ate all our dinners in the dining room (I think there was some at the Caribbean night buffet, though, and it was the salmon sushi that I've seen on Radiance and Serenade), but Nita, I know why we went to Morne Rouge beach. I thought we'd be going to Grand Anse, too, but I'm pretty sure we ended up where we did because that's where Mandoo had arrangements with the restaurant.

And for those of you who like your rooms cool, try to book 9616; only way we could make it warm enough for our liking was by bungeeing the balcony door open

Jodi :D