Empress OTS to be home-ported at Miami

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Empress of the seas will have a bow to stern 'makeover' with refreshed cabins. The ship is stated to be being 'Re-imagined' and not 'revitalized'

 

The main work of the refit will concentrate on repurposing the specialty restaurant back to Chops Grill, Re-vamping the lounge as a Boleros venue and adding spa services. The Casino Royale will be 're-imagined'

 

The pool party event 'PLUNGE' will be a new addition for Empress sailings.

 

This JS looks very nice:

 

[MADflyer]

Opening these sailings today allows them to see how the various 4 and 5 night options book in advance of going out with the sailings from July. That seems like a good move on their part.

 

As I have mentioned previously when I started the thread, they have booked at Key West long into the future already allowing for the 5/5/4 pattern.

[ADS94]

This sure is short notice. Royal's internet infrastructure for the Empress broken on a lot of levels. The reservation on RCCL's website has broken links, and tons of references to the Majesty. My "5 Night Key West & Grand Cayman Cruise" only has shore tours available for Cozumel, Mexico.

 

Any link I click on in my cruises brings me to a Majesty OTS page. It's also worth noting that the picture used for the ship preview in My Cruises is a Sovereign-class ship.

 

It seems like this was really rushed. I am surprised, they had a decent amount of time from the announcement to set up the backend.

[MADflyer]

This JS looks very nice:

 

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That looks great. Where did you find that rendering?

[RFerrington]

I just booked an aft Owner's Suite for April 2016 and got a 58% Crown & Anchor (D+) discount. Pretty hard to pass this up, even if it is going to be a party ship !

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

That looks great. Where did you find that rendering?

 

It was attached with the press release, on the press center website.

[MADflyer]

I just booked an aft Owner's Suite for April 2016 and got a 58% Crown & Anchor (D+) discount. Pretty hard to pass this up, even if it is going to be a party ship !

 

My booking for a JS gave me $400 OBC last night and I am not sure why.

 

They are incentivizing TAs on booking this ship from today, so all kinds of offers should show up in the coming days.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

This sure is short notice. Royal's internet infrastructure for the Empress broken on a lot of levels. The reservation on RCCL's website has broken links, and tons of references to the Majesty. My "5 Night Key West & Grand Cayman Cruise" only has shore tours available for Cozumel, Mexico.

 

Any link I click on in my cruises brings me to a Majesty OTS page. It's also worth noting that the picture used for the ship preview in My Cruises is a Sovereign-class ship.

 

It seems like this was really rushed. I am surprised, they had a decent amount of time from the announcement to set up the backend.

 

Did you honestly expect anything more from the Royal IT department? :p

[MADflyer]

Did you honestly expect anything more from the Royal IT department? :p

 

They are still loading many sailings. I had not seen the press release yet.

 

I had booked one sailing last night when they first opened that went through without a problem and expect to do the same with another now, if they get it fully loaded.

[Downdie]

Correct, but without a complete gut they couldn't fix the lack of balconies and tiny cabins. Easier to just stock the bar and let her rip

 

The only thing that annoys me about the return of the Empress is that RCI, in their infinite wisdom,couldn't introduce this smaller, inferior facility and older ship as an all-inclusive vessel, which it has been for the last eight years with Pullmantur until this year when RCCL decided to cast off Pullmantur by eliminating that aspect which had the effect of making sure their Spanish clientel switch to other European lines like Costa and MSC with much more modern ships. Aren't North American passengers allowed a few perks for sailing on their clapped out ships?

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Does anyone have any old pictures of Empress to share? Just curious!

[eroller]

The only thing that annoys me about the return of the Empress is that RCI, in their infinite wisdom,couldn't introduce this smaller, inferior facility and older ship as an all-inclusive vessel?

 

 

 

 

This is exactly what NCL is doing with NORWEGIAN SKY starting January 1st. It will compete directly with EMPRESS.

 

Even though I prefer EMPRESS as a ship, if prices were equal it would be difficult not to choose NORWEGIAN SKY considering all alcohol is included.

[ADS94]

 

Nordic Empress old deckplans.

 

Here's my major takeaways from last time she sailed with Royal.

 

Deck Three: 6 Cabins on Deck Three all the way forward have been taken out.

Deck Four: No changes

Deck Five: Theater, Explorations Desk, Information Desk have been renamed. Carousel Pub turned into the Schooner Bar. Conference Centre and unknown area turned into Chops. Casino Royal Lower level turned into Next Cruise and picture gallery.

Deck Six: High Society Lounge turned into Boleros. Compass Room becomes the Video Arcade. Old Photo gallery removed, Casino Royale takes over its former location.

Deck Seven: No changes

Deck Eight: No changes

Deck Nine: Library added to forward Stairs/Elevator

Deck Ten: Adventure Ocean expands, takes over the Kids' Playroom and two unidentified rooms. Shipshape Centre/Gym/Spa merged into just the "Spa"

[mpoole3]

Would you rather do Brilliance B2B (9 days) or Empress B2B (7 days)

 

Booked on Brilliance now, thinking about switching to empress. Am I crazy? :confused:

[eroller]

Would you rather do Brilliance B2B (9 days) or Empress B2B (7 days)

 

 

 

Booked on Brilliance now, thinking about switching to empress. Am I crazy? :confused:

 

 

Yes crazy. Stick with BRILLIANCE. Superior ship in every way possible.

[ADS94]

Yes crazy. Stick with BRILLIANCE. Superior ship in every way possible.

 

I agree with this. I'd only suggest the Empress if you are looking for a cruise that's actually really cheap. I have the Brilliance booked for next fall and wouldn't ditch it for the Empress.

[wblynch]

Well Empress won't have the balconies or half the venues of the Brilliance. Does Brilliance still have the gyro controlled billiard tables?

[LMaxwell]

Rechecked prices logged in with Diamond discount; jeez, that's a HUGE discount. they must be hoping all the C&A crowd in So Fla packs the ship in short notice.

 

Also, the courtesy hold button is back for Empress. Go figure.

[ADS94]

Rechecked prices logged in with Diamond discount; jeez, that's a HUGE discount. they must be hoping all the C&A crowd in So Fla packs the ship in short notice.

 

Also, the courtesy hold button is back for Empress. Go figure.

 

Yeah, it's massive. BOGO takes off 1066 for me in the OS. C&A takes off 1566. I wish it was like this for all ships!

 

On another note... Royal's IT department still has some trouble. All of the Voyager-class ships vanished from the ship page!

[LMaxwell]

Would you rather do Brilliance B2B (9 days) or Empress B2B (7 days)

 

Booked on Brilliance now, thinking about switching to empress. Am I crazy? :confused:

 

Brilliance 9 day. twice the size. more days = more better.

[mpoole3]

Brilliance 9 day. twice the size. more days = more better.

 

Only "perk" of empress would be double points for solo, I'm booked in the solo cabin on Brilliance. But I don't like the idea of losing 2 days, for the same cost.

[mpoole3]

Well Empress won't have the balconies or half the venues of the Brilliance. Does Brilliance still have the gyro controlled billiard tables?

 

Well I'll do inside anyways, since I'm sailing solo. Yes, the BR does of the cool billiards table. I guess I as excited to try a new ship, as I've sailed on Brilliance before.

[MADflyer]

[Nordic Empress old deckplans.

 

Here's my major takeaways from last time she sailed with Royal.

 

Deck Three: 6 Cabins on Deck Three all the way forward have been taken out.

Deck Four: No changes

Deck Five: Theater, Explorations Desk, Information Desk have been renamed. Carousel Pub turned into the Schooner Bar. Conference Centre and unknown area turned into Chops. Casino Royal Lower level turned into Next Cruise and picture gallery.

Deck Six: High Society Lounge turned into Boleros. Compass Room becomes the Video Arcade. Old Photo gallery removed, Casino Royale takes over its former location.

Deck Seven: No changes

Deck Eight: No changes

Deck Nine: Library added to forward Stairs/Elevator

Deck Ten: Adventure Ocean expands, takes over the Kids' Playroom and two unidentified rooms. Shipshape Centre/Gym/Spa merged into just the "Spa"

 

I think most of those changes had already been done prior to Empress leaving the RCI fleet in the major 2003 revitalization.

 

The Pullmantur adaption only changed the Chops Grill to an Asian fusion venue. The ship already had a Schooner and it was left intact.

 

The lounge was left alone and will now be converted to Boleros. I think the arcade was there with RCI.

[LMaxwell]

Only "perk" of empress would be double points for solo, I'm booked in the solo cabin on Brilliance. But I don't like the idea of losing 2 days, for the same cost.

Points are no big deal in the grand scheme of things. Diamond brings most of the big benefits as I am sure you are well aware. D+ is a little extra icing.

 

It's been too hard for me to justify Royal's pricing lately. Pay double with Royal and get nothing really more than other lines, so don't sweat the points, really. More days is always better.

 

The only thing that would sway me is if Empress goes to ports you haven't been to and Brilliance goes to places you've been. If you can try a new ship and hit new ports, that changes the value perspective, IMO.

 

With C&A discounts Empress is priced where it SHOULD be. Their regular market rates are kind of crazy though. I'd just get on the NCL Sky to the Bahamas with unlimited booze in that case. That was actually a really nice ship.

Edited December 22, 2015 by LMaxwell

[undercat]

In for 2 on Empress, Memorial Day weekend. IMHO not a bad price for a 5-day holiday float with no Nassau and two sea days. OV cabin, new to Royal with no C&A discount but $200 OBC. Hoping VOOM will be "free"/included at no additional charge.