Review: 5 Nights on Empress of the Seas (with 50+ Pictures!)

[happicruzer]

Thank you so much for your review. We are on her next month, second cruise to Cuba - my husband was over the moon when this cruise opened up. I'm happy to go to Key West as he doesn't want to drive there.

Judy

[LuCruise]

Without traffic, yes. Uber should about $35-40.

 

Great. Thanks for getting back to me.

Loving your report.

[angusblevins]

Amazing review! We sail on Empress on 4/10!

 

 

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[riviera]

Your review was wonderful. Please do one for your Cuba sailing. We are on her in September for Cuba. Thanks again.

 

 

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[BillOh]

Empress of the Seas Review - Continued

 

DRAMA ON THE HIGH SEAS

 

A little excitement and a overall good ending. Hats off to the great crew for their efforts. Heck who knows, maybe there's an insurance claim to be made on the finish boat too. Not to mention a free cruise to CocoCay! :cool:

 

 

COMING UP NEXT:

Day five: CocoCay, Bahamas

 

Thanks for relaying this story. I always say I can find something new an interesting in every review. This one wasn't hard.

[BillOh]

We spoke to one of the bartenders that day on the island and he said that last week there were 2 RCI ships there. There were certainly enough beach chairs, but I'm glad ours was the only ship there that day! ;p

 

I've been there with Majesty and Soverign, I thought that was crowded.

[BillOh]

Thanks, CC!

Thanks to all who read and commented on this post! Hold me accountable for doing more reviews! ;)

 

 

Great job. I may give Empress a try when she moves to Tampa.

[UMDelt]

Great job. I may give Empress a try when she moves to Tampa.

 

Thanks, Bill. Appreciate all your comments on this thread. I'll write another review in early August after we sail on her again from Tampa.

[pmck]

Not much of a Bloody Mary guy, so not sure. Sorry.

There were Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's at brunch.. Sorry had the mimosa's, but people at our table seemed to enjoy the Bloody's.

[nolimits]

Thank You going on Empress the 24th and trying to figure out value of drink package for my self .Im D so 3 coupons ,club Royale player so free drinks in casino,D sail away DBuyI get1 coupon So I can do 10/15 drinks in course of day. Not sure if I do a couple of Bloodys that I would be able to drink That much poolside to get my money's worth even on a sea days . So if they do drink coupon That'll be best for me I think.

[ConnecticutFlamingo]

Thank you for your honest review! My sister and I will be on her April 19th for her first cruise to Havana! We can't wait! 😀

[Rclplatnm]

Thanks for sharing your review. I am looking forward to my September sailing - Havana overnight.

 

 

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[Ruskincruiser]

Thank you for your review of the Empress. My first cruise was in Dec. 2013 on the "Little Ship With A Big Heart" and I've been addicted to cruising ever since. My boyfriend and I will be on the Key West/Cuba cruising on July 1st. I can't wait to see her again. :D

[dinse4par2]

Thanks for the review. We are sailing on Empress to Cuba 5/20. One of our friends sailing with us is a first time cruiser. Some of the reviews she has read have her a bit concerned, particularly one that mentioned the smell of sewage. Thanks again.

 

 

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[TNcruising02]

Reviews with pictures are the best. Thanks for a great review with so many amazing pictures.

[Sandy Sails]

Loved your review - thanks so much and so glad you had an amazing time!

 

Empress has a special place in my heart as that is where I met my husband 11 years ago - in fact exactly 11 years ago we were on the ship! We just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary 2 days ago - which was on the exact day we met in the disco the year before.

[1cruise2U]

Great review! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you both had a lovely time.

 

We'll be on a cruise out of Miami too and didn't even think about the option of flying to Ft Lauderdale if flights are cheaper. Looks like it's about a 45 min drive? Did you rent a car or taxi/uber?

We usually take the train it is only a few dollars to get to Miami and then you can take a uber or hotel shuttle to your hotel.....we actually fly into west palm beach and saved $100 each when we sailed last December

[grandmarnnurse]

We usually take the train it is only a few dollars to get to Miami and then you can take a uber or hotel shuttle to your hotel.....we actually fly into west palm beach and saved $100 each when we sailed last December

 

I would avoid any airport around West Palm Beach, as I heard that all air traffic is rerouted there whenever the President is at Mar Lago. Air Force One is at West Palm Beach when he is there, and he is there nearly every weekend. I still vote for Ft Lauderdale as closest and cheapest for any cruise out of Miami. But be aware---when flying home out of Ft Lauderdale, that airport is ill equipped to handle the volume of passengers that go through there post cruise. People are usually sitting all over on floors, or where ever they can find a space, and there is very little in terms of dining venues, too. It can be a nightmare! That is why For my next cruise in January, I will definetly fly INTO FLL, but will look at flying OUT of Miami for home. If price is too high, I guess I will just have to grin and bear it (flying out of FLL)!!

[perrero1]

More pictures and more review to come! Might take me a day or two to finish though :) Hit me up with any questions you might have!

My wife and I are sailing on the Empress 5 days to Havana in Oct. We live near the border in San Diego and speak Spanish. Anyway how was the food on the Empress. Also is there a $ 7.95 service charge for room service. I don't mind tiping the room service person for bringing coffee, juice and toast, but $ 7.95 really

[grandmarnnurse]

My wife and I are sailing on the Empress 5 days to Havana in Oct. We live near the border in San Diego and speak Spanish. Anyway how was the food on the Empress. Also is there a $ 7.95 service charge for room service. I don't mind tiping the room service person for bringing coffee, juice and toast, but $ 7.95 really

 

I can't speak for the Empress concerning the start of the new $7.95 room service charge, but just ordering a continental breakfast of coffee, juice, toast, or pastries will not have that service charge, and will remain complimentary.

[UMDelt]

Anyway how was the food on the Empress.

 

Food was a cut above the rest within the fleet, IMO. Check out my "Conclusions & Last Thoughts" post within this thread for more: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=52758447&postcount=56

[Lisette325]

Food was a cut above the rest within the fleet, IMO. Check out my "Conclusions & Last Thoughts" post within this thread for more: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=52758447&postcount=56

 

 

Yes, the food on Empress was very good. Windjammer was clean and constantly taking out fresh food, the salads were so good. Overall, great food experience.

 

 

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[pmck]

I can't speak for the Empress concerning the start of the new $7.95 room service charge, but just ordering a continental breakfast of coffee, juice, toast, or pastries will not have that service charge, and will remain complimentary.

 

 

I think I remember seeing that charge was only for a certain time frame.. Like 12:00-5:00 a.m. Other times, there was no charge.

[LMaxwell]

I think I remember seeing that charge was only for a certain time frame.. Like 12:00-5:00 a.m. Other times, there was no charge.

That was the past. Now there is a 7.95 charge at all times, unless in a GS or higher. Continental breakfast remains free.

[grandmarnnurse]

I think I remember seeing that charge was only for a certain time frame.. Like 12:00-5:00 a.m. Other times, there was no charge.

 

That is how it used to be. RCCL started the $7.95 service fee for room service just over the past few months. Continental breakfast is the ONLY thing without that charge. They have expanded their room service menu, though, if that's any consilation.