Live from Empress - May 20, 2017 (Key West, Havana, and Cozumel)

[Alter Ego]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 20, 2017 by Alter Ego

[suesnake2002]

following

[RoLoHa]

I think hotel restaurants are easily overlooked.

 

Will report back re: shorts. However, I can say that I watched some YouTube videos to prep for my cruise and the person I was watching was always very very casual.

 

 

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Thanks...it was very casual when we cruised last year...just making sure nothing changed. ;-)

 

 

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[mooline]

Thank you so much! Your generosity in sharing your trip as it happens is greatly appreciated!

 

Cruising to Cuba on Empress in late June, first time RCCL. Quick Q about free beverages: your photo showed Lemonade, Iced Tea and 2 sugar frees- those are available at no charge? And those cookies - please tell me more! We are not elites, but we are booked in an OS.

 

Will be following you this week!

[reallyhooked]

Empress pictures are nice. Wishing you a great trip.

Reading reviews helps to overcome cruise withdrawal

[Alter Ego]

 

Cruising to Cuba on Empress in late June, first time RCCL. Quick Q about free beverages: your photo showed Lemonade, Iced Tea and 2 sugar frees- those are available at no charge? And those cookies - please tell me more! We are not elites, but we are booked in an OS.

 

 

Yes - those are the free beverage served during lunch in the Windjammer. I'm sure milk was there too, but I didn't look for it. I'm not doing a beverage package this cruise. In fact, will likely not drink that much on this particular cruise.

 

Also found these waters on the pool deck, near ice cream machine.

 

 

The cookies are because I'm Emerald- that and water are my first in-room perks. Not sure what OS people would get. Sorry. I think I read that these cookies aren't served anywhere else (?), but I don't know if I made this up.

 

 

 

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Edited May 20, 2017 by Alter Ego

[Alter Ego]

There's always somebody who asks...

 

 

 

 

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[bluecookies]

On the April 30 Cuba sailing, we didn't even have a show the first night. Also, regarding the top tier party we did not receive an invitation (Platinum). I asked a crew member as people were going in who was considered top tier. She told me Diamond Plus and above. After we got back some people told us they were Emerald and did not receive an invitation, but friends of theirs who are Gold received one. Other cruisers had similar stories that week. Previously I heard top tier was Platinum and above. Does it change?

[Alter Ego]

On the April 30 Cuba sailing, we didn't even have a show the first night. Also, regarding the top tier party we did not receive an invitation (Platinum). I asked a crew member as people were going in who was considered top tier. She told me Diamond Plus and above. After we got back some people told us they were Emerald and did not receive an invitation, but friends of theirs who are Gold received one. Other cruisers had similar stories that week. Previously I heard top tier was Platinum and above. Does it change?

 

 

 

Honestly don't know. I'm guessing the best person to ask is the loyalty desk as nobody else, including front desk, historically seems to know about it.

 

I can tell you that Diamond Plus and Pinacles had a separate sail away party at the Bolero sun deck.

 

 

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[bluecookies]

Honestly don't know. I'm guessing the best person to ask is the loyalty desk as nobody else, including front desk, historically seems to know about it.

 

I can tell you that Diamond Plus and Pinacles had a separate sail away party at the Bolero sun deck.

 

 

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You're probably right. We didn't even get an invitation to the regular C&A Welcome Back party. Didn't even know they had one till we got back.

[Alter Ego]

Muster was held outside, for me deck 6. We had to stand in straight lines of 7 and wait. It really didn't take that long, but I was also lucky as a gentleman in the line next to me held open a door so we got the benefit of air conditioning while we waited.

 

Sail away was soon thereafter. We were escorted by a sheriff's boat and it was interesting to watch them zoom in front of us and maneuver other smaller boats in our lane.

 

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

It takes a relatively long time to get to the Skyway Bridge. We went under it at around 6:15.

 

 

 

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[TimeToGetNauti]

Have a great trip.

[mommykim]

Really looking forward to hearing about this.

 

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[Biker19]

The cookies are because I'm Emerald- that and water are my first in-room perks. Not sure what OS people would get. Sorry. I think I read that these cookies aren't served anywhere else (?), but I don't know if I made this up.

You may be able to get the same cookies in the WJ. What people get in suites seem to differ ship to ship and even on different sailings of the same ship.

[Biker19]

You're probably right. We didn't even get an invitation to the regular C&A Welcome Back party. Didn't even know they had one till we got back.

The Welcome Back party seems to have been discontinued - the Top Tier event is usually Platinum and up.

[cbusbigred]

Silly question - do they have the Freestyle machines on board Empress?

[Biker19]

I can tell you that Diamond Plus and Pinacles had a separate sail away party at the Bolero sun deck.

That party is usually D and up.

[mommykim]

Silly question - do they have the Freestyle machines on board Empress?

They didn't when I was on her in November.

 

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[Clarea]

Silly question - do they have the Freestyle machines on board Empress?

None reported.

[Alter Ego]

Silly question - do they have the Freestyle machines on board Empress?

 

 

 

Haven't seen any. I have seen people carrying the cups, but of course you can get those filled at any bar (and I've also seen people carry them on from a previous cruise.)

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

That party is usually D and up.

 

 

 

I'll assume you are correct.

 

I was walking a lot today, using the stairs primarily and thought sitting there would save me having to go back to 10. No such luck. It is very possible an eye roll was involved...

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

MDR Menu - night one

 

 

 

 

I had the minestrone soup. It was...fine. Maybe a little watery and the veggies weren't soft. Had a basil undertone that I liked.

 

 

Pan seared branzino. I liked, especially the potato risotto! Would order again.

 

 

Italian Meringue. Likely wouldn't order again. It wasn't bad, but I admit I wasn't sure what it would be.

 

 

For the record, their were many shorts in the MDR. Nothing too short, usually knee length.

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

As usual, there was a lot going on the ship after dinner.

 

To start, I had my choice between this:

 

Or this:

 

I think I chose wisely.

 

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

Afterwards, went to the Welcome Aboard Variety Showtime and I can tell that I'm going to enjoy the entertainment. Unfortunately no photos allowed (especially when you are in the first row!)

 

"Finish That Lyric" was fun - wasn't exactly necessary to know the words versus being likable and entertaining! LOL. But, the correct final two squared off - all in good fun.

 

Finally, it was the 70's Groovy Town Dance Party.

 

 

Also walked past Billy Pando at the piano bar and know time will be spent here. I do wonder why they no longer have people sit around the piano? I recall a weekend on Majesty drinking too many lemon drop martinis and buying shots for the piano player. Good times. [emoji3]

 

 

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