mY MiNi EmPrEsS oF ThE sEaS ReViEw!

[LiLBxQt]

Just back today from the Empress...I was on deck 3 in an inside cabin and had no problems whatsoever! The water was actually pretty hot so no problems there. I didn't hear anyone complain about their cabins. Everything seemed to be in good working condition. While docked in Kings Wharf, the outside of the ship was being painted, but that did not interfere with everyone having a great time. A few railings here and there were also being painted, but once again that didn't affect the quality of the trip. I did not smell anything bad on the ship & my toilet never backed up.

The only problem I encountered was the movement of the ship. The 1st night at sea we hit some rough waves & believe me when I say that the ship was swaying back and forth & could be felt at any point. I recommend wearing the patch. I put it on right after the first dinner. Was a lil sick for a few hours before it kicked in, but I was set for the rest of the trip. Only 1 side effect for me - blurred vision. Had to hold such things as the menus & the compass at arms length to read. LoL but hey! at least I didn't feel sick any more!!

Service was incredible!! If your waiter happens to be Petr from Czech, you're in very, very good hands. Made sure our food was to our liking and ran back to the kitchen many times to get us something we my have liked better. Always gave his recommendations & he usually hit the nail on the head! Great guy...I would take him home with me!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Most of the shows were wonderful. I went to the Love & Marriage game show, Quest, & the Dueling Pianos. Very Very funny & def worth seeing!!

It's been said a million times before but Kings Wharf is not the greatest place to be docked at for 2 days. Nothing there to see. Must take a ferry or bus to get to city of Hamilton to get any action. I rented a scooter. Made it back with no scratches and was able to go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Should have been docked in Hamilton for 2 days instead. Much more to see and do over there. Quite a distance if you decide to go there from King's Wharf on a moped, but it was fun.

Hmmf...can't think of anything else to tell u guyz. So just ask away if you have a question! Very depressed at the moment, but would love to share more of the experience with you! (puts a smile on my face) [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[cutekatcar]

Glad to hear your trip was great. What excursions did you do in Bermuda? Did you book any thru RCI?

Thanks,

Cutekatcar

[H3Ocruisers]

Lil--


We're sailing in July, also on deck 3, inside...I'm relieved to hear you didn't experience any of the plumbing problems we've been hearing about! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for the review of the ship and of Bermuda--very helpful!!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;7;18;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
till we're Bermuda bound on the NE

[Host Kewlguy]

Hi,
When was the first and second formal night? Do they have both an early and late show? We will have a late seating dinner in September. Don't be depressed. Just book another cruise. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[LiLBxQt]

[B]Cutekatcar[/B]

I did the Bermuda Bell Diving, which was a great experience. I especially loved the many many fish that would swim across the front of the helmet. Even was able to touch and feed a few. The crew aboard the boat were very informative and I would higly recommend this excursion.

I also did the Bermuda Triangle Shipwreck Snorkle. The seas were a little choppy so we had to go to a different snorkle area. Very good excursion to do if you have never snorkled before. Didn't see too many fish in the area, but it was alot of fun.

The only thing I did on my own was the jet skis. Booked ahead of time through Sea Venture Watersports. $250 for 2 people on 1 jet ski for 2 hours. Well worth the money!!! Received a guided tour, but was also able to play around on the skis.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[LiLBxQt]

[B]kewlguy[/B]

1st formal night was Monday (1st full day at sea)
2nd formal night was Thursday (after leaving Bermuda)

On many occasions they had a Pre-Dinner show for the Late Seating & a Post-Dinner show for the Early Seating. I had Late so the shows were always at 7:15pm for us.

Wish I could book another at the moment! The charging on the Seapass card instead of cash really hits you hard on the morning of the last day!! LoL

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[sailingsisters]

how long did it take to drive around on the scooter? leaving sunday and plan to do the same thing

[LiLBxQt]

[B]sailingsisters[/B]

I would say we spent about 2 hours driving to Hamilton & back. But that could also be due to the fact that going there, we didn't know exactly where to go & had to stop off to look at a map.

Be careful while driving them!! The roads in Bermuda are extremely curvy & those that live on the island are crazy drivers! One girl from my cruise got hurt on one, but I heard that was because she just didn't know how to drive one & just took off.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[Host Kewlguy]

Thanks for answering my previous questions. I did think of another one. I will also be on level 3 inside cabin since I heard it is the best place to be on that ship during hurricane season. My question is how small was the cabin? I'm 6'3" and over 200 lb. I'm afraid I will feel like a sardine even though I will only be in there to sleep and change. I'm use to much larger rooms from previous cruises. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Host Kewlguy]

No scooters for me. I want to remain in one piece to enjoy my vacation. I saw those narrow roads and crazy drivers. Made me feel right at home being from North Jersey. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[LiLBxQt]

The room was tiny. Everytime my bf opened the bathroom door after a shower, I would get hit with the door since it was the only place in the room that had any space to get dressed & blowdry my hair. LoL The bathroom itself was small. We usually left the door open to feel as if we had more room, but watch out...the shower most likely will create a tiny flood in the bathroom. The thing that I did like though was that the bed was a pretty good size. Hardly any room though to move around it (with the many bags of luggage) so I usually just climbed off of it.

Overall, I would say it will probably be a little tight in the room for you. Not sleeping wise, but the use of the bathroom & shower might be a little rough.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[Host Kewlguy]

I read on another post on here that the way to keep the shower curtain from attacking you is to not close the curtain all the way while showering. After hearing about the "attacking shower curtain" I was having nightmares after I booked the cruise. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[LiLBxQt]

hahaha yeah, it definately got me a few times!! Even with the curtain closed, the floor gets soaked so I could only imagine what it would look like with it open!! LoL Good Luck!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[Host Kewlguy]

By the way are you over your depression yet? I told you only solution is to book another cruise. lol.

p.s. My girlfriend is already worried about where to put the luggage in the tiny room. I told her if it doesn't fit under the bed I'm willing to sleep under the bed and we can put the luggage on my side of the bed.

[LiLBxQt]

hahaha I'm starting to feel a little bit better. I just can't stand my area (maybe i'll move to Bermuda!) I wish!!! I need to start making those millions first! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

My luggage fit nicely under the bed, but it was just a pain in the *** when i needed to take it back out to get something out of it. My bf's bags stayed on the side of the bed. Hope he didn't have anything breakable in there considering I walked right over them everyday LoL Absolutely NO walking room in that cabin, but most of the trip was spent in the casino anyway! LOL

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[Host Kewlguy]

The casino? Thats one place I avoid like the plague. lol. My days of gambling are far behind me. If I think of more questions I will let you know. Thanks for all your help. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

p.s. I want to move to Bermuda too. I talked to the locals there last time and they said it's boring to live there and they wanted to live where I'am. I told them let's switch. I could get use to that kind of boring any day.

[LiLBxQt]

You're very welcome! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

I asked one of the locals if it bothers him to just have to stay on the island (not like in US when you can take road trips ya know?) & he told me for the winter he went to Halifax. I thought he hada be crazy to leave Bermuda!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[Host Kewlguy]

I asked the cab driver what I thought may be considered a silly question but I was curious anyway. I asked where do people from Bermuda go on vacation? For instance why would you go to the Caribbean when you already live in paradise?
He told me that he goes to New York. That cracked me up. Here we are trying to get away from this area and he wants to live there. I guess it's what you are use to. I have had enough excitement for one lifetime. I would prefer a slower paced quiet area to relax. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

p.s. I think it's a financial thing actually. Think about it. What career opportunities do you have in Bermuda? ....... I'm drawing a blank. Cab dispatcher? Lifeguard? Hotel manager.... I give up. Great place to go if you do not have to work though.

[buzzandjulie]

Did you see any of the destruction from hurrican Fabian that hit last fall if you go into web sites for some of the hotels it appears many on the side of Elbow Beach and Sonseta still have not starting booking which leans me to beleive the hotels are still a mess?

[Host Kewlguy]

We visited Church Bay and saw some major damage. As a matter of fact it was not safe to go on the beach when we were there in April. We met an older local couple who had tears in their eyes looking at the damage that was caused by Fabian. They kept explaining to us how beautiful Church Bay was compared to after the storm.

[Host Kewlguy]

Hi LiLBxQt,
I thought of another question. Regarding the dinner on the empress. We usually take the late seating. Will their be a show before or after the late seating? I heard late seating does not get out of the dining room until 10:00-10:30. Thanks.

[LiLBxQt]

Most of the nights had a pre-dinner show for the late seating. I was usually in the dining room past 10, but I enjoyed being able to relax and talk with my waiter instead of being rushed out.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;23;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
UnTiL BeRmUdA!!!

[Host Kewlguy]

Talk with your waiter? I hope your BF did not mind. lol. On our first cruise our waiter was hitting on my girlfriend the entire cruise. I did not mind since I knew she was coming home with me. lol

p.s. By the way I just got an idea since you love Bermuda as much as I do. We are scheduled to go 9/18 on the empress. I have this extra large suitcase and if you would like we can see if we can fit you in there. We will let you out after they drop the luggage off at the cabin that evening. We can put some snacks and drinks in their with you. Maybe a portable radio too if you get bored. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[judyzoo]

We'll be on the 9/18 cruise also. Taking the train up to my home state of NJ for a reunion, so we thought that while we're there we would take a cruise out of NJ to a place that ships down here don't generally sail to.

Majesty of the Seas 2004
Dawn Princess 2003
QE2 2002
Royal Princess 2002
Carnival Fascination 2002
HAL Maasdam 2001
Carnival Jubilee 1999
HAL Statendam 1996
VeraCruz 1983
Angelina Lauro 1975

[Host Kewlguy]

Hi Judy,
Lets pray for good weather. That is a small boat and sailing during hurricane season. I hope you took an inside cabin. We did.