Quick question about RCCL

[Tess2mommies]

Hello everyone!

 

Has anyone here sailed on both princess and RCCL?

 

My SO and I, both in our early 20's are thinking of going on the 11 day Empress of the Seas southern Caribbean cruise.

 

We previously sailed the southern Caribbean on the Golden Princess and loved it and this 11 day itinerary on Royal seems great!

 

However, since this is a smaller ship, will we be bored? Are there soda cards and drink of the day specials? Is there something similar to personal choice dining (dining in dining rooms when we want to eat instead of traditional dining)? How are the shows, the ones on princess were a bit dry? Are cabin sizes similar to those on princess or are they larger/smaller. We are interested in another ocean view cabin, which deck is best?

 

Anything else I should know... I'd love to hear more.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[wwinfl91]

Hi

 

We have been on Princess twice and RCCL once. We were on the Enchantment on that cruise which is also one of the smaller RCCL ships.

 

I will try to answer the questions I can and then see what others who have sailed with RCCL more than us say.

 

As far as I know there is no PC alternative on RCCL except eating in the buffet area which is used for evening dining. It changes over and has a similar menu to what is being served in the dining room. You serve yourself for an appetizer and salad and order your main course which is then served to you. It isn't as nice as the PC dining rooms on Princess but it is an alternative.

 

RCCL does have soda cards (I don't know the current price) and a drink of the day (I think all cruise ships do that).

 

RCCL has always been known for relatively small cabins but they won't be that different from Princess.

 

I don't know this ship so I can't help in recommending a good deck to get a cabin on. We like to get on decks higher in the ship so we can walk up the stairs in the morning for breakfast and a morning walk around the upper deck but not everyone would like that.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[negc]

We have sailed both lines and prefer RCI. Room sizes vary according to the class of RCI ship you are sailing and the room category. In general, rooms on Empress of the Seas are smaller and more compact than you will find on Grand Princess. RCI only started to increase the size of their standard cabins with the Vision class ships. However, our balcony room (and especially the bathroom) on Dawn Princess was noticeably smaller than a similar category ship on Vision, Radiance, or Mariner class ships.

Since we prefer the traditional dining experience where your wait staff gets to know your preferences, we don't miss the PC experience that Princess offers. Windjammer is an alternative if you prefer to dine when you want in the evening, but we have yet to try it. I don't believe the Empress offers Chops or Portofino, so your dining options are limited. Despite that I think that you will find the cruise experiences, including the entertainment to be similar. Don't spend too much time comparing your cruises, but focus on the positive experiences of the cruise you are on, and you should have a great time.

[Bassnote_1]

I just came off of the Splendour (vision class) and was amazed at the service, stuff to do, food et al. One of the bands left a bit to be desired (they sounded bad especially when trying to do country music), but over all it was a marvelous experience that I will repeat.

 

They did have soda cards (great benefit for my bride and I as we don't drink much) and the drink of the day specials were a bit over the top flavor wise but at $4.50 were priced ok. The smaller boats don't have the PC dining for dinner, nor additional resturants, but the food in the main dining room seatings was the best. They did have the Cafe and the Buffet if you didn't want to do the main dinner. Breakfast and Lunch in the King and I was like PC dining,though. The shows were super. Couple of comedians, a juggler, the Coasters, a magician and the boats staff of singers and dancers. We were on deck two in an ocean view room. Not too big but it wasn't tiny either. Lots of storage space so we weren't cramped. Of course we didn't spend alot of time in our cabin either! :D

 

You are only going to be as bored as you wanna be and the smaller ships are really the way to go in my honest opinion.

 

My only complaint is that they don't do a real great job on ventelation in the bars/pubs/casino and the cigarette smoke got a bit thick at times.

[Bassnote_1]

Oh, yeah, the thing to remember about the Empress is that she is the smallest in the fleet and, I believe, the oldest. But she has been kept in pretty good shape and has been updated some. For all I know she may have been the model for all the RCI boats!

[DHADEN]

I have sailed the Grand Princess and thought it was beautiful....But, the service we have experiences on all our RCI cruises has been MUCH better.

 

I should warn you about the HUGE difference in the ships you are comparing. The Golden Princess is fairly new and modern. The Empress is (I think) the oldes and smallest ship in the RCI fleet. It will be very limited in variety of places on board and choices of activities. (and I think that was your concern). G.P has 3 dining rooms + 2 other choices/Empress has 1 dining and Windjammer buffet. G.P. has 4 pools / Empress has one. G.P. has 3 or 4 lounges for dancing / Empress has 2 small ones. etc.etc.

 

I would suggest cruising with RCI to experience the difference in service, but pick a ship that better compares to the G. P. The Radiance class ships are the perfect match. Find one of those ships (Radiance, Brilliance, Serenade, Jewel, ...) with an itenerary you like, and you'll be guaranteed thrilled with your cruise!!

 

Hope this helps.

EEENNNJJJOOOOYYY!!!

[Tess2mommies]

THanks for the info everyone.

 

So since there is no PC dining and we're not the buffet type, is it possible to request a table for two in the main dining room, if not, what's the smallest table available?

 

As far as size goes, I read that it was the smallest of all the ships. Does that mean we'll get sea sick? We didn't get seasick on the golden, maybe because of stabilizers and its larger size?

 

Thanks again

[wwinfl91]

I suspect you will find a minimum number of tables for two in the regular dining room. There probably are some and you can ask but don't be disappointed if you don't get one. You can always try again when you get on the ship.

 

I don't think you will get sea sick on the Royal Empress unless the ship ends up in some really rough water which is not really likely in the Caribbean unless you are sailing in Hurricane season.

 

Someone above posted some good advice and I will repeat it in a rephased version. Enjoy each cruise and explore different cruise lines as each as good things to offer.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[Jimbo]

Christened by the famed singer Gloria Estafan, this nautical masterpiece can hold up to 2,020 sea-faring adventurers. During the winter months, the Nordic Empress sails on four and five-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan as well as seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa. From May until October however, the Nordic Empress is bound for Bermuda on seven-night itineraries.

 

NEWS: Royal Caribbean International announced Nordic Empress will undergo extensive renovations before arriving this spring in the New York City metro area to begin unique six- and eight-night Bermuda cruise vacations from the newly named Cape Liberty Cruise Port. To reflect the magnitude of the revitalization, the line will officially rename the ship Empress of the Seas, bringing her in line with the remainder of Royal Caribbean's fleet, which all feature "of the Seas" names.

 

Renovations on the 1,602-passenger Nordic Empress will extend to every area of the ship, and are designed to further enhance the onboard experience. A main focus is providing guests with additional dining, entertainment and fitness areas. All work will be completed by May 2004.

 

Guest staterooms will receive new and upgraded bathrooms throughout all categories. In addition, some staterooms, including the Royal Suite and Superior Ocean View staterooms, will feature new decor, while others accommodating third and fourth guests will be fitted with modified wardrobes offering increased storage. Empress of the Seas' Owner's Suites will be completely redesigned, with new furniture and finishings. Other refurbishments include general facelifts to the lobbies, elevators, landings, corridors and restrooms, and enhancements to the shopping areas and Pool Deck.

 

Empress of the Seas will offer alternating six- and eight-night Bermuda itineraries from May through October from the New York City metro area. She will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to sail from Cape Liberty Cruise Port, in Bayonne, New Jersey. Located across the New York Harbor from lower Manhattan, just 15 minutes from the Newark airport and right off the New Jersey Turnpike, the new port is a convenient departure point for both drive-market guests and those arriving by air.

 

The six-night Bermuda itineraries depart on Sundays and include stops in King's Wharf and Hamilton, Bermuda. The eight-night cruises depart Saturdays and visit King's Wharf, Hamilton and St. George's, Bermuda.

 

In late October, Empress of the Seas will reposition to San Juan, where she will offer guests a choice of four Southern Caribbean adventures. The highlight is the 11-night Exotic Caribbean itinerary that takes guests to St. Maarten, St. Barts, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Margarita Island, Aruba and Curacao.

 

Empress of the Seas also will sail three-night St. Thomas/St. Maarten and St. Kitts/St. Maarten sailings, as well as four special, four-night Dominican Republic cruises, with stops in Santo Domingo and Catalina Island, on Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 8 and 15.

 

 

 

 

Activities

• One Outdoor Swimming Pool
  
• One Outdoor Wading Pool
  
• Four Whirlpools (Three Outdoor and One Indoor)
  
• Conference Center
  
• Club Ocean Children's Room
  
• Boutiques Centrum
  
• Jogging Track
  
• Laundry and Dry Cleaning Facilities
  
• Sauna and Massage
  
• Medical Facility
  
• Photo Gallery
  
• Ping Pong
  
• Port and Shopping Forum
  
• Shipshape Fitness Center, with aerobics classes and machines for all types of workouts
  
• Shuffleboard Area
  
• Video Arcade Room
  

Keep in Mind for the Spring: Guests who take advantage of the renamed Empress of the Seas' ShipShape Fitness Center and Day Spa will be treated to more than a great workout or spa treatment. The expanded spa and gym complex will be on two levels, including a fitness center overlooking the Viking Crown Lounge, perched at the top of the ship, offering spectacular, panoramic sea views. In addition, the ship features the line's signature rock-climbing wall, installed in late 2003.

Dining

• Carmen Dining Room
  
• Windjammer Cafe
  

This Spring, Enjoy the Cuisine: Increased dining options are in high demand among cruisers, and the renamed Empress of the Seas will feature a new specialty restaurant, Portofino, serving Italian cuisine, in addition to an upgraded Windjammer Cafe and refurbished main dining room. In between meals, guests can enjoy specialty coffee drinks from Seattle's Best Coffee or indulge their sweet tooth with 16 different flavors from Ben & Jerry's at a new, combined Latte'tudes coffee bar and ice cream scoop shop.

Entertainment

• Strike Up the Band Showroom
  
• High Society Lounge
  
• Carousel Pub
  
• Viking Crown Lounge
  
• Casino Royale
  

It is Time to Have Fun: Vacationers looking for high-quality entertainment will find plenty to choose from. The former High Society Lounge on Deck 6 now will be Royal Caribbean's Latin-themed bar, Boleros, offering specialty tequilas and cocktail favorites like mojitos, as well as outstanding live entertainment. Empress of the Seas also will feature the line's popular Schooner Bar, a nautical-themed lounge with sing-along piano entertainment, which replaces the mid-ship Carousel Bar on Deck 5.

 

The ship's casino will be moved to Deck 6, and a new card room will be created off the Centrum. In addition, the main theater, the Strike Up the Band Showroom, will be updated with new carpet and upholstery.

[laurasue]

We're interested in the 11 day itinerary as well. :D From what I've read, you go on that cruise for the itinerary, not for the ship itself. Because it is the smallest ship in RCI's fleet, it's also able to visit some islands that other major lines/ships don't/can't.

 

I've always wanted to visit St. Barth's, and really, only a few lines go there, and most are out of our price range. ;) Now if only they'd release next year's schedule past April...

[Jimbo]

WE were on it when it was called Nordic Empress(April 2003), did a repo from San Juan to NYC via Bermuda and few other stops before that. Got a great price. It was no where near any of our best cruises to date. Cabins in general are really small on this ship.

Would not even consider cruising on this ship again no matter the price, but since they did the retrofit to it, we might consider it again someday.

 

We had some rough seas on the way back from Bermuda to NYC in the Atlantic Ocean. It was really neat to see waves crashing up and over the bow of the ship. Thank God the bow has holes in it to let the water run out when we were on top of the waves. Lot of people were sick including the crew, we took our meds though and we were fine. Should have seen the Dining room that one night, really empty.

 

Jimbo:)

[Fury1995]

May I suggest as an alternative, try cruising Adventure of the Seas southern itineraries alternating back to back. I have done both and you will see the same islands with the addition of a few more. The Voyager class ship compares much better to the Princess Grand class. If you can spring for a few extra bucks, it's worth it.

[Tess2mommies]

May I suggest as an alternative, try cruising Adventure of the Seas southern itineraries alternating back to back. I have done both and you will see the same islands with the addition of a few more. The Voyager class ship compares much better to the Princess Grand class. If you can spring for a few extra bucks, it's worth it.

 

Hmm.... I look into how much extra that would cost us. Although it'll probably be hard to get the same cabin for 2 weeks this late in the game. Thanks for the idea though.

 

I'll look into right now..

 

I can't believe I got addicted after 1 cruise, my SO thinks i've gone mad!:eek: