Empress with kids ages 5-11

[3StarfishKids]

Hi! We are sailing the Empress on 6/20 with 4 kids total in our party (ages 5, 5, 7, 11) and I was wondering if anyone who has already sailed could provide any info sailing this ship with kids?

 

What kind of activities are there in the Adventure Club and is there any possibility of the 5 year olds being able to go with the other 2 children so they could all be together?

 

What types of basic "kid" foods do they have on board? (chicken fingers, mac-n-cheese, PBJ, etc?) 2 of the kids are more adventurous eaters and 2 are not...

 

I have heard that on other ships, the kids club staff come to the dining room and pick the kids up for activities 45 minutes into the meal, is this a real thing and is it happening on the Empress?

 

Is there a minimum age for the shows in the evening? are they family appropriate or would it better to plan for the kids to do something else?

 

Any feedback is appreciated! Thanks!

[Paulette3028]

Hi! We are sailing the Empress on 6/20 with 4 kids total in our party (ages 5, 5, 7, 11) and I was wondering if anyone who has already sailed could provide any info sailing this ship with kids?

 

What kind of activities are there in the Adventure Club and is there any possibility of the 5 year olds being able to go with the other 2 children so they could all be together?

 

What types of basic "kid" foods do they have on board? (chicken fingers, mac-n-cheese, PBJ, etc?) 2 of the kids are more adventurous eaters and 2 are not...

 

I have heard that on other ships, the kids club staff come to the dining room and pick the kids up for activities 45 minutes into the meal, is this a real thing and is it happening on the Empress?

 

Is there a minimum age for the shows in the evening? are they family appropriate or would it better to plan for the kids to do something else?

 

Any feedback is appreciated! Thanks!

 

There is a thread about the May 28 sailing on Empress where you may get many answers to your question.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2360989

[ctsharpie05]

There is a thread about the May 28 sailing on Empress where you may get many answers to your question.

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2360989

 

 

Most of these questions actually have not been answered. OP hopefully somebody will come along that can help us.

 

 

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[Snit13]

Hi! We are sailing the Empress on 6/20 with 4 kids total in our party (ages 5, 5, 7, 11) and I was wondering if anyone who has already sailed could provide any info sailing this ship with kids?

 

What kind of activities are there in the Adventure Club and is there any possibility of the 5 year olds being able to go with the other 2 children so they could all be together?

 

What types of basic "kid" foods do they have on board? (chicken fingers, mac-n-cheese, PBJ, etc?) 2 of the kids are more adventurous eaters and 2 are not...

 

I have heard that on other ships, the kids club staff come to the dining room and pick the kids up for activities 45 minutes into the meal, is this a real thing and is it happening on the Empress?

 

Is there a minimum age for the shows in the evening? are they family appropriate or would it better to plan for the kids to do something else?

 

Any feedback is appreciated! Thanks!

 

There are 3 or more threads/reviews reporting on the May 28 sailing. Many of your questions are answered there. I highly recommend you read ALL of the threads and all of the reviews. I will be quite surprised if you like what you read. It has been reported by others who are booked on upcoming sailings that they were not permitted to switch to other ships after determining they had failed to do their research prior to booking and thus did not feel they would enjoy their cruise with their children. PLEASE READ ALL THREADS AND REVIEWS and then make up your own mind. Hope you are able to make it work for you and yours.

[ctsharpie05]

There are 3 or more threads/reviews reporting on the May 28 sailing. Many of your questions are answered there. I highly recommend you read ALL of the threads and all of the reviews. I will be quite surprised if you like what you read. It has been reported by others who are booked on upcoming sailings that they were not permitted to switch to other ships after determining they had failed to do their research prior to booking and thus did not feel they would enjoy their cruise with their children. PLEASE READ ALL THREADS AND REVIEWS and then make up your own mind. Hope you are able to make it work for you and yours.

 

 

Where did the OP mention switching cruises? Again most of her questions have NOT been answered. I like how you said we failed to do research. It just came back to the fleet. There was NO research. We are not upset over childcare. People are upset over flooded rooms, non-working toilets, no AC, lack of food, and lack of drinks. I have yet to see the children's menu and have heard nothing about the shows other than that they are nice but there is no AC in the theatre. OP is allowed to ask her questions.

 

 

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[Lotocus]

I've been following the other posts very closely and have been paying attention to the posts about kids. We'll be sailing soon with a 5 and 7 year old. Here is what I have been able to figure about kids (this is solely going by what I've seen on other posts, so no guarantees).

 

Adventure ocean seems to be open for a few hours at a time a few times during the day - from what I've seen on a couple cruise compasses I saw posted. Some others observed that it is a couple of smaller rooms, one for the younger kids and one for the older, with some staff doing activities with them. It doesn't appear to be the "summer camp" programs of the larger ships.

 

I did notice some family events on the daily schedules like a family scavenger hunt, family art and things like that.

 

There is a small splash/wading pool near the pool bar.

 

And one person posted that "kid food" like hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken are available in the dinning room. I think I read where hot dogs and hamburgers were on the buffet too.

 

We are planning to take activities for our kids to do like cards, board games, coloring books and other stuff they can do on deck or in the card room or some other area where we can enjoy the ship and views.

 

To be fair to RC, they did tell me the kids activities were limited on this ship when I called to book. But we were planning on keeping them with us and making our own fun anyways.

 

Again, this is all based solely on what I have been able to piece together from a number of other posts. Hopefully someone who has first hand knowledge could add more information or correct me.

[ctsharpie05]

I've been following the other posts very closely and have been paying attention to the posts about kids. We'll be sailing soon with a 5 and 7 year old. Here is what I have been able to figure about kids (this is solely going by what I've seen on other posts, so no guarantees).

 

 

 

Adventure ocean seems to be open for a few hours at a time a few times during the day - from what I've seen on a couple cruise compasses I saw posted. Some others observed that it is a couple of smaller rooms, one for the younger kids and one for the older, with some staff doing activities with them. It doesn't appear to be the "summer camp" programs of the larger ships.

 

 

 

I did notice some family events on the daily schedules like a family scavenger hunt, family art and things like that.

 

 

 

There is a small splash/wading pool near the pool bar.

 

 

 

And one person posted that "kid food" like hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken are available in the dinning room. I think I read where hot dogs and hamburgers were on the buffet too.

 

 

 

We are planning to take activities for our kids to do like cards, board games, coloring books and other stuff they can do on deck or in the card room or some other area where we can enjoy the ship and views.

 

 

 

To be fair to RC, they did tell me the kids activities were limited on this ship when I called to book. But we were planning on keeping them with us and making our own fun anyways.

 

 

 

Again, this is all based solely on what I have been able to piece together from a number of other posts. Hopefully someone who has first hand knowledge could add more information or correct me.

 

 

There have been multiple posts stating that the events on the cruise compass did not occur. For example, table tennis. Also there was a post that said there was no chicken on board for several days. I don't think we will know anything for sure until we are on the ship.

 

 

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[Cel_cruise]

OP - I just wanted to say that when I was a kid many moons ago, I traveled on the Carvival Festival and much larger Carnival Holiday ships as a child / teenager. Amenities were fewer than Empress and there was no kids club and yet my sister and I had a great time,

 

Empress is larger than both of those ships - if you have never been on a newer larger ship I am sure that the activities will be sufficient and a good time will be had by all if this is what you want to do!

 

I would worry more about the general health of the ship with AC, plumping etc.

[Snit13]

Where did the OP mention switching cruises? Again most of her questions have NOT been answered. I like how you said we failed to do research. It just came back to the fleet. There was NO research. We are not upset over childcare. People are upset over flooded rooms, non-working toilets, no AC, lack of food, and lack of drinks. I have yet to see the children's menu and have heard nothing about the shows other than that they are nice but there is no AC in the theatre. OP is allowed to ask her questions.

 

 

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I have read every post on every thread related to the Empress even the roll calls. It appears you did not understand what I was trying to tell the OP based on what I had read. So sorry if I offended you with my post. I never go out of the way to attack posters who are typing to be helpful. I forgive you as I was not aware that I was talking about you as I was not responding to your post.

[wcso909]

We were on the first sailing of the empress of the seas. We never did see a kids menu or anything like that. The Windjammer is the casual dining area and it serves hamburgers and hotdogs in fact, that is all it serves. I did not see any other food that was strictly for the kids like chicken fingers. I hope this helps. Our cruise was a disaster. Another thing your kids will not like was that the ice cream machine was broken entire time. That is something I spoke to my kids about before we got on that they could eat all the ice cream they wanted. Our kids also have a tough time swimming because the pool is so small and crowded.

 

 

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[wcso909]

I should correct myself. The windjammer does serve other types of food during the dining hours it's just not very appetizing for kids. The hamburgers and hot dogs are at the late snack.

 

 

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[Snit13]

We were on the first sailing of the empress of the seas. We never did see a kids menu or anything like that. The Windjammer is the casual dining area and it serves hamburgers and hotdogs in fact, that is all it serves. I did not see any other food that was strictly for the kids like chicken fingers. I hope this helps. Our cruise was a disaster. Another thing your kids will not like was that the ice cream machine was broken entire time. That is something I spoke to my kids about before we got on that they could eat all the ice cream they wanted. Our kids also have a tough time swimming because the pool is so small and crowded.

 

 

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Thank you for posting. That was the point I was trying to get across to the OP. I must have read a post on one of the threads by you or someone else on your cruise with children. I don't know why the other poster attacked me for trying to tell OP to read the Empress threads. I have read all of the threads and the roll call too and was just attempting to make them aware of what had been reported. I hope your cruise was ok inspite of the issues many reported. I would not be happy if the ice cream machine didn't work.

[wcso909]

As I said, I was on the first cruise as well and it was a disaster. This is my first time cruising with RC and I've been told that this cruise is not indicative of the type of service they provide. However, now that I have returned home I am trying to dispute several small charges on my final bill. I was told yesterday that they are unable to see my itemized total bill and I will have to call back in seven days. So now I've made two calls to customer service upon my return. This is gone from sad to almost comical

 

 

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[3StarfishKids]

Thank you everyone! I have read all the posts I can find both here and on FB regarding the Empress looking for clues as to answers to my questions. I've found a few (like one of my twins will likely have to eat chicken with no crust!! :D)

 

I feel like there are things that can be improved upon (like AC, plumbing, food, etc) and I am hoping that they will improve before we sail...and other things that I realize cannot be changed (like a small pool, small kids club). I am just trying to prepare so that we can make the best of it. I like the idea someone posted of bringing games/activities for the kids and will definitely do that.

 

The only other cruise the kids and I have been on was the Disney Dream in 2013 and it was amazing. I am definitely adjusting my expectations for this one!! LOL

 

And as an FYI, my in-laws picked the cruise as a family vacation and booked it...I'm sure they had no idea the Empress would have such issues initially. At this point, changing ships is not an option so unless we get canceled for weather or other issues, we are going and will hopefully have a great time just being out to sea and visiting islands.

[reallyitsmema]

Where did the OP mention switching cruises? Again most of her questions have NOT been answered. I like how you said we failed to do research. It just came back to the fleet. There was NO research. We are not upset over childcare. People are upset over flooded rooms, non-working toilets, no AC, lack of food, and lack of drinks. I have yet to see the children's menu and have heard nothing about the shows other than that they are nice but there is no AC in the theatre. OP is allowed to ask her questions.

 

 

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Well said! The OP did not need to be yelled at to read all the threads. She just came here looking for answers, not a lecture.

[gerif]

I should correct myself. The windjammer does serve other types of food during the dining hours it's just not very appetizing for kids. The hamburgers and hot dogs are at the late snack.

 

 

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Don't know about you but our kids and grandkids did not subsist on hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken fingers. Those were an occasional treat. They ate what we ate and did just fine.

[wcso909]

That is good to know. The problem becomes when your kids and grandkids are forced to select the same foods for the same five days

 

 

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[Giosmom]

I was on the May 28th sailing with my 6 year old son and can try to answer any questions you have. What specifically do you want to know?

 

 

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[ctsharpie05]

I was on the May 28th sailing with my 6 year old son and can try to answer any questions you have. What specifically do you want to know?

 

 

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I would like to know what was on the kids menu.

 

 

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[natureboyricflair]

My advice:

 

If possible, move to another ship! Now! It isn't worth it.

[wcso909]

I did not see a kids menu at all.

 

 

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[morganboys]

My advice:

 

If possible, move to another ship! Now! It isn't worth it.

 

this is not an option without losing half of your money. We are on the same sailing and we look forward to sailing the Empress. I must be one of the few that isn't real worried about much of what I have read. The Empress is the smallest ship in the fleet so it is a given that the pool, the windjammer, beleros, and other places on the ship are going to be smaller then the other ships. That doesn't mean people won't or can't have an enjoyable cruise on this small ship.

[Giosmom]

There wasn't a kids menu. At lunch they go serve pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries. At dinner in the dining room it was harder. The first night when I asked for chicken I was given chicken wings. After that I requested grilled chicken and fries, I was told they would try but when I went to dinner they had it for my son. I made sure to request it every night for the following night. They were very nice and always sent out fruit as an appetizer for him. They do serve steak every night so if your children eat that you can order it, I heard that they do have cheese pizza in the dining room for children as well, I just never ordered it.

 

 

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[Giosmom]

this is not an option without losing half of your money. We are on the same sailing and we look forward to sailing the Empress. I must be one of the few that isn't real worried about much of what I have read. The Empress is the smallest ship in the fleet so it is a given that the pool, the windjammer, beleros, and other places on the ship are going to be smaller then the other ships. That doesn't mean people won't or can't have an enjoyable cruise on this small ship.

 

 

The problems on the ship had nothing to do with it being a small ship. I knew when booking my 5/28/16 trip that the ship would be small and what to expect. I was actually looking toward to a small ship. The problems were no food, kitchen equipment not working, no freezers, no a/c, toilets not working, flooding, no ice cream (soft serve broken & freezer), not being able to make frozen drinks at sail away, hard to get drinks at bars, heat in casino, and many other issues.

 

 

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[shoafmom]

We were on the May 28th sailing. There was no kids menu and when we asked if there was anything else my daughter could order the waiter just looked confused. A few nights into it, the waiter said they could do cheese pizza. It was much later than the other food and was terrible. Just cheese melted on bread.

 

Bring games for your kids! There are a few hours a day (from 12:00 to 2:00) where the only thing available is the pool and the one shuffle board court. Both are completely overcrowded and they use that time to do competitions or demonstrations in the pool so you really can't use it.

 

 

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