Just off Empress of the Seas

[DENNAS]

Just got off the July 4 sailing. Lobster tails were free in the MDR the next to last night. The last night was free wine and a seafood buffet in Windjammer. No lobster tails on buffet.

 

This was a great cruise. Very low key and relaxing. Pack more casual than you anticipate. No night is formal.

 

We did not eat at chops but others did and liked it. You can order a filet in the MDR for $17 if you're craving a steak.

 

 

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Were you on the 5 night cruise!?? That would be the sea day then? Thank you !

[2heatons]

Were you on the 5 night cruise!?? That would be the sea day then? Thank you !

 

 

You are correct!

 

 

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[DENNAS]

You are correct!

 

 

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Thanks. Is there a CHOPS menu for Empress anywhere floating around?

[aichambaye]

Thanks. Is there a CHOPS menu for Empress anywhere floating around?

 

 

 

I'll get one in the other thre. Stay tuned.

 

 

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[Retired LEO]

Where do C&A members meet up for a cocktail before/after dinner? Most ships have a dedicated lounge but I'm guessing the Empress does not.

 

Just meet up at any bar. There are no lounges on the Empress.

[aichambaye]

I'm currently on the Empress and having a frozen mojito in the (very nice) Schooner bar.

 

So far nearly everything has been delightful. Good service, nice staff. Our obstructed view OV didn't get upgraded but the view isn't obstructed at all! Nice bonus. We are in 7512. I've been using tapatalk to post the photos, but I find it clunky. We have reservations at Chops tonight and at the spa for tomorrow.

 

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm happy to answer any questions I can over on the other thread I've started. And, CHOPS menu is posted!

[mackjack9139]

Thanks for all the great info! Very reassuring to hear, I've only sailed on larger ships. Does anyone have more info on the mimosas/brunch? I heard it goes until 1:15 and is in MDR sea days and Windjammer port days? I am really debating getting the all inclusive beverage package, vs bringing the allowed 2 bottles of wine, drinking a few free mimosas, popping in art auctions, skipping afternoon beers by the pool, and buying bottles of wine for dinner...I normally only drink alcohol and tap water so the fancycoffee/Soda/juice/bottled water doesn't matter.

[Biker19]

I am really debating getting the all inclusive beverage package, vs bringing the allowed 2 bottles of wine, drinking a few free mimosas, popping in art auctions, skipping afternoon beers by the pool, and buying bottles of wine for dinner...I normally only drink alcohol and tap water so the fancycoffee/Soda/juice/bottled water doesn't matter.

You'd have to do the math - will you have more than 5-6 drinks a day? (the usual break even point)

[mackjack9139]

You'd have to do the math - will you have more than 5-6 drinks a day? (the usual break even point)

If I can have 2-3 mimosas or bloody's with brunch then I'd skip poolside beers and end up buying 3-4 drinks per day. If the brunch drinks aren't good then yes, the beverage package would be better. I've heard conflicting info regarding if brunch is one complimentary drink or bottomless, looking for anyone with recent experience.

[vikielynne]

If I can have 2-3 mimosas or bloody's with brunch then I'd skip poolside beers and end up buying 3-4 drinks per day. If the brunch drinks aren't good then yes, the beverage package would be better. I've heard conflicting info regarding if brunch is one complimentary drink or bottomless, looking for anyone with recent experience.

 

My best friend was on the Empress sailing Nov 11th and I was on the Nov 17th sailing - 1 mimosa or bloody mary per person at brunch. They did have specials in the casino some days where mimosas were $1.00. My friend didn't do a package but was ok as they offered a 10 drink punch card for his sailing. I did the package and was happy I opted to as there were no punch cards offered on my trip.

[mackjack9139]

My best friend was on the Empress sailing Nov 11th and I was on the Nov 17th sailing - 1 mimosa or bloody mary per person at brunch. They did have specials in the casino some days where mimosas were $1.00. My friend didn't do a package but was ok as they offered a 10 drink punch card for his sailing. I did the package and was happy I opted to as there were no punch cards offered on my trip.

 

Thanks so much for the info! I'll go for the package...it will be nice/feel luxurious to not waste money (only beer :/) if one warms up poolside and I'd rather get another or only drink half a labadoozie then switch to something less sugary.

[CapeCoralCruiser]

Just got off Empress a couple days ago, really enjoyed her. I was concerned after reading early reviews, but the OP made me feel better going in. I'll add some updated observations.

 

I know its been several months since the OP started this, but everything was just as said. We arrived around noon and there was a small line at check in for first time cruisers, but no lines at all for top tier C&A members. We walked right up to the waiting rep. Embarkation took only moments, and before we knew it, we were in the Windjammer, which had plenty of empty tables. We had no complaints about the food, in WJ or MDR, throughout the cruise.

 

Access to cabins was granted just before 1. We had cabin 8004, an obstructed view under the bridge, but the only obstruction was a nice, little used outside walkway that we could access through a door right beside our cabin. It was almost a community balcony for the half-dozen cabins sharing it. We rather enjoyed the view of the bow and expanse of ocean in front of us.

 

The ship was very clean and the staff were fantastic. MDR MTD wait staff were among the best we've ever had. I had to look for small details to find signs that this is an "old" ship, but the condition was quite good. Brunch in the MDR on our sea day was very good. It took a moment for us to realize it was buffet style, but the atmosphere is much more relaxed and inviting than the WJ. The food was basically the same as in WJ, but the presentation made all the difference. It appeared to be one complimentary mimosa/bloody Mary PP.

 

The only place we found the AC lacking was a small area in the very rear of the casino. It was a little warm there, but there were several small portable AC units going in that area at all times. The AC in our cabin worked perfectly, and we like it a little cool while sleeping. We did notice that a few times (peak usage times, maybe?), some of the public restrooms were temporarily not working, but never had a problem in our cabin.

 

Nice places to relax with a drink: Schooner bar - mid-ship deck 5, which, for the size of the ship, is quite large. Outside Boleros, deck 6, aft deck - very relaxing and a great view. There are several areas around the upper levels of the Centrum that are great for reading, playing board/card games, watching the ocean through large glass areas, or just relaxing. Generally, the pool deck was very crowded, with very few chairs available. But we stayed onboard the entire morning we were in Nassau and 95% of the chairs were open, and we were the only ones in any of the three whirlpools.

 

Without all the amenities of the mega ships, I can imagine this ship might be a little boring for teens/pre-teens. Those who have sailed Empress with children will be a better source for such info. But for couples/adult groups looking to enjoy a peaceful voyage, and still party a little, its just about perfect. Most typical events are scheduled; Love & Marriage Game, The Quest, 60 Seconds or Less, Majority Rules, various Trivia, karaoke, etc. For those it may be important to, there are no DL/CL on Empress. There were well under 100, probably closer to 50, D & up level on this particular cruise. There was a nice, very laid back D/D+/P welcome event on the open deck behind Boleros just after leaving port the first afternoon. Many of the captain's staff came by and greeted everyone, stopping to converse with small groups. They were all very gracious.

 

All in all, it was a great short cruise that exceeded our expectations of this "little, old" ship. We've already decided we will cruise her again.