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Empress of the Seas

Scotty G
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Scotty G

Scotty G

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Just a brief input on our July 9th cruise on Empress to George Town, Grand Cayman and Key West.

 

As background we first sailed on Nordic Empress from Manhattan to Bermuda prior to her being designated Empress of the Seas. She was our second RCI ship with Song of America being our first.

 

Despite many problems with the physical plant after being transferred from RCCL's Pullmantur to RCI there is absolutely no evidence that there had been any problems with her.

 

The entire staff is of the highest quality that we expect from RCI. Many are former Nordic Empress folks who were transferred to Empress based on their experience with this ship. All senior officers were highly visible and genuinely interested in guests and their needs. We boarded as the crew and ship were being inspected by USPH. We learned later that the ship received a 97% overall with F&B getting a 100%.

 

All shows and entertainment venues/activities were well attended. There was a real mix of generations on board. Kudos to CD Carlos for having a very diverse program. Headliners like El Gaucho and Beatle Mania with Carlos doing 2 personal shows. One with the lead female singer and the second a great set with the combined Orchestra and members of contract bands.

 

We ate in Chops, MTD and WJ. As D+ we had breakfast in Chops; and, as D++ were had a special lunch with the senior officers that was to die for! All meals were excellent to good. Choices in the WJ changed daily.

 

On Day 1 Suite Guests, Pinnacle and D+ C&A members were invited to a meet and mingle reception on the outside deck behind Boleros. It was well attended by the Officers who mixed freely with the guests. Drinks and horsderves were served. Not having a CL or DL was a big change for us but it was not as noticeable as I thought it would be and we never used all of our 3 drink allocation during happy hour times.

 

Our cabin 4030 was excellent and had no problems. Temperature could be set from freezing to comfortable. Outside temps were in the 90s. A small section of the Casino near Boleros is still uncomfortable but didn't seem to stop guests from using the slots there.

 

There were no problems with engine power.

 

Overall this was one of the very best cruises we have had with RCI. Thanks to a very beautiful ship and a fabulous cruise staff! :D

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travelwide

travelwide

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Glad to hear you enjoyed the ship. We were on her back in 1992 and again this past June.

 

We enjoy getting together for the nightly event and were disappointed that they did not have one for us. Good to hear they had one so that we can meet other top tier members.

 

I was told that they are now holding the nightly event in a section of the VCL since this lounge does not really get started until late in the evening. Did they have this for your cruise?? If so, were there unlimited drinks served? You mentioned that you did not use the vouchers on your sea pass card. We rarely use them when we have the lounge. Wine before dinner and later after dinner drinks usually suffice. Our main objective in going to the lounge is the meet and mingle.

 

How many upper tier members were on your cruise?? Did they show up for the 1st night event?? Our cruise had mostly young first time or near first time cruisers.

 

Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my inquiry.

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Scotty G

Scotty G

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Please see my responses below:

 

We enjoy getting together for the nightly event and were disappointed that they did not have one for us. Good to hear they had one so that we can meet other top tier members.

 

I was told that they are now holding the nightly event in a section of the VCL since this lounge does not really get started until late in the evening. Did they have this for your cruise?? This was not the case for this cruise.

 

You mentioned that you did not use the vouchers on your sea pass card. We did not use all our vouchers each day. We did use some of them.

 

How many upper tier members were on your cruise?? There were 6 Pinnacle Club members including Mario. Around 15 D+ and 30 or so Diamond members. This is my best recollection on Diamond Club guests.

 

Did they show up for the 1st night event?? Some of them showed up for the special Meet and Mingle which occurred just after sail away but it did include Suite Guests. There was not a crowd there so to speak. The Top Tier welcome back and recognition event was well attended.

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mabkcruisers

mabkcruisers

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We were on this sailing with you and agree completely with your review- great cruise and an EXCEPTIONAL staff! Ship is beautiful and was perfect for our family (traveled with DS 15 and 18). Even though everything is on a smaller scale, there were some advantages to it- very easy to find your way around, literally walked off the ship at 7:30 during self-assisted disembark (no line at all), and we found we didn't need to use the elevators. It was always a quick trip up or down a couple of decks to get where we needed to go. DS also liked to swim at night during the movie. One night he had the pool to himself!

 

We had two staterooms on deck 7 (7112 and 7114). No issues with air or plumbing in either one. We really enjoyed the Beatle Mania show- DH said it was one of the best shows he has seen on a ship. We loved the cake on our last sea day they rolled out onto the pool deck. Complimentary wine in the dining room last night was a nice touch too!

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mabkcruisers

mabkcruisers

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The movie screen and sound are fixed? Someone a few weeks ago said the sound wasn't working. This makes me happy, happy happy!!!:cool:

 

 

Yes! My son could swim and hear the movie, but the pool is on the other side of the hot tubs from the screen. Not sure how much he could see. There was a new movie each night. Much better than last year on the Enchantment when they showed Paddington for days. Batman vs. Superman, Allegiant (from the Divergent series), My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Miracles from Heaven, and the Jungle Book were the movies of the week.

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Paulette3028

Paulette3028

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Just a brief input on our July 9th cruise on Empress to George Town, Grand Cayman and Key West.

 

As background we first sailed on Nordic Empress from Manhattan to Bermuda prior to her being designated Empress of the Seas. She was our second RCI ship with Song of America being our first.

 

Despite many problems with the physical plant after being transferred from RCCL's Pullmantur to RCI there is absolutely no evidence that there had been any problems with her.

 

The entire staff is of the highest quality that we expect from RCI. Many are former Nordic Empress folks who were transferred to Empress based on their experience with this ship. All senior officers were highly visible and genuinely interested in guests and their needs. We boarded as the crew and ship were being inspected by USPH. We learned later that the ship received a 97% overall with F&B getting a 100%.

 

All shows and entertainment venues/activities were well attended. There was a real mix of generations on board. Kudos to CD Carlos for having a very diverse program. Headliners like El Gaucho and Beatle Mania with Carlos doing 2 personal shows. One with the lead female singer and the second a great set with the combined Orchestra and members of contract bands.

 

We ate in Chops, MTD and WJ. As D+ we had breakfast in Chops; and, as D++ were had a special lunch with the senior officers that was to die for! All meals were excellent to good. Choices in the WJ changed daily.

 

On Day 1 Suite Guests, Pinnacle and D+ C&A members were invited to a meet and mingle reception on the outside deck behind Boleros. It was well attended by the Officers who mixed freely with the guests. Drinks and horsderves were served. Not having a CL or DL was a big change for us but it was not as noticeable as I thought it would be and we never used all of our 3 drink allocation during happy hour times.

 

Our cabin 4030 was excellent and had no problems. Temperature could be set from freezing to comfortable. Outside temps were in the 90s. A small section of the Casino near Boleros is still uncomfortable but didn't seem to stop guests from using the slots there.

 

There were no problems with engine power.

 

Overall this was one of the very best cruises we have had with RCI. Thanks to a very beautiful ship and a fabulous cruise staff! :D

 

 

We are looking forward to sailing on Empress August 25.....Carlos Torres does put together a good mix of entertainment on board. As far as my DH and I are concerned, if I never see El Gaucho again -- it will be too soon. We just don't enjoy that show....while others I am sure do.

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