Empress B2B - 14 Nights on the Biggest Little Ship

[twangster]

Meal with an officer lunch in Chops today.  

 

Unfortunately I left my memory card in the cabin so no pictures.

 

Very enjoyable meal with the IT Manager on one side and the Inventory Manager on the other.  Another Chop's steak in my belly. 

 

Our IT manager requested an upgrade to O3b Voom but so far it hasn't come through.  He has increased the bandwidth commit for the ship's Voom.  Currently it is 80Mbps down and 50 Mbps up.  That is shared between guests and the ship's needs.  Individual guests are capped so no single guest will ever see those kinds of speeds.

 

Our Inventory Manager has promised there shall be Guinness waiting for me the week after next when I return.   Really nice guy who has been with Royal for 24 years.  His last ship was Freedom.  He has a wife and two teenage daughters at home.  They do get to come on board and spend time when schedules permit.  As a 3 stripe officer he has his own cabin.  On larger ships his family can stay with him in his cabin when they visit.  His cabin on Empress only allows 2 so when his family visits they need to use a guest cabin.  He volunteered that he makes a lot more money with Royal than he ever could back in Nicaragua.  Providing a good quality education for his daughters is a priority so that is why he is here, he could never do so trying to get by at home.  It's all about providing a better life for his family.  

 

Loading and unloading the ship has it's challenges.  On Empress there is one door that everything goes through.  He has to wait until after luggage and some other items have been moved before it's "his" turn.  On larger ships there are usually separate doors dedicated to luggage vs food vs. waste offloading and other supplies.  Bayonne will be interesting due to tidal changes.  At times all supplies and luggage have to be hoisted by crane using a basket vs. forklifts directly.  The crane slows things down a lot.  Using one door and a crane will be a challenge.  

 

Come to think of it in Vancouver when Ovation did its inaugural call in May they were using cranes and baskets.  That is likely why that turn around went so slowly.  It happens at some ports when the tides don't put the doors at the right level and tides change dramatically so using forklifts isn't an option.  The things you never think of.

 

In hurricane season we carry extra supplies on board.  We might run out of some perishables but there shall be food. 

 

Food is inspected by himself and members of the galley staff.  If they reject something that vendor is responsible to ensure replacement items are sent to the ship at the next port of call.  Vendors are therefore motivated to make sure that doesn't happen as it could be very costly to do so.

 

He likes Empress because of the smaller ship size.  On this ship the crew and guests become family because every one gets to know everyone.  On larger ships there are so many crew and guests you can go a contract and not meet everyone.  With the sense of family on board the time goes faster and before you know it the contract is over.  I have certainly experience that here on Empress where several offices and crew have recognized me and stopped to talk.  You don't get that as often on larger ships.

 

Forgot to mention, we changed time last night.  Back on Eastern time today.

Edited August 2, 2019 by twangster

[twangster]

If you like a Main Dining Room with windows to the sea, the Empress dining room is waiting for you.

 

With generous windows on the sides and aft, this dining room is about seeing the sea.

 

 

They were setup for a sea day Brunch when I took these photos.

 

 

Located at the aft and down on deck 5 nearer the water there are fantastic wake views.

 

 

 

The area where the chef is waiting to serve slices of meat on the black table is where the Hotel Directors Table was held earlier in the cruise. 

 

 

 

It's one of the nicer MDR's in the fleet.

Edited August 2, 2019 by twangster

[Beachammo]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

Boleros

 

On this sea day I've got some time to kill so let's look at Boleros.  I can't say enough great things about Boleros on Empress.  it is the biggest and best Boleros across the whole fleet.

 

Located on deck 6 aft with entrances on port the port and starboard side.

 

 

 

This Boleros has a distinct Cuba theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great bar with ample bar seating.

 

 

 

Nightly there is always something going on in Boleros.  From Royal game shows to live music and dancing Boleros has it all.  

 

I wish Oasis class had a lounge as nice and large as this.....

 

Fantastic ocean views

 

[Chrislynn55]

Thanks again for all the photos! For some reason I totally remember this dining room from my 1992 cruise and can’t wait to enjoy those sea views once again.

 

How comfortable are you finding the beds? I’m booked for 17 nights on Empress and wondering whether I need to bring my own egg crate mattress....sure wished I’d had one on my Anthem cruise.....

[twangster]

3 hours ago, Chrislynn55 said:

 

How comfortable are you finding the beds? I’m booked for 17 nights on Empress and wondering whether I need to bring my own egg crate mattress....sure wished I’d had one on my Anthem cruise.....

 

I'm always okay with Royal beds including Anthem.  If it's going to ease your mind bring it.

[allentownahoy]

6 hours ago, Chrislynn55 said:

Thanks again for all the photos! For some reason I totally remember this dining room from my 1992 cruise and can’t wait to enjoy those sea views once again.

 

How comfortable are you finding the beds? I’m booked for 17 nights on Empress and wondering whether I need to bring my own egg crate mattress....sure wished I’d had one on my Anthem cruise.....

When are you going to be sailing Empress? We just booked May 11-18,2020.

[allentownahoy]

I am all about the coffee. Do they serve cappuccinos,etc at the Chops breakfast or Diamond area of MDR and are they complementary?

 

Is there a coffee venue where you can get specialty coffees for a fee?

[Merion_Mom]

10 hours ago, twangster said:

Meal with an officer lunch in Chops today.  

 

Unfortunately I left my memory card in the cabin so no pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

OMG, you lost your memory!

 

Welcome to the Club!  🤣

[Biker19]

7 hours ago, allentownahoy said:

 

Is there a coffee venue where you can get specialty coffees for a fee?

Right as you walk in to Boleros. 

[bobmacliberty]

I haven't spent any time on smaller ships (Serenade once, if you consider that small).  Your pictures are making me understand the "connection to the sea" comments that you hear from people who prefer small vs. large.  Amazing MDR views.

[TwizzlersAddict]

Great scope from Coco Cay! Everyone should follow him on Periscope, to get the live videos as well. Nice to see Coco Cay is not crowded with 2 ships in port. 

[twangster]

10 hours ago, allentownahoy said:

I am all about the coffee. Do they serve cappuccinos,etc at the Chops breakfast or Diamond area of MDR and are they complementary?

 

Is there a coffee venue where you can get specialty coffees for a fee?

 

I asked in Chops this morning.  Expresso, Cappuccino, Latte, etc would be complimentary with D+ or higher access to Chops for breakfast.  Not all day, just breakfast 7:30am to 9am.

 

There is a Café on Empress.  I thought I had a picture of it but maybe not.  Here the drink menu with pricing:

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Day 13 continued...

 

On our sea day towards a Perfect Day here are some pictures around the ship on a sea day.

 

Live music by Mass Effect on the pool deck.

 

 

Lots of sun, various pool deck activities by the CD staff I have neglected to capture but here is the pool deck situation.

 

 

I love ships with these outdoor covered decks.  A good book, a drink, good company, whatever...

 

 

This is day 7 of an 8 day cruise and the 10 drink card has appeared for $79 plus 18% gratuity.

 

 

What cruise is complete without a sale.  T-Shirts, jewelry, watches, booze - all the regular stuff on sale and equally popular as ever.  

 

 

Ah... wake views.

 

 

Plus forward views.  Smooth seas.

 

[twangster]

Schooner Bar

 

One some ships the Promenade is the heart of the ship.  Here on Empress the Centrum and Schooner Bar assume that role.

 

 

With views of the sea what's not to like.

 

 

 

It also plays host to pub type music, piano music and various game shows and trivia type events.

 

What type of bees produce milk instead of honey?  Lessons learned while enjoying a drink at the Schooner Bar.

 

 

[twangster]

When I speak of a small ship that doesn't feel small on the inside it's in no small part (pun intended) to spaces like this.

 

 

 

 

The forward elevator lobby and Centrum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Voom check in on a sea day close to Florida:

 

 

[twangster]

I know, I know.  I promised no more sunset pictures.

 

I lied.

 

 

 

 

What a way to end a wonderful day at sea.

 

Edited August 4, 2019 by twangster

[twangster]

Windjammer for dinner.  Tonight's theme: French. 

 

I ran into the Hotel Director Julie in the WJ again.  If the senior officers are eating in the WJ, I must be on to something.

 

 

Tonight's Headliner:  Kenny James.  

 

 

 

High energy and a lot of fun.  Kenny says he will be on numerous Royal ships over the coming months.

 

[twangster]

Day 14, Cruise 2 Day 8 - CocoCay & Perfect Day

 

Early to rise, I spotted our destination in the distance.  Strong winds on our approach, I'm glad there is a pier waiting for us.

 

 

This is where I am going to hit the pause button.  I'm writing this from my balcony after we left CocoCay and I haven't started packing yet.  Tomorrow is Miami and that dreaded debark day.  

 

More.  To.  Come.  

 

Stay tuned but give me a day ot two because I have a lot of pictures to go through.

 

Back soon.

[brillohead]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

I know, I know.  I promised no more sunset pictures.

 

I lied.

I'm pretty sure that with pictures like that, nobody's going to complain one little bit!!!

[allentownahoy]

13 hours ago, twangster said:

 

I asked in Chops this morning.  Expresso, Cappuccino, Latte, etc would be complimentary with D+ or higher access to Chops for breakfast.  Not all day, just breakfast 7:30am to 9am.

 

There is a Café on Empress.  I thought I had a picture of it but maybe not.  Here the drink menu with pricing:

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much Twangster.

[Biker19]

10 hours ago, twangster said:

This is day 7 of an 8 day cruise and the 10 drink card has appeared for $79 plus 18% gratuity.

I guess Empress is not immune from price rises - the drink card was usually reported less on her, like $69.

[schlimazel_traveler]

What are the inside cabins like (space, layout, storage)? 

Similar to Vision class? 

 

[bobmacliberty]

12 hours ago, twangster said:

I love ships with these outdoor covered decks.  A good book, a drink, good company, whatever...

 

 

Do they have bar service on these decks?  If so, would be my ideal location.

[twangster]

42 minutes ago, schlimazel_traveler said:

What are the inside cabins like (space, layout, storage)? 

Similar to Vision class? 

 

 

Smaller.  Smallest interior cabins in the fleet.  

 

18 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Do they have bar service on these decks?  If so, would be my ideal location.

 

Boleros and the Casino Bar are a short walk.