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EMPRESS QUESTIONS

Cruisegirl6
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Cruisegirl6 Great Review Rare

Cruisegirl6

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Hello,

Most of our questions have been answered in past reviews.... we just booked the Empress of the Seas for March but I am very worried she be rocking badly.  Can anybody who has caused on the Empress (we are on the March 29th sailing) can let me know whether she is a very rocky ship, just want to be prepared.  Thank you.

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voyager70

voyager70

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10 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

I know ships movement is based on weather and such, but I guess what I am asking, if the weather is all nice and good and calm does this ship still rock?

We had great weather and calm seas on Empress and didn't notice any significant rocking.

 

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Clarea

Clarea

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2 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Its such a tiny ship, if it always rocks I need to prepare my elderly father in law as he is going with us.

 

I'd prepare him anyhow since you cannot predict the conditions.

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twangster "Live from...." Rare

twangster

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I have had cruises on Empress with no motion and I've had cruises on Oasis with the feeling like I was riding on a subway - a subtle sway back and forth.  All that was missing was the clickety clackety sound.  

 

Empress isn't inherently rocky.  

 

It's all about the swell and the luck of mother nature.  

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ONECRUISER

ONECRUISER

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2 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Maybe compared to rest of the fleet, but it's still a large ship which is very stable in calm seas.

Agree. Back when she started Cruising was one of the Largest Cruise ships. Then the Sovereign/Majesty, called first "Mega-ships" largest Cruise Ship in the World. 30yrs ago remember looking down from all 3 these on to the tiny tiny NCL, Carnival and Princess Love Boat sized ships.  Personally I like the 80-90K GT range ships

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Scotty G

Scotty G

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Cruisegirl6: We have been on Empress several times including when she ran from Manhattan to Bermuda. 

We never experienced sea conditions that caused us to feel any discomfort. Have a great cruise - we may see you aboard!

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Cruisegirl6 Great Review Rare

Cruisegirl6

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I heard the casino is very tiny, for those who have been on the Empress did you find it was difficult to get a slot machine and were there any interesting fun slots and any progressive machines?  Does anybody know who the casino host is?

 

Is there a place to get better coffee/lattes/espressos?

 

What is your favorite place to sit inside the ship to relax?

 

Stupid question-  Since she holds alot less passengers would you say the variety/selection of food on the lunch buffet be smaller/less choices?

 

Are the beds alternated on this ship, such as every other one the bed closer to the balcony or bathroom, if so, do you know where the bed is in stateroom 9638?

 

My other half loves to play  in the casino, I noticed the bar only has 6 seats, is it generally crowded?  (I like to sit and relax there)

 

We have been on many RC ships, mostly the Oasis class the past five years, we always have tried Chops and always disappointed and had bad experiences there, we stopped going to Chops the past four cruises, would you say since the ship is small and quaint, that the food is better on this ship or would you say it is the same as on other ships?

 

Do they have any live entertainment in the Viking Crown Lounge at night?

 

Are the buffets for breakfast and lunch packed and crowded and the lines go slow to get food, or do they have individual stations of different foods all around as they do on the Oasis class ships

 

Is it true the casino is non smoking (that be very nice)

 

We will be on the 6 night cruise, would anybody happen to have the copies of the MDR menu's or the cruise compasses?

 

Thank you so very much for your help!

 

 

 

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twangster "Live from...." Rare

twangster

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Casino is smaller than most in the fleet but there are only ~1,600 guests on board.  It's a non-smoking casino.

 

Cafe Royal is in the entrance to boleros on starboard.  Unlike a Cafe Promenade there are no sandwiches so it's just a coffee bar,

 

Chops on Empress is the only Chops in the fleet I make a point of visiting and paying for.  Generally speaking I only visit Chops on other ships when my TA gives me a free dinner.

 

VCL will have some nightly events.  The 70s party, DJ music, etc.  

 

I have some more pictures in my live trip reports:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2681739-empress-b2b-14-nights-on-the-biggest-little-ship

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2686747-empress-8-night-eastern-caribbean-🎵-oops-i-booked-it-again-🎵/

 

Here is an Empress 6 night compass from July.

 

Empress CC 6 Night Western 7-21-19.pdf

 

I much prefer the WJ breakfast on small ships compared to Oasis.  Oasis class has the worst WJ IMO.  Never have an issue getting a seat despite a small WJ on Empress.  Guest population is only ~1,600 so a small WJ works well.

 

Empress has the best Boleros in the fleet IMO.  Great little ship.  HD is Julie Young unless she is on vacation.  She does a great job with the crew.  

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Cruisegirl6 Great Review Rare

Cruisegirl6

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twangster what reviews!!!!  Thank you and the photos were fantastic!

 

One question, we have a flight booked for 10:30am out of Miami International we assume we have plenty of time, what are your thoughts of us getting off the ship and making this flight?

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Clarea

Clarea

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14 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

...

 

One question, we have a flight booked for 10:30am out of Miami International we assume we have plenty of time, what are your thoughts of us getting off the ship and making this flight?

 

I would do self-assist departure to maximize your time.

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happytocruiseginny

happytocruiseginny

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On 1/3/2020 at 1:17 PM, Cruisegirl6 said:

Hello,

Most of our questions have been answered in past reviews.... we just booked the Empress of the Seas for March but I am very worried she be rocking badly.  Can anybody who has caused on the Empress (we are on the March 29th sailing) can let me know whether she is a very rocky ship, just want to be prepared.  Thank you.

I went on Empress on Nov 29 2017 and was in Cabin M7663 Interior and had ZERO problems - it was just a 4 day 

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