Empress or Zenith to Bermuda?

[gerif]

Want to squeeze in a last-minute cruise for my 60th birthday. Cat sitter will be away 9/9-19 and I have a trial starting on 10/3, so was looking at 9/23 sailing (birthday is 9/24). We did Voyager last year which was great, but DH wants to dock in Hamilton/St. George. We did Zenith about 9 years ago which was nice. Both ports are within easy driving distance (a definite plus). Doing Empress would make us platinum, so that is a consideration, but I've never been on her. Opinions, please.

[Tmeister]

We did the Empress to Bermuda in 1999 when she was still the Nordic Empress. We spent the first day in St. George's and the rest of the time in Hamilton. I'd definitely do that again, especially since the Empress has been renovated since then. We've never been on the Zenith, but we were on the Horizon, its sister ship, which has been taken out of service by Celebrity or sold. The Horizon was nice but wouldn't hold a candle to the Empress; I'm assuming that the same would be true of the Zenith. About the only reason that I'd opt for the Zenith would be to have the Celebrity amenities, but that might not be enough to tip the balance.

[slotaddict]

I'm a Zenith fan. Never been on the Empress. The Zenith is a very charming well kept ship. the crew is second to none. I would do the Zenith again in a heartbeat.

[patrickc]

Was on Zenith in June to Bermuda. I would not recommend this ship-- it was not the same as other Celebrity cruises-- we were disappointed. I'd do Empress since it has been refurbished. Zenith was too small-- too crowded-- casual food area was always a mess. Ship had no central area- no flow-- not even deck chairs on the promenade deck. I submitted a review so should be posted soon. If you want transportation to & fro, maybe take it.. but if you have a choice w/ similar time in both ports-- take RCCL.

[bermudashorts]

Id do Empress. We have had our share of Zenith.

Its is getting real old looking to us.

The only good thing about her is the time you are in Bermuda.

 

On the Zenith, you get to Bermuda at 9am, and the empress 2pm

on the Zenith you leave Bermuda, at 3pm, and the Empress leaves at 8am.

That is alot of difference to me, but it is worth it to us to sail from Philly and be on RCCL

[Janet524]

We've done both Horizon (Zenith sister ship) and Empress to Bermuda. I would give the nod to Empress. It's recently been refurbished and IMHO a more interesting ship than Horizon/Zenith class. Service was outstanding and we enjoyed the food and entertainment on Empress.

[Host Kewlguy]

The main reason I would choose Zenith over Empress is the size of the staterooms. Empress's staterooms are extremely small unless you're in a suite. I could never even attempt to stay in an inside stateroom on Empress at 117 sq. ft. It's like being in a coffin. Oceanview's aren't much better.

[Luv4dacruise]

I would choose Zenith over Empress. As one poster already said, stateroom size, definitely much larger on Zenith. If you want to break it down to how old the ship is, you are not going to find a ship that does the Bermuda run that is not old, they all are. The food on Zenith blows RCI out of the water. Sure the ship may not be as glitzy, but it is definitely a classy ship. She has her own subdues style that many of us find charming. Take the Zenith!

[superjerryw]

We just did Bermuda on the Zenith and it would be my choice over the Empress. As mentioned, the cabins on the Zenith are much bigger. You also get 4 days in Bermuda instead of 3 on the Empress. You are afterall taking this cruise to be in Bermuda so you might as well go on the ship that gives you the most time there. The fact that you will have a bigger cabin and better service is just a bonus.

[gerif]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. Looks like we could get the "Zenith suite" for $3,275 or the Owner's Suite on the Empress for $3,798 for the week in question. The Empress would give us a balcony - I'll assume there are no amenities that come with a suite on this ship other than the two cruise credits and priority embarkation - yes???

 

There are also four aft balcony JS's available on the 8/26 Empress (7188, 7686, 7688 and 7690) for $2,973 (with C&A coupon) - anyone know anything about these? Not mad about this date, however.

[bermudashorts]

Ive been in 7690 on the Empress.

Nice cabin considering how small the cabins are on the ship.

No sitting area.

But the balcony is double the size of the others. (which is what we wanted)

We are in a side balcony in September that does have a sitting area, but a smaller balcony. Hope we all fit ;)

 

Nothing special but the points

 

You could board you cat at the vet or kennel for the 3 days til the sitter could pick here up.

And sail with us on the 9/16. I saw the 7690 was still open then.

It would be $ cheaper to sail in September, plus less kids

 

Picture from the balcony door

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL377/1003796/1940671/135998154.jpg

 

View looking up, the length is what you see on the next balcony up, plus a bit more to the right

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL377/1003796/1940671/136000774.jpg

[madelinerose]

Haven't been on either, but I would choose the Empress, as a balcony is a deal breaker for me. We choose to cruise with a balcony always. ;)

[Cachecara]

WOW.

We usually take a balcony, but in this instance (Zenith has no balconies)to us it was not a deal breaker.

 

Zenith's basic oceanview was 172 square feet. Quite a bit larger than on Empress. I think we are getting a cat 4 for under $800 per person on Zenith. We are getting a very aft cabin so have an area almost like our own private deck(this piece of info provided from other CC'ers staying in the cabin we booked)

 

We did this cruise last Sept and loved it. We are doing it again this Sept. Honestly, the ship was not brand spanking new and we didn't expect it to be since it's now the oldest in their fleet. The food was great, the service great. You are docked in Bermuda for 4 days, so we spent little time onboard except for nightly meals. The staff were continually cleaning and keeping up with the little things. Yes, there were things we did notice HOWEVER--we did notice the same lil nicks and imperfections on cruises we took on the Voyager class vessels. I think it can't be helped.

 

Either way, have a great cruise.:)

[Jeepers385]

We've done the Empress 3 times (twice as Nordic Empress and once as Empress of the Seas) and love the ship. No we haven't sailed the Zenith so I can't make any comparisons with her. We found the crew, ship and food to be excellent on the Empress. There were people always cleaning and smiling and being helpful. I think this helps with any small ship whether it's the Empress or Zenith, small ships have that intimate feel to them. Yes the rooms are small on the Empress but we're not in them that much so that didn't make an impact on our decision.

Enjoy whichever one you consider. Oh, one other thing you might want to consider that it takes 6 hrs to travel down the Delaware to the open waters and the casino & shops will not open until then, whereas in NY your right there.

[dlm615]

have been on both. We have cruised to Bermuda every year since 2000.

was lucky enough in 2004 to take 2 cruises to Bermuda that summer. One on each (zenith/ empress of the sea). In comparing the 2, I will always pick Zenith. IMHO the level of service and quality were much better on Zenith.

Yes...the EOS is glitzy and prettier...glass elevators...atrium...I found that the cabins were smaller and cheaper in quality...the food was not up to par...casual food was never hot...etc. Even the beach towels were thin and chintzy...we found ourselves on the beach and walking along Front street in Hamilton looking longingly at the Zenith. That being said...would I go back to Bermuda on the EOS? You bet.....its a beautiful place...and you are cruising!!!!! Good luck and have a great time...

[morgan1312]

My vote is for the Empress, have taken both the Empress and The Zenith to Bermuda in the past. Bermuda is so easy to get around in that it shouldn't matter where you're docked.

 

We didn't like the Zenith because as someone else posted there is no flow on the ship, you can't get from one end to the other without switching elevators/stairwells in the middle of the ship, that was annoying to us.

 

Also, we just went Platinum on our cruise last year with RCI and the appetizers and drinks served at the special party for Platinum members were great! Plus the coupons are bigger and better!

[superjerryw]

Also, we just went Platinum on our cruise last year with RCI and the appetizers and drinks served at the special party for Platinum members were great! Plus the coupons are bigger and better!

 

Sorry to disagree, but I don't think that a few appetizers and some coupons make up for one and a half less days in Bermuda. The Empress arrives in Bermuda at 2:00PM on day 3 of the cruise whereas the Zenith arrives at 9:00AM on day 3 of the cruise. The Empress also leaves at 8:00AM on day 6 of the cruise while the Zenith leaves at 3:00PM on day 6 of the cruise. We were on the Zenith a couple of weeks ago. I remember standing on St Catherines beach at 9:00AM watching the Empress sail out to sea while we had almost a full day to go before we were going to leave. If you really want to see Bermuda the Zenith is clearly the better choice.

[gerif]

Ive been in 7690 on the Empress.

 

You could board you cat at the vet or kennel for the 3 days til the sitter could pick here up.

And sail with us on the 9/16. I saw the 7690 was still open then.

It would be $ cheaper to sail in September, plus less kids

QUOTE]

 

Thanks for the photo - and the invite - alas, we're not talking ONE cat - I breed Persians as a hobby, so we're talking more like 14 plus some kittens!

[fecombs]

Could someone please tell me, which side of the ship is next to the street in Hamilton? Port or Starboard?

Thanks

Fran

[Cachecara]

If you are on Zenith: Starboard is city of Hamilton view--this is the side I always book. Port is seaside. When you get to St. George--it is just the opposite. Starboard is seaside and Port is view of St. George.

 

Don't know how that works for Empress.

[LAKaye]

As others have posted, there are pros and cons to each itinerary/ship.

 

If this trip is all about Bermuda, then go on the Zenith----more time spent there.

 

If it is more about the ship, and you are talking suites, go with the Empress because of the balconies.

 

Important point: Junior Suites on the Empress are really Category E rooms--small with only a shower in the small bathroom, no fridge, small closet.

 

Also, the reason why the Empress spends less time in Bermuda on a 7-night cruise is because of how much time she must spend sailing the shallow Delaware river. Get ready for "that vibration" during 2nd seating dinner when she negotiates some tricky turns in the river. It happens every cruise. All the crystal and china shakes! I was the only one who kept eating.....

 

Bon Voyage~~

 

Leslie

[fecombs]

Thanks Karen,

 

I am interested in finding out with side the Empress is on.

[LAKaye]

Thanks Karen,

 

I am interested in finding out with side the Empress is on.

 

When the Empress ties up in Hamilton, her starboard side faces Front Street, with the port side having a gorgeous view of Hamilton Harbor and all of the sailing classes and sailboat races.

 

St. Georges is an iffy place to get into---if the winds or the seas don't cooperate, the captain cannot take the ship there. So on our most recent May sailing, we stayed the whole time in Hamilton.....hopefully someone else can answer for St. Georges.

 

Leslie

[fecombs]

Thanks to both of you for you prompt postings. I do appreciate them.

 

Fran