It was different

Empress of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

ovscan

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

Sail date: September 22, 2016

Ship: Empress of the Seas

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 8006

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We were surprised to see all the non-inclusive, nickel and dinging. You actually had to pay $2 for popcorn at a venue.

If you book first or business class on an airline, you are covered for everything. Why would a suite not have special amenities?

We were billed for everything from daily tips to internet on a multi thousand dollar suite.

We did not have one proficient person to explain the beverage ticket so we just paid ourselves. We didn't mind paying $50 a night for an $8 bottle of wine at dinner each night, but not being able to bring (according to you FAQs) one great bottle aboard for a suite seems to be an issue.

We've had 1000 ft + suites on other cruise lines, we felt like we booked on Carnival...not good!

The staff made up for most of the inconvenience.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Beautiful cabin, BUT the air did not work most of the time or not at all for severely hot weather. It was difficult to enjoy a large suite especially to sleep.

Ship tip

Prices for the beverages passes were unreasonable for what you get for free on other cruise lines.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Key West, Florida

5 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

16 Comments

memoryleigh 8 years ago

#1- I don't pay thousands of dollars for an inclusive trip the the movie theater. #2- the popcorn they're charging for is not a bag or box like at the theater, it's now the size you'd serve at a children's birthday party.

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wildbill24 8 years ago

Funny, people crying about the price of popcorn would no think twice about paying that much and more at their local cinema.

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memoryleigh 8 years ago

We expected the drink prices and thought the drinks were pretty strong so we were ok with that but the popcorn and video games, if nothing else, was in poor taste.

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conorsuao 8 years ago

Oh YES! There was this simple ticket game that was charging $1.50. I didn't see many kids in there this trip. The Carnival Breeze game prices were reasonable when we went and they had classic games like skeeball. I also noticed drink prices were also higher! $11.80 for a margarita when we paid $8 on the Breeze!!

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memoryleigh 8 years ago

I understand charging for a video game, that's expected, but these were games that aren't anything special and they're charging triple the price for them. These were average games at best and they were charging more than Dave & Busters does for their top of the line technology stuff.

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conorsuao 8 years ago

@memoryleigh I do agree about the Popcorn!! I smelled it going to the theatre and was thrown off by the price. Otherwise, all the cruises/resorts I've on to have charged for video games!

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memoryleigh 8 years ago

I'm not cheap but I was taken aback by the nickel and diming on this ship as well. $1.50 to play a video game? $2 for a tiny bag of popcorn at the theatre? I was also shocked the gratuities were charged. I've never been on a ship that worked that way.

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conorsuao 8 years ago

But I do agree, suites aren't worth it for this ship. I'd get an oceanview and spend the money saved on a longer cruise.

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conorsuao 8 years ago

@CruiseMomma, gratuities are not free unless you use a travel agent.

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Cruisemom65 8 years ago

@ovscan, I too booked this ship. I knew going in it was going to be small, but booking a suite for just me at quite a high fee, I was extremely disappointed. Nothing worked. Stood in line at customer service and was told after an hour that they would contact t me. NEVER heard from anything. Lesson learned! Stick with big ships. Did enjoy Key West which was main reason I went on Empress.

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Cruisemom65 8 years ago

@conorsuao, I think he was use to traveling on larger ships of RCCL where gratuities Are included in your suite. Also there are many amenities included in the suite.

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juchi 8 years ago

Welcome to the cruise world

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conorsuao 8 years ago

GEESH. I don't know what cruise line you've been sailing on, but almost all cruise lines charge suite guests wifi & daily tips 😳.

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wildbill24 8 years ago

booking a suite does not make you the queen.

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mrsb3 8 years ago

Not matter which cruise line you book with always read what's included.

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kknorr0320 8 years ago

You can bring 2 750 ml bottles of wine on board.

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Other reviews of this sailing

Fun!!!!!!!!

Pleasantly surprised

Good value for money