Cuba Cruising

Item: Empress of the Seas
Rating: 4.1
Author: dottsy

Empress of the Seas Cruise Review to Cuba

dottsy

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 20

Overall rating:

4.1 out of 5

Key West, Havana, & Cozumel

Sail date: July 19, 2017

Ship: Empress of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 7667

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

We chose this cruise because of the itinerary and were not disappointed in that, although we like 10-14 day cruises in general. We also knew the ship was older and smaller than we are used to. (We were on Harmony last month, so quite the opposite). Those things aside, we really enjoyed this cruise and I would say if you want to see Havana, go now.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

I would like to give this a 5 star rating because I think ship personnel work extremely hard to ensure guests truly enjoy the experience. But on this ship, our assistant waiter was either totally inexperienced or dumb, or just plain lazy. Our waitress on the other hand had to work twice as hard to compensate for his ineptness. The wait service in Chops was also way below specialty dining staff service we have had in those venues on other ships. That is part of what you pay extra for.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

The ship was small enough to be easily navigated. The common areas have been beautifully refurbished. The cabins were the smallest we've seen in a long time, but the ship was built in 1970 so the cabins were where that was most evident.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

5 out of 5

Key West, Florida

5 out of 5

HAVANA, CUBA

5 out of 5

5 stars IF all you want to do is visit Old Havana and say you've been there. There is no time on this cruise to allow for further excursions. Our group did the ship offered bus tour....you see what the government wants to let you see. We did enjoy it, but even more so walking about old Havana on our own and taking the pedicabs around town. We wanted to see Havana before it becomes modernized.....ain't happening in our life time!

Thumbs Up 1

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Spent a lovely day at the beach.

Thumbs Up 2