It was all about Cuba for us

Item: Empress of the Seas
Rating: 3.5
Author: mhs141

Empress of the Seas Cruise Review to Cuba

mhs141

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 4

Helpful Votes: 52

Overall rating:

3.5 out of 5

6 Night Nassau/Key West/Havana (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 20, 2017

Ship: Empress of the Seas

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 7016

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

It was all about Cuba for us - great experience that I was thankful to have. Explore and learn their history. Brush up on your Cuban history before going and enjoy your cruise.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Easy no wait

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Main dining room better than windjammer for dinner - windjammer was fine for breakfast - ok for lunch - nasty at dinner. Only went there one night as we were exhausted from a full day in Havana

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

One pool - was closed last day for over 2 hours due to a child's lack of finding the bathroom.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Just something to do - kinda lame but we are used to Oasis or Freedom class

Children's Programs

No children

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Room steward was excellent - dining room good

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Clean but a little worn

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Very tiny - clean - no refrigerator - excellent steward

Ship tip

Have never experienced motion sickness while cruising until this ship - went to guest services 1st and last nights for Dramamine - would recommend wearing a patch. Didn't realize you could carry on soft drinks - had to purchase a couple on nights when ship was rocking.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

No excursion

Thumbs Up 0

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

Been there several times - got off walked around then too ferry (4.00 each way) to Paradise Island and walked around. Would recommend doing this.

Thumbs Up 0

Key West, Florida

4 out of 5

Been several times to key west - we rented a scooter for 4 hours - enjoyed the day. Surprised that the ship left before sunset and even more surprised that a cruise ship was docked in front of Mallery Square. Watching sunset at Mallery Square is a ritual for many and truly a Ket West experience.

Thumbs Up 2

HAVANA, CUBA

5 out of 5

As I said this trip was all about Cuba for us - any issues or experiences that were just ok was made up for in Havanna. We originally booked the classic car tour but was convinced by someone from shore excursions to get a refund - we chose 2 tours both RC - historic walking tour and old Havanna city sightseeing. Both were excellent but if I had to pick only one I would go with the walking tour. So informative and w rode by bus to do a cigar / rum and coffee tasting which I didn't realize was included. This was a full day of touring but got to see almost everything we came to see. Had plenty of time to spend at the market - walked there from terminal then took a classic car ride back to terminal. Be sure to ask price before going on. People of Havanna are very nice - Havanna is unlike any port in the carribean - more of a European feel - they are so proud of there history and amazing architecture - yes there is decay but there is so much preservation going on as well. Wish we would have had an overnight in Cuba to see what it is like at night. Loved Havanna!

Thumbs Up 12

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

No issue for us as we had a late flight back but there was a long delay -they had us wait in royal theatre.

1 Comment

Other reviews of this sailing

Beautiful Experience

Cuba is a cool place!