Smaller boat must mean smaller services

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

Empress of the Seas Cruise Review to Cuba

vmathis

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

4.1 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Bahamas & Havana (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 21, 2018

Ship: Empress of the Seas

Cabin number: 4227

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Good overall cruise except for the dinner experiences that had been our favorite time on our last cruise.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

No trouble there. Although the room was a big confusing for people who got there after me. I saw several try to walk onto the ship without their sea pass so it wasn't clear where you needed to go first.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Windjammer and food there was very good. We were a large group that had 8:30 dining times. Last year we had a waiter, assistant waiter, AND a bar staff. This year we only had the first two. If often took a long time to get our drinks. We all resorted to bringing on own drink with us to dinner. The assistant waiter was very nice but he did not understand what many of the drinks were. We would have to spell out their names. He just had too many duties and needs bar training before being put in that position. Then on two occasions my husband tried to get a well-done steak and both come out red. He gave up on steaks. The head waiter said well done would make it tough...we we've had well-done before and it was delicious. Also, there just did not seem to be the variety of food to order without paying extra. I mean that is why we come on a cruise...all is paid for before departing. Should not feel like you needed to go to Chops to get a decent meal. Portions were very, very small for the main meals. I remember there always being some kind of chilled soup on last year's cruise but did not have that. We had to fill up on roles to get a full meal. They roles were constantly offered to us so I think that was the plan. Starters and desserts were always good.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Schooner Bar was good. At busy times could have used another bartender.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Small but super nice!

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Comedian and ventriloquist both excellent!

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

No problems here. Would have liked a warmer pool to swim in.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

It was a standard inside cabin. Very tight in size but we realized that going in. Cabin attendant was great.

Ship tip

Do not expect the food and service of a larger ship. This one has to be small to get into Cuba.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Went to Atlantis and enjoyed it.

Thumbs Up 2

Key West, Florida

5 out of 5

Loved it! Favorite place.

Thumbs Up 0

HAVANA, CUBA

3 out of 5

Went on an appox 3 hr bus tour. It was cloudy, rainy, and I think that made Havana look even more depressing. But it is just a crumbling mess. I would not go back there.

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

Delayed due to rough weather but do not blame

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