8 Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day (Miami Roundtrip)
Sail date: July 27, 2019
Ship:
Empress of the Seas
Cabin type: Oceanview
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 5 years ago
Review summary
This 8 night cruise from Miami was perfect for us. We have done cruises in the past but this one, on the Empress, was the most relaxed. No crowds, great service, nice ship. Always pool chairs available and no wait lines to anything. Cabins are small but we were only in ours for sleeping. There are lots of areas on each deck to relax. Outside seating on deck 10, with an upper sun deck as well as on deck 6. The front of the ship has observation decks on deck 6, 7, 8, and above 10.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Port was very easy to get too and the boarding procedure was very well organized. Got on at 11am with no line ups.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We had breakfast and some lunches in the Windjammer then went to the Starlight main dinning room for supper for each of our 8 nights. We had my time dining and pre booked around our schedule. Our wait staff, Lenice and Ryan could not have been better. Very personable and we enjoyed chatting with them each night. Lenice explained each nights menu and made food suggestions. Meals were all excellent.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We have been on the largest RC ship and now also the smallest. This ship did not have the frills but it did have a rock climbing wall, a nice pool and three hot tubs. There was always room at the shuffle boards and the ping pong tables to enjoy them.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The ships own band, singers and dancers were very good. The nightly head liner shows were mostly good. One of the comedy acts was so so. There was always a choice of piano music or a DJ in the lounges. Each evening also had the regular audience participation games. The night thing about the entertainment was that there was always seats and you could arrive only five minutes early for anything.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The service and the staff were the best part of this ship. Very, very friendly, especially in the Windjammer and the Star Light restaurant. Room steward worked around our schedule and room was always done at least twice a day.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
This older ship has been well looked after. It being small, made it easy to navigate. We could go from the restaurant to the Royal Theater in 5 minutes. Two sets of elevators, fore and aft were conveniently located. lots of seating in various locations on each deck in the elevator/stairs foyers. And, always pool chairs to be found. The upper sun deck above the pool area was nice. It was equipped with lots of deck chairs, hammocks and some large wicker two/three person sets.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Our oceanview on deck four was small but well equipped. Lots of storage for the two of us. Empty bags fit under the bed and there was enough drawers and closet space for all our clothes. It was clean, a small bathroom with a shower stall equipped with a curtain. All better than we expected.
Ship tip
Not the wow of the large ships but the crew were fantastic. No line ups for anything and always pool side chairs available. Five minutes from eating to sitting in the front three rows for a show.
Lots to do and see near the port area. We did the Hop on/off big bus tour which wa an excellent way to see the area. Pay the $20 extra for this and get to do a boat and night tour as well.
Lots of activity. Mallory Square where the ship docks is a touristy hub. We did the hop on/off trolly which takes you on a 90 minute round trip of Key West. Well worth doing. Hemmingway house was on this route and the tour of it was interesting as well.
Nice shops and eating areas off of the ship. There is also a swimming with the dolphins at this port that even if you don't pay to do, there is a great viewing area. We did the Myan ruins tour which was very good. The bus drive to and from gave us a chance to see the country as well. Another surprise at this port was an overhead swinging walkway system that contained many areas to see parrots and other tropical birds (screened in areas). $14 each but worth it, It also had viewing areas above the dolphin pool.
This port had the most shops, especially jewelry stores. We got hassled some as we walked by window shopping but not bad. Did the Atlantis submarine tour. Very interesting, it goes down 100ft and tours the reefs and a ship wreck. Saw lots of marine life.
This is a beautiful Island with lots to do. Chill beach is nice white sand. Stood in waist deep water and watched tropical fish and manta rays swim by. We did not do the water part but did rent a beach bed to keep out of the sun. Unfortunately our hot air balloon tour was cancelled due to weather but Royal was quick to give us a refund.
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