Small cruise, small service

Item: Empress of the Seas
Rating: 3.4
Author: Kayra23

Empress of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Kayra23

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 77

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5

Verified Review

6 Night Key West & Cozumel (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 04, 2019

Ship: Empress of the Seas

Cabin number: 3601

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Empress of the Seas is Royal caribbean's smallest ship where it feels like the send the waitstaff on their way out of the business and train their upper management. Would be a good first time cruise, not for seasoned cruisers.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very friendly and fast

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Food was extremely disappointing. We did not try Chops Grille but felt a big push to spend the extra money by lowing the quality of food in regular dining and windjammer cafe.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Weird placement of fitness center but smaller ship so they are trying to utilize space.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Comedy show the second night was the best.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Just an overall lack in service. Not bad, just not really there most of the time. Expect to get your own drinks at the bar.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Older ship, cabin was dirty looking due to wear and tear but clean.

Ship tip

Don't expect much

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Not a huge Miami fan

Thumbs Up 0

Key West, Florida

3 out of 5

Bars were open but town was dead.

Thumbs Up 1

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

5 out of 5

Loved this port!

Thumbs Up 1

Cozumel, Mexico

1 out of 5

Not a fan, wish this port would change since its over played now.

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

6 Comments

wgammon1 4 years ago

Sorry you had a bad experience.

Thumbs Up 0

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capeman 5 years ago

Seasoned cruiser or not, the trip is always what YOU make of it. This is a smaller ship and if you have picked this Vessel it is because you want a smaller ship. You can't and should not expect big ship comforts. I'm sorry they did not find the food to their liking, but your experience will differ. Board with an open mind and let the ship present itself to you as the days go by. Happy cruising to all. Sept 1st for me on this ship.

Thumbs Up 0

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Butterflies 5 years ago

I’m a seasoned cruiser and smaller ships I love the best. Going on Empress real soon. I love all size ships but for first timers I think they should try larger ships first. If there wanted the whole wow factor.

Thumbs Up 0

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agfstamps 5 years ago

We had a couple of great trips on the Empress. Just so you know, the try to up sell the specialty restaurants on every cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

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Honestdruid 5 years ago

Fredcicc thisnthe the correct itinerary, I’ll be on this exact trip in about 2 months.

Thumbs Up 0

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fredcicc626 5 years ago

Not helpful because this itinerary doesn’t match what EMPRESS actually sailed. In fact, if Cozumel replaces Havana... OK. But where is Grand Cayman? And if you mistook the port for another, you couldn’t mistake Cayman for Costa Maya. I think this is fake.

Thumbs Up 0

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Other reviews of this sailing

Not for long trip

Great cruise Excellent Crew