This was a great cruise experience for our 35th wedding anniversary. We had taken one previous cruise on a larger ship. The Empress of the Seas was more intimate. We got to know some of the people on the ship and would run into them fairly often. The crew were excellent. Because it was smaller there were not as many eating options, but overall we loved it and would do it again.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The embarkattion process was seamless and everyone was friendly and professional.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The main dining room was excellent. Because of the smaller size there were fewer specialty restaurants. The buffet sometimes struggled keeping food hot, but generally was very good.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
We did not participate in the ships onboard activities, but the people onboard seemed to enjoy them.
Entertainment
We did not attend onboard entertainment.
Children's Programs
We did not have children with us.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Every employee was positive, helpful, and went the second mile to serve us.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
We found the cleanliness excellent. The ship had recently won highest rating from a government inspection.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Our cabin was excellent for the price. It was small, but that is what we paid for. Everything was as expected.
Ship tip
If you want a smaller cruise ship where you meet the same people often and can have smaller lines and excursions, this is a great option.
We walked at Key West for bird watching and shopping. We choose a long route and it was hot and exhausting. Next time I would probably get transportation of some kind. We visited Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and enjoyed it.
I took the 4 hour excursion to Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had a knowledgeable guide and would recommend this tour. It was in the jungle and we saw not only the ruins, but birds, monkeys, and learned about the plants and trees.
We went shopping both at the pier and in town. The shopping seemed high pressure, but there were many opportunities to buy and it was certainly set up for cruise ship shopping.
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