Great cruise! The friendly and playful staff and family like experience was what made this cruise a wonderful experience. The smaller ship was nicely updated and easy to get around. It never felt crowded. The dining room food and service was exceptional and the cleanliness of the stateroom and ship was greatly appreciated. The food in the Windjammer could have been better as well as the snacks but this didn't impact our experience. The pool was small for the number of guests. The entertainment was high end and enjoyable. The ships entertainment during the day was also excellent from the piano bar, orchestra, dancers and cruise directors! Plenty of activities to participate or watch for everyone. The introduction and acknowledgment of the staff throughout the cruise was a nice touch to celebrate the people who made our trip so enjoyable. I would definitely cruise on the Empress of the Seas again!