I just wanted a four night cruise to reach Diamond level and found this perfect to fit the bill. The smallest ship in the fleet was very clean and comfortable. It has a certain charm about it that reminded me of our first cruise. Service was very good throughout and I found the ship to be spacious without crowding. This ship has no balcony cabins and I opted for a small inside cabin that lived up to it's name. Fine for two people but certainly not more.I would opt for an ocean view cabin if I were to go on Empress again. I like to know when it is daylight. Although there was never a problem finding a seat in the Windjammer, I found the food selection to be minimal. Far and away, the meal and dining experience at Chops was a highlight. Don't automatically say no to a small ship or you will miss out on a very relaxing and enjoyable experience.