We just got back from a 4-night, Saturday-Wednesday sailing from Tampa to Cozumel. This was a birthday getaway and we were satisfied with almost all of the experience.

Embarkation and disembarkation were both fast and easy. Here's a tip if you drive: use the Park4Cruise lot just across the street and down the block from the terminal. Cost is $8/day for secure "lock your car and go" parking. A shuttle to the terminal is provided, but its so close you could almost walk.

The Empress of the Seas is a "small" ship, carrying about 1600 passengers. Our first pleasant surprise: nowhere we went on the ship seemed crowded. Not the bars, not the dining rooms, not the theater. Sure, the pool deck was busy but we easily found lounge chairs and had minimum waits for drink service. The pool was small though, and full of kids! We did miss the adults-only Solarium found on the Majesty of the Seas and the Brilliance of the Seas. We probably won't cruise on the Empress again because of this. Read more