We just returned from Empress of the Seas cruise to Key West and Havana. While this may be RCL's smallest ship, the staff certainly make up for that in their service. The pool is tiny, but that is to be expected in a ship small enough to get into Havana. The common areas looked clean and fresh to me, and I smelled nothing untoward anywhere on the ship. The staterooms are small, but again this is to be expected in order to get into Havana. Our stateroom was fresh and clean.

The main dining room for breakfast was not a very good experience. Windjammer did a better job. The waffles were undercooked and tasteless. Chops was good food but the service was inattentive. The main dining room for dinner provided good food and excellent service,better than Chops for sure.

Havana is a wonderful experience. I will be looking for the chance to return in the near future, and Empress will be my choice to get there. Read more