Empress of the Seas Review
Nickle and diming ... and dollaring ...spoils the experience
Rating by category
Additional details
Experienced cruisers on Celebrity and Holland America could be forgiven for thinking they're on-board the Spirit Air of the Seas instead of the Empress of the Seas! If your idea of cruise includes a nice breakfast, lunch , dinner or snack on your veranda or in-room, be prepared to pay $7.95 EACH time you order. The ONLY room service that was "free" was a Continental Breakfast ...no eggs, bacon, pancakes etc. And that's just the beginning of the nickel and diming: no face lotion etc or other amenities in the bathroom (only a bar of soap and shampoo dispenser on the wall): no chocolate on the bed; if you want to keep up with news from "back home", only Fox and CNN, ESPN on tv ...no BBC or Sky News or CBC and no printed news sheets available.
But the good news...the ship, although small (purposely acquired for shorter cruises and Cuba visits) is actually quite comfortable... despite comparatively tiny cabins... 134 square feet!
The dining quality/experience in the dining room was superb; but the buffet was not just smaller (size of ship very visible there) but uninspiring and offerings just not up to what we've enjoyed on other ships. And with room service a no-go for most...the buffet was often quite crowded at breakfast and lunch.
Cabin Review
This cabin is actually quite fine. Yes ,it is small (134 square feet) but the only time you notice is getting in or out of bed...clearance only about one foot wide on either side. And only small drawers anywhere to place things that you don't hang. But the rest of the cabin is fine ... desk, tv, safe, small bathroom and small shower.. perhaps a challenge for larger people.. but otherwise quite adequate, especially for relatively short cruise.. And the window view was NOT obstructed at all ..VERY good. But bright light outside (illuminating promenade below?) makes it into cabin at night even with curtains closed completely .. so if that's a concern, you may want to bring a blindfold
Port Reviews
Nassau
Have been there three times before: island drive interesting for novices, or a visit to Paradise Island hotel is neat, not just for its casino.....but .underwater aquarium (great for kids)....and Chihuly glass ceiling sculpture. In town,there's also an indoor flea market about six blocks down the main street ... the further inside you walk, away from the door,the more willing they seem to be to bargain down T-shirt prices etc.
Key West
Been there many times by car... great place to just walk around, stroll, shop. If first time there, the hop on hop off trolley goes well beyond the city core ...really good views of sites around the island