Empress of the Seas Review

3.0 / 5.0
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Very Unappealing

Review for Cuba Cruise on Empress of the Seas
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Marc Allen
6-10 Cruises • Age 40s

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Sail Date: Jul 2018
Cabin: Ocean View Stateroom

This cruise was so unappealing in so many ways. To start this experience the line to check in at the Miami Port took over 35 minutes. There were not enough agents to fulfil all the people at check in. The staterooms are tiny, with 139 sq. ft. The bathroom as miniscule with a small shower. The beds, two twins to make a large bed was so uncomfortable, as were the pillows. Both made my bones ache. The food in the main dinning room was bland and had no real taste. The specialty dinning room was better, although the menu is fixed and doesn't change, so that got old after two consecutive nights there. The day at sea makes this small ship very crowded, noisy and annoying and claustrophobic. The pool area with it's spa sized (small) pool was very crowded on the day at sea. The Windjammer café on the pool level could be very crowded as well. They had a good variety of foods. Some okay, other not so much. But you could always find something there to eat. Elevators slow and crowded. There really are no quiet places aboard, what with loud music constantly blasting. There was even a karaoke set right by guest services which made speaking to a representative very difficult. The casino was small and had no inviting vibe. It was mostly very empty. What was especially annoying was the upsells and hawking of the ships extra's such as the specialty dinning, the spa and the photo gallery. This was constant. The library and the card room were not enclosed and basically in the hallway. Again, very noisy. The only reason we went on this cruise was for the overnight in Havana which made every other annoyance on the ship worth it. It was super easy to get on and off the ship in Havana. No lines and we did this a few times the first day in port. Havana was most interesting. This ship was probably a jewel when it was built in 1989, but 30 years later, it is time to put her to rest. I had been on many RCCL cruises and this ship was by far the worst. I kind of felt bad for the staff that constantly, and I mean always asked if you were having a great time and to give them good reviews when an email was sent to follow up. Upon return to Miami, the debarking of the ship was flawless and took no time at all.

Cabin Review

Ocean View Stateroom

Very small. Very uncomfortable beds and pillows. You have very little control over the thermostat and we were quite warm in our room. The bathoom area with shower curtain in shower was extremely small. All understandable because of the age of this ship. I think Royal Carribean is doing their brand and reputation negative publicity by keeping this old ship in service, especially in an upscale market like Miami.

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