I chose this cruise for the ports of call. I love Key West, and had been to Cococay years ago. Both are fun and excellent venues! I really went on this cruise for the day in Havana, mainly for the historical perspective. I was not disappointed. The contrast between Cuba, a Communist Nation, and other venues in the Caribbean is very noticeable.

The personnel on this ship are very friendly and strive to accommodate your wishes. At the bar, the drinks were excellent! I purchased the ultimate drink package, and will do so again on my next cruise. Food in the Windjammer offers a wide variety, and the quality is excellent. We ate dinner each night in the Starlight. Our waiters did an excellent job in making our dining experience a good one. Wine selection was great. We sat with a family from Connecticut, really enjoyed sharing experiences with them. We hit it off really well from the get go. Food selection and quality of the dining experience in the Starlight was also excellent. The Empress is a smaller ship, so you get to know crew members.

I am a loyal customer of Royal Caribbean, and highly recommend their cruise line to anyone interested in a wonderful cruising experience.