We chose this cruise mainly to visit Cuba. We have cruised on many ships with many companies in the past. On this occasion our focus was Cuba and not the ship. We chose the Empress of the seas as it fitted the dates we wished to travel. We are UK residents and were unsure of the visa policy. I contacted Royal Caribbean and basically if you travel from an American port you are treated as an American person visiting Cuba in relation to the visa application. Royal Caribbean kindly sort this out for $75 per person. We boarded the Empress and were pleasantly surprised. Although the ship is older and smaller than some other cruise ships it is in immaculate condition and all members of staff were fantastic. The pool bar is large and we never had to wait to get served. The food at the restaurant and buffet were as per usual standard for Royal Caribbean, very good. We didn't visit chops grill. The ship is not crowded and we spent our time on board just enjoying the peace, the pool and the view. There are bacon and suite rooms but inside or ocean view rooms. We chose an inside room which was great. Very clean and maintained well. Myself, wife and son had lots of laughs and enjoyed the special time we had together. We visited Costa Maya and paid for the water park. $50 for entry and an extra $48 if you want to do the zipwires. We loved this water park. Very different to other ones we have visited but just as much fun. It did help that there was hardly anyone there no queues whatsoever and the staff were very friendly. We have visited Cozumel before and just spent the day walking and having food at a great little restaurant on the front near to the submarine tour office. Also key West which I didn't mention was fantastic. We have been here a few times before. We love Key West. So to the main event Cuba. We booked a private company fertours. The company is run by Fernando and he has many guides and drivers. We arrived in Havana at 1pm. Straight through customs passport stamped for entry for 30 days if required. Zulia our guide took us to all the squares in Havana followed by an open top tour in 1952 Chevy. Later that evening we toured round in a 1952 Chevy Bellaire hardtop with Zulia and driver Joseph. The 9 o clock cannon shot was great and we ended up at the Buena Vista social club. Awe drinks lots of great Cuban music and dancing. The following day we toured further afield to the home of Ernest Hemingway. Lunch at a fabulous Cuban restaurant. We also visited the home of Cuban artist José Foster. This is a must see as he has turned his entire neighbourhood into a beautiful art installation. Back to the ship and return to Miami. Cuba was amazing and I cannot wait to go again. The Empress of the seas also gets top marks. As long as you don't expect loads of restaurants and watermarks like some of the larger ships this is a beautiful ship. All round fantastic cruise.