Captain Funtime

I far preferred the envelope days !

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Did they offer a full refund?

Bob,

Yes they did offer a full refund. I didn't want to cancel for two reasons. Our party was traveling from different cities and dealing with non-refundable air fare would be a hassle. We had arranged for the time off months in advance. Royal knew the Cuba stop was coming but didn't plan well. Not our fault .

Their arrogance in the situation was unbelievable.

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My biggest complaint about this cruise is the fact that after final payment Royal Caribbean changed it from 5 nights to 4 nights and dropped Key West. They gave us diddly for the day we had already paid for. They didn't care.

The cabins were small but ok. Dining room food good. Service very good.

But with the bad taste left from losing one night I am over Royal Caribbean. My next three cruises are on Celebrity and MSC. I know RC won't miss me and I will not miss them.

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Just off Empress yesterday. Room service was S L O W. Philly cheese steak was horrible. All the the items we tried on two occasions were not good. Not at all. Not sort it $7.95 or not.

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We tried the "new" room service twice. Both experiences unsatisfactory. Ordered the philly cheese steak and they delivered cheesecake. Tried another night and the philly sandwich was unrecognizable. Nothing like a real philly [emoji30]

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Chops [emoji41]

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Just off Empress today. Casual due to Cuba. Nice shorts the norm even in Chips.

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They were offering discounts the entire cruise. Last night it wasn't even half full.

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Currently standing on 9646 balcony (starboard) Lifeboats hang in front of deck 8.

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Not bad; I like that option. Was the 10-drink card offered upon boarding?

Not advertised. Ask at the pool bar.

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Hi Freddy, How is the entertainment?

Subjective. I didn't like the piano player.

Good pool band.

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It was not close to full.

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On Empress now. Approached on the pool deck by a Chops waiter offering 20%. I held out and settled for 25%.

Our group of 4 (one CIA Chef) was very disappointed. Strip steak looked the same as the MDR the previous night.

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Please define "aggressive" sales. Would that be in your face aggressive or what?

Not in your face... just non stop. It has slowed a little.

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One short D event by Bolero's. Another last nigh. Packed. No D lounge. 10 drink cards for $69 including the grat.

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Brunch only on sea days. Breakfast in MDR on port days. Windjammer lunch on port days.

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Currently on Empress and so far (two experiences) it is a big fail ! Ordered the cheese steak - cheesecake was delivered. Ordered cheese steak the following day. It was awful. So much for the new upgraded menu.

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Many posts have stated that Empress is understaffed. No evidence of that on this cruise. Staff is VERY polite and outgoing. Had breakfast in the MDR this morning. Food was very good and service was EXCELLENT.

Yes you can wear shorts and a polo to dinner even in Chop's.

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First off, thanks for posting your review! DH and I, along with 4 other couples, are anxiously awaiting the fall, 2018 itineraries for Cuba on the Empress! We have never been on that class of RCI ship, so my question is are the only balconies in the Jr Suite and above categories? All others are either insides or windows, correct? Which side of ship to see the ports (land)? Just trying to scope out the "perfect" location for our group!:cool: Thanks again for your insight!!;) CHEERS!:*

Our cruise is the last one to not visit Cuba although we did pass close enough to get great views. Met a gentleman who is on a b2b and visited Cuba last week. He loved it. We get off Friday in Miami and the Empress sails empty to Tampa to do the Cuba run.

We have a Jr. suite on the starboard side. There are only 60 Junior Suites, all on deck 9. We are in 9646 near the aft elevators. Easy transit to the pool and MDR.

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Can you elaborate on the Brunch. I don't recall many (if any) special brunches with alcohol on RCCL. I know there is a nice brunch on Celebrity. Is that an Empress thing or something because the ship is moving?

 

 

 

Thanks M

On days at sea they do a brunch in place of lunch in the MDR. Very well done. Brunchy stuff.

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They do push sale of everything. Bought dinner at Chops for 25% off.

Service in Chop's was S L O W.

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Day two was a day at sea. Brunch was good. Free Mimosa's and Bloody Mary's.

Have the beverage pkg. so it didn't mean anything [emoji41]

Plenty of space at the pool. Bar service was very good.

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Dinner night one in MDR. Food was good as was the service.

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No shortage of bartenders at the pool bar. Good service.

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Embarkation was smooth Used Jiffy Jeff Transportation from FLL to Port of Miami. Great service. Bar service is very good at the pool bar. Muster was much faster than the past few cruises.

Aggressive sales for everything.

Didn't have the prepaid beverage sticker. Quickly resolved at CS.

So far very good [emoji41]

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