Empress of the Seas--Back then & Now?

[SUZCRUZ]

We will be sailing on her August 20th! (next Saturday) and am curious if anyone had been on her back in the 90's, and now, since she's been refurbished.

[maltesemom]

We were married on her in June of 2002 when she was the Nordic, I love that ship!!!

[SUZCRUZ]

We sailed on her twice without the kids and took them on once when she was called the Nordic Empress.

I just wonder what new enhancements they have added. I know Ben & Jerry's, Starbucks and there is a Portofino's Restaurant. Plus a club called Bolero.

[RDeagazio]

I haven't sailed her since she became the Empress, however I did do a ship tour after the refurb and she looks great. Here are a few of the changes made:

 

Ben and Jerry's/Latte-tudes added

Portofino Restaurant

Carousel Lounge is now the Schooner Bar-- totally refurb

Society Lounge is now Bolero's-- totally refurb

Casino is now only 1 deck-- not 2 decks

Shops got a bit of a facelift

Upper level of Viking Crown is now ShipShape center

 

If you enjoyed the Nordic you'll love the improved Empress!

[Alexis]

We sailed on her in December and she is a real classy older ship. We loved her and plan to sail her again someday.

Great service, great food and very well kept.

I should have added we never sailed her until December. We only saw pictures of what she looked like before.

[cruisingsaw]

My family wants to go to Bermuda next summer. Do you think it is worth it to drive from CT to Philly to the ship? Thanks

[SUZCRUZ]

Thanks for your thumbs up review!

Am kinda looking forward to feeling the motion in the ocean.

She's a much smaller ship than we've cruised on. Love the Millennium Class Ships and the Radiance Class ships.

 

Fly, drive, walk, it's always worth it to cruise!

 

Can't wait!!!

[zinman]

We just got off the Empress last Thursday. We had been on the Voyager class ships before, and I felt the least motion of all on this ship! I am very prone to motion sickness and never once had to take any medicine like I did on the bigger ships. Most of the time I didn't feel any movement at all. The last day we felt a little rocking and forward motion, but other than that it was extremely smooth. Have fun - I wish I was going back on Saturday!

[Pablo's Cruise]

My family wants to go to Bermuda next summer. Do you think it is worth it to drive from CT to Philly to the ship? Thanks

 

I would--that way you get the full 7 day trip, as compared to the 5 day from Bayonne

[CruisinCouple]

My wife and I got engaged on the Nordic back in 1997. We have talked many times about going back and now with the refurbishment we are more anxious then ever, However we are waiting for the ship to move and get a itineray more to our liking. I am not sure if they have any plans on changing that in the near future, but while we wait there are so many other wonderful RCL ships to try!

[maxs mom]

We sailed on her three times before and once after the refurbishment. They did a very nice job. However the cabins are still small. We've always had a great time on the Empress and will sail her again, I'm sure. The 11 night Southern Caribbean cruise is great, and now they are bringing her back for the 7 night Bermuda cruise. That is super.

[SUZCRUZ]

2-DAY is the day.

Gotta pack and off to the port we go.

Will post when we get back. So need this vaca!