Photo Review: Empress of the Seas 6-06-16 to Cozumel w/Compasses etc. *WinksCruises*

[WinksCruises]

Do you happen to have the e-mail for Daniella?

 

Because you're a suite guest, it's protocol that the Suite Ambassador for your specific itinerary (be it Daniela or whoever) emails you several days before your sailing. Apparently, that's the best time to address any special requests with them, like cabana reservations.

 

From our experience, they don't really want to deal with it before then. And they've always been able to accommodate us, even if we've waited to reserve on board.

 

Have fun!

[WinksCruises]

How would you compare to older Clebrity ships like Connie and Summit?.

 

Been on both those Celebrity ships and love them. It's still an apples to oranges comparison. Different ship class, size, loyalty level perks, amenities and overall demographic or "culture". But we would sail each of these again with no hesitation. And would actively seek out any ship Celebrity's Captain Kate is mastering. She's incredible.

 

Throw Royal's Vision of the Seas into the mix as well. Another wonderful smaller ship experience.

 

Oasis berthing next to us in Cozumel actually spelled out a lot for us. While we still haven't sailed her or her class, the first impressions didn't leave us wanting to. And hopefully, we're just being woefully ignorant here; but we're happy to keep sailing the smaller class ships... and pocketing the change.

 

Good luck!

Edited July 4, 2016 by WinksCruises

[Marylandteachergirl]

Because you're a suite guest, it's protocol that the Suite Ambassador for your specific itinerary (be it Daniela or whoever) emails you several days before your sailing. Apparently, that's the best time to address any special requests with them, like cabana reservations.

 

From our experience, they don't really want to deal with it before then. And they've always been able to accommodate us, even if we've waited to reserve on board.

 

Have fun!

Thank you! I am sure I will hear from someone soon, then.

 

 

Again, another thank you for a fantastic and informative review.

[clarkg]

I really enjoyed your review. Thanks for doing it.

[cruisegirl1]

I enjoyed your review and photos. Just wondering......you made comments regarding beach towels at Nachi and Mr. Sanchos, why didn't you use towels from the ship for your excursions? Was the info there just to inform others who might need a towel?

 

Thanks.

M

Edited July 4, 2016 by cruisegirl1

[WinksCruises]

You made comments regarding beach towels at Nachi and Mr. Sanchos, why didn't you use towels from the ship for your excursions?

We didn't use any towels actually. I should have explained in the review, Mrs. Winks and I debated whether the price of an all-inclusive should extend to towels or not, since it's always such a pain to lug a pair of them from and to the ship. So we wanted to make sure others know, there's an extra charge for towels at these pricey resorts. (and to your point, you should bring some from the ship). Thanks!

[DarthGrady]

Awesome pictorial review! I've been eating these up since our Empress cruise was canceled. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you guys until I can book a sailing on her!

Edited July 5, 2016 by DarthGrady

[vavasmom]

If you had to book again would you select an owner's suite at the front or aft facing? I love wake view rooms but overlooking the bow would be different. Your suite is booked but the ones on deck 7 are open. I assume they have the same balcony configuration

[Mrs. Winks]

If you had to book again would you select an owner's suite at the front or aft facing? I love wake view rooms but overlooking the bow would be different. Your suite is booked but the ones on deck 7 are open. I assume they have the same balcony configuration

 

Hey Barbara! If we were to book on the Empress again we would go for the either the Owner or Royal in the front of the ship. We enjoyed the layout and balcony very much. The OS on deck seven are the same configuration as deck 8. The aft OS is configured differently. The aft OS cabin and balcony is long and narrow. On a different ship it would really depend on the size and shape of the room and balcony. We do tend to enjoy the aft cabins because of size but we equally enjoyed our first experience with the fore cabin and will probably book up front again. I hope that helps!

[WinksCruises]

The aft OS is configured differently. The aft OS cabin and balcony is long and narrow.

I wish someone on our cabin crawl had has one of these. Would have been nice to check out the narrow configuration and see if it "works". 'Cause then I would be happy to do the aft on Empress.

[vavasmom]

Thanks. The forward facing cabin seems so different I booked it. We have wake view on both Dec cruises

[Marylandteachergirl]

Hello Mr Winks and Mrs. Winks!

 

I have now read your review and watched all of the snapchat segments, oh, about 50 times! :D Again, thank you!

 

We will be in the same cabin as you, but one deck down in two weeks. I know there is no concierge lounge or diamond lounge ( we won't be diamond till January), but I am seeing other DL eligible cruisers post that there are three drinks loaded onto their sea pass cards each night. Is that the same for cruisers that would normally have access to the concierge lounge if there was one?

 

 

Thank you, thank you!

Every day I am looking more and more forward to this cruise!

Edited July 15, 2016 by Marylandteachergirl

[WinksCruises]

there are three drinks loaded onto their sea pass cards each night. Is that the same for cruisers that would normally have access to the concierge lounge if there was one?

Yes! Your suite guest status actually trumps Diamonds. We are Diamond, so the three drinks were loaded on our cards anyway, but a bartender at the Schooner Bar told us as Suite Guests, we could go anywhere during the Happy Hour time (5-8pm roughly) and get drinks. And we weren't restricted to the choices on the Diamond drink menu. And they didn't seem to be restricting us to three! :)

 

To be certain, ask Daniela, the suite guest ambassador. She'll give you the details. And she emails you a few days before the cruise (and even personally escorts you on the ship if you're there early on your embarkment day) so there are plenty of opportunities to catch her ear.

 

My tip, make friends with the bartenders at the Schooner Bar. Greet them with a smile and your gold card (signifying you're a suite guest) and they'll take care of you all cruise.

 

Also, be sure to check the Suite Guest amenities flyer that will be in your stateroom upon arrival. Some other perks like breakfasts at Chops, private lounge for disembarkment etc. are available.

 

Have fun. Let us know how you enjoy the fore facing location.

[Marylandteachergirl]

We have sailed aft before, but mostly mid-ship, so this will be new for us, too.

Thank you for the info about the Happy Hour drinks. We aren't big drinkers, and I usually make more use of the coffee machine. :) This time we will have to utilize the Bustelo coffee location. We sail two weeks from yesterday, so it's getting closer. I just need to re-read your review and watch all the video segments at least 20 more times.:D

 

Have a great weekend!

[RoLoHa]

Enjoyed you review. I am more looking forward to sailing now that I've learned more.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[cincicruisers]

Really fun review! Depressed that it's over. Thanks for taking time to share your trip review with us.