Empress of the Seas 2018 Review (Cuba & More)

[tweetylori]

They had a table waiting for us upstairs, which we had to ourselves except for a rectangle table that had folks from our ship just finishing up a meal.  We were offered our choice of sodas.  Husband went with a cola which he really liked and said it tasted like Coke used to taste.  I tried the lemon one which was disappointing. It was so sweet, with no lemon taste.  Tasted like a super sweet Sprite.  But let me tell you, the food was terrific!  The infamous Ropa Vieja with rice and plantains.  We were then brought a bowl of black beans to share with it.  

 

 

Edited November 11, 2018 by tweetylori

[tweetylori]

They had some interesting art and antiques upstairs.  Loved this little carousel.

[tweetylori]

We knew our tour was close to ending.  Here's to good times with new friends!

 

 

[tweetylori]

But we still had Plaza de San Francisco de Asis where we got to meet Chopin

 

 

[tweetylori]

[tweetylori]

We passed the old closed-off aqueduct system that is no longer used

 

 

[tweetylori]

Because we hadn't had enough to eat yet,  we had one last stop.  Yes, there is now Gelato in Old Havana!  Ana said these folks work so hard.  They saved and created and made this shop what it now is, which is very good!  Look for this place and support them by enjoying some of their excellent gelato.

 

 

[BaybeeLetsCruise]

I'm really enjoying your review. Thanks for sharing!

 

[tweetylori]

1 hour ago, BaybeeLetsCruise said:

I'm really enjoying your review. Thanks for sharing!

 

 

Thank you!  

[tweetylori]

By now we had spent over 4 hours walking, talking, eating and drinking.  And it was pretty hot.  We were getting tired, but wanted to do a little shopping before heading back to the ship.  The gals on our tour told us about this big warehouse that they had been to on a previous trip, and raved about the deals.  We asked Ana how to get there, and she pointed to a street near the Gelato place and said turn left and just keep going.  So after saying our good-byes, we headed that way.  That way was definitely not a touristy way.  It was very much like a very long back alley.  We were quite glad to finally get to the big warehouse.

 

In we went and the first thing I noticed was something I hadn't seen in years!

 

 

 

 

[tweetylori]

I'm telling you, this place is huge.  Rows and rows of booths, with eager merchants.  And I do mean EAGER.

 

 

[tweetylori]

We made it down an aisle or two, bought a couple things, like three wooden trivets for 10 CUC, a small purse...a few things that we knew we could fit in our suitcases.  We had each only brought one suitcase on the trip, and mine was already pretty darn full, so I kept telling the merchants, I didn't have room to buy more things.  About this time, a young attractive guy lured us into his domain, and that was it for us...he literally wouldn't take no for an answer, and was so persuasive that we bought a few things, and then a few more.  And then we had to shop at his brother's booth, then his friend's, his cousin...let's just say we had to buy a suitcase on the ship to get it all home.    Hopefully we helped some folks.  

 

All that high pressure sales did both of us IN.  About that time I was ready to scream if I didn't get out of there.  We were hot & tired.  The gals had also told us about the carriage ride they had taken for 10 CUC, and sure enough there was one outside the warehouse.  We asked how much and he said 10 CUC, so we hopped in to the very old carriage.  It was enough of a distance from the ship and we had already walked so much that we were more than glad for that ride.  When we stopped outside the terminal, Husband handed him a 10 plus a few more for a tip.  He shook his head no.  Wanted 10 more.  Oh, okay...10 each.  We weren't about to argue.  Paid it.  We did ask if we could take a pic and he said yes.   

[tweetylori]

We were READY to get back on that ship, put all our new stuff in a closet, and settle into these comfy chairs in the Schooner Bar.  Deluxe Drink package time!

 

 

[tweetylori]

We had certainly contemplated doing one of the night tours/shows in Havana.  But everything was so expensive and we had already spent a good amount on the day tour.  Mostly though, it just sounded like too much hassle too late in the day.  This was a badly needed vacation for both of us, and we were desperately trying to de-stress.  So, as much as we would have liked to experience the infamous Havana nightlife, we were very glad that we had decided not to.  We needed the down time, and we had a lovely evening on the ship.

 

We even managed to get hungry again.  Not sure how, but we did.  And it was a good night in the dining room.  Our Waiter, Fernando didn't seem to get that we had been on a food tour that day.  He brought us a couple things we didn't order.  Like this cheese plate.  Fortunately Husband loves cheese, because he brought it every night!  Along with the menu, of course.

[jagsfan]

I hope we can get to Cuba before too long. It looks wonderful and so does the strange looking lobster!

[tweetylori]

3 hours ago, jagsfan said:

I hope we can get to Cuba before too long. It looks wonderful and so does the strange looking lobster!

 

I hope you can!  Go for it!  And that lobster was yummy!

[voyager70]

10 minutes ago, tweetylori said:

 

I hope you can!  Go for it!  And that lobster was yummy!

 

I just have to tell you this has been my favorite Cuba review ever!  Your pics and descriptions are wonderful.  I'm more determined than ever to get a Cuba cruise booked for next year.  Thank you again for taking the time to do this review.

 

[tweetylori]

12 hours ago, voyager70 said:

 

I just have to tell you this has been my favorite Cuba review ever!  Your pics and descriptions are wonderful.  I'm more determined than ever to get a Cuba cruise booked for next year.  Thank you again for taking the time to do this review.

 

 

 

How nice of you to say, thank you so much!  I wish I could get it done faster, but pesky work and social obligations keep getting in the way.

[tybeelucy2]

Thanks so much for this review!! We are on Empress next month, our first RC trip and first time to Cuba. This is sooooo helpful!! 

 

Just to confirm, there isn't a fridge in the room, correct? We are in an oceanview as well. 

 

Thanks! 

[accio_7]

@tweetylori, I'm loving your review, it sounds as if you and hubby had great fun on your tour of Havana! Cuba is definitely on my bucket list 🙂 

(Btw, I noticed on your Sloppy Joe's napkin that someone was a King of the Hill fan as I had a good chuckle at the Rusty Shackleford name LOL.)

[watertraveler]

Lori ~  Thank you for your review.  I am enjoying your report plus the pictures!  We are going to be on the Empress in March and are looking forward to it!  Did you find that people dressed a little more 'formal' on the streets in Cuba ?  ie, no shorts,etc?

 

 

[tweetylori]

8 hours ago, tybeelucy2 said:

Thanks so much for this review!! We are on Empress next month, our first RC trip and first time to Cuba. This is sooooo helpful!! 

 

Just to confirm, there isn't a fridge in the room, correct? We are in an oceanview as well. 

 

Thanks! 

 

You are most welcome!  It makes me very happy to hear that this is helpful, thank you!  And no, there would be no room in the room for a fridge.  🙂

[tweetylori]

6 hours ago, watertraveler said:

Lori ~  Thank you for your review.  I am enjoying your report plus the pictures!  We are going to be on the Empress in March and are looking forward to it!  Did you find that people dressed a little more 'formal' on the streets in Cuba ?  ie, no shorts,etc?

 

 

 

Thank you!  So happy for you that you have it to look forward to!  And no, we didn't notice that at all.  Keep in mind though, that we stuck to Old Havana.  I can't speak for outside of that.  We found both the locals and the tourists to be very very casually dressed.  Be as comfortable as you can because it's hot, and you need shoes that can handle the cobblestones and other uneven pavement.

[tweetylori]

7 hours ago, accio_7 said:

@tweetylori, I'm loving your review, it sounds as if you and hubby had great fun on your tour of Havana! Cuba is definitely on my bucket list 🙂 

(Btw, I noticed on your Sloppy Joe's napkin that someone was a King of the Hill fan as I had a good chuckle at the Rusty Shackleford name LOL.)

 

Thank you, and yes we really enjoyed our tour of Havana.  It was fascinating, delicious and entertaining.  We felt so comfortable and well taken care of with Ana.  On our own we were not as sure of ourselves.  And yes, we got quite the chuckle out of that napkin also!

Edited November 13, 2018 by tweetylori

[tweetylori]

So last I left off we were in Havana, at dinner on the ship.  Before I get to more food porn, I have to say that when we booked this cruise we were not supposed to be in Havana past 8 pm.  It was only a couple weeks or so before we sailed that they notified us that we would have an extended stay in Havana, until 2 am, to allow folks to go to the Tropicana or other nightly fun.  

 

Anyway, we were happy to be back on the ship.  That night we were pretty much in the minority, as it was one of the quietest nights on the ship.  That is okay with us.  We tend to avoid crowds.  And we were loving our little table in the dining room, with the most amazing service every night.  

 

Both of us chose the Seafood Cakes to start.  Good choice.  But I also had to try the Roasted Poblano Pepper Soup, and loved it!  It had little chunks of chorizo (if the menu hadn't said chorizo, I would have sworn it was pepperoni), with a little sweet corn to balance the slight spiciness.  Mmmm!

 

  On to the entrees...By now you can probably guess that Husband was back to his New York Strip ways.  (perhaps if I fed the guy beef on a more regular basis, he wouldn't feel the need to have it every night on a vacation).  I chose the Cuban Chicken Fricassee.  Fernando must have been concerned about Husband's lack of diversity too, so he brought an extra entree...the Creamy Wild Mushroom Risotto.  It was all terrific!  I'm telling you, these Chefs are  Poultry Perfectionists!   While I don't do 'shrooms, I will say that the small bite I took of a non 'shroom part of the risotto was good also, and Husband managed to polish it off along with his steak.  

 

 

Edited November 13, 2018 by tweetylori