EMPRESS OF THE SEAS ?

[Cruisegirl6]

Hello,

My sister/brother in law have a few questions,  I offered to write here for them to see if anybody can help.

 

1-  Is the casino on the Empress non smoking?

2-  If the casino has smoking, is it very bad?

3-  They mentioned people said the ship smelled like sewage any truth?  They will have a Junior Suite

4-  For those who been on the Empress, would you go back?  any why?

[not-enough-cruising]

The casino is non smoking (and VERY small) it basically occupies a small common area not much larger than 1000 square feet I would estimate. 

We had a junior suite above Boleros, note this room is basically the same size as a standard balcony room on other ships. We never experienced any odor issues. 

We were on a 4 day itinerary, personally I don’t know if I would book this ship for much longer of a trip, but everyone has their own feelings. It’s a small ship, with few of the bells and whistles many have come to expect. The staff was wonderful, food was excellent, entertainment was so-so. 

[Sea Dog]

Twangster has a excellent review here:

Don't let the cover photo be the judge. I wish I could link to another photo but this how the link showed up.

Edited August 7, 2019 by Swank Pad G

[twangster]

Empress is a small ship but it has all the core ingredients to make a great cruise.  I'm going back this weekend for cruise number four on her and looking forward to it.  Great itinerary with Tortolla this time.

 

I stay in JS which helps reduce feeling the small size because the interior and OV cabins are the smallest in the fleet.

 

Research the ship, know what you are booking.  Some people are not small ship people.  That's okay, there are lots of choices out there.  If you need zip lines, skating rinks or a Flowrider then know that Empress doesn't have those.  

 

The smoke free casino was wonderful and I 'donated' more that I normally do on a cruise because of that.

[Priszm]

I would go back.  But for me, my trip on her was because of the itinerary (Cuba).  It was an enjoyable trip, and I really enjoyed the chairs out on deck 6 (the jogging track) that just look out over the ocean.  And, as Twangster said, the ship also has several fabulous sitting areas inside that allows one to just hang out.  If they're looking for a trip that's go go go, this won't be it.

[shoptom]

The non smoking casino is the best smelling one I've been in anywhere.  I did notice a bad smell on the non smoking outside deck 6.  I think it is old gray water which was confirmed by a crew member that said their deck 1 has water damage.  I was on an eight day last month and going right back on a 6 day this month to answer your most important question.  Empress has the best crew I've met on three cruise lines!

[Sea Dog]

Because of Twngster's great review with ton's of pictures we have decided to book a future cruise on Empress. It will be nice to go from Harmony to a smaller ship. I think we will enjoy it a lot. I'm a old guy who doesn't need the fancy slides and other thrills. Give me the sea, good food and good drinks and I am a happy camper.

[Cruisegirl6]

Thank you everybody, I relayed your answers to my sister.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

2 hours ago, Swank Pad G said:

Because of Twngster's great review with ton's of pictures we have decided to book a future cruise on Empress. It will be nice to go from Harmony to a smaller ship. I think we will enjoy it a lot. I'm a old guy who doesn't need the fancy slides and other thrills. Give me the sea, good food and good drinks and I am a happy camper.

Major difference. Cruised on the Harmony and loved it. In 1994 it was the Nordic Empress and it was the ship that got us hooked on cursing. Went back on it two more times in as many months. Loved it. Crew was awesome as well as the food. 

[Sea Dog]

I think that is the joy in cruising. Going on different ships and experiencing them. They all have their separate personalities and unique designs. I'm of the opinion that I want to try them all.

[Merion_Mom]

4 hours ago, twangster said:

Empress is a small ship but it has all the core ingredients to make a great cruise.  I'm going back this weekend for cruise number four on her and looking forward to it.  Great itinerary with Tortolla this time.

 

I stay in JS which helps reduce feeling the small size because the interior and OV cabins are the smallest in the fleet.

 

Research the ship, know what you are booking.  Some people are not small ship people.  That's okay, there are lots of choices out there.  If you need zip lines, skating rinks or a Flowrider then know that Empress doesn't have those.  

 

The smoke free casino was wonderful and I 'donated' more that I normally do on a cruise because of that.

 

@twangster Do you have any specific recommendations for booking a JS?  Locations that are better, worse, or to-be-avoided-at-all-costs?

[Bookish Angel]

We were on in January to Cuba. LOVED Cuba but we were glad to disembark Empress.

 

We would not sail Empress again due to pervasive sewage smells on Deck 7 aft and lower decks via the aft stairwell.

 

Cabin was old and worn.  We and others on Deck 7 aft had ongoing air conditioning issues - very hot or very cold, almost never comfortable.   Our bathroom sink had no hot water and had a jagged edge faucet for 2 days until fixed.  We went to guest services 4 times for these issues with only the faucet issues being resolved.

 

Crew was good overall with some notable exceptions, e.g., guest services, the Windjammer and its crowded, weird configuration. We have had better food on almost all other ships but it was edible.  My Time dining was completely disorganized and took a long time to be served when placed at  a 10-top table despite requesting and being confirmed for a 2 - top. 

 

Your mileage may vary but we were underwhelmed - and it takes a lot for us to be dissatisfied.

 

 

[twangster]

48 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

@twangster Do you have any specific recommendations for booking a JS?  Locations that are better, worse, or to-be-avoided-at-all-costs?

 

I can't speak to the aft JS directly.  One of the other guests doing a B4B was switching between aft and side JS and she preferred the side JS on deck 9.

 

In the deck plan below I've highlighted where the pool deck parties occur and when they are dancing you will hear it in the cabins below that area.  Stomp, stomp, stomp.  

 

 

I was in 9630 and I knew when they were dancing on the pool deck.

 

Last year in 9144 I was under the spa and it was quiet.

 

Anywhere there is pool deck above there is potential for early morning deck cleaning noises but I only heard that once.

 

The two most forward JS 9100 and 9600 have no barrier on the forward side of their balcony so they have a better view forward but you can see the balcony from the public lobby areas on deck 9 forward.  

 

This is what it looks like from the lobby looking out the window into the 9600 balcony.  If that bothers you, avoid these two most forward cabins.

 

Edited August 7, 2019 by twangster

[Merion_Mom]

41 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

I can't speak to the aft JS directly.  One of the other guests doing a B4B was switching between aft and side JS and she preferred the side JS on deck 9.

 

In the deck plan below I've highlighted where the pool deck parties occur and when they are dancing you will hear it in the cabins below that area.  Stomp, stomp, stomp.  

 

 

I was in 9630 and I knew when they were dancing on the pool deck.

 

Last year in 9144 I was under the spa and it was quiet.

 

Anywhere there is pool deck above there is potential for early morning deck cleaning noises but I only heard that once.

 

The two most forward JS 9100 and 9600 have no barrier on the forward side of their balcony so they have a better view forward but you can see the balcony from the public lobby areas on deck 9 forward.  

 

This is what it looks like from the lobby looking out the window into the 9600 balcony.  If that bothers you, avoid these two most forward cabins.

 

 

 

Very helpful.  Thank you.

[NKS50]

We first sailed the Nordic Empress in 1990, then sailed the Empress of the Seas again to Cuba in August, 2017.  The cabin seemed so small, and it was small!  Deck 4 outside.   But we have decided to sail again on the Empress, 2020, the snow bird migration sailing, Montreal to Miami.  For the longer sailing, we have opted for a Junior Suite, deck 9, midship.  The aft suites balconies have no protection from the sun, and that would limit the time we could spend enjoying them.  We have sailed all sizes of ships with Royal, and love them all.  We did decide that the Empress has a wonderful, friendly crew, and thought the food was fantastic.  The F&B Manager told us the per passenger dollar allowed was a little higher for the Empress than on other ships.  I felt that it showed in the food quality, and yes, Chops was the best!  Oh, we sailed the Tahitian Princess, loved it and it was even smaller and had fewer passengers than the Empress...

Edited August 8, 2019 by NKS50
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