Empress of the seas

[liddia]

I’d love to do a New England sailing next year to replace the one we should be embarking on today (😭😭), but with our kids and schedules, it looks like my only option is Empress sailing out of New Jersey next summer. 
Has anyone stayed four in an OV cabin on Empress? How was it?

[ACEMommy2008]

My husband and I stayed in an OV cabin that would have slept 4 (the beds pulled down from the ceiling).  I will tell you that it was tight with just the 2 of us and I couldn’t imagine trying to fit two other people (and their things) in that cabin with us. If you can pack very lightly and will literally only be using the cabin to sleep, it might be doable. 

 

But for what it’s worth, we loved the ship. Yes it was small and had zero frills, but it was my husband’s first cruise and was perfect for whetting his palate for further cruises!

Edited June 11, 2020 by ACEMommy2008

[Jimbo]

52 minutes ago, liddia said:

I’d love to do a New England sailing next year to replace the one we should be embarking on today (😭😭), but with our kids and schedules, it looks like my only option is Empress sailing out of New Jersey next summer. 
Has anyone stayed four in an OV cabin on Empress? How was it?

Get 2 insides cabins if you can swing it, cabins are very tiny on this ship.

[Sunshine3601]

See if you can get cabins 7164 7664 8164 8664 or 9164 9664 as these are the largest ov cabins available on empress and would accommodate a family of 4 and cheaper than getting 2 interior cabins.  You can google photos of these cabins.

Edited June 11, 2020 by Sunshine3601

[Jimbo]

24 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

See if you can get cabins 7164 7664 8164 8664 or 9164 9664 as these are the largest ov cabins available on empress and would accommodate a family of 4 and cheaper than getting 2 interior cabins.  You can google photos of these cabins.

I priced out 2 insides for June 21st 2021.........total cost $3700

then priced out 1 of those cabins you mentioned above, that holds 4 persons(Category 3N), #8164 and #7164 were available for a price of $3415.

 

For an extra $265 I would still take the 2 inside cabins, extra space and 2 bathrooms.

Edited June 11, 2020 by Jimbo

[twangster]

Empress is a great ship but she is the smallest and oldest in the fleet.  While I happen to love her, make sure you research her to understand what you are booking.  I'd sail her any day but small ships aren't for everyone.  

 

Back in the day when she was a big ship they made cabins small, that just how things were done 30 years ago.  By today's standards she has some of the smallest cabins you will find.  

 

The OV cabins on higher deck have bigger windows.   On lower decks these tend to be porthole style windows.  If you look at a picture of Empress you'll see this difference between OV cabin windows depending on location and deck.

 

To give you an idea of what an Empress OV cabin is like here are some deck 8 pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Splitting the beds makes a huge difference.

 

 

If you pick the cabin location carefully the larger OV windows on unobstructed decks have great views.

 

 

Edited June 11, 2020 by twangster

[Sunshine3601]

6 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

I priced out 2 insides for June 21st 2021.........total cost $3700

then priced out 1 of those cabins you mentioned above, that holds 4 persons(Category 3N), none of those cabins were available but the price was for $3415.

 

For an extra $265 I would still take the 2 inside cabins, extra space and 2 bathrooms.

I'm surprised difference was only $265.  based on that info I agree 2 interior cabins with more space and 2 bathrooms is worth it.

[Jimbo]

Some cabins on cruise ships are tiny, but like Twangster said above, Empress's are OMG that is tiny!

[twangster]

Here are the locations of the two different OV window styles, the large rectangular windows shown above versus smaller round porthole style windows.

 

 

Edited June 11, 2020 by twangster

[John&LaLa]

29 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

I priced out 2 insides for June 21st 2021.........total cost $3700

then priced out 1 of those cabins you mentioned above, that holds 4 persons(Category 3N), #8164 and #7164 were available for a price of $3415.

 

For an extra $265 I would still take the 2 inside cabins, extra space and 2 bathrooms.

 

Those cabins are really nice. The starboard ones have two windows 

 

 

and the seperate bunk area is nice

 

A  heavy curtain separates the two areas

 

Edited June 11, 2020 by John&LaLa

[Jimbo]

Nicest Inside cabin we have ever been in was on Disney Wonder, They have the bathroom divided, toilet and sink, tub and sink in 2 different rooms. Suppose to work out better for familes with kids. Empress's inside cabins are only 117 Sq. ft., Wonder's 215 sq. ft.

Max passengers:	4
Staterooms number:	96
Cabin size:	215 ft2 / 20 m2
Balcony size:	none
Location (on decks):	1, 2, 5, 6, 7

 

 

[John&LaLa]

10 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Nicest Inside cabin we have ever been in was on Disney Wonder, They have the bathroom divided, toilet and sink, tub and sink in 2 different rooms. Suppose to work out better for familes with kids. Empress's inside cabins are only 117 Sq. ft., Wonder's 215 sq. ft.

Max passengers:	4
Staterooms number:	96
Cabin size:	215 ft2 / 20 m2
Balcony size:	none
Location (on decks):	1, 2, 5, 6, 7

 

 

 

And you also get a Disney price tag.

 

Oasis has a lot of cabins like that, except they have a closet for the bunk beds.  You'll also find them as OV's on Freedom and Voyager class. Normal bathrooms though

 

Look for the term ultra spacious 

Edited June 11, 2020 by John&LaLa

[Jimbo]

8 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

And you also get a Disney price tag.

 

Oasis has a lot of cabins like that, except they have a closet for the bunk beds.  You'll also find them as OV's on Freedom and Voyager class. 

 

Look for the term ultra spacious 

We went back in 2006, there was a special 11 day cruise  which atthe time Disney didn't do many trips like this. The price was outstanding also. They mostly only did 7 day and 3 and 4 day cruises packaged with park days.

But like you said Disney is very expensive now but back then

We paid  Category 12 GTY  $1165.51 per person.

 

Grand total of $2331.02

 

Like a $100 per day per person on a Disney cruise is unheard of now.

 

The itinerary was this:

Departure Port	Date	Arrival Time	Departure Time
Port Canaveral, Florida	09-17-2006		04:00 PM
At Sea	09-18-2006
At Sea	09-19-2006
St. Thomas, U.s. Virgin Islands	09-20-2006	07:00 AM	04:00 PM
St. L ucia, Caribbean	09-21-2006	12:00 PM	09:15 PM
Bridgetown, Barbados	09-22-2006	07:30 AM	05:00 PM
Antigua, Antigua & Barbuda	09-23-2006	07:30 AM	07:30 PM
St. Kitts, St. Kitts And Nevis	09-24-2006	07:30 AM	04:30 PM
At Sea	09-25-2006
At Sea	09-26-2006
Castaway Cay, Bahamas	09-27-2006	08:30 AM	04:30 PM
Port Canaveral, Florida	09-28-2006	07:35 AM

[1025cruise]

Empress was my first cruise (back when the ship was the Nordic Empress). At the time, it was a "newer" ship. My grandparents took the family for their 50th wedding anniversary. I shared an inside cabin with my brother, and I recall it being a bit tight.

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Those cabins are really nice. The starboard ones have two windows 

 

 

and the seperate bunk area is nice

 

A  heavy curtain separates the two areas

 

Yes we have enjoyed both cabins 7664 and 8664 and really enjoyed having the extra space for 2 of us.  These cabins go quick....

[cruiselvr04]

We have 9664 booked on her in the spring.  Our first cruise on her was in an inside cabin that was smaller then my walk in closet.  Just over 100 sq ft. We spent 11 nights on her in that tiny space and our marriage survived.  We also paid only $599 pp for that cruise!  It is still remembered as one of our best cruises ever due to the people we met and some great ports/excursions.  While I’d not go in an inside now it proves the cabin for us doesn’t make or break the trip.  Just know it won’t be the same experience as an Oasis class ship and you won’t be disappointed.

[Tapi]

I agree about those corner rooms. We had 7664 and it was great for our family of 4.

 

As someone mentioned above, if the difference in price isn't substantial, I'd select two connecting cabins. But if the 3rd/4th rate is cheap, making one cabin considerably more affordable, these corner rooms are the way to go. 

[homedepot124]

The showers on Empress are the smallest you will ever see.  Just soap up the walls and spin around.  😀

[SOUNDSGOOD!]

4 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Those cabins are really nice. The starboard ones have two windows 

 

 

and the seperate bunk area is nice

 

A  heavy curtain separates the two areas

 

I have cabin 9664  booked for an 8 day in January... I am excited to have a "unique" cabin!   thanks for these pictures!

[John&LaLa]

28 minutes ago, SOUNDSGOOD! said:

I have cabin 9664  booked for an 8 day in January... I am excited to have a "unique" cabin!   thanks for these pictures!

 

Very limited storage

[STEVE-O]

Any photosof the "suites w/balcony"?

[twangster]

11 minutes ago, STEVE-O said:

Any photosof the "suites w/balcony"?

 

Junior Suites have balconies on Empress.  

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2681739-empress-b2b-14-nights-on-the-biggest-little-ship/?do=findComment&comment=57961021

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2686747-empress-8-night-eastern-caribbean-🎵-oops-i-booked-it-again-🎵/?do=findComment&comment=58103488

 

 

[cb at sea]

126 sq. ft...which INCLUDES the bathroom space.  They are tight.

 

[Ought To Be Cruising]

11 hours ago, homedepot124 said:

The showers on Empress are the smallest you will ever see.  Just soap up the walls and spin around.  😀

SO funny ..sounds like a plan.