Empress Cruise Lines ?

[56 chevy cruise]

I collect glasses from cruise lines and found one that is from Empress Cruise Line. There are 4 ships names on the glass, Crown Empress, Majestic Empress, Royal Empress and Imperial Empress anyone ever heard of this cruise line?

[dougnewmanatsea]

I have to wonder if perhaps it is not a "real" cruise line, but rather some sort of gambling boat operation?

 

(I mean small gambling boats - not overnight.)

 

I have never heard of it and I have to think that if this is an actual cruise line and grew large enough to have four ships, I'd have heard of it.

[Rudi610]

I just Googled this company and did not get much. Most of the hits related to the Regal Empress with Imperial Majesty and RCCL's Empress of the Seas/Nordic Empress. However, I did get a hit on a Tampa Guide that mentions an Empress Cruise Lines which basically has a casino, skeetshooting, and a gourmet buffet on a 6 hour Gulf of Mexico cruise out of Tampa. There was not much info or even a link to a web site. Not even sure if this "cruise line" is still operating.

[seahags]

we were on the Empress of the Seas (RCCL) last month and were docked next to the "Royal Empress"...a small, probably less than 400', OLD cruise ship. Through the binocs on the way in to Nassau it looked as though it might have been someone's personal yacht (i.e. royalty),but up close and personal it was really an old cruise ship. Have wondered ourselves from whence she came...not much info anywhere!!!:confused:

[dougnewmanatsea]

Have wondered ourselves from whence she came...not much info anywhere!!!:confused:

See here for more about this interesting ship.

 

She is currently the oldest passenger ship in regular sercive from the US.

[seahags]

thanks, Doug. That was really interesting! A number of years ago I sailed on an older ship, I think it was her second-to-last sailing as a dedicated dive boat before becoming a gambling ship. We left from FLL, she was the "Ocean Quest" at the time. Any idea what/where she is? I can remember all of the teak/mahogany, and that she was 440' long. It was my first experience on a cruise...years later I'm a true addict, with no desire to recover!!;)

[ahoys]

The Empress Cruises were indeed day cruises from Tampa Bay. They were tiny gambling boats that served horrendous meals and offered cheesy entertainment. The slots were fun, though, and for $20 you got to sail on a boat all day. I took several of these sailings before they disappeared.

[dougnewmanatsea]

A number of years ago I sailed on an older ship, I think it was her second-to-last sailing as a dedicated dive boat before becoming a gambling ship. We left from FLL, she was the "Ocean Quest" at the time. Any idea what/where she is?

My guess is that the ship was OCEAN SPIRIT, Ocean Quest being the cruise line.

 

Built as SUNWARD in 1966, she is significant as she was the very first NCL ship, and was the prototype for STARWARD/SKYWARD, the first purpose-built Caribbean cruise ships.

 

She was broken up in 2005.

 

See here for more on this interesting ship.

[seahags]

You're right, Doug...thanks! I've often wondered what happened to her. It was really a unique way to SCUBA and cruise at the same time. Most dive liveaboards are spartan in comparison, and certainly much smaller. At that time our itinerary took us to Belize, Honduras and Cozumel...

[56 chevy cruise]

Thanks for all the responces. I kind of felt like Doug said (not that I would ever claim to be the expert he is) that if it were a "legit." cruise line with 4 ships I would have heard of it. The glass is pretty cool and for 25 cents its worth adding to my collection.