Empress of the Seas - (Retired)
One of the smaller of the RCL ships, Empress of the Seas carries only 2,020 passengers, which allows for more room, and the same luxuries available on the rest of their fleet. In keeping with the intimate atmosphere of relaxation, this ship offers no convention facilities onboard. The Empress is 692’ long, has a beam of 100’, a gross tonnage of 48,563 and cruises at 19.5 knots. Her godmother is Gloria Estefan.
Accommodations aboard the Empress of the Seas, starts with the very excellent value of their standard interior staterooms, which include twin beds that convert to a queen size, a vanity area, and a private bathroom. Well-appointed and equipped for comfort, they are perfect for the couple who plans to spend most of their time on deck, on shore, or pursuing one of the many activities offered onboard.
A small Oceanview stateroom comes with all basic amenities of a standard stateroom, in 108 sq. ft. of space that features a lovely ocean view window. The Oceanview stateroom provides all the same features over 30% more square footage, with some rooms on designated decks, having partially obstructed views. For more room, and the little extras, you might book the Superior Oceanviews stateroom, which offers 50% more room than the small Oceanview.
Along with the standard room appointments, you will also have a hair dryer, television, phone, vanity area, and a vanity table that extends to become a work surface. There are also 110/220 electrical outlets, for the convenience of European and North American guests. Some staterooms in this category also have Pullmans that can be used to accommodate other passengers, for a room capacity of 3-4 people.
A Junior Suite is the first step up to luxury accommodations, offering the same features as a standard stateroom, the amenities of the Oceanview staterooms and 194. sq. ft. of space, with a 25 ft. sq. private balcony. On some decks the Junior Suite has a tub/shower bathroom and on others, only a shower/bathroom. There may also be a sofa bed for accommodating 3-4 guests total, and on deck 9, there is a sitting area included. Enjoy gracious living at sea with an Owner’s Suite, which will give you either a queen size bed or twin beds that convert to a queen size, as well as a separate sitting area with a queen size sofa bed. The suite itself is a spacious 303 sq. ft. with a 222 sq. ft. private balcony.
Additional items include a fridge and mini bar. You’ll be on top of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s very best accommodations with a Royal Suite, where the separate bedroom holds a king or queen size bed, and you can enjoy the freedom of movement in your own private living room. Extra amenities include a walk-in closet, entertainment center, whirlpool tub/bathroom, refrigerator, bar, and in some suites, a baby grand piano.
Your cruise aboard the Empress of the Seas, includes all the facilities you could ask for to stay fit, and entertained. Start the day off with a visit to the Shipshape Fitness and Spa, where you can participate in Wake Up-Shape Up programs of walking, aquamotion water workouts, and dynamic aerobics sessions. Or, you might choose to spend some time on the ultra modern equipment and machines that provide you with a stunning ocean view from the gym. Of course, RCL’s signature activity is their famous rock climbing wall, an experience not to be missed by passengers of any age. There are climbs designed for the beginner to expert, and all equipment is supplied. Instructors will be pleased to work with the inexperienced, while the experts and teens in the family compete in tournaments.
The Shipshape Spa also offers the pampering and indulgence that you deserve on a special vacation. Enjoy facials, and other skin treatments with such world-famous products as La Therapie and Eremis, which can also be purchased to take home with you. A massage is always a treat, and the variety ranges from warmed basalt stones, to deep tissue, Swedish, and reflexology. Don’t forget the rest of you either, with manicures, pedicures, hair cuts or styling, and for the entire body- hydrotherapy jet baths, and ocean wraps that detoxify and refresh you from head to foot. Even your teens can enjoy the spa experience in their own special center, Generation YSPA.
When you’re not headed off to one of RCL’s special shore excursions while in port, you can take part in shipboard life that is as lively or laid back as you wish. Learn something new during cooking lessons, jewelry seminars, or dance classes. Join in the fun of pool games, deck top games, and everything from scavenger hunts to Scrabble, bridge and other tournaments. Restore your energies for the evening to come, by relaxing in the library with a book, touring the ship’s art collection, or sitting down in the Internet center to email family and friends.
Don’t forget that all the good shopping isn’t onshore! The boutiques and galleries aboard the Empress of the Seas offer designer name gifts, at up to 25% off American retail prices, and they’re duty-free. When you do want to shop onshore, there are sessions for answering questions, and directing you to the best places for what you want to buy. If you can’t make the presentations, view them in the comfort of your stateroom, on the television.
Dining aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Empress of the Seas is an experience in itself, with virtually every type of food, and dining venue that your or your family would like to try. Start off by getting adults and children, a drink package that entitles them to beverages anywhere on the ship they happen to be. And while you’re trying to decide where you should go for dinner, remember that room service is offered 24 hours a day, saving you the extra steps when you’re tired after a day ashore.
The Windjammer Café is one of the most popular stops, day or night. It’s open almost around the clock, for all meal times, as well as late night snacks. Enjoy fabulous buffets, sumptuous dessert tables, and exciting dishes at the individual serving stations. Come in casual dress at any time, although bare feet and tank tops are not allowed during the dinner hour. Hungry during the day? No problem! Stop in to the Latte-tudes coffee bar for a light snack and a cup of cappuccino.
Or cool off after a hot game of shuffleboard with one of the fabulous flavors served up at the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream bar. Feel like a special meal? Try the Italian specialty restaurant, Portofino’s. The chefs serve up a rotating menu of favorite continental Italian creations, along with some of their own dishes, always taking advantage of the fresh vegetables and ingredients that are in season.
Dress here is “smart casual”, which means jacket and tie for men, and dresses or pant suits for the ladies. For the ultimate in surroundings and taste experiences, don’t miss the two-level Carmen Dining Room. Breakfast amongst the glitter of china and crystal, and dine to the strains of live music in the evenings. Menus change daily, and include not only the very latest in gourmet cuisine, but Shipshape Spa menus, kids’ favorites, and kosher meals, if notified ahead of time.
When your cruise reservation is made, you will be assigned a table and dinner sitting, while breakfast and lunch are open seating. Dress is casual during the day, with no bathing suits permitted, and no shorts during dinner. Smart casual is suggested for the evening meal, and there will be designated formal nights during your cruise.
Many people are surprised at the scope of evening entertainment available to them, starting with live theater productions that could be a Broadway-style production, or live musical performances. Music is a large part of after dinner excitement, and can be enjoyed in the many bars and lounges, discos, or on the dance floor where a DJ will spin you hits from the 50s to present day.
Get to know your fellow passengers by joining in the karaoke and trivia contests, or game and talent shows. Every cruise will have theme nights that range from toga parties to pirates, as well as parties for designated groups, such as honeymooners, or new to cruising guests. As always, the casino is a big attraction, whether you’re trying your luck at the slots, or roulette. It’s all in great fun, and in a magnificent setting. A busy day ashore might leave you wanting nothing more than a quiet evening having a drink and enjoying the view from the nautically themed Schooner Bar, the Viking Crown with it’s stunning 360 degree view of the world outside, or the Bolero bar.
The Empress of the Seas specializes in taking you back in time while still in the modern world, as it cruises the Old World of the Bahamas. From kayaking on the Paradise Lakes, to biking the Railway Trail in Hamilton, there’ll be more to do than you can find time for, so choose wisely! You’ll find that with careful planning, even after a round of golf on one of the six world class courses, there’ll still be a chance to shop in the many towns and villages where you’ll see residents and their famous Bermuda shorts.
Her other itinerary focuses on the exotic and lush islands of the Caribbean, with cruises that loop through the eastern, western, and southern Caribbean. Visit ancient ruins, hike through natural eco-trails, or enjoy an encounter with the dolphins. The activities are varied, with choices to suit everyone’s energy level and personal interests.
