Regal Empress - February 27, 2004

[DaCruzNut]

Walking across the enclosed gangway was not the normal embarkation onto a ship; it was a passage through a time portal to the past. At the end of the portal is the Main Lobby, on the Restaurant Desk, one, single, deck-high. No towering atrium, with elevators soaring up and down, but a simple, efficient, area finished with highly lacquered wood, of varying type, textures and shades, and lots of brass trim.

As you enter the Lobby, you are welcomed by a member of the staff, greeted by a Cabin Steward, and escorted to your cabin, where the Cabin Steward opens your door with a key! Yes, the old-time, regular key, on a key ring with an oval shaped plastic tag, which has the ship logo and your room number printed on it. Another step back in time.

The cabins are small, and cramped. The furnishings sparse, and out-of-date and look like something out of a 1950's motel. More than adequate for the three day cruise that Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines has her presently running. In fact, in 1990, I spent a week aboard her, when she sailed as Commodore Cruise Lines’ Caribe I, and, although the cabin was somewhat confining, it was ample enough.

After unpacking my single bag, I headed up to the Promenade Deck, where the Welcome Aboard Buffet was being served. It was not the big, lavish, buffet that we have become accustomed to, but there was more than enough to eat. There were several cold salads, three hot dishes, hamburgers and hot dogs, and the usual desserts and pastries.

The food quality was approximately what I had expected for a 'bargain' cruise. It was all prepared and presented very well, and was very tasty. Nothing extraordinary, but far better than Carnival was, before they made the major changes. In fact, I thought it was as good as Royal Caribbean, which is far from my favorite.

On the plus side, trays were provided at the buffet so you didn't have to perform a juggling act. On the minus side, they put out paper cups for the coffee and cold drinks.

In my mind, they made up for this by serving real, fresh brewed, coffee in all parts of the ship, not that liquid concentrate so widely in use today.

After finishing my snack, I began a tour of the ship. As with many of the older ships, converted from multi-class ocean liners, the passageways are a maze and several areas at the bow, on a particular deck, do not connect directly to those at the stern. Every journey through the ship is an adventure, until you learn your way around. And, getting around takes a while to learn. It is complicated by the fact that there are a total of three elevators, each with a capacity of five passengers.

Being a smaller ship, only 21,000 GRT, her public areas are limited. The Internet Café is nothing more than a few laptops in the old coffee bar and the Arcade consists of nothing more than seven video machines against a wall on the Promenade Deck.

Ah, the Promenade Deck! A glass enclosed esplanade with plush love seats facing the sea sitting on a teak deck.

This area is a highlight of the ship, as it was on so many of the old cruise ships.

The clubs and lounge all serve their purposes well. Although somewhat on the smaller side, none seemed overcrowded at any time.

The Grand Lounge, the main show room, is the old style single deck theater with a flat floor. The lack of raised rows creates poor sight lines, and several poles obstruct the view from many seats. The other side of the coin is that the room is small, and you really can see from almost anywhere, with an occasional stretch.

I guess the ‘bottom line’ is that she is a fantastic ship for cruise buffs. Although she has been refitted, and refurbished, a number of times, her basic character, design and personality have remained intact. I spent quite a bit of time walking her decks, and passageways, and just taking pleasure in all of the ocean liner-type details.

As a ship, I would also recommend her for first-time cruisers, with some reservations. This will be discussed in Part 2.

Likewise, I don’t know if I would recommend her to veteran cruisers who are accustomed to, and require the amenities that only the new mega-ships can provide.

I loved her, as a ship, for what she is. The one feature that I miss most on the newer ships, which you find aboard the Empress, is the main lido deck pool at the stern of the ship….

This is my favorite part of the ship; any ship which has pool open on three sides to the sea, with no bulkheads on the sides and another “balcony†deck above it. Open and free, the way it always used to be.

The Pool Deck and the enclosed Promenade make up for any deficiencies she may have in other areas.

(If you cannot see the photos, click "REFRESH")

(Photos taken by Jeff Stern. Posted with the assistance, and advice, of Jason & Dan. Thanks, guys!)

[DaCruzNut]

Walking across the enclosed gangway was not the normal embarkation onto a ship; it was a passage through a time portal to the past. At the end of the portal is the Main Lobby, on the Restaurant Desk, one, single, deck-high. No towering atrium, with elevators soaring up and down, but a simple, efficient, area finished with highly lacquered wood, of varying type, textures and shades, and lots of brass trim.

As you enter the Lobby, you are welcomed by a member of the staff, greeted by a Cabin Steward, and escorted to your cabin, where the Cabin Steward opens your door with a key! Yes, the old-time, regular key, on a key ring with an oval shaped plastic tag, which has the ship logo and your room number printed on it. Another step back in time.

The cabins are small, and cramped. The furnishings sparse, and out-of-date and look like something out of a 1950's motel. More than adequate for the three day cruise that Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines has her presently running. In fact, in 1990, I spent a week aboard her, when she sailed as Commodore Cruise Lines’ Caribe I, and, although the cabin was somewhat confining, it was ample enough.

After unpacking my single bag, I headed up to the Promenade Deck, where the Welcome Aboard Buffet was being served. It was not the big, lavish, buffet that we have become accustomed to, but there was more than enough to eat. There were several cold salads, three hot dishes, hamburgers and hot dogs, and the usual desserts and pastries.

The food quality was approximately what I had expected for a 'bargain' cruise. It was all prepared and presented very well, and was very tasty. Nothing extraordinary, but far better than Carnival was, before they made the major changes. In fact, I thought it was as good as Royal Caribbean, which is far from my favorite.

On the plus side, trays were provided at the buffet so you didn't have to perform a juggling act. On the minus side, they put out paper cups for the coffee and cold drinks.

In my mind, they made up for this by serving real, fresh brewed, coffee in all parts of the ship, not that liquid concentrate so widely in use today.

After finishing my snack, I began a tour of the ship. As with many of the older ships, converted from multi-class ocean liners, the passageways are a maze and several areas at the bow, on a particular deck, do not connect directly to those at the stern. Every journey through the ship is an adventure, until you learn your way around. And, getting around takes a while to learn. It is complicated by the fact that there are a total of three elevators, each with a capacity of five passengers.

Being a smaller ship, only 21,000 GRT, her public areas are limited. The Internet Café is nothing more than a few laptops in the old coffee bar and the Arcade consists of nothing more than seven video machines against a wall on the Promenade Deck.

Ah, the Promenade Deck! A glass enclosed esplanade with plush love seats facing the sea sitting on a teak deck.

This area is a highlight of the ship, as it was on so many of the old cruise ships.

The clubs and lounge all serve their purposes well. Although somewhat on the smaller side, none seemed overcrowded at any time.

The Grand Lounge, the main show room, is the old style single deck theater with a flat floor. The lack of raised rows creates poor sight lines, and several poles obstruct the view from many seats. The other side of the coin is that the room is small, and you really can see from almost anywhere, with an occasional stretch.

I guess the ‘bottom line’ is that she is a fantastic ship for cruise buffs. Although she has been refitted, and refurbished, a number of times, her basic character, design and personality have remained intact. I spent quite a bit of time walking her decks, and passageways, and just taking pleasure in all of the ocean liner-type details.

As a ship, I would also recommend her for first-time cruisers, with some reservations. This will be discussed in Part 2.

Likewise, I don’t know if I would recommend her to veteran cruisers who are accustomed to, and require the amenities that only the new mega-ships can provide.

I loved her, as a ship, for what she is. The one feature that I miss most on the newer ships, which you find aboard the Empress, is the main lido deck pool at the stern of the ship….

This is my favorite part of the ship; any ship which has pool open on three sides to the sea, with no bulkheads on the sides and another “balcony†deck above it. Open and free, the way it always used to be.

The Pool Deck and the enclosed Promenade make up for any deficiencies she may have in other areas.

(If you cannot see the photos, click "REFRESH")

(Photos taken by Jeff Stern. Posted with the assistance, and advice, of Jason & Dan. Thanks, guys!)