Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Michael Hurley
Email: michael_glen@yahoo.com
Age: 32
Occupation: Crew Controller
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-NordicEmpress
SailingDate: Monday, 01 Feb
Itinerary: 4 night, Eastern Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 70
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 80
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 70
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService:
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 80
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 70
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 50
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 75
OverallCruiseValue: 75
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Feb 1999
Time: 02:42:57
Remote Name: 207.238.241.195
Remote User:

Comments

I took my first cruise in December on NCL's Norweigan Sea, and promptly fell for cruising in general. This caused
me and 5 other compadres to book RCCL's Nordic Empress. Big mistake this time, read on...

We arrived in San Juan at about 3pm, and had to go through 5, yes five checks of our idenification prior to
getting to our stateroom. I can't for the life of me understand this. Additionally, 4 out of the 5 checks were on the
pierside, ALL within sight of each other.

Our group of six was divided into three each per cabin, so space was okay. I was happy to see that our inside
cabin had brighter colors (salmon and light blue) to lighten up the room. Space was okay for a 4 night cruise,
and we still had room in the closets after everything was put away.

The bathroom was okay, but no trashcan, only a small shallow box on the lower shelf. Not too sanitary. The
shower was the normal one, and complete with your dance partner, the polyester shower curtain! The floor
outside the shower was always wet, no matter how hard I tried to keep the showerhead aimed away from the
curtain.

The Nordic Empress is showing the hard wear and tear of 3 and 4 night cruises in the carpeting and bedspreads,
they both need replacing. Along the same lines, the vinyl deck chairs look like they were picked up at a yard
sale, and set out by the pool; broken straps and all!

I expected the ability I had on NCL to eat anytime I wanted (at least somewhere on board). Wrong. The
Windjammer Cafe only has selected hours they are open; which is your other choice from the formal, Carmen
dining room. Regrettably, if you get hungry outside the posted hours, you're out of luck. So much for dining
around the clock.

The first and last night out the ship tossed and rolled horribly. The ship was deserted by 11pm, with a great
majority sick in their cabins. We were told second-hand that this happens weekly when the ship gets in the
channel between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, and feels the full effect of the Atlantic swells. A fun roller-coaster
ride for some, and a Dramamine moment for others.

Again, I was expecting the food on NCL and RCCL to be similar, but also again, I came up disappointed with
RCCL. The food itself was rather bland, and to quote a fellow traveller, 'just cafeteria food on a plate'. The
portions were small, and I found myself ordering 2 portions of the appetizers to make up for the lackluster main
entrees. Nightly, we had to send the cream for the coffee back for fresh; as the top and sides of the creamer
looked as if they were growing cottage cheese. I think the cream had been setting out since the first sitting for
dinner 3 hours prior. On a good note, the prime rib did come out decent, with little fat; and the shrimp scampi was
very good also.

Our dining room staff seemed to always been running and rushing, which left us feeling harried through dinner.
One night, we hadn't even finished our soups when the salads were arriving. Also, the continous removing of
unused knives and forks gets disconcerting. Overall, it wasn't a peaceful experience; however I do remember the
very nice string quartet playing for dinner to try to calm our nerves.

The Windjammer Cafe was disappointing. After selecting the fish entree, I was suprised to find they do not offer
tartar sauce. Another time (around 1:30pm) I selected a cheeseburger, but only found the remains of the
vegetable tray (lettuce, pickles, etc). When I asked for some fresh for replacements, I was told that's all there
was. Amazingly, the Cafe was serving lunch for another 30 minutes until 2pm. The latecomers were again, out of
luck!

Now for some good stuff. The sports program ShipShape was great. There were plenty of activities, and a flexible
redemption program versus the fixed tee-shirt on NCL. The ship had very few announcements begging for your
$$$, (see my review on the Norweigan Sea) and never kept harping on the bingo and the art auctions. Deck
space on the Nordic Empress was good, and a nice promenade area. This ship also had plenty of 'hiding places',
even though the ship was almost completely full.

Overall, I would think twice about this ship/cruise line. Having just came off NCL, I know there is better service out
there for the same price. As our group talked about on the plane ride home, if this is your first cruise, you'd think
this is the norm on all the cruise lines; and your expectations will have been lowered. Don't settle for less, I did.

Name: Jim McQueen
Email: SEAWARDII@aol.com
Age: 46
Occupation: Production Control Manager
NumberOfCruises: 17
TravelAgent: Yes
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-NordicEmpress
SailingDate: February 15, 1999
Itinerary: Southern Caribbean- 4 day cruise
FoodDiningRoom: 91
CruiseDirector: 65
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 75
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 96
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 93
ShoreExcValue: 89
GoodForHoneymoon: 85
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 85
LoungeService: 92
TenderService: 75
GoodForSeniors: 70
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess: 90
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 100
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram: 65
MedicalFacilities: 90
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 93
DeckSpace: 84
Stabilization: 65
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 83
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 23 Feb 1999
Time: 17:23:55
Remote Name: 152.163.194.181
Remote User:

Comments

It is now 9 years since we sailed on the Nordic Empress, immediately following her inaugural in the summer of
1990; some things have been changed for the better; others, stayed about the same, and unfortunately, a few
have been allowed to slip: here goes........

Her strengths: Very clean: upbeat, helpful staff: superlative nightly entertainment in the Strike UP the Band
Lounge, ( It Takes Two one of the best stage shows at sea in recent memory); a well trained and attentive staff in
the dining room, and hallelujah, better food!!! Her 4 day itinerary gives first-timers a great glimpse of the
Southern Caribbean at 3 good ports of call ( ST. Croix being our favourite this time around); ship is meticulously
maintained by a largely Phillipino and Greek staff.

Her weaknesses: One of the poorest Cruise Directors I have ever encountered on a Royal Caribbean ship; we
wish they would wash the windows more often ( gives an otherwise spotless vessel an aura of neglect); the
Windjammer Cafe is snack food and a quick breakfast or lunch the way it should NOT be presented, ( bland and
tasteless, with not and appetizing morsel in sight!); and did this ship ever pitch and roll!!! Bring the Bonine &
Dramamine!!! I feel for the passengers and crew enroute to and from Bermuda this summer when she gets off of
Cape Hatteras!!!

All in all, not a bad cruise; what we would consider above average; but not up to the previous standards enjoyed
on the Sovereign, Monarch, or Majesty of the Seas......and RCI is NO Princess by any stretch of the imagination!

Name: Rita Gallagher
Email: rmgallagher@statestreet.com
Age: 55
Occupation: Business Service Manager
NumberOfCruises: 19
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-NordicEmpress
SailingDate: April 19,1999
Itinerary: 4 nite So. Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService: 80
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 70
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 80
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 28 Apr 1999
Time: 09:06:53
Remote Name: svweba02.clipper.ssb.com
Remote User:

Comments

My husband and I (ages 55 and 59)sailed with my sister, her husband, 15 year old son, a friend and her two children, ages
17 and 18. We did not have great expectations, as we have sailed many times with RCI, mostly on longer voyages. This trip
surpassed our expectations in every way, and I would highly recommend it for a repeat or a first time cruiser.

We took advantage of RCI's air deviation to San Juan, arriving before 11 a.m. This was school vacation week in
Massachusetts, and last year my sister requested air deviation and paid for it, only to be put on a charter flight. We were
happily surprised to receive our requested flights! Upon arrival we were escorted to a Group Lounge, where we waited
approximately 15 minutes for a bus to the pier. The bus driver was very informative, and for those that have never been to
San Juan, he was a great tour guide. Upon arrival at the pier we were taken upstairs to an air-conditioned waiting area,
where RCI reps checked everyones documents for completeness. At approximately 12:15 we were taken downstairs and
allowed to board. We are Diamond members of Crown & Anchor, and there was a separate desk for us. However, even
those that had to wait in line were on board in less than 10 minutes! Embarkation has never been so easy!.

We had verandah cabins on deck 9. These are very small (as usual), and the bathrooms are small - the shower curtain is
definitely in love with you on this cruise line! However, the verandah is well worth the extra money. We could see the ship
leave without leaving our verandah, and room service for breakfast on the verandah is just heavenly. Our friends had an
outside cabin far forward on deck 7. This held 3 people, and they said they were quite comfortable. Outside these rooms
there is a small deck that is quite private. They only had to leave their room and they could step outside. I guess there was
quite a bit of movement this far forward, but they weren't bothered by it. I have read on this venue that this shop rocks and
rolls. I did notice some movement, but because I am not bothered by it, it's difficult for me to comment. I've never been
seasick, but I have friends who have been, and they have really been miserable. If you think the motion might bother you,
take a cabin inside and midship, and try to stay on the lower decks. These lower decks move less than the upper ones.

The room steward (Robert) was fabulous. Our room was always neat,and he was never obtrusive about it. No matter what
time we went back to our room, it had been made up.

Our waiter (Maclean Andrade) was superb. Our food was always piping hot, and we never had to wait for anything. The food
was presented quite nicely. The portions are not overly large, but you can ask for extras, and there is never a problem. This
is not gourmet cuisine. It is good food presented nicely. The cruise line does a wonderful job when you consider that they
are preparing 8000 meals a day.

The ports are ones we have visited many times. We took a ferry to St. John and went to Cinammon Bay. We have previously
been at Trunk Bay, but were told Cinammon Bay was less crowded and just as nice. This is true! Also, there was no
admission fee at Cinammon Bay, and there is a $4 per person fee at Trunk Bay. The fee would not have kept me from going
to Trunk Bay, but it is nice to see something different. I can't talk about the shopping on St. Thomas, because I didn't do
any.

St. Martin (Phillisburg) was very crowded, but we took a cab and went to Marigot. This was much less crowded. The shops in
Marigot are very expensive, but very elegant. The shop people are French, and they are not happy to wait on you. The cab
drivers on the return trip were very rude. They didn't want to take us all the way to the Dutch side.

We had to tender in to Phillipsburg, and this was my one gripe with this cruise. On previous trips we had utilized the ships
lifeboats as tenders, and they ran continuously. When one filled up, another one took its place. This time we used a tender
service, and it took approximately one hour for the round trip. The tender looked like a converted troop landing craft, and
smelled of diesel fuel. There was only one tender, so if it was loading at the dock and you wanted to leave the ship, you had
quite a wait. The ship line asked you to allow 45 minutes to reach the pier if you had a tour, and they weren't kidding!
Carnival and Princess were also in St. Martin that day, and Carnival used a smaller tender, but it was more frequent.
Princess was using their lifeboats, and it seemed to be continous. I really prefer that approach, but maybe the government
of St. Martin is making it mandatory to use the tender service. I guess it provides more jobs for local folks! We next went to
St. Croix. I don't want to go back there too soon. The cab driver who took us on a tour was not interested in doing a tour. He
really wanted to do just cab rides, not tours. There is no shopping area to speak of, and the beaches were just OK. It is
quiet, so if you want a place to just veg out, this is probably the place. Debarkation was a breeze. We were off the ship by
9:30.

I would recommend this ship and this cruise for anyone. As usual, RCI did it's job well. However, we feel a bit guilty, but next
month we are off to Alaska on Princess. I will then have a good chance to compare the two lines while everything is fresh in
my mind.

Name: Mike Aldrich
Email: VaYank5150@aol.com
Age: 31
Occupation: Automation Controls
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-NordicEmpress
SailingDate: 8/9/98
Itinerary: 5 day Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 75
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 70
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 70
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 70
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 75
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 70
TenderService: 70
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 75
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 70
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 80
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 80
EmbarkDisembark: 70
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 80
OverallCruiseValue: 89
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 May 1999
Time: 03:05:24
Remote Name: spider-wo023.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:

Comments

This was my wife and I's first cruise ever and in truthfulness, she had to drag me kicking and screaming as I did not think a
cruise was for me. Now, I cannot wait to go again. The Nordic Empress was a beautiful ship and seemeed huge until we
pulled alongside one of the Carnival ships at Nassau. The ship was clean, polished and shined like a new penny.
Embarkation was smooth, although I did not like getting pressured into 'heartily' tipping the luggage carriers by the bus
driver on the ride from the airport. Once at sea, the ship was very stable and quiet. We had upgraded to get a large room
with a balcony and what a view we had. I must have spent many hours on our balcony just simply relaxing and taking in the
fresh sea air. Entertainment on the ship was good to excellent as I enjoy comedians. Ports of call were very nice and my wife
and I thoroughly enjoyed snorkling at RC's Cococay Island. We chose the historical tour of Nassau and enjoyed it very much
although the price for the day trip was a little steep in my opinion. We were offered illegal narcotics by locals as soon as we
stepped of the ship in Nassau which was quite surprising and disappointing. Food in the main dining rooms was VERY
international and a little too out of the ordinary for my wife although I enjoyed most of our meals. The wait staff tried very
hard, but their accents often were too much to overcome. The food quality was good but no better and I was sorely
disappointed to find out lobster is no longer served on the 'shorter' duration cruises. Overall, we loved our cruise and felt
like we got more than our money's worth. I have never been on a vacation where I felt completely relaxed and forgot all
about work..completely. I cannot wait to take another cruise and will probably choose RCCL again, although this time I think I
will go for the larger ships and longer cruise duration.

Name: Jonathan Golaner
Email: jgolaner@umbi.umd.edu
Age: 39
Occupation: Administrative Management
NumberOfCruises: 18
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-NordicEmpress
SailingDate: May 16, 1999
Itinerary: New York to Bermuda
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 95
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 75
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 80
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 70
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 50
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 50
OverallCruiseValue: 75
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 May 1999
Time: 16:24:13
Remote Name: guest1.umd.edu
Remote User:

Comments

This was my 19th cruise. I went with 3 other friends, we are in our late 20's to late 30's. Going to Bermuda via New
York is always fun. I have sailed NCL, Carnival, Princess, Celebrity, and Costa. I rate RCCI in the middle of them all.
Some good things to do in Bermuda: While in Hamilton - Get a bus/ferry pass. This allows you to ride the busses
and ferries all day. Purchase a one day pass for $10.00 or a 3 day pass for $21.00. They may be purchased at the
main bus station in Hamilton. Believe me, it is one of the only bargains to be found in Bermuda! Take a tour of the
Brewery, this is offered at 4pm daily. They offer free samples (read- all you can guzzle) of the 4 different types of
beer they brew. If you feel daring, rent a moped, they cost about $60 per day including insurance. Also in the
evening after dinner take a carriage ride, about $20 - $25 for a relaxing 30 minute ride with up to 4 people. The
ship- Good stuff- The food was very good, much better than I had expected. Or should I say better than NCL, Costa,
and Carnival. Not as good as Princess or Celebrity, but still very good, nobody looked hungry! The service was
superb. That includes waiter, bus boy, and cabin guy. Because the ship is rather small by todays standards, it is
very very easy to find your way around from one place to another.

The bad stuff: The ship always felt croweded, you are packed in like sardines. Remember this ship is about 50,000
tons, and fully booked there can be 2,000 fellow travelers, that is tight! On days at sea, the deck is so crowded you
can not see the deck because of all the bodies. The Dining Room is the noisiest place I have ever seen on any
ship! If I did not know better I would have thought the waiters were throwing the china and flatware at each other. I
even sat at different locations in the Dining Room, because of open seating lunches, but the wait staff are still
extremely noisy with dishes. Cleanliness- I hate to say it but, this is the least clean ship I have sailed. I am not saying
it was dirty, but the floor in the Windjammer Cafe as well as certain decking around the pool area BADLY needing a
cleaning. I guess what disturbs me is, if I can see the areas that should be clean and are not, what does the kitchen
look like where my food is being prepared???

We all had a very good time. Would I travel on the Nordic Empress again to Bermuda? Most likely not, the Celebrity
Zenith/Horizon offer a higher level cruise experience at about the same price. Besides, finally next year Princess will
be offering one of their ships to Bermuda!

I would be happy to try to answer any questions, email me at golaner@umbi.umd.edu

Happy Sailing

Next Cruise - Grandeur of the Seas - Sept 18, 1999

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