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Name: Christie Jones
Email: stiejones@mindspring.com
Age: 20
Occupation: Systems Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-NordicEmpress
SailingDate: 6/11/98
Itinerary: Bahamas
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 98
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 98
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 98
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 98
DeckService: 98
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 98
CasinoStaff: 98
PrivateIsland: 98
GoodForFamilies: 98
LoungeService: 98
TenderService: 98
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 95
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 98
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon: 98
EntertainmentPoolside: 98
CruiseActivities: 98
Casino: 98
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 98
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 98
SpaceRatio: 98
OverallCruiseValue: 98
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 14 Jun 1998
Time: 22:54:56
Remote Name: 209.86.84.66
Remote User:
Comments
This was our third cruise, second on this ship and third on RCCL. We love Royal Caribbean
and excellent service and value for price paid keep bringing us
back. The Nordic Empress is a great ship. It was the first ship my husband and I ever went
on, and we loved it so much we were back this year. Pt.
Canaveral is an easy port to get to for us because we drive(I don't fly.) The ship is
smaller and it has the convenient 3 night cruises for when you can't
get the full week off.
Let me get the negative out of the way first, that way I will have more time to rave.
Two bad things: First, we weren't recognized as
Gold Crown and Anchor members even after we brought it to the staff's attention. They only
recognized us as Silver members. Second, the Beauty Salon
staff. The salon has a policy that if you don't cancel your appt. 24 hrs in advance, you
will still be charged 50%. They also ask you to be 15 minutes early.
I scheduled to have a hair color since I needed one anyway, and they had a special
cut/color for $65.00. I was my 15 minutes early and stood in the
salon for five minutes with the stylists back to me waiting to be acknowledged. When she
did acknowledge me, she very rudely told me she was running
late and to come back in fifteen minutes. I asked if I could just sit there and she said
no, there was not enough room(two chairs open with no other clients
in the salon but her manicure and the other stylists pedicure.) I come back in fifteen
minutes, now later than my appointment was and twenty minutes
later she gets started. She leaves me with wet hair to cut a friend of hers hair (he was
also a staff member). She then returns to me. While she was doing
my hair, two women came in for their nail appt. She told them they would have to
reschedule for the next day. In my opinion, if RCCL's salons (private
contract with a company called Steiner) are going to have such a strict policy, their
employees should do their best to adhere. I thought the women who
had to completely reschedule should have gotten 50% off their service since the salon
didn't cancel 24 hrs in advance. Now that the negative is out, let's
get to the positive.
Service(minus the salon lady) is always absolutely wonderful on RCCL. Our steward was
helpful, sweet, and cleaned our cabin like 30
ppl(we're messy people). He always spoke when he saw us. Our tablemates had the same
steward and said equally as nice things. Dining room staff was
wonderful. Not quite the personality of our waiter on Enchantment(see our review of
Enchantment of the Seas) but efficient and good at their jobs.
Food
as usual was very good. I love RCCLs breads, appetizers, and desserts. I have to admit I
enjoyed the Windjammer buffet lunches more than the Dining
Room lunches. The staff seemed to be less organized and efficient (maybe since we weren't
their tippers). Breakfast buffets are always okay. Just don't
go in expecting 5 stars and you won't be disappointed (you don't really think they
scramble enough eggs for 2000 or so ppl do you? Not when they can
get them in a carton :) ) Cabin space is always good, we always get the C with veranda.
However, our neighbors were excessively noisy this time. The
casino is always fun. They had a great comedian and juggler on main stage entertainment.
The activities are wonderful(The Not so Newliwed game left us
knowing a little too much about one couple.) Bingo is always big on RCCL, not to mention
my husband won the big bucks bingorama snowball jackpot.
Split it actually with one other person, but still took home over $700. Disembarkation was
wonderful this time, we were off the ship and in our car by
9:07am. Embarkation went fine once it got started. We had to get there early because we
had pier pick up on our tickets. Overall? Don't hesitate on the
Empress. She is grand and will impress you. Good bang for your buck. You'll get to see
Carnival's Fantasy up close and fairly personal when you dock in
Nassau. We love RCCL and don't hesitate to say Cruise the Nordic Empress when you're
pressed for time or just need a quick getaway!
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