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Name: Steve McIntyre
Email: blackj@ix.netcooom.com
Age: 51
Occupation: Electrical Technician
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-NordicEmpress
SailingDate: April 20th to 24th
Itinerary: southern Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 87
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 89
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 87
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 89
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 91
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 86
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 88
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 93
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 91
ShopsOnBoard: 87
SpaceRatio: 87
OverallCruiseValue: 92
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 29 Apr 1998
Time: 23:24:43
Remote Name: 207.93.142.75
Remote User:
Comments
Hi Folks The long awaited trip has now come and gone and it’s time to give a review,
we had chose the air sea package with RCCL and found it most
satisfactory.
We left Rochester, NY at 7:00 am April 20th for San Juan, Puerto Rico to catch our ship
the Nordic Empress. The flight on Delta air lines although long was
uneventful and no delays. We arrived at approximately 1:15pm and were met by the Royal
Caribbean Cruise Line Rep’s at the gate, after a short wait we
were loaded onto our busses and headed towards the ship. San Juan appeared to be a very
depressed area at least the area that we traveled through,
we could see the hotels from the bus but could not tell what kind of surroundings they
were located in. This all past as we approached the ship and saw
our home for the next four days, what a beautiful looking ship.
After reading some post on the Rec. Travel Cruise newsgroup I was concerned about the long
waits ahead for embarkation, but after getting off the bus
we were standing infront of the check in staff in about 30 seconds this took all of about
3 minutes and we were on our way to the ship. A stop at the duty
free store before boarding to get our bottled water and some cigars, then on to the ship.
As we boarded the ship there is a RCL photographer waiting to
take your picture and I noticed that he was not using Kodak film I told him we were not
interested in pictures unless they were on Kodak film and Kodak
paper. For those of you familiar with the main stay of Rochester, NY you will perhaps
understand my feelings. This ship was beautiful as described by
others and we couldn’t wait to drop our carryons and start to explore.
We found our room on our own and it was about what I expected ‘small’ two single
beds made up into couches with a small table between them and no
other room. The storage was adequate and we were able to find a place for everything with
the suitcases under the beds. The bathroom was big enough
for one person only and if one person was in the shower the other one got wet as I can
attest to the first morning as my wife showered and I brushed my
teeth I looked down and found myself ankle deep in water. After dropping our carry ons we
headed to the shore excursions desk and filled out our shore
excursion forms requesting the ones we wanted. This was easy and we got all the ones we
requested and I didn’t hear of anyone getting turned down.
For those of you that are first timers, fill out the form and put it in the drop box there
is no need to stand in line unless you have a question and they take
them out of the drop box in order and you get first come first serve. Your tickets for the
excursions show up in your room that night. Our first stop was
deck 10 the pool deck where you are greeted by waiters holding trays of Pinakolada’s
an other fruity drinks in the fancy RCL glasses for a $5.95 plus
gratuity. We had our drinks and listened to the Calypso band for awhile and then started
to explore. Deck 10 has the Windjammer Cafe where you can get
a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, the pool area, the work out area (I had good
intentions but it never happened), there was a lounge at the aft end of
the ship that didn’t seem to be very busy looked like a hang out for the teen’s.
We found this end of the ship to be great for our after dinner Cigar’s and
star gazing, even the wife’s joined us because it was so peaceful and beautiful here.
Decks 9,8 and 7 were all staterooms. Deck 6 was were the Strike up
the Band lounge, Carousal club and Casino’s were located, this was also the jogging
or walking deck and all of the shops were located on this level. Deck 5
was the pursers desk, shore excursion desk, Strike up the Band lounge lower level, Casino
lower level and dining room upper level. Deck 4 was our cabin
and the lower level of the dining room. Deck’s 3 and 2 were cabins and deck 2 was
were you got on and off the ship in port.
We had a get aquatinted cocktail party from 4-5pm to meet the rest of our group this went
very well and our entire group was a blast, we had a great time
with everyone. We changed for dinner (early seating) 6:15pm and met everyone at the Dining
room top floor, the wait staff was great and couldn’t do
enough to make our meals pleasant. Ilker from turkey and Csaba from Germany were great we
thoroughly enjoyed there company. Dinner was excellent
and we looked forward to our dinners for the next few days. The ship sailed on time 8:00
PM and we had the obligatory safety drill, then on to the Casino
to win a few bucks (to be given back at a later time) and then on to the late show. The
ship motion proved to be a bit much for my wife so we left the late
show early and walked on the deck to get some fresh sea air. Most of the group made the
midnight buffet, this had very few choices but the roasted turkey
proved to be worth the trip. We ended this very long day shortly after the buffet and
looked forward to the next day at St. Thomas USVI.
I was up at 6:00am to watch our arrival into St. Thomas, we didn’t dock at Amalie
because 3 other ships were already there as we learned later. This was
disappointing because we would have to take taxi’s into town for shopping. The wife
an I decided on a tour of the island and found a very pleasant driver
named Ameil not sure I spelled it right but he took us on a very nice tour with one other
couple and the tab came to $17.50 per couple. Not bad
considering the ship tour for less sights was $28.00 per person. We were back to the ship
in time for a swim in the pool and lunch at the windjammer cafe,
again not a big selection but the beef stew was very good. the afternoon tour was the
KonTiki boat ride to honeymoon beach for a swim and then the ride
back fun in the sun and lot’s of punch with some Rum but not very potent.
This was formal night and everyone dressed to the hilt, suits and dresses mostly some
tuxes were seen. Dinner choices were Poached Salmon (my
choice), Lamb, Strip Steak with Bernaise sauce, and cherry Jubilee for desert. The after
dinner show was a good juggler comedian family act and then to
deck 10 for our after dinner before buffet cigars and brandies. This would be an every
evening event with the cigars and brandies it was most enjoyable
good friends, good cigars under the Caribbean stars it doesn’t get any better than
that. We then indulged in the midnight buffet and then to the Casino for
a few hands of Blackjack, life is good.
Up by 6:00 to watch us pull into St. Marten, 3 other ships right on our tail the
Sensation, Carousal and Legion. We tenter in to Philipsburg for some
shopping, lunch at Everythings Cool right on the beach in Philipsburg and then catch the
Golden Eagle Catamaran to Tinamar beach for some snorkeling.
This was the most enjoyable excursion we had. About an hour sail out, an hour at the beach
(clothing optional) and an hour sail back with an open bar
going both ways. The crew of this boat was exceptional very professional and the service
was great. We did see some nudity but it was not objectionable
to us, as the crew of the boat said if it bothers you close your eyes. We had some young
lady’s from England on our boat and they were having a great
time flashing the sister Catamaran that was sailing with us. Most enjoyable day. I had
purchased some very good Cuban Cigars that I was looking forward
to after dinner. Cohiba’s are a very good Cuban Cigar.
Again up early to watch our arrival into St. Croix not as good as the other two Islands
but we walked into to town Fredricstad and not much going on so
back to the ship to lay around the pool. Lunch in the dining room our first and only lunch
here and then we caught a cab to Christanstad for some
shopping, this was a much better part of St. Croix. We headed back to the ship for a power
nap and to dress for dinner. Dinner, show, gamble, cigars,
buffet, gamble and bed. Damn life is so boring.
Day 5 and San Jaun the party is over. Disembarkation went smooth until my wife found she
had left her purse on the ship just as we were checking in for
the flight home. But all ended well she found her purse and they let her back off the ship
‘Darn’ We had a noon flight and all went well back to Rochester
and 50 degrees temps. Sob!! Can’t wait until next year we have reserved the same
cruise for the New Year 2000, should be a grand time.
I know it’s long but it was such a great trip and if anyone has some questions you
can email me at blackj@ix.netcom.com Hope you enjoy.
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