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Name: Wm. M. Davis
Email: WmMDavis@aol.com
Age: 54
Occupation: Architect
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-NordicEmpress
SailingDate: June 18, 1998
Itinerary: Nassau & Coco Cay
FoodDiningRoom: 88
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 83
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 88
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 92
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 88
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 95
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService:
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 92
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 93
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 88
CruiseActivities: 88
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 88
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 93
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 10 Jul 1998
Time: 23:02:41
Remote Name: 152.163.197.59
Remote User:
Comments
The cruise was the last part of a week long vacation with our 7 year old son. We flew into
Orlando from Raleigh on Monday morning. Spent the
day and evening at Sea World. Tuesday was all day at Universal Studios. Wednesday we
rented a car to Kennedy Space Center for the
afternoon. Back to Orlando for the night to keep from packing and changing hotels. We
drove to Port Canaveral Thursday AM and dropped car.
(24 hour rental) There are numerous horror stories of embarking and debarking on this
website but it was an easy walk-on. We had failed to fill
out a form in RCC trip ticket package which took about 15 minutes so don't forget that.
We boarded about 12:30 from a nearly deserted terminal and went straight to the Windjammer
for lunch, We walked the ship for an hour and
the room was ready with bags delivered. The lifeboat drill was held in port and they take
it very seriously so don't dally. We signed Christopher
into the kid's program and bought him a 'bar pass' for $7 which provided all the soft
drinks he could handle during the cruise. He loved the
program and it worked for us as well. We knew he would not enjoy main dining so we asked
for late sitting (8:45). He had room service and then
went to the 7-10 kid's program. He joined us for the magician's show one night but wanted
to stay with the kids the next night. It was $4 per
hour if he stayed in the program from 10pm til 1 am. Good deal.
After the first 3 days of our 'land package' week we skipped shore excursions in Nassau to
relax at the pool and enjoy walking a deserted ship.
Except for the beach at Paradise Island there was not much that would interest our 7 year
old after Sea World and Universal.
Coco Cay was great for beach activities including kid's program there as well. The cruise
was to satisfy Christopher's 'Titanic" fantasy and to
introduce him to snorkeling. Coco Cay was very good snorkeling. We have been to St. Johns
twice and it was'nt nearly this nice. The island was
sandy and shady with all amenities except fresh water. Sun was intense so lather well. We
snorkeled for 2.5 hours over deep water, shallow,
sunken airplanes and boats. Large fish, small, all kinds and many of them . The $25 per
person for mask, snorkel, fins and safety vest seemed
steep but probably better than hauling your own.
Debarkation was very quick and easy. We were on the RCC bus to Orlando airport at 10:00
and we had a late flight at 5:00!! We got lucky and
caught a 1:00 Midway on standby .
On the downside, there was a rhythmic vibration in the main dining that only I seemed to
notice. It shook the glasses and flowers about every 5
seconds. The main dining sound system seemed to grow gradually more intense and loud as
dessert was served as if to hurry you out. Annoying
and rude for an otherwise classy cruise.
We honestly had few complaints about the cruise or the entire week even though Florida was
dry, 98 degrees and burning! The Empress was
clean, very well built and looked brand new. Don't try to do to much and save something
for next time!
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