Cruise Talk: "Empres"" ?

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Topic: "Empres"" ?

Johan
First Class Passenger
Member # 4458

posted 08-29-2011 04:50 PM

I'm going on Pullmantur's "Empress" in mid-october, RCI former "Nordic Empress"/"Empress of the Seas".
According to "Infocruceros" she is the highest quoted of Pullmanturs present ships.
I've found some Youtube films, but otherwise, I can't find much about the ship, certainly not with Pullmantur. I can read a bit spanish, but the reviews aren't very thorough.

does anyone have more info ? How was she as "Nordic Empress" and now as "Empress".

A "lucky ship" like "Oceanic" (ah...the memories...this cruise made me a big fan of both Oceanic AND Pullmantur)? A good seaship ?
Interesting public rooms ?

A "classic" (more than 20 years old), or just s ship which will be soon forgotten ?

Any thoughts, please ?

Thanks

Posts: 1895 | From: Antwerpen, Belgium | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 08-29-2011 05:28 PM

I was on her during her Nordic Empress days and really liked her, especially her two-deck-high dining room. Her public room were pleasant, nothing incredible...although the nine-deck-high atrium with waterfall was very cool.

She was designed for the 3 and 4 days market, and idea was that, during the day, most people would be ashore at either Nassau, Freeport or Coco Cay, so her outdoor deck space is rather small. When she started doing 7nt. Bermuda trips, the main pool was always crowded...I imagine it still is.

She also suffers from TINY cabins...if I remember right, as small as 118 sq. ft.

Still, I had a good time.

-Russ

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

DEIx15x8
First Class Passenger
Member # 14958

posted 09-01-2011 02:24 AM

I sailed on her as the Nordic Empress on a 7 night cruise to Bermuda. She was a nice ship, lots of windows for a ship her age. The atrium was nice but my favorite part was the large aft elevator lobby. The forward stair and elevator lobbies are centered around the atrium but unlike most ships with a small unimpressive aft elevator lobby the Empress had a rather large lobby on each floor. Each lobby featured huge windows and had chairs to sit and look out. It was probably my favorite feature of the ship as it gave somewhere to go near the cabin to wait while others were getting ready. She also has a unique dinning room that features a U shaped second deck that allows for the aft to be a giant wall of windows overlooking the ships wake, really nice view for dinner.

Posts: 521 | From: Kutztown, PA | Registered: Apr 2008 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 09-01-2011 02:48 AM

I sailed in her twice and think she is a considerably underrated ship. If she is well maintained then she should still be very enjoyable.

The atrium and dining room were both quite innovative when she was new.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

SSTRAVELER
First Class Passenger
Member # 15170

posted 09-01-2011 08:04 AM

Agree with everyone but would add storage space in the cabins was also tiny. The one I had only had a few small draws and as I recall a small closet.

Travel light because a week's worth of clothing could be hard to store even for a person who is not a close hound.

Cabins overall are very small, again because she was designed to do 3 and 4 day cruises.

Posts: 757 | From: New York | Registered: May 2008 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 09-01-2011 10:20 AM

She was once called the Future Seas to replace the Emerald Seas with Admiral Cruises, but then Admiral sold the newbuild to Royal Caribbean and they named it Nordic Empress. At the time she was pretty fancy and her tall atrium was rather new to cruise ships. It was the Seaward and Nordic Empress that had the cutting edge tall atriums with glass elevators.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Johan
First Class Passenger
Member # 4458

posted 09-01-2011 05:44 PM

Thanks for all the input.
She looks a very interesting ship.
I will report next month, when back.
Normally, Pullmantur treats its ship very well.
It is a short cruise, 4 nights, not a whole week, so more or less for the duration she was designed vor.
J

Posts: 1895 | From: Antwerpen, Belgium | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

SSTRAVELER
First Class Passenger
Member # 15170

posted 09-02-2011 04:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
She was once called the Future Seas to replace the Emerald Seas with Admiral Cruises, but then Admiral sold the newbuild to Royal Caribbean and they named it Nordic Empress.

Not exactly. Yes she was a design started as a replacement for the Emerald Seas but Admiral was part of Royal Caribbean. Although it was never acknowledged publicly Royal Caribbean shared some common investors with Eastern Steamship going all the way back to the 1970s.

Admiral did not sell the new building to Royal Caribbean, instead Admiral became part of Royal Caribbean thanks to the shared investors.

Eastern (Emerald Seas) and Western (Azure Seas) cruise lines and Sundance merged to form Admiral and later Admiral was merged into Royal Caribbean. At first Royal Caribbean left Admiral alone as a standalone brand but then fully merged it into Royal Caribbean taking over two ships, what became the Nordic Empress and the Viking Serenade. The Azure Seas was sold off.

Posts: 757 | From: New York | Registered: May 2008 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI2
First Class Passenger
Member # 35998

posted 09-02-2011 07:17 PM

I sailed the NORDIC EMPRESS as well, very impressive for such a wonderful small ship. I'm glad I got to sail on her; very elegant and personable.

Posts: 687 | From: Olney, IL, Move to FL 02/2015, Sailed SS NORWAY 3 xs. /May '99 Orig. Reg. | Registered: Aug 2010 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 09-02-2011 11:19 PM

It was the Seaward and Nordic Empress that had the cutting edge tall atriums with glass elevators.

Sorry Barry but you're mistaken: Seaward's "atrium" was only two decks high and had no glass elevators. It was far from cutting edge...in fact it was downright ugly.

And though Nordic Empress' atrium is lovely, it was actually Sovereign of the Seas that introduced RCI's signature Centrum, two or three years prior to her smaller fleet-mate.

-Russ

[ 09-02-2011: Message edited by: linerguy ]

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

HendrikusOM
First Class Passenger
Member # 4866

posted 10-06-2011 02:29 PM

Hello Johan,
we wish you nice cruise..... we are taking this one too from 10/31 until 11/4.
Just Lisbon, Tanger, Malaga, Portimao, Lisbon.
We are crurious indeed for hou Empress is. Found some nice reviews from UK. One reviewer even said "Please don't tell a soul" . He was very enhousiatic.
Looking forwar to your report.
Hendrikus.

Posts: 61 | From: Voorhout(in the middle of the flowerbulbfields) | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

Johan
First Class Passenger
Member # 4458

posted 10-06-2011 05:38 PM

Hello Hendrikus,
I sure will tell about our experiences on the "Empress" and the ports.
We start and end in Malaga.
could you inform me where you read these reviews ?
Tnx
J

Posts: 1895 | From: Antwerpen, Belgium | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

HendrikusOM
First Class Passenger
Member # 4866

posted 10-08-2011 02:21 AM

Hai, Johan,
the site where I read the review is:
http://www.cruise.co.uk/cruise-reviews/pullmantur/empress-of-the-seas/read_review_29823/
We are specialy interested if one can use sauna/steambath for free after the exersize in the gym.
As I understand, Empress is right in town in Lisbon, Portimao and Malaga, so easy to walk ashore.
For Tanger is a bit uncertain.
When are you going ?
Greetings, Hendrikus.

Posts: 61 | From: Voorhout(in the middle of the flowerbulbfields) | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

Johan
First Class Passenger
Member # 4458

posted 10-08-2011 04:26 PM

Hello Hendrikus, thanks for your reply.
We go to the same places, but we embark in Malaga. We will go a day earlies to visit Malaga (the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba..)
Portimao is not really clear. according to the TA the ship is anchored and there is tendering necessary, but I think the ship will be docked at the new Cruise Terminal, where a rental car will be (hopefully...) waiting.
The Empress will be docked at the Apolonia Cruise Terminal in Lisbon, I am now trying to make a program for Lisbon, as the time is short there.
In Tangiers we plan to walk from the port to the Grand Socco and then into the Medina, and perhaps a taxi to Cap Spartel.
It is a short cruise, but VERY interesting ports, A pity there is no sea day, as it will be busy, but we look forward to it...
J

Posts: 1895 | From: Antwerpen, Belgium | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 10-08-2011 11:26 PM

Johan and Hendrikus, please take lots of pictures of the EMPRESS. There are still old travel agents and RCI fans that miss the days of the smaller ships and would love to see her again. THANKS!

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

Johan
First Class Passenger
Member # 4458

posted 10-09-2011 09:21 AM

I will do my best !
quite curious.
Our previous two cruises were on RCI, and am curious how it will be on an ex-rci, and how Pullmantur is now doing under RCI. My first cruise was on Oceanic under Pullmantur and it was wonderful. I appreciated PT very much.
J

Posts: 1895 | From: Antwerpen, Belgium | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 10-09-2011 10:44 AM

There were some differences sailing Zenith with Pullmantur last April v Oceanic in 2005, but nothing to get unduly upset about

They did try to push you to purchase the non-included wine at dinner, but half-way into the week they gave up. The cola is now not the 'real thing' but a cheap horrible version [according to my son and he wouldn't drink it]. They tried to sell packages of canned 'real cola' - but I did not see how successful they were or weren't on that score. The free juice is not a very good mix either, sweet and watery [my recollection on Oceanic was that is was very good as I drank a lot].
The alcoholic all inclusive drink choice is smaller, but still more than sufficient for most people inc such things as Amaretto and Limoncello. You can see what brands are included and the charges of others in my album here. The red circles are the included drinks. [Of course it might have changed in the intervening months. It was quite amusing that at the beginning of the week, one was served drinks with umbrellas, swizzle sticks and mats, but as the week progressed the additions were 'forgotten' about and you had to collect them yourself from the counter if required.

Johan, do sign up for the repeat cruisers 'party' - Amigos. It does not matter how long ago your other cruises were as long as you know the dates. I did, just to go along and see what happens v a UK/US cruise There is a HUGE cake alongside which you have your photo taken on entering - the photo is free and delivered to your cabin the following day.

All in all we loved Pullmantur and found it very good value indeed. Dailies are in various languages although non-Spanish speakers are in the minority by a long way. Menus I think were just Spanish and English - it is not a problem and staff speak numerous languages between them.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Johan
First Class Passenger
Member # 4458

posted 10-09-2011 12:15 PM

Thanks Pam, for the info, and the tip about amigos, i think my oceanic cruise was from 3/7/2004..(that s the reason why µi got here, stumbling upon CT, when researching the 'Oceanic"...

I am also quite curious how the "all inclusive" works.. I've never experienced it, at land nor at seaµ;
I like good espresso, and see that even Lavazza is 'TI", so Ihave good hopes...

As for language, in 2004 they produced even a Dutch language menu ! (something not seen elsewere, not even on a cruise starting from amsterdam, with 25% of passengerload native Dutch speakers...)
Otherwise, with English we could do very well. Only it was very difficult to communicate with fellow passengers, even in French it didn't go. I think that in july 2004, if there were more than 15 non-iberians, it was much ;-) PT is now more known.

I will let you know...

[ 10-09-2011: Message edited by: Johan ]

Posts: 1895 | From: Antwerpen, Belgium | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

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