Anyone has opinion on Empress of the Seas?
Thanks

And Norwegian Crown please.
Comparable how?

Thanks

Ziana, I was on the Norwegian Crown years ago when she was the Orient Crown Odessy. This ship has been around for many years. At the time I was on it there were no balconies. I'm not sure if something like that can ever be retrofitted or not. Assuming they still don't have balconies, I'd look elsewhere but this is a personal decision. I'm one who spends a lot of time on my balcony regardless of the itinerary so a balcony is a must for me. I'm sure the ship was refurbished when NCL purchased it so it's probably in good overall condition. NCL is a low budget cruiseline with excellent "get on the ship" fares. They make their profit once you're on board with lots of what I consider nickel and diming. If you're on a tight budget, I would highly recommend this cruiseline, they do have excellent fares.

I am very confused and tired searching.
How people do this???
I found out that Empress has tiny rooms. I know it is not important but I do not want to sleep miserable in tiny room.
117 square foot for the Interior Cabin and 139 square foot for the Oceanveiw Cabins.
Is this really that small???

What size cabin you find exceptable?
For 2 and 3 with child?

I do not know how much everyone in my group wants to pay but I want have everyone to be able to afford.

I absolutely can't stand rusty bathroom appliances and smelly carpet. It has to be new, can be smaller and less activities but clean. I do not care about excellency of food also.

I want to walk on clean fun ship and have fun. Nothing fancy but pleasurable.
Or fancy I don't care...LOL

You may want to select a ship that has something for everyone. We went on a cruise with 22 family members and we had people everywhere from the Penthouse Suite to younger married couples on a very tight budget who chose the inside 140 sq. ft. cabin. It worked well to please everyone!

117 sq. ft. is very very small, 139 sq. ft. is more doable. 117v sq. ft. is smaller than 11 x 11. This will include closet space and bathroom. Use your own bedroom at home for comparison. I've been on one week cruises in cabins just a tad larger (this was the norm years ago!) and got by just fine. Inside cabins can be a bit claustophobic and will require you to have the light on whenever you're in there. There is NO natural light. It's a different feeling as it seems exactly the same whether it's 1pm or 1am. Be sure to bring a clock!

Try going to www.cruisecritic.com. You will find many passenger reviews as well as professional critiques.

Empress of the Seas is an older ship. If you have sailed before or others have in your party that may or may not determine there comfort level. I personally do not prefer the older ships. That is just me though especially after sailing on the newer ones. If itinerary is important than choose the ship that is going to where you want to visit.

Hi Ziana...DH and I are just off the Empress of/the Seas.. 11 day Southern Caribbean out of San Juan, Puerto Rico--December 5th to 16th.
We have cruised since '86 and enjoy the smaller ships, so this post may be biased. Also have sailed larger, favorite being the Radiance of/the Seas. We enjoyed the Empress. The itinerary was awesome--St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, barbados, Isle de Margarita (Venezuela), Curacao', Aruba.

The ship-- was old, but in good condition. We had a stateroom mid ships, main deck (our favorite, except when we can afford an Owner's Suite!). It was adequate for the two of us. We didn't spend any time in it except to change and sleep. I brought an over the door shoe hanger for the bathroom door, which gave more room for misc. bathroom articles. Another "shoe holder" for the closet and the storage space was okay. I think it (the size of the room) would be difficult with a child.

If I can answer any questions, feel free to ask....Helen

Helen, I am booking it. I am thinking 7th deck oceanview. It is $859 p/p for May. Seems large enough, am I right?
Do you know if there was a lot to do for kids (11y/o)?
I was told prices will go up after New Year. Is this is truth?
Thanks everyone for replies.

Reading online what does it mean?
In fact, menu prices were curiously lower on Empress than on Voyager-class ships.
For $20 per person, you'll enjoy dishes featuring fresh ingredients like vine-ripened plum tomatoes, prosciutto and basil.

I though food is included in price...

Food is included. However some ships have speciality restaurants that feature a surcharge. Its optional of course.

Hi Ziana...Looks like you might be doing the Bermuda cruise, am I right? Be sure to check the stateroom number, as many on Deck 7 are obstructed views. Which means you might be looking at a lifeboat. The square footage is the same (139) for all oceanviews. If you have a stateroom with a pullman, you might be fine, think three in a room always calls for a pull down berth.
To find out about activities for an 11 year old, try the following website----www.cruisecritic.com----Look under BOARDS, then click on Meet and Mingle, and then click on Empress of/the Seas. There will be trip reports and some concerning teens and younger children. There is an Adventure Ocean. Hope this helps....Helen
P.S. Yes, prices do go up after the first of the year, that's why we usually cruise in late November, early December!