This was our very first cruise. It was good...However I was expecting more based on friends that are very experienced in cruising. The food was not what I expected at all. It wasn’t awful but definitely NOT spectacular either. Food in buffet was just as good if not better then the dining room. However, staff & service in dining were EXCELLENT. We were also disappointed in menu options of the dining room. The only seafood offered was salmon, swordfish and flounder. You could order lobster for an additional fee (so disappointing). Overall though the staff was phenomenal and entertainment was great. I earned this cruise as an incentive from my company (nothing to do with RC). We ported at Key West and Nassau, both were very tourist driven as far as just wandering around. I’d recommend an actual excursion to avoid all of the retail unless shopping is your preference. Make sure to wheel and deal a bargain on your goods. We had a great experience aboard the Empress Of The Seas, just a few places that could be improved. Be sure to go see Caroline in the coffee shop.
Great cabin, lots of books to store stuff.