My wife, her sister and I have taken a Thanksgiving Day cruise for the last few years. In planning this year we planned on Cuba and Grand Cayman and found the Royal Caribbean had one aboard the Empress of the Sea. We booked a suite and were looking forward to it. Then the US Government banned cruises to Cuba. Royal contacted us and asked if we were interested in a full refund or take a new itinerary at half price. Although the new itinerary was not inspiring, Key West, Grand Cayman, and Labadee, we chose to stay with it since my sister in law had never swum with the Sting Rays.

Day one in Miami was well organized and we were on the ship in no time at all. The room was nice and had two balconies and a spacious, for a ship, bathroom.

We had chosen anytime dining and the food and service were very good. Read more