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Regal Cruise Line

MS Regal Empress

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Jennifer Counsellor
# previous cruises: 3
Date of Trip: August 18, 2002
Itinerary: Canada/New England

This is the third cruise I have been on and I have to admit I was a little nervous because the price was so reasonable and this was considered a budget cruise line. I have to say I was extremely pleased with this ship and I felt I got a lot more than my monies worth on this cruise. When we arrived to board they boarded us two hours early and fed us lunch on board. First impressions are important. Even though this was not the most luxurious line or the newest ship it is worth every penny paid in so many other ways. The staff and service was out of this world and since it is such a small ship you are treated special and become one with the passengers as well as the staff on the ship. If you give this cruise line a chance and expect to get what you paid for you will have a great experience. If you go expecting a three or four thousand dollar a person cruise you will be disappointed

Please keep in mind this ship is fifty years old. The staterooms were spacious, as spacious as other Royal Caribbean ships or the Carnival line I have traveled before. The piano bar and disco were very tasteful and the dining room was gorgeous. The ship was old but well kept and the crew was always on top of cleaning everything.

The food and service was phenomenal. There was a buffet on deck open almost all the time. They had fresh pizza all day, we watched them make the dough, and fresh donuts in the morning. This ship had more food than I can ever remember on any other ship. The dining room had a wonderful selection every evening and the food was delicious.

The cabins were comparable to that of the older ships of Carnival or Royal Caribbean. The bathrooms were small but no smaller than any other. The rooms had much closet space with three closets for more than enough space for empty suitcases as well as clothing. The rooms were very quiet and we rarely heard other people if at all.

We attended almost all of the entertainment while on board. The singers in the Broadway review shows were outstanding. The voices were as good as I have heard on Broadway. On the last night of the cruise some of the entertainers contracts were up so we saw some new faces that disappointed us but overall the entertainment was comparable to other lines. My husband and I especially liked the latin dance instructor who taught us lessons each day. The bingo man made bingo the best bingo I had ever attended.

On board we enjoyed the activities offered. Not to much not to little. The ports of call were magnificent. Our favorite port was Bar Harbor,Ma followed by Newport,RI. All the ports of call were enjoyed but we seemed to like the quaint towns better than the big cities. The pool was little but it is not something we enjoy that much any way so it was not much of a concern. The child care was limited. We have two children a six and eight year old and it was only available in the evenings. We loved Vera in the children's room and felt extremely comfortable with her. Personally, utilizing the children's room for a few hours in the evening worked well for me because I brought my children along to spend time with me not sitting being babysat the entire cruise.

A mix of passengers goes on this cruise. I would say if you are the young partying type this would not be the cruise for you. It is a great first time and family cruise. There were many seniors and families. We met some great friends on this cruise and had a spectacular time with them. It is a good cruise for a exceptional value.