Empress question

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Sideways2

Guest
Hello everyone,

I will be cruising on the Empress, and RCI, for the first time in September to Bermuda. I had hear that you can get on the ship quite early (11:00-ish) but could only go to the Windjammer Cafe until the cabins are ready around 1:00. Is this true or can you explore any of the other decks?

Thanks!
 
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PH8

Guest
You can explore all of the ship......but shops/casino/some bars will be closed........however,there will be other bars open.....You can walk around all decks.......lunch is usually served around noon in the Windjammer.......and yes,you can get to the port around 11.......boarding can start anytime between 11 and noon......get on....walk around,eat lunch,drop any carryons off at 1 in your cabin..........if the weather is nice enough,go enjoy the pool deck area...
 
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cruisebuddy

Guest
Ah, the beautiful Empress, my first ship! PH8 pretty much said it all. I've boarded as early as 11:30 one time, and they sent us to the Windjammer for lunch. No access to the cabins until 1pm. Not bad. Enjoy her while you can. She leaves the fleet next year.
 
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PH8

Guest
I LOVED the Empress too..cruised her when she was the Empress of the Seas and we did a Mardi Gras cruise(docked 3 days in New Orleans--what fun!)......

She may be tiny,but shes mighty.......wish we could cruise her once more before shes gone..
 
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cruisebuddy

Guest
Agreed. We tried to make it work in our schedule but cannot. We cruised her as the Nordic Empress and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish these companies would quit with the whole "we're the BIGGEST" mindset and build some new ships a bit smaller. I know, I know. They won't make as much $$ with them. I wish they would have kept her in the fleet. I can't afford Seaborn!
 
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Sideways2

Guest
Thanks to everyone for your responses! I prefer a smaller ship. Every other cruise I've taken has been on Celebrity's Zenith or Horizon; chose the Empress simply because she was similar in size. I am not on the bigger-is-better band wagon!
 
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