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Royal Caribbean International

MV Nordic Empress

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:William Coffey
# previous cruises: 1
Date of Trip: July 31, 2000
Itinerary: Bermuda

There were few exceptions to the detail and effort made by everyone involved to make this a vacation that will be remembered as the best vacation ever. The ship was beautifully maintained. We always felt comfortable and safe. There was always something going on for all ages. The adult shows were funny and in good taste. We took our 15 year old daughter to all the shows and was never embarrassed. She participated in a few of the teenage activities, but found herself just as comfortable in the adult shows and activities. The staff on the Nordic Empress made our family feel welcome, special, and excited to be a part of this cruise.

We spent a good deal of time at the pool area during the at sea days. We went to most of the shows in the Strike up the Band Showroom. We went to the Disco a couple of times. We used the Carousel Lounge as a before dinner meeting place. Everywhere we went the areas were super and the service was beyond expectations.

Our waiter (Rocky) and his helper (Janet) were the best. Rocky did more for our group making sure we were taken care of than anyone. From explaining the different foods to taking pictures, entertaining us with his serving techniques, and everything in between while making our dinning experience comfortable and interesting showed no sign that this was their job but the ambition to make us this happy. We salute the both of you.

When we first saw the cabins they appeared very small. In fact they were small and it was at times difficult for two adults to move around in to get ready for the days activities. We finally got organized and managed to move around in the room. There was plenty of places to put our belongings once our room porter showed them to us. We very rarely saw our room porter. If we left things out he would put them away. When we found the item it was stowed away in a safe spot. The room porter did a good job. Cleaning up behind us was a treat. I wish the room porter would have been a bit more social. We are folks from the mid-west and do enjoy meeting and socializing with everyone.

The shows on board were fabulous. All the entertainers were top-notch. There were a few comedians that used audience participation that made their vacation more memorable. The ship's dancers and singers were very entertaining. There was one act that stood out as our favorite. Rick's juggling act had us all in stitches. We saw him in Hamilton where he stopped to visit with us. At the end of the cruise he found us for a quick visit and took a few pictures with us.

The only disappointment was the evening we were in Hamilton and the Cruise Director Richard Cooper made some remarks about Bermuda's Culture and the Cricket Cup which is a part of Bermuda's history. It was in poor taste and a slap in the face to those in Bermuda whose families were a part of the slavery. Mr. Cooper needs to study up on Bermuda's history and understand that the holiday was celebrating the abolition of the physical slavery of the black families in Bermuda. It was not in good taste or respect to the people of Bermuda to try to upstage their culture and history in order to promote himself or the activities on the boat. It is Bermuda and it's people we came to see and enjoy. That is why we selected Bermuda as our destination.

There were plenty of things to do and see while on the boat and on the Island. The Cricket Cup festivities were wonderful. The people of the island treated us like family. I met Bermuda's Governor which was a real treat. The Beaches and coral reefs were beautiful. What an experience. We didn't want to leave.

We were in a group of 22 people from Hamilton, Ohio. We met any other people on the boat and had a wonderful time with them. We would enjoy seeing the folks we met again. We could form a larger group and go on a cruise again and rule the ship. That would be fun.