twangster

Kenneth my cabin attendant dropped of some mail this morning.  Apparently I'm invited to the Hotel Director's Table for formal night on day 3.  When I packed for this cruise I brought my scuba gear which took a lot of space (and weight).  As a compromise I packed mostly casual type clothes planning on using the WindJammer a lot.  This wasn't a great cruise to leave anything dressy at home so off I went into Key West to find something that will allow me to "Dress to Impress". 
Hint - Key West is a laid back, not so dressy town.  It's wasn't easy finding something.  Lots of t-shirt shops, not so many dress shirts and dinner jackets to be had.
Had a slice of Key Lime Pie while I was off.  Yum.
Some pictures of Majesty while I was off.


Also I thought more about the new now old beverage cup.  Looking from the inside out I couldn't see an RFID chip.

However looking from the outside into the bottom when backlit I can see a rectangular antenna near the center and a dark mass to the right of it that I believe to be the chip.

Not sure why the cup thing became such a focus but now I can move on and get on with my cruise.

The ship arriving after us grew larger and I started to see an outline of a Viking Crown Lounge.

The unmistakable outline of a Sovereign class ship.
Majesty of the Seas.


Looks like RCCL is going to own the port today.

Majesty is distinctly larger than Empress but also displaced from Cuba.

Finally the sun started to breach the horizon.



We had been following another ship into port and I was thinking it might slip into the prime Mallory Square location leaving us possibly at the Naval pier but it appears the first ship in got the Naval pier.  

On the bridge wing display you can see just how narrow the shipping channel into Key West actually is.   

The sun ventured behind a cloud briefly.


It's the Celebrity Equinox!

With another ship arriving behind us that meant we had a good chance at Mallory Square again.

Indeed Mallory Square for a second trip in a row.

Day 8, Cruise 2 Day 2 - Approaching Key West
I went to bed early and woke early, in time to catch the sunrise.  A sliver of a moon was high above us.




I know people like to sleep in but this is often a great time to see the awe of sunrise.



In the distance the tall towering clouds would sparkle with a bolt of lightning occasionally.  

As it became brighter some fellow sunrise enthusiasts ventured out.

The rising sun started to highlight the clouds even before it peaked up above the horizon.

Day 8, Cruise 2 Day 2 - Approaching Key West
I went to bed early and woke early, in time to catch the sunrise.  A sliver of a moon was high above us.




I know people like to sleep in but this is often a great time to see the awe of sunrise.



In the distance the tall towering clouds would sparkle with a bolt of lightning occasionally.  

As it became brighter some fellow sunrise enthusiasts ventured out.

The rising sun started to highlight the clouds even before it peaked up above the horizon.

Kenneth my cabin attendant dropped of some mail this morning.  Apparently I'm invited to the Hotel Director's Table for formal night on day 3.  When I packed for this cruise I brought my scuba gear which took a lot of space (and weight).  As a compromise I packed mostly casual type clothes planning on using the WindJammer a lot.  This wasn't a great cruise to leave anything dressy at home so off I went into Key West to find something that will allow me to "Dress to Impress". 
Hint - Key West is a laid back, not so dressy town.  It's wasn't easy finding something.  Lots of t-shirt shops, not so many dress shirts and dinner jackets to be had.
Had a slice of Key Lime Pie while I was off.  Yum.
Some pictures of Majesty while I was off.


Also I thought more about the new now old beverage cup.  Looking from the inside out I couldn't see an RFID chip.

However looking from the outside into the bottom when backlit I can see a rectangular antenna near the center and a dark mass to the right of it that I believe to be the chip.

Not sure why the cup thing became such a focus but now I can move on and get on with my cruise.

Finally the sun started to breach the horizon.



We had been following another ship into port and I was thinking it might slip into the prime Mallory Square location leaving us possibly at the Naval pier but it appears the first ship in got the Naval pier.  

On the bridge wing display you can see just how narrow the shipping channel into Key West actually is.   

The sun ventured behind a cloud briefly.


It's the Celebrity Equinox!

With another ship arriving behind us that meant we had a good chance at Mallory Square again.

Indeed Mallory Square for a second trip in a row.

Day 8, Cruise 2 Day 2 - Approaching Key West
I went to bed early and woke early, in time to catch the sunrise.  A sliver of a moon was high above us.




I know people like to sleep in but this is often a great time to see the awe of sunrise.



In the distance the tall towering clouds would sparkle with a bolt of lightning occasionally.  

As it became brighter some fellow sunrise enthusiasts ventured out.

The rising sun started to highlight the clouds even before it peaked up above the horizon.

In my belly!
Not that I've noticed.  

Chops dinner using the D+ BOGO, again.  Rinse, lather, repeat.  Gotta love that view.

Crispy Goat Cheese Salad.

Grilled Black Peppered Bacon appetizer.

Back to the nine ounce filet.

Ice Cream Sundae for dessert.

Yum.

Miami Sail Away
The Crown and Anchor Loyalty Ambassador hosts a Diamond and up sail away behind Boleros on deck 6 outside.  Since Empress doesn't have a Diamond Lounge this event is offered.
Louis our LA is there to greet us

It's a great covered location to take in the sail away from.

Several officers drop by to greet guests.  This included the Hotel Director, Revenue Manager, Marketing Manager and a few others I forget to note their positions.

Oh that Miami traffic.  You know it's bad when a cruise ship is going faster than the traffic.

We passed Symphony of the Seas as we departed.
The not so little, biggest ship as seen from the biggest, little ship.   



Cheers and Happy Anniversary to @Lovetocruise2002 and hubster who embarked Symphony today. 

You can read her live blog from Symphony here:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/14288-“symphony-no-17-celebration-relaxation-exploration-reflection”-–-072719-–-080319/
Miami beach was pretty popular today.

Day 7 Turn Around Day Miami
Some general observations and housekeeping items...
The balcony dividers do open at least for pressure washing the balconies like they did this morning.

The Viking Crown Lounge is unique to the fleet.  Upper ring is the gym.

Best gym views in the fleet.





Back to Chops for my cruise #2 reservations.  This is the sitting area right across from Chops.

The beverage cups of Empress.  I'm not sure I've seen this kind of variety in beverage cups on one sailing before.
First we have the new but now old beverage cups offered in Boleros.

The old style old design cups that have been around for several months near the Windjammer.

The old style new cups available on the pool deck.

Welcome aboard cake!

This line at Shore Excursions lasted for hours.  Have these new to Royal cruisers not heard of the Cruise Planner?   So many people booking excursions on the ship.   

Chops dinner using the D+ BOGO, again.  Rinse, lather, repeat.  Gotta love that view.

Crispy Goat Cheese Salad.

Grilled Black Peppered Bacon appetizer.

Back to the nine ounce filet.

Ice Cream Sundae for dessert.

Yum.

Miami Sail Away
The Crown and Anchor Loyalty Ambassador hosts a Diamond and up sail away behind Boleros on deck 6 outside.  Since Empress doesn't have a Diamond Lounge this event is offered.
Louis our LA is there to greet us

It's a great covered location to take in the sail away from.

Several officers drop by to greet guests.  This included the Hotel Director, Revenue Manager, Marketing Manager and a few others I forget to note their positions.

Oh that Miami traffic.  You know it's bad when a cruise ship is going faster than the traffic.

We passed Symphony of the Seas as we departed.
The not so little, biggest ship as seen from the biggest, little ship.   



Cheers and Happy Anniversary to @Lovetocruise2002 and hubster who embarked Symphony today. 

You can read her live blog from Symphony here:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/14288-“symphony-no-17-celebration-relaxation-exploration-reflection”-–-072719-–-080319/
Miami beach was pretty popular today.

Nice sunset tonight.  Best place to take it in was deck 6 aft behind Boleros.

Finally the sun started to breach the horizon.



We had been following another ship into port and I was thinking it might slip into the prime Mallory Square location leaving us possibly at the Naval pier but it appears the first ship in got the Naval pier.  

On the bridge wing display you can see just how narrow the shipping channel into Key West actually is.   

The sun ventured behind a cloud briefly.


It's the Celebrity Equinox!

With another ship arriving behind us that meant we had a good chance at Mallory Square again.

Indeed Mallory Square for a second trip in a row.

Ummm, please do not include pictures in your replies.  
LOL!  

My view of the not so little biggest ship from the biggest little ship:


Cheers and Happy Anniversary!

Kenneth my cabin attendant dropped of some mail this morning.  Apparently I'm invited to the Hotel Director's Table for formal night on day 3.  When I packed for this cruise I brought my scuba gear which took a lot of space (and weight).  As a compromise I packed mostly casual type clothes planning on using the WindJammer a lot.  This wasn't a great cruise to leave anything dressy at home so off I went into Key West to find something that will allow me to "Dress to Impress". 
Hint - Key West is a laid back, not so dressy town.  It's wasn't easy finding something.  Lots of t-shirt shops, not so many dress shirts and dinner jackets to be had.
Had a slice of Key Lime Pie while I was off.  Yum.
Some pictures of Majesty while I was off.


Also I thought more about the new now old beverage cup.  Looking from the inside out I couldn't see an RFID chip.

However looking from the outside into the bottom when backlit I can see a rectangular antenna near the center and a dark mass to the right of it that I believe to be the chip.

Not sure why the cup thing became such a focus but now I can move on and get on with my cruise.

The ship arriving after us grew larger and I started to see an outline of a Viking Crown Lounge.

The unmistakable outline of a Sovereign class ship.
Majesty of the Seas.


Looks like RCCL is going to own the port today.

Majesty is distinctly larger than Empress but also displaced from Cuba.

Finally the sun started to breach the horizon.



We had been following another ship into port and I was thinking it might slip into the prime Mallory Square location leaving us possibly at the Naval pier but it appears the first ship in got the Naval pier.  

On the bridge wing display you can see just how narrow the shipping channel into Key West actually is.   

The sun ventured behind a cloud briefly.


It's the Celebrity Equinox!

With another ship arriving behind us that meant we had a good chance at Mallory Square again.

Indeed Mallory Square for a second trip in a row.

Day 8, Cruise 2 Day 2 - Approaching Key West
I went to bed early and woke early, in time to catch the sunrise.  A sliver of a moon was high above us.




I know people like to sleep in but this is often a great time to see the awe of sunrise.



In the distance the tall towering clouds would sparkle with a bolt of lightning occasionally.  

As it became brighter some fellow sunrise enthusiasts ventured out.

The rising sun started to highlight the clouds even before it peaked up above the horizon.

I wasn't going to post many pictures but since @Matt threatened to lock my account for fear it's been hacked, I guess I had better.
I was in my hotel less than I was on the plane so I skipped taking picture of my hotel room.  We'll start with terminal E at the Port of Miami.

Once upstairs it's very similar to terminal G often used by Royal when multiple Royal ships are in port.

Suites have a dedicated room off to the side like terminal G where I was first able to get a glimpse of Empress.

Ummm, please do not include pictures in your replies.  
LOL!  

My view of the not so little biggest ship from the biggest little ship:


Cheers and Happy Anniversary!