Cruising to Retirement! Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 4 minutes ago, twangster said: Perhaps at the Chill Grill. Chill Grill offers the same food options as the Skipper's grill. They have three Panini type sandwiches. Portobello & Mushroom, Shaved Rib Eye Cheese Steak and Cuban Sandwich. The Cuban and Shaved Rib were good. The Shaved Rib Eye is similar to a Philly Cheesesteak in concept. I didn't try the Portobello & Mushroom sandwich. I Thank You and My husband sends an even bigger thank you!!! I love paninis but he loves them more than anyone I know! P.S. I'm soooo excited to get me a funnel cake first though! All the wonderful varieties of food on Perfect Day make me so happy to see and of course eat!!! Yummo!!! Thanks again! Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 Yes, Michelle, Twangster got it right (of course. He’s a bot. What would you expect). It was at Chill Grill and it was the portobello mushroom panini. It was delicious ! Cruising to Retirement! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 Fantastic job on the live blog. A real highlight for the last two weeks to catch up with it along with my morning coffee. FWIW, the beach beds at CocoCay have been there for a few years. They were previously on South Beach, way down the beach near the bungalows. Photos from this visit in March 2017. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Gadwa Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 Thanks for the blog, pictures & scopes. Enjoyed!!! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cruise Junkie Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 Thanks @twangster For Another Great Live Blog. I Cant Wait Until Your Next One. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayley_bopp Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 Thanks so much for yet another awesome blog @twangster Looking forward to the next one twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 Thanks again for yet another fantastic live blog, @twangster! You've really got me hoping Empress will do the same itineraries in 2021 that they've set her up with in 2020 out NJ and Montreal! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 Thank you @twangster for another amazing blog. The ship looked lovely with lots of space for a small ship and places to relax and hang out. And, as always your pics were fantastic twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashonthesea Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 Thanks so much for the amazing review! I am doing my first ever cruise (and going solo) in December over the new year aboard the Empress. Your blogging was the perfect way to get a feel for the ship and I’m even more exited for my trip now. I know what you think of Chops, but could you talk about why you prefer the Windjammer over MDR? Is it food quality, or just the going solo aspect? Thanks! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 9 minutes ago, ashonthesea said: I know what you think of Chops, but could you talk about why you prefer the Windjammer over MDR? Is it food quality, or just the wasting solo aspect? Thanks! When I'm solo I don't always feel like going through the full service sit down dinner service. Don't get me wrong, the wait staff are friendly to solo guests, it's just too much sometimes. I'm cruising a lot so spending so many nights in a dining room loses its appeal compared to when I cruised once or twice a year. I generally like MDR food so it isn't taste, it's just easier to pop into the WJ and do a quick recon to see what's interesting. Then I can build a salad, add some protein or a combo of a couple different proteins and be done in 20 minutes. Then I can check out the early show or late show, find other activities going on, wander around outside seeking a sunset or do all of the above. It allows me much greater flexibility. hayley_bopp and ashonthesea 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashonthesea Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 16 minutes ago, twangster said: It allows me much greater flexibility. Oh I gotcha. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 @ashonthesea, it's also because @twangster worries about the MDR wait staff asking why he's dining solo and always sitting by himself, and then he'll have to tell them to quiet down or they'll blow his cover. rjac, The Cruise Junkie, Lovetocruise2002 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 9 hours ago, twangster said: When I'm solo I don't always feel like going through the full service sit down dinner service. Don't get me wrong, the wait staff are friendly to solo guests, it's just too much sometimes. I'm cruising a lot so spending so many nights in a dining room loses its appeal compared to when I cruised once or twice a year. I generally like MDR food so it isn't taste, it's just easier to pop into the WJ and do a quick recon to see what's interesting. Then I can build a salad, add some protein or a combo of a couple different proteins and be done in 20 minutes. Then I can check out the early show or late show, find other activities going on, wander around outside seeking a sunset or do all of the above. It allows me much greater flexibility. We feel like that even not solo. 12 days of heavy meals and the whole presentation was just too much. The food has been awesome but we just found we'd rather relax and read for an hour and eat at windjammer for an hour instead of 2 hours at mdr. Jane KathyC and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 4 hours ago, mom2mybugs said: We feel like that even not solo. 12 days of heavy meals and the whole presentation was just too much. The food has been awesome but we just found we'd rather relax and read for an hour and eat at windjammer for an hour instead of 2 hours at mdr. Jane We spent 30 days at sea over a 12 month period; by the last cruise we were sooooo done with all the food, and barely ate in the MDR at all. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 19 minutes ago, KathyC said: We spent 30 days at sea over a 12 month period; by the last cruise we were sooooo done with all the food, and barely ate in the MDR at all. Try 108 days at sea in 2018 with 128 days at sea booked in 2019. KathyC, KristiZ, PRebecca and 3 others 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairlynew Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 18 minutes ago, twangster said: Try 108 days at sea in 2018 with 128 days at sea booked in 2019. I hope you don't expect a lot of sympathy from those of who cruise less frequently ashonthesea, KristiZ, JLMoran and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 2 minutes ago, Fairlynew said: I hope you don't expect a lot of sympathy from those of who cruise less frequently I'm taking one for Team RCBlog, at least I could get some Symphony. (I mean sympathy) rjac, Lovetocruise2002, hayley_bopp and 5 others 1 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairlynew Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 7 minutes ago, twangster said: I'm taking one for Team RCBlog, at least I could get some Symphony. (I mean sympathy) And we do appreciate your "sacrifice" especially since you post such gorgeous pictures. JLMoran and twangster 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashonthesea Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 10 minutes ago, Fairlynew said: And we do appreciate your "sacrifice" especially since you post such gorgeous pictures. Yes, I think the Milky Way ones are especially worthwhile Fairlynew, twangster and SpeedNoodles 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 9 hours ago, twangster said: Try 108 days at sea in 2018 with 128 days at sea booked in 2019. I could never do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 He just hides in the computer closet and blends in with the other bots. It’s easy when you’re a bot. JLMoran, twangster, Lovetocruise2002 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffy2 Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 So, thanks to this friggin' wonderful live blog, I YOLO booked the November 14th. 2020 sailing of the Empress. I'm in a studio ocean view. What made me pull the trigger is there was no single supplement. I had no idea until looking at sailings last night, that the Empress had any single cabins. Thank you @twangster for taking the time to do this. twangster, CarlaB, SpeedNoodles and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 I didn’t know that Empress had any studios either ! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 9 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: I didn’t know that Empress had any studios either ! +1 News to me too! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambia-Zaire Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 @twangsterhow long did you set your shutter to take that starry night shot? I will like to try a shot like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 40 minutes ago, Zambia-Zaire said: @twangsterhow long did you set your shutter to take that starry night shot? I will like to try a shot like that. 10 seconds with a small tripod. Full details here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/14213-empress-b2b-14-nights-on-the-biggest-little-ship-july-2019/&do=findComment&comment=144333 Zambia-Zaire 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambia-Zaire Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Thanks dude...you take some amazing pics...big fan of your twilight pics. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRebecca Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Thank you for all of this! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marti314 Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 On 8/7/2019 at 5:34 PM, KathyC said: I could never do it. Same here, after 7 days I feel like i am in the twilight zone..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coronadogal Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 Thanks for all the information. Was hesitant in booking next May New England/Canada to get my 7 more points for Diamond status but now I can't wait. Just did Ovation and formal nights were pretty casual. How about on the Empress? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 5 hours ago, Coronadogal said: Just did Ovation and formal nights were pretty casual. How about on the Empress? Formal nights on Empress are not unlike most ships in the fleet but with fewer guests the ones that wear a tux or gown will stand out in the crowd more. I've seen pictures of the Hotel Director's table where a pinnacle was wearing short sleeve polo type shirt standing beside another guest in a tux. As long as you don't mind being "that guy" you are fine, just know there will be people more formal than you in the MDR. Coronadogal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YOLO Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 @Coronadogal Hi and welcome to the RCB forums! Congrats on being just one cruise away from Diamond. I have good friends on the Empress this week and can't wait to see what they have to say about her. Based on what @twangster has to say, I wish we had her booked. We almost did for next spring, but the dates didn't quite work for my wife's job at RISD... Coronadogal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Va4fam Posted November 17, 2019 Report Share Posted November 17, 2019 great trip report @twangster! Thank you for sharing your experience and pictures. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2019 On 11/17/2019 at 5:55 PM, Va4fam said: great trip report @twangster! Thank you for sharing your experience and pictures. Your welcome! I’m back on Empress now and loving it! Sadly tomorrow it ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigD Posted January 10, 2020 Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 Empress Question. Has anyone stayed in one of the Jr Suites in the stern of the ship. How was the balcony and did the room feel large enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 8 minutes ago, BigD said: Empress Question. Has anyone stayed in one of the Jr Suites in the stern of the ship. How was the balcony and did the room feel large enough. Welcome to the message boards! I have not but on my multiple Empress experiences this past summer there was another guest who did. She had to change cabins on each leg and she went between a side facing JS and an aft facing JS. While normally aft facing is desirable, in the case of Empress the entire JS cabin is turned. The balcony is long but narrow. She preferred the side facing JS cabins to the aft facing JS cabins. She also reported the aft facing JS are smaller and feel smaller. It wasn't terrible but given the choice she would pick a side facing JS everytime she told me. JLMoran, WAAAYTOOO and KathyC 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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