Christened by the famed singer Gloria Estafan, this nautical masterpiece can hold up to 2,020 sea-faring adventurers. During the winter months, the Nordic Empress sails on four and five-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan as well as seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa. From May until October however, the Nordic Empress is bound for Bermuda on seven-night itineraries.
NEWS: Royal Caribbean International announced Nordic Empress will undergo extensive renovations before arriving this spring in the New York City metro area to begin unique six- and eight-night Bermuda cruise vacations from the newly named Cape Liberty Cruise Port. To reflect the magnitude of the revitalization, the line will officially rename the ship Empress of the Seas, bringing her in line with the remainder of Royal Caribbean's fleet, which all feature "of the Seas" names.
Renovations on the 1,602-passenger Nordic Empress will extend to every area of the ship, and are designed to further enhance the onboard experience. A main focus is providing guests with additional dining, entertainment and fitness areas. All work will be completed by May 2004.
Guest staterooms will receive new and upgraded bathrooms throughout all categories. In addition, some staterooms, including the Royal Suite and Superior Ocean View staterooms, will feature new decor, while others accommodating third and fourth guests will be fitted with modified wardrobes offering increased storage. Empress of the Seas' Owner's Suites will be completely redesigned, with new furniture and finishings. Other refurbishments include general facelifts to the lobbies, elevators, landings, corridors and restrooms, and enhancements to the shopping areas and Pool Deck.
Empress of the Seas will offer alternating six- and eight-night Bermuda itineraries from May through October from the New York City metro area. She will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to sail from Cape Liberty Cruise Port, in Bayonne, New Jersey. Located across the New York Harbor from lower Manhattan, just 15 minutes from the Newark airport and right off the New Jersey Turnpike, the new port is a convenient departure point for both drive-market guests and those arriving by air.
The six-night Bermuda itineraries depart on Sundays and include stops in King's Wharf and Hamilton, Bermuda. The eight-night cruises depart Saturdays and visit King's Wharf, Hamilton and St. George's, Bermuda.
In late October, Empress of the Seas will reposition to San Juan, where she will offer guests a choice of four Southern Caribbean adventures. The highlight is the 11-night Exotic Caribbean itinerary that takes guests to St. Maarten, St. Barts, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Margarita Island, Aruba and Curacao.
Empress of the Seas also will sail three-night St. Thomas/St. Maarten and St. Kitts/St. Maarten sailings, as well as four special, four-night Dominican Republic cruises, with stops in Santo Domingo and Catalina Island, on Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 8 and 15.
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- Strike Up the Band Showroom
- High Society Lounge
- Carousel Pub
- Viking Crown Lounge
- Casino Royale
It is Time to Have Fun: Vacationers looking for high-quality entertainment will find plenty to choose from. The former High Society Lounge on Deck 6 now will be Royal Caribbean's Latin-themed bar, Boleros, offering specialty tequilas and cocktail favorites like mojitos, as well as outstanding live entertainment. Empress of the Seas also will feature the line's popular Schooner Bar, a nautical-themed lounge with sing-along piano entertainment, which replaces the mid-ship Carousel Bar on Deck 5.
The ship's casino will be moved to Deck 6, and a new card room will be created off the Centrum. In addition, the main theater, the Strike Up the Band Showroom, will be updated with new carpet and upholstery. |
Empress of the Seas Ship Facts
