Some Info on EMpress of the Seas FYI

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES NORDIC EMPRESS
TO RECEIVE MAJOR RENOVATIONS, NEW NAME

New Empress of the Seas Will Feature Expanded Dining, Entertainment,
Fitness Options
and Exciting Itineraries for 2004


MIAMI, Feb. 2, 2004 – Royal Caribbean International today 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.

“Nordic Empress has always been a favorite of many of our guests, and we

are pleased to add features that are debuting on our newest ships to make

her an even more exciting vacation option,� said Adam Goldstein, executive

vice president, Brand Operations, for Royal Caribbean International. “In

addition, her new itineraries in both Bermuda this spring and summer and

the Southern Caribbean next winter offer our guests unique ways to explore

these exotic destinations.�

Increased dining options are in high demand among cruisers, and the

renamed Empress of the Seas will feature a new specialty restaurant,

Portofino, serving Italian cuisine, in addition to an upgraded Windjammer

Café and refurbished main dining room. In between meals, guests can enjoy

specialty coffee drinks from Seattle’s Best Coffee or indulge their sweet

tooth with 16 different flavors from Ben & Jerry’s at a new, combined

Latte’tudes coffee bar and ice cream scoop shop.

Guests who take advantage of Empress of the Seas’ ShipShape Fitness

Center and Day Spa will be treated to more than a great workout or spa

treatment. The expanded spa and gym complex will be on two levels,

including a fitness center overlooking the Viking Crown Lounge, perched at

the top of the ship, offering spectacular, panoramic sea views. In

addition, the ship features the line’s signature rock-climbing wall,

installed in late 2003.

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.

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.


Unique Itineraries to Bermuda and the Southern Caribbean

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.

Prices start at $599 per person, double occupancy for a six-night cruise

and $799 for an eight-night cruise.

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.
Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 04Dec04 Jewel of the Seas!
Check out our website: www.cruiseoutlets.com

On EMPRESS OF THE SEAS,when doing the renovations,they should make the
cabins a little larger,never saw such small cabins as when we were on
her in january,no place to put your luggage when unpacked,had to lift up
the beds,and have the mattresses rest on top of our suitcases,made for
uncomfortable sleeping

Not sure that this is possible. Nordic Empress was originally designed as a
ship for 3 and 4 day Bahamas cruises where space in the cabin was not that
critical.
Nordic Empress was our first cruise,.loved the ship but always thought It
was not suited for 7 night cruises.
"Surfer E2468" wrote in message
...
On EMPRESS OF THE SEAS,when doing the renovations,they should make the
cabins a little larger,never saw such small cabins as when we were on
her in january,no place to put your luggage when unpacked,had to lift up
the beds,and have the mattresses rest on top of our suitcases,made for
uncomfortable sleeping