Has anyone sailed on the Regal Empress through the Imperial Majesty Cruises? I "won" a cruise through their promotions department a year ago and was given 2 years to use the vacation package. I was mailed vouchers for this cruise and even allowed to sell them to someone else.
Since I am getting married next August, I figured this would be a good honeymoon, but I am leary about this ship since I haven't heard much about it. If anyone has any information regarding the ship, cruiseline, cruise vacation package, or helpful hints, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! Send emails to... mbruna@hushmail.com Thank you soo much, Melissa
I believe that Imperial Majesty Cruiselines is a budget cruiseline with very short 2 or 3 day cruises. They used to leave Miami (now I heard that they might leave out of Ft. Lauderdale) and go to Nassau and back. For that reason, I don't think that a cruise on their ship would be the best choice for a honeymoon.
Yes, I said "their ship" (singular) since they have only one ship. It is the Regal Empress. I read that it is a small and old ship (built in the 1950s). However, most of the reviews I have read seemed to be positive.
Hi Melissa, and welcome to cruise-chat.com! And, congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
As much as I love Regal Empress (and she's a very special ship to me), I wouldn't recommend her for a honeymoon. As Frase noted, the trips are just two nights. But, if you decide to go, please post again before selecting a cabin -- my concern is that some of these promotions are for the lowest category cabins on the ship, which I do not recommend. There are nicer cabins to be had.
Don't get your hopes up thinking that this is a 'preserved' classic ship from the past. I just sailed on her to finally get a look for myself. The truth be told, if you're an old ship buff like me, there are some neat things to see like her maze-like corridors, beautiful wood paneling in the stairways & restaurant and her excellent sea-keeping abilities (we had 12'-15' seas in the Gulfstream and she rode great!).
But, she is definately a well-worn & tired lady. To say that Imperial Majesty has treated her well would be misleading. Being an active working ship it is understandable that things will break and items need repair but I saw many things that were just plain 'ol jury rigged instead of taking the time to fix them properly. For example the television in our cabin (Admiral Suite S-9) was mounted inside of a wood cabinet against the bulkhead. Instead of hard-mounting the TV in the cabinet with a nylon strap or running a strip of wood along the base of the front they simply placed two drywall screws into the wood at the front base of the TV. Talk about tacky and cheap. Many repairs or modifications were observed onboard in this same manner with total lack of pride in workmanship. This was such a shame considering she is a classic ship. The overall image gave the impression of a 'cash-cow" with only enough time & money being devoted to just keep the ship operational. A VERY noticable odor of raw sewage in many areas of the ship including the main lobby on the Restaurant Deck. With SOLAS 2010 looming I doubt that she will receive any special attention or treatment. In other words "run her into the groud" mentality.
Food service was a mystery game. Buffet items such as the pizza onboard was not tasty by any means. Salad and related garnishes sometimes overly soggy and looked "re-used". However my omlette for breakfast was excellent. Then later the shrimp cocktail for dinner consisted of ONE small shrimp with maybe 5 or 6 smaller shrimp, the size of your fingernail...no exaggeration, in the bowl. Soups were bland. The tomato sauce in my wife's pasta tasted suspiciously like the sauce found in a can of 'Spagehetto's. The diner menu itself was dirty and stained. Sadly the only good item was the dinner rolls and it was very obvious that they were store bought and not baked on board.
The crew, while friendly and attentive, many of their uniforms were dirty or had tears in the lining. Their nametags scratched and worn. Pride in appearance was lacking.
I have never sailed with Imperial Majesty before so I can't advise if this is the norm for them or if they used to have high standards. This is not my first time cruising so I realize that this ship could be very special if it was managed properly.
The bottom line....if you need to see the ship because you're a liner buff then go. If not then do yourself a favor and take a modern ship especially for the amount of money you pay. I'm glad that I went to finally experience the ship but I won't be going back.
