Royal Caribbean - Empress of the Seas Bermuda Review

We took a cruise to Bermuda for our honeymoon. Both of us were first-time cruisers and didn't know what to expect. Once we made it to the front of the line of cars, a very courteous porter took our bags for us and told us how to get to the nearby lot for long-term parking. As you would expect, it then takes some time to actually board the ship, but the process went as smoothly as a well-oiled machine. On the way up the gangplank was the first of what would be a long string of "opportunities to make your cruise special" - a photographer snapping a photo of everyone as they board the ship. Little did we know how many more times we be provided with such "opportunities".

In general, the only negative comment I have is that when I am on vacation, the last thing I want to be face to face with is someone trying to sell me something everytime I turn around. Relaxing poolside? not without finding out about the drink special... Getting off the ship in a port of call? not without dodging the costumed photographer/assistant... Sitting down to a lovely dinner? no, put down your steak, move the centerpiece, I want to take your picture. The list goes on. Then there is the VIDEO which we were forced to watch highlights of before a performance in their theatre. The list goes on... Enjoying dinner? Even though you cannot enter the dining room without passing the beautiful display for their cookbook, they feel it necessary to walk one around the room, during dinner, and "pitch" it to you.

We went on a lot of excursions, participated in a bunch of fun activities on board, met some wonderful people, and were treated like royalty by their dining room staff and room attendants. So if you don't mind navigating the sales-pitch infested waters while on vacation, I can't think of a better way to do it. Would I go again? Absolutely.