Class: Empress Type
Built: 1990
Registry: Nassau, Bahamas
Entered service: June 25, 1990 (maiden voyage)
Status: transerfered to Pullmantur fleet, in service
Tonnage: 48,563 Gross Register Tons (GRT)
Length: 692 Feet
Beam: 100 Feet
Draft: 25 feet.
Decks: 11
Speed: 19.5 Knots (22.4 MPH)
Crew: 665
Passengers:2,020
Construction of Empress of the Seas was commissioned by the late
Admiral Cruises as the "Future Seas." Admiral was bought
by Royal Caribbean in the early 1990s, and the ship was completed
as the Nordic Empress. As completed, she featured the largest "Centrum"
at sea. She was the first ship outside of the Sovereign class to have
such an atrium. Royal Caribbean made minor changes to an upper lounge,
which allowed for a fair rendition of the trademark Viking Crown Lounge.
In operation, she gained a reputation as a small, but exceptionally
well designed ship. Indeed, few people would suspect she wasn't designed
by Royal Caribbean itself. This natural fit with Royal Caribbean's
style, enabled the ship to enjoy a long highly respected career with
the fleet.
In March 2008, Empress of the Seas will transfer to Royal Caribbeans
recently aquired line called Pullmantur. The transfer isn't a reflection
on the ship. People often assume such transfers mean a vessel is old,
out of date, or worn out. This is very much not the case with Empress
of the Seas. As with the Sovereign of the Seas, which is also being
transfered to Pullmantur, Empress is unconforming to the publics image
of Royal Caribbean ships. In both cases, these ships should enjoy
very long and highly regarded careers within the growing family of
cruise lines Royal Caribbean operates.
The Empress of the Seas was last renovated in May, 2004.
The main theater is named "Strike Up The Band Showroom."
Main dinning is called "Carmen Dinning Room."