It may seem strange to recommend a cruise for clients already
sailing to the Caribbean from Miami or Port Everglades, Fla., but
it just might be one of the best values that you can suggest. As
either a pre- or post-cruise add-on or simply an extension to a
vacation in South Florida, a short two-night cruise on the Regal
Empress is a memorable and affordable experience. With rates
starting at $159 per person, it’s also a viable alternative to the
high-priced hotel rooms of Florida’s beaches.
Imperial Majesty Cruise Line was formed in 1999 to operate short
cruises to the Bahamas. Their first ship, the Ocean Breeze, was
well-known to West Coast agents as the Azure Seas, the pioneer of
three- and four-day cruises to Mexico from Los Angeles. In 2003,
that ship was sold, with the Regal Empress taking her place. With a
cruise departing every other day, Imperial Majesty Cruises is the
most frequent visitor to both Port Everglades and Nassau.
One of the joys of discovering the Regal Empress, besides the
price, is the opportunity to sail aboard a true classic; a
trans-Atlantic ocean liner originally built as the Olympia for the
Greek Line in 1953. In the case of the Regal Empress, old doesn’t
equate to rundown. On the contrary, she’s immaculately maintained,
with highly polished wood paneling on the interior. Outside, her
half-century-old teak decks look like new. Cabin decoration does
appear a bit dated, but it’s more than adequate for this short
cruise and even adds to the charm for fans of mid-century decor.
Entertainment is surprisingly good with full production shows of
singers and dancers held both nights in the Grand Lounge. The
Captain’s cocktail party on the second night serves as both a
welcome aboard and farewell celebration on this brief ocean
voyage.
Dining aboard the Regal Empress is another very pleasant
surprise. For the price, I expected that meals might tend to be
budget affairs, but the wonderful multi-course menu rivals that of
premium cruise lines. The Caribbean Dining Room is nearly unchanged
since the days of the ocean liner era. Intricate etched glass
mirrors depict undersea scenes of mermaids and King Neptune; inlaid
wood panels display scenes from Greek mythology, and a beautiful
oil painting on the aft wall depicts the ship’s long ago
destination of New York City. The Dining Room is open for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Up on the Promenade Deck, La Trattoria
serves food in a casual, poolside setting. Passengers can dine
along the old-fashioned, glass-enclosed Promenade or enjoy the sun
outdoors on the aft deck.
In this world of huge new cruise ships, the 22,000-ton, 1,190
passenger liner is small by today’s standards. Twelve stateroom
categories range from diminutive inside cabins to very large
oceanview cabins and suites. Ten suites feature either a private
lanai or balcony, some with private hot tubs. Unlike modern ships,
each cabin is unique with different types of wood trim and
configurations.
Regal Empress boasts a wide array of lounges, nightclubs and
bars. And the covered outdoor Pool Bar was always a popular spot
during my cruise. Another major draw on the short cruise: the
sizable Monte Carlo Casino. There are also facilities for children.
(We didn’t have many on my winter sailing, but in summer, it is a
popular option for families.) There is also an Internet cafe.
Regal Empress departs Ft. Lauderdale every other day at 5 p.m.
On day two, the ship is docked at Nassau from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., with a
complete program of shore excursions available. After an overnight
cruise back to Florida the ship is berthed by 9 a.m. and all
passengers can easily disembark before 10 a.m. to catch flights
home or continue their journey to explore the rest of the
Caribbean.
