Cordelia Empress

The ship Empress of the Seas was launched in 1990 as "Nordic Empress" for Admiral Cruises. It was later operated as "Empress of the Seas" by Royal Caribbean International (RCI) from 2004 to 2008. MS Nordic Empress was the last RCI vessel to be named without the "of the Seas" suffix.

The vessel has Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard/hull number A360677, a volume of 48,563 GT-tons, a DWT (deadweight tonnage) of 4,978 tons, and a maximum draught of 7.3 m. Her powerplant consists of Atlas Copco Crepelle marine diesel engines (model 12V32E) with a combined output of 16.4 MW (22,000 hp). The registered shipowner is STELLA SEAWAY LTD, and the registered manager is Campbell Shipping (CAMPBELL CRUISE & YACHT MANAGEMENT Ltd).

The vessel was originally ordered by Admiral Cruises under the name "Future Seas". In 1988, Admiral Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean. Following the merger, in 1989, the under-construction vessel was transferred to Royal Caribbean and renamed "Nordic Empress". The ship was inaugurated and christened in 1990 by godmother Gloria Estefan and began operating 3- and 4-night mini-cruises from PortMiami.

During her 1993 drydock, the Casino was expanded, and the "Photo Gallery & Shop" and "Video Arcade" were added.

In 1997, her homeport was changed to San Juan, Puerto Rico. New engines were installed during the technical drydocking in 1998.

In 2002, she began 7-day roundtrips from Tampa, Florida.

In 2004, Nordic Empress was renamed "Empress of the Seas" and homeported in NYC (Port Cape Liberty NJ) for Bermuda cruises.

During 2006-2007, she operated roundtrips from Norfolk, VA. In 2008, the ship was transferred to Pullmantur Cruises, receiving the Spanish brand’s signature hull colors in 2012.

Pullmantur Empress rejoined RCI in March 2016 following an extensive drydock refit in Freeport, Bahamas. Built as the first mass-market cruise ship designed specifically for short break cruises from Florida, she resumed roundtrips from Miami to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Grand Cayman. Some 5-day Western Caribbean itineraries featured overnight stays in Cozumel, Mexico.

In 2015, RCI announced the return of MS Empress (then Pullmantur Empress) to its fleet, with service starting in Spring 2016. Her inaugural season included roundtrip Caribbean departures from Miami. However, due to an extended drydock refurbishment, the maiden voyage (March 30) and the next four cruises were canceled. The vessel officially reentered RCI service on April 25 with a 5-day Western Caribbean "inaugural cruise" to Mexico, visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Cordelia Empress' last drydock was in June 2024, conducted at Drydocks World-Dubai.

Empress OTS itineraries 2016 changes

In 2016, Empress OTS was homeported in Miami, Florida. Departures from PortMiami were scheduled at 4 pm for Eastern/Western Caribbean cruises and 5 pm for Bahamas cruises. Arrivals were at 8 am for Eastern/Western Caribbean and 7 am for Bahamas cruises. Call times included: Nassau Bahamas (8 am - 5 pm), CocoCay Bahamas (8 am - 5 pm), Cozumel Mexico (8 am - 8 pm; overnight 8 am to 6 pm the next day), Costa Maya Mexico (7 am - 3 pm), Key West Florida (8 am - 8 pm), George Town Grand Cayman (7 am - 3 pm).

• The following Miami roundtrips were canceled due to the prolonged drydock: March 30, April 4, 7, 11, 16, 21, 25, and 30, 2016.
• Guests were offered options to rebook on Majesty of the Seas (same cabin type), rebook on Empress with USD 100 onboard credit, or cancel with a full refund. All RCI "flight and cruise" passengers were rebooked with no extra charge.
• The ship officially reentered service on May 9, 2016, with a 5-day Miami to Cozumel "Inaugural Cruise".

In July 2016, RCI extended Empress OTS bookings through October. New cruises from Miami included: 5-night (Key West and Cozumel – Sept 12, 26; Oct 1, 10, 15, 24, 29) and 4-night (Key West and Nassau – Sept 3, 17; Oct 6, 20).

In August 2016, RCI extended the cruise program through December, adding new destinations: Falmouth, Jamaica, Belize City, Costa Maya, Mexico, and Roatan Island, Honduras. Added itineraries included:

• Nov 3 (4-night to Cozumel), Nov 7 (4-night to Nassau and Key West), Nov 11 (6-night to Costa Maya, Cozumel, Nassau), Nov 17 (4-night to Key West and Nassau),
• Nov 21 (7-night to Nassau, Falmouth, Grand Cayman), Nov 28 and Dec 5 (3-night to Nassau and CocoCay), Dec 1 and 15 (4-night to Key West and Nassau),
• Dec 8 (7-night to Costa Maya, Roatan, Belize City, Cozumel), Dec 19 (8-night Christmas cruise to Key West, Roatan, Belize City, Costa Maya, Cozumel),
• Dec 27 (7-night New Year’s cruise to Key West, Belize City, Costa Maya, Cozumel).

Cruises to Cuba 2017-2020

Empress OTS became the first Royal Caribbean ship to sail to Cuba. The program began on April 19, 2017, with a 5-night cruise from Miami to Costa Maya and Havana. She was the largest cruise ship Havana port could accommodate at the time.

Two more 2017 Cuba cruises were added in December 2016: April 30 (7-night Tampa to Cozumel, Belize City, Havana) and May 20 (7-night Tampa to Key West, Havana, Cozumel). In February 2017, RCI expanded the Tampa homeport program by adding 4- and 5-night Cuba roundtrips with overnight stays in Havana, available through November 4, 2017. The inaugural Cuba cruise from Tampa departed on April 30. A special ceremony was held at Terminal 3 to mark the event.

Itinerary for the inaugural Cuba cruise:

Bookings for RCI's 2020 Cuba season opened on May 17, 2019. The program featured two ships—Empress (from Miami) and Majesty of the Seas (from Fort Lauderdale). Empress offered 3- to 8-night cruises with overnight (or late-night) stays in Havana and included calls to CocoCay. Majesty offered 4- to 6-night cruises with stops in Havana, Mexico (Costa Maya, Cozumel), Key West, and CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean Empress Of The Seas itineraries 2021-2022 (CANCELLED)

RCI’s 2021-2022 program for Empress OTS included 7-day Caribbean roundtrips from Miami (March 6 - April 25, 2021), Bermuda cruises from New York (April 5 - August 9, 2021), four 7-day Canada/New England roundtrips (May 24, June 21, July 19, Aug 16, 2021), 10- and 11-day Canadian cruises from Montreal (Sept 2 - Oct 4, 2021), and 7-day Southern Caribbean sailings from San Juan (Nov 6, 2021 - April 16, 2022).

A total of 40 Empress OTS cruises scheduled between March 6, 2021, and April 16, 2022, were cancelled. Below are the ports of call and lowest fares (USD, Inside cabin, double occupancy) for the 8-day "Western Caribbean" itinerary (from $905 per person).

7-day "Eastern Caribbean with Perfect Day" itinerary ($1015 pp)

6-day "Western Caribbean" itinerary ($800 pp)

7-day "Best Of Bermuda" itinerary ($1400 pp)

7-day "Canada and New England" itinerary ($1330 pp)

11-day "Canadian Adventure" itinerary ($1470 pp)

7-day "Southern Caribbean" itinerary ($1480 pp)

Pullmantur Empress ship review

Follows information regarding the previously named "MS Empress" Pullmantur vessel.

• Total number of cabins: 795 (of which 6 Suites, 69 Balcony, 329 Inside)
• Dining Rooms: Miramar Restaurant (2-tiered, a la carte, 476-seat).
• Restaurants and food bars: Panorama Buffet Restaurant (inside and exterior, 392-seat), Wu Fusion Restaurant (56-seat).
• Lounges & Bars: Broadway Show Lounge (2-tiered), Marina Bar (outdoor), Rendez-Vous Salon (Cafe, 341-seat), The Pier Salon and Piano Bar (Pub/Cafe, 130-seat), Reading Room, Recreation Room, Cards Room, Tibu Club, Starlight Disco, Teen's Club, Guppy Club, Tours Office, Reception.
• Sea Spa, Beauty Salon, Solarium, Fitness Center, Climbing Wall, 2 Swimming Pools (saltwater, adapted for children), 3 Jacuzzis, Library, Internet Center, Shops, Camera and Video Store, Casino del Mar (2-deck), Medical Center.

Pullmantur Empress was formerly operated as "Nordic Empress" and "Empress of the Seas" by Royal Caribbean (RCCL). Nordic Empress was RCI's last vessel which name didn't have the suffix "of the Seas". Following an extensive refit in 2004, vessel's name was changed to match the rest of the RCI fleet. Nordic Empress was the first mainstream (mass market) cruise liner specifically designed for short breaks (3- and 4-day).

In November 2012, MS Empress became Pullmantur's first ship to receive the company's new logo and hull color scheme. Ship's interior was highlighted by the 9-deck atrium with waterfall.