This site uses cookies as defined in our Cookie Policy, by continuing to use this site you agree to their use.
Continue
Arrive | Depart | ||||||
31st31 | JanJan | 202121 | Miami, Florida, United States, embark on the Empress of the Seas | 16:00 | |||
Miami is one of the world’s most popular holiday spots. It has so much to offer; from its countless beach areas, to culture and museums, from spa and shopping days out, to endless cuban restaurants and cafes. Miami is a multicultural city that has something to offer to everyone. | |||||||
1st01 | FebFeb | 202121 | Key West, Florida, United States | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Located closer to Havana than Miami, Key West is synonymous for all that is fabulous. Whether it’s beaches, back country or just a brilliant time that you’re after, Florida’s most southern point holds a wealth of intrigue, both past and present. Famed for its unique originality, Key West is a condensation of the best of the sunshine state – fantastic weather, laid back attitude, deep-rooted history and masses of fantastic, fresh seafood; it’s little wonder that nobody ever wants to leave.Floating in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, the island has two very definite personalities: bookish and bizarre. On the one hand, the literary festivals, exquisite Caribbean architecture and splendid art galleries attract the bourgeoisie, while on the other, the eccentricity and reticence to be associated with “the mainland” attracts all kinds of “happies” –new era hippies. The two dichotomies live peacefully side by side and have done ever since travellers started arriving in the 1960s — Key West being one of the three big K’s on the hippie path to enlightenment (Kuta and Kathmandu are the others).But past the idiosyncrasies of the Key Westers, and you will find an island that is literally brimming over with spectacular sights and wonderful wilderness. From Henry S. Truman’s Little White House and Ernest Hemmingway’s house and studio, to botanical gardens and marine sanctuaries, visitors will leave this fascinating island wanting more.Best seen by foot, bike or boat, this is an island to be explored al fresco. | |||||||
2nd02 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
3rd03 | FebFeb | 202121 | Costa Maya, Mexico | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
4th04 | FebFeb | 202121 | Belize City, Belize | 07:00 | 17:00 | ||
Belize City is more of a town than a city—few of the ramshackle buildings here are taller than a palm tree, and the official population within the city limits is barely over 50,000, though the metro population is near 90,000. Not far beyond the city center, streets give way to two-lane country roads where animals outnumber people. Any dining room downtown could leave the impression that everybody knows everybody else in this town, and certainly among the elite who can afford to dine out, that's probably true.On a map Belize City appears to be an ideal base for exploring the central part of the country—it's two hours or less by car to San Ignacio, Corozal Town, Dangriga, and even less to Altun Ha, Belmopan, and the Belize Zoo. However, many old Belize hands will advise you to get out of Belize City as quickly as you can. They point to the high crime rate and to drugs and gang activity. They also note the relative lack of attractions in Belize City. There are no good beaches in or near the city, except for one man-made beach at the Old Belize facility west of town, built to attract cruise-ship visitors. Although you can sometimes spot manatees and porpoises in the harbor, and birding around the city is surprisingly good, this is not the wild rain forest visitors come to see.All of that is true enough, and certainly any visitor to Belize City should take the usual precautions for travel in an impoverished urban area, which includes always taking a cab at night (and in rough parts of the city anytime), but Belize City does have an energy and excitement to it. There are good restaurants, including the best Chinese and Indian food in the country, a vibrant arts community, and, outside some of the rougher parts of town on the South Side, nice residential areas and a number of pleasant hotels and B&Bs. Belize City offers the most varied shopping in the country, and it’s the only place to find sizeable supermarkets, department stores, and the Belizean version of big box stores. There is always some little treasure to be discovered in a shop with mostly junk. All in all, it's far more interesting than any modern mall.Belize City also has an easygoing sociability. People meet on the street, talk, joke, laugh, and debate. Despite the Belize City streetscape's sometimes sketchy appearance, people in the shops and on the street tend to be friendly, polite, and helpful.If you haven't spent time in Belize City, you simply won't understand Belize. Belize City is the commercial, social, sports, and cultural hub of the country. It's even the political hub, despite the fact that the capital, Belmopan, is an hour west. The current prime minister, Dean Barrow, a lawyer who came to power in 2008, former prime ministers including Said Musa, many of the other ministers, and nearly all of the country's movers and shakers live in or near Belize City.One longtime Belize resident says that despite its problems she enjoys making day trips to the city and always encourages visitors to spend some time there: "Being a landlubber, I enjoy the boats, seabirds, and smell of the salt air, and of course the Swing Bridge, watching the fishermen on fishing boats sell their fish, and seeing what fish and sea creatures are for sale in the market. When I first came here I was amazed at the fish and meat stalls, at how they were out in the open, and weren't refrigerated like back home. I think it's good for tourists to see that there are other ways of living than what they are used to. Isn't that the point of traveling?"Still—and we can’t overemphasize this—you do have to be careful, as crime is not limited just to certain areas: When you’re in Belize City, bring your street smarts and exercise caution at all times. | |||||||
5th05 | FebFeb | 202121 | Cozumel, Mexico | 09:00 | 19:00 | ||
It's not another Cancún yet, but Cozumel's days as a rustic divers' hangout are history. Whether arriving by plane or at the island's gleaming ferry terminal, visitors soon realize there's nothing deserted about this island. That has its advantages. It's rare to find such stunning natural beauty, glass-clear aquamarine seas, and vast marine life combined with top-flight visitor services and accommodations, and as a result Cozumel's devotees are legion. Divers sharing stories of lionfish and sharks sit table-to-table with families tanned from a day at the beach club, while Mexican couples spin and step to salsa music in the central plaza. But the elephant in Cozumel's big and bountiful room are the throngs of cruise-ship passengers who take over the countless crafts and jewelry stores along the seaward boulevard downtown any day there are ships in port—which is to say, just about every day. But take just a few steps off the beaten path and this little island offers big rewards. Deserted, windswept beaches, wild and vibrant natural parks, and 600 miles of coral reef are still yours for the discovering. Just 19 km (12 miles) off the coast, Cozumel is 53 km (33 miles) long and 15 km (9 miles) wide, making it the country's third-largest island. Plaza Central, or just "la plaza," is the heart of San Miguel, directly across from the docks. Residents congregate here in the evening, especially on weekends, when free concerts begin at 8 pm. Heading inland (east) takes you away from the tourist zone and toward residential areas of town. Most of the island's restaurants, hotels, stores, and dive shops are concentrated downtown and along the two hotel zones that fan out along the leeward coast to the north and south of San Miguel. The most concentrated commercial district is between Calle 10 Norte and Calle 11 Sur to beyond Avenida Pedro Joaquin Coldwell. Cozumel's solitude-seeking windward side also has a few restaurants and one hotel. Unless you want to stick around your hotel or downtown San Miguel for your whole stay, you'll do well to rent a car or a scooter. Most worthwhile sites, such as the island's Mayan ruins and pristine windward beaches, are only readily accessible with wheels. Taxi fares are astronomical, and after just a few trips a rental car is clearly a better deal. | |||||||
6th06 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
7th07 | FebFeb | 202121 | Miami, Florida, United States, disembark the Empress of the Seas | 07:00 | |||
Miami is one of the world’s most popular holiday spots. It has so much to offer; from its countless beach areas, to culture and museums, from spa and shopping days out, to endless cuban restaurants and cafes. Miami is a multicultural city that has something to offer to everyone. |
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Indulge your palate with juicy steaks, fresh seafood, delicious sides and tempting desserts at the stylish Chops Grille—brand new to Empress of the Seas®.
Take a seat at this elegant setting for exceptional, multi-course meals, accompanied by super-personal service from our dedicated waiting staff.
Whether you want a quick snack after a session in the pool or at the gym, or a laid-back dinner, just take a seat and take in the view. It’s all easy.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Browse for something special to take home at one of the fabulous onboard fashion boutiques, where you can buy luxury products from designers including Michael Kors, Pandora, Tag, Ralph Lauren, Fossil, Ray-Ban, Ted Baker and Guess.
Treat yourself to something extra special – or pick up a present for that special someone – at the exquisite jewellery shop onboard.
Spanning two decks, this Broadway-style performance space offers contemporary and Broadway-inspired shows, headline musicals and live comedy. Enjoy Broadway-style musical spectaculars at the fantastic onboard theatre, where colourful, lively performances will take your breath away.
The Centrum is surrounded by bars, lounges and unique shops which offer an array of merchandise ranging from perfume and jewellery to liquor and cruise wear. It’s best compared to the lobby of a grand hotel.
A Royal Caribbean signature. Perched high above the ocean, this comfortable lounge offers spectacular vistas by day and turns into a lively dance club at night.
The ship's pool bar makes it easy to stay cool in the sun without having to stray too far from the deck chair. They offer a range of refreshing drinks and cocktails for passengers to enjoy.
Roulette, Craps, Texas Hold ‘em, Blackjack and more are all on offer at this exciting venue. Take a roll of the dice, and keep your fingers crossed!
This Latin themed bar is a night time hot spot for all onboard. Passengers can enjoy a cocktail or two from the extensive menu and hit the dance floor to experience some of the best Latin beats at sea.
Enjoy your drink with a side of trivia at one of the regular quiz nights held in this relaxed venue.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
With three distinct age groups – Aquanauts (3-5 years), Explorers (6-8 years) and Voyagers (9-11 years), kids of all ages will have countless adventures at their award-winning clubs, including science experiments, theatre workshops, scavenger hunts and much more.
Aquanauts
Enjoy the magic of Bubbling Potions, uncover the dinosaur-sized secrets of Jurassic Jr, and take over the ship with the Pirate Party Parade. Parents of three-year olds can opt for pagers so Adventure Ocean staff can stay in touch.
Explorers
Space Mud, Fossil Fever and Meteorology Madness. Hands-on science gets young minds churning – along with explorations of arts with Adventure Art and Adventure Theatre. Round out the night with dancing through the decades and ice cream for all.
Voyagers
For 9 to 11 year olds there’s a range of cool and educational activities including science experiments, backstage tours and new sports like Gagaball.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
7 nights aboard the Empress of the Seas | |||
Evening entertainment & Broadway style shows | |||
Choice of traditional or anytime dining | |||
Drinks Packages available | |||
Speciality Restaurants (charges may apply) | |||
24-hour room service | |||
Port Taxes and Fees | |||
ABTA and ATOL Protection* |
Date 31st Jan 2021 |
Nts 7 |
Please Call for Availability |
Date 31st Jan 2021 |
Nts 7 |
Please Call for Availability |
Fusion Cruises when selling travel arrangements is a trading name of The Midcounties Co-operative Ltd. Fusion Cruises is an Accredited Body Member of Midcounties Co-operative Travel Consortium. (ABTA:P6652, ATOL:6053).
Book with Confidence. We are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct.
Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme but ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services offered on this website. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk