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| Ship country = [[Bahamas]]
| Ship country = [[Bahamas]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Bahamas|civil}}
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Bahamas|civil}}
| Ship name = *Originally ordered as: ''Future Seas''
| Ship name = *Originally ordered as: ''Future Seas'' (1989–1990)
*1990–2004: ''Nordic Empress''
*1990–2004: ''Nordic Empress''
*2004–2008: ''Empress of the Seas''
*2004–2008: ''Empress of the Seas''
*2008–2016: ''Empress''
*2008–2016: ''Empress''
*2016-2020: ''Empress of the Seas''
*2016-2020: ''Empress of the Seas''
*2020 onwards: ''Empress''
| Ship owner = *1990-2020: [[Royal Caribbean Group]]
| Ship owner = *1990-2020: [[Royal Caribbean Group]]
*2020-present: [[Cordelia Cruises]]
*2020-present: [[Cordelia Cruises]]
| Ship operator = *1990–2008: [[Royal Caribbean International]]
| Ship operator = *1989–1989: [[Admiral Cruises]] (Only in the construction)
*1990–1990: [[Royal Admiral Cruises]] (Only in the construction)
*1990–2008: [[Royal Caribbean International]]
*2008–2016: [[Pullmantur Cruises]]
*2008–2016: [[Pullmantur Cruises]]
*2016–2020: Royal Caribbean International
*2016–2020: [[Royal Caribbean International]]
*2020–present: Cordelia Cruises
*2020–present: [[Cordelia Cruises]]
| Ship registry = *1990–2002: [[Monrovia]], {{flag|Liberia|civil}}
| Ship registry = *1990–2002: [[Monrovia]], {{flag|Liberia|civil}}
*2002–2008: [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}
*2002–2008: [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}
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| Ship builder = [[Chantiers de l'Atlantique]], [[Saint-Nazaire]], [[France]]
| Ship builder = [[Chantiers de l'Atlantique]], [[Saint-Nazaire]], [[France]]
| Ship original cost =
| Ship original cost =
| Ship yard number = G29<ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/nordic_empress_1990.htm|title=M/S ''Nordic Empress'' (1990)|accessdate=2 August 2008|last=Asklande|first=Micke|work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish}}</ref>
| Ship yard number = G29<ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/nordic_empress_1990.htm|title=M/S ''Nordic Empress'' (1990)|access-date=2 August 2008|last=Asklande|first=Micke|work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv}}</ref>
| Ship way number =
| Ship way number =
| Ship laid down =
| Ship laid down =
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| Ship completed =
| Ship completed =
| Ship acquired = 31 May 1990<ref name=FoF />
| Ship acquired = 31 May 1990<ref name=FoF />
| Ship maiden voyage = 25 June 1990 as Nordic Empress
| Ship maiden voyage = 25 June 1990
| Ship in service =
| Ship in service = 2020-present
| Ship out of service = 2020
| Ship out of service =
| Ship identification = {{IMO Number|8716899}}<ref name=FoF />
| Ship identification = {{IMO Number|8716899}}<ref name=FoF />
| Ship fate =
| Ship fate =
| Ship status = Warm lay-up in [[Souda, Greece]]
| Ship status = In Service
| Ship notes =
| Ship notes =
| Ship sponsor = [[Gloria Estefan]]
| Ship sponsor = [[Gloria Estefan]]
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| Hide header =
| Hide header =
| Header caption = (as built)<ref name=FoF />
| Header caption = (as built)<ref name=FoF />
| Ship type = ''Empress''-class [[cruise ship]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipClassCode=NE&shipCode=NE&br=R|title=Empress of the Seas|publisher=|accessdate=23 April 2016}}</ref>
| Ship type = ''Empress''-class [[cruise ship]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipClassCode=NE&shipCode=NE&br=R|title=Empress of the Seas|access-date=23 April 2016}}</ref>
| Ship tonnage = *{{GT|48,563}}
| Ship tonnage = *{{GT|48,563}}
*{{DWT|5,344}}
*{{DWT|5,344}}
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}}
}}
|}
|}
'''''Empress of the Seas''''' (formerly '''''Nordic Empress''''' and '''''Empress''''') is a [[cruise ship]] owned by [[Cordelia Cruises]], an Indian [[cruise line]]. She was the sole ship of Empress class. She entered service with then [[Royal Caribbean Cruise Line]] in 1990, transferred to [[Pullmantur Cruises]] in 2008, and then returned to Royal Caribbean International in 2016. In December 2020, she was soöd from the Royal Caribbean fleet to Cordelia Cruises.<ref name="empress-cordelia">https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/rebooted-indian-cruise-line-emerges-as-buyer-of-empress-of-the-seas</ref>
'''''Empress''''' (formerly '''''Nordic Empress''''' and '''''Empress of the Seas''''') is a [[cruise ship]] owned by [[Cordelia Cruises]], an Indian [[cruise line]]. She is the sole ship of her class. She entered service with then-[[Royal Caribbean International]] in 1990, transferred to [[Pullmantur Cruises]] in 2008, and then returned to Royal Caribbean International in 2016. In December 2020, she was retired from the Royal Caribbean fleet and sold to Cordelia Cruises.<ref name="empress-cordelia">{{Cite web|date=28 December 2020|title=Rebooted Indian Cruise Line Emerges as Buyer of Empress of the Seas|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/rebooted-indian-cruise-line-emerges-as-buyer-of-empress-of-the-seas|access-date=2020-12-31|website=The Maritime Executive|language=en}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The ship was ordered by [[Admiral Cruises]] and was intended to be called the ''Future Seas'' and join the other Admiral ships, the {{MS|Azure Seas|3=2}} and the {{MS|Emerald Seas|3=2}}. However, when Royal Caribbean merged with Admiral in 1987, the Admiral brand was dissolved and the newbuild (still under construction) was incorporated into the Royal Caribbean fleet. A few signature Royal Caribbean brand elements were added, including the Viking Crown and Windjammer Cafe.
The ship was ordered by [[Admiral Cruises]] and was intended to be called the ''Future Seas'' and join the other Admiral ships, the {{MS|Azure Seas|3=2}} and the {{MS|Emerald Seas|3=2}}. However, when Royal Caribbean merged with Admiral in 1987, the Admiral brand was dissolved and the newbuild (still under construction) was incorporated into the Royal Caribbean fleet. A few signature Royal Caribbean brand elements were added, including the Viking Crown and Windjammer Cafe.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}


The ship was originally named ''Nordic Empress'' and was the final Royal Caribbean ship whose name did not end with "of the Seas" until the name was changed to match the rest of the fleet following an extensive rebuilding that ended on 8 May 2004.
The ship was originally named ''Nordic Empress'' and was the final Royal Caribbean ship whose name did not end with "of the Seas" until the name was changed to match the rest of the fleet following an extensive rebuilding that ended on 8 May 2004.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}


''Nordic Empress'' was the first mainstream cruise ship especially designed for the 3 and 4 day cruise market. Her initial itinerary was a short cruise to [[the Bahamas]], which was then combined with 3 and 4 day cruises from [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], [[Puerto Rico]]. In 1999, following the sale of the ''[[Song of America]]'', the ''Nordic Empress'' took over the [[New York City]] to [[Bermuda]] route.
''Nordic Empress'' was the first mainstream cruise ship especially designed for the 3 and 4 day cruise market. Her initial itinerary was a short cruise to [[the Bahamas]], which was then combined with 3 and 4 day cruises from [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], [[Puerto Rico]]. In 1999, following the sale of the ''[[MS Song of America|Song of America]]'', the ''Nordic Empress'' took over the [[New York City]] to [[Bermuda]] route.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}


In 2000, Royal Caribbean announced that the ''Nordic Empress'' would be undertaking a series of cruises in [[South America]]. Shortly after these cruises were put on sale, Royal Caribbean decided to replace the ''Nordic Empress'' with the ''[[Splendour of the Seas]]'' on the South American itineraries, leaving the ''Nordic Empress'' in the Caribbean.
In 2000, Royal Caribbean announced that the ''Nordic Empress'' would be undertaking a series of cruises in [[South America]]. Shortly after these cruises were put on sale, Royal Caribbean decided to replace the ''Nordic Empress'' with the ''[[Splendour of the Seas]]'' on the South American itineraries, leaving the ''Nordic Empress'' in the Caribbean.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}


=== 2001 engine room fire ===
=== 2001 engine room fire ===
In June 2001 the ''Nordic Empress'' suffered extensive engine room fire damage while sailing 140 miles north of [[Bermuda]]. Subsequent investigation revealed the cause of the fire was failure of a loose bolt in a fuel line [[flange]] assembly that had been improperly repaired.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Danieloncarevic|title=Lessons learned - Engine Room Fires|date=27 May 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKXiNdJMhgA|accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref> The broken bolt caused the flange assembly to separate, allowing fuel to leak around the engine. Moments after a low fuel pressure alarm sounded in the engine room, the leaking fuel ignited against the hot engine surfaces, causing a large explosion that was visible on the engine room [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]].<ref name=":0" /> The engines were stopped immediately and all fuel pumps switched off. Crew members attempting to enter the engine area to fight to fire with fire hoses were forced to turn back from the intense heat.<ref name=":0" /> 6 minutes into the fire, the engine room [[Fire sprinkler system|overhead fire sprinkler system]] was activated along with the ship's general emergency alarm. The sprinklers appeared to have extinguished the fire after 4 minutes, and crew once again attempted to re-enter the engine area, only to have the residual fuel in the engine area ignite a [[flash fire]] that was quickly extinguished with fire hoses.<ref name=":0" /> During the subsequent inspection of the engine room and surrounding areas, burning wires were discovered in an adjacent compartment. The space was evacuated before lowering [[Compartment (ship)|watertight doors]] and releasing 885&nbsp;kg of [[Halomethane|halon]] and restarting the overhead sprinkler system.<ref name=":0" /> 3 hours after the first fire broke out, the incident was logged as resolved. The ship was able to return to Bermuda under reduced power, and was subsequently taken out of service for 2 weeks for repairs. Total expenses and lost revenue related to the fire totaled over $8.8 million.<ref name=":0" />
In June 2001 the ''Nordic Empress'' suffered extensive engine room fire damage while sailing 140 miles north of [[Bermuda]]. Subsequent investigation revealed the cause of the fire was failure of a loose bolt in a fuel line [[flange]] assembly that had been improperly repaired.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Danieloncarevic|title=Lessons learned - Engine Room Fires|date=27 May 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKXiNdJMhgA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/tKXiNdJMhgA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=29 April 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The broken bolt caused the flange assembly to separate, allowing fuel to leak around the engine. Moments after a low fuel pressure alarm sounded in the engine room, the leaking fuel ignited against the hot engine surfaces, causing a large explosion that was visible on the engine room [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]].<ref name=":0" /> The engines were stopped immediately and all fuel pumps switched off. Crew members attempting to enter the engine area to fight to fire with fire hoses were forced to turn back from the intense heat.<ref name=":0" /> 6 minutes into the fire, the engine room [[Fire sprinkler system|overhead fire sprinkler system]] was activated along with the ship's general emergency alarm. The sprinklers appeared to have extinguished the fire after 4 minutes, and crew once again attempted to re-enter the engine area, only to have the residual fuel in the engine area ignite a [[flash fire]] that was quickly extinguished with fire hoses.<ref name=":0" /> During the subsequent inspection of the engine room and surrounding areas, burning wires were discovered in an adjacent compartment. The space was evacuated before lowering [[Compartment (ship)|watertight doors]] and releasing 885&nbsp;kg of [[Halomethane|halon]] and restarting the overhead sprinkler system.<ref name=":0" /> 3 hours after the first fire broke out, the incident was logged as resolved. The ship was able to return to Bermuda under reduced power, and was subsequently taken out of service for 2 weeks for repairs. Total expenses and lost revenue related to the fire totaled over $8.8 million.<ref name=":0" />


Actress [[Tina Fey]] and then recently married husband [[Jeff Richmond]] were reportedly on board at the time. The incident was recounted in Fey's autobiography, [[Bossypants]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2011/04/articles/fires-1/tina-feys-honeymoon-ruined-by-cruise-ship-fire/|title=Tina Fey's Honeymoon Ruined By Cruise Ship Fire? : Cruise Law News|date=22 April 2011|publisher=|accessdate=24 December 2014}}</ref>
Actress [[Tina Fey]] and then recently married husband [[Jeff Richmond]] were reportedly on board at the time. The incident was recounted in Fey's autobiography, [[Bossypants]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2011/04/articles/fires-1/tina-feys-honeymoon-ruined-by-cruise-ship-fire/|title=Tina Fey's Honeymoon Ruined By Cruise Ship Fire? : Cruise Law News|date=22 April 2011|access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref>


=== Service under Pullmantur Cruises ===
On 26 March 2007, it was reported that in March 2008, the ''Empress of the Seas'' would be transferred to the fleet of Royal Caribbean's subsidiary [[Pullmantur Cruises]].<ref name="newname">{{cite press release|title=Royal Caribbean International's Empress of the Seas to Join Pullmantur Fleet|date=26 March 2007|publisher=[[Royal Caribbean International]]|url=http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=977813&highlight=|accessdate=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201084503/http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=977813&highlight=|archive-date=1 February 2013}}</ref> Her final voyage for Royal Caribbean took place on 7 March 2008. The maiden voyage as ''Empress'' for Pullmantur Cruises took place on 15 March 2008.
On 26 March 2007, it was reported that in March 2008, the ''Empress of the Seas'' would be transferred to the fleet of Royal Caribbean's subsidiary [[Pullmantur Cruises]].<ref name="newname">{{cite press release|title=Royal Caribbean International's Empress of the Seas to Join Pullmantur Fleet|date=26 March 2007|publisher=[[Royal Caribbean International]]|url=http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=977813&highlight=|access-date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201084503/http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=977813&highlight=|archive-date=1 February 2013}}</ref> Her final voyage for Royal Caribbean took place on 7 March 2008, while the maiden voyage as ''Empress'' for Pullmantur Cruises took place on 15 March 2008.


In November 2012, the ''Empress'' was the first of the fleet to receive a brand new logo as well as new hull color scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/8268-pullmantur-rebranding.html|title=Pullmantur Rebranding|publisher=|accessdate=24 December 2014}}</ref>
In November 2012, ''Empress'' was the first of the fleet to receive a brand new logo as well as new hull color scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/8268-pullmantur-rebranding.html|title=Pullmantur Rebranding|date=19 November 2012 |access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref>


=== Service under Royal Caribbean ===
Pullmantur refocused on Europe after concentrating passenger sourcing efforts on Latin and South America after the Spanish market went soft. As a result, MS ''Empress'' returned to Royal Caribbean after a dry dock in Spring 2016 and was again named ''Empress of the Seas''. The Royal Caribbean "Crown and Anchor" logo was reinstalled onto her funnel. She was repainted with Royal Caribbean's livery, although without her original hull striping.
In 2016, ''Empress'' underwent a dry dock refit and returned to Royal Caribbean as ''Empress of the Seas''.<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 October 2015|title=Pullmantur: Another Change of Strategy; Empress Back to Royal|work=Cruise Industry News|url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13195-pullmantur-another-change-of-strategy-empress-back-to-royal-.html|access-date=17 October 2018|archive-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229092401/http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13195-pullmantur-another-change-of-strategy-empress-back-to-royal-.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On 21 December 2015, Royal Caribbean started offering 4- and 5-night ''Empress of the Seas'' cruises from Miami, originally scheduled to begin 30 March 2016, with the Bahama Islands, Key West, and Grand Cayman among ports to be visited. On 18 March 2016, Royal Caribbean announced that the reintroduction of ''Empress of the Seas'' into its fleet would be delayed until 25 April 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Caribbean Cancels Six Empress of the Seas Cruises|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6899|access-date=25 March 2016|website=Cruise Critic}}</ref> and on 20 April 2016, Royal Caribbean announced a further delay to 28 May 2016 to give them time to completely rebuild the ship's galleys.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Caribbean Cancels More Empress of the Seas Cruises|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6967|access-date=21 April 2016|website=Cruise Critic}}</ref>
On 21 December 2015, Royal Caribbean started offering 4- and 5-night ''Empress of the Seas'' cruises from Miami, originally scheduled to begin 30 March 2016, with the Bahama Islands, Key West, and Grand Cayman among ports to be visited. On 18 March 2016, Royal Caribbean announced that the reintroduction of ''Empress of the Seas'' into its fleet would be delayed until 25 April 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Caribbean Cancels Six Empress of the Seas Cruises|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6899|access-date=25 March 2016|website=Cruise Critic}}</ref> On 20 April 2016, a further delay to 28 May 2016 was announced to time to completely rebuild the ship's galleys.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Caribbean Cancels More Empress of the Seas Cruises|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6967|access-date=21 April 2016|website=Cruise Critic}}</ref>


⚫
A spokesperson from Royal Caribbean quickly dismissed rumors that Empress of the Seas was sold for scrap in 2020, stating that the ship is still part of the fleet and is only staying in Greece for a few months.<ref>{{Cite web|title=No, Royal Caribbean still has not sold Empress of the Seas|url=http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/08/19/no-royal-caribbean-still-has-not-sold-empress-of-the-seas|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Royal Caribbean Blog|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-19|title=Royal Caribbean rebuffs rumors of Empress of the Seas sale|url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/royal-caribbean-rebuffs-rumors-empress-seas-sale|access-date=2020-08-20|website=seatrade-cruise.com|language=en}}</ref> In December 2020, Royal Caribbean sold the ''Majesty of the Seas'' to an undisclosed party, along with the ''Empress of the Seas''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=2020-12-16|title=Royal Caribbean Sells Majesty and Empress of the Seas|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24059-royal-caribbean-s-majesty-and-empress-sold.html?fbclid=IwAR0IphB67ZpzRojUV0h1-G-qhONhnM3IgIsIadfhAuajM9jmh2Cv-sgNbGg|access-date=2020-12-16|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>

==2018 rescue of two fishermen==
On 21 December 2018, ''Empress of the Seas'' rescued two fishermen who were without food, fuel or water after having set sail in the Caribbean sea twenty days earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/cruise-ship-changes-path-and-rescues-sailors-lost-sea-3-weeks-little-luck-all-1270152|title="Christmas miracle": Sailors lost at sea for three weeks rescued by cruise ship changing course|first=Ewan Palmer On 12/24/18 at 5:18|last=AM|date=24 December 2018|website=Newsweek}}</ref><ref name="wapo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/12/24/lost-sea-their-food-was-running-low-then-empress-seas-appeared/|title=Lost at sea, their food was running low. Then the Empress of the Seas appeared.|first=Michael|last=Brice-Saddler|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> Crew members operating the radar system for the Empress of the Seas had noticed an anomaly that turned out to be the small fishing boat. Royal Caribbean lowered one of its [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboat]]s to rescue the fishermen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/travel/royal-caribbean-ship-rescues-two-men-stranded-at-sea-for-20-days|title=Royal Caribbean cruise ship rescues two men stranded at sea for 20 days|date=22 December 2018|website=TravelPulse}}</ref><ref name="wapo" />
On 21 December 2018, ''Empress of the Seas'' rescued two fishermen who were without food, fuel or water after having set sail in the Caribbean sea twenty days earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/cruise-ship-changes-path-and-rescues-sailors-lost-sea-3-weeks-little-luck-all-1270152|title="Christmas miracle": Sailors lost at sea for three weeks rescued by cruise ship changing course|first=Ewan Palmer On 12/24/18 at 5:18|last=AM|date=24 December 2018|website=Newsweek}}</ref><ref name="wapo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/12/24/lost-sea-their-food-was-running-low-then-empress-seas-appeared/|title=Lost at sea, their food was running low. Then the Empress of the Seas appeared.|first=Michael|last=Brice-Saddler|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> Crew members operating the radar system for the Empress of the Seas had noticed an anomaly that turned out to be the small fishing boat. Royal Caribbean lowered one of its [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboat]]s to rescue the fishermen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/travel/royal-caribbean-ship-rescues-two-men-stranded-at-sea-for-20-days|title=Royal Caribbean cruise ship rescues two men stranded at sea for 20 days|date=22 December 2018|website=TravelPulse}}</ref><ref name="wapo" />

⚫
In 2019, the ship was scheduled to take longer and more extended cruises to Cuba. Besides Havana, she was scheduled to visit Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. These routes have since been suspended, the ship instead substituting other ports in the Caribbean and Bahama Islands for the Cuban ports.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Caribbean Will Sail Longer Cuba Cruises in 2019, Including 3 Cuban Ports of Call|url=https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=8661|access-date=6 July 2018|website=www.cruisecritic.com|language=en-us}}</ref>

On 15 March 2020 the ship docked in Miami for the final time under Royal Caribbean carrying fare paying passengers.

=== Sale to Cordelia Cruises ===
⚫
In August 2020, in response to rumors that ''Empress of the Seas'' was anchored in Greece to be sold for scrap, Royal Caribbean said that the ship was still part of the fleet and is only staying in Greece for a few months.<ref>{{Cite web|title=No, Royal Caribbean still has not sold Empress of the Seas|url=http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/08/19/no-royal-caribbean-still-has-not-sold-empress-of-the-seas|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Royal Caribbean Blog|date=19 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-19|title=Royal Caribbean rebuffs rumors of Empress of the Seas sale|url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/royal-caribbean-rebuffs-rumors-empress-seas-sale|access-date=2020-08-20|website=seatrade-cruise.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Arora|first=Vijay|date=2021-02-18|title=Empress of the Seas is going on to a new life as Cordelia Cruises.|url=https://ztravelnews.com/empress-of-the-seas-is-going-on-to-a-new-life-as-cordelia-cruises/|access-date=2021-03-10|website=Z Travel News Worldwide|language=en-US}}</ref>

In December 2020, Royal Caribbean sold ''Empress of the Seas'' to Indian cruise line Cordelia Cruises.<ref name="empress-cordelia" />


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
In the novel ''[[World War Z]]'', by [[Max Brooks]], the ''Nordic Empress'' is found to be heavily infested by zombies and drifting near [[Dakar, Senegal]] by the Chinese [[Type 094 submarine]] ''Admiral Zheng He.''<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brooks|first=Max|title=World War Z|url=https://archive.org/details/worldwarz00broo|url-access=registration|date=2006|pages=[https://archive.org/details/worldwarz00broo/page/n251 242]–243}}</ref>
In the novel ''[[World War Z]]'', by [[Max Brooks]], the ''Nordic Empress'' is found to be heavily infested by zombies and drifting near [[Dakar, Senegal]] by the Chinese [[Type 094 submarine]] ''Admiral Zheng He.''<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brooks|first=Max|title=World War Z|url=https://archive.org/details/worldwarz00broo|url-access=registration|date=2006|pages=[https://archive.org/details/worldwarz00broo/page/n251 242]–243}}</ref>

== Routes ==
⚫
In 2019, the ship was scheduled to take longer and more extended cruises to Cuba. Besides Havana, she was scheduled to visit Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. These routes have since been suspended, the ship instead substituting other ports in the Caribbean and Bahama Islands for the Cuban ports. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=8661|title=Royal Caribbean Will Sail Longer Cuba Cruises in 2019, Including 3 Cuban Ports of Call|website=www.cruisecritic.com|language=en-us|access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
<gallery mode=packed>
<gallery mode="packed">
File:CRUISE O8 (365)---1.jpg|alt=Empress of the Seas
File:CRUISE O8 (365)---1.jpg|alt=Empress of the Seas|MS Empress Of The Seas
File:NordicEmpress1 (cropped).jpg||MS ''Nordic Empress'', featuring her original Royal Caribbean livery, anchored off the [[Cayman Islands]] in late March 2004
File:NordicEmpress1 (cropped).jpg|MS ''Nordic Empress'', featuring her original Royal Caribbean livery, anchored off the [[Cayman Islands]] in March 2004
File:Pullmantur Empress IMG 5170 C.JPG|MS ''Empress'', in her original Pullmantur livery, docked in [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]] on 16 June 2010
File:Pullmantur Empress IMG 5170 C.JPG|MS ''Empress'', in her original Pullmantur livery, docked in [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]] in June 2010
File:Empress at Quay 16 in Tallinn 15 June 2013 (cropped).JPG||MS ''Empress'', in [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]] on 15 June 2013
File:Empress at Quay 16 in Tallinn 15 June 2013 (cropped).JPG|MS ''Empress'', in [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]] in June 2013
File:Cruise Liner at Vizag.jpg|MS ''Empress'', in her [[Cordelia Cruises]] livery in August 2022
</gallery>
</gallery>


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* [http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipCode=NE ''Empress of the Seas''] at Royalcaribbean.com
* [http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipCode=NE ''Empress of the Seas''] at Royalcaribbean.com
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110520232116/http://www.khulsey.com/royal-caribbean-empress-of-the-seas.html High-resolution cutaway of ''Empress of the Seas'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110520232116/http://www.khulsey.com/royal-caribbean-empress-of-the-seas.html High-resolution cutaway of ''Empress of the Seas'']
* [https://www.holidaymoods.in/jalesh-cruise-mumbai-goa-mumbai Cordelia Cruise Mumbai To Goa'']
{{Royal Caribbean Cruise International Ships|state=collapsed}}
{{Royal Caribbean Cruise International Ships|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Empress}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Empress}}
[[Category:1989 ships]]
[[Category:1989 ships]]
[[Category:Cruise ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique]]
[[Category:Ships built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique]]
[[Category:Ships of Royal Caribbean International]]
[[Category:Ships of Royal Caribbean International]]

Latest revision as of 15:00, 5 September 2024

Empress of the Seas in Grand Cayman on Monday, 30 May 2016.
History
Bahamas
Name
  • Originally ordered as: Future Seas (1989–1990)
  • 1990–2004: Nordic Empress
  • 2004–2008: Empress of the Seas
  • 2008–2016: Empress
  • 2016-2020: Empress of the Seas
  • 2020 onwards: Empress
Owner
Operator
Port of registry
BuilderChantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France
Yard numberG29[1]
Launched25 August 1989[1]
Sponsored byGloria Estefan
Acquired31 May 1990[1]
Maiden voyage25 June 1990
In service2020-present
HomeportMiami, Florida
IdentificationIMO number: 8716899[1]
StatusIn Service
General characteristics (as built)[1]
TypeEmpress-class cruise ship[2]
Tonnage
Length210.81 m (691.63 ft)
Beam30.70 m (100.72 ft)
Draught7.10 m (23.29 ft)
Decks9 Passenger Decks
Installed power
Speed19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph)
Capacity1,840
Crew668

Empress (formerly Nordic Empress and Empress of the Seas) is a cruise ship owned by Cordelia Cruises, an Indian cruise line. She is the sole ship of her class. She entered service with then-Royal Caribbean International in 1990, transferred to Pullmantur Cruises in 2008, and then returned to Royal Caribbean International in 2016. In December 2020, she was retired from the Royal Caribbean fleet and sold to Cordelia Cruises.[3]

History

[edit]

The ship was ordered by Admiral Cruises and was intended to be called the Future Seas and join the other Admiral ships, the Azure Seas and the Emerald Seas. However, when Royal Caribbean merged with Admiral in 1987, the Admiral brand was dissolved and the newbuild (still under construction) was incorporated into the Royal Caribbean fleet. A few signature Royal Caribbean brand elements were added, including the Viking Crown and Windjammer Cafe.[citation needed]

The ship was originally named Nordic Empress and was the final Royal Caribbean ship whose name did not end with "of the Seas" until the name was changed to match the rest of the fleet following an extensive rebuilding that ended on 8 May 2004.[citation needed]

Nordic Empress was the first mainstream cruise ship especially designed for the 3 and 4 day cruise market. Her initial itinerary was a short cruise to the Bahamas, which was then combined with 3 and 4 day cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1999, following the sale of the Song of America, the Nordic Empress took over the New York City to Bermuda route.[citation needed]

In 2000, Royal Caribbean announced that the Nordic Empress would be undertaking a series of cruises in South America. Shortly after these cruises were put on sale, Royal Caribbean decided to replace the Nordic Empress with the Splendour of the Seas on the South American itineraries, leaving the Nordic Empress in the Caribbean.[citation needed]

2001 engine room fire

[edit]

In June 2001 the Nordic Empress suffered extensive engine room fire damage while sailing 140 miles north of Bermuda. Subsequent investigation revealed the cause of the fire was failure of a loose bolt in a fuel line flange assembly that had been improperly repaired.[4] The broken bolt caused the flange assembly to separate, allowing fuel to leak around the engine. Moments after a low fuel pressure alarm sounded in the engine room, the leaking fuel ignited against the hot engine surfaces, causing a large explosion that was visible on the engine room CCTV.[4] The engines were stopped immediately and all fuel pumps switched off. Crew members attempting to enter the engine area to fight to fire with fire hoses were forced to turn back from the intense heat.[4] 6 minutes into the fire, the engine room overhead fire sprinkler system was activated along with the ship's general emergency alarm. The sprinklers appeared to have extinguished the fire after 4 minutes, and crew once again attempted to re-enter the engine area, only to have the residual fuel in the engine area ignite a flash fire that was quickly extinguished with fire hoses.[4] During the subsequent inspection of the engine room and surrounding areas, burning wires were discovered in an adjacent compartment. The space was evacuated before lowering watertight doors and releasing 885 kg of halon and restarting the overhead sprinkler system.[4] 3 hours after the first fire broke out, the incident was logged as resolved. The ship was able to return to Bermuda under reduced power, and was subsequently taken out of service for 2 weeks for repairs. Total expenses and lost revenue related to the fire totaled over $8.8 million.[4]

Actress Tina Fey and then recently married husband Jeff Richmond were reportedly on board at the time. The incident was recounted in Fey's autobiography, Bossypants.[5]

Service under Pullmantur Cruises

[edit]

On 26 March 2007, it was reported that in March 2008, the Empress of the Seas would be transferred to the fleet of Royal Caribbean's subsidiary Pullmantur Cruises.[6] Her final voyage for Royal Caribbean took place on 7 March 2008, while the maiden voyage as Empress for Pullmantur Cruises took place on 15 March 2008.

In November 2012, Empress was the first of the fleet to receive a brand new logo as well as new hull color scheme.[7]

Service under Royal Caribbean

[edit]

In 2016, Empress underwent a dry dock refit and returned to Royal Caribbean as Empress of the Seas.[8]

On 21 December 2015, Royal Caribbean started offering 4- and 5-night Empress of the Seas cruises from Miami, originally scheduled to begin 30 March 2016, with the Bahama Islands, Key West, and Grand Cayman among ports to be visited. On 18 March 2016, Royal Caribbean announced that the reintroduction of Empress of the Seas into its fleet would be delayed until 25 April 2016.[9] On 20 April 2016, a further delay to 28 May 2016 was announced to time to completely rebuild the ship's galleys.[10]

On 21 December 2018, Empress of the Seas rescued two fishermen who were without food, fuel or water after having set sail in the Caribbean sea twenty days earlier.[11][12] Crew members operating the radar system for the Empress of the Seas had noticed an anomaly that turned out to be the small fishing boat. Royal Caribbean lowered one of its lifeboats to rescue the fishermen.[13][12]

In 2019, the ship was scheduled to take longer and more extended cruises to Cuba. Besides Havana, she was scheduled to visit Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. These routes have since been suspended, the ship instead substituting other ports in the Caribbean and Bahama Islands for the Cuban ports.[14]

On 15 March 2020 the ship docked in Miami for the final time under Royal Caribbean carrying fare paying passengers.

Sale to Cordelia Cruises

[edit]

In August 2020, in response to rumors that Empress of the Seas was anchored in Greece to be sold for scrap, Royal Caribbean said that the ship was still part of the fleet and is only staying in Greece for a few months.[15][16][17]

In December 2020, Royal Caribbean sold Empress of the Seas to Indian cruise line Cordelia Cruises.[3]

[edit]

In the novel World War Z, by Max Brooks, the Nordic Empress is found to be heavily infested by zombies and drifting near Dakar, Senegal by the Chinese Type 094 submarine Admiral Zheng He.[18]

[edit]
  • Empress of the Seas
    MS Empress Of The Seas
  • MS Nordic Empress, featuring her original Royal Caribbean livery, anchored off the Cayman Islands in March 2004
    MS Nordic Empress, featuring her original Royal Caribbean livery, anchored off the Cayman Islands in March 2004
  • MS Empress, in her original Pullmantur livery, docked in Tallinn, Estonia in June 2010
    MS Empress, in her original Pullmantur livery, docked in Tallinn, Estonia in June 2010
  • MS Empress, in Tallinn, Estonia in June 2013
    MS Empress, in Tallinn, Estonia in June 2013
  • MS Empress, in her Cordelia Cruises livery in August 2022
    MS Empress, in her Cordelia Cruises livery in August 2022

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Asklande, Micke. "M/S Nordic Empress (1990)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2 August 2008.
  2. ^ "Empress of the Seas". Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Rebooted Indian Cruise Line Emerges as Buyer of Empress of the Seas". The Maritime Executive. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Danieloncarevic (27 May 2013), Lessons learned - Engine Room Fires, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 29 April 2016
  5. ^ "Tina Fey's Honeymoon Ruined By Cruise Ship Fire? : Cruise Law News". 22 April 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  6. ^ "Royal Caribbean International's Empress of the Seas to Join Pullmantur Fleet" (Press release). Royal Caribbean International. 26 March 2007. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Pullmantur Rebranding". 19 November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Pullmantur: Another Change of Strategy; Empress Back to Royal". Cruise Industry News. 22 October 2015. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Royal Caribbean Cancels Six Empress of the Seas Cruises". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Royal Caribbean Cancels More Empress of the Seas Cruises". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  11. ^ AM, Ewan Palmer On 12/24/18 at 5:18 (24 December 2018). ""Christmas miracle": Sailors lost at sea for three weeks rescued by cruise ship changing course". Newsweek.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ a b Brice-Saddler, Michael. "Lost at sea, their food was running low. Then the Empress of the Seas appeared" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  13. ^ "Royal Caribbean cruise ship rescues two men stranded at sea for 20 days". TravelPulse. 22 December 2018.
  14. ^ "Royal Caribbean Will Sail Longer Cuba Cruises in 2019, Including 3 Cuban Ports of Call". www.cruisecritic.com. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  15. ^ "No, Royal Caribbean still has not sold Empress of the Seas". Royal Caribbean Blog. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Royal Caribbean rebuffs rumors of Empress of the Seas sale". seatrade-cruise.com. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  17. ^ Arora, Vijay (18 February 2021). "Empress of the Seas is going on to a new life as Cordelia Cruises". Z Travel News Worldwide. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  18. ^ Brooks, Max (2006). World War Z. pp. 242–243.
[edit]
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