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Just got off the Empress 4-nighter yesterday. Formal night is second night out (between Key West and Cozumel) First night is casual, second formal, and the other two are casual, although the reservation confirmation card you will get from Portofino says, "coat is recommended for gentlemen." The night we were there, most men did wear coats. Portofino is very nice, with great food, a more extensive wine list and good service. It's not the SS United States or Normandy restaurant on Celebrity, but very nicely done. The food and service aboard the Empress is great. We found it to be better than the Sovereign of the Seas, which we were also on for a short cruise just three weeks ago. The improvements to the Empress since the last time we were aboard are wonderful. The ship is in very good shape, and the crew is very pleasant. Let me know if there are any other specific questions you have. As far as menus go, first night featured (among other things) prime rib, second night had filet, third night was Mexican and last night was Italian food. All was very good, although we went to Portofino on the last night, so couldn't comment for sure on the chow in the main dining room. For a short cruise, I wouldn't bother with Portofino. The service and ambiance in Portofino is great, but it isn't shabby in the beautiful Carmen dining room, either! Just a bit noisier and more crowded! LOL! Have a great time.

<blockquote data-quote="randy" data-source="post: 947333"><p>Just got off the Empress 4-nighter yesterday.&nbsp; Formal night is second night out (between Key West and Cozumel)&nbsp; First night is casual, second formal, and the other two are casual, although the reservation confirmation card you will get from Portofino says, &quot;coat is recommended for gentlemen.&quot;&nbsp; The night we were there, most men did wear coats.&nbsp; Portofino is very nice, with great food, a more extensive wine list and good service.&nbsp; It&#039;s not the SS United States or Normandy restaurant on Celebrity, but very nicely done.&nbsp; The food and service aboard the Empress is great.&nbsp; We found it to be better than the Sovereign of the Seas, which we were also on for a short cruise just three weeks ago.&nbsp; The improvements to the Empress since the last time we were aboard are wonderful.&nbsp; The ship is in very good shape, and the crew is very pleasant.&nbsp; Let me know if there are any other specific questions you have.&nbsp; As far as menus go, first night featured (among other things) prime rib, second night had filet, third night was Mexican and last night was Italian food.&nbsp; All was very good, although we went to Portofino on the last night, so couldn&#039;t comment for sure on the chow in the main dining room.&nbsp; For a short cruise, I wouldn&#039;t bother with Portofino.&nbsp; The service and ambiance in Portofino is great, but it isn&#039;t shabby in the beautiful Carmen dining room, either!&nbsp; Just a bit noisier and more crowded! LOL!&nbsp; Have a great time.</p></blockquote><p></p>

[QUOTE="randy, post: 947333"] Just got off the Empress 4-nighter yesterday. Formal night is second night out (between Key West and Cozumel) First night is casual, second formal, and the other two are casual, although the reservation confirmation card you will get from Portofino says, "coat is recommended for gentlemen." The night we were there, most men did wear coats. Portofino is very nice, with great food, a more extensive wine list and good service. It's not the SS United States or Normandy restaurant on Celebrity, but very nicely done. The food and service aboard the Empress is great. We found it to be better than the Sovereign of the Seas, which we were also on for a short cruise just three weeks ago. The improvements to the Empress since the last time we were aboard are wonderful. The ship is in very good shape, and the crew is very pleasant. Let me know if there are any other specific questions you have. As far as menus go, first night featured (among other things) prime rib, second night had filet, third night was Mexican and last night was Italian food. All was very good, although we went to Portofino on the last night, so couldn't comment for sure on the chow in the main dining room. For a short cruise, I wouldn't bother with Portofino. The service and ambiance in Portofino is great, but it isn't shabby in the beautiful Carmen dining room, either! Just a bit noisier and more crowded! LOL! Have a great time. [/QUOTE]