Emerald Princess Reviews

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Embarkation: Embarkation at Ft. Lauderdale went very smooth and we were onboard within 30 minutes of arrival. The ship: The ship is beautiful and very tastefully decorated. The public rooms and foyer were 1st class. The crew were all very friendly and helpful. Dining: The food was excellent with many choices in the main dining and Horizon Court. The only exception was the coffee which was nearly undrinkable. One option was to buy a "coffee card" for $30+ to get real coffee at the International Cafe. I do not feel I should have to spend $30. to get real coffee when all of the other cruise lines serve real coffee. Cabin: Our cabin was roomy, lots of storage, and tastefully decorated. The bed however, was so uncomfortable that we finally ordered an egg-crate cover and even then was not comfortable. Tours: We booked two tours on Princess - one to Normandy Beaches which was excellent and one to Oslo, also excellent. Entertainment: The shows in the Princess Theater were disappointing with the exception of Jacqi Michaels who is excellent. The lectures by Jules Talarico were excellent and the shore excursions by John were also excellent. We saw the captain somewhere on the ship nearly every day. He was very friendly and always seemed to be monitoring the whole ship. Disembarkation: We disembarked in Copenhagen and it was the most organized of any disembarkation on any ship that we have been on. I give the Emerald Princess 4 stars for this cruise. It would be 5 if the coffee problem were addressed as well as the mattress.

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This was our 22nd cruise, 10th with Princess, and the 4th time on the Emerald. We cruised this ship last April, over Easter with several of the same couples we cruised with last year. Embarkation..even though the port was under construction and the normal pier for this ship was closed.. the process was smooth and easy...on the ship in no time...Cabin was ready when we got on board..dropped off our carry on's and off to eat and to the pool. Cabin Balcony on Caribe deck, mid ship... No issues other than the same one everyone has been complaining about for years...PRINCESS...ITS TIME TO CHANGE THE MATTRESS'!!! THEY ARE WORN OUT!!! Having sailed on this ship 3 times previously, I simply want to know, What Happened to My Emerald? Was A little disappointed by some of the changes Princess made to this wonderful ship...and for years telling everyone how much we loved everything about this ship, was saddened to see how far and fast it went down hill. First, The entertainment..they had the same 2 comics, and same hypnotist as last year with the same material. Time for some new comics....Beatlemaniacs was a good show...Seems like the cruise staff disappeared on this ship, with the exception of Oksana for the pool chipping contests and during the fiesta pool deck party, never saw them!! No more horse races, pool games, conga lines...What happened? The pool band played the same songs almost every set...and what happened to having music at the pool when the band wasn't playing? Muts was good with a large selection of different movies...Just recall last year that there was always something playing on the big screen during the day..whether it was sports , concerts, documentaries, movies...And when there was a sports playoff whatever it was,it played on the big screen! Too many long breaks with a still picture on the screen. Also the schedule for the big screen was not very well published... Second...The food... As always I thought the food is very good whether we ate in the crown grill, the buffet, anytime dining, or the international cafe, and even had a few bites of sushi. What Changed in my opinion for the worst, was service and options. The buffet last year on this ship was opened late night til 4 30 am..in the rear of the ship. This allowed late night people to grab a bite after dancing or the show, but now they all close at midnight. The outrigger Bar at the rear of the ship also closed very early, whereas last year it was opened til 4 am..again for late night get togethers. We spent many evenings sitting and chatting with the bartenders and friends there( its the cover picture on my phone).After Skywalkers closes usually around 2 30 am the only place open is the international cafe on deck 5. Not the best place for late night partiers to go hang out after dancing, But the only place left for them to go.These features were some of the perks that we loved about the Emerald, eating a late dinner then enjoying a show and some dancing, knowing that later if you wanted to grab a bite that there was still options opened to you.The service in the dining rooms felt harried and at best you could tell the waiters were understaffed. Long waits between courses. Food was still good , just took forever. Also drink prices are over the top and just keep getting worse. 26.00$ for 5 Bud lights is crazy. I realize that this is equivalent to a resort and understand resort pricing... but the line would make more through sheer volume than overcharging and losing sales. Cocktail prices were on the rise also. 8.99 for a Mai Tai. If the cruise lines want to know why more people are sneaking booze aboard , just look at your prices.. One good note..I did notice that the prices of wine at dinner were lower than last year, not a reduction in choice or name vintners , just a lower bottle price. They still over charge by the glass, but the bottle price was MUCH better. Okay( and I am willing to Take all the negative comments on this one, but please hear me out first) Princess smoking policy..And yes I am a smoker.I knew at the beginning of the year that Princess changed its smoking policy and you could no longer smoke in your rooms and on your balcony. We always get a balcony, and that is where i would smoke so I did not smoke in the room. While it was a bit of a pain for me, I did not have a problem throwing on my shorts and going to the designated smoking areas to have my smoke. Princess made deck 16 the smoking area, on the port side of the ship, at the pool deck and also right outside of their speciality restaurant Sabatini's( this made no sense to me , if I was spending extra on a speciality dinner with my wife, I would not enjoy my view out the window to be the smoking lounge and not the beautiful view off the aft of the ship. Also this is right above where they decided to put tables for people to eat food. Love having my breakfast and someones ashes blowing over the rail and landing in my food.) My complaint is that while using the designated areas I do not need or want the smoking police giving everyone who smoked a hard time.Asking for a Ashtray was similar to robbing a bank. I even heard one bartender threaten to call security on a elderly female who was smoking to close to the bar stool. Snookers Cigar bar is no longer there, It was changed to a conference room. So other than a few spots on deck and the cigar nook off of the casino, there is no place for you to enjoy a cigar. And on no smoking nights in the casino, it looked like Jeff Spignoli's van from Fast times at Ridgemont High every time someone opened the door to the smoking room. And Guess where Princess decided to place the sports TV's ? You got it.. in Gatsby's cigar bar!! Which is conveniently located mid ship deck 6 with doors that open to the pursers desk and into the casino..HMMM !! So it was interesting listening to people complain about the smoke while waiting in line to talk to some one at guest services about the smoke!!!Princess set up 3 tables and chairs in the casino bar area and put little placards on them stating..NO SMOKING TABLE!! Yet 2 feet on any side of those tables was acceptable smoking areas. And it did provide me with an alternative venue of entertainment watching several different groups of people sit down at those tables and then complain about the smoke. I am a very considerate smoker, I don't smoke in my house , my cars, my cabin, my balcony, and I really don't care where Princess puts the smoking section...but if I am in the designated smoking section, Please, SHUT UP!!! I cannot avoid your over use of cheap cologne or perfume, at dinner, the elevators, the theater, or strolling around on deck, but you can avoid the smoking sections. Princess is still my line of choice... The extras that they used to provide are slowly disappearing. Please understand that the Emerald is a Fabulous ship..and we had another amazing time aboard her...But when you have been spoiled and are used to something amazing and that is taken away...kinda lets the air out of my balloon..it also makes RAVING about Princess and this particular ship, that much harder to do...

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Arriving at Port Everglades around noon, we waited in a long line that moved very quickly. Our first venue was the Horizon Court for a bite to eat and then on to our interior cabin on deck 12. After unpacking, we explored the ship and located the Internet Cafe since the complimentary 250 minutes for platinum members was a new and greatly appreciated perk for me. We also located our favorite lite snack and dessert stop--the International Cafe, just off the Atrium. We arrived at the Michaelangelo diningroom at 6:00pm for Anytime dining and made our reservation for the same time and table every night. Arnel, our main waiter, was very attentive throughout the whole trip. He often brought us extra goodies and was mindful of our requests--one night I just wanted vegetables so he brought me a big plate of every vegetable in the kitchen. The last night he brought us Baked Alaska, which was on the traditional dining menu but not on the Anytime dining menu. The food was not exceptional in taste, but we always found it to be very good. The first two days were sea days with pleasant weather and we spent most of our time around the pools. Ice cream, burgers, dogs & fries, pizza is available near the pools. Wow! Wish they'd enforce the no reserving lounge chair rule! Lots of other activities available throughout the ship. Nightly entertainment was hit or miss. We loved the Beatles and the comedian Steve Moris, who will soon open a show in Las Vegas--gotta go see him again! The Princess singers and dancers were okay, but so much of the same-just changed the era. Wish Princess would do a Broadway show (like RCCL). Barty, the piano man in the lounges, was good. Club Fusion had a dance band; we enjoyed Evolution. Well, as I said in the beginning, we sailed the Emerald for the ports, and we weren't disappointed. The weather was spectacular so that helps to have a good time. First stop, Aruba, we walked around town and took the ship excursion Jolly Pirates. We visited two snorkel sites and were disappointed we didn't see more fish. Third stop was letting people jump off the rope swing (I think we spent more time here than at the snorkel sites). Aruba's beaches looked incredible with soft white sand so I'd like to explore more of this island. Next day the snorkeling on Bonaire with the Sea Cow (ship excursion) was superb. Eric and his crew were first rate with the equipment, sites, and helping people in any way. We visited two sites, both incredible. If you haven't seen what's below that beautiful water, you need to experience it! Grenada we took a tour with Mandoo, who can be found on the internet. He is so informative and passionate about his island. In Dominica, we made prior arrangements for the Interlude for a Day at Papillote Gardens & Retreat, about a 4 mile taxi ride from the ship dock. We knew to wear our bathing suits to enjoy the 4 relaxing warm water mineral pools located throughout the lush 14 acre rain forest gardens. Our favorite was the pool by the rushing waterfall, where George, the manager, brought us refreshing fruit drinks. Lunch of chicken or fish with seasoned rice and vegetables is included and served in a lovely open-air restaurant. This is an incredible place! www.papillotegarden.org St Thomas we booked Godfrey Tours (always use him; on the internet) for a very reasonably priced stop in town and then to one of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean--Coki Beach. No admission fee, lounge chairs $5, inexpensive snorkel equipment for rent, beach waiters that don't hassle you but will bring you eats & drinks. The beach has a nice sandy bottom with a rocky area to the right where all the fish hang out, but you can coax them out with a bite of food (dog bones sold here ,too) Good beach for children and beginning snorkelers. Coral World is next door with an aquarium and dolphin encounter. Princess Cays, a short tender ride away, is a beautiful stretch of beach with all kinds of water activities available. The snorkeling is just okay here. The barbecue lunch is very good, but check the open and close time as it seemed brief. This Southern Medley itinerary is great if you like port-intensive cruises. Six ports in 10 days allows you to cover a lot of ground--I mean water! We loved it!

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Just finished my first cruise on the Emerald Princess and we had a great time. The room was a fine size and the balcony made it perfect. We are both average size people so we had no trouble with the shower, which can be a little small for larger folks. Most of the food was really good, some nights the menu read better than the food tasted, but the deserts, well you just have to experience them for yourself. The fish was kind of fishy tasting no matter how it was prepared, but the lobster and escargot were delicious. The activities were varied and something was going on all day long. The coffee and ice tea were fine, no I didn't buy a 70.00 drink cup, that I thought was a bit much. Our room was tended to all the time, and our waiter was so helpful with suggestions and wine recommendations. There was music going on at all times and the dance lessons were great. The only thing I can say that could be improved are the mattresses. Our steward did put a foam cover on the bed for us, but it didn't help. The mattress was just worn out and really should have been replaced. The gym was wonderful, the classes were great that they offered and the pay for pilates and yoga classes were priced pretty much like home. I would recommend this cruise to anyone

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We arrived at port about 11 am and waited for about 45 minutes for check-in to start. Once it started it was quick and we were in our cabin shortly after noon. We were in an interior cabin. Previously we had booked balcony cabins, but decided to try an interior this time. We think we will be able to afford a lot more cruises if we book interiors. I was a bit leery of an interior when we booked it, but it turned out to be quite alright. It was small, but quite comfortable. We were hardly in it except to sleep or shower and change. It was located just aft of mid-ship and we found it to be a good location. Our only complaint was that the a.c. was not cool enough even when set at the lowest temp. It was adequate, but we would have liked it a bit cooler. We heard the same from several other people. We also found the a.c. around the ship to be a bit uneven - some areas cool, others a bit on the warm side. Food: We enjoyed the food very much. We had anytime dining. We would go to the dining room whenever we wanted. Because we were willing to share a table with others, we never had to wait. The only people that seemed to wait for long were people who went at peak times and wanted tables to themselves. Almost all the people we dined with were very nice except for one strange couple. They gave the impression that they were better than everyone else and the husband was an expert on everything. The beauty of anytime dining was that we never saw them again. It would have been unpleasant to have to dine with them each evening. The pub lunches in the Wheelhouse Bar on sea days were very good. The Crown Grill had great steaks, lamb and seafood in an elegant setting with excellent service. The buffets had great food too and we ate all our breakfasts and most lunches there. The International cafe in the Piazza was great for a snack or light meal. It is open 24 hours and the food was very good. Entertainment: Very good shows in the Princess theatre, usually 3 shows a night at 7:15, 8:30 and 10:15. The Piazza had all sorts of things going on throughout the day - singers, dancers, musicians, juggler, sing-a-long etc. The movies under the stars is nice and we saw a few good movies there and also in the Princess theatre. There are lots of bars around the ship and there is always something going on in them. We did ship sponsored tours in each port and enjoyed them all. The ship itself is very beautiful. The staff was friendly and tried very hard to make your holiday enjoyable. Our steward Grace kept our cabin spotless and looked after our every need. All the staff we interacted with were pleasant and professional. We met lots of really nice people from all over. Disembarkation was well organized. We enjoyed this trip very much and have put a deposit on a future Princess cruise.

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