emerald princess cruise to panama canal

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Emerald Princess Overview

Princess Cruises is one of the most popular and long lasting cruise lines sailing the seven seas today. The Emerald Princess is a hallmark ship for the cruise line with activities that are perfect for their passengers, both young and young at heart. Onboard travelers can experience a classic European piazza feel in the ship’s atrium where the International Café and Vines wine bar are on hand to provide libations. The Emerald Princess’ youth and teen centers are packed with activities and apparatus that facilitate fun and let the children form friendships to last for years. 

• Passenger Capacity: 3,080 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2007
• Last Refurbished: 2019

Emerald Princess Cruise Destinations

Princess Cruises offers a wide array of cruising destinations, as well as a Cruisetour program that is revered in the cruising industry. This impressive selection includes over 100 itineraries reaching over 300 ports all across the world. Whether cruise to take in the beautiful fall foliage of Canada and New England or a splendid voyage to sunny Tahiti, Princess Cruises can offer you a great value with an exceptional experience. Other destinations include, but are not limited to: Asia, Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal, Australia, and more. 

If you enjoy the beauty of autumn, or feel that the colors of fall stimulate and inspire you—choose a cruise to Canada and New England.

Canada / New England Cruisetours

Escape to the mesmerizing coastal cities and enchanting parks of Canada and New England.

When you choose a cruise to the Caribbean, you can expect a sun-laden and tranquil tropical experience.

Eastern Caribbean

Adventures in the rainforest and sunny beach days at Princess Cays—two pieces of the perfect Eastern Caribbean cruise.

You can find everything from castles to crepes, and villas to Van Gogh on a European cruise vacation.

Hawaii holds cultural delights and tropical pleasures in store for your cruise vacation.

Mexican Riviera

Imagine the clear blue waters, fantastic beaches, and fascinating culture you will encounter on a cruise to Mexican Riviera.

Northern Europe

Thrilling Old World tales, the history of the great czars and fairytale castles await you on a Princess cruise to Northern Europe.

Panama Canal

Experience the canal in all its grandeur and view the wonders of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans’ surrounding areas during your Panama Canal cruise.

Southern Caribbean

Get in touch with the island cultures, ecosystems, and delicious tropical cuisine of a gorgeous region with a Southern Caribbean cruise.

Transatlantic

From coast to coast, take in the ocean breeze and interesting ports of call that come along with a Transatlantic Cruise.

Western Caribbean

Investigate Mayan ruins and rough it off-road in the tropical paradise that comes along with a Western Caribbean cruise.

Emerald Princess Departure Ports

Princess Cruises has one of the most extensive set of sailings. Their ships travel the world embarking from popular ports like New York City, Vancouver, Venice and Los Angeles. They also have cruises that sail from smaller, more exotic ports like Kobe in Japan and Valparaiso in Chile. We’ll help you find a Princess cruise you’ll love, give us a call today. 

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

Boston is home to great sports, great food and loads of history with the Freedom Trail and Harvard.

With incredible weather, delicious fare and some stupendous attractions, you will find that Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is one of the most attractive ports in the entire US.

The possibilities are endless when cruising to or from the City of Angels. Let your inner rock star shine as you explore the many wonders of Los Angeles, California.

Quebec City, Quebec

It’s easy to be wowed by Quebec City as Old World Europe is mixed with North American cultures alongside breathtaking landscapes and the flowing Saint Lawrence River.

The cruise port of Southampton features tons of diverse attractions that provide insight into England’s culture and storied past, including fortresses, gardens and national parks.

Emerald Princess Deck Plans

Emerald princess staterooms.

Balcony (B1)

The Premium Balcony stateroom is appointed with the same fine amenities as our Balcony stateroom but features a larger balcony. This impressive stateroom offers the added indulgence of a balcony and gives you more space than a standard stateroom. Enjoy your own private outdoor space with a table, two chairs, and a relaxing view of the inspiring scenery surrounding you, whether a beautiful sunset over the ocean or a new city to explore.

Balcony (B2)

Balcony (b4), balcony (ba).

This impressive stateroom offers the added indulgence of a balcony and gives you more space than a standard stateroom. Enjoy your own private outdoor space with a table, two chairs, and a relaxing view of the inspiring scenery surrounding you, whether a beautiful sunset over the ocean or a new city to explore. It's also perfect to enjoy cocktails before dinner or a leisurely breakfast.

Balcony (BB)

Balcony (bc), balcony (bd), balcony (be), balcony (bf).

Inside (IC)

The Interior stateroom is richly appointed with fine amenities. Twin beds convertible to a queen-size bedPrivate bathroom with shower

Inside (IA)

These staterooms are the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Our most affordable option, featuring two twin beds or a queen-size bed. Other amenities include a refrigerator, hair dryer, TV, closet and bathroom with shower.

Inside (IB)

Inside (id), inside (ie), inside (if).

Oceanview (OV)

Enjoy the added benefit of a view of the ocean from either a picture window or porthole that brings in natural light. Features the same fine amenities as our Oceanview stateroom, but the view from the picture window is either fully or partially obstructed. This stateroom includes all the amenities of an interior room: two twin beds or a queen-size bed. Other amenities include a refrigerator, hair dryer, TV, closet and bathroom with shower.

Oceanview (OW)

Oceanview (oy), oceanview (oz).

Oceanview (OE)

Oceanview (ob).

Enjoy the added benefit of a view of the ocean from either a picture window or porthole that brings in natural light. This stateroom includes all the amenities of an interior room: two twin beds or a queen-size bed. Other amenities include a refrigerator, hair dryer, TV, closet and bathroom with shower.

Oceanview (OC)

Oceanview (of).

A premium stateroom category featuring our best located Mini-Suite staterooms, as well as the great amenities found in all Mini-Suites plus premier dining benefits and luxurious perks. Each night, enjoy Club Class Dining, an exclusive dining area featuring expedited seating with no wait, expanded menu options, dedicated wait staff and tableside preparations. Other amenities include priority embarkation and disembarkation, a complimentary one-time wine set-up and so much more!

Choose a luxurious Mini-Suite with balcony which is substantially larger than a Balcony stateroom and receive a complimentary welcome glass of Champagne. Mini-Suites include a separate sitting area with sofa bed, premium bathroom amenities and two flat-panel televisions. For families or groups needing a little extra space, Mini-Suites offer an appealing and affordable option.

Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin and balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits. Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Suite with balcony includes all the amenities of a Club Class Mini-Suite, plus incredible premiums. Enjoy more living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas, and wonderfully enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite and so much more.

Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits. Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Suite with balcony includes all the amenities of a Club Class Mini-Suite, plus incredible premiums. Enjoy more living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas, and wonderfully enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite and so much more.

Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Suite with balcony includes all the amenities of a Club Class Mini-Suite, plus incredible premiums. Enjoy more living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas, and wonderfully enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite and so much more.

The Owner's Suite features an expansive cabin and oversized aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits. Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Suite with balcony includes all the amenities of a Club Class Mini-Suite, plus incredible premiums. Enjoy more living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas, and wonderfully enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite and so much more.

These suites are for larger families or groups traveling together and include special suite-only benefits and two bathrooms connected by a large living room, which leads to an expansive private balcony. Each suite sleeps up to eight people.

Vista Suite features a spacious cabin and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits. Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Suite with balcony includes all the amenities of a Club Class Mini-Suite, plus incredible premiums. Enjoy more living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas, and wonderfully enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite and so much more.

Photo Gallery for Emerald Princess Cruise Ship

A lot has changed since the days of the Love Boat . Check out this photo gallery of what a Princess ship looks like in the 21 st century. 

Crown Grill

Emerald Princess

Top 10 Emerald Princess Cruises

• Emerald Princess 10 NIGHT Caribbean - Eastern CRUISE Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Apr 2024 - Jun 2024)
• Emerald Princess 14 NIGHT Canada / New England CRUISE Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Jun 2024)
• Emerald Princess 19 NIGHT CANADA / NEW ENGLAND TOUR E415 Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Jun 2024)
• Emerald Princess 16 NIGHT CANADA / NEW ENGLAND TOUR E416 Departing From Quebec City, Quebec (Jun 2024)
• Emerald Princess 11 NIGHT Canada / New England CRUISE Departing From Quebec City, Quebec (Jul 2024)
• Emerald Princess 7 NIGHT Canada / New England CRUISE Departing From Boston, Massachusetts (Jul 2024 - Aug 2024)
• Emerald Princess 17 NIGHT Canada / New England CRUISE Departing From Boston, Massachusetts (Aug 2024)
• Emerald Princess 10 NIGHT Canada / New England CRUISE Departing From Boston, Massachusetts (Aug 2024 - Oct 2024)
• Emerald Princess 15 NIGHT CANADA / NEW ENGLAND TOUR E422 Departing From Boston, Massachusetts (Aug 2024)
• Emerald Princess 10 NIGHT Canada / New England CRUISE Departing From Quebec City, Quebec (Sep 2024 - Sep 2024)

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Review: Emerald Princess 15-day Ocean-to-Ocean Panama Canal Holiday Cruise

By DojoMojo , January 10, 2020 in Princess Cruises

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Over the holidays, we went on a 15-day Panama Canal Transit from Ft Lauderdale to Los Angeles, on Emerald Princess.  The cruise was fantastic – and rather than a detailed chronological review, I wanted to share our highlights and lowlights.  For context, we have two kids (<10 years), and this was our fourth Christmas cruise on Princess.  We’ve previously been on Holiday cruises on Regal, Star and Caribbean Princess.  We’ve previously also been on Carnival, NCL and Celebrity cruises, but Princess has been our default cruise line for the past few years.

Sorry this post is long! 

Highlights There were many things we enjoyed about this cruise, but to call out a few:

• Ports and Itinerary – we enjoyed all of the ports on this itinerary.  In Cartagena, we went to the old city and then the bird sanctuary right where the boat docks.  In Puerto Amador, we went on the Embera Indian village visit – very enjoyable.  In Puntarenas, we went on the rainforest aerial tram, butterfly garden and sloth sanctuary tour – a big hit with the kids.  In the other ports (San Juan del Sur, Huatulco, and Puerto Vallarta) we mostly just went to the beaches and/or short city walks – each with its own flavor.  One other thing we enjoyed in this itinerary was the mix of sea days and port days … it was good to enjoy a relaxing sea day after every one or two port days.
• Panama Canal – naturally, this was a highlight of the cruise, and it was amazing to see this wonder.  The ship went through the new (Agua Clara and Cocoli) locks.  We alternated between viewing areas on multiple decks (16, 15, 8, 7) over the course of the transit.  They had commentary on the open decks and in the buffet area throughout the course of the day – giving interesting facts as well as calling out points of interest as we passed them.  I hadn’t realized it ahead of time, but the transit was a full-day affair … we approached the Atlantic locks around 6 AM, and by the time we were in the Pacific it was past 6 PM.  The decks were really crowded early in the morning as we approached the locks, but the crowds thinned during the day (especially when it drizzled a little).  It was still crowded, just not as much.  They had ship photographers on land taking photos of passengers as we transited the locks.  Some folks had made posters they held up while being photographed.  I had read “The Path Between the Seas” before the cruise – I highly recommend that book to more deeply understand the magnitude of what the Panama Canal builders achieved!
• Crew – As always, the ship crew were amazing.  They were very friendly and made the cruise memorable for us (especially the kids).  I particularly appreciated the waiters in WFM and at Tea Time who’d come talk to the kids every day, the servers at International Café, the ship photographers who worked hard to get smiles, and the room stewards (who even made towel animals on a couple of days!), Aaron (CD), Sophie (Assistant CD) and the entertainment staff, the cleaning staff around the ship … in short, pretty much everyone.  All with pleasant smiles on their faces!  The crew on every cruise we’ve been on have worked hard to make it fun for us, and this was no exception.  And as usual we spent the final morning filling out a thick stack of “Moments that Matter” feedback cards.
• Santa – This was a holiday cruise, and Santa came to the Piazza to hand out gifts to the little kids.  This is such a fun tradition on Princess.  (The captain or bridge officer of the watch usually makes announcements 5-10 minutes earlier saying they have spotted an unidentified flying object or boat, and as it gets closer they announce it’s a sled, they see reindeer … and then that Santa has landed on the ship and coming down to the Piazza … and then finally Santa walks down to the Piazza, preceded by the band playing “Santa Claus is coming to town”.  Santa sits in the Piazza, and there’s a long line of kids who go to Santa one a time to get a gift and pose for photos).  It’s such fun event for the kids.  One thing we liked on this cruise was that since the ship was going to be in port on Christmas day, they had Santa come the previous evening.  On previous cruises, Santa came during the day on Christmas day even when the ship was in port … which meant we had to cut short our port trip that day to be there for Santa’s visit.
• Duck Hunt! – I have to thank our fellow CC members for this.  Our kids found a few hidden toy ducks over the course of the cruise, and it was really fun for them.  The best part for me was that they never complained about waiting in any lines on this cruise no matter how long it took – they happily used that as opportunities to go duck hunting while we stood in line!  It was the first time I had even heard of the hidden ducks … thank you CC members!  Also thank you to the Santa’s helpers who left fun little things in the stockings outside our door.  

There were many other “standard” things we enjoyed about the cruise, such as the International Café, kids club, tea time, “British Pub Lunch” day, the Wake Show write-ins, music and football games on MUTS, daily sudoku/crosswords, and so on … too numerous to call out in detail, but all of them together helped make it a great vacation.

Lowlights Of course, not everything was perfect, and there were a few things we didn’t enjoy as much:

• Flooded Stateroom - we woke up at 4 AM on day 3 of our cruise to wet, soggy carpets across the whole cabin!  Apparently one of the pipes in the bathroom started leaking overnight, and overflowed to the room.  Everything on the floor (suitcases, bags, formal shoes, backpacks ... including stuff inside the backpacks) was wet.  Princess laundered and sanitized the stuff, but we ended up having to throw away a bunch of things.  They also sent some folks with vacuums to mop up the carpets, and had large fans in the room all day to dry it out (making the room inaccessible to us).  Despite this, the room had a very musty odor, and Princess finally offered an alternate room late that night (~10 PM ... well past the kids' bed times).  Even then there were disconnects between guest services and the hotel staff about the move.  It was a disappointing day overall, and we had to deal with some ongoing issues for the next several days.  But, you know, stuff happens, and I kept reminding myself that even a disappointing day on a cruise is better than a full day at work!  We moved on from it and still had a fun vacation overall.  Princess did give some OBC, and a couple of free onboard services to help with the inconvenience. 
• Ship Age - The ship seemed generally well maintained, and had new carpets, mattresses and so on after the April dry dock.  But there were a few minor incidents over the course of the cruise where I think the age showed.  On embarkation day, there was water dripping from the ceiling in Lido WFM buffet area.  On day 3, our room flooded due to leaky pipes as noted above.  Later in the cruise, someone was complaining about their bathroom getting flooded that afternoon due to leaky pipes.  In one of the tendering ports, we were delayed by an hour due to “technical issues” with the ship tenders.  One evening, the entire ship lost power!  The engines shut down (so did the room lights and TV, most deck lights, MUTS, hot tubs, etc), and only emergency lighting was on.  It was fully restored in 15 min – the captain came on air three times to reassure us that though we were drifting, we were in navigationally safe waters with no other traffic.  On a different day, one of the production shows was cancelled as the stage lift equipment stopped working – it was rescheduled to the following day.  Again, none of these were big in and of themselves … but I’ve never run into any of the above on other Princess ships I’ve been on.  These could’ve been isolated incidents – so if you’re booked on Emerald, know that it’s still a great ship that I’d happily go back on! 
• Food – This is of course subjective, but overall we were not impressed with the food choices, compared to other Princess cruises we’ve been on.  I have to note that we only go to WFM – so the MDR food might have been good.  Particularly if you’re vegetarian, there were not many choices on several of the days in WFM.  I think I still did put on a couple of pounds on the cruise though … so the hot dogs, pizzas, ice-cream and desserts were clearly not all that bad 😉
• Entertainment – This is also very subjective, but we were not impressed with the entertainment assortment on this cruise.  On other cruises, we’ve seen more variety (more comedians, acrobats, magicians, and other “kid-friendly” shows), compared to this cruise where it was mostly singers and vocalists other than the production shows.  The performers were good, but we’d have enjoyed more variety.  Also, they hardly had any performances in the Piazza … the Panama brochure said there’d be some “Panama carnival” festival in the Piazza to highlight local flavors – we didn’t have that on this cruise (unless I missed it).  Some of the organized events (in particular the Stargazing Event) were complete flops.

Overall we feel happy and very fortunate that we got to go on a great cruise, enjoy quality time as a family and see the marvel that’s Panama Canal.  

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions!

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Colo Cruiser

Thanks for your review.

Wow sounds like the Emerald is rated right down there with the Grand with all those leaks.

1 hour ago, DojoMojo said: Aaron (CD), Sophie (Assistant CD)

Can you give the full names of those two? The CD listing here still has Kaylee Lloyd as CD. Glad to hear that has changed. Especially glad to see the Assistant CD has changed. The last one (Scottish Ken) was horrible.

snoozecrooze

Thanks for the amazing review! It was a great read! I also concur about Emerald having some leaking issues, as our sink in the bathroom in June was slow to drain and we discovered it magically drained super well one day before we realized the pipe was leaking! Hopefully the issues get resolved as the staterooms were refreshed with this dry dock.

Also, @Thrak , the new cruise director is Aaron Hawkins and I believe Sophie's last name is Gideon. Planning to update the list soon!

BoughtMyPoints

I was on the same sailing and I absolutely concur with your analysis. Having just finished a cruise on the Regal,  the downgrading of food items was shocking.  Eggs Benedict, French Toast only available on "rotation" now in the MDR.  Overall, looked like they needed a new chef de partie at dinner. Only the great head waiter Giovanni saved it for me. Well, here's a backhanded compliment :  the NY steak in the MDR was a lot better than the Rib Eye in the Crown. Shocking, unannounced cutbacks in the International Cafe on graveyard. The entertainment scheduling was dire.  Only 1 worthy lounge act :  Dwight Blake, only sparingly scheduled. Aaron is best described in his native vernacular as a twat.   He was the proverbial deer in the headlights with the stage lift fiasco.  Then they cancelled the next night's shows to allow 2 sparsely attended re-running of the originally cancelled performance (the later one did take place as scheduled). What's with the virtuoso steel drum player on the ships?   He ain't no substitute for ballroom dancing accompaniment. All said,  I was still loath to disembark after 15 days.  

@Thrak -  @snoozecrooze is correct, the CD was Aaron Hawkins.  He said he had just transferred over from Ruby Princess in Australia, and was jetlagged the first few days.  I'm not sure of Sophie's last name.  Scottish Ken was still onboard as one of the assistant CDs.  We didn't interact much with him other than for one event (Stargazing), that happened to be a complete disaster.  (Though I'm not sure how much of it was his fault, vs just overall poor event planning by whoever was scheduling it.)

Thanks for the review. Do you happen to remember who was playing in Crooners and the name of the full band? Thanks!

Crooners had Dwight Blake. Wheelhouse  had Touch of Class (no energy jazz) Also,  London Calling.  Truly awful.  Handsome guy on cajon with girlfriend singing in monotone, except for "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" that she sang off key. Caribbean party band, Topaz, with far too loud snare. Classical duo, over amplified.  Excellent Ukrainian players but not tea time music.  

47 minutes ago, BoughtMyPoints said: Crooners had Dwight Blake. Wheelhouse  had Touch of Class (no energy jazz) Also,  London Calling.  Truly awful.  Handsome guy on cajon with girlfriend singing in monotone, except for "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" that she sang off key. Caribbean party band, Topaz, with far too loud snare. Classical duo, over amplified.  Excellent Ukrainian players but not tea time music.  

Fantastic!! Thanks for the quick reply.

We will be on her in February and a friend just asked if the balconies have foot rests in addition to the reclining chairs and tables.

I couldn't remember.................

22 hours ago, BoughtMyPoints said: Eggs Benedict, French Toast only available on "rotation" now in the MDR.  Overall, looked like they needed a new chef de partie at dinner. Shocking, unannounced cutbacks in the International Cafe on graveyard. The entertainment scheduling was dire.  Only 1 worthy lounge act :  Dwight Blake, only sparingly scheduled. Aaron is best described in his native vernacular as a twat.   He was the proverbial deer in the headlights with the stage lift fiasco.   All said,  I was still loath to disembark after 15 days.  

We were on this same sailing. I agree with many of your points.

The selection of ports was very nice. We generally do not take excursions through the cruise line but made an exception this time. We were quite impressed with the "Panama Canal & Locks Transit By Boat" in Panama City and the "Discovery Family Las Caletas Private Beach Getaway" in Puerto Vallarta 

We found the meals in the MDR at dinner to be quite good. Other times it was really hit or miss. Princess serves an excellent French Toast at lunch time in the MDR and they refer to it as a "brunch" item. Too bad you cannot get this during breakfast hours. The breakfasts were generally poor in the MDR and served at a temperature that was somewhere between room temperature and lukewarm in the buffet. 

As for the International Cafe, cutbacks and changes have really ruined this. At any given time, about half of the available desserts are either gluten-free or sugar-free. Princess' attempt to placate a small minority with dietary restrictions has left those of us who want "real" desserts with few (and poor) choices. The same holds true in the buffet.

Aaron (CD) is NOT ready for Prime Time. He is amateurish, not funny and clearly out of his league. On a positive note, Alex, an assistant CD from Serbia, was great and will hopefully have a ship of his own soon.  

This cruise had the worst entertainment we have ever encountered on a cruise ship. The ship's own performers were the worst . The juggler/magician wasn't worthy of a 6-year old's birthday party. The few bright entertainment spots were Dwight Blake, an excellent violinist named David Klinkenberg and a singer/impressionist named Trish Kelly. There was a good comedian onboard as well. His name is Ken Boyd. He was never the main entertainer but did provide a couple good shows in one of the smaller venues on the ship. He would have been a lot funnier had he not been hamstrung by Princess' rules on acceptable language.

There was a gentleman named Chris Roberts who was the ship's "Destination Expert". He gave talks about the canal and many of our upcoming ports. He was funny and very entertaining. Pretty sad when a port lecturer provides some of the best entertainment on a ship. 

I know this has been covered in other threads but the Platinum/Elite happy hour held daily in Skywalkers offers an extremely poor selection of drinks at happy hour prices. The have cobbled together a menu of 6 or 8 drinks that you will find nowhere else (thankfully). Very odd concoctions consisting of unappetizing combinations of alcohol on mixers. 

Over the past 4 or 5 years Princess has gone from our preferred cruise line to 4th place. We spoke with many Elite passengers and the consensus was unanimously that Princess is headed in the wrong direction. We did purchase a couple more Future Cruise Certificates but have serious doubts about using them before they expire.

As stated by @BoughtMyPoints, "All said,  I was still loath to disembark after 15 days."

4 hours ago, chamima said: We will be on her in February and a friend just asked if the balconies have foot rests in addition to the reclining chairs and tables. I couldn't remember.................

Yes, on Caribe and Dolphin, there were footrests.  Not on Baja, where I was, and I assume not on Aloha or Riviera or Lido, either.

Proving that entertainment is as subjective as food, I completely disagree about Dwight Blake:  I did not care for him that much, but he was head-and-shoulders better than the terrible Scottish guy on the CB last summer.  And I enjoyed the string performers (LADO, I think they were called).    I thought the entertainment on the first half of the cruise was markedly better.  In Costa Rica, the solo acts switched, and while the comedian Ken Boyd was a plus, the remainder of the cruise had pretty sad entertainment and a dearth of true production shows.  Jugglers and magicians are not and never should be considered worthy entertainment for the main theatre, in my anything-but-humble opinion.   Still, I didn't leap off and swim home, so clearly nothing was that bad  . . .

Thank you for the review! We'll be on this sailing just in the other direction at the end of February. 🙂 I know y'all were on over Christmas, but how many families were on board for this sail? We'll have our kids with us too. What things did yours enjoy most when onboard for sea days?

I'm so sorry about your flooded stateroom! That sounds miserable.

Again thanks for all this great info!

For those of you on this sailing - did you receive the late embarkation notice (1:30 because of immigration ) that everyone sailing on future Emerald sailings seems to be getting?

And, if so, what time did embarkation really begin?

Also, was disembarkation delayed as they seem to also indicate?

4 hours ago, travkesa said: Thank you for the review! We'll be on this sailing just in the other direction at the end of February. 🙂 I know y'all were on over Christmas, but how many families were on board for this sail? We'll have our kids with us too. What things did yours enjoy most when onboard for sea days?   I'm so sorry about your flooded stateroom! That sounds miserable.   Again thanks for all this great info!

As it was a holiday sailing, there was a huge contingent of well heeled cruisers from Mexico City who tend to keep to themselves even though multi lingual. (Saving a slot) This would also explain Dwight Blake's multi cultural -  soul to salsa - musical sets. Of course, there are also smaller family units on board. Our family (father and son) enjoyed room service the most on sea days, choosing to hide in our cabin.  Pater might venture out for afternoon tea.

8 hours ago, travkesa said: Thank you for the review! We'll be on this sailing just in the other direction at the end of February. 🙂 I know y'all were on over Christmas, but how many families were on board for this sail? We'll have our kids with us too. What things did yours enjoy most when onboard for sea days?   I'm so sorry about your flooded stateroom! That sounds miserable.   Again thanks for all this great info!

On the holiday sailing, they said there were 345 kids (out of ~3100 passengers).  I’m assuming that number will be lower on your cruise.  In no particular order, our kids enjoyed the following on the sea days:

• Sports Deck activities – Deck 19 aft.  They enjoyed the golf, croquet, bocci ball and basketball on several days.  There were generally always other kids there when we went, but it was not too crowded and we didn’t have to wait long to get a turn.  We had a great weather though sometimes it was pretty windy up there (which added to the kids’ enjoyment).
• Camp Discovery – Deck 18, the kids club.  There were organized activities on the sea days (solar system/planet modelling with clay, ping pong and fooseball tournaments and so on) which were a hit.  There were 15-20 kids in camp on most sea days, so at other times that they just hung out and/or played games in smaller groups.
• Crafts – There were a few craft arts-and-crafts activities even outside of camp discovery (check the patter), that were suitable for the entire family.  On our sailing these got full relatively quickly, so you had to show up early.
• Wake-Show Write-ins – This may sound a little silly, but they really enjoyed sending in jokes to the Wake Show (there’s a box in the library, Deck 7 fwd) and having those (and their names!) read out on TV by the cruise director.  They even won a wake show drawing prize one day … it was a Princess coaster.  
• Family Fun-Fair – This happens on one of the sea days in the Piazza – they have a few activities like face painting, and a few games like bean bag toss.  There are small prizes for each game you master.  This can be fun, but it was a little crowded on our sailing.
• Pizzas, Fries, Ice-creams and Screen Time – We tend to limit screen time and food like pizzas and ice-creams on land, but are much more generous about these on cruises.  So the kids had a blast having ice-creams, jellos, pizzas, fries and so on every day.  And watching more movies than they usually get to.  The in-room TV had a selection of family movies, and also interesting documentaries and animal channel/science TV shows.
• Swimming Pool and Open Decks – There were a couple of days towards the end where it was a little colder and the ship rocked a little more, but otherwise the weather was great for pool and deck.  In addition to the pool, they also enjoyed lounging on the deck chairs and reading books they had got along.  There were a couple of kid’s books in the ship library, but I wouldn’t depend on it.
• Interacting with Crew, Santa Visit and Duck hunts – as mentioned in my original post.
• Cooking Show – on the final sea day, the Executive Chef and Maitre d’ put on a cooking/comedy show, followed by a tour of one of the galleys.  This has been a standard on all the Princess cruises we’ve been on, and is usually fun.
• Not Doing Homework – enough said.

Couple of other notes:

We went to the "Breakfast with Stanley" activity, but were not impressed with that.  It's just an MDR breakfast (with special bear-shaped pancakes for the kids), and Stanley comes to visit for a few min and poses for photos at each table.  We didn't feel it was worth it.

We got the unlimited photo package ($299 onboard and $249 pre-cruise).  It may be a little pricey but we felt it was worth it for us as it was a long cruise, and they had some formal or informal backgrounds setup almost every evening - and it was great to have photos as a family.  They had photographers roaming around the ship for special events (and the canal transit as I noted previously) - any photos from that was also included.  We ended up with a thick stack of photos from the cruise.

Hope you all have a great time!  

6 hours ago, chamima said: For those of you on this sailing - did you receive the late embarkation notice (1:30 because of immigration ) that everyone sailing on future Emerald sailings seems to be getting? And, if so, what time did embarkation really begin? Also, was disembarkation delayed as they seem to also indicate? Thanks!

We didn't receive the late embarkation notice for FLL, but embarkation was slow.  I'm not sure when embarkation began in the morning (maybe someone else that arrived earlier can chime in), but embarkation was slow and backed up when we showed up at around 1PM.  I think we waited around 30 mins or so in the lounge after getting our cruise cards.  

Unrelated, the ship also left port a couple of hours late that day, as they were loading supplies well into the evening.

Disembarkation in Long Beach was also delayed - they announced that this was due to unexpectedly long immigration times.  At around 10 AM, they were running an hour or so behind the times posted in the patter for the luggage tags, and all the disembarkation lounges were full.  They made announcements that passengers should wait in other lounges till further notice.  I'm not sure when it caught up, as they were still behind when we finally disembarked close to 11 AM.  

14 hours ago, DojoMojo said:   On the holiday sailing, they said there were 345 kids (out of ~3100 passengers).  I’m assuming that number will be lower on your cruise.  In no particular order, our kids enjoyed the following on the sea days:   Sports Deck activities – Deck 19 aft.  They enjoyed the golf, croquet, bocci ball and basketball on several days.  There were generally always other kids there when we went, but it was not too crowded and we didn’t have to wait long to get a turn.  We had a great weather though sometimes it was pretty windy up there (which added to the kids’ enjoyment). Camp Discovery – Deck 18, the kids club.  There were organized activities on the sea days (solar system/planet modelling with clay, ping pong and fooseball tournaments and so on) which were a hit.  There were 15-20 kids in camp on most sea days, so at other times that they just hung out and/or played games in smaller groups. Crafts – There were a few craft arts-and-crafts activities even outside of camp discovery (check the patter), that were suitable for the entire family.  On our sailing these got full relatively quickly, so you had to show up early. Wake-Show Write-ins – This may sound a little silly, but they really enjoyed sending in jokes to the Wake Show (there’s a box in the library, Deck 7 fwd) and having those (and their names!) read out on TV by the cruise director.  They even won a wake show drawing prize one day … it was a Princess coaster.   Family Fun-Fair – This happens on one of the sea days in the Piazza – they have a few activities like face painting, and a few games like bean bag toss.  There are small prizes for each game you master.  This can be fun, but it was a little crowded on our sailing. Pizzas, Fries, Ice-creams and Screen Time – We tend to limit screen time and food like pizzas and ice-creams on land, but are much more generous about these on cruises.  So the kids had a blast having ice-creams, jellos, pizzas, fries and so on every day.  And watching more movies than they usually get to.  The in-room TV had a selection of family movies, and also interesting documentaries and animal channel/science TV shows. Swimming Pool and Open Decks – There were a couple of days towards the end where it was a little colder and the ship rocked a little more, but otherwise the weather was great for pool and deck.  In addition to the pool, they also enjoyed lounging on the deck chairs and reading books they had got along.  There were a couple of kid’s books in the ship library, but I wouldn’t depend on it. Interacting with Crew, Santa Visit and Duck hunts – as mentioned in my original post. Cooking Show – on the final sea day, the Executive Chef and Maitre d’ put on a cooking/comedy show, followed by a tour of one of the galleys.  This has been a standard on all the Princess cruises we’ve been on, and is usually fun. Not Doing Homework – enough said.   Couple of other notes: We went to the "Breakfast with Stanley" activity, but were not impressed with that.  It's just an MDR breakfast (with special bear-shaped pancakes for the kids), and Stanley comes to visit for a few min and poses for photos at each table.  We didn't feel it was worth it.   We got the unlimited photo package ($299 onboard and $249 pre-cruise).  It may be a little pricey but we felt it was worth it for us as it was a long cruise, and they had some formal or informal backgrounds setup almost every evening - and it was great to have photos as a family.  They had photographers roaming around the ship for special events (and the canal transit as I noted previously) - any photos from that was also included.  We ended up with a thick stack of photos from the cruise.   Hope you all have a great time!  

Thank you for all the great info! I appreciate it!

20 hours ago, chamima said: For those of you on this sailing - did you receive the late embarkation notice (1:30 because of immigration ) that everyone sailing on future Emerald sailings seems to be getting? And, if so, what time did embarkation really begin? Also, was disembarkation delayed as they seem to also indicate? Thanks!

I have not gotten this notification...yet. We cruise at the end of February. But I'll be continuing to watch for it.

• 4 weeks later...

cruisequeen4ever

My favorite Christmas cruise was aboard the Emerald. 😍 That really sucks your room flooded, though! I don’t know that it necessarily has to do with age, though, because we were on the Pacific for Christmas, which is much much older than the Emerald and had 0 shipboard issues. Oh wait, the aft buffet door was occasionally out of service. Anyway, hope you can continue to enjoy your family tradition of spending Christmas at sea! 

Traveling Tiki

We were on this sailing as well. Agree with many things posted above, including the shout out to Alex from Serbia. He was great!  I think Aaron appeals to a certain demographic as both my daughter and my niece started following him on Instagram after the cruise  😂

We also did the aerial tram-butterfly garden-sloth sanctuary excursion in Costa Rica and that was the highlight of our shore excursions. Six of us went on that (age range 11-50) and we all enjoyed it. Touring the old city in Cartegena was probably my next favorite. Our kids did enjoy seeing Santa and I agree that I was pleased he came the night before rather than while we were on shore in Costa Rica.  We missed him in 2015 on the Ruby to Hawaii as we were on shore in Maui when he came. 

The Canal transit was such fun. We went forward on deck 15 - through what are often called the hidden/secret doors -and were able to film the first part of the transit from there. The lip at the front is just the right height to prop an iPhone and we did a time lapse video there ( along with about six other phones propped up there). It came out great!  I also watched for a while from deck 16 forward and kept explaining to people how the people on deck 15 got to where they were 😂 . I definitely wouldn't have known about that if I didn't read it here. 

The power outage was memorable. It didn't really hit me that we were just floating there dead in the ocean until the captain said we were "in a safe place". I still wonder what caused that to happen. 

Thanks for the review!

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12 Night Panama Canal

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If you're looking for a ship that doesn't ask you to choose between the ship and the destination, Emerald Princess may be the ship for you. Opting against the action-packed (and occasionally gimmicky) bells and whistles of conventional modern mega ships, Emerald Princess nevertheless offers exciting entertainment in the form of well-executed shore excursions and tours.

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Emerald Princess Deck Plans & Reviews

Emerald Princess

Activities & entertainment

• Arts and Crafts Classes *
• Beauty Salon *
• Center Court
• Dancing Classes
• Deck Parties
• Disco and Dancing
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Whirlpools (7)
• Internet Cafe *
• Jogging Track
• The Library
• Lotus Spa *
• Thermal Suite *
• Princess Links
• Solo Travelers Get Togethers
• Ultimate Ship Tour *
• Wine Tasting *
• The Sanctuary *
• The Beach House Teen Lounge
• Camp Discovery Youth Center
• Gatsbys Casino *
• Conference Center Starboard
• The Shops of Princess *
• Fine Arts Gallery *
• Photo Gallery *
• Guest Services
• Shore Excursions Desk *
• Captains Circle Loyalty
• Future Cruise Planning *
• OceanMedallion
• Wedding Chapel
• Speakeasy Cigar Lounge *
• Self_Service Laundry *
• Medical Center
• Club Fusion
• Comedy Shows
• Explorers Lounge
• Movies Under the Stars
• Outdoor Movies
• Princess Theater
• Botticelli Dining Room - Main
• Da Vinci Dining Room - Main
• Michelangelo Dining Room - Main
• Horizon Court - Buffet
• Horizon Terrace - Casual
• Coffee and Cones - Sweet Treats *
• Slice - Pizza
• Adagio - Cocktail Bar *
• Steamers Seafoood - Seafood *
• International Cafe - Coffee & Pastries *
• Salty Dog Grill - Pool Grill
• The Mix - Pool Bar *
• The Salty Dog Gastropub - Pub *
• Crooners Bar - Martini Bar *
• Calypso Bar - Pool Bar *
• Outriggers Bar - Pool Bar *
• Wheelhouse Bar - Pub *
• Planks BBQ - Barbecue
• Crown Grill - Steakhouse *
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Top Five Panama Canal Shore Excursions and Attractions

One of the most significant waterways in the world, the man-made Panama Canal, provides passage for almost 14,000 ocean vessels per year. The canal stretches approximately 48 miles between Colón on the Atlantic coast and Panama City on the Pacific Coast, and it can take between nine and 10 hours to traverse.

On  Panama Canal cruises , you can explore this historic waterway and the stunning surrounding areas, taking in sights and trying new things that will make your journey meaningful. Use this guide to plan your Panama Canal shore excursions to get closer to the region than ever before.

Still in ruins to this day,  Panama Viejo  (Old Panama), is a great place to visit if you'd like to take in some genuine Panama history, sight-see, or shop — all of which you can do on a  Scenic Drive & Walking Tour excursion .

The former capital of Panama, this old city is a popular archaeological site that is visited by many tourists every year. As you walk among the broken walls, you will come across the well-preserved  Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción  (Cathedral of Our Lady of Asunción), the ancient city hall, and the massive ruins of one of the largest private residences in the area, Casa Alarcón. Make sure you pack a camera to capture the memories you make at this historic locale.

The world's first transcontinental railroad, the Panama Canal Railway is a testament to the many hands that worked so hard to build it.

Completed in 1855, this historic route became very popular during the famous California gold rush. On a  Panama Canal Railway excursion , you can ride this railway as you journey through the rain forest and past Gatun lake. While you enjoy the view from the train's full-length windows, or maybe grab a drink at the bar, you'll learn more about the railway, the canal, and Panama's history as a whole.

Don't miss out on an excursion to this beautiful jungle paradise! Ride  Panama's Rainforest Aerial Tram  through Soberania National Park, and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the various wildlife and vegetation to which it is home.

Soberania National Park is located approximately 17 miles from Panama City, and it runs along the east side of the Panama Canal. At an impressive 50,000 acres, this amazing attraction is home to 525 species of birds, 105 mammal species, and 124 species of reptiles and amphibians.

The  Gatun Locks  are the first set of locks on the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. They contain three lock chambers that are used to raise the ships over 85 feet above sea level, a site you won't want to miss. Take some time to tour the Gatun Visitor Center, where you can watch vessels of all sizes — and even grab a souvenir or two.

As your cruise takes you to Costa Rica, you'll find just as many majestic rainforests and tropical landscapes as you did in the Panama Area, with one exception - Costa Rica is also home to some of the most popular volcanoes in the world.

Lake Arenal is a must-visit location for travelers who are interested in scenic views and the chance to get up close to a real volcano. Here, travelers can kayak along the lake to the base of the Arenal Volcano, which dominates the skyline. While in the area, visitors are also permitted to engage in a series of watersports, including windsurfing and sailboarding, with the volcano serving as a backdrop.

Panama Canal cruises are meaningful experiences that can't be beat. After experiencing the many things that make Panama travel unique, you're guaranteed to come back enriched.

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Princess Cruises

Get ready for the thrill of experiencing one of mankind's greatest engineering achievements with Princess®. Depart round-trip from Fort Lauderdale to enjoy a partial transit of the locks and a late-night stay in Aruba. Your culinary journey at sea will reach new heights with an abundance of fresh restaurant choices and dining options aboard Emerald Princess®.

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Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Fort Lauderdale

Ft Lauderdale is a city of islands held together by an intricate web of canals, rivers, bays and waterways hundreds of miles long. Needless to say, boating is a favorite city pastime, whether zooming along on a speedboat, enjoying a fishing charter, or cruising the coastline by yacht. Beautiful homes of every size and style make up the bulk of this primarily residential area. By the beach, a leisurly stroll can be taken along the new landscaping wavewall design of the beachfront promenade. But this city is anything but sedate. Once a spring break hot spot, the town still has an energetic and colorful nightlife. Nearby, charming Laudrdale-By-the-Sea is home to one of the only living coral reefs in the US accesible from shore. Las Olas Boulevard, a shoppers paradise, is the chic new shopping and trendy dining area of downtown. If sports are more your inclination, dozens of golf courses and hundreds of public parks allow you to absorb the great Florida outdoors. Cultural arts are also popular. Water taxis bring theater-goers from throughout the city to the Performing Arts Center on the water.

Aruba's path to the present day is marked by the mystery of ochre-colored rock drawings left behind by island shamans, the enterprising spirit of European adventurers and settlers and the diverse experiences and traditions brought by the many nationalities that have since sought out the island as either a new home or temporary resting place. The look of the people, the languages they speak and the innate hospitality that manifests itself in the Aruban psyche is the result of a multi-cultural mix that reflects a rich past.

Curacao is a long, arid, and generally flat island, stretching some 40 miles (64 km) from southeast to northwest, at much the same north-south angles as it's sister islands in the ABC group (Aruba to the west and Bonaire to the east). The island is about 10 miles (16 km) at it's widest point, and the area is about 180 square miles (472 square km), making it the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles group. The coastline along the south is irregular, peppered with small bays and inlets, including the spectacular bays and beaches at the west end of the island. The largest bays are located along the central-east and east end of the island, where you'll find the capital and major port of Willemstad. Most of Curacao's 170,000 residents live in and around this historic town. The long north coast of the island, buffeted by constant northeast trade winds, is characterized by a rough coasthne, limestone cliff formations set on top of eons-old volcanic rock, and weather-beaten terrain. It is generally less inhabited than the south coast, but you will find smaller villages and many of the island's famous landhuis, or old plantation house, structures here. The west end of the island is also characterized by expansive, hilly terrain, most of it encompassed by Christoffel Park. The 4,500-acre (1,820-hectare) park contains Mt. Christoffel, at 1,239 feet (377 meters) the highest elevation on Curacao. The east end of the island comprises flat and mostly barren plain, with few settlements and some secondary roads weaving to and from its coastal inlets. With an average 20 inches (510 mm) of rainfall yearly, Curacao is generally a dry island. There are few standing bodies of water save some saline ponds, and most of the island's water is provided by a large desalinization plant found on the south coast.

Cartagena/Colombia

Cartagena, conveniently located on Colombia's Caribbean coast, is a unique city filled with sun, sea and history. Comprised of a series of islands connected by bridges, Cartagena is divided by 17th Century walls into a historic "old city" and a cosmopolitan "modern city". Tour magnificent fortresses including "The Castle", one of the largest examples of military architecture in Latin America. Relax on Cartagena's beaches or travel by speed boat to the nearby Rosario Islands for snorkeling, sunbathing and swimming in private Caribbean hideaways. Browse through shops and boutiques for emeralds, gold, and Pre-Colombian treasures. Enjoy the ambiance of Cartagena's captivating history inside rebuilt ships and forts where diners feast on fresh seafood. Recognized by the United Nations as a city of major cultural significance, Cartagena has a charm all its own.

Gatun Lake/Panama

Ships travel for 37.6km through the Gatun Lake - a 418 square km reservoir created by the damming of the Chagres River. The giant Gatun Dam which holds back the Chagres also generates electrical power for the canal. At the time of its construction, the Gatun Lake, which also provides all the water for the lock system, was the largest man-made body of water in the world.

Colon, Panama.koh LOHN(2000 pop. 204,208), is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. Colon was surrounded by, but not part of, the former Panama Canal Zone. Colon is an important port, commercial center, and tourist destination. It was made a free trade zone in 1953 and is the world’s second largest duty-free port. The city was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad and was named Aspinwall after one of the builders of the railway until 1890. Colon is the Spanish form of Columbus; the name of the neighboring port of Cristobal is Spanish for Christopher. After completion of the railway in 1855, Colon overshadowed the older Caribbean ports of Panama, and with the first plans for the isthmian canal it took on additional prestige. Built on a swampy island, the city was notoriously unhealthful and often scourged by yellow fever until Colonel William C. Gorgas, in charge of sanitation during the canal construction, gave it a new system of waterworks and sewerage and drained the surrounding swamps. Three modern ports make Colon one of the most important ports of the Caribbean Sea. It is connected to Panama City by Road, Rail, Air and of course the Panama Canal!

Puerto Limon

Puerto Limon, also Limon, city in eastern Costa Rica, capital of Limon Province, on a bay in the swampy Caribbean coastal lowland. It is a leading port of the country and a terminus of the Northern Railway to San Jose. Exports include bananas, coffee, cocoa, and coconuts. Puerto Limon is the site of a cathedral, a large trading market, and Vargas Park, with botanical gardens; beaches lie nearby. The city was built in 1871 on the site of the Native American village of Cariari, which was visited by Christopher Columbus in 1502. Prospering after the construction of the railroad in 1890, it was the leading banana port of Costa Rica until the 1930s.

Cayman/George Town

Miles of powdery white beaches above clear blue water and one of the richest marine environments make Grand Cayman one of the Caribbean’s finest vacation destinations (and a world class scuba diving destination). As a British Crown Colony, Grand Cayman enjoys all of the benefits of sophisticated government, touting one of the strongest economies in the Caribbean (with over 600 banks) while still allowing visitors to enjoy duty free shopping in Georgetown for jewelry, art, local crafts, and unique souvenirs like treasure coins from a sunken Spanish galleon circa the “Pirates of the Caribbean” era.

Onboard the Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 2007
• Year Refurbished: 2015

Double Occupancy Capacity: 3080

Emerald Princess® is everything you expect from a modern, luxurious ship. Featuring multiple dining options, including Traditional and Anytime Dining, and specialty venues like the popular Sabatini's Italian restaurant. The Lotus Spa® offers a myriad of treatments, and the Lotus Fitness Center helps you stay trim from the delicious cuisine. Enjoy Movies Under the Stars® and choose from nearly 900 balcony staterooms.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

• Disco/Nightclub
• Game Arcade
• Movies Under the Stars®
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Miniature Golf
• Pool - Adults Only
• Pool - Children's
• Pool - Outdoor
• Pool - Indoor
• Pool - Indoor/Covered
• Sports Facilities
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Art Gallery
• Bars/Lounges
• Children's Indoor Play Area
• Children's Outdoor Play Area
• Educational Classes
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
• Business Center
• Conference Center
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Religious Services
• Self-Service Laundromat
• Wedding/Vow Renewal

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Full-Service Spa
• Beauty Salon
• Sauna/Steam Room
• Educational Programs
• Internet Center
• Babysitting
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service

Dining Room

Main Dining

Botticelli Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Michelangelo Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Da Vinci Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Crown Grill

Specialty Dining

Chef’s Table Experience:  A multi-course menu that is specially created by the chef, and is not offered anywhere else on the ship. Specially selected wines complement the meal, and each couple at the Chef's Table will receive a personalized autographed copy of Courses, A Culinary Journey. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Crown Grill℠:  An upscale and more refined approach to the traditional steakhouse, this venue features some of the best, most tender cuts of beef, such as New York and porterhouse, plus a prime rib carving station. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Planks BBQ:  Drop by for a classic American-style dinner, served by wait staff for a nominal fee. The casual BBQ restaurant gives you a choice of "Planks" loaded with four meats, chili, coleslaw and seasoned fries along with starters and decadent dessert. Planks BBQ also serves a buffet-style lunch at no charge, with signature soup and freshly tossed salad, as well as regionally inspired fork-and-knife sandwiches. Buffet-style breakfasts, also at no charge, include savory breakfast bowls customized for you.

SHARE℠ by Curtis Stone:  Chef Curtis Stone’s first restaurant at sea, SHARE, gives you an exclusive opportunity to enjoy his exquisite cuisine. Perfect for a special celebration or simply reveling in time spent together, Chef Stone has made an art out of reconnecting with loved ones over a six-course fine-dining experience. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Steamers Seafood:  This new family-style seafood restaurant offers dinner served by wait staff for a nominal fee. Choose from Black & Blue Mussels or Classic Clams "Steamers" and other seafood favorites. All come with generous sides and dipping sauces as well as starters and dessert. At lunchtime, help yourself to a buffet that includes Gourmet and Ramen Bowls with regionally inspired broths – all at no charge. And join for breakfast, also at no charge, for specialty egg dishes like omelets, fried eggs and eggs Benedict.

The Salty Dog Gastropub:  A warm, inviting gastropub experience developed with Ernesto Uchimura, a founding chef of the original Umami Burger. Try one of our innovative gourmet creations inspired by pub favorites or devour “The Ernesto” a savory rib eye burger. Offering a unique variety of beer, whiskey and cocktail selections, plus live music, there’s something for everyone at this hip, friendly twist on traditional pub fare. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Vines:  Vines boasts an extensive collection of wines, like Opus One, Super Tuscans, fine sparkling wines and regional offerings for purchase. The menu also includes wine flights and a selection of wines by the glass.

International Café

Casual Dining

Chocolate Journeys℠:  There are few foods that inspire as much passion as chocolate, and master chocolatier Norman Love has designed some of the most decadent, hand-crafted treats exclusively for Princess' Chocolate Journeys℠ program. Trained in France, and named the Inaugural Inductee into the Chocolatier Hall of Fame by Dessert Professional Magazine, Chef Love combined premium quality chocolate with unique flavors and artful designs to mastermind his exclusive creations found throughout the ship.

Coffee & Cones:  Complimentary ice cream cones await you at our transformed top-deck creamery venue. Pick up a chocolate cone, a vanilla, or a combination. Or treat yourself to an ice cream sandwich, with a tempting choice of flavors such as The Classic, Cookie Colada, Snickerdoodle, Honey 'N' Oats and Mint Paddy. We've added specialty New Grounds Crafted Coffee too. Including Espresso and Cappuccino, Latte, Chai Tea and more. You'll even find a choice of Frappes, such as Nuts for Caffeine, Mocha Milkshake and Mexican Frothed Chocolate.

International Café:  Open 24-hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of specialty espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.

Salty Dog Grill:  While you're enjoying the fresh air on the top deck, treat yourself to one of our 100% handmade Gourmet Burgers, including the Princess Burger or Triple Smoked Burger. The Salty Dog Grill also offers new Street Tacos – a Princess first – featuring a choice of grilled chipotle-lime chicken or roasted sweet potato-green chile. And don't miss the Classic Hot Dogs, plus loaded fries in tempting varieties including chili cheese, and bacon and cheese.

Slice Pizzeria:  The top-deck pizzeria features a bold new look that sets the stage for tempting offerings that include specialties inspired by local favorites from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Try a Deep Dish Focaccia or a slice of the award-winning signature Neapolitan-style classics. Savor some California Artisanal Toast with Avocado or Caprese toppings. Or go for a Sliced Stromboli, and enjoy an East Coast take on a classic Italian calzone that's stuffed with delicious Italian deli meats and cheeses.

World Fresh Marketplace:  Whenever you visit, you'll find plenty of well-balanced options to choose from. Stop by for breakfast and visit the designer pancake station, or enjoy one of the unique hot cereal offerings. At lunch, look for handcrafted sandwiches, regionally inspired dishes and soups, as well as carvery selections. For dinner, there's everything from breakfast at night, family kitchen comfort foods, stir-fry or customized pasta, plus a multitude of fresh fruit and salad choices.

Room Service:  Call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® MedallionClass® app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. To order, guests can press the "Room Service" button on their stateroom phone, or order through OceanNow®.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

Inside Stateroom

Ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Staterooms feature a refrigerator, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Interior (Category: IA)

Category: IA Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IB)

Category: IB Approximately 162 to 182 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IC)

Category: IC Approximately 162 to 182 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: ID)

Category: ID Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IE)

Category: IE Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IF)

Category: IF Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Nicely-appointed staterooms feature a picture window and bathroom with shower.

Oceanview (Category: OB)

Category: OB Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OC)

Category: OC Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OE)

Category: OE Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OF)

Category: OF Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OV)

Category: OV Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OW)

Category: OW Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OY)

Category: OY Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OZ)

Category: OZ Approximately 158 to 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Staterooms feature a private balcony, spacious walk-in closet, desk and bathroom with shower.

Balcony (Category: B1)

Category: B1 Approximately 271 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: B2)

Category: B2 Approximately 271 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: B4)

Category: B4 Approximately 240 to 298 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides dramatic wake views from a rear-facing private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BA)

Category: BA Approximately 231 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BB)

Category: BB Approximately 231 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BC)

Category: BC Approximately 231 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BD)

Category: BD Approximately 231 to 271 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BE)

Category: BE Approximately 231 to 271 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BF)

Category: BF Approximately 231 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Features separate sitting area with sofa bed and desk, refrigerator, wet bar, tub with shower and balcony or window.

Premium Club Class Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: M1)

Category: M1 Approximately 323 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MB)

Category: MB Approximately 323 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MD)

Category: MD Approximately 323 - 462 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: ME)

Category: ME Approximately 323 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Owner's Suite with Balcony (Category: S2)

Category: S2 Approximately 687 sq. ft. including balcony, the Owner's Suite features an expansive cabin and oversized aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S3)

Category: S3 Approximately 524 to 531 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S4)

Category: S4 Approximately 533 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Premium Suite with Balcony (Category: S5)

Category: S5 Approximately 568 sq. ft. including balcony, the Premium Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Vista Suite with Balcony (Category: S6)

Category: S6 Approximately 460 to 495 sq. ft. including balcony, the Vista Suite features a spacious cabin and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Two-Bedroom Family Suite with Balcony (Category: S8)

Category: S8 Approximately 606 sq. ft. including balcony, the Two Bedroom Family Suite features 2 bedrooms to accommodate up to 8 passengers. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

• Ship Name: Emerald Princess
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2007
• Ship Class: Crown
• Maximum Capacity: 3,082
• Number of Passenger Decks: 15
• Number of Crew: 1,200
• Officers' Nationality: British/Italian
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 222
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 675
• Total Inside Staterooms: 436
• Tonnage (GRT): 113,561
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 3,080
• Country of Registry: Bermuda
• Total Staterooms: 1,539
• Suites with Balcony: 206
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, departure date - 10/31/2024, departure date - 11/12/2024, departure date - 11/24/2024, departure date - 12/06/2024, departure date - 01/11/2025, departure date - 01/23/2025, departure date - 02/04/2025, departure date - 02/28/2025, departure date - 03/12/2025, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

© Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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Emerald Princess

Cruise line Princess Cruises

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
• Los Angeles (Long Beach-San Pedro, California)
• Southampton (England)
• Boston (Massachusetts)

Emerald Princess current position

Emerald Princess current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 19.83744 N / -82.22039 W) cruising at speed of 20.1 kn (37 km/h | 23 mph) en route to USPEV. The AIS position was reported 25 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess current cruise is 15 days, one-way from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale . Prices start from USD 1199 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 05 Apr, 2024 and ends on 20 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Emerald Princess

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Emerald Princess Itineraries

Emerald princess review, review of emerald princess.

The 2007-built Emerald Princess cruise ship is the 8th Grand-class Princess Cruises liner, with sisterships the fleetmates Caribbean , Diamond , Golden (now Pacific Adventure) , Grand , Crown , Ruby , Star (now Pacific Encounter) and Sapphire .

The vessel (IMO number 9333151) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310531000) and registered in Hamilton .

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau .

The 3100-passenger ship Emerald Princess follows the highly evolutionary Crown Princess cruise ship, whose debut took place in March 2006. The vessels are virtually the same in layout and design, so if travelers have sailed on Crown, they will not have any trouble finding their way around Emerald or Ruby (which followed in 2008). But for those who have not traveled on Princess' Grand-class vessels, or for cruisers for whom an Emerald Princess sailing is their first cruise with the line, the ship is going to surprise, and in most cases, delight them with far higher levels of kitchen, service and facilities than passengers would expect on a stylish, mega-vessel catering to over 3000 passengers.

Decks and Cabins

Most Emerald Princess staterooms (1533 total, in 33 grades) are 170-ft2 balcony cabins (676). Almost 80% of all outside cabins have a private step-out balcony. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 31. The largest accommodations are the Balcony Suites (410 ft2 / 38 m2, with terrace sized 180 ft2 / 17 m2).

The boat has 18 decks , of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Emerald Princess features three dining rooms, all offering a tasteful, Caribbean-themed menu. Botticelli is for fixed-seating dining, while Michaelangelo and Da Vinci are for passengers who have chosen "Anytime Dining". Reservations are available but are not required. Da Vinci also welcomes guests for waiter-service breakfast and lunch. Rotating menu options include soups, appetizers, mains and desserts. There are also signature pasta and choices like Caesar salad and salmon.

The healthy Lotus Spa selections are low in sodium and fat. Steamers Seafood (fka Cafe Caribe) and World Fresh Marketplace (fka Horizon Court) look identical and are open all day long. The Horizon section serves as a lido buffet restaurant and features breakfast buffets. Lunch choices may include unusual dishes like peanut butter sandwiches and fried bananas.

There is also the Italian-styled Piazza/Atrium, around which are located the International Cafe (with its wonderful coffees and scrumptious pastries, quiche and chocolate fondue); across the way is Vines, ship's wine and sushi bar (it got the only really good wine list onboard).

In January 2016, celebrity chef Curtis Stone teamed up with Princess Cruises for his first-at-sea specialty restaurant serving high-quality, inventive food. Share replaced the signature Italian Sabatini's and introduced new bedding, dining options, entertainment and more. Share is only open for dinner and applies a $39 cover charge. Its menu features five areas from which to select multiple dishes and a charcuterie platter. It's hard to order only one of each, as there are enticing recipes like a twice-cooked duck with fennel, parmesan crumb and bacon jus; or shrimp salad with turnip, citrus salt, brioche and lemon gel.

Share is only found on board Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess , for now. "Crafted by Curtis" dishes are on the MDR menus fleetwide. If you wonder why to pay extra at Share, here are the cool things about the brand new Curtis Stone restaurant which make it worth the splurge. Food like this can't be found anywhere else on the ship.

Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess are simple when it comes to dining venues. Before Share, both ships had three main dining rooms, a steakhouse and a buffet, all of which were average in terms of overall experience and quality. From its celebrity chef to its natural ingredients and perfectly sized portions, you won't find food like Share's anywhere else on the ship.

Perfect for couples and large groups. This space is open, airy and large, with long tables and more intimate seating arrangements. Large groups have enough room to engage and share dishes. Couples can enjoy more peace and quiet. The ambience is upscale, yet not stuffy. Share's family-style dining and chic decor allow guests to dress their best and still feel relaxed. Passengers will feel more like they're in someone's home, talking and passing plates across the table.

Service at Share is second to none. The wait staff is knowledgeable about the menu and all ingredients handpicked by the celebrity chef's team. According to Stone: "The enthusiasm in that kitchen right now is actually unparalleled to anything I've ever done; they're so energetic and so up for it."

Guests will have room for dessert. Appetizers, entrees and dessert options, complementing a cheese plate, are conservative in size. Passengers will not only expand their palate by picking at multiple dishes but will also be able to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Follows the complete list of Emerald Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Michaelangelo Restaurant (ship's aft Dining Room; dinner only - offers “Anytime Dining” between 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.)
• Crown Grill (160-seat steakhouse/seafood restaurant, reservations recommended; on select days serves British Pub Lunch, complimentary)
• Da Vinci Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room for Breakfast 7-9 a.m., Lunch 12-1:30 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 p.m.; features “Anytime Dining” for Dinner between 5:30-8 p.m. or 8-10 p.m.)
• Botticelli Restaurant (dinner only aft Dining Room; with 2 fixed seatings at 6 p.m. or 8:15 p.m.)
• Share (ex-Sabatini’s Italian specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
• Trident Grill & Prego Pizzeria (self-service, complimentary fast food bar)
• World Fresh Marketplace (fka Horizon Court) is the ship's self-service buffet restaurant (complimentary) on Lido Deck (deck 15/pool deck).
• Steamers Seafood (fka Cafe Caribe) is an aft self-service buffet restaurant located aft on Lido Deck /pool deck.
• Pizza & Ice Cream Bar (complimentary)

In April 2024 Princess Cruises announced that starting September 14th (2024) fleetwide would be introduced 3 distinct main dining/dinner table service options – Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. By the new program (introduced with Sun Princess) on each ship are allocated 3 separate dining rooms - one for Traditional dining (offering early and late dinner seating), one with Reservable times, and one for Walk-in Anytime (open-seating). The new options are integrated with the OceanNow service, allowing anything to be ordered anytime, and delivered anywhere onboard.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Princess Emerald Theater is the main venue on Emerald Princess for comedy acts and production shows with a variety of music and selections appealing to a broad mix of ages. Each of the ship's venues has a different offering. Crooners feature music trivia contests and a pianist. Explorer's Lounge hosts events for everything from Wii sports tournaments to art auctions, plus comedy shows and magicians.

The Piazza offers various demonstrations, circus-lite acts and musical performances throughout the day. Club Fusion is a part game show, part nightclub venue. Skywalker Nightclub, Princess' trademark, hosts 70s-, 80s- and 90s-inspired nights and a few nights with a variety of modern music.

For low-key dancing, head to the Wheelhouse Bar, which hosts combos playing standards and soft rock.

Follows the complete list of Emerald Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
• International Cafe (24-hour specialty coffee bar and patisserie); Escapes Travel Cafe (computer room)
• Vines Bar (wine/seafood/sushi bar)
• Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Princess Emerald Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Speakeasy Lounge & Bar (smoking lounge and sports bar)
• Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Gatsby’s Casino
• Crooners Lounge & Bar (live music; also used for seminars); Adagio Lounge & Bar
• Explorers Lounge & Bar (disco/show lounge; hosts karaoke, comedy, game shows and art auctions)
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Club Fusion Lounge (hosts dance classes and quizzes, after 7:30 p.m. becomes Disco & Nightclub)
• Outrigger Bar (poolside bar); Tradewinds Bar
• Emerald’s Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Hearts & Minds (Wedding Chapel)
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
• The Sanctuary (adult-only open-air area)
• Calypso Reef & Pool area; Neptune’s Reef & Pool area
• Jogging Track; Center Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Shuffleboard; Princess Links mini golf course
• Skywalkers Disco Nightclub.

Emerald Princess 2016 refurbishment review

The ship's drydock refurbishment in 2015 November 30 - December 13) was for general maintenance (no deck plan changes were announced ahead).

However, during the dry dock, an extensive refurbishment plan was implemented targeting ship’s spring-summer 2016 cruises from the UK. The 2016 deck plans changes and news include:

• Two new premium dining venues were added. The new “Share” is a family-style restaurant by Curtis Stone (an Australian celebrity chef). Its menu features charcuterie (pork meat products) and also homemade pasta. The new “Salty Dog Gastropub” cuisine experience (by chef Ernesto Uchimura) is provided by a classic pub menu offered nightly in the Wheelhouse Bar (on Promenade Dec 7) with craft beers and pub favourites served in small plates.
• On Deck 16, “Share” replaced the Sabatini’s” – the Italian restaurant, which is also featured on the Princess ships Coral, Ruby and Sun. “Salty Dog Gastropub” was introduced for the first time on the Crown ship (in 2015 October) and will also be introduced on the Ruby ship.
• Passenger cabins upgrades include the line’s new luxury mattress.
• Ship’s gym was upgraded with new sports equipment and free weights.
• 100 cruise staterooms became “family cabins” after being fitted with interconnecting doors.

Itineraries

Emerald Princess itinerary program is based on cruises to Norway's fjords, Baltic, Mediterranean sea and the Canary Islands. The European homeport is Southampton (England UK) . In November 2016, the boat inaugurated homeporting in Sydney NSW (Australia) .

In July 2022 was opened for sale Emerald Princess' summer 2023 season (May-August). The Hawaii-Mexico-California Coast program is based on homeporting in Los Angeles/Long Beach (California USA) and a series of 5- to 16-day long itineraries.

• 7-day "Mexican Riviera with La Paz" (June-July) visists Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Ensenada.
• 16-day "Hawaiian Islands" (May-June-July-August) visits Hilo, Honolulu, Maui/Lahaina, Kauai/Nawiliwili, Ensenada. 7-day "Classic California Coast" (May-June-July) visits San Francisco (overnight), Ensenada, San Diego.
• 5-day "Cabo San Lucas Getaway" (May) visits Cabo San Lucas (overnight).
• 5-day "West Coast Getaway with San Francisco" (July) visits Ensenada.

WIth the Diamond and Emerald ships, Princess Cruises marked its first year-round voyages out of LA.

Emerald Princess - user reviews and comments

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Emerald Princess ship related cruise news

Trinidad and Tobago Police arrest suspect in Emerald Princess cruise ship passenger robbery

Trinidad and Tobago Police have arrested a man in connection with the robbery of a cruise ship passenger in the streets of Port-of-Spain. The...

Princess Cruises reveals 2024 Canada and New England voyages

Princess Cruises has revealed its lineup of Canada and New England USA itineraries for 2024, promising a range of voyages to captivating destinations...

Cruise lines change itineraries as Hurricane Lee reaches New England USA and Canada

Post-tropical cyclone Lee arrived in Canada on Saturday, September 16th, ushering in heavy rainfall, potent winds, and storm surges affecting sectors...

Multiple cruise ships change itineraries to avoid Hurricane Hilary

Multiple cruise ships have adjusted their routes to avoid Hurricane Hilary as it approached Mexico's Baja California peninsula on Sunday, August 20th...

59-year-old passenger overboard from Emerald Princess cruise ship

A 59-year-old passenger named Kenneth Schwalbe from California disappeared while aboard the Emerald Princess cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises...

NCL America's Hawaiian cruises removing Maui from itineraries due to fires

NCL America (managed by NCL-Norwegian Cruise Lines) has taken the lead in announcing that it will temporarily suspend Maui as a port of call on its...

3-year-old girl medevaced from Emerald Princess cruise ship

Last week, a 3-year-old girl aboard a cruise ship ~90 mi (145 km) off the Santa Barbara coast was airlifted by the USCG due to a medical emergency...

Princess Cruises introduces first-ever Summer Colonial Heritage Voyages

Princess Cruises will introduce new itineraries featuring Colonial Heritage destinations for the first time. Island Princess will embark on a round...

Princess Cruises celebrating 40th anniversary sailing the Mediterranean

Princess Cruises is commemorating its 40th anniversary of sailing in the Mediterranean by featuring two of its largest and newest ships in the region...

Princess Cruises' guests to experience 2024 Total Eclipse on Emerald Princess ship

Princess Cruises is modifying the Mexican Riviera itinerary of the Emerald Princess ship (April 2024) to provide passengers with the unique chance to...

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Other Princess Cruises cruise ships

• Caribbean Princess
• Coral Princess
• Crown Princess
• Diamond Princess
• Discovery Princess
• Enchanted Princess
• Grand Princess
• Island Princess
• Majestic Princess
• Regal Princess
• Royal Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Sapphire Princess
• Sky Princess
• Star Princess
• Sun Princess

Emerald Princess Wiki

The Fincantieri Monfalcone -built Princess Cruises Emerald ship is from the company's Grand-class series, with (same-designed) sisterhips Crown and Ruby . The other (similarly-designed) liners in this class are Caribbean , Diamond , Golden (Pacific Adventure) , Grand , Sapphire , Star (Pacific Encounter) .

The ship was delivered in March 2007. The christening ceremony was held on May 13, 2017, in Port Piraeus (Athens Greece) . The cruise ship has four godmothers - the actresses Florence Henderson, Marion Ross, Erin Moran and Susan Olsen. The naming ceremony was preceded by the inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) - which is not the common practice. The voyage started from Port Civitavecchia-Rome , cruising around the Greek Isles and other Mediterranean destinations. The ship spent its summer 2007 season in Europe, then was repositioned to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) for roundtrip Caribbean itineraries.

Emerald Princess refurbishment 2016 review

The ship's last major drydock refurbishment was in 2019 (April 1-14) in Victoria BC (Canada) . The vessel was in drydock in 2015 (November 30 through December 13) initially scheduled for general maintenance works only, and without planned deckplan changes. However, during the drydocking, an extensive refurbishment plan was implemented targeting the spring-summer 2016 voyages out of the UK.

The deckplan changes following drydock 2016 included:

• Two new premium dining venues were added. The new “Share” is a family-style restaurant by Curtis Stone (an Australian celebrity chef). Its menu features charcuterie (pork meat products) and also homemade pasta. The new “Salty Dog Gastropub” cuisine experience (by chef Ernesto Uchimura) is provided by a classic pub menu offered nightly in the Wheelhouse Bar (on Promenade Dec 7) with craft beers and pub favorites served in small plates.
• Passenger cabin upgrades included Princess' new luxury mattress.
• The Gym was upgraded with new sports equipment and free weights.
• 100 staterooms became "family cabins" after being fitted with interconnecting doors.

The ship's last drydocking was in 2022, conducted at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam in Port Rotterdam (Netherlands) .