My review of the Emerald Princess (last week on Eastern Caribbean)

[Dreamer333]

Hello, here is my review. Please feel free to ask any questions! And I'm sure I will add more to this as I recall more!

 

I cruised the Eastern Caribbean aboard the Emerald Princess last week.

This was my 6th or 7th cruise on Princess, and it was my boyfirend’s 1st cruise on Princess. Although I’ve travelled the Eastern Caribbean many times, this was my first time in Grand Turk.

HOTEL:

We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale a day early and stayed at the Hyatt North hotel, which is very close to the pier and very close to the airport. They offer free shuttle service from the airport as well as to the pier. I had received a great deal on the hotel because I used my Chase rewards. The staff was very nice, but there were problems locating my reservations (even tho I had the confirmation with me). Because there was no manager on site, they wanted me to pay again for the hotel and said they would reimburse me on Monday when the manager was back. I politely refused. It took about an hour for them to figure it out, but I finally received a room. Although it was very frustrating, they were very nice to deal with. I think that it is a bad idea for there not to be a manager there on a Sat night when the hotel is being filled with people who were boarding Princess and Carnival the next morning. The girls at the desk definitely seemed a little overwhelmed.

EMBARKING:

We took a shuttle from the hotel to the the pier, which only took a few minutes. We were among the very first to arrive. We were escorted into a separate waiting area (because we are Platinum). We waited for about half an hour and were able to start boarding. It probably took less than half an hour for us to be in our cabin after that.

We brought on about 5 bottles of wine, and had no problems at all. We also had some vodka in our luggage and it arrived safely to our cabin.

STATEROOM:

We were in a balcony cabin on the Caribe deck (category BA), towards the forward of the ship. We had received a free upgrade which was nice because the room, balcony, and bathroom were larger than the average balcony stateroom.

DINING:

We ate most of our breakfasts and lunches in the buffet. They were pretty good. I also ate the Pizza, which I LOVE! (I’m from Chicago, so I’m very particular about my pizza!). We ordered room service a few times and my absolute favorite was the vegetarian sandwich.

Dinners in the dining room were good. We had open seat dining. On the evenings we opted to join a table, we were seated immediately, however the service was definitely slow. There were no particular foods that stand out in my mind, however I enjoyed all of my meals.

We also ate at Vines, (which is free), located on the 5th deck. I recommend that you get both the tapas and the sushi (you get 3 of each). They were all very good and very fresh.

There is a little bakery and deli next to the coffee bar on deck 5 and I enjoyed some fresh shrimp salad as well as a veggie salad (cooked cold salad of onions, asparagus, peppers, eggplant, etc).

My BF purchased the coffee card and enjoyed mochas and cappaccinos at the coffe bar.

PRINCESS CAYS:

The sand was not as clean as it usually is (due to the hurricane), but it was still very beautiful. We stayed on the right side of the island, where we rented a clam shell (it comes with 2 lounge chairs). We played some beach volleyball, and some basketball, but mostly laid out in the sun.

ST. MAARTEN:

We spent the first half of the day, walking around and shopping. You can definitely get great prices on liquor and jewelry here. You must be comfortable being able to bargain in order to get a great price.

In the afternoon, we did the Snorkling at Shipwreck Cove (I believe we paid $79 each, via Princess), which I do NOT recommend. You would be much better off renting the snorkling equipment yourself and snorkling on your own.

I had done this same excusion about 7 years ago, but it is definitely different. First of all, you need to wait in a line to climb down the stairs and to get off the boat to snorkle. We had several overweight people and several elderly people who had a VERY difficult time getting down and into the water. It took us about 30 minutes just to get INTO the water. Once we were in the water, my BF's face mask broke. They said the equipment is only 1-year old, but I have a hard time believing it. The masks are very scratched up and foggy (they don't give you the anti-fog lotion). Once we all got into the water, they required us to stay in a group. Because there were 40 of us, and because we were docked right next to another boat (it appeared to be the same company), it was IMPOSSIBLE to go more than 5 feet without getting hit or kicked. We saw a total of 10 fish approximately. I'm assuming because there were SO many people in such a tight area that the fish hide.

ST. THOMAS:

This time we decided to snorkle on our own, so we went to the Aqua Action Dive Center (located at the Secret Harbour Beach Resort). I heard about this place reading the threads on Cruise Critic. Just to give you a warning, it is a long, semi-crazy drive (I'm used to crazy Chicago cab drivers, but this was even crazier, lol). It took about 40 minutes (and we paid the taxi $11 per person). When we arrived, the woman at the front desk of the resort told us that when we needed a cab back to the port, it will take about 5-10 minutes for the cab to arrive. (Realistically, it was more like 30 minutes).

This snorkling experience was MUCH nicer!! We had practically the whole beach to ourselves. We rented snorkle equipment and lounge chairs. The woman running the dive center was very friendly and very helpful in telling us which areas have the best views, etc. I definitely recommend them!

GRAND TURK:

Princess just added this port in the recent years, so this was my first time here. It was WONDERFUL! The beach is right there as soon as you get off the ship (no tender and no water taxis). We relaxed on the very white sandy beach. The water was extremely clear and gorgeous. We had a bucket of beer delivered to us on the beach. It was definitely pricier than any of the other islands and pricier than the ship. Grand Turk was a perfect place to relax after being more active at the other ports. There is also a pool that can be used too, with a swim up bar, but we stayed on the beach. While my BF did some snorkling (he rented equipment right there on the beach), I shopped around the little shops. From what I could see, Princess is the only ship that docks here. Grand Turk ended up being my favorite port.

INTERNET

Because I'm a platinum member, I received some free internet minutes. I logged on (from my laptop) in my stateroom a few times and the internet was pretty speedy. I did not use all of my minutes tho.

SPA TREATMENTS

We did a couples Rasul mud treatment. The two of us were lead into a room in the spa that contained a sink, a shower, and a steam room. There are a variety of facial products (cleanser, exfoliator, toner) that you use to treat eachother's skin. Then there are body treatments (a salt scrub and a bowl of "mud"/clay). Once you have used the salt scrub, you put the mud/clay on eachother and then go sit in the sauna. This was a great (and romantic) treatment. I highly recommend it. After the treatment, you have the option of going into the santuary where you can relax with more sauna or steam, but we opted out of this part, because I wanted to sit in the sun by the pool.

We also did a couples full-body massage in a private cabana up in private deck above the Lotus Spa. This was wonderful! I highly recommend this to all couples.

ODDS & ENDS

There was a "Santa Convention" going on during this cruise, so we often saw men (and their wives) who looked like Santa Clause. I personally found it a bit creepy, but they all seemed very jolly and were very accomodating when they got stopped to have their pics taken. They seemed very polite and nice (the creepiness factor has nothing to do with any of their personalities... it just seemed creepy to me. I certaintly can't imagine being attracted to a man who looks like Santa).

You are provided with shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and soap in your stateroom. I thought I would save room by not bringing my own shampoo and conditioner, but next cruise I'm bringing it. It was average and it got the job done, but with the extra chlorine and salt water in my hair, I wish I would've had my own.

We went to a few shows and a few games. They were great. The Not-so-newlywed game was hysterical. I was disappointed in the karyoke because most of the passangers sang very slow songs. I personally find it more interesting when its mixed up with some more "fun" songs.

SUMMARY:

Overall, it was a fantastic trip. I'm a fan of Princess, and my bf and I have already booked our next cruise to the Mexican Riviera next sprint, and I'm already counting down the days!

[Raamo]

Thanks for your review!

[Clutterlady]

Thank you! Sound like you had wonderful time:)

[#33s Mom]

Thanks for the review. We're looking forward to boarding on Sunday!

[BobT172]

We did the itinerary on the Emerald in August...agree with all your comments... it was a great cruise.

[Whimsy]

Very good review. I chuckled at your remark about it being creepy to be attracted to a man who looks like Santa. Believe me, they didn't look like Santa when they were young and were just starting out! :D

[Dreamer333]

Very good review. I chuckled at your remark about it being creepy to be attracted to a man who looks like Santa. Believe me, they didn't look like Santa when they were young and were just starting out! :D

 

Lol, very true! However, these guys go out of their way to look like Santa!

[Momma Mojito]

Thanks for your review, we are going on the Emerald in two weeks and from what Iunderstand it's a beautiful ship. But then again all the Princess ships I've been on are beautiful.

 

 

If Santa showered you with lots of presents maybe you would feel different abbout him!!!

[srpilo]

Great Review... :cool:

 

 

Thanks

Srpilo

[Coral]

I had no idea they had Santa conventions at Sea. I wonder what they do at their convention or if it is just a tax write off convention at sea?

 

Too funny!

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review.

[MICHIGAN MAMA]

What kind of things did you shop for? Any bargains to be had?

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the review.

[KEG306]

Short and to the point. It was interesting to hear your comments on St. Maarten, and your snorkeling trip. We heard the same comments from people who took the tour off the ship on our cruise in 2008. We did Captain Alan's 3 Island Snorkeling tour http://www.captainalan.com. It was great. Wish we were going back to St. Maarten on our cruise next February.

[jillocb]

Thank you for the review! It was just the info we needed to hear. Heading out on Emerald Eastern 10 Days in less than 40 days. Can't wait!

[rdsqrl]

Thanks for the review -- enjoyed reading it.

I too find the idea ofa Santa convention - shall we say - odd. Did they all laugh like "ho-ho-ho" a lot? Wonder what they talk about: the difficulties of procuring Purina Reindeer Chow in the off-season? Best cafeteria health plans for elf employees? Initiating merger talks with the Easter Bunny?

[caribill]

GRAND TURK:

From what I could see, Princess is the only ship that docks here. Grand Turk ended up being my favorite port.

 

When we were there on Princess, the Carnival Glory & the Oceania Regatta were also there.

[mrsbos]

Very good review. I chuckled at your remark about it being creepy to be attracted to a man who looks like Santa. Believe me, they didn't look like Santa when they were young and were just starting out! :D

 

 

THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:

1) You believe in Santa Claus.

2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.

3) You are Santa Claus..

4) You look like Santa Claus.

 

:)

[Dreamer333]

THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:

1) You believe in Santa Claus.

2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.

3) You are Santa Claus..

4) You look like Santa Claus.

 

 

:)

 

 

LOL!!!!! God help us all if this is true!! :-)

[Northender]

Thanks for the nice review of the Emerald.

 

Did you go to any of the lounges and, if so, how was the entertainment?

I was not sure if you considered this covered in your "Odds & Ends" so though I would ask.....

 

:)

[lovevacadays]

Lol, very true! However, these guys go out of their way to look like Santa!

 

I cruised to Mexico at the beginning of the year on the Sapphire. In Mazatlan I was on an excursion with a Santa and his wife that were sailing RCCL's ship (with a Santa group) and in port the same day. These guys actually work as Santa's during Christmas so it is kind of their part-time profession. It actually was fun talking with him and his wife. They were very nice and he told of the stories of being Santa at many events and the joy it brought them to bring joy to kids. It was kind of interesting. I never knew there were actually Santa groups.

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Dreamer333]

Thanks for the nice review of the Emerald.

 

Did you go to any of the lounges and, if so, how was the entertainment?

 

:)

 

The entertainment was good, but not great. The cruise director was NOT as good as other directors that I've experienced with Princess. The ONLY time I ever saw him was on the morning tv show. I never saw him throughout the cruise! (I can't remember the spelling of his name... something like Marchelle??)

 

We went to one of the production shows in the theater, which was very good. We wanted to do more shows, but the dinners took too long so we ended up missing some.

 

We saw the comedian James Michael and he was very funny. (It was rated a pg-13 show, but some people still had their kids there, but I think most of it probably went right over the kid's heads).

 

Bert Stratton performed on most nights in one of the lounges... He was great! I recommend him for sure! The bar gets packed nd it becomes standing room only so go a little early if you want a seat.

 

We went to some of the games, which were fun, but I credit the fun due to the passangers playing the games, and not really the staff.

 

Overall the cruise staff wasn't as fun or nice or friendly as I've experienced on other Princess cruises (during the pool games, it took about 35 minutes to find volunteers to play the games, where usually people are lining up to sign up to play!) I would have to say that this falls on the responsibility of the cruise director.

 

If this were my first cruise, I probably would've thought the staff was great, but since I have other experiences to compare it to, I can say they didn't meet expectations.

 

However with that being said, overall we were never at a loss to find something fun to do!! It was a great cruise!! :-)

[1 HappyCruiser]

Did they have a hypnotist on board?

[Dreamer333]

Did they have a hypnotist on board?

 

No hypnotist unfortunately. Those shows are usually hilarious!!