Live From: Emerald 3/1/15 sail date Western

[Colo Cruiser]

Just an update our muster drill is at 7:20 pm

 

 

Well glad you are onboard, try to make the best of it. Hopefully you won't be delayed to any of your ports. We were lucky a couple of weeks ago and had no delays.

Sorry your live thead was hijacked to a fog/delay thread. :(

[satxdiver]

We left the hotel at 2 PM and drove to the port. They sent us to a holding lot where we joined a line and set for almost 2 hours. They finally let us go to the terminal. The problem is that there is only one way into and out of the fenced area around the terminal and parking area. So we had to wait until the parking lot was emptied of all returning pax. As per usual they took our checked bag (yes singular-it is only one week) and sent us to the parking lot to park. We walked into the terminal and got through security (we are preferred), checked in and went straight to the ship boarding around 4:40 pm. We are now aboard. They just announced that the safety briefing will be at 7:20D PM and the MDR and HC will close at 6:45 and reopen after the drill.

 

We have our first day patter. I tried to call the dining line to reserve a table for the crab shack but was not able to do it. Later I guess. The elite/platinum lounge in skywalkers is open 5 to 7 PM. Tonight is guacamole, chips and $5 margaritas.

 

The captain Marco Fortezze, the CD Lee Childers (we have seen him before) and our cabin attendant is Rey. Tonight in the HC is the bon voyage buffet – more on that later.

 

MUTS tonight is The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. Crooner’s pianist is Darren Bethell and the only live band tonight is the Sunshine Duo in the Wheelhouse. DJ Dekade is in Skywalkers.

Any other questions I can answer. More to come.

[satxdiver]

We left the hotel at 2 PM and drove to the port. They sent us to a holding lot where we joined a line and set for almost 2 hours. They finally let us go to the terminal. The problem is that there is only one way into and out of the fenced area around the terminal and parking area. So we had to wait until the parking lot was emptied of all returning pax. As per usual they took our checked bag (yes singular-it is only one week) and sent us to the parking lot to park. We walked into the terminal and got through security (we are preferred), checked in and went straight to the ship boarding around 4:40 pm. We are now aboard. They just announced that the safety briefing will be at 7:20D PM and the MDR and HC will close at 6:45 and reopen after the drill.

 

We have our first day patter. I tried to call the dining line to reserve a table for the crab shack but was not able to do it. Later I guess. The elite/platinum lounge in skywalkers is open 5 to 7 PM. Tonight is guacamole, chips and $5 margaritas.

 

The captain Marco Fortezze, the CD Lee Childers (we have seen him before) and our cabin attendant is Rey. Tonight in the HC is the bon voyage buffet – more on that later.

 

MUTS tonight is The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. Crooner’s pianist is Darren Bethell and the only live band tonight is the Sunshine Duo in the Wheelhouse. DJ Dekade is in Skywalkers.

 

Any other questions I can answer. More to come.

[Rancher Dave]

We left the hotel at 2 PM and drove to the port. They sent us to a holding lot where we joined a line and set for almost 2 hours. They finally let us go to the terminal. The problem is that there is only one way into and out of the fenced area around the terminal and parking area. So we had to wait until the parking lot was emptied of all returning pax. As per usual they took our checked bag (yes singular-it is only one week) and sent us to the parking lot to park. We walked into the terminal and got through security (we are preferred), checked in and went straight to the ship boarding around 4:40 pm. We are now aboard. They just announced that the safety briefing will be at 7:20D PM and the MDR and HC will close at 6:45 and reopen after the drill.

 

We have our first day patter. I tried to call the dining line to reserve a table for the crab shack but was not able to do it. Later I guess. The elite/platinum lounge in skywalkers is open 5 to 7 PM. Tonight is guacamole, chips and $5 margaritas.

 

The captain Marco Fortezze, the CD Lee Childers (we have seen him before) and our cabin attendant is Rey. Tonight in the HC is the bon voyage buffet – more on that later.

 

MUTS tonight is The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. Crooner’s pianist is Darren Bethell and the only live band tonight is the Sunshine Duo in the Wheelhouse. DJ Dekade is in Skywalkers.

Any other questions I can answer. More to come.

 

Sounds like everything is flowing well now that you are aboard. Timing of shut down and muster is a bit difficult, but by tomorrow the normal flow of a cruise should be going just great.

[Colo Cruiser]

I see that the duo Strings and Steel are still onboard and are playing in the Piazza. They are excellent 1 violin and 1 steel drum. I could sit there and listen to them all day. ;) Try and check them out during the cruise. :D

[azbirdmom]

I see that the duo Strings and Steel are still onboard and are playing in the Piazza. They are excellent 1 violin and 1 steel drum. I could sit there and listen to them all day. ;) Try and check them out during the cruise. :D

 

 

Yes, they are excellent. They played in both the Piazza and Explorers lounge. Always drew a crowd.

[SusieO]

Our son is on this cruise and he just called to say the port is closed; no traffic in or out until further notice due to the dense fog. They didn't indicate what time they expect to get out of the port.

[lovevacadays]

Thank you for posting your live from thread. You have a great attitude about the delay. Have a wonderful cruise.

[Special16]

I sure hope this does not happen on the March 22nd cruise! Oh well, I guess the only thing you can do is to make the best of it. Enjoy!

[Rancher Dave]

Last look at the WX Forecast shows fog projected until the wee hours of the morning. Dense Fog warning/alert until 10pm so I suspect it will be a while before the ship sails. Hopefully they can sail before it affects ports of call timing.

[plunker]

Do they have the old tube style tv's or new flatscreens with the on demand tv shows and movies? enjoy your cruise

[Colo Cruiser]

Do they have the old tube style tv's or new flatscreens with the on demand tv shows and movies? enjoy your cruise

 

 

Not the old tube style.

No on demand yet.

The Emerald had the old style View Sonic computer type flat screens. (non HD)

Edited March 2, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[Steelers0854]

They have the new flat panel Tvs but the old system. No on demand like I have heard they have on the newer ships.

 

We had the muster drill at 7:20 and DW and I went to dinner at our scheduled 8pm time without incident. There were some people there for the earlier seating but it looked like they were being asked to go to the anytime dining room but I can't confirm that.

 

We are still in port as they have it closed and there have been no updates from the bridge. Interesting enough alcohol sales are very limited due to the laws in Houston so there are very few options as far as wine and mixed drinks go.

 

Here are the dinner menus from tonight. As well as tomorrow's patters.

 

[Colo Cruiser]

Our son is on this cruise and he just called to say the port is closed; no traffic in or out until further notice due to the dense fog. They didn't indicate what time they expect to get out of the port.

 

[geocruiser]

I hope that you are able to set sail soon. Enjoy the ship to night. Emerald is one of my favorite ships. Mother nature seems to be in control of your departing time. I am happy that you did get on board.

[Nonnie1975]

Thanks for all of your great post. Sorry that you are stuck in the fog. Our local channel just showed a HUGE bank of fog off of Galveston, but showed it was moving out toward Louisiana. Hope you are able to leave soon. Keep up the post, we are leaving next week.

[mek]

Just walked in the door at home. We're pooped - it was a very long day!

 

So sorry to see that you are still in port, but IMO, it's better to be on the ship than sitting in a hotel room wondering what is going to happen. It's ironic that last week, we received numerous delay notices starting on Friday and then it turned out to be a beautiful day when we left Bayport. This week it doesn't sound like you guys had any notices up until early this morning, so apparently the weather situation really changes in the blink of an eye in the port of Houston.

[geocruiser]

Just walked in the door at home. We're pooped - it was a very long day!

 

So sorry to see that you are still in port, but IMO, it's better to be on the ship than sitting in a hotel room wondering what is going to happen. It's ironic that last week, we received numerous delay notices starting on Friday and then it turned out to be a beautiful day when we left Bayport. This week it doesn't sound like you guys had any notices up until early this morning, so apparently the weather situation really changes in the blink of an eye in the port of Houston.

 

Happy to hear that you are home safe. Thank you for taking the time to post after such a long day.

[Max49]

I'm sorry you guys are are stuck at the dock but I'm sure you can enjoy the beautiful ship. We were on her a couple of weeks ago and I miss her.

They are showing the Costa Concordia show on Dateline right now. I'm sure Capt Shietino would'nt be afraid of some dumb ole fog. JK with ya.

Enjoy your cruise and I wish I were with you.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Max49

[cruz chic]

I also got off the emerald today. It was a hot mess. The princess transfer got me to the airport at 3:40 for my 4:25 flight to Canada. I still don't know how I made it. The driver was beyond useless and seemed to get lost at the airport.

 

Op, I hope you get out soon. I don't think I'll ever cruise for houston again.

[Rancher Dave]

There is now a Dense Fog Advisory thru 6am in the morning for Galveston...hopefully it's away from the channel well before then.

[azbirdmom]

Sorry to hear you are still in port but hopefully you are having a nice time. We finally landed in PHX 6 hours later than planned but are thankful to be back. Hope you make it out soon!

[reney313]

Checking in myself. Hope you are able to get out overnight. We also debarked today. We were driving approx 12 hours home to MO. We were off the ship around 2pm. Now in a hotel in Dallas after we hit a pot hole and blew a tire around 7:30pm.

 

Be sure and see Laura in Club Fusion and Ganni in Explorers. They took great care of us this week!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rancher Dave]

Fog in Galveston seems to be thinning out somewhat...maybe the ship will be able to sail very soon. Hope so for those who want to get to all the ports on time.

[satxdiver]

We still are in port and hoping to sail tomorrow. We were told to advance our clocks one hour tonight. Listened to the band Wavelength in Explorer Lounge and pianist in Crooners and both were quite good. Only alcohol available is well drinks and 6 beers - all blah to me so the bar bill is still at zero. Shops and casino stayed closed.

 

Tomorrow night is formal night and rock and roll night in Club Fusion. It all should be good.