Emerald Princess Rome to Barcelona September 26 -October 3 2015 in photos and video

[goofy559]

Ah...LOL, good line re the carpet!

 

Have you been on a Grand Class ship?

 

Norris

I don't think so - sailed on the Caribbean, Coral, Sun, Diamond, Ocean, Royal and Regal. Looking forward to it.

[Bimmer09]

I don't think so - sailed on the Caribbean, Coral, Sun, Diamond, Ocean, Royal and Regal. Looking forward to it.

 

The Caribbean is the closest to the Crown Emerald and Ruby designs.

 

The Diamond is my favorite design- wider promenade decks. indoor pool, Churchill's Lounge (as has the CB), those 4 ATD rooms and wide open aft decks without Sabatini's (but I do like the view from Sabs on deck 16-lots of windows)

 

I haven't sailed Royal and Regal and have no plans to.

 

None of the ships I have sailed were duds. And that's a good thing!

 

Thanks for the response.

 

Norris

[perfect match]

Norris, you have totally outdone yourself this time - and I've only managed to read through page 5! I will be back soon for more, hopefully with a bit more time to enjoy my reading. :D

[DebbieMacG]

Norris, another wonderful review. I've been reading whilst off work ill the last couple of days and really enjoyed it so thank you :)

[Bimmer09]

Norris, you have totally outdone yourself this time - and I've only managed to read through page 5! I will be back soon for more, hopefully with a bit more time to enjoy my reading. :D

 

Nancy, thank you.

 

No need to rush. This will stay on CC after it's finished so you can catch up anytime. It will stay on page 1 where it's been for 4 weeks for another week or so as I am putting something up each day.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris, another wonderful review. I've been reading whilst off work ill the last couple of days and really enjoyed it so thank you :)

 

Debbie, sorry to hear you've been ill. Feel better soon.

 

I'm glad you're enjoying the read!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

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The casino is one place where I think it's best to photograph when it's closed as people might not like someone walking around taking pictures when they are playing. Those pics might end up on the Internet for all to see. A Business man might tell his wife that he has to attend a "boring conference to discuss our Core Competencies" for a week but book a cruise with his secretary instead-that sort of thing.

 

The Speakeasy, in a corner of the casino, is a closed-off room with ventilation for smokers to enjoy. It has cigar humidors which a bar waiter from the casino can open for you.It also has a few TVs tuned to news or sports. I prefer smoking outdoors as it's less smoky that way.

 

 

 

Humidor

 

 

That's it for the casino area...

[Bimmer09]

The casino is on deck 6 which is the same deck as Passenger Services and very early on Friday morning, before the Captain cancelled Cannes I went to P.S to get some Euros as we were running low.

 

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"We only have Dollars" was the response.

 

Say what?

 

I had a feeling we were still in Europe where the dollar isn't the local currency.

The ship was going to be in the Euro zone for almost another week. Another Emerald head-scratcher.

I strolled away and within a few yards found this machine....

 

 

It was powered-off. I went back to the counter clerk to ask about it as it offered the solution to the "only Dollars" scenario.

 

"It doesn't work-they are trying to fix it"

 

My shoulders slumped, my hand smacked my forehead. Doh! Thank you Emerald.

 

While I am down here I may as well show a few pics of the Piazza area-the central hub of the ship. Cafes and bars, offices and shops. Home to various performances during the day-games, jugglers, balancers, fruit carvers, pianists and so on. Always something happening once the passengers have had breakfast.

 

This is how it looks after a hard drinking night in Crooner's

 

 

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[jtagphillycruiser]

Norris,

 

I'm boarding the Emerald in less than 2 weeks!!! and I really appreciate seeing all the photos of the ship, as I have not been on her since 2009. Thank you again. Now, on to Barcelona.

 

Joanne

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

 

I'm boarding the Emerald in less than 2 weeks!!! and I really appreciate seeing all the photos of the ship, as I have not been on her since 2009. Thank you again. Now, on to Barcelona.

 

Joanne

 

Joanne, I should have this wrapped up before your cruise.

 

Barcelona soon...

 

Norris

 

[Bimmer09]

Captain's Circle Desk- hosted by Michelle from South Africa

 

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Future Cruise Sales

 

This is where we usually buy 2 FCCs each (@$100 ea) as deposits for our next 2 Princess Cruises. Without these you have to pay 20% of the total fare up front. As we have one each on hand (from the Ruby) and have no Princess Cruises lined up at the moment, I didn't buy any this trip.

 

Next year we have Celebrity Silhouette in January and then should know by March if we have tickets for August's Bayreuth Wagner Festival in Germany. If the answer is no then we'll likely look for another cruise to fill in. It might be a Princess Cruise.

 

 

Lobby art with Internet cafe (there's no coffee...) in the background

 

 

 

I spent some time in the Internet Cafe as the wi-fi in our cabin was so weak (it barely had the strength to knock on my door and needed a chair to catch it's breath) that it was eating up my 150 minutes of free time. The signal was much better in the cafe. I was writing my first "Live from". There was always a computer and a printer that was out of order...

 

Nearby on deck 5 is Vines Wine bar which we didn't use this trip. Buy a glass of wine and get some sushi or tapas gratis. Nice spot to relax, with a window onto the sea just a couple of decks below.

 

 

Next to Vines is the entrance to the Art Gallery where all the paintings of Tiger heads are. Let's not go there....

 

[Bimmer09]

The International Cafe deck 5: yummy treats open 24/7. Only cost item is gelato at 50 cents a scoop. Fresh Brewed coffee gratis if you have a Coffee card ($33) purchased on this ship. Espressos etc are OK with a old card on the ship.

 

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The elevator lobby on deck 6 which is where there are restaurants and shops. I think the Princess Interiors are very elegant and luxurious looking for a mainstream line. The work of Theresa Anderson. No Joe Farcus acid-flashback /70s B Movie designs (former Carnival designer with a lot of ideas but many of them the opposite of good)

 

Shops

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

Now and then I needed a break from the photographing and would ride the forward elevator up to Tradewinds to check on the weather. With no port to visit the engines could keep running all day but at a reduced speed which wasn't getting us out of the rain fast enough for my liking. The rain was off and on but the sun wouldn't show until the early afternoon.

 

The smokers were of course up in Tradewinds as they didn't have too many options. Coffee was being served. As with our first damp sea day breakfast at Sabatini's today could be a leisurely affair and that's where you find us at 9.am

 

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Dinner menu to whet the appetite

 

[Bimmer09]

A calm oasis of relaxation awaits within.

 

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And there's food too

 

High protein breakfast for me,after the yogurt/granola parfait, coffee, pastries etc

 

 

For Carol, the usual

 

 

A great start to the day. Carol has the new updated Patter and a Barcelona lecture to go to now. I search the Patter hoping to find a Pub Lunch added-but NO. Perhaps they don't have enough of those specialized ingredients to throw one together on the fly. We leave Sabs and go our separate ways via the elevator

 

 

I poke my head into the Princess Theater where the port lecturer is later.... Carol is taking copious notes on her phone

 

[8pawz]

Norris,

Every time I pick up my iPad I first look to see if you have added a new installment. I so appreciate what you are doing. I especially love to see the ship photos. May will not come fast enough.

 

One quick question. Did anyone tell you where breakfast for suite passengers will be held once Sabatinis is closed?

 

Again, what you are doing is so appreciated. I would love some day to meet you on a cruise as you are clearly someone who takes great joy in life and making other people smile.

 

Joan

[jlf1]

Dinner in Michelangelo-we reserved a table for 9 pm and were served by our first on-the-ball waiter with personality of the week in the MDR. His name was Lohita and he was from-we weren't surprised- Thailand, the home of the two best waiters we have had on Diamond Princess (our favorite ship to date) Siwa and Sadudee. Happy , smiling, confident witty people.

 

Being Formal Night the menu wasn't too shabby either. Let's take a look...

 

My veal ravioli always hits the spot

 

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Carol's rich roasted tomato soup

 

 

Carol's Caesar salad with anchovies

 

 

A favorite of mine-Beef Wellington (slightly overcooked) with spinach flan and Duchess potatoes-the perfect pairing with my red wine.

 

 

Norman Love chocolate sensation with pistachio and almond nougatine. Oh Yeah!

 

 

What's inside

 

 

A delicious dinner!

Norris,

 

The chocolate is oozing off my screen. YuM!!!

 

Judy

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

Every time I pick up my iPad I first look to see if you have added a new installment. I so appreciate what you are doing. I especially love to see the ship photos. May will not come fast enough.

 

One quick question. Did anyone tell you where breakfast for suite passengers will be held once Sabatinis is closed?

 

Again, what you are doing is so appreciated. I would love some day to meet you on a cruise as you are clearly someone who takes great joy in life and making other people smile.

 

Joan

 

Joan- I didn't ask about suite breakfasts after Drydock. i imagine it will be in SHARE or Crown Grill. CG certainly doesn't have the ambiance of Sabs. SHARE hasn't been built yet. December will come soon enough and we'll find out.

 

I'm glad to see you are still here.

 

Norris

[8pawz]

Joan- I didn't ask about suite breakfasts after Drydock. i imagine it will be in SHARE or Crown Grill. CG certainly doesn't have the ambiance of Sabs. SHARE hasn't been built yet. December will come soon enough and we'll find out.

 

 

 

I'm glad to see you are still here.

 

 

 

Norris

 

 

 

As long as you are writing I will be reading!

 

Joan

[Bimmer09]

Before I forget-here is Hearts and Minds which is outside Lotus Spa on Deck 16 Port. Used for weddings, religious services and spa presentations on aging, wrinkle removal, posture etc. Unseen is a white piano.

 

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While we are up here on 16 I can tell you that when the rain stopped and the sun came out for a couple of hours it was enjoyed and I spent those hours sitting in it at Tradewinds. Maria brought me cold beers when needed and I spoke to anyone who asked "is this seat taken?".

 

During a sunny spell someone called "whale" to Port and sure enough there was a humpback surfacing and diving again, lazily. I got my camcorder running but there was nothing but a flat blue sea. He was swimming in the opposite direction.

 

Disappointed that there would be no Pub Lunch I claimed the second prize of Knackwurst, 'kraut and fries at the Trident Grill. Earlier in the week when I went there 3 staff were behind the counter but today at 1 pm there was only one and he was working furiously- a blur but focused, not falling apart. He was stressed and sweating as anyone would be trying got do the work of 3. It appears that the staffing schedule wasn't rearranged for the sea day but reflected us being in port with everyone ashore. Organizational SNAFU there. I imagine it's the Maitre 'd?

The cook was a young Asian guy called Ge and he should have stopped for a minute to call for help. He just ploughed through...I wonder for how long?

 

Back to the Interiors I had been shooting earlier....

 

This was down on deck 6 between one of the shops and the Captain's Circle desk and was commemorating Princess' 50 th Anniversary this year.

 

 

Here's one of the sidewalk sales the gift shops have on deck 7 in the Piazza. I see gold by the inch.

Today's special $10 watches. These are sophisticated timepieces with built in GPS so that when you want to know the right time the watch finds the nearest clock or another person who owns a different watch.

 

 

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Let's take the elevator to deck 7 from 5

 

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A classic piano bar with rich decor

 

 

 

It has great evocative wall art

 

 

And it's own bar

 

 

You'll see some very talented and witty people perform at the piano here.

[Bimmer09]

As long as you are writing I will be reading!

 

Joan

 

Thanks Joan!

 

I'd say at the current pace another week should finish this.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Forward from Crooners is the Excursion Desk where they keep very short hours so check your Patter before going up there.

 

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Across from that is the Wheelhouse Bar, home of the Pub Lunch on sea days and a ballroom dance venue in the evenings. It has a cosy nautical decor.

 

 

Traditional furniture as you might have in your home. Comfy chairs harking back to an earlier time when chairs were for sitting in. A great place to sit and just chat with new friends over drinks. Of course chatting isn't compulsory-everyone can stare at their cell phones if they choose.

 

 

Beautiful room

 

 

It has it's own bar of course

 

[cormike1]

I laughed Norris when I read your description of the décor on a Carnival ship....acid trip decorator or something to that effect lol. We went on a last minute Canada/New England cruise a couple of years ago and my eyes were constantly being bombarded with this jarring décor. I said the same thing....that decorator must have been on acid when he was choosing the colours/patterns etc. I never could settle down when in the common areas. Thank God the cabin was calming or I would have gone insane LOL. It was still a wonderful cruise and we would do Carnival again if the itinerary and price were what we were looking for. Still loving your review. Looking forward to Barcelona. We are flying in 3 days before our cruise starts so I am anxious to see what you do there. Thanks again.

[Bimmer09]

I laughed Norris when I read your description of the décor on a Carnival ship....acid trip decorator or something to that effect lol. We went on a last minute Canada/New England cruise a couple of years ago and my eyes were constantly being bombarded with this jarring décor. I said the same thing....that decorator must have been on acid when he was choosing the colours/patterns etc. I never could settle down when in the common areas. Thank God the cabin was calming or I would have gone insane LOL. It was still a wonderful cruise and we would do Carnival again if the itinerary and price were what we were looking for. Still loving your review. Looking forward to Barcelona. We are flying in 3 days before our cruise starts so I am anxious to see what you do there. Thanks again.

 

I haven't set foot on a Carnival ship in 25 years but I see the interiors on Beyondships and have watched some Joe Farcus videos on Youtube. He's designing for Costa now so the modern ships like Dream are in other hands.

When interviewed he is very passionate and has a reason (excuse?) for all the crazy overblown interiors. Greek Mythology is often cited for influences. For me "less is more" is a mantra in design, music and food. He was a very prolific designer and obviously whomever signed off on his designs shares most of the blame. The words "Joe-NO!" should have been used more often. The interiors are often very dark too.

 

Three days in Barcelona is a luxury-we loved that city!

 

Thanks for the comments and for following along.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

You've already seen the Princess Theater in several shots...

 

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700 seats

 

 

Clear sight-lines

 

 

 

The Theater is the last room going forward. After that the ship gets pointy.

Let's head back back on deck 7, past the Wheelhouse Bar and Excursion desk again. We find the Library just off the Piazza. As it's at the center of the ship it can be a bit noisy so you may just want to find a book and go search for somewhere quieter. The wi-fi signal is decent here though. There are plenty of familiar board games for you to borrow.

 

 

Let's keep moving aft