Emerald vs Caribbean Princess

[happycruiser7]

Looking at a couple of Caribbean trips for April or May either on Emerald or Caribbean Princess. 
 

Anyone have a preference of one over the other? Thoughts? Opinions? Advice? Stories? 

[reedprincess]

2 minutes ago, happycruiser7 said:

Looking at a couple of Caribbean trips for April or May either on Emerald or Caribbean Princess. 
 

Anyone have a preference of one over the other? Thoughts? Opinions? Advice? Stories? 

Emerald. Somewhat newer, more public space per passenger aboard, better pool set-up, lovely Adagio lounge, etc.. 

 

Overall though, itinerary would be more important than the ship, when deciding between those two.. 

Edited January 11 by reedprincess

[cr8tiv1]

Just found out that Caribbean Princess is the only ship with Planks and Steamers.  (free with plus)

[skynight]

Caribbean is a nice ship. It's really an original Grand Class ship with an extra passenger deck and 500 additional passengers. The Emerald also has 3,100 passengers, but was built for them. If you are travelling with children then the Caribbean. It has a top deck water playground and family area. Emerald has more public space and does not seem as crowded.

[Tonye60]

7 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Just found out that Caribbean Princess is the only ship with Planks and Steamers.  (free with plus)

The Emerald has the too

[ExploringTheGlobe]

Caribbean Princess!  Crooners is right outside of the Casino and I love the people mover up to the nightclub! 

[happycruiser7]

1 hour ago, skynight said:

Caribbean is a nice ship. It's really an original Grand Class ship with an extra passenger deck and 500 additional passengers. The Emerald also has 3,100 passengers, but was built for them. If you are travelling with children then the Caribbean. It has a top deck water playground and family area. Emerald has more public space and does not seem as crowded.

It would be for a solo trip. I’ve been on the Grand class ships but it’s been 10+ years. I was just on Discovery and while it was a really nice ship and I did enjoy it there really wasn’t anywhere I could go that was quiet to just read or drink coffee. Does either Emerald or Caribbean have a spot that’s quiet and where someone could relax inside? 

[cr8tiv1]

53 minutes ago, Tonye60 said:

The Emerald has the too

That’s not what the web site declares.  Haven’t been to dinner there, yet.  

[cr8tiv1]

35 minutes ago, happycruiser7 said:

It would be for a solo trip. I’ve been on the Grand class ships but it’s been 10+ years. I was just on Discovery and while it was a really nice ship and I did enjoy it there really wasn’t anywhere I could go that was quiet to just read or drink coffee. Does either Emerald or Caribbean have a spot that’s quiet and where someone could relax inside? 

Haven’t been on Royal class ships.  Grand/Gem ships have:

a full promenade

sofas outside Explorer’s lounge

Shywalker

A lovely “lobby/living room” in the middle of deck 6 (near the Crown Gill, excursion desk, travel consultant office) on the Caribbean.

[skynight]

2 hours ago, happycruiser7 said:

It would be for a solo trip. I’ve been on the Grand class ships but it’s been 10+ years. I was just on Discovery and while it was a really nice ship and I did enjoy it there really wasn’t anywhere I could go that was quiet to just read or drink coffee. Does either Emerald or Caribbean have a spot that’s quiet and where someone could relax inside? 

Emerald has the Adagio Lounge on deck 16 aft starboard. It is comfortable and usually quiet all day and evening. The bar normally opens late afternoon. Both ships have Skywalker's deck 18 all the way aft. Both ships have a full promenade where you can easily sit. The Lap pool on deck 16 forward has nice seating and is quiet. It's away from everything. On the Caribbean there is a family area on deck 17. If your cruise is one without many youth there is nice seating and it should be quiet. Both ships have The Sanctuary. This is a charge area, $20/half day, $40/full day, $30/day if you book the entire cruise all port and sea days. Private reserved lounge plus some services. To book the Sanctuary you have to be one of the first to board and go directly there. There will be a big demand for the Sanctuary in the Caribbean.

[Tonye60]

3 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

That’s not what the web site declares.  Haven’t been to dinner there, yet.  

Well they are both there, and alternate each night

[msmoger]

4 hours ago, ExploringTheGlobe said:

Caribbean Princess!  Crooners is right outside of the Casino and I love the people mover up to the nightclub! 

Half agree and half disagree. 😉

 

We really love Crooners.  Crooners on the Emerald has a much better and roomier design as compared to the Caribbean. Proximity to the casino isn't important to us.

 

However, totally agree concerning Skywalkers (nightclub).  We also like the people mover and the placement of the club, being more aft, provides a better aft view.