Live from the Emerald Princess 10/08/07

[Sunviking]

We've been aboard the Emerald Princess for a couple of hours. She's a beautiful ship. Many of our Roll Call members are here but we haven't seen the contingent who left yesterday. I'll write more later about our time in Venice. Right now we're just happy to be here and ready to explore.

 

Ann

[Evilgrin72]

Can you tell me if, in your travels, you happen to notice a bar or lounge which has TVs tuned to sports? Doesn't have to be a "sports bar" per se, just curious if there's a place to kick back and watch some games on board. TIA.

[sailaway5]

We've been aboard the Emerald Princess for a couple of hours. She's a beautiful ship. Many of our Roll Call members are here but we haven't seen the contingent who left yesterday. I'll write more later about our time in Venice. Right now we're just happy to be here and ready to explore.

 

Ann

 

Ann - Sunviking: So happy to see someone is posting a live report on this transatlantic cruise. We are on this exact cruise next year (10/3/08), so our cruise critic rollcall will be very interested in reading everything you have to say about this trip. Does Princess have a tour in the morning before sailaway?

 

Look forward to reading all about it. Bon Voyage.

 

Carol

[Colo Cruiser]

Enjoy the trip and say hi to Maitre'D Silvio for me. Keith :)

[nomars_girl]

Tell Matt in Crooner's bar that I said Hi - and go Red Sox.

[Bestbubba]

Hi Ann:)

 

Please say hi to everyone from the roll call, I will look forward to reading all your postings and "cruising" along with you all if only from my kitchen!;)

 

Have the best time

 

Sue

[sunsetbeachgal]

Dear Sun Viking,

 

I just returned yesterday from a land vacation in Italy so hope you are having the same glorious weather we had in Chianti at our rented villa last week. Isn't everything dreadfully expensive with the Euro...oh well! It is our first land vacation in awhile (we love Med crusing) and we found that it all adds up and gets very expensive-I feel that cruising is the best value for seeing Europe!

 

I noticed your picture of a schnauzer. I also have a male black schnauzer, and this morning we couldn't wait to pick him up. Two weeks plus without the dog is as much as we can stand.

 

Looking forward to hearing about your journey. We are on the Emerald in January and can't wait.

 

Ciao!

Carole from North Carolina

[JanMD]

Talked to my parents from the state of MD and they arrived early this afternoon. The weather is perfect and as at 4:00 the Costa ship was pulling out. There were 4 ships in Venice.

 

Can't wait to hear from your reports.

 

Jan

[AliceS]

Bless you for doing a live thread. We 2008 TA people really appreciate it very much. Won't ask you to say (HI) to anyone, just have fun and tell us all about it. We're sailing on the Emerald in November, so I look forward to hearing about the ship as well as the ports. Have a wonderful cruise.

[mii]

Hi Ann, remember me from the Coral roll call? Ann you take such interesting trips. I am also looking forward to your cruising and your reports. Have a great time.

 

Marilyn

[cruisingpeople]

Hi Ann,

 

Only request we have is that you guys have a safe & wonderful cruise across the "Pond" and just try to keep the ship in one piece because there are about 70-75 CC members who can't wait to board her the Saturday after you bring her into FLL.:D

 

Enjoy,

 

Joe

[Mrs2cats]

We left Emerald in Barcelona on 26th September and just know you will enjoy being on such a wonderful ship. We had a fantastic holiday visiting the Med, hope you have a good time too. We had a great cabin steward on Aloha deck, by the name of Edwin. He really looked after us. The staff are so friendly too, don't forget to give them a smile.

[Kruznut]

Hello Ann, I hope you have a terriffic cruise. I can't help but to be a little jealous because you're doing the trans-atlantic sailing I would love to do some day. Anyway, have fun !

[Texcruise]

Ann: I look forward to all of your post....have a fabulous cruise!

 

Sue....well hello there " cuz":D great to see your post.....as you can see Rich and I had to cancel also...BOO!:(

Gail

[Bestbubba]

Hi Gail, sorry to hear you also had to cancel:( I was imagining you and Gladys in the ice-cream queue having a ball;) Hope all is well with you and Rich. You and I will just have to enjoy this "cyber-cruise"!!

 

Sue

[Texcruise]

Sue...... no ice cream for us this time, Gladys will have it all to herself.....sure:rolleyes:.

I will however sit here and enjoy everything as you said on the "cyber cruise" while having my 2nd or 3rd cup of coffee thinking about Jan with her coffee and the rest of that fabulous group.

Gail

[Sunviking]

Okay, we're on our way.

 

Just to let you know up front I will not seek out people to give greetings to or check out cabins.

 

The ship is very beautiful - it's big without being overwhelming. There was a long line for dinner tonight but we think it's because it was the first night.

 

The weather was gorgeous today and the sailaway from Venice is spectacular. We sailed past St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace and is sort of surreal to be in this huge ship passing these ancient buildings.

 

We have heard that a number of people did not get their luggage yet. For those of you cruising next year you may want to consider coming early so that hopefully your luggage issues may be settled before you sail.

 

We've had a reunion of some Island cruisers from a couple of years ago and tomorrow we'll have our big Roll Call gathering.

 

Oh, last night we ate at the Crown Grill and it was excellent. Tonight's dinner in Anytime Dining was also quite good.

 

We hit the gym, which is huge and well equipped, this morning and then spent some time in the Thermal Suite.

 

Lunch was in the Horizon Court which was crowded because we hit it right at the time that people were coming in from Venice. There are multiple lines though so it's not too bad.

 

I don't know if any tours were offered. I would imagine they were and if I think of it I'll look in my brochure.

 

We don't really go to shows so I can't comment on what has been offered so far.

 

Tomorrow we're at sea enroute to Naples and it will be a lazy day.

 

The shops and the casinos look like they are doing a booming business.

 

Hi Marilyn. Of course I remember you. Al says hi.

 

Sue and Gail - wish you were here with us. We'll have a drink to you.

 

More later.

 

Ann

[pagnegirl]

Hi

Going on the Emerald for New Yrs. if you see any sushi pls post it.

Have FUN!

Thanks

[Shogun]

Hi There,

 

Will also be oboard for new year,

 

Please tell us a little about the ship, what are the crew like I have noticed more Eastern Block people working on cruise in the last year or so is it the same with Emerald, that have lots of info about there home lands which is so nice to hear about.

 

yours Shogun

[edste]

Hi

Ann thanks for posting for us. Next year will be our first TA cruise and our first time on the emerald princess. Also our first time to Italy os it's a lot of first for us. Have a great time Edna

[AliceS]

Thanks, Ann. I watched on the ship's camera for a bit of the sailaway. Next year for us.

 

Have a great time and keep us in mind. We really appreciate it.

[LTCOP]

I'm so glad you are taking the time to post while you are cruising. It's so fun to "sail along". We are also going to be on board for New Year's and I can't wait. I've heard so many good things about the ship. Enjoy the journey!

 

Pam

[UT-Volsfan]

Sunviking,

 

Thanks for posting the live comments during your TA. We're booked for the Emerald's TA voyage next April and are really looking forward to the cruise.

 

We were wondering, what was the price for the Thermalsuite pass for the voyage?

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff and Sonja

[kruisey]

Okay, we're on our way.

 

Just to let you know up front I will not seek out people to give greetings to or check out cabins.

 

The ship is very beautiful - it's big without being overwhelming. There was a long line for dinner tonight but we think it's because it was the first night.

 

The weather was gorgeous today and the sailaway from Venice is spectacular. We sailed past St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace and is sort of surreal to be in this huge ship passing these ancient buildings.

 

We have heard that a number of people did not get their luggage yet. For those of you cruising next year you may want to consider coming early so that hopefully your luggage issues may be settled before you sail.

 

We've had a reunion of some Island cruisers from a couple of years ago and tomorrow we'll have our big Roll Call gathering.

 

Oh, last night we ate at the Crown Grill and it was excellent. Tonight's dinner in Anytime Dining was also quite good.

 

We hit the gym, which is huge and well equipped, this morning and then spent some time in the Thermal Suite.

 

Lunch was in the Horizon Court which was crowded because we hit it right at the time that people were coming in from Venice. There are multiple lines though so it's not too bad.

 

I don't know if any tours were offered. I would imagine they were and if I think of it I'll look in my brochure.

 

We don't really go to shows so I can't comment on what has been offered so far.

 

Tomorrow we're at sea enroute to Naples and it will be a lazy day.

 

The shops and the casinos look like they are doing a booming business.

 

Hi Marilyn. Of course I remember you. Al says hi.

 

Sue and Gail - wish you were here with us. We'll have a drink to you.

 

More later.

 

Ann

 

I read on thread earlier in the year about luggage missing on the Emerald European trip.

I have booked this trip next year and honestly cannot afford the high cost of accommodation to arrive extra early....so although I would like this cruise to Europe I think I may cancel........I would just break up if the luggage did not arrive....although insured....I would miss the clothing that I personally picked for myself no monetary rewards would compensate me........I know that it could be the airlines fault!!!!!!! Feel truly sorry for those that had to sail without their luggage......the heartbreak for them while everyone else around them are content and happy in their vacation glad rags...........

I know call me a 'Party Pupper; but thats how I personally feel about missing luggage

[Sunviking]

Good Morning,

 

We had a calm night and the seas are still that way this morning. I did hear and see a helicopter come over the ship around midnight so there may have been some kind of medical emergency.

 

There are a lot of crew members who are from eastern europe. There seem to be many from Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. All of them speak English well and we've had no problems communicating. There are evidently many new members aboard and any confusion may result from that.

 

We have an aft cabin A753. It is a really nice location. We have felt only minimal vibration. We consider the walk to be a plus since it helps to burn off some of the food we're eating.

 

This morning we ate in the dining room and breakfast was quite good. Usually we try the buffet but they had Eggs Florentine and I wanted those.

 

Well, there is a full day of activities planned for today so we're off.

 

Ann