Grand v Emerald

[antsp]

Trying to decide on a Med cruise for May next year, leaning towards the Grand because of the itinery, however the Emerald is the newer ship, any advice or are they about the same....:)

[Atomica]

The Grand is really the ship 'that started it all', whereas the Emerald is the latest ship in the fleet.

 

The Emerald is really more of a direct sister to the Crown and will have things like the International Cafe, Vines, etc, whereas the Grand won't have those.

 

I'd probably choose the itinerary that excites you most and let that be your deciding factor.

[tcdtcd]

We did the Grand in the Med last summer. Loved it. True, its not new, but the only wear and tear I could see was a bit on our balcony -- the cabin and public spaces were pristine.

 

Like Atomica above, I'd probably choose based on itinerary. All other things equal though, I'd have a strong preference for the Grand:

 

1. With the exception of 1-2 sea days, you're going to be disembarking/embarking nearly every day. On the Grand, you'll be doing so with 500-600 fewer passengers - fewer/faster lines, less hassle.

 

2. The smaller ports (Mykonos, Kusadasi, etc) sometimes can feel overrun with fellow pax. Again, there will be 500 fewer pax to run into in port with the Grand.

 

3. Because of the port-intensive nature of the itinerary, you're going to spend alot less time on the ship than you would on a Carib/Panama/tran-atlantic/etc type of cruise. After a number of days in a row of 6am wake-up calls, miles of walking/touring/rushing around, its sometimes even a challenge to get to dinner and perhaps a show or casino after. You're not going to have much time to "miss" the Sanctuary, the Piazza, etc.

 

JMHO.

[MDCruiserz]

I'd lean towards the itinerary that most interests you. The Grand is a beautiful ship - you won't be sorry. We've cruised 3 times on the Grand, and each time has been like visiting an old friend.

[TorontoTL]

With a port intensive itinerary such as the Mediterranean ones I would certainly choose by itinerary rather than ship. You will be off the ship for so much of the time. I have heard more than once that you won't be able to really enjoy all that the ships have to offer on those itineraries, you'll just be too busy.

[Colo Cruiser]

Don't you just hate that when the ship that you prefer is on a different iteniary? :rolleyes: