Emerald Princess - February 28 - March 10

[muffydawg]

We were a party of four in two separate cabins (D110 and A201). This was the fifth Princess cruise for DH and I; we're DINKS ages 50 and 54.

 

Day before embarkation: We left Houston on the 7am flight to FLL and arrived right on time. We LOVE Continental Airlines! Baggage arrived quickly and we took a cab to the Courtyard By Marriott in Dania Beach; I95 near the Sheraton and Hilton. The rooms were very clean, PLENTY of seats for breakfast and a free shuttle that operated ON TIME that we took to the cruise port on the 28th. Yes, the CBM is right near the TriRail and we did hear the train at night but we were so tired from travelling that it didn't bother us.

 

Embarkation Day: Had breakfast in the CBM and boarded the 10am shuttle we had signed up for. We ZOOMED through the security entrance, dropped off some HAL passengers and then were dropped off at the beautiful Emerald. We were among the 1st 20 people inside the terminal and were quickly checked through the screening devices, went up the escalator and settled into the waiting room. Maybe 20-25 minutes later we were all allowed to check in and go back to the waiting room. Boarding was prompt at about 11:30 - 11:45. We found our cabin, dropped the carryons and headed to HC for lunch. After lunch we joined the Maitre D line (2pm) to ensure our table (Botticelli 120 - 2nd seating) was indeed a table for four...it was, so we felt goofy for waiting 1.5 hours on this line but it was not for naught. We met 3 really nice couples from Maryland, determined we shared political affiliations and started chatting away. At sailway time we were the 3rd I think ship to leave FLL.

 

Itinerary: Princess Cays, St Thomas, St Kitts, Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua. St Kitts BY FAR had the best replica handbag and replica watch shopping of all the islands. Being from Houston (and with the Sir Allen scandal still on peoples' minds) we noticed that for a Saturday there sure were a lot of folks in the lobby of the Bank of Antigua (that's not Sir Allen's bank, though). We took Ronnie Carrington's Island Photography Tour in Barbados even after taking the same tour 4 years ago on the Dawn. We like Ronnie and his tour is a great trip around the island. At the other ports we just walked off the ship and walked around town to stretch our legs and shop.

 

I'll add to this thread a little later...I saved all the Princess Patters and hope to scan and post them in a few days

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the comments. :)

[sunsurf]

muffydawg...we were on the same sailing. Did we get lucky with sea and weather conditions or what?? I couldn't have asked for anything better. It was a perfect 10 day getaway!!!

[muffydawg]

Sunsurf: we sure did have great weather!

 

The Emerald: We sailed the Crown in 2007 so the layout of the Emerald was very familiar to us. Princess Theatre in the bow, Wheelhouse Bar right outside the PT, and the Library right near the WB. Crooners on the same deck, along with the Explorer Lounge, Crown Grill and Photo Shop as you head aft towards Club Fusion. We used the Library quite often and noticed the VERY politically partisan nature of the VERY FEW non fiction books and asked the attendant how the library selection was determined. Seems Santa Clarita sends shipments periodically and the ship discards the worn books , replacing them with the "new".

 

We're not big on the shows but the PT did have "Quantum of Solace" and "Changeling" in the afternoon. I can look through my Patters if anyone has questions about what was shown on MUTS. I did have two good nights in the casino, getting a free SPIN on Wheel of Fortune and screeching at the top of my lungs when both times the SPIN landed on $1000...which promptly went towards the shipboard account and then my handbag to pay for getting the car and the dog out of hock (parking garage and kennel) once we returned home.

 

Wheelhouse Bar waiter Gregg was simply outstanding and we made sure to let his boss know that at the Captain's Circle party. Gregg remembered our names and drinks after our first visit and promptly brought our cocktails each night when we entered the WB (yes the WB had the Pub lunch). Cocktails (my Cosmo) are still a very inexpensive 6.75 USD considering they can be as high as $10 -$15 back home. Cabin attendant Gilberto was attentive also and let us keep our bags in the cabin on disembarkation day until after breakfast (after 9am).

 

More later on the FOOD....

[muffydawg]

The Food: The Wheelhouse Bar had the Pub Lunch, we availed oursleves of the free icecream sundaes at the HC at 3:30, we took tea, and ate most breakfasts in the HC. The Crown Grill had some lobster dishes that didn't require the extra $9 charge.

 

For dinner we noticed the daily HomeStyle Entrees: Texas Chili, Steak Fajitas, Beef Stroganoff, Meatloaf, Vegetable Pot Pie and provided our opinions to Daniele, the Maitre D'. He appreciated the feedback; stating the Executive Chef and the F&B heads were asking the wait staff what the guests had to say. Escargot was NOT ever on the menu in Botticelli, although our waiter told us on Sunday night it was available off the menu. Beef Wellington was still available on the 2nd formal night, as was a lobster / tiger prawn entree...and the Baked Alaska was as delicious as ever.

 

Disembarkation: FLL sure has their act together. Our meeting time was 9:40 in Michelangelo and a full 25 minutes before the meeting time we were called to disembark. We were thru the "OINK" of the S&S card, gathered luggage, through ICE, grabbed a cab and were at the security line in FLL all within 1 hour.

 

All in all a great time on the Emerald and another terrific Princess cruise.

[John & Kelly]

Great review! We were on the same sailing and had a fantastic time. We have taken the Crown and the Emerald last year so the ship was old hat to us.

 

We did the Chef's Table for the second time which was amazing.

 

I am looking at the Ruby for next year!!!!

[cowtec]

Muffydawg, we will be in D110 on the Emerald June 25th sailing in the Baltics. DH is concerned about the room because it is so far forward - I am just thrilled to have a mini. What did you think of the room? Any bow motion? Noise? Can I reassure him? Thanks!!

[kaclmay]

I'm anxious to hear Muffydawgs response too about that cabin! We are a party of four - in Mini Suite cabins D109 & D110, sailing spring of next year. Was wondering about them being so far forward AND next to the Family Suites (which I guess as far as kid noise, it's a chance we take). Love your review Muffydawg... oh & have you posted those Princess Pappers - I'd LOVE to see them and didn't want to miss them! Thanks so much!

[kaclmay]

Hee hee, I said Pappers --- I meant Patters... or whatever it was you called them!! LOL!

 

I'm used to Carnival cruises & their 'Capers' -- I know I will be calling them 'Princess Capers' more than once!!

[Caribbean Sunsets]

Great review. Thanks for sharing your experiences.:)

[greentree]

Muffydawg, how did you like cabin A201? Being at the front and did you feel more motion?

We have booked that cabin on the Crown....now I'm getting a little concerned! Thank you for anything you can tell me.