Emerald Princess 3/14-3/21 Review

Just home from the Emerald Princess March 14th-21st. Sorry so long and detaitled but we had a great time and couldn't decided what not to talk about.

Post Cruise:

In the past we have always flew in the day of the cruise and also out the day the cruise returned. This time we flew in a day early to Orlando and drove to Ft. Lauderdale then did the opposite on Sunday. My husband says he will never do that again.

Embarkation day: We stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites on Sterling. They offered a free shuttle to ship. We took the 10:30. My in-laws are elite so we were able to sit and board with the preferred guests. This was our fourth princess cruise – can’t wait until I’m platinum! We were delayed boarding until 12:30-I’m assuming illness onboard ship -more cleaning. Well whatever they did cleaning wise -it really worked after Monday we are able to serve ourselves at buffets and bread was on the table in the dining room. Thank you princess-I will take boarding late to being sick! We stayed in E721 mini suite. Loved the big room for our family of four (2 boys 7 and 13). Youngest son slept on pullout and never complained-I think he was too tired and oldest slept on the drop down. Enjoyed sail –a-way party on deck with crew. We chose anytime dining but ate in the Di Vinci 5:45-6:00 each night. First night we were seated in Moses and Stephan’s section-they were fabulous; we reserved the same table for the rest of the cruise.

First night best dish for us was the Crawfish Pot (looked like pot pie, but full of seafood). Youngest ordered it, but all wish they had it! Oldest son had prime rib. Can’t remember everything we ate, but here are some of our favs:

Main Dining Room:

Brownie cookie sundae, cheesecake, chocolate soufflé, apple pie, mussels, fish called turbot?, fettuccini, escargot, shrimp, lobster, French onion soup, rack of lamb, veal, eggplant parmesan, shrimp newberg, clam and linguini pasta, shrimp cocktail, clams, seafood and avocado salad, cold seafood salad (had caviar on it),

Buffet:

Ate breakfast everyday here. Mainly ate French toast (the best), fresh fruit, eggs anyway you like them, different omelet everyday (favorite was the seafood) also had made to order omelets, rolls, bacon, sausage.

Lunch:

We usually ate at the pool on sea days, Pizza or burgers, milkshakes. We also took lunch and afternoon snacks back to our room on port days.

International Café:

My son ate cheesecake from here everyday but the last. We got cookies every afternoon. We also tried the shrimp and Greek salad (good). Kids also got the gelato one night and couldn’t finish it (3 giant scoops) for a 1.50.

Ports:

Missed Princess Cays water was too rough, but a great sea day!

St. Martin: Beautiful day took the water taxi right at the end of the ships pier to Great Bay beach (you can see if from the ship). $6 all day pass, spent $15 for 2 chairs and umbrella. Kids also got a wrist band $5 each to jump on a water trampoline w/slide all day. Water and beach were great had a good time.

St. Thomas: Great day did the Kayak, Hike and Snorkel excursion through the cruise. This was one of the best excursions of all time for us. Jesse with Eco Tours was fabulous. We had 16 people in our tour each in a two person kayak. We kayaked about a ½ mile then hiked about a ¼ mile to the southern tip of St. Thomas, beautiful red rock, a blow hole, and tons of sea creatures to touch and see! We snorkeled with tons of beautiful and strange fish in the clearest water. We even saw a lemon shark, my oldest son could of touched it –it was that close. Our kids thought this was the best! Thanks again to Jesse and his crew!!!

Grand Turk: Kids did the flow rider, well worth the $30 for an hour of body surfing. Even my 7 year old could do it. The guys they have working there are also great and worked to help the kids to have a great experience. It was a rainy cloudy day so we headed back to the ship after the flow rider.

Sea Days:

Mainly spent the morning until early afternoon at pool (movies under the stars). Have never seen so much chair saving. I hate those chair hogs!!!

Kids Clubs:

Youngest was in the 3-7 group. He didn’t spend every moment there but did enjoy quiet a few of the activities. If anyone would like them I can scan them and email or post them later.

Oldest is 13 so he was in the 13-17 year group. He really enjoyed the activities, scavenger hunt, amazing race, free video game night, graffiti t-shirt design. I can also send his activities sheets later.

Overall one of the best cruises we have had with princess. We always put a future cruise deposit down for another cruise. We can’t think of any better way to vacation. It can be anything you wait it to be and yes you do truly “escape completely.” I always feel like a different person we I cruise, because each one of the princess crew make you feel like you are one in a million. Again thanks to Jason our wonderful room steward, Moses and Stephan the best wait staff hands down, and the young lady with long dark hair that was part of the crew director’s staff that loved my little boys dancing!!!

Thanks so much for your review. Looking forward to our turn on the Emerald next month. Did you notice if they have the Seafood buffet on the first night?

I don't believe they had anything major, but I think I remember seeing some shrimp cocktail and then other offerings that were in the main dining room.

Do you remember the themes for dining each night, like, caribbean was x night. It would be helpful with deciding when to book alternative dining.

I'm not much help. We didn't pay attention themes, but here are the basic menus I think the order is fairly close.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1109794&highlight=menu

http://sailing.smugmug.com/Ruby-Princess-Christmas-2009/MenusFood/10801142_eKtHo#753520409_CivkH

Thanks so much for your review. Looking forward to our turn on the Emerald next month. Did you notice if they have the Seafood buffet on the first night?

They had a lot of seafood on Thursday, the second formal night, after sailing from St. Thomas. This was the night they had lobster in the main dining rooms. We didn't bring formal wear this time so I was glad they had some lobster (mostly claw) in the buffet.

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a fabulous time!

Thanks for the review! We sail on Emerald in a few days and your information is very helpful. I'd like to take you up on your offer to post the teen center activities schedule.

What were the MUTS movies?

Thanks in advance! I'm soaking up everything you're willing to share! :D

Thanks for taking the time to post your review.....:):):)

Bob

PEARLS4T

Some of the movies that played were

Up in the air

Precious

The blind side

Cloudy with the chance of meatballs

Star trek

Twilight something or another

they played concerts

Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Tina Turner, Micheal Jackson

This is just to name a few.

If you want a seat to watch MUTS get there EARLY!!

SEA DAYS ARE BUSY!

Thanks for the review, I can't wait until it's my turn!

Did you notice if they had a seafood buffet in the Horizon Court on the Sunday night? Notice you had milkshakes, did you have the ultimate card? How were the milkshakes?

I booked a room at the same hotel, can you tell me if there is shopping around there such as a liquor store, walgreens type store for hair products and eating establishments w/in walking distance? What about a beach near by? walking distance? We will be there for 2 days before the cruise and 1 day after so really want to enjoy the time there as well as the cruise!!

Thanks for all the wonderful information and time spent so that we could enjoy experience!!

Stephanie

thanks for the great review. We are also staying @ Comfort Inn on Stirling Rd pre-cruise. We were a little worried about staying there after reading some reviews but are hoping for the best. I don't think we will use the shuttle to the port - we need to stop @ Total Wine and/or Publixs since we don't get in until almost midnight and they don't open until Noon. ;)

I was originally going to go to the port drop off luggage, check in, drop off carry ones in cabin, then take a taxi back to the store-problem with that is once we get on I won't wait to get off- :D, vaca begins in 38 days!!!

There is a burger king near. We didn't eat there but my in-laws and their friends did. We acutally went Catfish Deweys for dinner (the best seafood in Ft. Lauderdale). We didn't check into the hotel until 8:00 pm. The rooms are very small and all outside access. We didn't have any problems, but would stay somewhere else next time. The breakfast was okay and since we were getting on the ship soon we didn't worry about filling up.

Did you notice if they had a seafood buffet in the Horizon Court on the Sunday night? Notice you had milkshakes, did you have the ultimate card? How were the milkshakes?

Did not see a seafood buffet on Sunday. They had plenty of seafood at dinner. I had seafood at least twice a day and always at dinner. One of my boys got the Ulimate card-he had at least two mocktails and a milkshake each day. The younger just had the soda card he is not into the mocktails and such.

I was originally going to go to the port drop off luggage, check in, drop off carry ones in cabin, then take a taxi back to the store-problem with that is once we get on I won't wait to get off- :D, vaca begins in 38 days!!!

We did that a few weeks ago and it was a piece of cake. Taxi fare to Total Wine & Publix was about $6.40 (we gave the driver $10) each way and we had no trouble finding a taxi when we were ready to return to the ship.

Mike:)

Kids Clubs:

Youngest was in the 3-7 group. He didn’t spend every moment there but did enjoy quiet a few of the activities. If anyone would like them I can scan them and email or post them later.

Great review.

I'd love to see the activities. I have a six year old and I am going on this boat May 2.

Just add my screen name with "at" rogers "dot" com

Much appreciated

Thanks for the review! We sail on Emerald in a few days and your information is very helpful. I'd like to take you up on your offer to post the teen center activities schedule.

 

What were the MUTS movies?

 

Thanks in advance! I'm soaking up everything you're willing to share! :D

Haven't had time to scan so I will just give you a run down of what they offered for the 13-17 year olds:

Embarkation: 10:00 Icebreakers 11:00 Battle of the Sexes boys vs girls

Princess Cays: Volleyball Tournament 1:00pm

Deal or No Deal 7pm

Free Arcade 9-11

Dating Game 10:00

Teen Disco Club Fusion 11:45

Sea Day:

9:00 Paper Flowers

11:00 Junk Scavenger Hunt

2:00 t shirt Grafiti

3:00 Dodge Ball

4:00 DJ Workshop

7L00 WII Rock Band

9:00 Kareoke

St. Maarten

7:00 pm Game Show Time

8:00 DJ Hero or Guitar Hero

10:00 Hot Tub Party in Sanctuary

St.Thomas

7:00 Hemp braclets

8:00 Shout about Movies a game

9:00 Teen Disco in Skywalkers

11:00 Guitar Hero on the MUTS

Grand Turk

9:00 TV Scene IT

10:30 Dodge Ball

11:00 Make a lanyard

7:00 Chili with DJ Aaron

Formal Dinner and Movie

Sea Day

9:00 Scrapbooking

10:30 Apples to Apples

11:00 Dodge Ball

2:30 Amazing Race

4:00 Hip Hop Class

7:00 Junk Dinner at Trident Grill

8:00 Casino Games

11:00 Farewell Party

Tashaw1234, thanks for your review. We enjoyed our cruise on the Emerald last Oct.--We were in E723 and also had Jayson as our steward--he was great.

Glad you and your family had an enjoyable vacation!:D

Thanks for the review Tashaw1234!

Now I am even more eagerly awaiting our May 30th cruise aboard the Emerald : )

So happy to hear you had a great cruise!!

I am also getting hungry reading about all the food!

Christy

Haven't had time to scan so I will just give you a run down of what they offered for the 13-17 year olds:

Embarkation: 10:00 Icebreakers 11:00 Battle of the Sexes boys vs girls

 

Princess Cays: Volleyball Tournament 1:00pm

Deal or No Deal 7pm

Free Arcade 9-11

Dating Game 10:00

Teen Disco Club Fusion 11:45

 

Sea Day:

9:00 Paper Flowers

11:00 Junk Scavenger Hunt

2:00 t shirt Grafiti

3:00 Dodge Ball

4:00 DJ Workshop

7L00 WII Rock Band

9:00 Kareoke

 

St. Maarten

7:00 pm Game Show Time

8:00 DJ Hero or Guitar Hero

10:00 Hot Tub Party in Sanctuary

 

St.Thomas

7:00 Hemp braclets

8:00 Shout about Movies a game

9:00 Teen Disco in Skywalkers

11:00 Guitar Hero on the MUTS

 

Grand Turk

9:00 TV Scene IT

10:30 Dodge Ball

11:00 Make a lanyard

7:00 Chili with DJ Aaron

Formal Dinner and Movie

 

Sea Day

9:00 Scrapbooking

10:30 Apples to Apples

11:00 Dodge Ball

2:30 Amazing Race

4:00 Hip Hop Class

7:00 Junk Dinner at Trident Grill

8:00 Casino Games

11:00 Farewell Party

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this! I'm not sure who's more excited...the kids or the adults! :D

Thanks for the great review!! Can't wait to sail on this ship!!

Kelly

>Kids Clubs:

>Youngest was in the 3-7 group. He didn’t spend every >moment there but did enjoy quiet a few of the activities. >If anyone would like them I can scan them and email or >post them later.

If you have a chance to post (or email) any info on what there is for kids 7, 9, and 12 I would appreciate it! My kids are very excited!

Scott

sclind6777 at sbcglobal dot net

We go in 1 day early and shop at grocery, drug and gift stores 1 block away from Hyatt Place. there is a strip mall of great shopping with anything you would need near-by. On 17th Street you will find several restaurants and Einstein's Bagels. You can get a water taxi and go to Ft L beach. Tons of beach front stores, bars and restaurants there. A bus for $1 that takes you all over Ft L main drag too.

Myrna