First time travelling on Princess Emerald

Hi there

We are planning to book a stateroom on the Emerald Princess soon (New Caledonia and Vanuatu from Sydney) and would like some advise which side of the ship we should book? Thanking you in advance.

Although I have never been down under (it definitely is on my list of places to visit and rising to the top), it has been my experience that it seldom matters which side of the ship I had a stateroom. When the ship comes into port either side could have the pier depending on what the captain and port authority decide. I have somewhat standardized on the port side because then I always knew which way to turn after leaving the elevator/lifts and besides it is a four letter word! :rolleyes: I imagine others have a different opinion.

On my last cruise which ended in New York City I wanted to be able to see the Statue of Liberty as we entered the harbor which dictated a cabin on the port side. I managed to get my lazy bones out of bed in the wee hours to view the spectacle from my balcony in night clothes and take pictures in the darkness. It was well worth the inconvenience.

I have no useful info for you regarding your cruise but... For some reason I seem to prefer cabins on the Port side of the ship. I have no idea why. :rolleyes:

I prefer cabins midship and one of the higher decks.

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I'd suggest paying more attention to the level in the ship especially if getting a balcony. Most of the balcony levels have upstairs looking out on them so there is very little privacy, except the top level balcony rooms which looks out on the others.

Also proximity to dining, fitness, spa and pools if those matter to you, or being further away if you want to get more steps in.

I'd suggest staying away from rooms near the doors to the pool (especially kids' pools) and deck dining areas as those are HEAVILY traveled all day and night hours and you will always hear people 'quietly' talking and 'tiptoeing' down the hallway.

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We always book cabin midship near elevator, regardless if starboard or portside. We find the mid elevator more convenient in going to the facilities from deck to deck, aft to fwd.

It won't really matter. We have just come back from Noumea. The ship will dock at the container wharf. We were on the starboard side and the only good thing is we would see the locals dancing on the wharf. The ship we were on (Carnival) provided free shuttle busses to the terminal building. They run a market there where they take most major currencies.

Vanuatu you have to walk off the ship to see the entertainment and go to the markets. There will be shuttles (mini vans) where you all pile in just outside the gates for a couple of bucks a person. Haven't been there for a couple of years but last time we were there I think it was $2 a person.

More important is the position of the room you want. We normally look at the plans and pick something that has a decent sized covered balcony if possible. Nothing worse than an open balcony that is in the sun all day.

mummsie

I have no useful info for you regarding your cruise but... For some reason I seem to prefer cabins on the Port side of the ship. I have no idea why. :rolleyes:

Ditto :rolleyes:

Tony

Please consider what is above and below your cabin as deck chairs being placed out early in the morning or a kitchen above can be loud if you are a light sleeper.

Nightclubs can be noisy if you go to bed early.

I have not found any difference as to what side of the ship we have a room on. I'm just careful about what deck we are on.

Please consider what is above and below your cabin as deck chairs being placed out early in the morning or a kitchen above can be loud if you are a light sleeper.

Nightclubs can be noisy if you go to bed early.

I have not found any difference as to what side of the ship we have a room on. I'm just careful about what deck we are on.

One passenger on the Emerald asked to move cabins because they were directly above the Crown Grill. He said that every morning from about 3am there were loud 'clanging' noise as cleaning was underway prior to breakfast. As Sewgood said, consider what is above and below the cabin when making your selection.

We were on the Emerald recently and were advised to go for deck 10 the Caribe deck as it has far larger balconies than the other decks. You get a bit undercover which gives privacy and also means you can sit out if it is warm but drizzly, plus part out side which does not have privacy. Altogether it makes a really nice big balcony. The other balconies only have the outside bit so far as we could see and were informed. (I am not talking about suites - just straight balcony cabins.) We were just forward of mid ship and it was very quiet both in the corridor and above as it is just cabins above. If your cruise hugs the coast you need to look at which way you are cruising. For our trip around New Zealand, Port gave us wonderful views as we cruised, arrived and departed and most mornings we pulled back the curtains to stunning views. We also got the sun most afternoons when we returned from trips.

Enjoy your cruise.

Hello,

I am new to Princess, but part of our package was that tipping was included. What does that mean specifically? Do we still tip for the bar and casino? I took it to mean that the wait staff, house keeping would be tipped by Princess on our behalf. I just want to do what is right as I know the cruise ship staff relies on most of their pay coming from tips. I also know how blessed I am being an American with a good job. I also know that many of the staff you encounter on the cruise leave their families for long periods just to make a living. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

Cruise Nurse 1

sailing aboard the Emerald June 24,2017 to Alaska:)

Hi there

We are planning to book a stateroom on the Emerald Princess soon (New Caledonia and Vanuatu from Sydney) and would like some advise which side of the ship we should book? Thanking you in advance.

Agree with all above, just to add, a portside balcony, you will have a view of the opera house while it is docked for the day in Sydney when you board. Best to go to an aft outdoor area for a good Harbour bridge view, unless your balcony cabin is aft.

When returning to Sydney harbour, a balcony on Portside will have the Opera house views as you cruise in in the morning. Best views for the morning sail in are at the front of the ship.

As you are going to the South Pacific Islands there are no coastal views along the way, so either side is all sea!!

Starboard balcony will have a wharf view in Port Vila, portside a view of Irriki Island and Mele bay:)

Other than that, I would also recommend a balcony on Caribe, as stated above, larger half covered balcony, plenty to choose from.

Hello,

I am new to Princess, but part of our package was that tipping was included. What does that mean specifically? Do we still tip for the bar and casino? I took it to mean that the wait staff, house keeping would be tipped by Princess on our behalf. I just want to do what is right as I know the cruise ship staff relies on most of their pay coming from tips. I also know how blessed I am being an American with a good job. I also know that many of the staff you encounter on the cruise leave their families for long periods just to make a living. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

Cruise Nurse 1

sailing aboard the Emerald June 24,2017 to Alaska:)

The daily gratuities depending on the cabin type will not be charged to your account, being part of your package.

At the end of the cruise, you can give additional cash tips to dining staff, bar staff, cabin steward, or any crew that you feel have given you exceptional service. It is not required but will be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

I am new to Princess, but part of our package was that tipping was included. What does that mean specifically? Do we still tip for the bar and casino? I took it to mean that the wait staff, house keeping would be tipped by Princess on our behalf. I just want to do what is right as I know the cruise ship staff relies on most of their pay coming from tips. I also know how blessed I am being an American with a good job. I also know that many of the staff you encounter on the cruise leave their families for long periods just to make a living. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

Yes, the included gratuities are for food personnel (dining room, buffet, room srervice, specialty restaurants, etc.) and your cabin steward.

Any purchased beverage will have a 15% tip automatically added. So will any service you have in the Spa.

If you win nicely at a table in the casino, a tip would be appreciated. No need to tip if you lose.

Hi it's me again cruisenurse1 was wondering two things about the emerald can we have breakfast up on one the decks outside? do they have a gym with yoga classes? Love yoga and don't want to miss my weekly class. Thank you in advance

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Hi it's me again cruisenurse1 was wondering two things about the emerald can we have breakfast up on one the decks outside? do they have a gym with yoga classes? Love yoga and don't want to miss my weekly class. Thank you in advance

There is an outside seating area aft outside the Horizon Court buffet/Cafe Caribe on deck 15.

Great views!

Hi it's me again cruisenurse1 was wondering two things about the emerald can we have breakfast up on one the decks outside? do they have a gym with yoga classes? Love yoga and don't want to miss my weekly class. Thank you in advance

 

 

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Yes, I never eat in a dining room. I preferred to eat outside on the Sun Deck or the Lido Deck.

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