A First-Time Princess Cruiser's Review of the Emerald Princess

[Debbierpof]

Princess Cay – Right after we booked the cruise, I immediately booked a bungalow (cost: $199). We had a similar bungalow in Half Moon Cay (Carnival) and loved it. So we had breakfast at Michelangelo and headed for the tender. We had six priority tender tickets. In ten minutes, we were on the tender heading for our day at the beach.

 

 

 

There was an electric golf cart (seats 8 comfortably) that actually shuttled us to our bungalow – “Mango”.

 

 

 

 

The bungalow had a/c, a couple of windows, shelves, and a table with 4 chairs on the inside; shower, two lounge chairs, and towels on the outside porch. We had a server that did come by often to check on us. Comparison: the bungalow on the Carnival private island also included soft drinks (cans), water and a bowl of fruit for the same price. That would have been great. This wasn’t a surprise (thanks to the CC boards) so I brought along a Rubbermaid pitcher and Crystal Light (peach ice tea and lemonade). Our server brought us extra ice. We bought a couple of beers and frozen drinks, but for the most part just wanted to stay hydrated with our non-alcoholic beverages. I know that some may frown on this, but I’m glad we did it.

 

The beach is extremely rocky. Water shoes might be a good idea. We brought our own snorkeling gear and headed out to check out the marine life. It had been a bit windy and we were told that if the winds had been even one knot higher, that the ship would not have stopped at Princess Cay. I say this because the water was not extremely clear -- which makes sense. We did see plenty of sgt. majors and itty bitty fish. Not much else. But it was still nice going out there and enjoying the surf. Note: Take caution on days with strong winds (which produce strong waves). One of the cruisers in the bungalow next to ours was actually taken to the medic. I heard that he injured his shoulder while snorkeling too close to the rocks and was thrown to the rocks by the waves. So be careful!

 

Lunch was pretty darn good. We didn’t wait in line very long. The ribs were very good and meaty. The fruit choices and cookies were excellent.

 

Once we were done for the day, they came by in the electric cart and picked us up.

 

We actually went outside of the property and walked the little market and had some fresh conch salad. It was very good. No biggie getting back on the tender.

 

 

I will post more pictures later...

 

 

 

When we returned to our stateroom we had a letter waiting… we had been selected to attend the Chef’s Table! Woohoo!!!!

[Woobstr112G]

Great review. Sounds like your first day was great.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Bunnynme]

Love the review with pictures, keep them coming!

[Toddy709]

hmmmmm

 

 

I hate to be ugly, but get a life!!!! Jeans are allowed as long as they are not ragged and holey. I personally don't wear them in the MDR, but to pick that out of this wonderful review is pitiful!:rolleyes:

[Toddy709]

Debbierpof,

 

I am so enjoying this review with great pics. I don't have anything currently booked and I think that's going to change very soon thanks to your great review!

[Debbierpof]

Great review. Sounds like your first day was great.....

 

Bob

 

Yes it was! Just wish I was there right now...

 

Here are more pictures of Princess Cay:

View from outside the Princess property:

The flags were busy waving!

There were lots of sgt majors in this area:

Yummy conch salad!

[Clutterlady]

hmmmmm

 

Jeans are allowed....sorry:)

[luvtwotrvl]

Thank you for the review and pictures. I will be on the Emerald Princess August 8 and can not wait.

 

David

[Debbierpof]

Thanks Deb! :)

 

Keith - thanks! And thanks for all your tips before the trip! :D

[Debbierpof]

Mmmmmm! My favorite desert-The Loveboat Dream! chocolate, chocolate chocolate! Again, pictures are great!

 

Can you believe I actually never tried the Loveboat! :eek: My SIL loved it! There were just sooooo many choices!

[Debbierpof]

hmmmmm

 

Oh, no! We have been busted! To the plank, matey!

[Debbierpof]

I believe it is the final night as it the Tom Turkey day and often they allow jeans as people are packing or packed and have limited clothes available; however I have seen jeans in the dining room on various nights as well. It really depends on the Matre D'

 

The men in our group wore jeans the first evening and the last evening. Khaki or dress pants the other evenings.

[jillocb]

Can you believe I actually never tried the Loveboat! :eek: My SIL loved it! There were just sooooo many choices!

 

I think my soon-to-be husband will be in luuurrrvvveeee with this dessert!! His favorite - choc choc choc!! :)

 

LOVE your review so far! Very well done, good pictures, can't wait to hear the rest of it! We're headed out on this ship on October 19th!! Wooo!

[genevieve7000]

Great review, great pictures, too! I didn't realize we could leave the Princess area of Princess Cays; that conch salad looks amazing!

[Whimsy]

Can you tell me if all 8 of you were able to use the bungelow? Also, did they allow the extra 2 to tender over with you?

[Debbierpof]

Tuesday was our first day at-sea. We had breakfast at Michelangelo’s -- which was always lovely. My in-laws mainly went to Horizon Court for breakfast. I really like the idea of being waited on when I’m on vacation… it’s not something that I get often. Also, I find that ordering from the menu is a great way of controlling food input! I know, I know… no diet talk while on board. Which reminds me of the gym, which I’ll talk about later.

So we ate and went exploring around the ship. So much to explore! There are many more shops on the Emerald than on the Carnival Valor or Liberty, Costa Concordia or RCCL Splendour or Enchantment. We watched the martini demonstration at the Piazza. Pretty darn cool!

 

 

No lunch today – just a snack at the International Café. LOVE THIS PLACE! And it’s not just the coffees that are wonderful. The sandwiches (tuna, mozzarella & tomato), their chicken cashew salad, Greek salad… and then the sweets. The tiramisu was the best! But the panna cotta and everything else really rocked!

 

Our Roll Call Meet & Greet was set for 2 pm at the Skywalker Lounge. I had been in communication with a Princess rep since about May. I e-mailed her our request and received a confirmation. Once on board I sent out invitations that I prepared for the ship’s officers. Nothing fancy, these were just Hallmark cards (pack of 8 or 10) that I just filled in the info and wrote a short note. In the first day’s patter you will find the names of the ship’s officers and their title. I dropped off the invitations at the Purser’s Desk. I received a letter from the Customer Relations Manager (Maria do Carmo Freitas) welcoming us onboard and confirming our arrangements. Very impressive! I actually received a second letter from Maria on the last sea day thanking me and our CC group for choosing Princess. Again, top notch!

 

At 2 pm we headed up to Skywalkers Lounge. We had a great group – about 20 folks. One of the Captain’s deputies (I think that was his title) was there, as was Tim Donovan (CD) and Colette (Tim’s deputy). We chatted, did our gift exchange and then some of us ran out to the Tropical Rum Tasting (so much to do, so little time). Didn’t even get a picture of our group! I can’t believe it! But here is a picture of adrenaline_junkie and his group at the rum tasting:

[rdsqrl]

Loving your review -- lots of good details and you've taken really nice photos. And especially loving the food photos . . . I'm drooling . . .

[janina]

Great review Deb...love the pictures.:)

[Debbierpof]

Can you tell me if all 8 of you were able to use the bungelow? Also, did they allow the extra 2 to tender over with you?

 

No, we only did six in the bungalow. Six tender tickets -- basically you just get to cut others in line. Things moved really quickly, though.

[Debbierpof]

Loving your review -- lots of good details and you've taken really nice photos. And especially loving the food photos . . . I'm drooling . . .

 

Thanks! I'm also drooling and wondering why I didn't eat more gelato!

[Debbierpof]

I think my soon-to-be husband will be in luuurrrvvveeee with this dessert!! His favorite - choc choc choc!! :)

 

LOVE your review so far! Very well done, good pictures, can't wait to hear the rest of it! We're headed out on this ship on October 19th!! Wooo!

 

He'll love the various chocolate desserts they have to offer!!! Oh, and there's a croissant with chocolate he will also enjoy for breakfast! :) Have a great time!!!!

[Debbierpof]

We had E731 the week after you got off! I also had the magnetic note board on the door-funny!

Eduardo did his job but we felt NO personal relationship with him. He missed a few things for us. I felt he had too many rooms/duties. We had a nice cruise. Looking forward to hearing about yours.

 

We took care of it for you! I had fun decorating the door. I agree with you about Eduardo. He seemed very shy, too. I can't imagine doing that work. :eek:

[Debbierpof]

The gym… What a great view!!! I had read on CC that the jogging track was very short. I have to admit that I didn’t even go check it out. But I did use the treadmill. They are timed for 20-minute intervals. This is a picture I took on sail away day (fairly overcast):

 

 

I also spent a little time reading at the adult pool by the Lotus Spa. Very relaxing. I did not go into the Sanctuary, but it looked peaceful and very pretty.

 

Did I mention that we were celebrating my birthday? It was 10 days before our sail date, but I had included in my DH’s personalizer that we would celebrate my birthday on the first day at-sea. They placed three birthday balloons outside our stateroom and delivered a birthday card that we were to present to our wait staff. So tonight was the night! The staff came out to sing and brought me this yummy dessert topped with a beautiful sugar rose (which I kept). Yummy!

 

After dinner we decided to hit the casino for a little bit before going to MUTS. Tonight’s movie: Date Night. We got our lounge chairs, blankets and brought our wine bottle and glasses. They came around with cookies and popcorn. Yummy! Very relaxing. It reminded me of drive-in movies… except this was a lot more comfortable! This is obviously a day-shot, but here’s the big screen!

We needed to make sure we didn't get to bed too late -- a lot happening tomorrow -- Jamaica and Chef's Table!!!

[Colo Cruiser]

At 2 pm we headed up to Skywalkers Lounge. We had a great group – about 20 folks. One of the Captain’s deputies (I think that was his title) was there, as was Tim Donovan (CD) and Colette (Tim’s deputy). We chatted, did our gift exchange and then some of us ran out to the Tropical Rum Tasting (so much to do, so little time). Didn’t even get a picture of our group! I can’t believe it! But here is a picture of adrenaline_junkie and his group at the rum tasting:

 

 

It was Staff Captain Gavin Pears. ;)

 

Captain Pomata had an issue with a crewmember to take care of.

[Debbierpof]

Oh, I forgot... it was the first formal night. Here's our family group shot. Once we took this picture we all went and changed into something more comfy and went to MUTS. :)