Emerald Princess questions

[wernew2cruising]

It has been too long since our last cruise and we just booked March 22 on Emerald. We are so excited but I know a lot of things have changed in 5 years...and it has been 8 since our last Princess cruise. :(

 

For the specialty dining restaurants - can you make your reservations before you sail or do you have to wait until you are onboard?

 

Also, does anyone know what nights the formal nights are for Emerald Princess? Do they still do lobster? I always loved Princess for the Baked Alaska (don't judge) - do they still have this? lol

 

Midnight buffets? Are they still around?

 

Oh geeez, I just realized all my questions are food based. Ok, this is one of the main reasons I miss cruising.

[Colo Cruiser]

It has been too long since our last cruise and we just booked March 22 on Emerald. We are so excited but I know a lot of things have changed in 5 years...and it has been 8 since our last Princess cruise. :(

 

For the specialty dining restaurants - can you make your reservations before you sail or do you have to wait until you are onboard?

 

Also, does anyone know what nights the formal nights are for Emerald Princess? Do they still do lobster? I always loved Princess for the Baked Alaska (don't judge) - do they still have this? lol

 

Midnight buffets? Are they still around?

 

Oh geeez, I just realized all my questions are food based. Ok, this is one of the main reasons I miss cruising.

 

 

Just off the Emerald 3 weeks ago,

 

Cannot make a specialty res ahead of time, must do it onboard.

 

If your iteniary is this one...

 

Houston

 

Sea-formal

 

Sea

 

Roatan

 

Belize

 

Cozumel-formal-lobster

 

Sea-Baked Alaska

 

Houston

 

No midnight buffet/those days are gone. :(

[wernew2cruising]

Thank you so much!

[LeeW]

Watch for the dessert souffles. First night usually has a passion fruit souffle that is great.

 

As Colo Cruiser said there are no midnight buffets, but regular buffet, grill, pizza and ice cream shops are sometimes open as late as 11. The International Cafe is on the lowest floor of the atrium and is open 24 hours for small sandwiches, soup, cookies, pastries, ... Note this may be the only place on the ship you can get donuts in the morning. Room service is 24 hour. The Movies Under the Stars has popcorn and usually milk/cookies.

[wernew2cruising]

Are the specialty restaurants worth trying? I know food tastes are very subjective.

 

Is there a charge for the International Café?

 

Movies under the Stars? Do they show a current movie and is this offered every night?

[JF - retired RRT]

Are the specialty restaurants worth trying? I know food tastes are very subjective. The food is very good, but waaaay more than one person should eat. If you finish your meal, you will probably have ingested about 5000 calories!!:eek::eek:

 

Is there a charge for the International Café? NO. The food is free. Gelato (when available) is also at the IC. It costs $1.50 (?) for 3 scoops. Coffee/tea/ hot chocolate at the coffee bar that is next to the IC is a charge item. If you are a fancy coffee drinker get a coffee card - $30

 

Movies under the Stars? Do they show a current movie and is this offered every night?Not the absolute most recent moves, but newer. Yes, every night and if you miss part or the whole thing and want to see it, usually on the TV a day or two later.

[RocketMan275]

 

Movies under the Stars? Do they show a current movie and is this offered every night?

 

Just read a patter from a Regal cruise in mid Feb. Two movies I saw in the patter were:

 

The Theory of Everything. Movie about Stephen Hawkins and his wife.

The Imitation Game: Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing

 

Wasn't impressed and won't go to see these. On CB last march we saw a couple of good ones.

[sptrout]

Are the specialty restaurants worth trying? I know food tastes are very subjective.

 

Is there a charge for the International Café?

 

We dined at both specialty restaurants a total of 5 times during our just completed (Sunday) Emerald cruise. We ate in the main dining room the first night and the food (main entrees) were terrible - by far the worst I have ever encountered on a cruise. Therefore, on to the specialty restaurants, which were both excellent in both the food and service. Very much the equal to Celebrity's specialty restaurants, but considerably less expensive ($25 vs. $45). With extra tips that we gave, the total for the five nights was $300, exactly what Princess gave us for an OBC for a cruise late sign-up.

 

The International Cafe is also very good. The standard coffee in all the restaurants barely fit to drink, so we both bought coffee cards and usually ordered "cafe americano" (not on the menu, but the waiters all knew what I was talking about). Two shots of espresso and a shot of very hot water to fill up the cup. Very good and can be ordered even upstairs in the buffet, which I did nearly every morning. Well worth the cost of the cards. As mentioned previously, the food there is free and very good (at least the fattening stuff, never tried the sandwiches).

[ncsongbird]

Just read a patter from a Regal cruise in mid Feb. Two movies I saw in the patter were:

 

The Theory of Everything. Movie about Stephen Hawkins and his wife.

The Imitation Game: Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing

 

Wasn't impressed and won't go to see these. On CB last march we saw a couple of good ones.

 

IMHO both these movies are really worth seeing. Eddie Redmayne won oscar for best actor in The Theory of Everything.

[cruz chic]

We dined at both specialty restaurants a total of 5 times during our just completed (Sunday) Emerald cruise. We ate in the main dining room the first night and the food (main entrees) were terrible - by far the worst I have ever encountered on a cruise. Therefore, on to the specialty restaurants, which were both excellent in both the food and service. Very much the equal to Celebrity's specialty restaurants, but considerably less expensive ($25 vs. $45). With extra tips that we gave, the total for the five nights was $300, exactly what Princess gave us for an OBC for a cruise late sign-up.

 

The International Cafe is also very good. The standard coffee in all the restaurants barely fit to drink, so we both bought coffee cards and usually ordered "cafe americano" (not on the menu, but the waiters all knew what I was talking about). Two shots of espresso and a shot of very hot water to fill up the cup. Very good and can be ordered even upstairs in the buffet, which I did nearly every morning. Well worth the cost of the cards. As mentioned previously, the food there is free and very good (at least the fattening stuff, never tried the sandwiches).

Just goes to show you how tastes differ. I was on the same cruise and never had a bad meal in the MDR. The desserts are not good. Is it gourmet? No, but it was fine.

[OCruisers]

Hi Cindy(the OP) ! We've always enjoyed cruising on Emerald Princess and look forward to being on her again for 19 days in 2016.

 

~ For Specialty Restaurants call DINE Line once you board the ship.

~ The MDR does still have lobster one evening for dinner on each sailing.

It's been a long while since we've seen the "Baked Alaska Parade".

~ No longer the Mid Night Buffet you may remember ... BUT IC (International Café) is open 24 hours with wonderful tasty treats!

 

Look forward to having a GREAT time on Emerald! :)

LuLu

[jpisme123]

I'll add a few things. Make your reservation early. I tried to get one on Wednesday for the Crown Grill and was told it was booked for the rest of the cruise.

 

Here's the Baked Alaska parade from 2 weeks ago:

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Cruisencatlady]

Hope to see you at the Cruise Critic sail away gathering in Outriggers Bar on Emerald March 22nd after the safety drill or at the meet and mingle on Monday, 3/23/15 at 10:30am at Adagios Bar.

 

Princess has wonderful thin crust pizza at no upcharge unless you have it delivered to your cabin($3).

 

Also, the Emerald has Vines Wine Bar that offers light bites and sushi at no charge if you order wine.

 

The International Cafe is the fancy coffee bar with specialty teas, smoothies, and gelato too that have a nominal fee each or just get the $30 coffee punch card. The IC really is great for donuts(cronuts in the morning, yum) with soups, sandwiches, salads, and desserts available 24 hours.

 

If you like lobster, Sabatine's Italian restaurant is one of the $25 upcharge dining venues has lobster 3 ways which I really enjoyed last year on my Alaska cruise on the Grand Princess.

 

The Crab Shack - $20 upcharge(shrimp and seafood steamer pots) and Crown Grill - $25 upcharge(steaks, chops, and seafood) are two other specialty restaurants that are worth the extra charge, IMO.

 

If you like ice cream, order the Volcano(a banana split) one night in the MDR for dessert(hint: pick your flavors from those made fresh that day). It's not on the main menu, but your waiter will know what to bring. See how many others at your table order it the next night. :)

[aquilegia]

Just read a patter from a Regal cruise in mid Feb. Two movies I saw in the patter were:

The Theory of Everything. Movie about Stephen Hawkins and his wife.

The Imitation Game: Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing

Wasn't impressed and won't go to see these. On CB last march we saw a couple of good ones.

 

Well, no movies are going to suit everyone's taste, but to imply that the two mentioned aren't 'good' ones is plain silly. They're both highly rated by critics and public alike, and Eddie Redmayne just won Best Actor Oscar for The Theory of Everything.

Edited March 4, 2015 by aquilegia

[sptrout]

Just goes to show you how tastes differ. I was on the same cruise and never had a bad meal in the MDR. The desserts are not good. Is it gourmet? No, but it was fine.

 

Funny, but we enjoyed the desserts that night, and every night of the cruise. Since you apparently went to the MDR every night, you are in a much better position to evaluate the food there (7 nights vs.1). In our case, the first night in the "anytime" dining room was so disappointing that we just did not want to risk ruining the rest of the cruise, especially after we found out how good the specialty restaurants are (we had made earlier reservations for the 2nd night). We felt that it was worth the extra money to 1) have outstanding food & service, and 2) have true anytime dining. For us, $300 well spent.

[sptrout]

I'll add a few things. Make your reservation early. I tried to get one on Wednesday for the Crown Grill and was told it was booked for the rest of the cruise.

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

When we decided to eat at the CG & Sabatini's every night, we got the same response that you did when we called the "Dine line" for reservations the last three nights. We then decided to just go to each restaurant and talk to the Head Waiter, they both recognized us and said "no problem Mr. Trout" come whenever you want. Very nice to be recognized by name after only one previous visit in each restaurant. As I have mentioned, outstanding service!

[reney313]

We were also off the Emerald on Sunday. We ate at Crown Grill our last night of the cruise. It was wonderful and felt superior quality from the MDR.

 

The formal nights are Monday and Friday nights. The second formal night has lobster (and my DH favorite Beef Wellington). The lobster and giant prawns were good. In Crown Grill, we all ordered steaks (filet was the winner dish) and our waiter also brought 8 lobster tails (for 4 of us), which were excellent. For $25 cover, we felt it was well worth the money. We only occasionally go to Specialty restaurants as we enjoy MDR and the buffet. Out of 7 days, we attended the MDR 3 times, Specialty 1 time, Room Service 1 night, and buffet or pizza/hamburgers 2 nights.

[wernew2cruising]

Thanks everyone for the replies. There are definitely some new things since we last cruised.

 

Eating in the specialty restaurants - the surcharge...does that include tip or do you tip on top of the charge? Crown...you can get lobster AND steak for the one charge?

 

The international Café sounds wonderful. Cronuts? What are cronuts? A must try it sounds like.

 

What is the crab shack? I didn't see it listed on the dining list. Did I miss it?

 

Did they offer the star gazing thing while on Emerald? I would love that. I assume the dim the lights on the ship so you can see the stars even better???

[wernew2cruising]

Hope to see you at the Cruise Critic sail away gathering in Outriggers Bar on Emerald March 22nd after the safety drill or at the meet and mingle on Monday, 3/23/15 at 10:30am at Adagios Bar.

 

I just signed us up for the Meet and Greet on Monday. I didn't know about the sail away. This is our first time sailing out of Houston so we will probably go on deck and see what the different sights are vs Galveston.

 

If you like ice cream, order the Volcano(a banana split) one night in the MDR for dessert(hint: pick your flavors from those made fresh that day). It's not on the main menu, but your waiter will know what to bring. See how many others at your table order it the next night. :)

Volcano? That sounds wonderful since I love ice cream. What do you mean "Pick flavors from those made fresh that day"? They make fresh ice cream every day?

[OCruisers]

 

If you like ice cream, order the Volcano(a banana split) one night in the MDR for dessert(hint: pick your flavors from those made fresh that day). It's not on the main menu, but your waiter will know what to bring. See how many others at your table order it the next night. :)

Volcano? That sounds wonderful since I love ice cream. What do you mean "Pick flavors from those made fresh that day"? They make fresh ice cream every day?

 

----------------------------------------

 

The Love Boat Volcano is on the Kid's menu. Just tell your waiter you want the "Banana Split on the Kid's Menu" and get the flavor/flavors of ice cream and toppings you want. My DH orders this very frequently. :)

Yes, they make a fresh "ice cream of the day" every day. Most of their standard ice cream favorites are also made fresh as needed. :)

LuLu

[cruz chic]

We were also off the Emerald on Sunday. We ate at Crown Grill our last night of the cruise. It was wonderful and felt superior quality from the MDR.

 

The formal nights are Monday and Friday nights. The second formal night has lobster (and my DH favorite Beef Wellington). The lobster and giant prawns were good. In Crown Grill, we all ordered steaks (filet was the winner dish) and our waiter also brought 8 lobster tails (for 4 of us), which were excellent. For $25 cover, we felt it was well worth the money. We only occasionally go to Specialty restaurants as we enjoy MDR and the buffet. Out of 7 days, we attended the MDR 3 times, Specialty 1 time, Room Service 1 night, and buffet or pizza/hamburgers 2 nights.

 

I think when you pay the upcharge it should be of superior quality or why go?

[cruz chic]

Funny, but we enjoyed the desserts that night, and every night of the cruise. Since you apparently went to the MDR every night, you are in a much better position to evaluate the food there (7 nights vs.1). In our case, the first night in the "anytime" dining room was so disappointing that we just did not want to risk ruining the rest of the cruise, especially after we found out how good the specialty restaurants are (we had made earlier reservations for the 2nd night). We felt that it was worth the extra money to 1) have outstanding food & service, and 2) have true anytime dining. For us, $300 well spent.

 

I assume you mean the desserts in the specialty restaurants correct? I agree, those are generally quite good. I was speaking of the MDR. There is no comparison. I don't blame you for going to eat where you like. That's what a vacation is for. I've been known to go to specialty restaurants often.

[azbirdmom]

We are were on the Emerald last week too and ate at specialty restaurants three times, primarily because they were all comped (first night for having a suite, 2nd included in the booking promotion, and the third from the casino as they thought it was a nice thing to do for my birthday). If you ask, you can get both steak and lobster from at the Crown Grill. They are small tails and I asked for one but they said they only come in pairs and DH doesn't like lobster so I had both. Left some fillet that night though.

 

Our formal nights were on Monday and Friday. We were in port Tuesday through Thursday on this itinerary and both were sea days.

 

I'm not a dessert person so can't weigh in on that topic but there were no complaints about them from DH.

[caribill]

That sounds wonderful since I love ice cream. What do you mean "Pick flavors from those made fresh that day"? They make fresh ice cream every day?

 

Yes, the ice cream is made on the ship and is fresh.

 

The dinner menu will list a couple of different flavors each evening. You can have the Volcano made using those flavors instead of the standard vanilla, but you have to ask for that.

[tip]

Just read a patter from a Regal cruise in mid Feb. Two movies I saw in the patter were:

 

The Theory of Everything. Movie about Stephen Hawkins and his wife.

The Imitation Game: Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing

 

Wasn't impressed and won't go to see these. On CB last march we saw a couple of good ones.

 

The above films are the only movies that we have seen in a theatre in the past six months. We thought that both of them were terrific and highly recommend them. But then again...different strokes...