Emerald Princess Review w/photos March 3-17, 2023

[Trish Traveler]

Prior to sail away from Port of Spain, we were thrilled to hear and then see a steel drum band performing on the dock which was right adjacent so it could be loudly heard and enjoyed.  We got some Old Fashioned Cocktails (made with Angostura Bitters) to enjoy this special concert from the Promenade Deck. 

 

We enjoyed sailaway, with a frigate bird escort 😊, from an upper deck while enjoying the sunset and even a view of Top Gun being shown on MUTS!  We went casual tonight with a buffet dinner.  Tried some British Music Trivia which was so hard with obscure bands to us Americans.  Some Brits definitely won.  This was in anticipation for the showtime in Princess Theatre with the Beatlemaniacs, a Beatles Tribute Band that were really great.  It had been a very busy six days of port calls in a row and we were very happy to know we had a sea day tomorrow.

[Happiest when cruising]

2 hours ago, Trish Traveler said:

Review of Emerald Princess March 3-17, 2023 continued

Trinidad & Tobago     March 11     8am-6pm

 

Well, we have never been here and know that not many cruise ships stop often presumably due to crime rates.  We were surprised to see it on this itinerary and after researching learned that it is on the US State Department’s Travel Advisory List as Level 3 (of 4) “Reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime. Exercise increased caution in Trinidad and Tobago due to terrorism and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.”  It was difficult to find much info researching on CC and TA. I was surprised there were no safety warnings from Princess. 

 

Originally, we thought about just staying on the ship.  But we also were curious to see a little of Trinidad and decided to book a Princess Tour for the safety aspect.  We chose the Highlights & Angostura Distillery 4 hour tour.  The morning tour was sold out but we reserved the afternoon 1-5pm tour when they added that one.  More on that later.

 

When we awoke, we were already docked in Port of Spain, but since our tour wasn’t until afternoon we decided to have a leisurely breakfast in the Da Vinci MDR.  I checked to see if I could order my favorite, Eggs Benedict as it isn’t on the menu, and they said yes.  It’s so nice to be served breakfast after too many in the buffet.  I was a bit surprised when my dish arrived with regular bacon instead of Canadian Bacon, never saw that on Eggs Benedict.  The sauce was also a bit dry, but overall it was edible and I ate it. The rest of our meal was fine.

Haha..something went very wrong there. Although I would like it, as I don’t care it the other way, so I would have been thrilled. I imagine it would have been a bit salty, though. Maybe since it was not on the menu they just improvised…and I might even ask for it to be served that way next week. 

Edited April 6, 2023 by Happiest when cruising

[Happiest when cruising]

2 hours ago, Trish Traveler said:

Review of Emerald Princess March 3-17, 2023 continued

I forgot in my Barbados day post that I wanted to post the pix of the International Cafe breakfast offerings and the sailaway of the Voyager of the Seas from Barbados.  We sailed her last September for a great New England/Canada cruise.  

And I have forgotten to mention our port times.  Our first 6 ports including Trinidad which I will review next were from 8am-6pm.  Coming up also will be a nice long day in Curacao 8am-10pm!

And Aruba 7am-5pm. All great port times!

I’ve been searching through all the posts that show the breakfast at IC. I was hoping to see the apple turnovers. On our last cruise in September I asked about them, and was told they were discontinued, but I was hoping it was just on the Discovery. Looks like my husband will have to find a new favourite. 
Thanks for showing us Barbados, it always brings us right back there in our minds. We love it there. 

[Trish Traveler]

22 minutes ago, Happiest when cruising said:

Haha..something went very wrong there. Although I would like it, as I don’t care it the other way, so I would have been thrilled. I imagine it would have been a bit salty, though. Maybe since it was not on the menu they just improvised…and I might even ask for it to be served that way next week. 

😂 Yes, and that extra salt was not necessary as bacon is salty enough.

[Trish Traveler]

20 minutes ago, Happiest when cruising said:

I’ve been searching through all the posts that show the breakfast at IC. I was hoping to see the apple turnovers. On our last cruise in September I asked about them, and was told they were discontinued, but I was hoping it was just on the Discovery. Looks like my husband will have to find a new favourite. 
Thanks for showing us Barbados, it always brings us right back there in our minds. We love it there. 

My DH loves apple turnovers, so I know he would have let me know if he had ever found one! 

Yes, Barbados is beautiful.  Glad you enjoyed the photos.

[Trish Traveler]

Review of Emerald Princess March 3-17, 2023 continued

Sea Day    March 12       2nd Formal Night & Academy Awards

Nice to not have to jump up for a tour today.  We had a simple, tasty breakfast at the International Café.  Did a variety of activities including watching the fun Boat Building Final contest in the pool on another beautiful sunny day.  These pax were very clever in all their designs.  I enjoyed a very interesting enrichment talk about Hollywood by speaker David Wiemer in the Princess Theatre, before more fun Trivia.  For lunch in the buffet, we enjoyed the fresh guacamole and chips, fresh fruit, Grilled Salmon, Pulled Pork, Brisket, and Bread Pizza (which is different from the thinner crust pizza outside).

[Trish Traveler]

For a leisurely afternoon, we finally found two loungers in the shade and enjoyed 24K Margaritas.  Ole!  We then ordered two fresh juices, but we were once again charged to our account for them. Ugh. A later trip to Guest Services took it off our bill.  We quit ordering them after that. Hopefully that gets straightened out for guests in the future.

 

This evening was the second formal night which coincided appropriately with the Academy Awards.  Another special menu in the MDR with some of our favorites: Chateaubriand and Lobster Tail!  We skipped appetizers and desserts as we were ordering double entrees this evening.  Delicious and yes, we finished all of it. 

 

The Oscars were being shown indoors at Club Fusion which has numerous television screens, as well as outdoors on the MUTS screen.  There was a special drink being served, but I just snapped a pix as it was more expensive.  Enjoyed a special martini instead.  After watching some of the Oscars, we headed to Showtime in the Princess Theatre for the Vocalist & Impressionist Darren Dowler who was terrific.  I also learned that there is a little hidden wooden tray in the armrest of your chair in the Princess Theatre! They don’t serve drinks in there, so we would stop at a bar and bring them with us – so the little tray is quite handy. 

[Trish Traveler]

Review of Emerald Princess March 3-17, 2023 continued

Curacao     March 13     8am-10pm WOO-HOO!

 

Our first visit to Curacao was just four months ago and it has definitely become my favorite island.  We love all the Dutch ABC islands. We were once again thrilled to be spending another long port day here.  We previously had taken a great island tour with Fascinating Taxi & Tours covering the nature highlights of Shete Boka NP, turtles at Playa Piskado, Kenepe Beach time and a view of the amazing flamingos on the island. 

 

This time we chose a basic 4 hour morning Princess Tour “Curacao Highlights & Beach Break” which would take us to the Blue Curacao Factory and the popular Mambo Beach.  It was another beautiful day as we headed out in Willemstad and over the Queen Juliana Bridge - sit on the right side of the bus if you want the best views from the bridge of the gorgeous colorful Handelskade buildings that Curacao is known for, and St. Anna Bay (we were on the wrong side).  We also had a view of the Emerald and the Celebrity Edge in port with us today. Our guide Ryan gave us interesting information about Curacao along the way.

[Trish Traveler]

First stop was at the Blue Curacao Factory (housed in the Chobolobo Estate, a 19th century Dutch colonial mansion) for a quick tour led by our same guide explaining the basics of production (you aren’t in the actual factory, but a variety of displays) and we even saw some of the ladies bottling the product.  They also sell a skin product called Glacial.  Outside for our included tasting of 3 varieties of the liquor: orange, tamerin, and chocolate.  Be careful as the bees are also attracted to this sweet liquor.  There is a bar (a little early for a cocktail), restrooms and a nice gift shop.  Fun fact we learned:  the blue, orange, red and green liqueurs are all the original flavor of orange triple sec.  The colors are to add color to specific drinks.  The other flavors of liqueur they offer are Chocolate, Coffee, Tamarein and Rum Raisin.

[Trish Traveler]

Onward to the famous Mambo Beach, which is probably the most visited and has many beach clubs, restaurants, bars and stores.  It wasn’t too crowded as it was still early morning.  They led us to a nice roped off area for the Princess Tours which are led by Fiesta Tours and located at the Bonita Beach Club.  Although the nice area is reserved for us, you still will need to pay a nominal fee of $5 pp for a lounge chair.  There are no umbrellas, but about 7 palapas for shade if you get lucky to find one open (we did). 

 

This area was right next to where you find the wooden Mambo Beach Blvd sign which is a great photo op.  Beautiful beach with palm trees, white sand and a nice swimming area enclosed by a rock wall.  The water was nice and I enjoyed walking for photos and chilling in the loungers for the allotted two hours.  Also saw a cool crab.  There was a beach bar right adjacent to us also.  We didn’t use it, as it was early and the partly cloudy skies were keeping us comfortable.  I didn’t bring my snorkel gear but saw some people snorkeling here.

[Trish Traveler]

Returning to the ship our guide Ryan even sang us a traditional island song!  Back onboard to change clothes, have lunch, much needed caffeine and head back out on foot to explore more of beautiful Willemstad.  I went a little photo crazy, but there are so many colorful buildings, murals and other photo ops in this city.  It’s an easy, scenic route past the information booth, some vendors, 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, Casino and through the Rif Fort filled with restaurants, shops, fountain, a Chichi girl statue and more. 

 

[Trish Traveler]

When you emerge from the Rif Fort, you have your first amazing views of the Queen Emma floating pontoon bridge and the beautiful buildings called Handelskade on the Punda side of St. Anna Bay.  You can also see Fort Amsterdam.

 

[Trish Traveler]

First we would stay here on the Otrobanda side of the bay exploring the streets for murals.  We stopped at a vendor to purchase a colorful bag.  Continuing on in the direction of the Juliana bridge we were in search of the colorful painted steps which we had seen in the distance from our tour bus this morning.  It was getting really hot (glad we had plenty of water with us) and we had to walk uphill to reach them, but it was worth it.  There is a cool sculpture up here of a lady in the shade.  And a very unusual sculpture of birds with human faces (unfortunately the description was in Dutch).  The caterpillar is for the Monarch Butterfly.

[Trish Traveler]

Oops! I forgot to post the colorful steps photo.

[Trish Traveler]

Heading back we weaved through the side streets to see some more colorful street art and buildings.

 

[zukecruiser]

We were also on this cruise and had a great time.  Food for the most part was very good, enjoyed the Crown Grill (twice) and Sabatini's. Room steward was wonderful, crew was very friendly.  Started coming down with a sinus cold the last day that we are now finally getting over, tested negative for Covid.  Now wondering when we will see our refundable room credit that we have.  Still waiting for a refund from last October cruise.  Enjoying your review and pictures.  Thanks for doing this.

[canadarocks]

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! Your photos are fabulous!!

[Trish Traveler]

Back at the Queen Emma bridge to head over to the Punda side which was bustling with locals and tourists.  We saw the Love Lock Hearts, another Chichi statue, the Curacao, and Dushi signs (meaning sweet, nice or good).  So lovely to stroll these colorful streets.  After many photos, we were ready for a local refreshing beer in the shade at the Iguana Café Restaurant on the bay with amazing views.

[JGmf]

Thank you very much for all the time and effort to write your review and share your photos.  It's been very helpful for us for our upcoming June Emerald cruise.  Thanks again.

[Trish Traveler]

We headed back on the ship to recharge with a buffet dinner.  I also enjoyed a tasty Blue Hawaiian made with Blue Curacao Liqueur from Crooners Bar (forgot to snap a photo). Watched the Celebrity Edge sail away. And yet another pretty sunset.

[Trish Traveler]

Our plan included heading back out (for the 3rd time today) after dark to enjoy all the night lights of Curacao up close.  When we departed at about 6:30pm the festively dressed dancing ladies were at the Curacao sign to greet pax.  You also get a magnificent view of the Emerald Princess all lit up which is rare to see on cruises.  Back though the Rif Fort to the magical views of the rainbow colored lights (last time they were all blue) all across the floating bridge.  Very romantic.  If your ship stays late in port, I definitely recommend strolling back out after dark (our all aboard was 9:30pm). 

 

Returning to the ship we also enjoyed the sweeping views of the lights from up top on the ship.  Another amazing day in Curacao.  We then caught the cute but crowded Can You Survive Game Show in the Explorer Lounge before turning in for the night after an exhausting, but totally worth it day!

[Trish Traveler]

1 hour ago, zukecruiser said:

We were also on this cruise and had a great time.  Food for the most part was very good, enjoyed the Crown Grill (twice) and Sabatini's. Room steward was wonderful, crew was very friendly.  Started coming down with a sinus cold the last day that we are now finally getting over, tested negative for Covid.  Now wondering when we will see our refundable room credit that we have.  Still waiting for a refund from last October cruise.  Enjoying your review and pictures.  Thanks for doing this.

Glad you enjoyed the cruise also!  Sorry you got sick, we did notice more people coughing the last two days.  We are also waiting for our refund.  Guest Services onboard said 2 weeks, which we are past.  That's awful that you still haven't gotten the October refund.  I still don't understand how they can instantly charge our credit card for the cruise, yet they can't credit it instantly to our credit card.  It has to come via snail mail in check form from what I have read is a third party company who handles this for Princess.  That's just annoying.

Glad you're enjoying the review.  It also serves as my own personal memoir.

[Trish Traveler]

1 hour ago, canadarocks said:

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! Your photos are fabulous!!

You're welcome!  And thank you.  I love to capture my vacation so I can relive it in photos and the written memoir.

[Thrak]

8 hours ago, Trish Traveler said:

When we awoke, we were already docked in Port of Spain, but since our tour wasn’t until afternoon we decided to have a leisurely breakfast in the Da Vinci MDR.  I checked to see if I could order my favorite, Eggs Benedict as it isn’t on the menu, and they said yes.  It’s so nice to be served breakfast after too many in the buffet.  I was a bit surprised when my dish arrived with regular bacon instead of Canadian Bacon, never saw that on Eggs Benedict.  The sauce was also a bit dry, but overall it was edible and I ate it. The rest of our meal was fine.

 

I've never been served Eggs Benedict with "regular" bacon on a Princess ship. I did, however, learn after the first time to order extra Hollandaise on the side. Like you, I found the Hollandaise on their EB to be dry (like it had sat under a heat lamp) and not very abundant. Getting extra on the side takes care of that issue nicely.

[princess76021]

Love 😍😍,love, 😍😍  love your photos!!!