LIVE from the Emerald - 14-day Circle Caribbean - 12/9/23

[CanadianBurger]

We had our Cruise Critic Slot Pull this morning. A great turnout of 28 people, and everyone got at least 11 spins for their $20 entry. Didn’t hit anything above $243 on a single payout, but I think a good time was had by all. 

[CanadianBurger]

It was a pleasant calm afternoon in the Sanctuary, with barely a whisper of wind, when the officer of the watch came over the PA warning of an imminent heavy shower. She was not wrong. Within a couple of minutes there was an absolute deluge, but it didn’t last long, and we were protected at the front of the sanctuary. Now that the front has passed, the wind is absolutely howling! I actually prefer it now, as it was awfully hot before. The anemometer is spinning so fast I can barely see it, and the sea is noticeably rougher. 
 

 

 

[happy42cruise]

If you have a chance could you please ask if EZ Check is available from the port (particularly to Miami airport)?  It used to be offered but I'm not sure if it still is.  Thank you either way, you might have other things to do.

[coops14]

Really enjoyed your report and pictures too. We sailed on the Emerald from New York to Fort Lauderdale. We loved every minute of the cruise. We think the Emerald is our favourite ship. The crew were amazing, we really enjoyed all our food.  The two comedians on our cruise were so funny, we could t stop laughing. I really enjoyed Gary’s volcanoes presentation, he was right about when the volcano in Iceland would blow….soon he said.  

[CanadianBurger]

Gala Dinner in the MDR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CanadianBurger]

Staff and crew serenaded us with Christmas carols in the Piazza. 
 

[CanadianBurger]

The production show last night was Magic To Do. I first saw this show eight years ago when it debuted on the Crown with magician Michael Misko. While the illusions haven’t aged all that well, the musical numbers still make this my favorite show. It’s either my 4th or 5th time

seeing it. Pics are from the program we got on the Crown. 
 

 

[CanadianBurger]

7 hours ago, happy42cruise said:

If you have a chance could you please ask if EZ Check is available from the port (particularly to Miami airport)?  It used to be offered but I'm not sure if it still is.  Thank you either way, you might have other things to do.

I asked over the crew call chat about EZ Check. I was told it’s still available to both FLL and MIA. I guess they no longer advertise it since I didn’t see a note in my cabin, so you’ll have to specifically request it Guest Services before you get your disembarkation bag tags. 

[CanadianBurger]

On 12/21/2023 at 12:08 PM, fedexretiree said:

Can you get Miller lite beer at any of the bars on the ship?

It’s on the menu, but there’s a limited

supply. Outrigger’s bartender said only the Calypso bar currently has it. 
 

 

[reedprincess]

On 12/20/2023 at 10:35 PM, CanadianBurger said:

Checked out the charcuterie today at Vines. The bar itself is staffed after 4pm, and they have the food available around 5. There are no reservations; just grab a table. The waiter wasn’t sure if the food was available on embarkation day. 
It wasn’t bad, but the Salty Dog, Planks, or Steamers beats it for Casual Dining food hands down. I’d go again for a glass of wine and to listen to music in the Piazza, but not for the food. 

 

 

That is a far cry from my Bones experience on Caribbean Princess..

The charcuterie was much more appetizingly presented, and more truffles, etc. 

I ate there at least 4 times during my week cruise, lol. Twice, it was just the truffles I ordered (premier cruise package)

Interesting how different it can be by ship..

(It was available on embarkation day, after 4pm)

 

 

[happy42cruise]

4 hours ago, CanadianBurger said:

I asked over the crew call chat about EZ Check. I was told it’s still available to both FLL and MIA. I guess they no longer advertise it since I didn’t see a note in my cabin, so you’ll have to specifically request it Guest Services before you get your disembarkation bag tags. 

Thank you very much!  I will ask as soon as I can once we're onboard. Safe travels & happy holidays!

[CanadianBurger]

3 hours ago, reedprincess said:

That is a far cry from my Bones experience on Caribbean Princess..

The charcuterie was much more appetizingly presented, and more truffles, etc. 

I ate there at least 4 times during my week cruise, lol. Twice, it was just the truffles I ordered (premier cruise package)

Interesting how different it can be by ship..

(It was available on embarkation day, after 4pm)

 

 

Wow. Yeah, looks much better than what we got. To be fair, there were 6 truffles in the bowl, but yours were much more appealingly presented. 

[CanadianBurger]

Patter for our final day 😥

 

 

[CanadianBurger]

As promised, here’s one of my zip line videos from St. Lucia. 
 

 

 

[CanadianBurger]

Some pics from the Aerial Tram we took up to the zip line. Quite a view. 
 

 

[CanadianBurger]

Spent today mostly relaxing, and oh yeah, had to do some packing. It was much cooler as we headed further north, quite a change from the heat. Pretty windy, but the seas were reasonably calm. Sky was in view most of the afternoon. 
 

Edited December 23, 2023 by CanadianBurger

[CanadianBurger]

Farewell Dinner. Who’s going to cook for me next week???

 

I’ve never been a fan of the prime rib on a cruise, and went for the meat loaf instead, and I was quite happy with it. The chilled tropical soup was also surprisingly good. It was also baked Alaska night. I wish they’d do away with everyone waving their dirty napkins and flinging crap around. It doesn’t even make sense with everyone on different dining times. We had just started our entrees and I just wanted to eat. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CanadianBurger]

Kory Simon got to leave Crooners tonight and put on a fantastic performance in the Princess Theater. It was nice to hear more variety and some classical stuff he doesn’t play at Crooners. Very glad we went. Between songs, he was even funnier than the comedian!

[fedexretiree]

11 hours ago, CanadianBurger said:

It’s on the menu, but there’s a limited

supply. Outrigger’s bartender said only the Calypso bar currently has it. 
 

 

THANKS so much for taking the time to check on this for me.  Love your review.

[ggarpss]

Is the name of one of the comics that did not receive a warm reception Sam Adams?  We sail on Emerald Princess this afternoon, and he is the entertainment in princess Theatre tonight. 
Thank you for the commentary, photos and videos!  It has been very informative and entertaining. 

[Oilers rule]

We sail on the Emerald Princess on the March 6th Panama Canal cruise. Your review of your cruise was so informative and entertaining. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Safe travels home and enjoy your holidays. 

[CanadianBurger]

This morning, after vacating the cabin, we headed up to Lido for a final breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns, corned beef hash, and croissants. Next week, the cheerios at home are going to be looking pretty grim. Once they announced final call, we headed downstairs, after soaking up all the warmth and sun we could. Once out of terminal, it was pandemonium. Terminal 21 is so congested compared to Terminal 2. We finally got a taxi and arrived at the airport, which was also crazy busy. Eight ships in port, with at least 25,200 people trying to leave and board. The United Club at FLL was also packed. 
 

[CanadianBurger]

My final post from the United Club in Newark (also packed). 
 

Our only complaints:

1. Service in the Sanctuary was abysmal. Some days, we didn’t see a waiter once all afternoon. It was far quicker to go to Tradewinds ourselves. Even the Tea service was sub-standard. 
2. Both comedians were terrible.

3. The app still sucks, but hopefully the new

one will be better. 
 

On the good side, the bartenders at Crooners and Outrigger were phenomenal. The musical entertainment was good, the food was decent at worst, outstanding at best (the balcony dinner, Planks, and the Salty Dog Gastropub were notably excellent). 
 

All in all, a great 14-day cruise. 
 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone following along. 
 

My next installment will be from the new Sun Princess in the Mediterranean next March. 
 

Ciao for now!

[trbarton]

Thanks for all of the people that I met that always said “Hello” when they saw me but I couldn’t remember their names. 
 

Here’s my observations…

 

The service in the MDR, deck 6 midship, was extremely slow. Especially if you were trying to get a good seat for the 7:30 show in the Princess Theatre. 
 

I agree that both comedians were not good in my opinion. 
 

One highlight for me was dancing 🕺 the last night with one of the servers. 
 

My next cruise is on the Discovery Princess, April 4, 2024, 10 day Solar Eclipse cruise. 
 

Chefs table & 360* table already arranged & full. 
 

My only speciality restaurant was the chef’s table which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
 

My 36 Princess cruise & I was surprised I only have 219 days.
 

If you’re interested you can follow the Discovery Princess, April 4, 2024 Cruise. 
 

A BIG thanks to CanadianBurger for everything that he did. 
 

Happy Holidays to everyone. 
 

Tom😀

[trbarton]

 Thanks for all of the people that I met that always said “Hello” when they saw me but I couldn’t remember their names. 
 

Here’s my observations…

 

The service in the MDR, deck 6 midship, was extremely slow. Especially if you were trying to get a good seat for the 7:30 show in the Princess Theatre. 
 

I agree that both comedians were not good in my opinion. 
 

One highlight for me was dancing 🕺 the last night with one of the servers. 
 

My next cruise is on the Discovery Princess, April 4, 2024, 10 day Solar Eclipse cruise. 
 

Chefs table & 360* table already arranged & full. 
 

My only speciality restaurant was the chef’s table which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

 

I had a tour booked & had purchased the airlines luggage tags & and was instructed to get & take my luggage to the tour bus which was a BIG mistake on Princess part as I didn’t need to do that. When it was sorted out in the cruise terminal everyone was already on the bus. 
 

My 36 Princess cruise & I was surprised that I only have 219 days.

If you’re interested you can follow the Discovery Princess, April 4, 2024 Cruise. 
 

A BIG thanks to CanadianBurger for everything that he did. 
 

Happy Holidays to everyone. 
 

Tom😀