Review of Emerald Jan 15 and Feb 4 sailings

[vickie_bernie]

We did go to Sabatini’s on the second sailing and for $20 it is a nice treat. But you do need to pace yourself. Really like Sabatini’s on the Emerald, it is so much bigger than other ships and it’s placement at the back of the ship allows for amazing views. The Adagio bar right next door is a great place to get a drink and relax, definitely a must.

On the second sailing our first day was Princess Cays so they moved the Formal night to the second day, where the formal night on the first sailing was the first night and also a sea day.

I want to say here, even though I am not reporting on the ports of call, that in St. Thomas we docked at Crown Bay and not Havensight. Crown Bay has many stores and you can certainly pick up what you might need here. From what we saw with prices they were the same as they were in town, in fact many stores at Crown Bay have stores in town as well as at Havensight. Taxi to town is $4 pp, and it is $5 to Havensight. You can walk, it took us about 20 minutes. Crown Bay is a nice change and not very busy… on one sailing when we arrived in St. Thomas there were 7 ships in port and one in port in St. John’s – the town was a ZOO! Glad to get back to Crown Bay where it was quiet. Also docking at Crown bay gives you the opportunity to go to Water Island as the ferry leaves from right there.

[vickie_bernie]

On our second sailing we attended the Caribe Buffet more often… I have to say that the German buffet is as good as everyone says it is. On the last night they had a seafood buffet that was just as good as the first night’s Seafood buffet, but a little different.

We also did the Chef’s Table on both sailings… I’ve written an extensive review on that experience on another thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=13397097#post13397097

Now we did a back to back and personally I find it to be the only way to go. Sure we have done the shorter vacations, and even though this was a 10 day trip, we weren’t ready to get off after 10 days and we were glad to stay on for another 10 days. Princess arranged everything for us on the turn around day. New cards were delivered to our cabin the night before, all we had to do was show up at the designated time in the designated location and they escorted all b2b people off and thru immigration and then back on board. The whole experience took about a half hour. Princess also carried forward our onboard expenses from the first sailing onto our second sailing. We got all our wash done early and decided to get off the ship to pick up some items. When we returned to the port all we had to do was show our “in transit” pass and we were allowed to come right on board.

One nice thing about doing b2b is the relationships you develop with many of the crew. Many were happy to see we were staying and after 20 days they truly felt like part of our family. You also feel more relaxed on the second sailing, often there was no need to rush to a show because you had seen it already or you skipped the dining room because you had that dinner last sailing and you’d rather try something different. If you ever get the chance to do a b2b you be able to experience a different side to cruising and hopefully have as enjoyable a time.

Thanks for letting me share our experience.

[vickie_bernie]

Hi Vickie and Bernie...

 

Thank you for all of your time and effort. We are sialing on the 24th and were thinking about the Crown Grill. This is only our 2nd Princess cruise. Do you have any info?

 

Peace, Rianvi:)

 

We didn't attend the Crown Grill, we only did Sabatini's; however we did go into it to check it out and it was lovely. The cost is $25 pp and the menu looked very inticing... I am sure you will love it.

[vickie_bernie]

Forgot to say, we attended the End of Season sale that was on the last day of our sailing in one of the dining rooms. Yes there were some good deals and yes we wanted to buy some stuff, but the lines to pay were very long and we ended up just putting the stuff back and leaving. I hate lining up, even for a deal. Would recommend that Princess provide more checkouts, they could sell more.

[OCruisers]

Thanks for "the rest of the story"! EXCELLENT! Exactly what those of us seriously considering a B2B on Emerald wanted to know!

 

Can't thank you enough for your time to do this! :)

[johnmik1]

We didn't attend the Crown Grill, we only did Sabatini's; however we did go into it to check it out and it was lovely. The cost is $25 pp and the menu looked very inticing... I am sure you will love it.

 

We were on with Vickie & Bernie for their 1st cruise and did go to the Crown Grille.The food was outstanding but we had a horrible waiter(Sabastian).He made the experience less than acceptable.In the 20 nights we were aboard he was the only staff person we met who wasn't outstanding.

[cruzlvrs]

Vicki - thanks for the great review. We will be on the Emerald in 5 weeks. We cannot wait. You mentioned that a cab to Havensight was $5.00. Is Havensight a 20-minute walk or is it a 20-minute walk to get to town?

[sunsetbeachgal]

We were on the first of the two sailings that Vickie and Bernie were on...ate in the Crowne Grill twice as it was so outstanding (but far too much food!)...our waiter Greg was SO fantastic that we booked a table with him the second night...Also, the Crown Grill rstaurant itself is so beautiful as is the rest of the ship.:o

[vickie_bernie]

Vicki - thanks for the great review. We will be on the Emerald in 5 weeks. We cannot wait. You mentioned that a cab to Havensight was $5.00. Is Havensight a 20-minute walk or is it a 20-minute walk to get to town?

 

20 min walk to town from Crown Bay

[scomyrwil]

Excellent review. You pretty much covered everything about the Emerald. Glad we had the opportunity to meet you on the second leg of your cruise. I will always remember you in the Martini Demonstration. :D I keep playing the DVD of the cruise and remembering all the good times that we all had.

 

It is hard to believe how the time flew by. We are planning to go to the Far East next year on the Diamond.

 

I will post my review now of the Jan 25 to Feb 4 leg.

 

Take care,

 

Scott

[Rick-n-MeMe]

Vickie/Bernie, Thank you for the wonderful and detailed cruise report. I am really enjoying all that you have written.

 

I do have a question regarding the shampoo, conditioner and lotion. I really like the Lotus Spa brand in the little cardboard containers that we have had on other Princess cruises. I often hoard the lotion to take home because it is wonderful. Is it still Lotus Spa brand and will I be able to have my portable lotion containers to take home?

 

Thanks in advance for your response!

[cruiselifers]

We were with Vickie on the first leg of her adventure(sooo jealous)(Hi Vickie), and yes they still have the same shampoo, conditioner and lotion from the spa. We were in a suite, (so we automatically get the bottles) but I heard everyone was getting the bottles instead of the cardboard containers. I also like the body wash. ;)

Sue

[vickie_bernie]

Vickie/Bernie, Thank you for the wonderful and detailed cruise report. I am really enjoying all that you have written.

 

I do have a question regarding the shampoo, conditioner and lotion. I really like the Lotus Spa brand in the little cardboard containers that we have had on other Princess cruises. I often hoard the lotion to take home because it is wonderful. Is it still Lotus Spa brand and will I be able to have my portable lotion containers to take home?

 

Thanks in advance for your response!

 

you had me giggling because we must be related because I do the same.... I brought some back too. Yes it is the same stuff it is eculyptus (spelling?) but it comes in small plastic containers. In fact I am in Toronto right now for work and I brought some with me, it is great for travelling. It weighs more than the carboard ones but holds more -- so not bad.

 

I am wondering can someone tell me, do they sell the shampoo/conditioner/lotion in the lotus spa? One day I a should actually buy a bottle considering how much I've "borrowed". :o

[Rick-n-MeMe]

Thanks for the answer to my question about the shampoo/conditioner/lotion. Yes, I especially enjoy the lotion and do like to snag some extras to take home. The cardboard containers were small but very light weight which proved to be handy.

 

Vickie, regarding the question about purchasing the lotion, etc. When I fell in love with the product on the Caribbean Princess, I did go to the Lotus Spa in order to purchase some and they told me they did not sell it. Guess we'll just have to continue to sail Princess so we can enjoy such amenities!

[magoky]

Just heard that Neil Chandler the Cruise Director from our sailing is now off the Emerald, as he was just a fill in CD. He will be missed. Let me know anybody if he is on your ship soon.

I hope he gets on with another princess ship, he was really nice and funny.............and not bad to look at too!!!lol

[vickie_bernie]

I hope he gets on with another princess ship, he was really nice and funny.............and not bad to look at too!!!lol

 

I heard he is getting married in July -- he said he was a fill in cruise director and goes to different ships to fill in when their regular CD is on vacation.... sounds like an ideal job to me!

[vickie_bernie]

Here is a link to our pictures/video montage if you are interested.

 

 

- part one

- part two

- part three

 

- chef's table

[OCruisers]

WOW! Thank you so very much for these! :)

[Colo Cruiser]

I agree nice work. :)

[vickie_bernie]

thank you

 

I had to create it and I had to share it with my cruise critic friends as because of everyone here I had the best trip ever... and hopefully my experience can help someone else have a great trip.

 

I thought about sending the videos to Princess head office, especially the chef's table but not sure where to send it to, can anyone help?

 

Vickie

[senior lady]

Vickie,........... What great pictures!!! I can hardly wait until our cruise next January. We're doing the same one as you guys just did.

 

As we live in Surrey, would love to touch base with you about excursions etc.

 

my e-mail address is kpalmer7ca@yahoo.ca

 

I'm not sure if I can wait 10 months:rolleyes:

[vickie_bernie]

Vickie,........... What great pictures!!! I can hardly wait until our cruise next January. We're doing the same one as you guys just did.

 

As we live in Surrey, would love to touch base with you about excursions etc.

 

my e-mail address is kpalmer7ca@yahoo.ca

 

I'm not sure if I can wait 10 months:rolleyes:

 

thank, you are friends with Irish Jane right? Are you sailing with us in November on the Star?

[OCruisers]

[ [/color]

Now we did a back to back and personally I find it to be the only way to go. Sure we have done the shorter vacations, and even though this was a 10 day trip, we weren’t ready to get off after 10 days and we were glad to stay on for another 10 days. Princess arranged everything for us on the turn around day. New cards were delivered to our cabin the night before, all we had to do was show up at the designated time in the designated location and they escorted all b2b people off and thru immigration and then back on board. The whole experience took about a half hour. Princess also carried forward our onboard expenses from the first sailing onto our second sailing.

]

 

Great info! Thank you! :)

 

:confused: After they escorted you and the rest of the B2B people thru immigration ... could you go directly back to your cabin?

[4cats4me]

vickie,

 

thanks so much for sharing your pics with us. we've very excited

to be going on the emerald in 3 week!!!

especially loved seeing the pics of the ports 'o call

[senior lady]

thank, you are friends with Irish Jane right? Are you sailing with us in November on the Star?

 

 

Yes, we're friends with Irishjayne. I really want to go on that cruise in November, but right now i'm tied up in "major food" negotiations. I work for Safeway. So depending on how they go and if there is a labour dispute, I'll probably just take a chance and wait until September and see how it goes.

 

We're going on a 6 day coastal cruise on the Goldon the 3rd of May, so I plan on buying some more cruise credits. I used mine up for the b2b on the Emerald next Jan:D