Travel Empress Blog

Emerald Princess Unique to the Emerald Princess – and the other “Crown Class” ships (Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, and the Ruby Princess) you will find the - Italian Styled piazza which includes - “Vines” – the ship’s wine bar – has the best selection of wines onboard, freshly prepared sushi. - “The International Café” – which has its own bakeshop. For breakfast there are croissants and pastries, and for lunch there are salads and quiches, all included in the cruise fare. The chocolate fondue is “a la carte” priced but delicious. The Café is also a coffee bar with lattes, espressos and more available. The three deck high piazza is where you will find “street theater” which offers stilt walkers to comedians, chef and bartender demos to a pianist singing Broadway tunes. People flock to this part of the ship day and night. Sanctuary – the top deck’s adult only outdoor spa area with cream awnings that give the appearance of a tented style shaded haven. Guests can relax on padded chaise lounges and enjoy massages in special outdoor cabanas while “serenity stewards” dispense chilled face towels, Evian water atomizers, and “healthy” drinks and light meals. This ship is perfect for sailing the Caribbean where you have more time to enjoy all the onboard activities. Dining – options are plentiful – flexibility with “anytime” dining to the more traditional dining options in the beautiful main dining rooms.. The Horizon court is the ship’s buffet venue and just beyond the Horizon court is the smaller and slightly more intimate Café Caribe. While also a buffet style venue, the adjacent Café Caribe offers terrific themed buffets for lunch and dinner (ex – Asian one day, French Provencal for dinner another night). Sabatini’s is the fleet’s Northern Italian themed restaurant based on an eatery in Florence. The dining experience comes with gorgeous views on the top deck. Passengers are served small bites of a variety of different tastes, from antipasti to the main course. Crown Grill – the Seafood/Chop house specialty restaurant is wonderful. There is an open kitchen and the seafood, including lobster is very fresh. The steak is high quality steak – this dining venue is worth the $25.00 per person surcharge. Chef’s Table – is a new concept for up to a group of 10 – you start off the night with champagne cocktail and appetizers in the working galley. Your group occupies a corner of the main galley at the height of dinnertime. You get a chance to see the chefs and waiters in action – a real behind the scenes experience. Then you are lead out to specially designated tables in a private dining area and served a multi course menu paired with wines that are selected just for the evening. The Chef’s table is $75.00 per person. Entertainment – The Emerald Princess has more entertainment options and performance venues than most ships. The Piazza serves as an impromptu performance venue with chocolate demos from the pastry chef, mime, magic tricks, to physical comedy acts. Each lounge has its own personality – Crooners, the Martini Bar is right in the heart of the action on the promenade overlooking the Piazza. Explorer’s Lounge is primarily an events venue for everything from art auctions to guest lectures. Speakeasy is the only place to smoke a cigar, The Wheelhouse Bar has a nautical character and Adagio, tucked into a light filled corner on the top Deck, is an elegant Ritz Carton-esque venue with a cabaret singer/pianist. Movies Under the Stars – is a major attraction by the Calipso Pool and features movies day and night, and special events (Super Bowl) The most unique new aspect to Princess’ program – one they’ve “quietly” rolled out – is a “Youth Security Program”. Young staffers (early 20’s) wearing right yellow polo shirts, patrol the ship, and even are waiting at embarkation, with a purpose of discouraging outrageous behavior before it has a chance to occur. They come across as “teen friendly” and are not perceived as a police force. It’s nice to have the adult only pools and areas supervised and rules enforced.