Emerald Review 8/29-9/5

[brianroberts2526]

I can't believe this place! Amazing!! You have even done the impossible and made me want to go back to Jamaica!! Gorgeous!!

 

LOL, ya I was told by a few people Jamaica was a waste of time. But, I took that as a challenge, ha.

 

Ports are the #1 reason we do the cruises, see some interesting places in a short amount of time.

 

The Blue Hole @ Jamaica is top3 as far as cruise experiences, up there with the hot pools in Dominica and the day we had in Costa Maya during our honeymoon.

[brianroberts2526]

Jamaica Pt2.

 

So we got picked up a couple hours later, which was good time because my wife was jealous she couldn't jump off all the fun jumps and the water was a bit cool, (springwater).

 

So, next is a beach, we told our guide we just wanted a couple hours max, then we were ready to get back to the ship. Our price was 35$ each, and he would have let us stay at those places as long as we wanted. Great deal.

 

He took us to Mahogany Beach, which a lot of other passengers were there too. It wasn't crowded really until we left. But, it was a nice little park area with a pretty small beach. Typical island atmosphere. Beers and people selling things. It was fun, but 2 hours was plenty.

 

[brianroberts2526]

 

Sunset on the ship after Jamaica...

[brianroberts2526]

A few more 'Blue Hole' pics:

 

[sunluva7]

Thanks for sharing your awesome photos and for reminding me what a great cruise we had on the Emerald a few weeks ago.:D

[Tweedy]

Thanks for sharing. I'm enjoying the journey and it's making me even more excited for mine.

[brianroberts2526]

Alright. Grand Cayman.

 

Our plan for Grand Cayman was a beach day. Our first intention was to go to the Marriott or the Royal Palms for a day pass. Then we decided just to explore 7mile beach on our own.

 

My impression of Grand Cayman: Gorgeous. Absolutely breathtaking. Clear blue water and powder sand.

Beyond that, can't say much. Some of the people were rude. And everything was very resort-y. Which is nice, for a little while. But, we're from FLA, we get enough resort as it is.

 

We took a taxi $5 each down to the 'Sea Grape' a popular spot for cruisers. We then walked down and turned around and walked some more. What we ended up doing was walking about a mile until we found a secluded spot with the shade of a tree, then setting down with our books to relax. Then after a bit doing another mile. Eventually we made our way to the end of the beach. It was nice.

 

[brianroberts2526]

And finally...

COZUMEL

 

Despite horror story after horror story on the Cozumel forums here, we went ahead and risked it and rented a car.

We went the safe way and loaded up on every insurance they had, and got what looked to be a brand-spanking new Jeep 4 door Wrangler (Adventure I think? I dunno, both our parents drive the same car, so I should know.)

With all the insurance, it ended up being 104$ for the day, and to refill the quarter of a tank was 21$.

 

Sooo, glad we did it. The wife says it was by far her favorite part of the trip (she didn't have to drive ;))

 

We rented from Avis. We docked at the International Pier, I made my reservation at PuertaMaya, but they took care of that for us. We were on the road by 10am.

 

Luckily International pier is after downtown you can take a right, and after a bit of traffic you are on easy street. Hardly any cars around, and one long road to explore. We went down to the southern tip to Punta Sur; up the east coast to the tranverse road. Went to San Gervasio. Then what we did is went right back the way we came. Reasoning behind this was, A) avoid the risk of downtown traffic B)The way we came is the whole point of the drive, the beautiful east coast. We stopped at Coconuts on the way back for lunch. Back to the Punta Sur area for a bit, then we called it a day. Dropped the car off about 4pm and headed back to the ship.

 

View from the Punta Sur lighthouse

 

Crocodile at the viewing area at the Punta Sur ecopark

 

View of the coast and our jeep from the crocodile tower

 

From lighthouse

 

[brianroberts2526]

I could have sat in those hammocks all day.

But, too much to do, lol, off to San Gervasio...

[brianroberts2526]

 

Interesting place, but after we did the mountain biking in the rain forest in Belize, that ended up at the Altun Ha site, not as amazing. It's still fascinating, but the whole time I was just having flashbacks remembering how awesome Altun Ha was.

 

Now for some lunch at Coconuts. Yes, it's the thing to do, which is usually not my thing; but the view is so good.

[brianroberts2526]

Easily the best located restaurant I have ever been to, and I've been to some amazing places. You just can't beat this view.

 

[brianroberts2526]

 

 

Then on the way back we stopped back by the Punta Sur area to look at some blowholes.

[brianroberts2526]

[brianroberts2526]

 

 

...All in all it was an amazing trip.

I think our next one with the new addition will probably be a short one maybe on RCI, I still have fun on those. But, I do consider myself a Princess cruiser. Just so much fun, when we can, I want to do another 10 day. And maybe down the road try some of the other lines, just to see whats up with them.

[Langley Cruisers]

Wife at the Sanctuary

 

Aww, your wife is beautiful and congratulations on the baby! We enjoyed Emerald too - definitely our most relaxed cruise so far. We would sail Princess again.

[NthernLgts]

Thank you so much for your review! We are going on the Emerald next Sunday. Cant wait. Your review has helped a lot...thanks again!!

[rdsqrl]

Thanks for the review. Your photos were just great. Congrats on your impending new arrival.

[sunluva7]

 

 

...All in all it was an amazing trip.

I think our next one with the new addition will probably be a short one maybe on RCI, I still have fun on those. But, I do consider myself a Princess cruiser. Just so much fun, when we can, I want to do another 10 day. And maybe down the road try some of the other lines, just to see whats up with them.

 

Funny you should mention. We are also Princess people. My husband thinks we're traitors booking a 5-day on RCI in February - LOL. We'll be back on Princess in 2012 for our anniversary. Thanks for the great review and congratulations on the new little cruiser-to-be.:D

[Whoo]

Thank you for your review and great pictures! We are doing a different itinerary in January, but it's still fun to see pictures and reviews. Can't wait to see what the Emerald is like in January!

[The O Mariners]

Brian, Thanks for a super review. Every first timer on the Emerald needs to read this! Your photos and descriptions were outstanding. Even though we are more than twice your age ;) , we thought your opinions were very balanced and right on. Morgan liked your comment that you take it as a challenge when people "ho-hum" about a port that you try to find something exciting. We were on the Emerald 10/08- it is such a beautiful ship. I enjoyed your photos of the "blue hole" I was there when I was your age and never have had the opportunity to return. It is still as pristine and beautiful as I remembered it- it is so blue! Thanks for the time you took to write such a comprehensive and enjoyable review. You're a cute couple and we wish you a wonderful birth experience and a happy year. (You were smart to have this time just the two of you as even if you go on a getaway after children, they are always on your mind.:D

[lovevacadays]

Thanks for the great review and wonderful pictures. Congrats on your upcoming new addition - your wife is so cute!

[dtagirl]

A nice review and great pictures! I think your wife and I shared the same lounger in the Sanctuary! Best wishes on your coming little one!

 

Pat

[SweetpeaOne]

Great review. Thanks for sharing. The pictures are really amazing..

[brianroberts2526]

Thanks for all the kind comments.

 

One other thing I was going to mention, the in-room entertainment isn't up to par with at least Carnival.

On Carnival you can see your folio charges and menus for the day. (Princess did upgrade to having a print out station for your folio charges at the pursers desk though)

 

Also, the movies/tv just aren't as good as Carnival. They show a couple good movies, but they will run them the whole week. Twilight must of run 60 times.

[sjpxoxo]

DH & I are thinking about booking this tour with Peat Taylor to the Cool Blue Hole. We will have a group of 8 others with us ranging in age all the way up to upper 70's. My question is: the older folks won't care about swimming in "the hole", so will the tour be beautiful enough to just go and look at to make it worth their while? 2 hours may be a little long unless you were actually swimming in it. What do you think? I would hate for them to be bored.