New to Princess with questions

[RocHed11]

Hi Everyone, This will be our first Princess cruise. Very soon, November 7th on the Emerald Princess, Eastern Caribbean. Pretty much all of our previous cruises have been with Carnival. The Last Caribbean was on the Valor which we thoroughly enjoyed Most of the cruises we liked with some disappointing moments. None that would stop us from using Carnival again. That said, in general terms, are the differences with Princess that much? We are in our mid 50's so we are kinda over the party boats but we are not put off by them. Does everyone really go to bed by 10pm? lol Just kidding!!!

The questions I pretty much have are in regards to the Emerald. How is the ship holding up? In good shape? This is gonna be the first Caribbean after Europe, Trans Atlantic, Canada/New England. In general, is the crew more upbeat going from Cool to Warm Environs? Or it depends on where they are in their contract? Sorry if my questions seem Scatterbrained but you get what you get. Any answers will be much appreciated!!

TY, T

[Times Prince]

The Emerald Princess is in great shape.

[Princess Patches]

Princess will be an excellent fit for a couple in their 50's especially if you are tired of the party boats. Princess keeps its ships in excellent shape and Emerald is the second newest. Princess night life does not end at 10, some nights it will go to 11 or 12! I am in bed by 11 so I have no idea what happens after that. There is entertainment until at least 11.

[skynight]

Plenty to do. Staff is very nice. Lots of day and evening activities. Lots of options at night with live music, game shows, karaoke, theme nights, production shows. Only downside seems to be that Princess has moved to 1/2 hour shows which are not getting rave reviews. Skywalkers night club opens around 10PM and goes late. On a 7 day Caribbean there should be action there.

[sallybrown2012]

We're also new to Princess (having cruised Disney and Royal Carib.) and appreciate everyone's comments.

[PeteC22]

Princess isn't know to be a party ship compared to Carnival or RCL. Most of the people will be sound asleep by midnight and even earlier as the cruise progresses. A very sedate crowd most of the time. It has been expressed as a cruise ship for the newlywed and the nearly dead. ;)

[RocHed11]

Princess isn't know to be a party ship compared to Carnival or RCL. Most of the people will be sound asleep by midnight and even earlier as the cruise progresses. A very sedate crowd most of the time. It has been expressed as a cruise ship for the newlywed and the nearly dead. ;)

 

 

LOL Pete, Being that we will be celebrating our 25th next year, I guess that disqualifies us for newlyweds. I don't mind the lack of crowds and lines. Actually beneficial in some instances. Does everyone migrate to the Casino?

I'm so looking forward to our ten days in the Caribbean.

[OCruisers]

Not to Worry! We're neither "newlywed nor nearly dead" and find enough to keep us entertained in the evenings. No, we don't go to bed a 10 PM! :D

 

Emerald is a very nice ship! We've cruised on her before and have another booked on her for this coming January. (B2B ... 20 days)

 

Note: We've also cruised on Carnival and much prefer Princess.

 

Stay excited and look forward to having a wonderful time on your cruise! :)

 

LuLu

~~~~~

[PeteC22]

LOL Pete, Being that we will be celebrating our 25th next year, I guess that disqualifies us for newlyweds. I don't mind the lack of crowds and lines. Actually beneficial in some instances. Does everyone migrate to the Casino?

I'm so looking forward to our ten days in the Caribbean.

 

We don't as we dislike how it smells, even on non smoking nights.

[luv2travel77]

Hi Everyone, This will be our first Princess cruise. Very soon, November 7th on the Emerald Princess, Eastern Caribbean. Pretty much all of our previous cruises have been with Carnival. The Last Caribbean was on the Valor which we thoroughly enjoyed Most of the cruises we liked with some disappointing moments. None that would stop us from using Carnival again. That said, in general terms, are the differences with Princess that much? We are in our mid 50's so we are kinda over the party boats but we are not put off by them. Does everyone really go to bed by 10pm? lol Just kidding!!!

The questions I pretty much have are in regards to the Emerald. How is the ship holding up? In good shape? This is gonna be the first Caribbean after Europe, Trans Atlantic, Canada/New England. In general, is the crew more upbeat going from Cool to Warm Environs? Or it depends on where they are in their contract? Sorry if my questions seem Scatterbrained but you get what you get. Any answers will be much appreciated!!

TY, T

 

I thought you should know the Emerald recently scored 100% on a surprise inspection while docked in Boston. You'll enjoy the ship a lot. I was on it last year for the Southern Caribbean 10-day and will be getting off it on Nov 7th. from the Canada/Colonial America itinerary as you embark on yours.

 

You might notice that the food is better than on Carnival but it is indeed a subjective thing.

 

The Emerald is a beauty. I really liked the staff a lot and they really kept the ship spotless. It is not a party ship for sure but it is not boring. I might even say you'd be considered slightly younger than the average age. :)

[Seafoam Green]

Princess for us works better than Carnival. It's low key and more relaxing. One big thing for me is that there are more things to do on sea days on Princess - you're not limited to just pool, bar or casino.

[RocHed11]

Thanks Everyone for your responses, Truely appreciated!!!

[Crusin Hogs]

We to have our 1st cruise booked on The Caribbean after 5 cruises on Carnival . Here lately I have seen a lot of post from new to Princess cruisers , leaving Carnival :D

[contentsam]

Emerald Princess is a great ship with a crew that works hard to make sure you have a great cruise. It tends to be more middle age group. If you want to see an older group go on Holland American cruise. A lot to do.

[peachykiehn]

We have found it is quiet in the late evenings but if you like to dance or listen to music there is always something going on until at least midnight if not later.

[ChiefBoats]

One of the things that my DW and I like is that it is not a party boat (we are in our mid 60's). We like the shows, and the general passenger is in there upper forties and above. I will say that even though the lounges are open late they are never crowded. Not to many young kids (we have raised ours....) which makes it nice.

[satxdiver]

Being a sexy senior citizen (:rolleyes:) I do like to stay up late and I do mean in the wee hours of the morning. The bars with live music will generally close around 11:30 PM to midnight. Skywalkers (disco) will stay open until the wee hours and I have never closed them down heading to my bed before they quit. On seadays Skywalkers will be busy after the bars all close down but on port days most are tired and/or have to get up early for a port tour, so it will be a lot less crowded. While Princess is not a party boat (Carnival), it also is not a dead boat after 9 PM (HAL).

 

I was on the Emerald last spring and it is in great shape being the second newest ship (until next spring!) and is in excellent condition.

[PunkiC]

We are dancers and often close down the band in The Wheelhouse, but aren't into "Shake your Booty" so we don't spend much time in Skywalkers but have friends who will dance late into the night and sleep half the day away, especially on sea day. We also have friends who spend long hours in the casino, which is another activity in which we just don't indulge.

 

The good thing is that there is plenty for everyone to do on board, all day long and way into the night. We cruise quite a lot and have never been bored.

 

We also like the food on Princess, both in the dining rooms and in the Horizon Court and especially the pizza. Princess makes really good pizza.

 

Interestinglly, while Princess is much more liberal than Carnival or NCL about bringing wine on board, you never see any drunken craziness on Princess like you do on the ships that carefully restrict bringing wine on board. I guess it is just a different crowd.

 

Have fun!

[Beej29]

I did my first Princess cruise last year on the Emerald. You made a good choice. I am not a late night person so dancing to the wee hours is not in my plans. However, there are things to do. I would see shows, watch Muts, go to Crooners and sing a long with the piano guy. Always found something I wanted to do in the evenings, but midnight was usually the latest for me. I will be back on the Emerald in November.

 

As far as food, which I say is subjective, I was not too crazy about buffet food on Princess. I liked Carnival that had the different sections with stir fry, deli, Indian food, burritos etc. That being said, I certainly did not starve and enjoyed all my meals in the dining room.

[paradiseisaprincessaway]

im in my late 20's and LOVE princess cruises. always have a great time, love the entertainment and pax. never have an issue having fun and most nights were out past 2-3am just having fun

dont partake in the casino because its not my thing, but i do drop in a time or two for a smoke.

 

i love princess and have sailed carnival but they both offer equally awesome experiences, mind you i went into my first carnival cruise with high expectations and was dissappointed but the more carnival cruises i took the easier it was to adjust between carnival and princess

 

you will love the emerald she is the sister to the ruby and I love the ruby! hope you will too

[kathyr]

Hi Everyone, This will be our first Princess cruise. Very soon, November 7th on the Emerald Princess, Eastern Caribbean. Pretty much all of our previous cruises have been with Carnival. The Last Caribbean was on the Valor which we thoroughly enjoyed Most of the cruises we liked with some disappointing moments. None that would stop us from using Carnival again. That said, in general terms, are the differences with Princess that much? We are in our mid 50's so we are kinda over the party boats but we are not put off by them. Does everyone really go to bed by 10pm? lol Just kidding!!!

The questions I pretty much have are in regards to the Emerald. How is the ship holding up? In good shape? This is gonna be the first Caribbean after Europe, Trans Atlantic, Canada/New England. In general, is the crew more upbeat going from Cool to Warm Environs? Or it depends on where they are in their contract? Sorry if my questions seem Scatterbrained but you get what you get. Any answers will be much appreciated!!

TY, T

 

Hi T,

We haven't cruised Carnival yet.. but have cruised with Royal.., we are also in our 50's- We really enjoy Princess, their iternaries, and the Emerald is a beautiful ship- we were on her last year and the staff was GREAT!!- The only dissapointment for me is how cramped the buffet is, other than that I think the ship(s) are wonderful.

Skywalkers can be loads of fun but some of the other venues are just fun. Make sure to go to the IC for pastries ..YUM!

If you havent signed up for your roll call- I would do that also- to us, that is more than 1/2 the fun- meeting new friends! Maybe there is a cabin crawl or pub crawl being put together..:)

1 more thing- Don't wear her out, as we are on the 11/17 sailing:D:D

Kathy

[brainyblonde]

What does the OP mean about Princess being more liberal about wine? HAL has an unlimited number of bottles one may bring on, also carry on wine at ports to be used on the ship. According to Princess' information, the limit is one bottle of wine per person at intial embarcation.

 

 

New to Princess, so thanks in advance,

 

brainyblonde

[caribill]

Hi T,

 

We haven't cruised The only dissapointment for me is how cramped the buffet is, other than that I think the ship(s) are wonderful.

 

 

The ships that have had the recent mods to the buffet area with the morning breads/waffles/pastries and the lucnh/dinner desserts moved to a new counter outside the main service area are less crowded. The aisles between the counters inside the main serving area are now wider.

[auntkaty]

How are the mattresses on Princess?

[kathyr]

The ships that have had the recent mods to the buffet area with the morning breads/waffles/pastries and the lucnh/dinner desserts moved to a new counter outside the main service area are less crowded. The aisles between the counters inside the main serving area are now wider.

 

Will this be true of the Emerald as she is due for a drydock in December for 10 days... Even so just that they are tackling that is awesome!!!

Kathy