Emerald Princess

[Coventrykid]

Hi there

This is my first post so bear with me. My husband and I have just returned from a 17 day cruise on Emerald Princess cruising the Med and Adriatic. It was the itinerary that first attracted me to this particular cruise and as we had been on the Ruby Princess I thought the Emerald would be just as good. So I am going to detail our experience on this cruise.

Embarkation - no problem. We arrived at Southampton about 12 noon and we were on board after about an hour.

Ship - very nice.

Staff - extremely friendly and very helpful.

Entertainment - good. I thought Kelvin did a good job.

Courses at sea - my husband took eukulele lessons. Something he would have never done if he wasn't on this ship - great success and there was a performance towards the end of the cruise.

Our cabin steward was great and looked after us very well.

Our cabin which had a balcony - R522 was what we expected but the balcony was a big disappointment. It was on the Riviera Deck 14 just beneath Horizon Court and consequently there was a big overhang from above which put all the balconies on both sides of that deck in permanent shade. We didn't know this when we booked. So beware if you like a sunny balcony don't book Riviera deck.

Ports - with the exception of Koper we enjoyed them all. Our main reason for doing this cruise was to visit Dubrovnik. Beautiful walled city. But with five cruise ships in at the same time and 19,000 people going ashore it was a bit of a nightmare. Some of the walking tours actually went back to the ship deciding not to go in because it was quite scary being in such a big crowd of people. The captain actually apologized for the fact that there were so many cruise ships in port at the same time. Surely princess could organize the ports better.

Talking about the captain we never saw either him or any of his officers at any time during the cruise.

My biggest disappointment was the food!! I am not difficult to please and really enjoy having my food cooked for me. Something has happened. I can only assume there are cut backs and it really shows. I think out of 17 meals in the main dining room I actually enjoyed 5!!! I sent one meal back with a message for the chef telling him it was awful. A lot of people were complaining about the food.

Then we were on code red for noro virus. This changed things in the buffet. Everything had to be served to us (I do understand why) but it caused huge delays and queues. I ended up having my breakfast delivered from room service.

The captain would tell us how many people were in isolation each day and I think the maximum he mentioned were 30 but someone from the medical staff said it was 80 plus.

So there you go. Because of our experiences on the Emerald I don't think we will cruise with Princess again!

[Illyria]

Sorry you were disappointed. We were on Emerald for a 16-day transatlantic cruise 2 years ago and loved it.

 

I wonder if they had kitchen employees starting to get sick before code red was officially announced, and it totally messed up their kitchen staffing.

[ggprincess2004]

So sorry you did not find the experience to be a positive one. It has been my experience that food on Princess is usually quite good, however, out of many cruises with them there have only been two where we found that we did not enjoy the food. The chef has a lot to do with that - so how they are rotated can be the luck of the draw - as in bad luck.

 

Too bad that the port you wanted to see most was quite crowded. This happens in the summer...and can happen in the Caribbean in the winter and Alaska in the summer. The port authority has a lot to do with how many ships can be in port on any given day, the captain has no control over that.

 

I'd like to relate a little story.. My neighbor had been a loyal Holland America cruiser for many years as I have been a loyal Princess cruiser. About 8 years ago she came back from a Holland America cruise and said never again. There had been a noro outbreak on the ship. Of course, this can happen anywhere, land or sea. She came down with it, and began to ask me a lot of questions about Princess. The next cruise she booked was on Princess. When she got back she said she had a great time, but thought the food was not good. I told her how sorry I was about that, we had only had at that point had one where we thought the food was not too good, but it was not the norm. Well, she gave Princess another try and is now Elite with Princess.....over 15 cruises with them. Just "food" for thought.

Edited June 29, 2014 by ggprincess2004

[Thrak]

We've only cruised 3 times so far - all with Princess. Out of the 3 cruises (10 day, 15 day, and 4 day) I have had one bad meal. I ordered Prime Rip on our Alaska cruise and sent it back because it was cold and rubbery and tasteless. They replaced it with another slice exactly the same. Other than that I have had great meals in MDR every time. (Although my son did order a crayfish dish that tasted like dirt...)

 

It's surprising (and a bummer) that you had a bad experience with the food on your cruise.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Thrak

[Pam in CA]

One of the things I really like about Princess over other lines is that they are so flexible when it comes to preparing dishes or ordering off-menu. Keep that in mind if you ever consider cruising with Princess again. You can ask for modifications to most dishes and if you want, ask for the next night's menu and if you don't see something you like, special order something.

 

The Head Chef can have a lot to do with how food is prepared and cooked. Princess ships get the same meats, fish, vegetables and other ingredients. It's how they cook and prepare that makes the difference.

 

Years ago, we were on an Island Princess 15-day Hawaiian cruise and sailing to Hilo, everything seemed to be "off." The French onion soup was watery, salty and half bread, steaks were tough, sauces were blander than normal, etc. After sailing from Lahaina to LA, the first night the food was very noticeably better. Steaks and meats were tender and delicious, sauces were robust, etc. Curious, we asked whether there had been a kitchen staff change and learned that the Head Chef had been on vacation and rejoined the ship that day.

 

So, please don't give up on Princess.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Pam in CA

[Alaskanb]

@ OP Who was the head chef on your cruise? We had lovely food when on the Emerald last June.

[OCruisers]

Gosh, our experiences on Emerald Princess have been great! So sorry yours was not. Thank you though for taking the time to give us your thoughts of the ship and your cruise.

LuLu

[PescadoAmarillo]

Noro virus can certainly affect one's enjoyment of a cruise. I was on the Emerald Princess at Code Red for almost two weeks over the holidays two years ago and I can tell you that I was certainly glad to see the end of that. I love that ship; I did NOT like those cruises!

 

As others have said, food quality varies, even on the same ship. We had the privilege of cruising the Emerald Princess for four months last winter and for the first two months we could not get beef cooked to our ordered temperature. It was always overlooked and nearly ruined. Then one cruise, it was perfection. Our waiter looked at us and smiled. "The old cook went home. The new one knows how to cook beef". Yes he did. So even with the same executive chef, things changed dramatically.

 

Whether the assurances here are enough to persuade you to try a Princess again is up to you, but I appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts.

Edited June 29, 2014 by PescadoAmarillo

[Pia1913]

And to think you missed a LIVE because I had to cancel this cruise. Those who know me also know I never would have complained about food. LOL :D

[tjwa]

norovirus symptoms = food poisoning symptoms:eek:

 

Never, Princess would not serve under cooked food - but yes they do blood in chicken. Go figure.

[Beermam42]

We've only cruised 3 times so far - all with Princess. Out of the 3 cruises (10 day, 15 day, and 4 day) I have had one bad meal. I ordered Prime Rip on our Alaska cruise and sent it back because it was cold and rubbery and tasteless. They replaced it with another slice exactly the same. Other than that I have had great meals in MDR every time. (Although my son did order a crayfish dish that tasted like dirt...)

 

It's surprising (and a bummer) that you had a bad experience with the food on your cruise.

 

In cajuan land we call crayfish mud bugs. We are going to do first Princess cruise and that is one thing I would not order, no way they can do it as good as I do. May 7, 2014 Emerald.

[SwissDave]

Sorry you did not enjoy the food. I was on for 18 days and got off just as you got on.

 

I only had one dissapointing meal in the MDR, it was not bad per se, but not that good. All other meals either in MDR, Horizon Court, Crown Grill were good to excellent.

 

The only proven fact about food though, is that what one person likes, another may not.

[onefine89]

Welcome to CC Coventrykid.............and it's unfortunate that your experience on your Emerald cruise was not great. Did enjoy your review.

 

Just keep in mind that things can happen on any ship and any cruise itinerery. Don't let this experience ruin any future plans especially on Princess because there are a lot more positives than negatives on this cruise line. So far, we have enjoyed each cruise and fabulous food dishes......well, I did not like the fish&chips for the Pub Lunch on the Sapphire.....the fish seemed rubbery:eek: not flakey and crispy like I enjoy.

 

Do enjoy your future cruises!

[newport dave]

Sorry you did not enjoy the food. I was on for 18 days and got off just as you got on.

 

I only had one dissapointing meal in the MDR, it was not bad per se, but not that good. All other meals either in MDR, Horizon Court, Crown Grill were good to excellent.

 

The only proven fact about food though, is that what one person likes, another may not.

 

We were on the same cruise as yourself, and only found the food in the MDR to be just OK. My BIL and his partner have just got off the Ekedald, same cruise as CC Coventry and they complained about the food in the MDR. My BIL is no where near ever being a picky eater. He was in the British Army for 22 years and will literally eat anything, including the proverbial 'scabby horse'. So for him to complain there must have been something wrong.

[SwissDave]

We were on the same cruise as yourself, and only found the food in the MDR to be just OK. My BIL and his partner have just got off the Ekedald, same cruise as CC Coventry and they complained about the food in the MDR. My BIL is no where near ever being a picky eater. He was in the British Army for 22 years and will literally eat anything, including the proverbial 'scabby horse'. So for him to complain there must have been something wrong.

 

 

Interesting, i wonder if there was a big kitchen crew change when we got off, there were quite a few new waiters got on at Madiera, so wonder if cooks were next.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse tryping orrers.

[Coventrykid]

Let me tell you about one meal in particular. Tandoori Chicken with basmati rice. Four of us on our table for 6 ordered this dish. After a long wait the waiter came to us to say it will be another 15 mins wait. As we weren't going anywhere we said we would wait. Big mistake! They had obviously run out and literally cobbled something together for us. We complained and the head waiter came to see us and said they would make it again for us the next night, why would we want that again!!! It would have been better if they had said they had run out and would we choose something else. I could go on.

[fishywood]

Let me tell you about one meal in particular. Tandoori Chicken with basmati rice. Four of us on our table for 6 ordered this dish. After a long wait the waiter came to us to say it will be another 15 mins wait. As we weren't going anywhere we said we would wait. Big mistake! They had obviously run out and literally cobbled something together for us. We complained and the head waiter came to see us and said they would make it again for us the next night, why would we want that again!!! It would have been better if they had said they had run out and would we choose something else. I could go on.

 

The head waiter offered to have a dish prepared off-menu for your table the next night, and you blew him off? BIG mistake! Accepting his offer--which you could have embellished with any other dish that occurred to you--would have pretty much guaranteed a meal cooked freshly to order when you arrived.

 

It is one thing to exercise your right to complain when served something unsatisfactory. But it is quite another to let your disappointment fester into a nightly self-fulfilling prophecy--and then ignore the best solution you were offered.

[Beermam42]

After two cruises with DCL my wife and I are branching out. I classify all food on DCL as good, some real good some I tried and did not like. They had everything. Never saw them run out of anything. I am not big fan of the two high end resturants but have eaten at Polo. Nice. I have had exposure to some of the best resturants in US being from and living most of my life in New Orleans. I ate at all the great ones and they have some outstanding dishes. Do not miss Commanders Palace if you go. I try to eat less but something good. This is an adventure. At this point we are just trying to adjust all the rule changes. Soda, liquor, etc. Also gambling, we both like BJ and DCL does not have casinos, its all about the kids. I have to say itis fun acting young on a Disney Cruise. I have the Mickey glove and hat and have a good time.

[Sunviking]

We were also on the 17 day cruise ending 06/28/14. We had a wonderful cruise but we also found the food in the dining room to be just so-so. The service was excellent but the food was uninspiring. One other thing we noticed that was different from our other Princess cruises was that not once did a head waiter come by to ask if we were enjoying our meal or if we had any problems. On previous cruises (we are both elite so we've had more than a few) we've always found that the Maitre d' and head waiter both came over to see how we were enjoying our meals.

 

I agree that the chef can make a big difference in the food despite recipes being the same. We found that even in Crown Grill and Sabatinis the food was not the same as on prior cruises. At those venues, the head waiters were very attentive though. Just as an example of changes in food quality/taste, the first night we dined at the Crown Grill (we ate there several times) I had the Black & Blue Onion soup which I love and enjoyed that evening. Later in the cruise on our 3rd or 4th visit there, I ordered the soup again. It tasted horrible! A couple of people at the table next to us also ordered it and we overheard them complaining about it as well so I don't think it was just me.

 

Everything else about our cruise was very good. We loved all the ports including Koper where we took a tour to Ljubljana. Dubrovnik was a mess! My daughter stuck it out going into the walled city; I didn't after seeing the crowd. I had been there before and didn't want to contend with 12,000 of my closest friends also trying to go in to see the sights.

 

I know that food and fuel prices have gone up and frankly I would prefer that Princess increase the cruise price a little to compensate than see them let the food quality go down as it has IMHO. I know not everyone will feel that way and I know that food is a very subjective thing, so some people may think it's great. We are all entitled to our opinions.

[caribill]

 

I know that food and fuel prices have gone up and frankly I would prefer that Princess increase the cruise price a little to compensate than see them let the food quality go down as it has IMHO.

 

So far, overall, cruise prices on Princess have increased while at the same time the food quality continues to go down in many people's opinions.

[SwissDave]

On the current Emerald 'Live From', just about the first comment is 'food and service are outstanding'.

[Sunviking]

On the current Emerald 'Live From', just about the first comment is 'food and service are outstanding'.

 

Food quality is a very subjective issue. The "Live from" to which you refer is a different cruise with a different writer and, who knows, perhaps even a different chef. Food I think is great someone else may think tastes so-so or even bad, or vice versa.

[Colo Cruiser]

Food quality is a very subjective issue. The "Live from" to which you refer is a different cruise with a different writer and, who knows, perhaps even a different chef. Food I think is great someone else may think tastes so-so or even bad, or vice versa.

 

I agree, its a tough crowd when it comes to food.

 

OP thanks for your honest report.

[Coventrykid]

I am not difficult to please when it comes to food. I love having my food cooked for me but I also know when food is not good and it was not good on our cruise. I still maintain something was wrong.

[SwissDave]

Food quality is a very subjective issue. The "Live from" to which you refer is a different cruise with a different writer and, who knows, perhaps even a different chef. Food I think is great someone else may think tastes so-so or even bad, or vice versa.

 

 

Which is what i said earlier in this thread.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse tryping orrers.