Live from Emerald Princess, April 16 - May 4, 2023, full Panama transit

[jaycruising]

We both enjoyed the water a bit, it was so warm and calm, it was a treat to get in, also no water shoes required. 

 

 

Then it was time to switch it up and I went with a Pina Colada 

 

And DM got a mango margarita 

 

We also got some chips and pico, and I asked for queso, but we had a misunderstanding and instead of cheese sauce I got cubes of cheese. DM said she almost dies when she had her first bite of pico as it was so spicy, but she got it sorted.  Our total bill was $48, worth it for us to enjoy a few hours at the beach and some tasty drinks. We did have vendors come by, but they were not pushy at all and a polite no gracias and they were on their way. 
 

The beach was quite busy today, being a Saturday, someone also told me it was a long weekend for them. We really enjoyed watching the local families enjoy the beach too. 
 

We made our way back to the ship along the beach, was much cooler then walking by the shops. 

 

 

Once back on board we went straight to the pool for another swim and too cool off. I left DM up there and headed back to the cabin for some quiet time. I did not inherit her olive skin tone and this ginger can only take so much sun!

[nini]

When we docked there in January 2018, there were a few American Coast Guard boats docked as well.

[canadarocks]

Thank you so much for this amazing review! We're doing the same itinerary in reverse next February. 😊

Can I ask how long it took you to walk to the beach area in Huatulco? It looks lovely!

[eclue]

35 minutes ago, canadarocks said:

Thank you so much for this amazing review! We're doing the same itinerary in reverse next February. 😊

Can I ask how long it took you to walk to the beach area in Huatulco? It looks lovely!

Less than 10 minutes

[jaycruising]

51 minutes ago, canadarocks said:

Thank you so much for this amazing review! We're doing the same itinerary in reverse next February. 😊

Can I ask how long it took you to walk to the beach area in Huatulco? It looks lovely!

It was fantastic, if you go via the stores about 15 minutes, if you just walk on the beach from the pier you can be there in 5 minutes. There are restaurants all along that you can get chairs at. 

[canadarocks]

Wonderful! Thanks @jaycruising and @eclue

[Ellipooh]

I think I would have been in a panic when your private tour bus was blocked coming down the mountain road. Granted it was Costa Rica not Columbia or Nicaragua, but I’d still be going nuts that the ship would leave without me. 
 

Thanks for sharing your day in Huatulco.  I haven’t seen anything in the excursions that tempt me, but your day sounds just lovely. 
 

PS - your last balcony photo from your April 27 Sea Day was gorgeous!

[jaycruising]

35 minutes ago, Ellipooh said:

I think I would have been in a panic when your private tour bus was blocked coming down the mountain road. Granted it was Costa Rica not Columbia or Nicaragua, but I’d still be going nuts that the ship would leave without me. 
 

Thanks for sharing your day in Huatulco.  I haven’t seen anything in the excursions that tempt me, but your day sounds just lovely. 
 

PS - your last balcony photo from your April 27 Sea Day was gorgeous!

I was more in a panic of them possibly trying to go around the truck. There was another tour from the same company right in front of us and all aboard time wasn’t until 6:30 so I was pretty confident they would get us back in plenty of time. 
 

That is how we felt about Huatulco as well, none of the excursions appealed or had good ratings. We really enjoyed our beach day!

[jaycruising]

After my quiet time I went all over the ship taking photos of it and Huatulco. As you went to different locations you would see different angles. For reference I was on decks, 7, 15, 16, 17, and 19. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jaycruising]

More exploring

 

 

 

 

 

 

They also have these little tuktuk’s you can get a ride in on the pier, no cost, just tip. 

 

 

[jaycruising]

Up on deck 19 they have the sports court for pickleball / basketball, mini golf, croquet, corn hole and bocce

 

 

and great views off the back of the ship

 

 

 

On my way back to the cabin I stopped and took photos in the buffet area since it was quiet. I really like the colour scheme up here

 

 

water / coffee station

 

 

 

 

 

There are also 2 sinks at each entrance to wash your hands. 

 

 

[jaycruising]

In Maui the sunset is almost like a religion, almost everyone stops what they are doing and looks to the west to see how the sky will light up. It is almost like that with sail away on cruise ships, so many people head to their balconies to see us leave port!  Us included!

 

 

 

We really enjoyed sail away as we were sleeping as we came in and didn’t get to see all the local terrain. 
 

[CruisingCat83]

Probably stated somewhere, but are they still serving guests at the buffet? Or is it self serve now?

 

By the way, I have thoroughly enjoyed cruising along your posts! Beautiful pics and good information.

Edited April 30, 2023 by CruisingCat83

[jaycruising]

Next up was almost everyone’s favourite time on a ship… dinner time. Back to our usual dining room!

 

 

 

I started with the vegetable tempura sushi, not really what I was expecting, but was still good. 

 

next was the coconut soup, I love the cold soups. 

 

For my main I went with my favourite meal, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. The beef was ok, but the Yorkshire was not the best. 

 

For dessert I went with the sugar free fruit tart, it was so good!

 

After dinner we headed into Crooners as we wanted to watch the piano player and almost every night there is no room. But we got some seats and really enjoyed him

 

 

 

And we ended our night in there. 

[jaycruising]

21 minutes ago, CruisingCat83 said:

Probably stated somewhere, but are they still serving guests at the buffet? Or is it self serve now?

 

By the way, I have thoroughly enjoyed cruising along your posts! Beautiful pics and good information.

I hadn’t mentioned it, but no, it is all been self serve on the buffet. 
 

Glad you are enjoying it!

[kilili]

6 hours ago, jaycruising said:

We also got some chips and pico, and I asked for queso, but we had a misunderstanding and instead of cheese sauce I got cubes of cheese.

Melted cheese sauce called "queso" is an American invention.  Queso means cheese in Spanish.  So that's what they brought...  

 

Great review!

Edited May 1, 2023 by kilili

[jaycruising]

April 30, Sea Day

 

 

 

It’s Groundhog Day again!  Awake around 8, and head to the gym for our sea day workout. They were doing the Yoga class that is included in the package so I snuck a picture. 

 

They get the good yoga mats, it you are stretching, or doing yoga on your own you get blue ones that are kind of falling apart!  Then we had breakfast in the buffet, I got an eggs Benedict made to order, it was ok… not the best!

 

Then we snuck back up to deck 19 as DM had never been up there

 

 

Next stop was arts and crafts and as usual it was busy so get there early!  Today we coloured a Mandela 

 

We chatted with a really nice couple from the LA area, this ship really is full of the nicest people. 
 

Then it was time for a little vitamin D. We went forward to just above the lotus pool. It is pretty quiet back there as most people think you need to use the spa or sanctuary to use that pool. 

 

Some back and forth between the chair and the pool and our hour and a bit was up!

[jaycruising]

After a quick change we headed down to 5 to meet our friends to play a new game of dice, it was fun and we always like to learn a new game. 
 

Back up to the cabin for some down time, TR writing and perhaps even some napping before we got ready for the evening. 
 

Dinner was in the MDR as usual tonight and this was probably my least favourite menu and dinner, nothing was exciting. 

 

 

 

I started with the garlic roasted eggplant, it was my favourite of the night

 

Chilled peach and apricot soup. 

I had the Brasato, it was ok. Glad I didn’t have the pork, it was not pulled in any way shape or form!

I decided to try the lychee raspberry rose mousse and actually really enjoyed it, it is nice and light!

 

After dinner we headed to club fusion to play Hollywood U?  It was different movie questions we answered as a team, it was quite fun. And the entertainment team on board is great!

 

 

Then we stayed and listened to Opus Band for a bit, before heading upstairs, to get ready for bed and our last port day tomorrow 😞

 

 

[theloo]

2 hours ago, jaycruising said:

They get the good

yoga mats, it you are stretching, or doing yoga on your own you get blue ones that are kind of falling apart!  

Does the gym have any foam rollers?  Hoping I don't have to bring my own.  

[jaycruising]

5 hours ago, theloo said:

Does the gym have any foam rollers?  Hoping I don't have to bring my own.  

Yes they do… they are in the studio behind the small weight racks. I had trouble finding them the first few days. The one thing I wish they had was resistance bands

[Olympic Crow]

I've enjoyed traveling along with you. We are doing the same itinerary in reverse next year. How much ahead of time did you find out that Nicaragua was being canceled?

[jaycruising]

58 minutes ago, Cruising2024 said:

I've enjoyed traveling along with you. We are doing the same itinerary in reverse next year. How much ahead of time did you find out that Nicaragua was being canceled?

Glad you are enjoying!

 

We found out on January 19th that it was cancelled. 

[Olympic Crow]

Thanks. Another question; you said you selected your clothes for the cruise with great thought. In retrospect,  would you have packed differently?

[jaycruising]

19 minutes ago, Cruising2024 said:

Thanks. Another question; you said you selected your clothes for the cruise with great thought. In retrospect,  would you have packed differently?

I have found flowy dresses to be the most common item I have worn, especially in port. Hats have been an absolute must!  I brought a bunch tshirts and tanks and only wore them once with shorts.  Casual wear is good for dinner in the dining room. Have dressed up a bit more for formal nights. 
 

Stick with items that have airflow and are comfortable 
 

this is the best thing I brought along!  

 

 

Its a hand fan we bought off of Amazon, it is nice and compact, charges via USB and provided much needed relief throughout this trip

[floridacruiser14]

Enjoying your review. We will be on this ship in June to do a Coastal California cruise. Are you able tell me if there are cabanas in Sanctuary and if so the cost and/or possible pictures. Any information will be greatly appreciated.