LIVE from the Emerald Princess - August 4-11, 2024

[Honolulu Blue]

Hi everyone.  Since I pre-purchased the Internet plan and figure to have a little spare time while I'm onboard, I thought I would post live about my experiences onboard.  Obviously, I'm not onboard yet, but embarkation day figures to be busy - too busy to set up a thread like this.

 

Let me introduce myself.  I've done three Princess cruises the past three calendar years from three different ports on three different ships.  This one is different from any of them.  Let's go through the firsts for me:

 

• First time embarking from Boston.  I'm only having a few regrets about this, but moving on...
• First time visiting all our ports.  We'll have a sea day then visit Halifax, NS; Sydney, NS; Charlottetown, PEI; and Portland, ME.  There will be a sea day between our stops in Prince Edward Island and Maine.
• First time cruising in August.  We might get a nasty surprise from down south late in this cruise, but we'll worry about that when we get to it.
• First time using EZAir.  It was easy enough to book from my actual hometown instead of driving to the big city airport I usually use.  The flights were expensive but might be worth it.  We'll see.

 

I did a couple of live threads on my last two cruises on Carnival.  You can search around for them if you're really interested.  The format figures to be similar - not too formal, one or two posts a day.

 

It's been relatively warm here the past week, so I'm looking forward to some cooler weather.  Talk to you soon.

[chrysalis]

Excellent...will be following as we board on the 11th for 37 days....Boston to Greenland, Boston to Quebec and then Quebec to Boston.

[High C's]

Thanks for this!  We will be boarding the day you get off.  Look forward to hearing about your experience.  Very interested to hear about the embarkation process in Boston.  It will be our first time embarking there, also.  

[Honolulu Blue]

Brief weather forecasts for thus upcoming cruise:

 

• Boston - rain in the afternoon, high around 80
• Halifax and Sydney - scattered showers both days, highs in the low 70s, lows in the.low 60s
• Charlottetown and the following sea day - clear, low 70s for highs, low 60s for lows
• Portland and the return to Boston - more rain, a bit warmer.

[Honolulu Blue]

I'm not at the port yet, but getting closer. Close enough to get a read on what is apparently our full schedule. I've reviewed it and here are some quick notes:

 

. Lots of Olympics shown by the pool most days from rough 10 am to 5 pm.

. Plenty of music trivia scattered over different days. Will the other passengers allow me to win this time? 😁

. I don't see a basic Medallion and Internet class this time.

. Rock Opera on day 2 sounds interesting. Any reviews?

. We have guest vocalist Brianna Faulk in the main theater on day 3 doing the Chain of Fools thing? I think?

. Day 4 is obviously the 80s themed day as there are a bunch of entertainment items related to that decade. I'd prefer a full cruise dedicated to it, but I'll take what I can get. 

. Sweet Soul Music is on day 4 also

. Horse racing challenge on day 6. Is that what I think ot is???? We'll find out soon.

. We have an unhosted Social Media Influencer get together in the afternoon of day 6. I don't think Don, Ilana, or Allison are onboard, so I wonder who will show up this and why. I plan to be there, and I'm kind of influential (mostly in my dreams...).

. Farewell variety show is at 8:30 on the final day. I guess I'll take a look.

 

Note that a mention here doesn't guarantee that I'll attend, and I might show up for things that I didn't mention. 

Edited August 4 by Honolulu Blue

[phabric]

Following along.  I am doing this cruise August 2025 on the Majestic.

 

Did you stay at a hotel pre cruise?

[Martha1974]

Following - this itinerary is definitely on our list (hopefully for 2026) so really looking forward to your report 

[Yehootu]

1 hour ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Horse racing challenge on day 6. Is that what I think ot is???? We'll find out soon.

I love the Horse racing! 

[High C's]

If you happen to notice, would you please advise which main restaurant was open for lunch during embarkation.  Huge thanks in advance if you are able to find out 🙂. Bon voyage!!!!!!!

[voljeep]

Rock Opera - wife loved, loved the opera part - I enjoyed it, but wanted more ROCK!

[vickie_bernie]

Are you able to share the patter 

[Honolulu Blue]

9 minutes ago, vickie_bernie said:

Are you able to share the patter 

I do plan to do that day by day. I haven't been to my cabin yet, but I'll get there eventually. 

[Honolulu Blue]

1 hour ago, Yehootu said:

I love the Horse racing! 

I love it when I'm onboard Carnival's Journeys cruises. I wonder if it's a similar experience. I hope so. 🙏

[Honolulu Blue]

I made it to the cruise port at 11 and made it onboard by 11:50. Not bad, all things considered. I'm now doing some miscellaneous things while I wait for my cabin to open up. 

 

I think I'm in the Explorers Lounge. It's starting to fill. I'm shy, but my friend wanted to say hi.

 

 

Thanks for the conversation so far. I'll have more to say later.

[phabric]

Will you be taking Princess excursions or private tours or just walking around at the ports?

 

Any recommendations?

Edited August 4 by phabric

[phabric]

Can you mention at each port if there is anything at the port - example -  places to get lobster rolls/or other seafood items, or stores?

[Honolulu Blue]

1 hour ago, High C's said:

If you happen to notice, would you please advise which main restaurant was open for lunch during embarkation.  Huge thanks in advance if you are able to find out 🙂. Bon voyage!!!!!!!

I checked around. It's Botticelli on deck 6 on this ship that's hosting the embarkation day lunch.

 

Edited August 4 by Honolulu Blue

[phabric]

How did you get from airport to dock?

[Honolulu Blue]

2 hours ago, phabric said:

Following along.  I am doing this cruise August 2025 on the Majestic.

 

Did you stay at a hotel pre cruise?

I did not. EZAir flew me in day of and I decided not to resist. 

[voljeep]

Just now, Honolulu Blue said:

I did not. EZAir flew me in day of and I decided not to resist. 

First and foremost - you enjoy YOUR cruise - don't worry about answering posters every questions ... but, if that is an important part of your cruise experience ... carry on

 

I would NEVER do a 'live from' and have never even done a 'review' - cruise or cabin

 

who would really want MY opinions, huh?

[Honolulu Blue]

6 minutes ago, phabric said:

Will you be taking Princess excursions or private tours or just walking around at the ports?

I haven't decided. I didn't book any excursions prior to boarding. Stay tuned!

4 minutes ago, phabric said:

Can you mention at each port if there is anything at the port - example -  places to get lobster rolls/or other seafood items, or stores?

I'll see what I can do. Keep in mind that all of these ports are known for their fishing and seafood. And I don't eat seafood. ☹️

1 minute ago, phabric said:

How did you get from airport to dock?

I took Lyft. It took about 20 minutes and cost about $31.

[phabric]

Just now, Honolulu Blue said:

I did not. EZAir flew me in day of and I decided not to resist. 

EzAir flights don’t come out until Oct, I was thinking on taking the first flight out around 8am from Toronto to Boston as it is only 1 1/2 hrs.

[Honolulu Blue]

Our cruise director made the announcement that our cabins are ready. So I guess I'll head to mine.

[Honolulu Blue]

1 minute ago, phabric said:

EzAir flights don’t come out until Oct, I was thinking on taking the first flight out around 8am from Toronto to Boston as it is only 1 1/2 hrs.

It sounds OK to me. Just keep in mind all the risks of EZAir and flying in day of. 

[LACruiser88]

The Emerald and her crew are one of our favorites!!!  Have a great cruise!