Live on the Emerald for Jan 15 to Feb 4

[vickie_bernie]

Sorry, yesterday the web was down and then very very slow so I gave up.

 

St. Thomas, as mentioned we docked at Crown Bay, there were 8 ships in port today, 7 in St. Thomas and one in ST. John's!!! :eek: We ended up going into town because of rain. The taxi ride to downtown was $4, and to Havensight was $5, they have the posted prices right at the fence. We walked back just so I could post how long it took for you guys. It took about 20 min, don't recommend walk for some people who may find a problem with the distance and the heat!

 

The town was a ZOO! Plus after a few jewlery and perfume stores I have seen them all. We had a great lunch at Glady's Restaurant. We then walked back and watched the sailaway.

 

Yesterday was a day at sea and taht was very relaxing. I attended the wine tasting. It was $9.50 and we tried 2 white 2 red and a dessert wine. Unfortunately it was the same wines we tried a year ago on the wine tasting.

 

We then attended a "special" Cruise Critic LUncheon that took place in the anytime dinning room where the cruise director, the Food Services Manager, and the Matre D' attended. Princess did up invitations and delivered them to all our cabins, and them Mr. Deering called each of us personally to confirm our receipt of the invitation. Don't ask how this was done, Brian took care of all of it, thanks Brian.

 

Today was Princess Cays, and we weren't planning on going ashore but because so many of our CC friends were going we went. It was very nice, and wasn't busy, I think many people stayed on board. Snorkeling was o.k. bring some bread/cereal and feed the fish.

 

Also today was the Owners Horse race and we had a horse with some fellow CC friends from Britain. The horses' name was Blazing Brit and even though he didn't win the race he did win best dressed horse -- Thanks Claire and Gwenda for the help in dressing the stallion.

 

Yesterday was formal night, Lobster!!! Very good, but I found it was rather salty.

 

So far I haven'tcomplained about much but I must say I am rather disappointed in the size of the venues. We have not been able to see many of the shows because we just can't get in! Yesterday we attended the Newly Wed, not so newly wed and it was jammed and this was the third show of the night!! Then we went to see the Hypmotist at 11:45 and again, packed! The rooms just don't seem to be able to accommodate how many people want to see the shows! And I know the PRincess Theatre is the same.

 

It doesn't help that so many people are saving chairs, and if I hear another scream from someone calling someones name ten times to join them I may scream!! I am still trying to find Bev -- your seat is HERE!! Now shut up!

 

Our roll call was huge and it certainly added to the fun of the trip. We kept running into so many people we knew, and when I attended functions without Bernie there was always some there I knew that I could join.

 

I need help now, from those of you in Florida near Fort Lauderdale.

 

How far away from teh port is 17th Street and Wallgreens Starbucks and stores to buy wine etc. We want to get off in teh afternoon and walk there but not sure if it is too far or not!

 

Can't wait to meet all my new Cruise Critic Roll Call friends!

 

It is great seeing everyone packing and printing out flight details, not us! We stay on board. We are meeting in Crooners at 9:45 where we are to be taken off and right back on. Laundry day for us!

 

Tips:

Come with a good attitude -- PLEASE -- you're on vacation

Casino seems to be okay from what I hear, some good pay outs some not so good

Bring a sweater for those cool nights

Bring lots of sunscreen seen lots of burned people!!

 

Oh someone was asking about buckets of Beer, yes Bud, Bud Light Corona

 

Cheers

[mycruz]

The 17th Street Walgreens is within walking distance of the pier. Once you leave the ship walk up to the main road of the port and take a right or go south, whichever you are more familiar with. The bridge that you see from the ship is the 17th street bridge. There are tons of shops right within walking distance. We were at the Walgreens prior to our trip and there were several crew members in there shopping and saw them walking back to the ship as we drove to the terminal. Perhaps if you know any crew that are going you can tag along.

[GSDsky]

Just a couple of questions if you get the time.

But first I would grab cab to Total wine and the publix is right there I think. Cab back loaded for the next 10 days would work.

 

Horse racing? I thought they cancelled this but I am sure I would get into it. Can you explain $$ and what the plan is?

 

Thanks In Advance

 

John

[rianvi]

Vickie...Thank you so much so taking the time to post live. We really appeciate it.

 

Questions....

 

When/where can you book the Chef's table and the cost?? About how long is it?

 

Could you explain about the horse racing???Have never heard of it before but it does sound intersting. Especially decorating your horse.

 

Peace, Anna:)

[PhotoFlo]

Vicki - thanks so much for posting live - we will be on the ship in April and it is great to get an idea of what to expect- we have sailed the CB 4 times, but this is the first on Emerald.

 

The walgreens and starbucks are very close to the port, if you choose to go to the Publix and Total Wine, the Sun Trolley should be running after 10 am and is 50 cents per person each way. It is about a 5 minute ride.

 

Enjoy the 2nd half of your cruise!!

[scomyrwil]

Make sure you have your ID and some sort of cruise documents to get back into the port after shopping. They require this.

 

See you tomorrow.

 

Scott, Myrla, Alan and Edie

[cruiselifers]

Vickie

I just wanted to say how nice it was to meet you. Thank you for the time you and Brian put into all of our M&M and activities on board, it really made a difference. I hope you enjoy your second leg of the b2b. We got back safe and sound to the nice cold snowy Chicago winter, and I am just thinking of you still on the beautiful Emerald enjoying the time there. You really are one upbeat, nice and classy lady. If you do not mind, when you return, emailing the picture of me and the captain from our M & M I would really appreciate it. I hope laundry was not too terrible.

 

To everyone else who is going on the Emerald in the future, she is a beautiful ship. The staff were wonderful. Treat them as you want to be treated and they respond tenfold. We were always greeted with smiles and kindness. And for the people who have posted about the pursers desk being the friendliest and most efficient, I completely agree. The coffee card was a great purchase. You get unlimited free brewed coffee and hot chocolate with the card as well as 15 specialty coffees. If you want a large or double shot coffee they will punch two holes in your card. It was a great value. The International Café's donuts in the morning and cookies at night were a highlight for me(I know, I am easy), but it does close at 11 p.m.. Last night I came late, 11:15pm and the chef went and got me my cookies because he did not want me to miss out. That was just one of the little things that made my cruise special. It was super clean and just a wonderful experience and I would sail her again in a heartbeat. The people I met from Cruise Critic made it even more special.

[Lidolounger]

We're back home to snowy WI - came home to over 18" of snow:eek:

When we were flying out of Ft Lauderdale we cricled over the port and there was the Emerald (yes, Vickie - I know - you're staying on)!:)

 

Cruiselifers -nice to meet you and spend some time together on Princesss Cays - I loved it there.

 

Vickie - stay in touch -we had a lot of fun - what a great group of people!

 

Brian - thanks so much for all the work you did with the M&M's - it really added to our entire cruise experience - we never went anywhere without bumping in to someone from CC.

 

Did you all hear on Wakey Wackey that I got a little gift from Neil? - When we came back from dinner towards the end of the cruise there was an envelope from the Emerald with my name on it in huge letters - inside was a Princess luggage tag - wasn't that nice?

 

Well luggage is in the house, will unpack tomorrow - I'm exhausted - will write my review soon!

 

Hey did someone say something about you doing some laundry???:p

 

Donna

[vickie_bernie]

Just a couple of questions if you get the time.

But first I would grab cab to Total wine and the publix is right there I think. Cab back loaded for the next 10 days would work.

 

Horse racing? I thought they cancelled this but I am sure I would get into it. Can you explain $$ and what the plan is?

 

Thanks In Advance

 

John

 

$3 a bet and you pick one of six horses, you charge it to your cruise card and they pay in CASH! Not that I would know, none of my horses win, so don't pick the same as me. And the payout depends on the odds. Great cheap fun

[vickie_bernie]

Cruiselifers, no problem I will put the pictures up on the web and you can get it there or I can forward to you directly.

 

Yesterday the web was not accessible till people started to board and then the CC board was really slow. So far the ships server has been fine, but the CC board is slow.

 

Thanks all for the directions to the Wallgreens and Bernie thanks you for giving ME the directions to Starbucks, trust me I am a better person after my latte.

 

We got up (as if we had a choice because of all the noise from others) early yesterday when we heard others packing up and leaving. We got a quick bite to eat and then started on the wash.

 

Nice and quiet in laundry room. WE did two loads they are $1.50 each for wash and dry but cost us more because one of the dryers didn't dry at all and was done in half the time the other dryer was. So we had to move all those items to the good dryer and feed it with another $1.50. We did mention it to a staff but he was so busy with turnaround day he just shrugged -- oh well no biggie. The clothes where washed folded and dried by 9:30.

 

9:45 we met in Crooners bar with other B2B people (about 75 I would guess) they took us off the ship, went thru US customs/immigration then we sat for maybe five minutes until they got a zero count on the ship then we came back on and thru security. In all it took just under half an hour.

 

We went to wallgreens and the big wine store and starbucks then came back around 2:30 and there was a short line to board. We got to pass everyone and board right away. WE also bought flowers for our stateroom ashore.

 

Dinner was at the seafood buffet again, yum.

 

The age on this sailing is younger, we're the old people :eek: I feel ancient!

 

Had our CC gathering and it looks like another great group. We are doing Sabatinis tonight with a couple from it Larry and Amy at 7.

 

We are also doing Chef's Table again this sailing. To make a reservation dial the number as soon as you board!!! it is in the PRincess Patter.

 

For all my last sailing crew from the CC board, we miss you all too. We keep looking around and we think we see you. I thought I saw Nan today, then Nancy, then Brian (with the beard)...

 

Well we are off to Princess Cays... life is tough.

[Colo Cruiser]

Hey Vickie, did you ever get chance to say hey to Generoso?

Have fun. :)

[daWoods]

My condolences on having to do another 10 days. I know it'll be tough.:D

[sunsetbeachgal]

Hi Vickie & Bernie,

 

Enjoyed meeting you at the Skywalkers party-hope the second week is equally great. Our group of four couples enjoyed the cruise so much we are all intending to book the other itinerary for next January. What spectacular weather!

 

Service and ship were top notch. In my opinion the food was fine-up to Princess standards. The crown Grill was our favorite! Ate there twice! My only complaint (minor) was the same thing you said-the show venues are most often not nearly large enough to accomodate the crowd-you have to arrive at least 20-30 minutes to get a seat. Oh well!

 

Enjoy week two!

Carole from NC

[Tigger B]

Hello Vickie...

 

Not sure if you remember me or not but I was the short guy with Nancy in Baja 751...

 

Hey, who you callin' old? I thought we were the young group.

 

Made it in to San Francisco last night about 10:30. Highway out of SF was closed due to flooding and we were both tired so we stayed here in SF last night. So we should be home later today then I can write more...

 

Funny that yesterday was laundry day...It was mine too.

 

For all of you that will are following this thread and will be sailing the Emerald in the future, I envy you. You are in for what could be one of your best cruises ever and for you first time cruisers it will e a great way to start. I cannot say enough good about the staff and crew but more about that later when I get home.

 

And for those of you looking for Magdalena from Poland, there are two of them on the ship.

 

Well Vickie, I know you are having a great time. Say hi to Bernie and Magdalena...

 

I'll write when I get home.

 

And to all of of my friends on our CC group...Thanks for helping to make this one of my best vacations ever and for the new friendships...You were all the best...

 

Brian.

[Tigger B]

Oh yeah, one more thing Vickie...Could you check with Neil and ask him what channel Wakey Wakey TV is on out here in San Francisco...I'm having a problem finding it here...

 

Brian.

[vickie_bernie]

Hey Vickie, did you ever get chance to say hey to Generoso?

Have fun. :)

 

Yes I got to meet him at the Chef's Dinner and many times since, he is wonderful.

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes I got to meet him at the Chef's Dinner and many times since, he is wonderful.

 

 

Thanks. :D

[Kittycat]

Hi there Tigger B - I think you are travelling with Kathy and Matt aren't you? Well give them both our love and tell them that we're thinking of them (Sue & Roger) - we had such a great time when we cruised with them a few years ago, and I know you'll be having a ball with them too!!

 

All of you, have a wonderful time - wish we were there too.

[emmilu]

What was the dinner and how many people were at your table? We don't drink wine, so would this be worth it? Thanks for the help!!!

[laketahoe1]

Vickie,

 

Great to read your postings as we will be on the Emerald 2/14 sailing. I have a question. You got off in FLL and went to Starbucks, wine etc. Did you buy wine and bring it back on board? If so, hassle?? There have been so many postings about carrying wine/champagne on board I just thought I'd check to see what the story is in FLL.

 

Thanks

Sailing in 2-1/2 weeks!!

[Reader0108598]

Vickie_bernie

 

Hope you are having a wonderful cruise ...we watched you leave yesterday and toasted you from our hotel window. Thanks for making our cruise a little more special you are wonderful people.Now get off that laptop and go have fun!!!

 

Gail & luis

[cruzinchris]

Yes I got to meet him at the Chef's Dinner and many times since, he is wonderful.

 

I know that Generoso is the Maitre D'. Who's the Captain on the Emerald?

[Colo Cruiser]

I know that Generoso is the Maitre D'. Who's the Captain on the Emerald?

 

 

Georgio Pomatta was in November. :)

[Reader0108598]

Oh yeah, one more thing Vickie...Could you check with Neil and ask him what channel Wakey Wakey TV is on out here in San Francisco...I'm having a problem finding it here...

 

Brian.

 

Ummm ....Brian if you are at home looking for Wakey Wakey TV you my friend have more problems than cruise critic can help with!:D

 

Gail

[daWoods]

Vickie,

 

Great to read your postings as we will be on the Emerald 2/14 sailing. I have a question. You got off in FLL and went to Starbucks, wine etc. Did you buy wine and bring it back on board? If so, hassle?? There have been so many postings about carrying wine/champagne on board I just thought I'd check to see what the story is in FLL.

 

Thanks

Sailing in 2-1/2 weeks!!

The rules posted on the website, and in the material they sent me, indicate you can bring wine/champagne on board, but no other beverages. We've taken several bottles on with us in the past with no problems, and I've read posts from those who have taken a case of wine on board.