Terrible start and rough finish

The day started with a severe thunderstorm (just like the day before) and the Emerald Princess docked in the secondary port as the Ruby Princess was in the primary dock. The rain continued through the early afternoon, approximately 3:00 pm and the lines for the luggage drop off and security check was outside in the cold, pouring rain. Some people stood in the rain for up to and over 2 hours as there were 2 lines, neither line marked in any way, one line to drop your luggage and another to get through security. The luggage porters were being accosted each time they came out of the luggage storage building and others would not even come out in the rain. We looked through a window and watched 3-4 guys sit inside and drink coffee for at least 1/2 hour as we stood in the rain waiting. We were also told by one of the porters that the luggage AND security screening machines were malfunctioning all day. There were people who we discovered later who had just been released from the hospital days before the cruise and it was clear there were many people who were in fragile health and should not be standing in the rain for extended periods of time. It took us 4 hours from the time we arrived at the dock until we boarded the ship. Most passengers were courteous and everyone was soaking wet and very cold when they boarded the ship. In talking with other passengers in the days following everyone we talked with was in consensus that that was the worst boarding experience EVER - and one that could have been totally avoided with one change (re-route the boarding line). Some passengers went so far as to indicate this oversight by Princess was “inexcusable” and they would never book another Princess cruise ever. Who ever was in charge of the check in process could have re-routed the luggage drop off and the check in line through the building that housed the luggage. Shame on Princess for putting out a blurb indicating the problems were technical and out of their control. Of particular note, the entire staff of the Emerald Princess were unable to make eye contact with the passengers for most of the cruise. It seemed to be evident that the staff were embarrassed about the embarkation debacle for the entire cruise.

Bad weather had everyone inside most of the cruise so the space available during activities was limited due to overcrowding.

The comedian was great, but the other entertainers were poor and the singers and dancers need more training.

Room steward was great and the dining staff were also good.

Older ship needs to be refurbished in many areas.

Size was average and the steward was great at keeping it clean and in working order.

Could not get the passengers on and could not get them off in a reasonable time.