Great Hawaiian Cruise.

Item: Emerald Princess
Rating: 4.1
Author: prisch

Emerald Princess Cruise Review to Hawaii

prisch

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

4.1 out of 5

15 Night Hawaiian Islands (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 02, 2019

Ship: Emerald Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: B605

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

The trip was wonderful and I would highly recommend it. We had a few issues that were not earth shattering or cruise ruining. My biggest concern is that I tried to visit with the director of food and beverage three different times, but he would not ever contact me. I left a phone message and two written requests for him to contact me. My third request included a cc to the captain and the company president. I have yet to hear from anyone. As a manger in a company, I would never not answer a request such as mine. The requests started around the 8th day and the final was on the 14th day. Not sure why they refused, but management needs to respond to their customers. Wed cruise often and are already planning the next vacation. We'll see if they care enough to contact a passenger with a story to tell.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Worst embarkation ever!! No one knew what they were doing. Confusion reigned and many disheartened people. Worried that the entire cruise would be this way. Thank goodness, it wasn't.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Best food I have ever had on any cruise anywhere. Excellent service in the dining room and specialty SHARE restaurant.

Dining Room

5 out of 5

Best food and service ever on any of our many cruises. Alberto, Robert and Angelino couldn't have been better at what they do. Thanks team for the wonderful experience and 10 pounds : )

Slice Pizzeria

5 out of 5

Other than the usual pushing and shoving and rudeness of fellow passengers, the food and layouts were great. Never an issue to cook something to order for me. Ample supplies of anything and everything. Had to ask for some items, but mostly very well stocked.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

There was never enough places to sit. If you were not at least an hour early for any event, you stood if you wished to participate. Large ship but under facilitized.

Internet Cafe

3 out of 5

Bought the prepaid minutes with bonus and that was good. The reception and ability to really use the system was severely limited. Maybe the weather, not sure, but somewhat disappointing.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

A couple of the Theater acts were great: Mike Williams and The Modern Gentlemen were super.

Princess Theater

2 out of 5

UNDERSIZED! Needed to be extremely early to hope for a seat. Discouraged, only went to two shows and always the very late one where I had a chance to get a seat.

Movies Under The Stars

1 out of 5

The movie venue was fine, but the service was AWFUL!!! Wanted popcorn at the movies. Got 4 different stories on the popcorn, and when the brought it, it was tiny in size. When asked if we could get another, we were told if there was any available, we might. C'mon folks it's popcorn. Cheapest food around. A large popper was there, but noy used. Weird.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Service in the DR and Specialty were superb. Most anywhere we went we were well served. A couple of issues of attitude did arise, but they were rare and there just can't be perfection with a crew that size.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Design was great and easy to navigate around the ship once acclimated. Some of the common areas were in need of cleaning and maintenance. Carts outside staterooms for too long periods. made it very difficult to negotiate the hallways at times.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Cabin was as expected. There are some issues with sharp corners that created a few problems until we wrapped them in towels to soften any blow. Calvino was our steward and he was EXCELLENT!! He made sure all was in place at all times. Respected our requests and never had issue with anything we asked for. A great employee.

Ship tip

Get to any event VERY EARLY. The ship is wonderful, but the sheer numbers overwhelm the available facilities.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Lahaina, Maui

3 out of 5

Tender in, main street shopping, tender back. Have been to Maui many times and did not take an excursion.

Thumbs Up 0

Honolulu, Oahu

5 out of 5

Great time at the Royal Hawaiian Beach. We did this on our own and not via an excursion.

Thumbs Up 5

Nawiliwili, Kauai

5 out of 5

Our favorite island. Rented a car and spent the day driving and sightseeing. Again, no excursion.

Thumbs Up 3

Hilo, Hawaii

4 out of 5

Would rather have visited Kona side, but Hilo was fine. There needs to be a shuttle for passengers to get to the Hoppa On... Ride. A long walk for the majority of your customers, old folks like me. I had no issue, but it was a long hike to the station.

Thumbs Up 5

Ensenada, Mexico

3 out of 5

Have been here previously and what can you say; It is a border town in Mexico. On previous visits we went to the wineries and enjoyed it, but after 5 rough sea days wasn't interested in a long bus ride.

Thumbs Up 1