Going thru the Panama Canal was extremely interesting and enjoyable. The rest of the cruise would have been nice to dispense with.

Item: Emerald Princess
Rating: 2.7
Author: iggy2020

Emerald Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

iggy2020

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 7

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5

15 Night Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean Eastbound (Los Angeles To Fort Lauderdale)

Sail date: January 02, 2020

Ship: Emerald Princess

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

I realize we are spoiled by cruising on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. But there are still certainly things about this cruise line that could be improved. At least what is possible. Maybe this is just an old ship.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Very disjointed and we didnt get on the ship until shortly before sailing.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Rooms were fine, but food left much to be desired. Seemed like they had the same dishes every night. Main dish always had sauce on it. We asked for escargot and were told we couldn't have it.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

How embarrassing for this cruise line. People left at the beginning and middle of shows. Would have been better to have a high school play or performance.

Children's Programs

no children with us.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Our room steward was sociable and cared for the cabin sufficiently. The waiters for our table were very good.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

Sorry but I cant remember our cabin number. It was a balcony on the Riviera deck. Very disappointing that there was no couch to sit on. Just one small chair and a small desk.

Ship tip

Choose another cruise line or at least another ship.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

3 out of 5

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

3 out of 5

Huatulco, Mexico

2 out of 5

Not much here except the ever present vendors.

Thumbs Up 0

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

3 out of 5

We did a trip to the volcanoes. OK except for the guide who treated us with his political views.

Thumbs Up 1

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

3 out of 5

My husband did a zip line excursion and had a great time.

Thumbs Up 0

Fuerte Amador, Panama

2 out of 5

Did a bus trip thru the city. What a dirty, poor city.

Thumbs Up 0

Panama Canal Transit

4 out of 5

Going thru the Canal was very enjoyable.

Thumbs Up 0

Cartagena, Colombia

3 out of 5

Did an excursion into the 'old town'. OK

Thumbs Up 0

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5

No excursion. Flew home.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

Better than the embarkation for sure

7 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

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javawoody 3 years ago

Thanks for sharing your story

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SevenSails 3 years ago

I was on this cruise with you and we did the volcano tour, too. I enjoyed that excursion the most. This was my first time using Princess, and I get what you’re saying. The ship activities were a bit tame for me, but I did get a lot of reading in.

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Justlovecruisin 4 years ago

We got off the Emerald as you got on , having just done this cruise from the other direction. Were as late getting off as you were getting on. Totally a customs issue and not Princess. We had a great time. Meet great people. Had good food. The escargot was not o the menu but all we did was ask. As for the destinations... Panama is poor Nicaragua is in political turmoil, and I thought Huatulca was beautiful. Sorry you didn't enjoy. We had a fantastic Holiday cruise.

Thumbs Up 1

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Cruiserike0322 4 years ago

Go with you are happy with

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Beamer49 4 years ago

We did a cruise on the Emerald Princess around New Zealand a couple of years ago. The ship had a lot of Asians aboard and were sleeping in the lounges during the day taking up space with pillows and blankets. Would not cruise with them again. Going back to Royal Caribbean Line. Cheers.

Thumbs Up 0

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cruisereckoning 4 years ago

Hope you enjoyed the Panama Canal, that was one cruise I will never forget.

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Other reviews of this sailing

Great Cruise, but lacking fun on the ship

Fun Panama Canal

Disappointment