We love Atlantic crossings, because they are a great combination of tour days with lots of sightseeing, and then you get to relax on sea days. Traveling from east to west is easier on your body, as you're frequently turning the clocks back and getting several extra hours of sleep. It was a very fun and satisfying experience.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The embarkation process was fast and efficient.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The food in the buffet and also in the dining rooms was just average. What upgraded the experience to good was the wonderful service of the waitstaff in all food venues. In the buffet, your dirty plates were whisked away from your table immediately by a smiling, friendly staff member. You did not have to get your own water or soft drinks, as the staff promptly asked what you wanted and quickly brought it to you. The service was way above average when compared to other cruise lines.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
My husband used the fitness center every day, except tour days. The first day, while there are signs asking you to clean the equipment after use, there were not enough disinfectant wipes to accomplish this. After visiting Guest Services to address this issue, the Princess staff responded quickly, and wipes were more plentiful the next day. The hosts of the many Trivia challenges and game show entertainment were excellent! They, too, were friendly and really got to know the guests who played their activity each day.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The Emerald Princess Orchestra was excellent in backing up the entertainers. They are all talented musicians in their own right. The ship's singers and dancers were also better than average, and the production shows were very good. I would give the outside entertainers who were brought onboard a "B." They were not big name "A" entertainers, of course, but they delivered an enjoyable evening. There were musical ensembles and bands all around the ship. They also had the World Cup games available in the bars, on a huge screen by the pool, and in the cabins.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
As I previously stated, the ship's personnel were the most efficient, friendly, and happy crew we've ever sailed with, and I've been on over 20 cruises.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The common areas were clean and lovely. As is typical, the theater and entertainment are forward, and the food is aft. The bars and lounges where Trivia, etc., was played were midship. The 18th floor bar and lounge area has a spectacular view and is good for reading or even napping during the day. In the evening, there is entertainment there.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
The cabin was clean and had a large closet. However, the closet replaced the space where you would normally have a loveseat-sized sofa. There was nowhere to sit in the cabin except for the desk chair. We had a "premium balcony" category cabin, so there were 2 chairs and a side table on the large balcony. The bathroom and shower were very small, compared to most ships we've been on. The shower still has a curtain rather than sliding doors, so it could use a little refreshing. There was plenty of storage, and we didn't even use all of the available drawer space.
Ship tip
DON'T expect great food but DO expect great service and a smiling crew! Go to the 18th deck for peace, quiet, and a lovely view.
This is the port for visiting Normandy and viewing Omaha Beach. The American Cemetery is also there with 9,800 graves of brave Americans, as well as a very interesting museum with World War II original equipment (jeeps, trucks, uniforms, etc.) on display.
We took the 2-hour drive to Bordeaux which passes through the small villages where the wineries have their huge and fabulous castles and vineyards. Once in the city of Bordeaux, our guide took us to the high points and then let us explore on our own. There are small shops, indoor and sidewalk cafes where you can enjoy food and wine, and a couple of pastry and chocolate shops. It is a great place to sit at a cafe, relax, and people-watch.
We took the tour of the city, had a small breakfast at a sidewalk cafe, and then went to the Guggenheim Art Museum. The museum has 3 floors, and it is best and most efficient to start at the top and work your way down. I only gave this tour 4 stars because we discovered that modern art is not our "thing!"
The highlight of our tour here was a stop at a lovely hillside restaurant looking down on the sea, where we were served assorted tapas and pastries in a luxurious setting. We did a driving and walking tour of the main highlights of the city. It has a beautiful town square, as do many European cities. It is such a lovely place that we asked the guide what the prices to own or rent homes/condos were. It is surprisingly affordable for such a pleasant city.
We did a motorcoach and walking tour of the highlights of the city. We stopped to take photos in some scenic spots. It was a pleasant tour, which was a little shorter than previous tours because we were getting tired at this point and wanted to relax more.
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