I would choose a different ship, if I could. The ships age showed and the food at the buffet was dismal. We overlooked the ship's age and food choices because we wanted to do this itinerary. The Itinerary was everything we expected and more. Ship!!!! Not so much.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
cool calm and timely
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Main Dining Room - Superb. Buffet - the same every day, sometimes cold food when suppose to be hot. Ran out of items. (watermelon, lemons and honey). No diversity in the buffet food. If you did not like it the first day, you did not like it the last because it was ALWAYS the same. The cruisers had no curtesy. They would fill their own drink containers right out of the spout. they would use their own containers to scoop ice from the bin. The cruise put out bins of ice with a spoon to get ice. How many hands touched that. It was no wonder many people were getting sick on this ship. The staff would not wipe the tables in between patrons eating, they did NOT ever wipe the salt and pepper shakers or the sugar holders.
Do not eat at the Salty Dog (terrible). They need to switch to Guy Fieri's burger joint from Carnival
Did not partake in the specialty dining.
the coffee was WAY to strong as was the tea. In order to drink them you had to cut the drink with warter.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
only had a fitness center, i did not use this. No other activities were done. They did have cornhole on the top deck and a few putt putt holes but not many. The basketball court and pickleball court barely got used
Entertainment
2 out of 5
walked out on all the comedian but 1. They did not tell many jokes, they just talked to where I asked where was the joke or punchline. The production crew was hit or miss. I will say the "ROCK OPERA" show was unbelievably EXCELLENT.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
overall, just as it should be. they boast 5 star dining that I would give 3 stars. The food was super but the dining area reminded me of being in the high school cafeteria with the dish clanking and talking so loud.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
The ship is old and dated. Tired and in need of another refurb.......
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
We always get inside. It was as we expected with the exception of the closet, it was super big!!!
Ship tip
DO NOT EXPECT MUCH IN THE FOOD AREA AT THE BUFFET. We ate numerous lunches at the Intenational Cafe. Do not eat at the Salty Dog (terrible). Don't expect much the ship is old and smaller.
HOT HOT HOT My new favorite place. I think I want to winter here. 7k residents, clean, warm and inexpensive. We did a Viator excursion, Emanuel, our driver was EXCELLENT. He grew up in the states and live here now. We were the only passengers so we did a bunch of stuff. He made the day fun. The place was clean, the highways and roads were in such good shape. We were their first cruise ship of the season
HOT HOT HOT - We took a private tour and saw much of the city from the old fort to the new city area. Our tour guide was a bit difficult to understand but we got it done. The tour cost less than half of what the ship was charging and was longer. Plus, it was just the two of us, no crowds. I always recommend getting off the ship and bargaining for a tour with the locals. SAVE YOURSELF SOME MONEY.
SO COOL. Going under the three bridges to get to the Caribbean was awesome. 1. The Bridge of America, 2. The centennial bridge and 3. The Atlantic bridge. Put the Canal on your bucket list. A little shopping after the tour and i picked up my Panama hat.
HOT HOT HOT The old walled city was so cool. We went to the convent on the highest hill in Cartagena, the views were spectacular. We took a private taxi tour, 60 bucks for both of us. it was 4 hours or going everywhere and seeing so much in the day. The downside - in the walled city, the vendors were relentless always wanting you to buy buy buy. We were the first Cruise ship of the season. A little shopping during the tour and I picked up my Hard Rock hat from Columbia.
I was on Emerald Princess ladt December and did not experience the issues you did. There are some food items that are repeated throughout entire cruise,just like other cruise lines, but the food is always fresh and hot. I dont understand what you are referring to about self serve ice which I've never seen on a Princess ship. I actually enjoyed the Salty Dog, but the portions are small, but the taste is amazing. I do belive there are people who like to post negative reviews because their cruise was not 100% perfect and those reviews come from people who will complain just to complain. There are also some people who troll for certain reviews about cruise lines that are negative, but haven't cruised with those lines in over 10 years, but feel they need to put in their 2 cents worth, which is worthless.
Interesting regarding the different perspectives of the same cruise. A couple on the same cruise had it at 4 and a half stars and enjoyed every aspect of the ship, service, and dining in both MDR and buffet.
Totally agree, we were just on the Emerald in July doing California. The buffet is a poor excuse for anything. Great if you want to make a cheese and salami sandwich, or slop on a plate. Really disappointing. We notice one side of the ship was painted, the other was showing extreme rust. When in port they were painting it, but it was the other side so desperately in need…but that side wasn’t accessible. I was surprised to see carpeted areas at the pool still. We found food in the main dining room to be okay, it was just th3 buffet that literally sucked. We spent every evening in the Explorers Lounge as I hate their theatres, which are really cramped and undersized, regardless of the ship you’re on. I might as well state….we are Loyal to a Royal (Caribbean) and Celebrity.
You seem surprised that Mexico and Central America were hot in August. What did you expect?
Glad you enjoyed your time in the ports and transit through the canal, even if the ship itself was disappointing.
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