Emerald Princess

by **Raymondo111** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 13:49 pm

Hi,

Have just booked a 10 day Caribbean cruise for next Feb on the Emerald Princess - we have booked cabin R504 which is on deck 14 under the pool deck. Does anybody know if it's likely to be noisy in this cabin - maybe from noise above?

by **barnetto** on Mon Jan 21, 2008 15:54 pm

Hi Raymondo, just seen your question on Watchdog, unfortunately I can't answer as it will be my first time on the Emerald Princess when we go also next February. Are you booked on the 8.2 or later ? We are just about to book and can't decide where quite to go, whether it be a BA grade or BB like yourself. I have been looking on Cruise Critic.co.uk and have got quite a lot of info from there re the size of the balconies etc. and the fact that booking one on lower decks can be overlooked from above! You should be OK though on Riviera deck. Have you travelled on Princess ships before ? Regards, Margaret

by **HW tenpin** on Mon Jan 21, 2008 16:49 pm

Hi Raymondo,

Great choice of cabin, pools close at night & noise from below/above is non-exsistent.

She is a lovely ship I'm sure you will have a great cruise. do join the Captains circle, for future cruises, both Ocean Village & all P&O trips count towards a few rewards.

by **Raymondo111** on Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:51 pm

Hi Barnetto,

This is our first cruise and yes we are on the 8th Feb 2009 cruise, lots of friends have been on cruises before and I could never persuade my wife to give it a try but here goes!! We booked with Bolsover Cruise Club who were recommended and came up with a reasonable price and by the sound of it we have managed to get quite a good cabin. My daughter and her friend are also coming with us as first time cruisers ages 22 and 30 but they are on Plaza deck where it seems all the action is. I know Princess don't have the same level of formal nights as the British cruise lines but any idea of how many formal nights there is likely to be on this cruise? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

by **barnetto** on Tue Jan 22, 2008 15:12 pm

Hi again Raymondo,
I believe there will be two formal evenings and I think they will be on the 'at sea' nights. We have had quotes also from Bolsover but have actually managed a keener price at the travel agency nextdoor to where I work. We are still 'about' to book but one thing that does concern me is as we would be flying from Manchester, the changeover etc. in London, whether it will be the same airport we fly into as the one we fly out of and if not, do Princess provide transport. Also will our luggage be checked in right thru at Manchester. I don't know whether you can help with this or not. The cruise itself does look perfect and stops at all the right places. I just so wish we could get direct from up North. To drive down to London is an option but my husband does not fancy the drive back after 10 or so hours travelling and also the time difference. Where will you be travelling from ? Regards, Margaret

by **Raymondo111** on Tue Jan 22, 2008 19:14 pm

Hi Barnetto,,

At the time of booking we asked for Gatwick as our departure Airport but were told it could be either Gatwick or Heathrow. A we live in Essex Gatwick is preferable as it's only 3/4 of an hour or so on a good day, Heathrow is more difficult and really depends on the time and M25 but I have done it in just over an hour but that was at 5.00am but you can never tell.

I seem to remember that Manchester is the other main departure point so hopefully you will get a direct flight.

Regards....

by **barnetto** on Fri Jan 25, 2008 20:08 pm

Hi Raymondo, Have now booked the cruise so feel really happy about that. I have been umming and ahhing for a few days now over this one and another but have finally decided and feel so much better. We are both looking forward very much to it and are on Dolphin Deck. We will be flying from Manchester but only to Heathrow and then change for Miami. It seems such a long way off but I'm sure the time will soon pass. Regards, Margaret

by **Vivsy** on Sun Feb 17, 2008 13:20 pm

We have flown many times out of Manchester to Miami to join a cruise ship mainly in Fort Lauderdale. You can book your luggage all the way through from Man to Miami if you are flying with same airline and I think it will be BA and returning same applies. You will be met at Miami airport by Princess rep and usually taken to Intercontinental West Miami for overnight stay. Breakfast isnt usually included. More info on hotel if you want it, it is on a highway so no shops etc nearby. Coach usually picks up at hotel middayish on ship boarding day and the you are taken to Ft Lauderdale to board I think, if it the usual arrangement. We as a family of 8 are going on Emerald Princess 3 April 08 and are really looking forward to it. We also booked with Bolsover and have found them to be exceptional for our very complicted 8 person booking. Have a great holiday... Vivsy

by **barnetto** on Thu Feb 21, 2008 21:22 pm

Hi Vivsy,
Thanks for that and it is great to know that luggage can be booked straight through. Did you touchdown in London to pick up more passengers or go straight through to Miami from Manchester? Thanks for the info in the Intercontinental, that is the one we will be staying at. Our party of two has now doubled to four, some friends are coming with us. I hope you have a fantastic holiday and look forward to hearing about it in the future.
Regards, Margaret