TravelMole cruise review – Emerald Princess

British cruise passengers can really push the boat out this summer by taking advantage of the strong pound against the dollar on board newly launched superliner Emerald Princess.

Because Princess is a US company, the currency on board is dollars, giving Brits additional financial muscle when cruising on the 3,080-passenger ship.

For example, the $20 supplement for a 12 course Italian gala dinner in the sophisticated surroundings of Sabatini’s trattoria perched high at the rear of Emerald works out at just £10 – a fraction of the price charged for a similar gourmet experience in the UK.

Likewise, the Crown Grill charges the equivalent of less than £15 for a sumptuous steak and seafood dinner with all the trimmings.

Beer, wine and cocktails all work out at half the dollar rate charged due to the favourable exchange rate.

The savings make splashing out on a rejuvenating treatment or massage in the calm surroundings of the Lotus Spa far less of a drain on the wallet.

Emerald Princess, with its multiple bars, 12 restaurants and cafes, four swimming pools and Movies under the Stars film screen on deck, offers a surprisingly understated American-style cruise experience with the kind of high standards of service you come to expect when visiting the States.

While the ship is vast, the clever design means that Emerald is divided into many separate areas, creating the impression that you are sailing on far more intimate vessel.

On board its third cruise – a 12-night Med itinerary from Rome which includes its formal naming in Athens on Sunday – were more than 30 different nationalities of passenger, although Americans made up the majority.

The outside cabin (R633) was rather small, with a tiny shower/toilet area but an unnecessarily large walk-in wardrobe. Two single beds were divided by a bedside cabinet and there was a flat screen TV attached to the opposite corner of the cabin.

There was a decent balcony with room for a table and two chairs, looking down on two further sets of balconies jutting out from the side of the vessel offering no protection if it happens to rain.

The rear plunge pool and tiered decking area with a dedicated bar makes for a particularly secluded area to sunbathe and read.

The Lotus Spa area at the top, front of the ship features a large gym with wrap-around views. Modern treadmills, step machines and cycles feature together with bikes for spinning classes. A heated outdoor pool is a central feature of the impressive spa area, while The Sanctuary acts as an adults-only retreat.

Flexible dining means avoiding queues for the three main restaurants, which are included in the cruise fare. Even at busy times, passengers are provided with pagers to let them know when their table is ready.

Wines are predominantly American, with a few other New World selections plus French and Italian brands.

The Movies under the Stars concept is fun in the evening – you sit back and relax under blankets on loungers and even have popcorn to munch – except is it really necessary to have the screen blaring out the likes of Shrek first thing in the morning over breakfast when no-one is interested?

But don’t let such minor irritations put you off – Emerald offers a quality cruise experience without the brash surroundings of similarly-sized ships operated by other US cruise lines.

by Phil Davies