Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess is for those who look at the Grand-Class ships and want something a bit more modern. This is a ship that won’t break the bank while sailing and still delivers a lot of what Princess is known for. It’s an excellent choice for adults and romantic couples, with plenty of open spaces, a beautiful Promenade Deck, and cozy spots for those who just want to kick back and relax.

What we like about Emerald Princess

Let’s start by saying that the complimentary food options are actually quite good! That’s excellent news, considering that the first ships in this class, like Grand Princess, had so-so Main Dining Rooms and a very disappointing buffet. 

Emerald Princess, however, has a top-notch Main Dining Room that guests often compare to specialty restaurants, and a buffet with a ton of choices. Is it as good as what you’ll find on 2024 Sun Princess? Not quite, but it’s close, and considering the cruise and itinerary prices on Emerald Princess, the complimentary options are a standout. Some guests online even say this is the best Main Dining Room across all of Princess Cruise Line, which is a really high honor.

There’s also Crown Grill onboard, a great steakhouse at sea, even though it costs extra. Emerald Princess is also home to the seafood restaurant Steamers Seafood, which is only $12 per guest and a fantastic option for anyone who loves crab, lobster, and seafood in general.

This is a very cozy ship, perfect for itineraries in Alaska, Hawaii, and along the Pacific Coast. The Promenade Deck wraps around the entire ship, making it ideal for anyone seeking a romantic moment, some fresh air, or just a chance to take in Alaska’s icy glaciers. There are plenty of pools, and the open layout makes everything feel spacious and inviting.

If you’ve read our review of Ruby Princess, you’ll know that Emerald Princess is almost the same ship. The main difference is that Ruby sails out of San Francisco, while Emerald sails from Los Angeles and other cities. The Main Dining Room is also slightly better on Ruby, but in the end, your choice should come down to itineraries, prices, and convenience.

What we don’t like about Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess is almost 20 years old, so it’s normal for its age to show in some areas. Toilets sometimes flush randomly - apparently because some cabin toilets are linked and only one can flush at a time. There are missing tiles on the pool deck and scuff marks on the walls, and some bathrooms may occasionally go out of order for maintenance.

The casino also smells of cigars, which is a bit of a letdown, especially since many modern ships have smoke-free casinos or small areas dedicated to smokers. The smell can actually get so strong that it often affects nearby shops and the guest service area. 

The ship’s age is also noticeable in some staterooms, particularly the entry-level cabins, where the TVs are very small and placed on top of cabinets instead of being mounted on the walls.

Conclusion

Emerald Princess is a great ship and a love letter to Los Angeles. It features one of the best Main Dining Rooms in the entire fleet, has excellent staff - as is typical with Princess Cruise Line - and is simply a cozy ship with a fantastic vibe. You really can’t go wrong with it.