Emerald Princess

As one of three vessels in the Grand class of cruise ships, the Emerald Princess was built in 2007 by the Fincantieri shipbuilders in Italy.

It is one of the largest liners in the Princess Cruises fleet and like its nearly identical sister ships - the Ruby Princess and the Crown Princess - it is a state-of-the-art vessel that offers something for everyone.

The liner spends time on both sides of the Atlantic. In the Caribbean, it sails from Fort Lauderdale to ports of call like Grenada, Aruba, Antigua, St Lucia and Barbados.

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When based in Europe, the Emerald Princess can typically be found in the Baltic and North Sea, with popular destinations including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Tallinn and St Petersburg.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 3,782
Year entered service: 2007
Beam (ship width): 118.1 feet
Draught (ship depth): 26.2 feet
Length: 951.4 feet
Tonnage: 113,561
Crew: 1,200
Maximum speed: 21.5 knots
Number of passenger decks: 15
Number of lifts: 14
Number of swimming pools: 4
Number of cabins: 1,557

Food, cuisine and dining

When it's time to eat, passengers on the Emerald Princess will have plenty of options to select from. These include not only a variety of restaurants, but also the choices between traditional dining and Anytime Dining, which allows guests to choose when they eat dinner, rather than having to decide on an early or late dinner service.

There are three main dining rooms, called the Botticelli, Da Vinci and Michelangelo. These are opulently decorated spaces that offer delicious cuisine and a number of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For a special treat, you may want to consider a meal at Sabatini's or the Crown Grill. These are two alternative, for-charge venues that offer intimate atmospheres and gourmet meals.

Other dining options include:
• Horizon Court
• International Cafe
• Cafe Caribe
• Trident Grill
• Vines

Room service is available 24 hours a day and guests can also opt for Ultimate Balcony Dining, where meals are served course-by-course right on their own private balcony. There's also a pizza and ice cream bar and afternoon tea is served every day.

On-board entertainment and activities

One of the most popular entertainment options on the Emerald Princess is the Movies Under the Stars cinema. This comprises a massive screen on the lido deck, which shows Hollywood blockbusters and classic films in the fresh air of the open sea.

Guests are provided with complimentary popcorn and blankets to keep warm and you can even enjoy your favourite drink while you watch the movie from the comfort of a deck chair. During the day, the screen is also used to show programming like concerts and sporting events.

If you prefer more traditional cruise entertainment, the vessel is also home to an 800-seat theatre that offers shows like cabaret, comedy and concerts. It is also fully equipped to offer large-scale productions.

In addition, passengers can take part in activities like bingo and karaoke or attend lectures during the day. There's also a large casino and live music and dancing can be found in many of the bars and lounges that are scattered around the vessel.

Of course, the Emerald Princess is also a child-friendly place and kids will have plenty of activities and entertainment options to keep them busy throughout the voyage.

Spas and fitness facilities

The Lotus Spa is an excellent place to go to unwind. It features a number of treatment rooms, as well as a sauna, steam room and a relaxation room. Exercise facilities are also available on the ship and fitness classes are held on a regular basis.

Elsewhere on the vessel, you can find swimming pools and a jogging track, or why not let your troubles float away with a soak in one of the hot tubs?

Cabins

Whether you're looking for cruise deals, or to indulge with one of the most opulent rooms on the Emerald Princess, the vessel's selection of more than 1,500 rooms means that there's sure to be something to suit any requirement.

In addition, since there are nearly 900 balcony rooms, you shouldn't have any trouble finding accommodation that gives you not only a gorgeous ocean view, but a private space to enjoy the salty sea air.

But no matter which room you choose, you'll enjoy a comfortable space with an en-suite bathroom and a number of comforting amenities.