Emerald and Ruby Princess

[ChrisB]

We are thinking of jumping ship next year. After 25 cruises with P & O, we feel it is time for a chenge.

Can anyone tell me about the Emerald and Ruby Princess. They both go out from Southampton, which we prefere. I am more interested in the cabins. I have noticed that the mini suites are all on one deck, does that mean they are similar to the Azura and Ventura D deck cabins with the balcony that sticks out from the rest of the ship? Do they have a similar deck as C deck on Azura and Ventura which have the larger balconies?

Any other information you think would be helpful, We would very much appreciate.

Many Thanks.

[towny44]

They are both identical to Azura with 2 open pools and a seascreen.
The cabins and everything else are virtually identical, main difference is that Glasshouse is wheelhouse bar on Princess and quite a different design.
However if you want something quite a step up from P&O but at a better price why not try Celebrity Eclipse.

[ChrisB]

Thank you for the info John.

We did think of Celebrity Eclipse. I shall have a look online and see what they have to offer.

[Southwinds]

Emerald is like Azura in layout but so much is far better. We found that Princess had transferred out points to their scheme so we had many benefits for out Elite Status....we had a mini suite... We had a free mini bar set up, canapés on formal nights...afternoon tea via room service...and best of all free laundry ...
We found the Princess way was superior to P&O which is what we had heard....
We purchases the soda plus package and the coffee card...both excellent value.
We used the Buffett a few nights, again it was far superior to p&os buffet at night.

[ChrisB]

Southwinds, Thank you for your reply. Since i first posted this question, we have booked Emerald Princess for May next year. Like you we have aquired the Elite Status and are looking forward to receiving the extra benefits. Expecially the laundry.

We have also booked Celibrity Eclipse for next September. Again another new venture for us as we have always cruised with P & O.

[Southwinds]

I am sure like us you won't be disappointed..... We plan to be on Emerald in June .

[ChrisB]

Enjoy your cruise next June. It seems so far off but no doubt it will fly by. We are off to Tenerife on 3rd January, really looking forward to that.

[Southwinds]

We are just back from Cyprus so missing the sun.....next summer now seems a long way off.

[ChrisB]

We did Cuprus last year. Probably the last time we will go there. We so loved it about 20 years ago. We went every year for about 10 years. Went back last year and boy had it changed. We always went to Paphos. So many of the bars have closed because most of the Hotels only do All Inclusive now which has put the bars out of business. Two of our friends who had bars in Paphos for years have now closed them down. A lot of the shops and Restaurants are being taken over by Russians. It was a beautiful Island. So sad.

[Southwinds]

We stayed in Pathos and could see the development and wonder what it was like before.... We stayed at th Alexandra the Great, which cruisers recommended to us...it's been refurbished and was excellent . But it's sad when somewhere changed so much you no longer love it ..so sad for you.
Mind you where we live has seen changes and again people come on holiday and say it's not what it was forty years ago....happily for the locals it's not ....

[ChrisB]

Southwinds, We used to have an apartment opposite the Alexandra the Great, in the Limnaria complex. So glad we sold it as it is really a shambles there now. The pool was empty and overgrown when we were there last year. We always used the bar in the Hotel as our final stopping off point on the way back to the apartment. When we sold up we said we would stay at the Alexandra when we came back to the Island and that is where we stayed last year. Still a lovely Hotel and in an ideal spot with the walkway into town at the back of the Hotel.

As you said places do change over the years. We live on the South coast and Brighton, Worthing and Littlehampton have changed so much in the past twenty years. Still so much nicer than where we lived in London.