Just returned from the Emerald. Dissapointed! Travelled on the Spirit (the best) and the Destiny previously. The Emerald is very dated and the staff dont seem to be as attentive as on the other cruise ships the clientelle all seem to be over 60 or there abouts. Food far inferior to the Spirit and the Destiny even the shows were not as good. Would not travel on the Emerald again.

the ship was very clean, whilst staying on this ship I noticed they washed the floors everyday and the windows and poolside of an evening. their was always some sought of maintainance/painting of somesort going on. the food was great but the buffet got a bit boring after 2 weeks. the staff were excellent during the 1st week we shared a table with another family with younger kids(about 11) and the wine waiter was always up to tricks to keep them amused. the staff remebered what your usuall was if you sat in the same place. the staff had a good sense of humour and always had a smile apon their face. their was always something to do, we got up early and stayed up till gone 2am. i could never find my child as she was either with her friends or joining in with the new teen xtreme club. when she went to this club she always had fun and didn't feel obliged to go, she got up to things such as drum lessons with the ship's, band's drummer. the band,juice were excellent and were frequently asked for encores. the music they played were recent tracks but they also done jazz for the older generation, but if you are more into older music they also had a duet called triffle.their were a lot of tours available but sometimes it was cheaper to make your own way their.their was a good range of ages on this ship. i would definately go back on this ship.

Sailed on The Emerald, back-to-back two weeks of cruising. First week the Adriatic; second week the Aegean.
Had carefully examined the cabin plans and pre-booked cabin 477. It seems to have been one of the original, un-refurbished ones, but was large and solidly fitted. Very comfortable indeed and kept clean with a regular supply of clean towels.

The Emerald was built in 1958 and although showing some signs of age was beautifully clean. The art-deco Chanterelle Restaurant looked good, served very good food and had helpful and delightful staff. The self-service restaurant was good but lacked the perfection of the Chanterelle! Bars were pleasant and the bar staff always willing to please.

Someone made the comment in another review that the passengers were in their 60s. Excuse me! I wasn't 60 (at that time) and certainly my main complaint about the ship was the hogging of the jacuzzi pools by young families who came early and stayed late. My wife and I never got a look in.

Entertainment has never bothered us, so we didn't bother it. We're boring old things who chose the cruise for its ports of call (one every day except Saturdays). The quizzes in the bars were good. We teamed up with some others and kept winning!

The excursions were expensive, as befits a cruise. Most ports of call were good:

Rovinj, Croatia - delightful and pretty seaside resort.

Trieste, Italy - the armpit of cruise destinations. It was Monday. All shops were closed until mid-afternoon and there were bloated dead rats floating in the harbour.

Venice, Italy - we'd expected to be disappointed, but we weren't. Took the walking excursion which took us around the back-canals of Venice. We'd arrived in thick fog which cleared by 10:00 a.m. The sail out of Venice at 5:00 was fantastic as we passed the whole of the city.

Split, Croatia - Docked near the city centre. Diocletian's Palace fascinating, as the old city is built inside it. Lovely place.

Dubrovnik, Croatia - great city but too full of tourists. So full that there was danger of injury as the police urged more people in through the old gate as loads were trying to get out.

Corfu, Greece - overpriced excursion which we could have arrange ourselves, but the sealions were great! Emergency phone number on the ship was in use all day as this was changeover day between the two cruises. One passenger with a heart condition was very faint when the coach failed to appear for the return. Couldn't phone the ship. Subsequent complaint drew the response that they were taking urgent calls from the airport. Not impressed!

Athens, Greece - Took the Acropolis excursion. Ratherearnest guide, but fantastic views.

Kusadasi, Turkey - excursion to Ephesus. As a lay preacher I was fascinated, but temperature was 43 degrees and marble pavements are very slippery in the heat! Stall near the exit solf "genuine fake watches" for €7! Vendors near the ship very very very persistent!

Marmaris, Turkey - long walk from the ship, but pleasant enough town.

Santorini, Greece - idyllic island with fantastic views but an horrific queue for the chairlift back to the launches.

Olympia, Greece - museum rather boring, but the winery was geat. We only just made it back to the ship!


All in all a superb ship and a great cruise, but probably cuising isn't really for us, as the entertainment and the formal dressing each week rather turned us off, but that's just us!!

This is the second cruise I have done with Thomsons, but the first time I have sailed on the Emerald! The ships staff are absolutely out of this world and very attentative and cannot do enough to help you! Very friendly remembering your drinks each night, I was most impressed, especially considering the amount of people they serve drinks to onboard!!

The ship is very well kept and on embarking the ship, I thought the Reception Area was most welcoming! It is the older ship of the fleet and the corridors are more dated than the other Thomson ships, but there is a special ambiance about this particular ship which is hard to describe, therefore I can understand why there is a lot of repeat busines year after year!

The shows in the Lounge Royale were suberb, especially Venetian Nights and Revival! I absolutely loved these shows and the entertainment team had fabulous voices! Kane was hilarious and we seemed to follow his shows around the ship whichever bar he was on at! Mr & Mrs was really funny which he hosted and also battle of the sexes!

The food on board had a varied menu, but I especially love the varied salad selection! There were also plenty of hot meals to choose from. On the Lido Deck each day cooking on the deck are burgers and chips with salad for the food junkies :-) We ate in the Chanterelle Restaurant only on the Captains Cocktail night and the food was of superb quality. The only reason I did not eat there each night was because my daughter prefers informal dining.

The itinerary was brilliant we did Adriatic Explorer, I loved Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split, Rovinj is such a beautiful place! only 60p for a Latte!) We had 3 wet days, but it did not dampen things too much!

Would I sail on this ship again............... without a doubt!! Infact I have brochures inhand for my next cruise :-)

Debbie

The Thomson Emerald is the second cruise ship i have been on and i think it was fantastic. The food wasnt always the best selection but the boat itself and all of the staff on i where brillient. I absolutly loved the entertainment hosts especially Kane, he was so funny and when ever he was doing the daily quiz's or doing the evening shows, he had the crowd in stitches. For anyone who hasn't cuised before, i would recomend The Emerald.

Just back from the Black Sea Odyssey cruise and have already booked to repeat last years cruises Pearls of the Aegean and Adriatic Explorer in May 2006 and the Ancient Wonders in October 2006. I just love the ship and have done since first seeing her as we entered Corfu port last June. She is small enough to be intimate and yet large enough that you can lose those individuals who somehow manage to find negativity in everything. The cabins are of adequate size and the power showers ....wow!!! The food is (most of the time) excellent and even when not up to scratch is still hot and tasty. The crew and staff were once again wonderful - special thanks to Totka, George, Panos, Mihalis, Farouk, Conrado and Julie.

The ports of call have been covered before but Istanbul deserves special mention - please go off the ship for dinner the night the ship docks here - it is a magical city and very safe. Also do explore all three of the Ukranian cities as they each have a distinct personality with Odessa as the poor relation and Yalta as the jewel in the crown. We did tours as my friend is not open to adventure or risk - as it happened there was none - a couple of attempted pickpocking incidents but these happen in every city in the world.

Entertainment - I don't really join in much - I like to soak up the sun with a cocktail in one hand and my book in the other but reports from other passengers were very positive. The musical entertainment in the Lounge Royale in the evenings was excellent - the Yacht Club was my destination every evening after dinner and it is just beside the Lounge Royale.

The only downside to the entire cruising experience was some of my fellow passengers. The snobbery among some of those who were regular cruisers - one upmanship and attempts to make those who had never cruised before feel in some way inadequate, the towels on sunbeds for hours on end, the taking up of space on the lido deck at lunchtime with towels and bags and refusing to move them - and these were not teenagers but people well into their 50s and 60s who should know better. One lady even told me of her experience at dinner when she sat down on the second night (the first night being open sitting) and said hello to her fellow diners and was promptly ignored and this situatuion did not change throughout the entire cruise - eventually after many nights in the self service bistro she managed to get a change of tables. Why is it that people that people feel entitled to attempt to ruin other people's hard earned holidays throught stupidity, snobbery and blatent bad manners? Another tiny gripe is the all inclusive. It used to be that people were only concerned with eating as much as possible at every meal on the basis that they had paid for it but now it seems that some people are also determined to drink as much as possible - those who got the all inclusive free on the basis that it is free and those who paid for it seemed determined to get their monies worth or more - I did overhear people talking at the end of the cruise about how they drank 100+ more than they had paid - their livers must be in a right state.

All in all Thomson delivers what it promises on the Emerald - it is an old ship and is showing its age but it has an elegance and timeless quality which are very appealing.

Just back from the Ancient Wonders cruise and have already booked to repeat last years cruises Pearls of the Aegean and Adriatic Explorer on 26th May 2006.

I have always loved the ship since sailing on her 8 trips ago in the carabean. Others agree that she is large enough to avoid people should you wish but small enough to retain that personal touch from the staff.

The ship

The ship is old, there is no deneying the fact that the ship is 49 years old (and has been a floating hospital in the vietnam war etc) but she still holds some of the old world charm and elegance, although slightly faded. The staff keep her clean, and any member of staffwith time on their hands will grab a sponge or cloth and wipe tables or bars or ledges.

The cabins are of large, and stragely seem quite big on lower decks compared to other ships and these are keep very clean too, with friendly cabin staff who frequently make little swans or flowers out of your towels

Food

The food is excellent. I have only ever had one meal that I did not find up to standard, and I just mentioned it to my waiter, who whipped the plate away, asked if I wanted another or something else. I just then asked for something else and it was out so quickly the others will still only starting their meal, so no trouble or inconvienience at all.

Staff

A hello out their to a number of people.
Gabby (entertainment), thanks for the wonderful conversation on the top table
Paris and Alain (Bar Management) Thankyou my friends for another special time.
Christina, Mel, Farouk, Sosis, Nick and all the others on the bars, thankyou

The staff were all friendly as always, very noticable when the passengers were not friendly. Couple of fubars by some staff, but nothing serious to warrant mentioning.

Captain often visable, however, was fun to notice how many people did not notice as he often walked around not in uniform, was funny listen to someone saying on another ship their captain was always visable and this one if never seen, whilst the captain is standing behind him (well I found it funny - you know who you are - it was in the monte carlo bar)

Entertainment

Entertainment was good, however, I have always been predudiced from previous experiences and with a close friendship with some of the members therefore they would never score 5. I am missing Jo who always had me in tears as she used to do the gameshows etc around the ship. Good luck Jo, wherever you went.

The ports of call

Santorini/Mykonos

Been described before, but strange to do both in one day, not enough time for people, and sea was rough so hard to tender at Santorini. Mykonos seems to have build a new dock, with little buses going into town.

Kushadasi

As always really good fun, see other peoples reports (try ephesus)

Rhodes

Again, read other reports but very safe and interesting to walk around the old town. Tours will take you further afield but theirs plently to look at locally

Anatalya

First time for me here, I went on the Perge trip with the waterfalls, glad I did, it was beautiful. Well worth the money. Care must be noted that there is a lot of walking and steps at the falls and I would classify this as an active not a medium tour.

Cyprus

Personally I do not like Cyprus, but will always have a little shop and a walk

Beirut

For anyone who like ancient ruins etc or exploring somewhere new, you MUST visit. I opten for the guided tour to Balbek in the moutains. Now I have been round Turkey, Albania, Greece, Italy looking at old ruins, but in my opinion, this is excellent. The sheer size and condition is amazing. All this in a country that most people don't dare visit. Well, its extremely welcoming, the people are friendly. Visit, you will love it.

Port Said

Ho Ho Ho, see other reports, always makes me laugh here. If you have done the pyramids before, try a $2 taxi to Aswan street, and do some gold shopping.

Alexandria

I've done El Alamien before, so I went shopping. Bit busy and in your face at the port, but the new flyover from the port is now open to pedestrians, and the new gates (next year the cars and horses will use it).

The old port building (looked like a council multio storey car park) has been flattened and a new one is being built, may be ready for next year.

Again friendly people.

Tobruk

Excellent, we were the first organised british cruise to visit Libya at Tobruk, other people have been to Tripoli. They welcomed us with open arms and even though Ramadan was in effect, they had said they would understand if we smoked ashore (now thats welcoming).

Lots of hassle here, as many people had not realized Libya is a dry country and therefore alcohol is not allowed to be drunk either ashore or on the boat. the bars lock all their alcohol away whilst in port. Soft drinks are available. It was too much for many of our passengers who tried to mutiny, made me laugh.

If you like WWII then there is lots of history. The port is going to start tourism over the next few years so get in before they ruin it.

By the way, the two jewerlers in town, sell gold in coins. Be aware these coins are old English soveriegns, they are worth alot, if in good nick. I only found out after setting sail. Gutted

I have to agree with the last review,

"the only downside to the entire cruising experience was some of my fellow passengers. The snobbery among some of those who were regular cruisers - one upmanship and attempts to make those who had never cruised before feel in some way inadequate, the towels on sunbeds for hours on end, the taking up of space on the lido deck at lunchtime with towels and bags and refusing to move them - and these were not teenagers but people well into their 50s and 60s who should know better. Another tiny gripe is the all inclusive. It used to be that people were only concerned with eating as much as possible at every meal on the basis that they had paid for it but now it seems that some people are also determined to drink as much as possible - those who got the all inclusive free on the basis that it is free and those who paid for it seemed determined to get their monies worth or more - I did overhear people talking at the end of the cruise about how they drank 100+ more than they had paid - their livers must be in a right state".

Unfortunately I summed this up on my roll call post. For some reason some of the older passengers seem to loose all manners, jump queues, push in, are rude etc. plus to alcohol crew, who have to drink constantly, this became fun in Tobruk, see above.

Thomson has always delivered what I want in a cruise, a smaller ship, close friendly staff, plently of destinations, not too many days at sea. Formal dining but without all the pomp of the very big ships. The ship now offers bistro dining for those not interested in the formal at all.

One small gripe is that I noticed this year, as a smoker, I have now been pushed out of the monte carlo court.

This now means as a smoker, I cannot smoke and watch the films, no smoking in the shows (fair enough) extremely limited smoking in the Monte carlo lounge (fringe seating).

At least they let me smoke in the smoking side of the bistro (deck 8) the starlight bar/disco, the yacht club and the casino. Trouble is, a little bird tells me it may be restricked further nexy year.

We will have to wait and see.

Happy to answer any questions

Andy

Just returned from a fabulous week on The Emerald doing the Adriatic Explorer cruise. We have previously cruised with NCL (Norwegian Wind), Island Escape and Thomson Spirit. We chose this cruise for the itinerary and did have some concerns about the ship as we knew she was old and we prefer informal dining arrangements rather than allocated tables.
The Emerald has many design faults due to her age - e.g. a lot of small steps on the corridors, poor layout of deck space, some heavy internal doors, a high step up to the shower room in the lower cabins.
However we probably enjoyed this cruise more than any other. The staff were absolutely marvellous - perfect service and very very friendly. By the end of the week the bar staff knew what drinks we would all want at different times of the day. The restaurant service was superb and the food excellent. We ate in Le Bistro for breakfast & lunch and felt there was a good choice of food which was hot and fresh. The Chanterelle restaurant had a lovely atmosphere in the evening - you could have a good laugh with the waiters and still receive wonderful service. Dress varied greatly - from smart casual to the full works. You wouldnt have felt out of place if you wanted to dress up but a casual shirt and trousers was also fine. It lacked the stiff formality that we had been dreading having always avoided allocated tables.
The ship was spotlessly clean and our cabin steward Stefano always seemed to know when we were out of the cabin. He never once knocked whilst we were inside.

We felt that The Emerald has something unique in its atmosphere on board that is difficult to describe but which more than makes up for the shortcomings of the layout of the ship when compared to more modern ships.
Even a 4 hour delay on our return flight to Luton didnt dampen our holiday experience!! Nor did a storm which meant cancelling our stop in Ravenna!
We are off to the travel agent this week to book the Black Sea Odyssey for next year!

We did the Pearls of the Agean cruise on this ship and have nothing but praise for everything. The staff go out of their way to be helpful and friendly from the captain downwards, the waiters were lovelly especially Gee who was hilarious. The food was very good in the Chanterelle resturant, o.k. in the Lido but did not like getting every course at the same time. The cabin was spotlessly clean with clean towels every day. The entertainment was excellent and plenty of it for all tastes, on the day it was to rough to go into Zakynthos extra entertainment was laid on very quickly. We cannot praise this ship enough, it was such a lovelly friendly atmosphere, and such a graceful ship, Yes, we would go on this ship again.

We have just returned from a week on the Emeralds 'Adriatic Explorer' cruise. Thoroughly enjoyed what was our second cruise with Thomson (Went on the Thomson Spirit last year - also excellent)The Emerald, it has to be said, is quite an elderly lady these days, but never the less has a definite sense of comfort and welcoming about her. Our cabin was a good size and was very clean. The food is very good. I didn't think it was as good as the food on the Thomson Spirit, but never the less it was of a very high standard. There are set evening meal times, which you nominate before boarding. At this point also, you select your table. Most tables are set for groups of six or more, so if you are a party of four or less, you will have the same people sharing your table at each subsequent meal time. Everyone we met on our cruise was very polite, so the chances are that who ever shares your table will be just fine (Hopefully!)The staff are first class, particulary the waiters who are allocated to your table for the whole week. The Thomson staff work very hard. It must be a right pain having to smile at everyone all day every day, but they managed to achieve it. The entertainment was excellent, very professional, particulary in the show lounge. there was plenty of light hearted entertainment also (A particular thank you from my family to Kate Bush!! You know who you are!! Absolutely brilliant).
Would I sail on this ship again? Yes, without a doubt! Thanks to all involved.