Had a fortnight on the Emerald last year and as I remember the aircon was pretty well adjustable.

Great ship, if pushing 50 years old. Had an older cabin (477) and it was great, with plenty of space and a good solid shower room. Food excellent. Not too bothered about the entertainment. Jacuzzi pools hogged by certain families all the time. Excursions people very helpful.

I'm not sure if they're doing Trieste this year, but we came to the conclusion that the fuel must be cheap - no other apparent reason for visiting the place!

Hi Grunt and welcome to HT!

Thanks for your comments on the Emerald. If you haven't done so already, perhaps you would like to post a review of the ship and your cruise?

luci

just back from the Emerald on the Black Sea trip 28th Sep - 12 Oct

Some sad news in the pipeline for all you lovers of this old ship. It sounds like Thomson are going to try and earn more money from the passengers and probably drop her from their charter after next season.

So if, like me, you are a long time traveller on this ship, you may want to consider booking sooner rather than later.

Rumours were circulating that they could put the Opera on this route, as it was bigger and had the all important balconies that some people desire. This I think is not quite true as I believe she will be running the route of the ship that sunk last year.

Whatever happens, I will be watching. I am also now watching Louis cruise site, as they are slowly expanding their own business rather than just chartering, and if the Emerald returns to them, i am sure they will put her to good use.

Next year should be a special one anyway, with it being her 50th Birthday. If she does go, it will be surprising if thomson quote her age as a reason, as one of louis's other ships is 50 this year and will be 51 next year and still running strong.

I was fortunate enough to get a tour of the Calypso this year. Very much like the Emerald but way smaller. If Thomson do retire the Emerald, then this may be my only hope other than shifting to another cruise company. And that will be a shame. Still, they know they will at least get my money next year to say goodbye to her and make it my 12th trip on her. (all but 2 trips in one cabin)

Anyway, lets watch that space, I will put a review up as alwaysin teh near future. Some lower marks this year, including my first ever complaint This was not down to the ship, lets put it that way.

Thanks to all my friends who helped make this a very happy social cruise and those from this site who popped up to say hello.

Andy

Thanks for the info Fatandy.

luci

Hi again

I spoke to another "friend" from TUI. It still appears The Emerald could be lost from their charter.

No dates have been set, but if an annoucement is made it will be made early season to harvest best potential passenger numbers, but at the higher (post xmas) price (2nd edition brochure)

Still comments running on the Opera but I still believe these to be un-founded. Any conatcts I have are keeping tight lipped.

As for cruises, I am already booked for the last cruise on the last 2 weeks of October next year, as I am sure this will be the last season. I managed to price match the internet in store (with full drinks package) and rooms and meals etc, for just over £1,200. Seems a lot, but i'm on and not moving.

Andy

Hi all

Just opened a letter from TUI today, regarding my first ever official complaint.

Guess what, miss spells and other errors and at the end of the day, you could tell it has been marked for the old circular file.

Well, they may not be aware that I will be checking if anything was ever done through some of my contacts. And then I will go back to them......

Its not the fact of the actions, its the way long time passengers and loyal customers are treated.

We shall see, they should have probably realized I was a real case, as I had not instantly tried to get money off or a part refund.

Sadly, I will not let this lie, and its a shame as its gone so well over the last 10 years.

Andy

How much did people pay for the Emerald Balck Sea cruise last year?
Looking at this crusie for our 30th (amoung others) but the price seems alittle steep to me and I was wondering how much it comes down. When we can get a balcony on PO Ventura for about the same as a sup on the Emerald

Hi there Mandy

I'm probably the last one to ask about getting it last minute as I usually book over a year in advance.

Mind you, I always go via the website for the cheapest price then go into the travel agents and get thomson to match it to the web price

I've got the last cruise for this year on the emerald, all inclusive and cabins reserved etc all for £1450 pp.

I am sure we got the same sort of price last year for the black sea. Can't tell without looking up my paperwork.

One problem I've always found is the Emerald is not always on the last minute sites as it often fills up.

This season especially as it seems this is the last year. I know my cruising friends have either booked already or are in the process of doing so.

It is strange as you can get a better class ship for the same amount of money, but you will find a strange percentage of people, like myself, who return every year. I'm into double figures already.

The Emerald is a marmite ship, love it or hate it.

Andy

Just booked for the Emerald, for 1st August.
We were on the Celebration recently, and loved it so much we just booked again for the summer hols! Have read back through this topic with a little dismay....as there are very mixed reviews. But the same thing can be said of the reviews for the Celebration.......for the exact same cruise we were on there are such diverse reviews that i actually posted in my review that I couldnt beleive the differences in opinion LOL or that we were indeed on the same cruise!
However, as I have said variety is the spice of life!
Now what I was wondering is there anybody who has travelled recently on both ships for a comparison? As has been said before, we have chosen this cruise for the itinerary, but I would be interested to hear how the food etc compares?
Also a question re the formal dining.....fixed sitting......do they try and sit you with similar age group type people? as we will have our 14 year old son with us, so it would be good to be sat with peeps with kids also...is it possible to request this?
many thanks.....

oh and ps.......

you were all right.......hooked......first go!

Hi,

Last May we chose the Emerald for the itinerary and it was a wonderful cruise - as we got on the ship we were shown a table plan and were allocated our places there and then - we did change places the second week as our dining companions were leaving the cruise. The food was fine but in my opinion the food on the Celebration is the best - I have been on the Spirit and the Destiny and I think that all the Thomson ships offer very good value for money but for me the Celebration has the edge. HTH

Hi all,

We have booked on the Emerald for this Summer after having been on the Celebration last year,
so are hoping that there are no seriously bad reports of the Emerald.

Although I don't see how much better the Emerald can be, I expect that I will leave the Emerald as I did the Celebration with a big grin on my face.
Anyone else on the cruise from Corfu leaving May 30th?

Carry on Cruising.

Nev & Di.

Im still looking for people sailing on 17th October.

Turkey, Syria, Egypt etc

Andy

Hi Everybody We are doing the Pearls of the Aegean on 13th June, who eslse is doing this one? We did the Red Sea cruise on the Celebration last November. Loved it and got hooked on cruising. How do the ships compare. We loved the Celebration.
Taylaboo

The Emerald is an older ship and has fewer facilities.

She has an old world charm so don't be put off.

The cabins are also more basic. Best bet is to read the reviews, there are both positive and negative, so its best to take a balanced view from people. See if there is anyone on there in the same position.

andy

Looks like the Emerald is not cruising in summer 2009.

has this been confirmed in writing anywhere?

I've had a conversation on this but nothing official, the Emerald does not sail early in the year so is usually left off the new brochures first run.

I'm glad I booked the last trip this year just in case

Andy

From what I can see on the Thomson website (the price search and brochure download were not available) the Celebration is taking over the Emerald's cruises.

it may be that way. I am still surprised at thomsons for not actually making an annoucement.

Still, they did not want me for a PR or route planner position so who am I to care, except that my ship is probably going

Thomson still not annouced the demise of the Emerald yet, but mclark, you are right about the itineries

No cruises have been posted past April and the Emerald usually starts in May, however, if you do the April 09 setting, you will notice the most up to date cruise for the Celebration positions her in Corfu for the end of April - May when the Emerald would normally start, so the news may come soon.

I would like to think Thomson would value its customers more. But thinking back to all the faithfull passengers who travelled on the Topaz for years, I could be wrong. However, at least the passengers were told of the Topaz's last year of sailing in advance so that people could go on her one last year, and in that last year, she did a farewell tour.

Of course, this could have rumbled thomsons plans, because if they are about to make the annoucement and say that they are putting the celebration on the Emerald routes and spending next years sailings doing a one off goodbye tour for return passengers then, I've got to hand it to them for planning, but not in public relations.

However, a farewell cruise to all its former destinations would include the carribean (i was on her in 1999) and of course down Brazil way (1997 I think, i was not on) so we shall have to see.

I will be waiting and watching

Andy