Hope you have a great time- especially as we are going on 29th July!
I will look forward to reading your report!

does anyone know can you buy duty free cigarettes onboard the emerald?

yes, but if you are going to athens or places like that, you can usually get a very good price.

The duty free shops on the dock are excellent.

Just returned from 2 weeks on the Emerald, our third cruise but first time with thomson's. Had a great time despite missing 2 ports of call ( Zakynthos and Ravenna) due to stormy weather. The food in the main restaurant was very good, plenty of choice, nicely presented. Buffet was adequate, but the linear layout meant lots of queues, getting all your food at the same time, which meant it had cooled down a lot by the time you came to eat it. Deck areas and deck furniture could do with an overhaul, but the bars and theatres were quite smart, and the entertainment was good and not "pushy".
Chose the cruise for the itinerary and was certainly not disappointed. Saw some beautiful scenery and cities, and found the excursions we went on interesting and good value. It would have been nice to have shuttle buses provided at more of the ports, as getting into the main towns was not as easy as it seemed, especially Dubrovnik.
I would recommend this cruise to anyone who is interested in the places they will visit, rather than the "frills" of cruising, although the service was mainly very attentive. We would have gone round again for another fortnight if we could!
The Emerald is a friendly, relaxed ship, and we met some lovely people- a special hello to our table companions Les, Denise, Hayley, Mike and Lyndsey. Thanks to all who gave good information and advice before we went.

Hi Kate

Sounds like you had a great time aboard the Emerald! If you haven't done so already, we'd be delighted if you could post a review HERE

luci

Hi Kate

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

If you had read my review of the Emerald, you will see that I love the choice of ports and the general running of the ship and return often.

But its obviously not the same as the big ships.

I always choose the Emerald for the variety of ports (such as this year on the Beirut run) usually for the end of season special cruises.

I also find the staff are more friendly and willing to help than other ships.

Be interested to read a full review if you choose to write one and any pictures you may post.

I'm happy as I am now counting down to October.

Andy

Luci, Andy- the review is done now- straight after the first three loads of washing! Tried to be objective, though when you have just enjoyed your holiday you don't really want to say anything negative about it. We had a great time, and some wonderful memories.
The entertainment seems to have changed a bit- the resident band are called Ritz, (very young- best at loud rock, liked them!) and the duo "Magic", (girl singer's voice a bit grating but played good music).
One of the entertainment team (Robbie- the short one!) did a brilliant late night cabaret.
Not long to go Andy- I.m looking for next year now- don't want to miss out on the free AI again!

Thanks for posting your review Kate, it's much appreciated and will help other members,

luci

Thanks Kate

I've booked for next year to get the AI upgrade already.

Booked a party of 5 so it should be good. I'm booked for the old med favourite in May. I've done this several times before but do like the cruise (2 weeks back to back).

Out of interest, was Jo running the entertainment in the Monte Carlo lounge? I was not sure if she was returning this year.

sorry Andy, not great on names, but don't remember a "Jo"
They were a very nice team anyway!
(just booked Destiny for next year!)

No worries

Each year I think she won't be there but she turns up every time.

Celebration looks nice. I'm dropping the mother in law off at Harwich on Saturday as she is on the Celebration doing Norway etc.

I've chatted to a lot of staff who have worked on her, so she should have a good time.

Going to have a nose around and maybe take a picture or two

Andy

Andy,

The names of the entaintment staff in the Monte Carlo this year are Robin, Hayley and Gemma.

The only original entainment member from last year is Alan. The cruise director on board is Nolan Dean, he also gets involved in the shows and one night did his own brand of singing and magic!

Michael

thanks mclark

I still preferred Steve (big black bloke) from around 3 years ago, who always got involved and did a very good drag act for the sounds of the 70's.

Drew (aussie) was good too following him.

No worries anyway, as long as the casino is still there (it was going under a new franchise operator) and has poker and blackjack I'll be happy.

Hi all,

Please could somebody help me out? I am off on Emerald on 19th May with Hubby & 2 Kids and I was wondering if anyone had any rough ideas of the trip prices especially to:

Athens (Athens The Acropolis I think),
Katakolon (Ancient Olympia)
& Epheseus (Epheseus & the house of Mary)?

I have just lifted these tour names out of the ticket book!! But they do sound like the ones I am interested in.

Cheers & I shall let you all know what I think upon my return, we are also having a week in Corfu ~ Due to the fact Ocean Village wiped us out last year as we did soooooo much!
Have Fun
Shelley

I am going on the Emerald on 26 May (can't wait!) It's a ship I haven't been on before, so can anyone tell me if I don't choose to dine in the Restaurant, as know it's set dining times! Is there a facility there to go for a buffet in the other Restaurant at flexible times?

I was on the Spirit last year and know that we could walk in either Restaurant at anytime we wanted and still have a meal!

Thanks
Debbie

As of last year they also now operate a buffet affair in the bistro area. They operate the same menu as the main restaurant but you can pick and choose.

Phil.

With some of the trips they operate them on either a full day or half day basis. I'd have to double check, but from memory the adult prices for half day trips are usually about £25 per head and the full day trips £40 - £60 per head depending on where you are going and how many hours the trips are.

I have done all three of the trips you mention. The Acropolis is best seen early morning before the sun and the crowds arrive. Even at 10am it's very very hot up there. Ancient Olympia is a nice day out and you will see some impressive Roman ruins and statues. Ephesus again gets very busy indeed and it can get incredibly hot there. My advice to you would be unless you're specifically wanting to see the house of the Virgin Mary, scrap the Thomson tour and get a taxi up there on your own. I have done the Ephesus tour on two seperate occasions and spent the whole second time there getting a better look at the stuff we missed the first time round. The first time round I took maybe 20 photos, the second time I took more like 200 as we were not being rushed about by the guide. What I would suggest is that you make your own way up there, pay your own entrance and tag along with an English speaking group and listen to the guide. No-one will notice or be that bothered anyway. You can then potter round in your own time after the main tour has finished, go back up to the top and see it all again if you wish. There is a lot to see there, far more than the ~2 hour tour you get with the Thomsons tour. Do make sure you take lots of water with you on this trip though, it's pretty exposed so you can dehydrate rapidly if you are not careful.

Phil.

Hi Phil

Thanks for the info! I presume this is ok to go into the Bistro at any time in the evening??

Debbie

Yes from memory it was open from about 7pm until at least 10pm. I think the menu changed again to the 'Midnight Buffet' after they stop the evening meal buffet.