Emerald Princess

Theater and Shows on Emerald Princess

Though we found nightly entertainment a bit hit or miss, Emerald Princess’ shows get good reviews, and the main theater was packed every night of our sailing.

The 800-passenger-capacity Princess Theater is the ship's main show venue, and it also hosts movies from time to time when not featuring production shows and comedy acts. Seats are plush with spaces to hold drinks (there's waiter service before the shows start).

The theater's main productions are "Voice of the Ocean" and "Magic to Do." We loved "Voice of the Ocean," which offers passengers the chance to take part in auditions early in the cruise, before competing against other shortlisted passengers in a live final in the Princess Theater. The goose bump-inducing final takes place on the last night of the cruise and features three judges (usually a mix of the ship's professional performers and the entertainment director) who critique performances in front of the live audience. The atmosphere during the live final is fully charged but also family orientated. The show is popular with passengers who get behind each performance, clapping and cheering them along. Our tip is to arrive to the theater early to grab the best seats.

"Magic To Do" is the line's Broadway-style production developed by award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz. The concept of the show is intriguing. It includes a musical compilation of Schwartz's work -- featuring songs such as "Magic To Do" from "Pippin"; "Popular" from "Wicked"; and "It'll Be Me" from "Houdini"; plus there's a song created exclusively for the show, "A Little Magic." All are mixed in with a series of magic tricks. Although we struggled to follow the narrative, do check it out for the strong vocal and orchestral performances. The show had the Princess Theater packed.

Daily Things to Do on Emerald Princess

The Piazza

 is the hub of the ship and a marvelous destination. Located on Deck 5, the bottom deck of the three-story atrium, it serves as an impromptu performance venue and demo area. And, on one of the formal nights, people thronged all three levels to watch the fabled "Champagne pour," a Princess tradition.

Beyond the Piazza the ship has an overwhelming number of entertainment options, plus a variety of lounges, each with a different personality. Take time to read over the daily Emerald Princess activities schedule, which include the fun Princess Pyramid Game Show in the Explorers Lounge, a Trivia Challenge and afternoon movies ("Bridge of Spies" and "The Revenant" were showing on our sailing). There are also ballroom dance classes, Ping-Pong tournaments and Wii Sports challenges, among others, for those seeking more energetic activity.

Nightlife on Emerald Princess

Evening entertainment is as varied as the daytime offerings, with an emphasis on live music, featuring vocal performances and musical melodies.

You'll also find dancing to live music, with the Rhumba Duo in the Wheelhouse Bar, and karaoke and shows such as Marriage Match in Club Fusion. A DJ plays until late in the Skywalkers Nightclub.

Movies Under the Stars

, on Deck 16, draws crowds with two showings in the evenings screening a mix of classic and newly released cinematic blockbusters.

Gatsby's Casino, on Deck 6, has an assortment of slots and game tables. During port days, the full casino opens 30 minutes after sailing. Smoking is allowed while playing at some slot machines.

Emerald Princess Bars and Lounges

Vines Wine and Seafood Bar (Deck 5): Vines is a popular meeting spot for pre-dinner drinks and is the ship's dedicated wine bar. Wine lovers can order single glasses or tailored flights -- such as the "Trio of White Grapes" and "Norman Love Confections," which is paired with Norman Love chocolates as part of Princess' Chocolate Journeys package. Made-to-order sushi and tapas are complimentary with any wine purchase.

Speakeasy Cigar Lounge (Deck 6): The ship's smoking lounge is tucked into Gatsby's Casino within a separate room; it offers a comprehensive selection of about 15 cigar varieties.  

Good Spirits (Deck 5): This hip cocktail lounge serves classic and creative drinks made by experienced mixologists who give patrons the lowdown of each cocktail while its being crafted.

Crooners Lounge and Bar (Deck 7): Right in the heart of the action, Crooners overlooks the Piazza. It features a vocalist, and specializes in martinis, serving 52 different types.

Club Fusion (Deck 7): The lounge-style Club Fusion, on Deck 7 (it's not a nightclub, despite the name), is busy during the day -- with Ballroom Blitz, line dancing, bingo and Jeopardy -- and into the evening. This venue also hosts Captain's Circle meetings for frequent Princess cruisers.

Explorers Lounge (Deck 7): Many of the ship's day and evening activities take place here. The 250-seat bar features comfy lounge seats and tables, centered around a level stage area.

Wheelhouse Bar (Deck 7): The ship's pub offers a nautical theme with live singers and pianists performing nightly.

Outriggers Bar (Deck 15): Offering some of the best views onboard, Outrigger is an often-undiscovered oasis located at the back of the ship. Grab a bar stool and stare into the ocean over a chilled drink.

Calypso Bar (Deck 15): The ship's lively poolside bar is a hive of activity on sea days, when it can become overcrowded.

Tradewinds Bar (Deck 16): An outdoor bar catering for those who want a drink as they lounge on the sun deck.

Adagio Bar (Deck 16): Located in a light-filled space next to Sabatini’s, Adagio Bar is an elegant, Ritz Carlton-esque venue with a cabaret singer and pianist. It opens in the afternoon.

Skywalkers Nightclub (Deck 18): Buy-one-get-one-free happy hour takes place daily after dinner. There is a live DJ (DJ TJ on our sailing), a dance floor that can feel cozy on busy nights and plenty of large booths and high stool seating. (Minimum age of entry is 18.)

Emerald Princess’ dining options cleverly cover all bases, while remaining faithful to what Princess has done well in the past: Finely balancing pleasing those passengers who prefer a traditional cruise ship dining experience (set time, tablemates, server and restaurant), while also pleasing those who enjoy the flexibility of choosing a different restaurant at a different time.

There's a strong slow food ethos in some of the for-fee dining options, including The Salty Dog Gastropub. Its relaxed, yet gourmet-style dining complements that of the steak and seafood restaurant, Crown Grill.

Princess Cruises’ Emerald Princess accommodates vegetarian dietary requirements well, although those with an allergy or intolerance to gluten might find it more difficult to find suitable choices without giving the ship advanced notice. Similarly, it is advisable to let the line know of any other special dietary requirements in advance. 

Free Dining on Emerald Princess

Michelangelo Dining Room (Deck 5), Botticelli Dining Room (Deck 6) and Da Vinci Dining Room (Deck 6): Emerald Princess' main dining rooms are all similar in style; large open rooms with neutral color tones, rich wood paneling, patterned carpets and rustic Italian paintings on the walls. Crisp white linens cover traditionally set circular tables.

All three restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Botticelli Dining Room offers fixed dining times, while Michelangelo and Da Vinci dining rooms offer anytime dining, which means passengers aren't restricted to a reservation time.

Emerald Princess’ main dining room menus offer a wide range of options for all three main meals. The breakfast menu features dishes such as Maine blueberry pancakes, eggs Florentine, a fresh fruit plate and grilled minute steak with ranch-style eggs. Lunch includes brunch options -- such as James Beard's French toast with a cornflake coating -- for late risers, plus a range of other options from burgers and vegetarian burritos to crisp-fried calamari. Desserts -- a fresh fruit tartlet, cinnamon rice pudding and double chocolate fudge cake, as examples -- round off the menu.

The dinner menu, which is the same in all restaurants though changes daily, is broken down into appetizers, "always available" dishes, soups and salads, pastas, main courses and desserts. Typical dishes lean toward traditional Italian (the executive chef is Gaetano Patamia, who has been with Princess Cruises since 1976!), including gnocchi filled with Asiago cheese in a creamy truffle sauce, roast veal or aged beef tenderloin in a whole-grain mustard crust with chasseur sauce and rich sweets such as a Normal Love chocolate dessert.

The menu also features a selection of Princess Favorites that are available every evening, such as grilled salmon or chicken. Vegetarian options are creative and clearly indicated on the menu, including dishes such as the zucchini ripieni gratinati (cheese and onion stuffing with a cannellini bean ragout), a caramelized onion and potato tart, and tomato salad with sauteed mushrooms and scallion cream.

Michelangelo and Da Vinci suit the flex-dining crowd who prefer to dine at different times each day. The advantage to this is you can work around your day's schedule and dine earlier -- or later -- should you feel like it. On the downside, the restaurants are naturally very busy and occasionally passengers have to wait in line for a table.

International Cafe (Deck 5): Across from Vines, by the Piazza, the 24-hour 

International Cafe

 has its own bakeshop (with onsite ovens so you can smell the tantalizing cookies, desserts and croissants as they cook). For breakfast, there are croissants and pastries, and for lunch there are salads and quiches, all included in your cruise fare. The cafe does have a short menu of specialty items that are available for an extra cost -- the chocolate fondue is worth every cent and calorie.

World Fresh Marketplace (Deck 15): The Emerald Princess buffet venue is open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner.

Breakfast includes a range of cereals, yogurt, fruit, pastries, cold meats and cheeses, bread, made-to-order omelets and cooked items such as fried and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, grilled tomatoes and beans. There's also a selection of muffins and waffles to cater to the sweet-toothed passengers.

At lunchtime there's a well-stocked deli area, sandwiches and meats, soups and a whole host of sides and salads.

Dinners are sometimes themes -- a Bon Voyage; Welcome Dinner (on the first formal night), Candlelight or Bavarian Beerfest -- for example.

The Marketplace is extremely popular at breakfast and on sea days at lunchtime and despite the large space; one problem we found was a lack of seating. Though stewards are quick to wipe down and turnaround tables as passengers leave the restaurant, one morning we scouted out the entire restaurant to find a seat and ended up sharing a table with a fellow passenger.

Salty Dog Grill (Deck 15): The poolside grill serves made-to-order grilled items such as burgers, tacos, sandwiches, hot dogs, and loaded fries. There are a couple of vegetarian options as well, including a veggie burger.

Coffee & Cones and Slices (Deck 15): On the same deck, midship, you'll also find a pizzeria and ice cream bar, open daily until after dinner. It's an ideal quick fix for rumbling tummies and the pizza slices are delicious. Feasting on a late-night snack of pepperoni pizza while curled up to watch a film on the big outdoor screen by the pool brought us pure joy on one of the evenings at sea.

Room Service: Room service is free and available 24/7.Breakfast can be ordered by completing the cabin card and placing it on your cabin door the previous evening. The complimentary room service menu includes sandwiches, salads and pastries. Canapes and pizza can also be ordered via room service at an extra charge.

Emerald Princess Fee Dining

Vines Wine and Seafood Bar (Deck 5): Although technically the ship's wine bar, Vines also offers freshly prepared sushi and tapas in addition to the best selection of wines onboard. This is not your standard buffet sushi either; like in authentic sushi restaurants, the chef makes your sushi roll to order, right in front of you. The same with the tapas. Both are complimentary when you order a glass of wine.

Salty Dog Gastropub (Deck 7); prix fixe: Located inside the Wheelhouse Bar, the 

Salty Dog Gastropub

 brings the gastro pub vibe to Emerald Princess. The restaurant is a result of Princess Cruises' partnership with Argentinian chef Ernesto Uchimura.

The menu offers excellent value for money. It starts with a complimentary appetizer of Ernesto's Dip Sticks, including a beer-cheddar fondue; followed by a selection of small plates (passengers select three) such as Maryland-style jumbo lump crabcakes, calamari frites, wild mushroom saute, pale ale pork cheek and a to-die-for lobster mac and cheese. Don't miss the feted Ernesto burger, which includes a fresh ground rib eye and short rib patty, grilled pork belly, cave-aged Gruyere, caramelized kimchi, beer-battered jalapeno and charred-onion aioli served in a smoked salt and pepper brioche bun!

The plates are small but surprisingly filling. If you have space left, desserts include strawberries and cream, bourbon chocolate pot de creme, coffee and doughnuts and a lemon posset.

Salty Dog's menu also offers a selection of classic craft cocktails, many of which feature gin and throw a modern twist on classics such as the Salty Dog Negroni and 24k Margarita.

The craft beer movement is celebrated, too: There's the Seawitch IPA, Seawitch Blonde and Seawitch Denali Red, in addition to the regular offering of beers, cider and wines.

Nothing about the venue -- the Wheelhouse Bar -- has changed and passengers who are just looking to enjoy live music over a beer, cocktail or glass of wine also frequent the space during these times.

Crown Grill (Deck 7); prix fixe: The ship's signature steak and seafood restaurant, 

Crown Grill

, is a real treat -- the kind of restaurant you'd visit to celebrate a romantic dinner or birthday. It balances old-style glamour with a relaxed atmosphere, with images of New York scattered over the walls and a table showcasing the different marbled cuts of beef to tempt passengers before they order. Passengers can either sit in the leather-clad booths or at circular tables. 

Emerald Princess’ Crown Grill menu includes specialties such as seared scallops, Chilean sea bass, brioche-breaded king prawns, four-ounce Maine lobster tails, New Zealand double lamb chops, a Madeira-glazed Wisconsin veal chop, and an array of steaks.

Although the menu is based on steak and seafood, there are touches of fine dining that make for a really memorable experience, such as the salt menu; a selection of salts are served from around the world, from Hawaiian black salt to pink Himalayan salt, paired with your steak. After feasting on seafood and steak, the dessert menu's s'mores are a must. You also find cheesecake and lemon meringue, among other classics.

Steamers Seafood and Planks BBQ (Deck 15); prix fixe: Just behind the buffet on the Lido Deck is a smaller and slightly more intimate area home to two separate sections: Steamers Seafood and Planks BBQ. As their names suggest, they serve seafood and barbecue, respectively. These restaurants, which don’t open every day, are sometimes used as extra space for buffet diners.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria (Deck16); prix fixe: Sabatini’s is a Princess favorite. The restaurant is elegant but not stuffy and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the dining areas, making it a particularly ideal spot for a romantic dinner. Enjoy pre- or after-dinner drinks at the adjacent Adagio Bar.

Portions are big and the options varied, so save room for this meal! Dinner starts with a complimentary selection of breads, prosciutto and olives. Starters include burrata with carpaccio, marinated porcini mushrooms, grilled lamb skewers, fried calamari and a choice of salads or fondue. Mains showcase pasta dishes such as spaghetti with shrimp and scallops, and manicotti, while secondi piatti feature meats, such as breaded filets, chicken scaloppine, veal slices with mushrooms, and eggplant parmigiana.

Chef's Table; prix fixe: The 10-person chef's table (you don't have to be part of a group of 10 to enjoy the experience) makes for another memorable dining experience. Starting with Champagne and appetizers in the ship's galley during the height of dinner preparation, passengers get to see chefs and waiters in action -- a real behind-the-scenes experience; just that is worth the price of admission alone. After appetizers you're led out to a specially designated table in a private dining area and served a multicourse menu paired with wines that are selected just for the evening. Dinner is a bit theatrical -- the meats are wheeled out and carved tableside and the chef interjects between each course to talk about the dishes -- with flair. Chef's Table guests also receive a group photo and signed cookbook at the end of the meal.

Ultimate Balcony Dining; prix fixe: To take advantage of 

Ultimate Balcony Dining

, you need to reside in a cabin with a balcony, of course, but what you get is a romantic meal for two, outdoors, complete with table set with white linen and festooned with flowers. Breakfast includes fresh pastries, Champagne, and smoked salmon, among other options.