Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess is a classic mid-size Grand-class ship that debuted in 2007, a generation older than Princess's newer Royal-class vessels like Enchanted Princess. Carrying around 3,080 guests double-occupancy, it offers a more traditional, manageable cruise experience built around the multi-story Piazza atrium, a European-square-style social hub on Deck 5 with cafes, boutiques and live entertainment. It deliberately lacks the flashy modern features of newer ships, there's no SeaWalk here, and its 4.0/5 U.S. News rating across 1,249 reviews reflects a solid but more mature, less cutting-edge product. Reviewers often compare its clean, comfortable-but-unflashy feel to a Celebrity Solstice-class ship.

Dining centers on the main dining rooms and the Horizon Court buffet, with Crown Grill steakhouse and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria as the paid specialty anchors; Crown Grill in particular is a guest favorite and one of the hardest reservations to land. Cabins are described as comfortable, with flat-screen TVs and minifridges throughout and added perks for suite guests, though decor feels dated next to newer ships. Pools, the Lotus Spa, Movies Under the Stars and theater production shows fill out the day, and a 2019 refurbishment plus 2025 dry-dock maintenance keep the ship looking well cared for despite its age. Food, service and entertainment draw consistent praise.

Emerald Princess best suits travelers who prefer a calmer, more traditional mid-size ship over a busy mega-ship, and it skews toward older guests looking to relax rather than chase high-energy attractions. It sits in the mainstream-premium tier and often prices below the newest Princess ships, making it a value-oriented choice within the fleet and a competitor to Celebrity and Holland America. Standout experiences include dinner at Crown Grill, soaking up the atmosphere in the Piazza, a sea day in the adults-only Sanctuary, and Movies Under the Stars. It's a dependable pick for repeat cruisers who value a proven, relaxed ship over the latest gadgetry.