Photo: Quintin Soloviev | Licence: CC BY 4.0; crop by CruisePing.
Emerald Princess at a glance
| Cruise line | Princess Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship class or type | Crown Class within the Grand Class family |
| Entered service | 2007 |
| Last major refurbishment | 14 October 2019 in current Princess itinerary data |
| Gross tonnage | 113,561 GT |
| Length | 290 m / 951 ft |
| Guest capacity | 3,090 guests at lower-berth occupancy |
| Crew | 1,200 |
| Passenger decks | 19 decks in official ship data |
| Cabins or suites | 1,546 staterooms, including 30 suites and 178 mini-suites |
| Accessible cabins | 28 wheelchair-accessible staterooms |
| Dining venues | Three main dining rooms plus Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, Planks, Steamers, buffet and casual food |
| Bars and lounges | Crooners, Wheelhouse, Explorers Lounge, Club Fusion, Adagio and Skywalkers |
| Pools and hot tubs | 4 pools and 7 hot tubs |
| Library | Dedicated library |
| Spa and fitness | Lotus Spa, fitness centre, sports deck and adult Lotus Pool |
| Children’s facilities | Princess youth and teen centres for ages 3 to 17 |
| Adults-only facilities | The Sanctuary, Lotus Pool and quieter lounges |
| Wi-Fi | MedallionNet available; fare and device limits vary |
| UK departures or deployment | Alaska, California Coast and Mexico feature in current deployment; no regular Southampton homeport season |
Best suited to
- Alaska or California Coast travellers prioritising itinerary over newest-ship status
- Couples who value Skywalkers, Wheelhouse, Crooners and a dedicated library
- Value-focused Princess passengers comfortable with an older cabin platform
Think carefully if
- You expect modern sockets, bathrooms and contemporary cabin storage
- The fare is close to a later Royal Class ship
- You dislike busy lifts and buffet pressure on a 3,000-guest vessel
The booking decision
Emerald Princess should be booked as a mature destination ship, not a bargain version of Royal Class. Princess currently highlights Alaska, California Coast and Mexico, routes where balcony access, several pools and a reliable indoor programme matter more than design novelty.
The 2019 refurbishment date is relevant, but the ship remains a 2007 Crown Class platform. Choose Emerald when the itinerary, cabin and total fare are compelling. A small saving against Regal or Discovery Princess is not enough if modern accommodation matters.
Emerald Princess full ship tour video
Traditional Crown Class layout
The Piazza anchors the lower decks, while Princess Theatre, Explorers Lounge, Wheelhouse, Club Fusion, Adagio and Skywalkers spread evening activity. This variety is a strength on longer cruises because passengers are not funnelled into one central entertainment room.
The ship carries 3,090 lower berths on 113,561 GT. Lifts and buffet entrances become busy, especially after port days. Outdoor circulation is better than on some newer ships, and the aft Skywalkers lounge gives views and a distinct late-evening venue.
Cabins and balconies
The official fact sheet lists 1,546 rooms, including 676 balconies, 178 mini-suites, 30 suites, two family suites, 222 outside rooms and 440 insides. A balcony is valuable in Alaska, but the standard room’s internal seating remains limited. Mini-suites are easier for two people on a longer voyage.
Cabin technology and bathroom design reflect the ship’s age. Recent bedding or surfaces do not change socket position, shower dimensions or basic storage. Choose accommodation above and below cabins and check the exact 28 accessible rooms where mobility is a concern.
Dining and package realism
Three main dining rooms sit alongside Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, Planks BBQ, Steamers Seafood, International Café, Vines, World Fresh Marketplace and casual deck venues. The range is broad, although some concepts may operate on selected days rather than as continuously open restaurants.
Premier is not automatically the best fit on an older ship. The fewer permanent specialty venues reduce the value for passengers who do not drink heavily. Compare the total package price with planned meals, Wi-Fi devices and crew appreciation over the full voyage.
Alaska and West Coast use
Alaska benefits from the high balcony count and multiple public viewpoints. Open decks remain important because glacier and wildlife views can move rapidly. On California and Mexico itineraries, the pools and outdoor decks play a larger role, and school-holiday demand becomes more visible.
Port timing and scenic-cruising access should lead the decision. A superior itinerary on Emerald is more valuable than a newer ship with weaker calls. British travellers must include flights and pre-cruise accommodation when comparing with a Southampton sailing.
Families and adults
Youth clubs, pools, sports and films make Emerald family-capable, but it is not an attraction ship. Families should compare cabin space carefully because four-person standard rooms can feel constrained.
Adults are the natural fit. The Sanctuary, Lotus Pool, library, Crooners, Wheelhouse and Adagio create several quieter choices. The atmosphere is traditional rather than design-led, which many repeat Princess passengers prefer.
Before you book Emerald Princess
- Choose the itinerary first and check Alaska scenic-cruising details.
- Compare cabin age and socket layout before accepting a low fare.
- Confirm how Planks and Steamers operate on the specific sailing.
- Do not assume lower tonnage means low passenger density.
Emerald Princess compared with other Princess ships
| Ship | Main difference | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Crown Princess | Close sister with a December 2025 venue refresh | Choose Crown when current public spaces matter |
| Ruby Princess | Slightly later sister with similar passenger fit | Choose by itinerary and fare |
| Discovery Princess | Modern Royal Class and newer Alaska hardware | Choose Discovery when ship facilities justify the premium |
Related CruisePing guides
- Princess Cruises guide
- complete Princess ship selector
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- inside cabin versus balcony guide
- best cruise-cabin position guide
- the true cost of a cheap cruise
- Crown Princess
- Ruby Princess
- Discovery Princess