In less than 2-weeks, I will be joining Princess Cruises, Emerald Princess, on a 11-night voyage down to the beautiful Canary Islands and I am hoping for two things – lots of sunshine and lots of good food!
I am rather excited to experience Princess Cruises and I have heard many good things, and saying as Emerald Princess is the cousin of my favourite, Ventura, I am sure I will feel right at home from the moment I step aboard. If I am honest, I am also really looking forward to being back aboard a larger cruise ship, all of my travels recently have been on small to mid-size vessels, but I am ready to get back aboard a 100,000 GT+ beauty!
My last visit to the Canary Islands was in May, just a few months ago, so I have planned one or two things for this trip that I have never done before. During our call to Gran Canaria I have opted for a day at Palmitos Park, which is an organised excursion with Princess. I love nature so this seemed like the perfect choice, plus we are in port on a Sunday, so it means the day is full with adventure instead of looking for things to do. The park is a 20-hectare botanical garden and aviary located in the south of the island. There are over 160 different types of cactus, 1000 palm trees of 42 different types, birds, monkeys, an aquarium, orchid house and Europe’s largest butterfly house. In short, it is my ideal kind of day – as long as the sun is shining!
I am not 100% settled yet on what I will do in the other ports, they are still being contemplated as we speak, but Madeira is going to be an easy day (and probably filled with lots of cake!) and Vigo will more than likely be a chance to enjoy some retail therapy and a chilled drink in a marina side café. Well, cruising must have one or two days of rest! 😉
As I mentioned at the beginning, I am very much looking forward to enjoying a lot of delicious food and the one place I know I will have to try onboard is the Crown Grill. I made the mistake of having a look at the sample dinner menu earlier this week and oh my goodness! I really do think it will take me a week to decide what to have! The Grilled Tiger Prawns in Whisky, Chilli and Garlic Marinade sound delicious (shock horror!), but so does the New York Strip, which I would have with Garlic and Herb French Fires and Creamed Spinach – maybe I will just have to pay a double supplement and have a bit of everything! If only!
There are also going to be one or two new things for me aboard Emerald Princess and I am itching to check them all out, the main one being Movies Under the Stars – I can’t wait for this, I just hope with crossed fingers that we have at least one evening where it is warm enough to enjoy it. Can you cross your fingers and toes for me too, please?
So, that my friends, is where I am at right now! I have printed my luggage labels, ticket and have even started packing, so the countdown really is underway, I just need it to be October 14th and all will be perfect!
The only small issue I do have is that my second love, Oceana, is going to be following us around the Canary Islands as she too enjoys some autumnal sunshine – let’s hope we can all get along nicely.
13-days and counting……………
Author: Danielle
Share this:
Trying to explore each and every inch of this wonderful planet via cruise ship.
CruiseMiss Cruise Blog 
i went on emerald princess from miame around caribbean great ship captain was crap he was spanish had invite captains cocktail party but captain was not. he pushed boat hard and had a rock and roll cruise. been on many princess cruises and that one came bottom of my good cruise list
Emerald was in Venice a couple of weeks ago when we embarked Fantasia, looks a lovely ship. Coincidentally, a colleague had left work a week earlier to sail on her from Southampton! He was very complementary when he returned.
I might have a few photos, if you could use any?
Have a great time.