Complete - Trip Report - Our 1st Princess Cruise!

[imahistorygeek]

Here's the activity guide for day 1, plus info for Captain's Circle members.

I think the best three perks were the free laundry (which we used twice), the mini-bar setup and priority tenders.

 

[imahistorygeek]

For the first night's dinner, we decided to eat at one of the casual restaurants on board, the Salty Dog Gastropub. We didn't have to change clothes and it's a come-as-you-are type of place. Princess says you can just walk up, but the actual restaurant recommends reservations. We would end up eating here twice during a cruise.

This is the bread service. It's pretty good, but I'd rather save stomach room for the real food.

This is the charred asparagus and grilled haloumi cheese. It's a lot of cheese, but this whole dish was very good.

This is the spicy stout short ribs. It was good, but a little too fatty. I don't remember it being spicy.

Wild Mushroom Sautee

SDG Burger - It was really good.

After dinner, there was a lot of live music around the ship and trivia/gameshows started at 7:30 and went through 9:45. There was also your typical theatre show and casino events. Bad news though, Princess has smoking casinos. It was tough to be in that area. We did gamble a bit, but the smoking really limited our time. One really great thing about the ship layout is that all the evening activities are on deck 7. There's no running around between decks trying to get to different events. One really bad thing is that one of the MDRs (there are 4) makes you start out midship on one deck, walk all the way forward then then go down a deck. You can't walk straight through to it because the kitchen is in the middle of the deck.

 

[ChuckElias]

The food all looks great, except that I could do without the poached egg with the mushrooms.

One really bad thing is that one of the MDRs (there are 4) makes you start out midship on one deck, walk all the way forward then then go down a deck. You can't walk straight through to it because the kitchen is in the middle of the deck.

This was also true on the Grand Princess when we sailed to Hawaii. I was not a fan of the layout.

 

[MinnieM123]

Here's the activity guide for day 1, plus info for Captain's Circle members.

Wow, that's a lot of activities on the first day to choose from!

 

[Phonedave]

The food all looks great, except that I could do without the poached egg with the mushrooms.

I on the other hand want to know how to make a crispy poached egg that is still runny in the middle so I can make it home.

 

[imahistorygeek]

Day 2 - Oct 22

Newport is a tendering port. If you're new to cruising and do not know what this is, it's when your ship drops anchor close to the port and then you have to take a small boat to shore. It can be a quick or lengthy process.

Princess made announcements the evening before on how to get your tender tickets. They pass them out by group. If you have a shore excursion, you already have one. Elite-level cruisers will have a meeting place for priority tender boarding.

As you can see by the morning activities, they expect you to be off the ship in port. Activities and events on the ship are typical events you see on cruises.

We ate some breakfast in the buffet before heading our tender meeting location. Out of all the cruise lines we've sailed, and based on this one experience with Princess, it was the absolute worst food we have ever eaten on a cruise. The toast was hard as a cracker and the only toast choice (not gluten free) you had was white bread. I had read before the cruise the food was bad. These accounts did not exaggerate.

 

[imahistorygeek]

We decided to do the Cliff Walk and see the Newport mansions.

It's a bit of a walk. In total, we walked 10.64 miles that day. The weather was beautiful. There is a free trolley system, so you can catch it around port to get to the Cliff Walk.

When you get to the entrance of the Cliff Walks, you turn the corner and this is what you see:

This is absolutely worth seeing and walking. There are some easy/med/hard paths and there was a guide to let you know which parts.

We stopped a lot just to look at the ocean. We also saw surfers at one point.

While on the Cliff Walk, you can see the mansions. They cost dollars, so you can't just walk in and tour. It's very easy to buy tickets online and bypass the tour groups waiting to get in.

The homes are nice, but it was a one and done for us.

I don't remember where we ate lunch, but we must have not been impressed if we don't have pictures.

We tendered back to the ship. The Emerald Princess, for its age, looked pretty good. I was expecting a beat up, run down ship, but the ship was no better, no worse in most cases than some of the older Celebrity ships we've sailed.

 

[MinnieM123]

We decided to do the Cliff Walk and see the Newport mansions.

It's a bit of a walk. In total, we walked 10.64 miles that day. The weather was beautiful. There is a free trolley system, so you can catch it around port to get to the Cliff Walk.

When you get to the entrance of the Cliff Walks, you turn the corner and this is what you see:
View attachment 752858

This is absolutely worth seeing and walking. There are some easy/med/hard paths and there was a guide to let you know which parts.

View attachment 752861View attachment 752859

We stopped a lot just to look at the ocean. We also saw surfers at one point.

While on the Cliff Walk, you can see the mansions. They cost dollars, so you can't just walk in and tour. It's very easy to buy tickets online and bypass the tour groups waiting to get in.

View attachment 752860View attachment 752863View attachment 752864View attachment 752860

The homes are nice, but it was a one and done for us.

I don't remember where we ate lunch, but we must have not been impressed if we don't have pictures.

We tendered back to the ship. The Emerald Princess, for its age, looked pretty good. I was expecting a beat up, run down ship, but the ship was no better, no worse in most cases than some of the older Celebrity ships we've sailed.

View attachment 752865

So glad you got to see the mansions!! I've been down there a few times (I'm from MA), and have visited all of them (some are more seasonally open than others). It really was a different "world" along Bellevue Avenue in Newport, for the wealthy during the Gilded Age.

 

[imahistorygeek]

Our 2nd night dinner was at Sabatini's Trattoria. This is one of two up-charge restaurants. It's your classic Italian menu. It's located on a top deck with aft views. It's a nice place.

The risotto was cooked correctly and if you've had undercooked risotto, it's terrible, so this was a win.

Eggplant parm

Their take on limoncello. Good, but it was served at almost room temp. I like it frosty!

I'd say this was your typical Italian. Less Olive Garden and more Carraba's, so the food is good, not great, but I think worth the cover charge. If you choose the premium add-ons with your fare, you'll receive two up-charge dining credits. It was a nice dining experience. Not as good as Palo, but better than Giovanni's Table on Royal Caribbean.

 

[lostpro9het]

I don't remember where we ate lunch, but we must have not been impressed if we don't have pictures.

We ate pizza on board.

So glad you got to see the mansions!! I've been down there a few times (I'm from MA), and have visited all of them (some are more seasonally open than others). It really was a different "world" along Bellevue Avenue in Newport, for the wealthy during the Gilded Age.

I think, for me, the houses were ok but I think that is more because we live less than 3 hours from Vanderbilt’s “big” house, Biltmore. We’ve been several times and all seasons and that place is The Breakers x 10. Still, I enjoyed visiting RI but in no rush to go back.

 

[imahistorygeek]

We ate pizza on board.


I think, for me, the houses were ok but I think that is more because we live less than 3 hours from Vanderbilt’s “big” house, Biltmore. We’ve been several times and all seasons and that place is The Breakers x 10. Still, I enjoyed visiting RI but in no rush to go back.

That's right. The pizza was actually pretty good and we had it several times. We watched a vlog that said it was as good as New York pizza. It's not that, unless you're talking about Sbarro.

It's better than Disney and Celebrity, but not as good at Virgin's.

If you've never been to Biltmore in Asheville, NC, it's worth a visit, especially during the holidays. Tons of trees in the house and the fireplaces are lit. Plus, tons of breweries in downtown Asheville.

 

[MinnieM123]

I think, for me, the houses were ok but I think that is more because we live less than 3 hours from Vanderbilt’s “big” house, Biltmore. We’ve been several times and all seasons and that place is The Breakers x 10.

Seeing the photos of the Biltmore over the years, you are right -- the Breakers is small, in comparison! Then again, it was only their "summer" cottage.

If you've never been to Biltmore in Asheville, NC, it's worth a visit, especially during the holidays. Tons of trees in the house and the fireplaces are lit.

I recall seeing a magazine spread about the Biltmore at Christmas time. Wow. It was gorgeous!! (As a side note, some of the mansions in Newport also decorate their interiors for Christmas, and the decorators do a beautiful job.) None can compete with the Biltmore in your area, but maybe think of them as mini-Biltmores.

 

[Phonedave]

We tendered back to the ship. The Emerald Princess, for its age, looked pretty good. I was expecting a beat up, run down ship, but the ship was no better, no worse in most cases than some of the older Celebrity ships we've sailed.

View attachment 752865

I don't know if I like the way this looks or not. It certainly is different. Maybe it is just the angle but those bridge wings look huge.

 

[imahistorygeek]

I don't know if I like the way this looks or not. It certainly is different. Maybe it is just the angle but those bridge wings look huge.

Just the angle. It looked to be the same size as others I've seen on other ships.

 

[ChuckElias]

Our 2nd night dinner was at Sabatini's Trattoria. This is one of two up-charge restaurants. It's your classic Italian menu. It's located on a top deck with aft views. It's a nice place.

Just like Palo on the classic ships.

That's right. The pizza was actually pretty good and we had it several times.

It's better than Disney and Celebrity, but not as good at Virgin's.

I'll agree that it's better than DCL and Celebrity. The thing I liked about it was that (at least, when we sailed 10 years ago), they made the dough for the pizza crust fresh each day. It was really good.

 

[imahistorygeek]

I'll agree that it's better than DCL and Celebrity. The thing I liked about it was that (at least, when we sailed 10 years ago), they made the dough for the pizza crust fresh each day. It was really good.

We don't normally reminisce over cruise food unless it's Virgin, but we have mentioned the Princess pizza several times when discussing pizza. We really like pizza.

 

[imahistorygeek]

Day 3 - Boston

No excursions, but we did meet family in the city. We really like Boston. It's a great walking around city. We did share a cab into the city with another family. They're waiting outside the port. It was easier than requesting Lyft/Uber.

We met at Faneuil Hall, looked at a couple of shops and then dropped into the Bell in Hand. You like history and beer, then it's worth the stop.

Some type of pumpkin beer. The rim tasted like sugared pumpkin. Not a fan.

Obligatory Paul Revere

Seriously though, if you've never been to Boston, it's worth a trip. The Freedom Trail alone is one of the best historical walks and you get to see so much history. The best part? It's free.

For lunch, our family wanted Italian. We hardly eat out Italian because our closest spot is The Olive Garden.

We finally settled on Ristorante Villa Francesca in the North End.

I had this fun dish that I've only seen on IG:

I am not a fan of fettuccine Alfredo because it's usually a really thick white sauce an noodle. These noodles were very good and the sauce, for being mostly cheese, was really light. I enjoyed my meal.

We then headed over to Harpoon Brewery for some drinks before heading back to the ship, which was just across the way.

Overall, it was a great day. This was one of our less walking days at 7.14 miles.

 

[imahistorygeek]

I forgot to add our day 3 dinner in the MDR. We did have a nice table by the window and our serving team was very good. Dinner was fine, not great. We had french onion soup, beef wellington, and lamb.

As far as comparing the meals to other cruises lines, this meal ranked right up there with Norwegian and RCL. Again, Virgin is tops, Celebrity and then Disney.

Day 4 - Bar Harbor

This was a tender port. The ride was pretty easy and the scenery is very nice. This was one of my favorite ports.

 

[imahistorygeek]

The big deal in Bar Harbor (I think) is Acadia National Park.

We took the long way to get to the park...the very long way. We walked to one of the entrances of the park.

We just headed on to some trails and walked. It was nice, cool, and the scenery was amazing. We went to Dorr Mountain area to the right of Cadillac Mountain. There were several trails you could hike.

To be clear, we are not hikers. We were dressed for walking and had on tennis shoes and layers but that was it. Sean chose the path up Dorr Mountain. A path has been created and pathways cut into rock were numerous. There were times we were basically climbing the side of a mountain with no type of railing or anything. I'm glad the ground was dry.

The incline wasn't too much and the steps cut into rock were appreciated. Some of the trail had streams running through it, so we had to employ some fancy footwork to keep our feet dry.

At one point in our climbing, we looked out and this was our view.

If you can see that speck out there, it's our ship.

I cannot properly express our feelings when we saw this view. It was absolutely amazing.

The only bummer (and not a big one) were the leaves. They just were not that colorful, but I did find some nice specimens on the ground.

We kept going and the terrain was becoming a little more rocky and wet than I would like. We reached a point where the trail wasn't as visible as before and I suggested we turn around and head back because we are not hikers and have zero point zero experience. I did not want to be like these two poor, unfortunate hikers on the same mountain.

We made it back down with no issues and started to head back to town. Here was another amazing view.

We walked about two miles back into town for lunch.

 

[ChuckElias]

Love Acadia!! It's practically in my back yard!