1 /5 Morissa Ann Popwell: Disappointing Experience – Not What We Expected
The idea of a casino cruise line has the potential to be an enjoyable, upscale experience. Unfortunately, the Emerald Princess Casino, fell short in many areas during our visit.
From the moment we arrived, it was evident that the vessel has seen better days. The wear and tear were noticeable right away. One of the most significant issues was the overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke. Nearly every floor allowed smoking, except for the top deck dining area. Both my husband and I developed headaches shortly after boarding due to the poor air quality.
The dining experience was equally disappointing. From what we could see, the kitchen area did not appear clean, which was concerning. The meal we were served, frozen chicken cordon bleu, was of very low quality and tasted just as uninspired as it looked. I was not expecting a 5 star meal, but I did not expect a frozen chicken dinner.
While some of the staff were polite, there were clear lapses in hygiene standards. At the bar, we witnessed a bartender use her bare fingers to retrieve cherries from a jar, a basic food safety violation that was hard to overlook.
The condition of the bathrooms was frankly unacceptable. I don’t know if those bathrooms have ever been properly cleaned.
If you’re someone who doesn’t mind heavy smoke, frozen food, and questionable cleanliness, this cruise might still appeal to you. However, I feel it’s important to be honest. The experience did not match the photos or descriptions on the website. I sincerely wish we had paid more attention to the critical reviews before booking.
