I seriously don't know where to start for this unbelievable cruise. This was our 25th (gulp) cruise and our 9th aboard Princess. And Emerald Princess did not disappoint! We began our venture in Barcelona, staying at the Princess sponsored Hotel Gallery. Pick up and transfers from the airport were super easy. This boutique hotel had clean rooms, a great breakfast spread with fresh fruit and good coffee. The location was perfect for wandering in Barcelona in the Las Ramblas area. Again, hotel to ship transportation was super easy.

Our ship beckoned post-Barcelona - huge and gleaming. Embarkation was easy breezy and our rooms were ready by noon - such a welcome treat. Our mini-suites had great space, ample storage and closets, and a small non-shaded balcony. Service went above and beyond on this cruise - some of the very best service we have ever ever had on a cruise ship. The MDR staff was friendly and efficient, the bar staff were pleasantly conversational, and the housekeeping staff were also terrific. Activities onboard ship were plentiful on sea days and every evening. There were multiple shows each night to suit any and all tastes. I will say that the production shows were a bit on the tired side but that's just me. We tried to make it to as many shows, games, and activities as possible. The Cruise Director and his staff were quite good - very friendly and very busy. We tried the spa a few times and found the service to be exceptional. I had a wonderful Thai Poultice Massage one day and a pedicure another day - both treatments were lovely and the staff was more than hospitable. I do feel that the availability of exercise classes is a bit weak - only one stretch class early morning, but that's the way of things.

The ports on this itinerary are incomparable from Barcelona to Marseille, Florence, Rome, Montenegro, Athens, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Kusadasi, and Istanbul. There was something in every port that appealed to us - especially the fresh fish for lunch each day. Food in the MDR, the Crown Grill, and the buffet were all quite respectable. I do not have one complaint regarding the food and beverages onboard Emerald Princess. Our disembarkation in Istanbul was super easy, we picked up a cab in no time at all and were to our post-cruise hotel within 10 minutes. Exhausted... and happy.