Our biggest beef with this cruise was that Emerald failed to enforce the stated Covid protocols that Emerald insisted passengers adhere to by wearing masks in common areas when moving about and on the coaches for excursions.

We were also advised at short notice prior to the cruise that passengers were required to provide proof of a negative PCR test before embarkation, this despite there being no testing requirements necessary for entry into Portugal. Failure to provide such proof would result in passengers being denied boarding. We spent 3 days in Lisbon prior to the cruise beginning in Porto and had asked Emerald for help/guidance in sourcing facilities in Lisbon to obtain PCR tests, this during the Easter holiday period, but the response was less than helpful.

We eventually found a service which could give us test results within 24 hours but at a cost of €95 Euros perperson. Read more