Emerald Cruises UK
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cruise with Emerald aboard AZZURRA
We just wrapped up our inaugural cruise with Emerald aboard AZZURRA, but let me tell you, it was far from smooth sailing. The good points like comfortable bed were overshadowed by the disappointments, leaving us with a clear message: we will NEVER cruise with Emerald again. Let's dive into the grievances that ruined our experience: - Prepare for a delightful whiff of sewage, as our room and most of the ship reeked. Emerald's response? They denied it, blaming it on an AC issue. Yeah, right! - Brace yourself for the worst Wi-Fi ever. It was so abysmal that we had to rely on our own mobile data. Seriously, in this day and age? - Now, let's talk about the meals. The selection and presentation were utterly lacklustre, especially for the so-called sit-down dinners. Fine dining? Not even close! We expected far more imagination and taste for a cruise of this calibre. - As if that wasn't enough, the diversion to Naples and the absence of a stop in Capri left us utterly disappointed. We signed up for an unforgettable journey, not a unexciting detour. For a hefty price tag of €11,870 for just 7 nights (that's a whopping €1,695 per day), we anticipated exceptional service. Included tours, meals, and evening entertainment should have been top-notch. Instead, we got mediocrity. Staff were friendly and helpful from house cleaning to bar staff. Breakfast was acceptable, with a decent buffet and egg orders to suit our preferences. Lunch, too, was a buffet-smorgasbord affair and, admittedly, the highlight of the onboard meals. But dinner? It was a set menu disaster. The seafood was perpetually overcooked, the quality subpar, and the flavours practically non-existent. One night, they had the audacity to serve chicken, with a sauce of ketchup. Seriously, that's food truck fare, not what you'd expect on a cruise. Oh, and let's not forget the premium drinks package. When we tried to use it in the dining room, we were swiftly informed that the Chairman's wines listed on the menu were not covered. Oh, the joys. AZZURRA, supposedly a state-of-the-art vessel made in Vietnam...well say no more But wait, there's more. We had also booked another cruise on the sister ship SAKARA, still under construction in Vietnam. Thankfully, we had the foresight to secure a free cancellation policy. Initially, Emerald conveniently forgot about it, claiming we had forfeited our deposit. Only after numerous emails and reminders did they agree to refund us, but not without dragging the process out for a painstaking 24 days. Take it from us, DO NOT deal with these guys. Trust us, you'll regret it as much as we do. This experience has left such a sour taste that we may never set foot on a cruise ship again. Oh, and did I mention that after paying €1,695 per day for 7 days, we were informed upon entering our room that the peanuts, mini bar drinks, and snacks would cost us extra? Talk about adding insult to injury