Exploring the Wonders of New England and Canada: My First Princess Cruise on the Emerald Princess!**
Hello, fellow travelers! 🌍
I recently embarked on a journey of a lifetime aboard the **Emerald Princess**, part of the stunning fleet of **Princess Cruise Line Ships**. This was my very first cruise with Princess, and to make it even more special, it was a mother-daughter trip—a 7-day New England and Canada Cruise with ports of call in Boston, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sydney on Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, and Portland, Maine.
Let me tell you—it was an *amazing* experience from start to finish. From the accommodations to the crew and ship, and of course, the activities and excursions, there was something for everyone! Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or considering your first voyage, I hope my adventure inspires you to book your next trip!
**Activities**
The sailaway party was a blast! We got to meet a lot of the staff including the activities crew who gave us an idea about what activities they had to offer, and we danced and sang as we sailed away from the Boston Crusie Port!
The activities offered on the ship had something for everyone! Whether you are a fitness enthusiast, love to gamble, test your knowledge of trivia, have an interest in fine art, want to play Deck Sports, bingo, or sing The Night Away, there was something for you everyday. Not to mention being The Love Boat, they had inclusive activities as well for the lgbtq community, as well as the friends of Dr Bob. The activities were well planned out and scheduled so that there was always something to do.
**Luxurious Accommodations**
My mother and I stayed in an Oceanview Stateroom with a large porthole overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. The room was incredibly spacious, with plenty of room for both of us, a good-sized bathroom, and a large closet area to store all our clothes for the week. The luxury bathroom essentials from the Princess Cruise Lines‘ Lotus Spa were a delightful touch, making us feel pampered from the get-go.
Our stateroom featured a huge flat-screen TV with numerous options, including TV shows, premium movies, and a section to learn about the ship and its offerings. Every morning, we watched the Wake Up Show to hear about the day’s exciting activities. The beds were extremely comfortable, complete with luxury bedding! And our room steward, Melonson, was simply amazing—greeting us by name every time he saw us, which added a personal touch that made us feel right at home. 🛏️
**Pampering at the Lotus Spa**
One of the highlights of our cruise was the **Lotus Spa**. It offered numerous ways to pamper yourself, from a full fitness center to a beauty salon, massage therapy, and various spa treatments. For those looking for an adults-only escape, the **Sanctuary** was a blissful retreat with a heated pool, two hot tubs, and a serene lounging area. It was the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate while at sea. 🌺
**Princess Premier Package: Worth Every Penny**
We opted for the **Princess Premier Package**, and let me tell you, it paid for itself throughout the cruise! Here’s what we enjoyed with this all-inclusive package:
1. Wi-Fi on 4 devices per person 📱
2. Premium drinks all trip (including alcohol) 🍹
3. Crew appreciation included ❤️
4. Unlimited premium desserts 🍰
5. Unlimited fitness classes 💪
6. 2 specialty dining experiences at Crown Grill or Sabatini’s Italian Restaurant 🍽️
7. Unlimited photos 📸
8. Reserved theater seating 🎭
9. Unlimited casual dining 🍔
10. Unlimited OceanNow service (food and drinks delivered anywhere on the ship!) 🍕
11. Unlimited room service 🍳
For those looking for something a bit lighter, Princess also offers the **Princess Plus** package, which is perfect for those who want a little extra without going all out. Here’s what the Princess Plus package includes:
1. **Wi-Fi:** 1 device per guest 📱
2. **Beverages:** Includes drinks, bottled water, specialty coffee, and juice bar 🍹
3. **Crew Appreciation:** Included ❤️
4. **Casual Meals:** 2 per sailing 🍔
5. **Premium Desserts:** 2 per day 🍨
6. **OceanNow®:** Delivery anywhere onboard with the fee waived 🛎️
7. **Room Service:** Unlimited room service 🍳
8. **Fitness Classes:** 2 per sailing 🧘♀️
These packages offer great value and make your cruise experience even more enjoyable. You also have the option to purchase different pieces of the package individually if that suits your needs better.
**Don’t Forget the Princess App!**
Before embarking on your cruise, I highly recommend completing the **Ocean Ready** program. It made our check-in process a breeze—super quick and organized! You can access this through the Princess app, which is a must-have on the cruise ship. Here’s why:
1. Purchase different packages
**Dining: A Culinary Adventure**
2. Complete Ocean Ready before boarding
3. Make dining reservations
4. See the daily activities and their locations
5. Access OceanNow for food, beverages, and merchandise delivered anywhere on the ship
6. View your professional photos
7. Chat with customer service
8. View your purchase receipts
9. Use the ship GPS to navigate anywhere on the ship! 📍
**Dining**
The dining options onboard were plentiful, offering a variety of choices for any palate. Whether you’re craving something casual, a buffet, or an exquisite specialty dining experience, the food was delicious at every turn. Trust me—your taste buds will thank you! 😋
**Kids Clubs: Fun for All Ages**
**Princess Cruise Lines truly caters to every member of the family, including the youngest cruisers! **
They offer **kids clubs** for children ages three and up, ensuring that even the littlest guests have a great time.
For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, Princess makes cruising with little ones easier with a variety of services and amenities. Young children are welcome in **Camp Discovery** when accompanied by a parent. For families staying in Mini-Suites or Full Suites, you’ll find full-sized bathtubs, and you can also request wash bins for showers. Staterooms with balconies are perfect for naptime, and high chairs, booster seats, and cribs are available upon request. Additionally, Princess offers complimentary jarred baby food and fresh, pureed foods (like fruits, veggies, and rice) in the main dining room, specialty restaurants, and at Horizon Court or World Fresh Marketplace.
For children aged 3-7, **The Treehouse** is a bright, forest-themed space filled with hands-on activities and programs surrounded by captivating creatures. 🦊
For kids aged 8-13, **The Lodge** offers a cozy, outdoors-inspired atmosphere where they can engage in sports activities and explore comfortable spaces designed just for them. 🏞️
Teens aged 13-17 can hang out at **The Beach House**, a contemporary, beach-themed lounge that’s the perfect spot for socializing and connecting with others. 🏖️
Young adults aged 18-20 even have their own exclusive space with **Club 1820**. Imagine a secret society—only those invited can join! Guests in this age group will learn a special handshake and receive a code word to unlock a list of Club 1820 events made just for them. No parents, no little siblings, and no official hosts—just pure fun. 🕵️♂️
**Exploring the New England and Canada Cruise**
If you’ve ever wanted to explore the northeastern seaboard of North America, I highly recommend the seven-day itinerary we took. Although we didn’t go during foliage season, which would have added an extra layer of beauty, the trip was still nothing short of incredible.
**Halifax, Nova Scotia**
Our first port of call was Halifax, where we chose the excursion to Peggy’s Cove and the Titanic Resting Place. Did you know the Titanic Resting Place is arranged in the shape of the Titanic’s bow? Each grave is marked with a number corresponding to the retrieval order of the bodies from the ocean. It was a somber yet captivating experience.
Peggy’s Cove was absolutely breathtaking! Watching the waves crash against the rocks below in this colorful and picturesque fishing village was a highlight. 🌊
**Sydney, Cape Breton**
Next, we visited Sydney on Cape Breton Island, known for its rich Scottish and Gaelic heritage. We chose the Highland Historic Museum and Gaelic Experience excursion, which was phenomenal. Our tour guide was fluent in Gaelic and treated us to beautiful Gaelic songs as we made our way to the Baile nan Gàidheal Highland Historic Museum. The museum offered an immersive experience into the lives of Scottish settlers, complete with actors portraying life in different style homes from the period. It was a fun-filled day of learning and history! 🏰
**Prince Edward Island**
Ah, Prince Edward Island—this was on my personal bucket list, and it did not disappoint! We took the Best of PEI excursion, which included a tour of Charlottetown, the stunning Red Cliffs of North Rustico, and a visit to the Anne of Green Gables Heritage Museum.
Seeing Green Gables was a dream come true, as I grew up reading about Anne Shirley’s adventures. Walking through the pages of that beloved story was surreal! The red cliffs were breathtaking, the historic spots in Charlottetown were fascinating, and the ice cream at Cows Creamery was definitely worth screaming for! 🍦
If you ever get the chance to visit PEI, I guarantee you’ll be as captivated by its natural wonder as we were!
**Final Thoughts**
Our first Princess Cruise on the Emerald Princess was a magical experience that I will never forget. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, Princess Cruise Lines has something for everyone. I can’t wait to book my next trip—where will we go next? 🌟
Contact me to experience Princess Cruises yourself! They have a variety of Itineraries all around the world with a fleet of luxurious ships!
Happy travels, everyone! #TravelWithShannon #ShannonWithMainStreetAdventures #PrincessCruises #EmeraldPrincess #CruiseLife #TravelBlog #NewEnglandAndCanada #BucketListAdventures #MotherDaughterTrip #CruisingWithPrincess 🛳️