Emerald Princess

Princess pioneered the idea of a giant poolside screen, and on Emerald it still anchors the main pool deck. Feature films, concerts and big sporting events play throughout the day and night at no extra cost. In the evening, the crew hands out fleece blankets and fresh popcorn, and during the day it's cookies and milk. Padded loungers face the screen, so it's easy to settle in for a double feature at sea.

The Sanctuary is a quiet, adults-only retreat set apart from the busier pool decks. Guests reserve it for a half day or a full day and get cushioned loungers, shade, attentive service and light bites and drinks brought right to them. It's a favorite on sea days and scenic cruising days, when the main decks fill up. Spots are limited, so many guests book it as soon as they board.

At the very back of the ship, the Terrace Pool sits on tiered decks that step down toward the wake. It's usually calmer than the main pool, with loungers and tables for a casual lunch in the sun. The aft is also where Emerald's Owner's and Vista Suites are, with big private verandas facing the wake. It's the spot to watch the ship pull away from port.

Modeled on an Old World town square, the Piazza is the social heart of the ship, with street performers, live music, boutiques and glass-walled elevators. The International Café is open around the clock with pastries, quiche, salads, sandwiches and desserts, plus a Lavazza specialty coffee menu. Nearby, Vines pours wine flights and wines by the glass. It's an easy place to meet up before dinner or a show.

Crown Grill is Princess's signature steakhouse, a specialty restaurant with an extra charge. The menu centers on carefully aged cuts, finished with a choice of gourmet salts, along with seafood, appetizers, soups and classic sides. The setting is warm and refined, with booths and tables that work for a quiet dinner for two or a celebration with family. It's a natural pick for an anniversary or the last night of a cruise.

Sabatini's is Princess's Italian trattoria, a specialty restaurant with an extra charge. Chefs use artisanal techniques and fresh ingredients, and the menu moves from antipasti to handmade pastas, mains and desserts. Plenty of guests book it more than once on a longer sailing. It's the perfect follow-up to a long bubble bath in a suite's soaking tub after a big day ashore.

The Lotus Spa covers massages, facials and body treatments, along with a beauty salon and a barber. Couples treatment rooms are a favorite for anniversaries and honeymoons. A fitness center with classes and modern equipment sits nearby for guests who like to keep a routine at sea. Treatments can be booked before the cruise or once on board, and a spa day pairs well with a quiet sea day.

Emerald Princess is a MedallionClass ship. Each guest gets an OceanMedallion, about the size of a quarter, before the cruise. It unlocks the stateroom door as guests walk up and connects with thousands of touch points around the ship, so drinks and food can be ordered and delivered almost anywhere. Crew members can see guests' preferences, which helps them get orders right the first time. The stateroom TV and the Princess app work with it too.