Thomson Cruises

SS Emerald

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Operator: Thomson Cruises
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1958 / 2000
Length / Tonnage: 599 / 24,8511
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 576 / 1,198
Officers / Crew: International / International
Operating Area: Year round 7 night cruises from Corfu

She was originally built for Grace Lines as the Santa Rosa and sailed for Regency and Louis before coming to Thomson under charter. She was refurbished earlier this year and switched from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean where she still attracts a mostly European crowd. She has a small swimming pool, fitness center and two restaurants.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, the entertainment on board The Emerald is, in suprisingly good. From the Broadway shows to a relaxing quiet drink, there's something for everyone. The Regency Show Lounge is the focal point of entertainment every evening with production shows that offer professional entertainers. If production shows are not your style, the Monte Carlo Court is an ideal alternative. During the day, it plays host to recently released films on its TVs. Every evening, it keeps you entertained with a variety of live performances, popular quizzes and game shows.

The Lounge Royale is the perfect venue for those wanting a pre-show drink, a dance or a flutter at poker, blackjack, pontoon and roulette. Waiting staff are on hand to serve you at your table, live bands and midnight cabarets are waiting to be enjoyed and nearby in the casino the croupiers are readying the roulette wheel. There are five other bars are also vying for your attention. In the Sunshine Bar, you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail, while over in the Yacht Club, you can unwind in its quiet ambience. If you enjoy sipping a drink with the sun on your back and the sea breeze in the air then head for the Lido Bar next to the pool. And if you prefer quiet conversation and a resident pianist, the Starlight Lounge awaits. If that's still not enough for you, the Skyroom Disco is the place to party into the early hours.

The Emerald does not just offer places to eat and drink – its facilities let you relax in almost any way you can think of. The Spa & Beauty Salon is the ultimate place to be rejuvenated. As well as hairdressing, manicures and pedicures, it provides a variety of massage, beauty and body treatments including Dead Sea mud and mineral wraps.

The fitness room, meanwhile, is equipped for both resistance and cardiovascular training and also features a mixed sauna. The Monte Carlo Court is the place to shop with outlets offering a range of gifts and souvenirs.

The Chanterelle Dining Room is the main restaurant and offers a warm ambience and relaxing surroundings for self-service breakfast, waiter service lunch or dinner. For dinner, Thomson has retained the cruising tradition of allocated tables and fixed sittings. You can request an early or late sitting at the time of your booking or upon arrival. Le Bistro is more relaxed, offering a diverse range of self-service buffets in a stylish, casual setting. Open for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, and the late night buffet, it also plays its part with themed buffets when we have deck parties.

The modern, spacious and well-appointed Suites have King Size beds, a separate lounge area and en-suite bathroom. Each air-conditioned suite is equipped with a mini bar, hairdryer, picture window* and colour TV. The sofa which converts to a bed can comfortably accommodate a third person. Suite sizes are between 279-294 square feet.

The Deluxe cabins have either a queen size bed or 2 single beds, (some cabins have parallel twin beds which can be converted to form a double bed) occasional chairs and table, and an en-suite bathroom. All are fully air-conditioned and have a picture window*, colour TV, hairdryer & mini bar. Deluxe sizes are between 208-209 square feet.

Outside cabins have either one queen size bed or two single beds, which are side by side or in an L-shaped configuration as pictured. Four berth cabins have twin beds and two upper berths which fold down. Every air-conditioned cabin also has a porthole, en-suite bathroom and colour TV. Outside cabin sizes are between 144-177 square feet.

Inside cabins have either one queen size or two single beds, which are in an L-shaped or side by side configuration as pictured. Four berth cabins have twin beds and two upper berths which fold down. Every air-conditioned inside cabin also has an en-suite bathroom and colour TV. Inside cabin sizes are between 144-177 square feet.

Thomson do not have the biggest or newest ships and they do not offer the highest quality food, service or entertainment. Therefore it is very easy to criticise them. However, they do not charge the highest fares either - in fact they offer some of the cheapest deals available in the United Kingdom. Thousands of first time UK cruisers choose to cut their maritime teeth with Thomson. They usually return home completely satisfied with the experience, invariably feeling that they have had very good value for money. Passengers have often raved about the food, service and entertainment. In fact many of them return home to immediately book another cruise with Thomson.

The Emerald offers two 7-night fly-cruise itineraries and two 14-night fly-cruise itineraries departing from Corfu. The Pearls of the Aegean 7-night voyage visits Greece, Kefalonia, Athens, Turkey, and Crete. The Adriatic Explorer 7-night itinerary includes stops at Greece, Italy, and Croatia. The 14-night Black Sea Odyssey visits Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Athens. The 14-night Ancient Wonders voyage calls at Greece, Turkey, Rhodes, Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, and Libya.

So is a Thomson cruise for you? If you are an experience cruiser or expect the highest standards of pampering and luxury, you should definitely choose another cruise line. They will only be too happy to charge you accordingly. If you are British, a first-timer and/or your main criterion is value for money, you are unlikely to be disappointed with The Emerald.