The Emerald Princess, operated by the American Princess Cruises cruise line, will embark on a cruise from Southampton to Iceland and Greenland in the summer of 2025. The price for 16 nights in an inside cabin currently starts at €1,585 per person. Other options include outside cabins for €1,673 and balcony cabins for €2,035 (per person, double occupancy).
The listed prices include all meals in the main and buffet restaurants, as well as coffee, water, tea, and iced tea in the buffet restaurant.
Princess Cruises applies an automatic crew gratuity of $16 per person per day to your onboard account. This amount can be adjusted at the reception if desired.
The Route
The cruise begins in Southampton, on the southern coast of England, an important cruise port in the U.K. After departing, the ship heads to Falmouth in Cornwall, known for its castles and range of restaurants and cafés. The next stop is Cobh in Ireland, where excursions to Cork are available.
After three days at sea, the Emerald Princess reaches Greenland, stopping first at Qaqortoq, the largest town in southern Greenland with around 3,500 inhabitants. The next stop is Nanortalik, where you might spot whales and seals in the waters, while arctic foxes, sea eagles, and rare birds inhabit the land. The ship then sails to Iceland, stopping in the capital Reykjavik, followed by Ísafjörður and Akureyri. After a total of 16 nights, the ship returns to Southampton.
| Date | Location | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 31 | Southampton | 16:00 | |
| August 1 | Falmouth, England | 07:00 | 18:00 |
| August 2 | Cobh, ~25 km from Cork | 07:00 | 17:00 |
| August 3 – 5 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| August 6 | Qaqortoq / Julianehåb | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| August 7 | Nanortalik, Greenland | 07:00 | 18:00 |
| August 8 – 9 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| August 10 | Reykjavik, Iceland | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| August 11 | Ice fjords / Ísafjörður | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| August 12 | Akureyri, Iceland | 07:00 | 17:00 |
| August 13 – 15 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| August 16 | Southampton | 07:00 |
The Ship
Launched in 2007, the Emerald Princess can accommodate over 3,100 passengers. At 290 meters in length, it was one of the largest ships of its time and the second of the Crown Class. Its last extensive renovation was in 2019. Due to its age, the cabins and bathrooms are relatively modest.
However, the public areas remain competitive even today. Princess Cruises operates primarily in the premium segment, offering a significantly higher level of service than more budget-friendly European cruise lines.
Princess Cruises offers traditional cruises primarily catering to older American guests. This means you can expect good food, shows, or an evening lecture, but not a theme park experience. Sea days are therefore best spent relaxing. There are comfortable deck chairs, some in sheltered locations, a small golf course, a comprehensive English-language library, a cigar bar, an art gallery, and high-quality shows (dance & music, magicians, acrobatics, cabaret, and comedy). For those with a generous budget, there is also a large casino and numerous shops.
Meals are included in the buffet and main restaurants, as well as the 24-hour café in the atrium. Speciality restaurants charge an extra fee of about $19 to $39. Suites come with their own restaurant offering enhanced dining options. Ice water and lemonade are included in the price, while other beverages are available at regular restaurant prices.
Special features include a sheltered terrace pool and the Skywalkers nightclub on Deck 18, offering beautiful views. The amenities on deck and in public areas are of higher quality than on many large ships.
Here are some additional facts and figures:
- Year built: 2007 (extensively renovated in 2019)
- Capacity: 3,114 passengers (double occupancy) – 1,200 crew members
- Propelled by 2 fixed propellers (causing some vibrations)
- Maximum speed of 21 knots (40 km/h)
- 6 restaurants (4 speciality restaurants with a surcharge of $19 – $39)
- Fast food stands and cafés are included
- 4 pools across the top deck and 7 hot tubs
- Main language: English – Currency: USD
- 14 passenger decks + Medical Center
Getting to Southampton
The cruise starts and ends in Southampton. Since there are very few direct flights to the local airport, flights to London are recommended as an alternative. For the transfer between London and Southampton, we suggest using National Express bus services. The buses run several times a day between the two cities, and if booked in advance, you can secure affordable tickets.
Here are some examples of what round-trip tickets currently cost, with luggage:
- Dublin – London: €121 with Ryanair
- Paris – London: €144 with Vueling
- Milan – London: €159 with Wizz Air
Feel free to check how much flights would cost from your home town:
Cover Picture: © Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd.