Coral Princess Panama Canal Partial Transit

[Seafoam Green]

It's time for DH and I to plan next winter's cruise, and we have narrowed it down to either the Coral Princess or the Zuiderdam for the Panama Canal partial transit. I would appreciate your thoughts on either or even both, if you are able. I did start a similar thread on the HAL board.

 

We do have FCC on Princess. We have never sailed HAL before. I'm not sure if it will be just us, or if we will travel with another couple. In any event, I will soak up everything I possibly can from my fellow CCers.

 

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

 

:D

[RNGALNG]

We took the Coral on the full passage and loved it! Liked having the Horizon Court at the front of the ship - something different.

 

Our room was on the Aloha deck and we had great views while going through the canal. But, you will want to move around the ship during the passing as you will want to see things from all angles.

 

Whoever was in charge of the Horizon Court on our trip - I loved the menus and food. (It was two years ago.) It was the best ever!

 

We went in February so not many children onboard- three I think they said. Made for a quiet group.

 

I have not been on a HAL trip so, can not compare. I'm sure you will enjoy. Any questions, let me know. Have a great cruise!

[Nan_Sea]

I have been on both HAL and Princess partial Panama Canal cruises but not those particular ships. I can say in general my experience has been that the HAL passengers are older. Also I find more activities on Princess. We were on the Island Princess for this cruise last year. The Island and Coral are sister ships and we really enjoyed the trip.

[Pam in CA]

I've done the Panama Canal on both the Coral and the Zuiderdam. Both were good cruises. There are pluses and minuses to both so it would be hard for me to choose. Both will have older passengers. The Coral has the International Cafe and both forward and aft open decks for viewing, the Zuiderdam has the Crow's Nest for great viewing if it's raining or too hot. If you can afford it, the Zuiderdam has great aft balcony cabins with huge balconies with comfortable seating and unobstructed views.

 

IMHO, it would be a toss-up. I'd book based on itinerary and pricing.

[Seafoam Green]

I've done the Panama Canal on both the Coral and the Zuiderdam. Both were good cruises. There are pluses and minuses to both so it would be hard for me to choose. Both will have older passengers. The Coral has the International Cafe and both forward and aft open decks for viewing, the Zuiderdam has the Crow's Nest for great viewing if it's raining or too hot. If you can afford it, the Zuiderdam has great aft balcony cabins with huge balconies with comfortable seating and unobstructed views.

 

IMHO, it would be a toss-up. I'd book based on itinerary and pricing.

 

I like the sound of those aft balconies, Pam - I've found that I prefer our cabin to be aft and being all the way aft seems like it would be great!

 

We've never been to Curacao, and since everyone says that Half Moon Cay is the best in private islands, it would be fun to check it out.

 

Currently, Coral is more expensive in fares. Zuiderdam's port charges are about $50pp higher.

 

Regardless of our final choice, I am very excited about seeing the canal and experiencing the locks.

 

Pam, what excursions have you done on the day in the canal?

 

:D

[Pam in CA]

I've had VA5184 on both the Zuiderdam and the Oosterdam... Fabulous, private, quiet cabin and balcony. HMC is MUCH better than Princess Cay. Not even close. Tons of loungers either in the shade or sun, sand so fine it's like walking on baby powder.

 

Love Curaçao...been there several times. Best tour there was going to the Marine Park. As for the Panama Canal, I've taken several tours there on several cruises. The railroad was a big disappointment since it was expensive and you see little of the Canal while on the train because of the foliage that's grown up along the banks. Those sitting at the Canal side windows had the best views; if you were on the other side of the train, you'll see some but have little chance to take photos. The best tour I've taken in the Canal was the ferry from one end to the other. It goes through all the locks and you're up close to the sides, easily touching them. The commentary was educational and informative. I saw so much more on this tour than I have either staying on the ship and listening to the commentary or the train.

[Seafoam Green]

I've had VA5184 on both the Zuiderdam and the Oosterdam... Fabulous, private, quiet cabin and balcony. HMC is MUCH better than Princess Cay. Not even close. Tons of loungers either in the shade or sun, sand so fine it's like walking on baby powder.

 

Love Curaçao...been there several times. Best tour there was going to the Marine Park. As for the Panama Canal, I've taken several tours there on several cruises. The railroad was a big disappointment since it was expensive and you see little of the Canal while on the train because of the foliage that's grown up along the banks. Those sitting at the Canal side windows had the best views; if you were on the other side of the train, you'll see some but have little chance to take photos. The best tour I've taken in the Canal was the ferry from one end to the other. It goes through all the locks and you're up close to the sides, easily touching them. The commentary was educational and informative. I saw so much more on this tour than I have either staying on the ship and listening to the commentary or the train.

 

Thanks, Pam!

[Seafoam Green]

While I still want to hear about Panama Canal Partials on the Coral Princess and Zuiderdam, I am going to hijack my own thread to provide a very timely article for Pam (and her great Boston Strong icon!) to enjoy before tomorrow's running of the Kentucky Derby:

 

http://bostonherald.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

 

 

Come on, 'Wicked Strong'!!!

 

Now, back to the Panama Canal...

 

:D

[we3peas]

We just got back form a partial on the Coral April 17-28. There were lots of kids since it was Easter and they had the week off. This was great for my dd16 who celebrated her bday during the trip.

 

Coral is easy to get around and has very personable crew onboard.

 

I loved the itinerary we had, Aruba, Cartegena, Panama Canal, Colon, Limon, and Grand Cayman.

 

We did private tours in Aruba (with Ivan) and Cartegena (with Claudia) and did the ship's tour of Embera Indians with a stop at the Gatun Locks visitor center. We toured with Greenway in Limon and Capt Marvin's in Grand Cayman.

 

The ferry tour on our ship was a disaster from what I heard from several people who were on it. They had to wait a really long time to get another boat of a small size to go through with them making them late the whole day. The food sucked onboard, they witnessed 2 accidents (one with a deceased person) and one involving the bus they were in hitting a car. They were extremely late getting back to the ship, so much so the crew basically pulled the gangplank up and jumped on board after the last pax.

 

I also heard from another person that the train ride wasn't worth it like Pam said. The view wasn't great and only one side got to see anything and you come back on a bus, another way to get back to the ship.

 

We had a minisuite so lots of room for 3 people and the food was good but we never ate in the dining room though (we feel it takes too long). The Horizon Court has much of the same food they serve in the MDR, and the Coral has an IC if you just want a bite to eat but not a big meal.

[Seafoam Green]

We did private tours in Aruba (with Ivan) and Cartegena (with Claudia) and did the ship's tour of Embera Indians with a stop at the Gatun Locks visitor center. We toured with Greenway in Limon and Capt Marvin's in Grand Cayman.

 

The ferry tour on our ship was a disaster from what I heard from several people who were on it. They had to wait a really long time to get another boat of a small size to go through with them making them late the whole day. The food sucked onboard, they witnessed 2 accidents (one with a deceased person) and one involving the bus they were in hitting a car. They were extremely late getting back to the ship, so much so the crew basically pulled the gangplank up and jumped on board after the last pax.

 

I also heard from another person that the train ride wasn't worth it like Pam said. The view wasn't great and only one side got to see anything and you come back on a bus, another way to get back to the ship.

 

Thanks for sharing your tour info.

 

Yikes! The ferry experience didn't sound positive - people usually rate that pretty high. What a shame...

 

We're looking at the February itinerary with Grand Cayman - we wouldn't step off the ship in Ocho Rios, so that itinerary was out. It's early February, so it won't coincide with school breaks in the Northeast.

[Pam in CA]

The ferry tour on our ship was a disaster from what I heard from several people who were on it. They had to wait a really long time to get another boat of a small size to go through with them making them late the whole day. The food sucked onboard, they witnessed 2 accidents (one with a deceased person) and one involving the bus they were in hitting a car. They were extremely late getting back to the ship, so much so the crew basically pulled the gangplank up and jumped on board after the last pax.

Just to comment on this, the Canal operators determine which boats and ships can enter the Canal and if they say the ferry has to wait, they have to wait. The operators try to fill each lock so it's not unusual to have a wait, even cruise ships. Food is subjective. I thought the food was very good. Accidents happen and are no fault of the tour operator. And, the ship will wait for you, which is a good thing. I wouldn't call this tour a disaster but rather an adventure, particularly since none of it is the tour operator's fault.

 

In Cartagena, I took a private tour with Lee Miles, "Mr. Emerald" (http://www.misteremerald.com/), and it was the best tour I've taken in Cartagena. I saw and learned more than I did on previous tours there. For shopping, Princess and other tour operators stop at the old jail cells which have high prices and questionable quality. Lee Miles' tours stop at his store which has high quality and very beautiful jewelry at reasonable prices. No, you can't bargain the way you can at the jail cells but the quality is far better. I bought a gorgeous uncut emerald pendant for my daughter for $90 and a beautiful 3-stone pendant for myself for $500.

 

In Aruba, I've taken ship's tours and done it on my own. The last time (18 months ago), four of us disembarked the ship and grabbed a van taxi for a tour of the island. We drove all over and then the driver dropped us off at the beach near the big hotels where we had drinks and lunch, and he came back to pick us up after two hours. Set price of $45/hour so we paid $90 for our total of two hours. Really fun day. I've taken snorkeling tours twice and they were both awful... boats were way over-crowded with no where to sit if you didn't push ahead and get a seat, way too crowded snorkeling areas with little to see, etc. Other boats sailing through the snorkelers, which was downright dangerous.

Edited May 2, 2014 by Pam in CA

[Seafoam Green]

 

In Aruba, I've taken snorkeling tours twice and they were both awful... boats were way over-crowded with no where to sit if you didn't push ahead and get a seat, way too crowded snorkeling areas with little to see, etc. Other boats sailing through the snorkelers, which was downright dangerous.

 

Our Aruba snorkeling experience was identical, and very disappointing. I get the impression that only those 2 sites are used? I will look into private tours for Aruba, no matter what we decide to do.

 

Regarding port lectures, is more info provided on the Panama Canal because it is the focal point of the itinerary?

[castlegetaway]

Thanks for sharing your tour info.

 

Yikes! The ferry experience didn't sound positive - people usually rate that pretty high. What a shame...

 

We're looking at the February itinerary with Grand Cayman - we wouldn't step off the ship in Ocho Rios, so that itinerary was out. It's early February, so it won't coincide with school breaks in the Northeast.

 

We are scheduled for the Panama Canal Partial Transit on December 1st on the Coral. Just interested to know why you wouldn't step off the ship in Ocho Rios as that is the itinerary for our cruise?

 

Sandy

[umbluemusic]

Our Aruba snorkeling experience was identical, and very disappointing. I get the impression that only those 2 sites are used? I will look into private tours for Aruba, no matter what we decide to do.

 

Regarding port lectures, is more info provided on the Panama Canal because it is the focal point of the itinerary?

 

I can't find my notes on my port lecturer but YES, the talks about ports were very informative. I went to every single one and learned a lot, which was great. We even had our port lecturer join us with his wife on our ship tour in Guatemala and it was fun to talk with him outside of the theater. :) They spent more time on the Canal but none of them were shopping oriented really, which I liked.

[Seafoam Green]

I can't find my notes on my port lecturer but YES, the talks about ports were very informative. I went to every single one and learned a lot, which was great. We even had our port lecturer join us with his wife on our ship tour in Guatemala and it was fun to talk with him outside of the theater. :) They spent more time on the Canal but none of them were shopping oriented really, which I liked.

 

This is great to hear! How fortunate you were to spend time with the lecturer.

[Seafoam Green]

We are scheduled for the Panama Canal Partial Transit on December 1st on the Coral. Just interested to know why you wouldn't step off the ship in Ocho Rios as that is the itinerary for our cruise?

 

Sandy

 

My husband and I have not had positive experiences in Jamaica. For that reason, we choose to avoid itineraries that include Jamaica, or, we remain on the ship in the event that avoidance is impossible.

 

From what I have read here over the years, Jamaica seems to be polarizing. People either have no problem visiting there, or they avoid it like the plague.

 

:D

[SEADAYLOVER]

For those of you with experience on the Coral Princess i am planning a partial transit on this ship in March 2015 Does anyone know if the belconies on the Aloha deck are coverec or open to the sky? Also with the Horizon deck right above are they noisy? Thanks for any tips on that i appreciate it.:)

[shipndip60]

Most of the balconies on the Aloha deck are covered, go to this web-site for more details mysite.verizon.net/res76zxu/princessbalconies/id1.html I'm not sure about the noise I always book on the Baja deck. hope this helps you out

[h20skibum]

Thanks for sharing your tour info.

 

Yikes! The ferry experience didn't sound positive - people usually rate that pretty high. What a shame...

 

I guess one person's bad time is another's adventure. We were on the April 17th sailing and took the canal transit by ferry. And yes, we were on the bus that got hit by a car on the way back. To the tour operator's credit, they have an empty bus following the tour busses in case one breaks down (but the busses were all in great shape). We really enjoyed the vantage point of the smaller ferry in the locks, especially when there is a large ship in the adjacent canal. Why go part way when you can go all the way through. I would recommend this tour.

 

A couple others in our group went to Old Panama City and felt rushed on that tour. We did all ship tours at each port, and some were good, and others we took were so-so. It depends what interests you. If there were lots of kids on board, we rarely saw more than a half dozen.

 

We had a balcony on the midship hump on the Baha deck. I must say, we used it so little, it was probably not worth having it this cruise. We are usually on the balcony a lot, but not this cruise.

 

We found the food in the Horizon Court a little dry, and some of the food not up to past cruise standards. Did all of our dinners in the MDR.

 

There are a wide range of ages on this itinerary, and most are 50+. I understand HAL passengers are a little north of this figure, and their activities are geared to that demographic.

 

I hope to get a review with photos started, but things have been too busy since the cruise. Would be happy to answer any questions about the Coral.

 

Enjoy

[Seafoam Green]

I guess one person's bad time is another's adventure. We were on the April 17th sailing and took the canal transit by ferry. And yes, we were on the bus that got hit by a car on the way back. To the tour operator's credit, they have an empty bus following the tour busses in case one breaks down (but the busses were all in great shape). We really enjoyed the vantage point of the smaller ferry in the locks, especially when there is a large ship in the adjacent canal. Why go part way when you can go all the way through. I would recommend this tour.

 

 

Thanks for the 'adventure spin' of the same excursion. ;) I'm sure that it livens up the telling of your trip through the canal!

 

There is no doubt that we want to go all the way through the canal in the ferry - have to get to the Pacific. Then maybe someday we can do a full transit on a ship.

 

The photos and videos that people have shared on my 2 threads (see the one on HAL) are spectacular. Please alert me if you post pics. Thanks again!

 

:D

Edited May 9, 2014 by Seafoam Green

[jackson bernard]

We took the partial on the coral last month. The canal was interesting and the other ports just what you would expect, but the cruiseship itself sucked. Food was okay. Entertainment was terrible. Casino tiny, boring activities, 7 th floor stunk of smoke. The tv had nothing on except the future cruise counselor and someone trying to convince you to buy zultonite or crapanite gemstones from the rip off store on board. Very boring cruise. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

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[we3peas]

wow not sure you were on my cruise. i had a great time as did my family. Shame to take time off for vacation and not enjoy yourself...

 

 

 

Our pics are posted here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/curbcrusher/sets/

 

we take 3 separate cameras so there are lots of pics to look at!

[TW6cruiser]

We are on the Coral Princess partial canal trip this October. I am confused by all the choices for excursions on Canal day itself. I also posted a question on the Panama Canal board but thought I'd ask for folks that specifically were on Princess, if they took any of the Canal excursions that covered any of the locks in detail if they thought it was worthwhile.

[8pawz]

We were on the Coral last month for a partial transit and had a great time and decided that the Coral was our favorite ship out of the Princess, HAL, Oceania ships we have sailed. Perfect size, plenty to do, good service and good food, not great but we don't like to stuff ourselves. Signed up for the Island Med cruise next year.

 

Re excursions, we did the old town Panama and Miraflores locks tour and it was great. I lived in Panama and wanted to show my husband some if the city so it was great. The full transit excursion was cancelled at the last minute because a ship broke down in one of the locks the night before so the Canal, not Princess, cancelled the small boat transits to allow the larger ships through. Just something to be aware of. We would definitely do this cruise again.

 

 

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[Seafoam Green]

Re excursions, we did the old town Panama and Miraflores locks tour and it was great. I lived in Panama and wanted to show my husband some if the city so it was great. The full transit excursion was cancelled at the last minute because a ship broke down in one of the locks the night before so the Canal, not Princess, cancelled the small boat transits to allow the larger ships through. Just something to be aware of. We would definitely do this cruise again.

 

So, what did the people do when their full transit excursion was cancelled? That must have been extremely disappointing!

 

 

:D