Coral Princess - May 21 - 28 Great Cruise

[Wishing on a star]

I am finally getting started on our review of the Coral Princess Alaska, Southbound.

I am hoping to include as many details as possible, without writing an entire novel!

I am going to post both the good, and the not-so-good. I know that negativity often comes across stronger. So I want to preface this by saying that we had a really great cruise! I just want to give a truthful and complete report.

 

We had a really wonderful cruise! And, we really enjoyed the Coral Princess. I believe I now see why many have mentioned her as one of their favorites. This was a sold out cruise, and we absolutely never felt crowded or closed-in. Even on Glacier Bay day, we were able to get a nice spot with a couple of those so-comfy deck loungers.

 

We met some very nice couples. One nice couple from New York, happened to stay at the same pre-cruise hotel, the Embassy Suites. Just happened to be assigned to sit with them on the train ride from Whittier. We ran into them many times! From the very beginning until we were disembarking the ship at Vancouver. Everyone seemed to be having as wonderful a time on the cruise as we were! We had a wonderful time seeing Alaska!

 

CABIN - F508

We just loved this cabin. This is one of the new cabins on Fiesta deck, added during the re-fit 3-4 years ago. No worn carpet and fixtures, etc.. And, since this used to be part of a public area, the Casino, this cabin has a huge, approx. 5 ft. picture window. The mid-ship location off of the Atrium, and near the IC, could simply not be beat! Alaska, especially in May, was much to chilly to spend a whole lot of time out on a balcony. We felt that this was just perfect. No noise, smoke, etc.

 

We were also happy with the new Princess Beds that were put on the Coral back in January. The pillows and linens and towels were good too! We took the down blanket out of the Duvet, and had our steward, Elizabeth, stow it away. Much too heavy! She kept our cabin immaculately clean and tidy every day. Brought fresh ice from the IC every evening. Great service!

 

DINING - As some others have commented, we also felt that the food and service in the MDR were really very good! While the buffet was poor. We had supper in the MDR or specialty restaurants each evening. In the MDR we enjoyed prime rib (that was good by cruise ship standards), crab legs, lobster tail and large prawn, a generous and delicious beef wellington, etc.. etc.. etc.. Most everything seemed to be fresh and either cold or hot, as it should be. We had late traditional seating, and it was wonderful. There were empty tables in our section each evening. Dining here was a pleasure. Because of the late departure from Whittier, the first evening was open-seating. We had Mariella as our server on this first evening, and she was a true gem! Our regular table for the rest of the cruise was next to her section. She always seemed to find time for some kind words and a beautiful smile. Our regular server was Sebastian.

 

We enjoyed very good filet at Bayou Cafe... One disappointment there, however. Yes they serve steak. Huge cuts of nice beef. I did not personally prefer the predominantly black pepper seasoning. But these were large and tender cuts of beef.

 

I would not call this a steakhouse. I enjoy my steak served with more traditional sides, not hot spicy rice and gumbo/jambalaya. The Coral Princess is, basically, without a steak house because of this. They REALLY need to have a few more traditional and less cajun sides at this venue. I actually asked if they could bring me a potato. They acted like this was the very first time they had heard such a comment or outrageous request, and that I had three heads. It took extra time, but they did bring one. One very small potato, with no butter, sour cream, or anything.

 

Also, the music in the Bayou Cafe. Not light jazz or piano. I swear to goodness that the Pianist was playing Funeral Parlor Music. NOT JUST EASY LISTENING... NOT LIGHT JAZZ... But what I would call funeral parlor music. Also, they were understaffed, and the waitstaff were literally power-walking (running) by, thru the dining room. Well, the floors on the cruise ship are not always that solid, sturdy, silent. It was almost as if you were getting the feeling of people stomping around. Pair that with the music I described, or total silence... Not ideal.

 

As mentioned, I agree with some recent cruisers that the buffet on the Coral seemed to be very poor. We would go up there at lunch or for a snack, and seriously could sometimes not find anything much that looked appetizing to eat. I do understand that this is a multicultural cruise, however, there were times that there was nothing that was not so ethnic that we didn’t even know what it was... We went out and got a burger. One recent cruiser mentioned the poor salad bar. And they were correct. Americans like their salads. And this selection, with no nuts, cheeses, cold pasta, etc.. very, very, poor. I can’t even comment on the salad dressings, because as much as I like a good salad, I never even tried them. (First thing I did once we were home was go to Ruby Tuesdays for a huge salad!!!)

 

A couple of times the thing we ended up eating at the buffet were the excellent Princess cold cuts on the bread or rolls. Make your own mini-sandwiches!

 

Just like the situation at Bayou Cafe, it seems that at the buffet, most traditional North Americans are really left out when it comes to what is offered.

 

Compared to our last cruise, a few years ago on the Ruby, the IC was very small and very poor. Seriously limited selections. No interesting sandwich creations or chicken salad, etc... Just the same old tuna salad, or a thin slice of ham or turkey and cheese on a cold princess roll. Every day... PRINCESS, PLEASE IMPROVE THE OFFERINGS AT THE INTERNATIONAL CAFE ON THIS SHIP.

 

ENTERTAINMENT and PRESENTATIONS

We were pleasantly surprised with all of the entertainment on the Coral. The Nat King Cole crooner was very good. Amazing deep voice! We also very much enjoyed Nick Jans presentation on his book “A Wolf Called Romeo”. Very nice! Xtasea is good. Even if one could tell that they were kind of roped in to doing ‘cruise ship gig music’. They did everything from ‘Unforgettable’, to Salsa. There was a Caribbean Night, but unfortunately we missed that one. I imagine that this is where they were in their element. GemStone is excellent! I especially loved it when she did her Latin Rhythms. She got me up on the dance floor when she followed Tennessee Waltz with Jailhouse Rock!

 

The one exception to this was the guy they had at Crooners all week. And, when we looked forward to his night off, there was nobody at all at Crooners. This was Jere Ring, and he was more of a comedic piano man, with a presentation that is like Rodney Dangerfield, the guy who said, “I just don’ get any respect’. He would make comments directed towards passers-by that were like laughing at them, and not with them. We actually avoided this area whenever he was there. We saw him do this to one nice couple that we had met on the cruise. One set of couples got up to walk out, and he was like “HEY, SIT DOWN, I’M NOT DONE YET...” I suppose I just do not appreciate this type of humor at Crooners. This was def. not a nice relaxing crooner/martini bar. We did sit in the bar area off the Atrium and order a Martini when they had the very nice easy listening guitar player/singer.

 

Puppies in the Piazza/Atrium - Unfortunately, as cute as puppies are, as one poster had mentioned, the Puppies were still too young. They were just babies. They were overwhelmed and either trying to sleep or whimpering. That kind of made me sad.

 

The National Park Service rangers who boarded for Glacier Bay were very good! We went to their presentation that morning, and enjoyed this. A great addition to an Alaska Cruise! Unfortunately, I was not impressed with the ships Naturalist, Jules.

 

I just have to mention the well known Princess ‘warm’ tubs. OMG, cool to lukewarm water, when at Alaska... NOT good. Guests would report this many times... Once we saw them send out a guy who acted all ‘official’ and supposedly stuck a thermometer in the water. But, of course, NO results. We just did not chose to bother to go back up there and check them. The last day of the cruise, a sea day, one of the tubs was hot enough to sit in. But still not a steaming ‘hot-tub’. Our shower was very hot, and that was the one respite. Especially on an Alaskan cruise! If Princess can finally get the message and get better beds, and begin offering better coffee on the newer ships, they should def. be able to get the message about the hot tubs.

 

At the end of our wonderful cruise, walk-off was more than a breeze! We were off the ship and into a Vancouver Shuttle Van, and dropped off at the door at the airport in mere minutes! (Without even getting wet in the rain) In fact, since the second leg of our flight home had been delayed, we were early enough to re-route with a better route, on a flight that was boarding just after we checked in.

 

Yes, there is a lot of cool/cold rainy weather in Alaska!

But, this is still a wonderful and breathtaking cruise.

Having said that, on our way home, when we arrived at our first stop and I saw bright blue skies and sunshine thru the huge domed windows in the airport concourse, I actually took a picture!

Edited June 3, 2016 by Wishing on a star

[RicoRoxy]

Thank you for your candid description of your cruise. I just landed in Anchorage last night and am boarding the Coral Princess tomorrow. It's helpful to have your views and notes as we embark tomorrow. Will be interesting to see that "entertainer" in Crooners. I've witnessed similar performers on performers like that before and previous Princess cruises, but not in a long time. Those tactics won't go very far with us, rest assured. I wonder how much control the CD has over entertainment and entertainers on board, as they do on other Cruise Lines.

 

Oh thanks again, and welcome home.

Edited June 3, 2016 by RicoRoxy

[BumperII]

Thanks for the review. We will be on the Coral Aug 20 and 27 b2b. Although we have cruised Alaska a dozen times, this will be our first experience with the Coral.

 

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the cruise. Needless to say, we fell in love with Alaska the first time we went. The rain is not surprising, Alaska coast is a temperate rain forest. It is not for everyone, but we loved it.

 

We are counting the days. Again, thank you for the review and your insights.

Edited June 3, 2016 by BumperII

[Alaska0799]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience! We are on the SB Island Princess on June 29 and are already watching the clock! Although it will be our 10th Alaska cruise, the anticipation couldn't be any greater than if it were our first!

 

Would you happen to have kept the Princess Patters or remember when Nick Jans made his presentations? We don't want to miss hearing him, as we've followed his writings in Alaska Magazine for many years! Also, does Princess till give you the Captain's Log at the end of the trip?

[Wishing on a star]

Nick talked about Romeo on the first day, at sea, on the way to Hubbard Glacier, at 12:30 in the afternoon. Have you ever met Nick? He is a very interesting person! And very passionate about Romeo, and Alaska! He also did his Tales of Wild Alaska presentation on Glacier Bay day, at 3:45 that afternoon. We had Alfredo's Pizza, in a window seat, for lunch in Sabbatini's on Glacier Bay Day. (right inside from our nice comfy deck chairs on Promenade... And then caught Nicks second presentation that afternoon.

 

Libby Riddles was at 2:00 p.m. at Juneau.

We did not get back from Whale Watching (on the Scania) soon enough to see her!

 

I seem to be missing a couple of Patters, but yes, I do have the Captain's Log.

Captain Nicolo Binetti, did get us fairly close to Hubbard. (yay!)

Edited June 3, 2016 by Wishing on a star

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, do check out Jere Ring!

Of course, he is 'all in fun'... So don't take it too seriously! But, it sounds like you are more like us, and you might not appreciate his appearances. He did actually have a number of people at Crooners and surrounding the area in the evenings!

 

Alaska certainly is breathtaking.

I always had our binoculars and our little camera with us.

Especially with my eye-sight and bifocal glasses, when I would take them off and put those binoculars up to my eyes... it was instant OMG!!! breathtaking.

 

We did the 26 Glacier tour from Whittier, We drove over White Pass and the mountains to Emerald Lake when at Skagway, and Whale Watching in Juneau. Leaving the ship and getting out there into Alaska was amazing and breathtaking, every single time!

[Wishing on a star]

And, also... Do make your reservations for Crab Shack early! It is very popular on this cruise. We didn't call in time to get in the first evening. And the next evening was seafood and crab legs in the MDR... so we stuck with that. (very good!)

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[ppeckham]

Did they have movies under the stars?

[Wishing on a star]

I can't vouch for every night... But, in all honesty, it was pretty cold and wet. It's Alaska! We never saw any evidence of anything going on with the MUTS screen.

 

One previous reviewer mentioned that the enclosed pool was nice. Not so on our sailing. Not true at all. Most of the time the hot tubs were not even barely 'warm'. We very rarely, ever, saw anyone in the water at all. Unless the sun peeked thru, the area was better than being outside, but not by that much. Did seem to improve a bit at the end of the cruise.

Edited June 4, 2016 by Wishing on a star

[Alaska0799]

Nick talked about Romeo on the first day, at sea, on the way to Hubbard Glacier, at 12:30 in the afternoon. Have you ever met Nick? He is a very interesting person! And very passionate about Romeo, and Alaska! He also did his Tales of Wild Alaska presentation on Glacier Bay day, at 3:45 that afternoon. We had Alfredo's Pizza, in a window seat, for lunch in Sabbatini's on Glacier Bay Day. (right inside from our nice comfy deck chairs on Promenade... And then caught Nicks second presentation that afternoon.

 

Libby Riddles was at 2:00 p.m. at Juneau.

We did not get back from Whale Watching (on the Scania) soon enough to see her!

 

I seem to be missing a couple of Patters, but yes, I do have the Captain's Log.

Captain Nicolo Binetti, did get us fairly close to Hubbard. (yay!)

 

Thank you for the response! No, we've not yet met Nick but when we emailed him to see if he was scheduled to be on our cruise and I mentioned that my sister had compiled a binder of his articles from 3-4 years of Alaska magazine as a birthday gift to me, he said he'd like to meet for drinks or dinner. So, we are hoping that works out! I'm glad to hear he's making two different presentations. We'll be sure to attend.

 

Dining on Alfredo's Pizza at a window seat in Sabbatini's while in Glacier Bay sounds perfect! We've been pining for Alfredo's since we "discovered" it on the Sapphire Princess years ago and have recently learned that it's offered for lunch in Sabbatini's on the Coral and Island.

 

We've never caught Libby Riddles in Juneau because we're always whale watching. Wish she spent more time on the ship!

 

Does the log have any information regarding the ship's position at specific times? If so, would love to see a copy (if there is a way to do that!).

 

In another post, you mentioned going on the 26 Glacier Cruise out of Whittier. We'll be doing that for the 1st time and are really looking forward to being in College Fjord again! Did you see much wildlife on that cruise?

 

Thank you, again, for taking the time to share the experience of your cruise with everyone!

Edited June 7, 2016 by Alaska0799

[NboroGirl]

We're doing the northbound cruise on Coral on Saturday. I was wondering if you (or anyone) could tell me which nights were the formal nights? Thanks.

[Wishing on a star]

Nboro... If you are Northbound, then you will have a different itinerary than we did. On our Southbound the Formal Nights were the second night onboard, Hubbard Glacier, and Juneau, since the ship is back at sea, as it departs Juneau in the afternoon.

 

In general, there will be a Formal Night at the beginning of the cruise. And I am thinking the first day of your cruise will be at sea. And, then there will be a Formal Night later in the cruise, either on a day at sea, or when the ship departs from port early.

: )

Edited June 7, 2016 by Wishing on a star

[Wishing on a star]

Alaska, how exciting to have the opportunity to meet and dine with Nick!

 

Yes, we did the 26 Glacier Cruise. Since Hubbard can be a bit 'iffy' due to fog, or sometimes ice, we wanted to take this chance to see more.

 

It was a really great cruise!

We did see some wildlife. We did not see Whales, but we did see Otters and Sea Lions and Harbor Seals!

 

It was so rainy and foggy upon our arrival, we were not sure if it would be worth boarding, but did decide to go... We were the last ones onboard! The weather did lift a little, and it was just wonderful. The Catamaran and the staff are really top notch. The captain and the narration were exceptional! I will give you the same information that I had seen mentioned by some of the experts here. Since this is such a long cruise, the boat will follow protocol and move pretty fast. There was at least one time when I kind of wished we could be just a bit closer and stay a bit longer. We did pull up, back at the dock, at the stated time, to the minute.

 

PS: Just a note, we were not sure about the breaded fried fish, and fried potato chips, so that morning we had stopped and gotten a sandwich and brought it with us. I did eat the fish that was inside the breading, it was good! But, yes, there was quite a bit of fried breading. (Of course food preferences vary, but I thought I would throw this in.)

Edited June 7, 2016 by Wishing on a star