How's the Coral Princess

[anugama143]

Considering 2019 Los Angeles RT Panama Canal, but heard the Coral is "long in the tooth". Anyone have any current feedback on the condition of the ship? Thanks.

[mnocket]

Did the canal on the Coral in Jan. I did not feel it was "long in the tooth". I suppose if someone was specifically looking for things to complain about they could find them, but isn't this true of any ship? I wouldn't worry if I was you.

[Thrak]

There's always someone who loves to complain. Ignore them. Coral is a wonderful ship.

[1emerald1]

Considering 2019 Los Angeles RT Panama Canal, but heard the Coral is "long in the tooth". Anyone have any current feedback on the condition of the ship? Thanks.

I did a Bon Voyage Experience on the Coral last February and found her to be underwhelming. I ate in the main dining room and thought the food, except the Orange Souffle was under par. I had ravioli as an appetizer and it was almost on the cold side and under cooked and had salmon as my main and it was chewy, not flaky as salmon should be.

[GloriaF]

Coral is my favorite ship. She's smaller than the mega ships and a little more intimate -- you actually see some of the same people again while on board. She still has most of the amenities of the larger ships.

 

Coral's inaugural cruise was Jan 2003, but she was most recently refurbished in Jan 2016. 2000 pax/895 crew.

 

This from the princess.com ship info:

Coral Princess, with more than 700 balcony staterooms, was custom built to navigate the historic Panama Canal. Be sure to try the Bayou Café and Steakhouse, which features New Orleans-inspired Cajun and Creole cuisine, join friends for cocktails and Movies Under the Stars® by the pool or try some decadent treats at the International Café.

[GloriaF]

I did a Bon Voyage Experience on the Coral last February and found her to be underwhelming. I ate in the main dining room and thought the food, except the Orange Souffle was under par. I had ravioli as an appetizer and it was almost on the cold side and under cooked and had salmon as my main and it was chewy, not flaky as salmon should be.

 

Turn-around day is not the best day to judge a ship, but is the only day you have as a BVE guest.

[golfb4cruzing]

We did the Coral in November 2016 for the Canal. It is now our favorite ship because of the Lotus area. We spent many hours in there relaxing at all hours of the day and night. The ship is confusing with the Sanctuary forward and being used to an Aft location, I got turned around a lot. If you are an ardent gambler, the Casino will be a letdown. Very limited area and equally limited in games. Other than that we really enjoyed the ship and plan on doing the 10 day trip again.

[vmom]

I was on the Coral in December for a coast to coast Panama Canal cruise.

 

I enjoyed the Coral and thought the ship was in great shape. I enjoyed the food in the dining room and IC, but didn't care for the buffet at dinner time (meats too well done). Entertainment was good.

 

The full transit Panama Canal cruises tend to attract an older passenger base. Its 15 days and many people can't take off work for that long. I thought the passenger base was the oldest group I had ever been with. The main impact was that the entertainment in the evening was terrific, but with the exception of the first show at night, few people took advantage of the evening entertainment, particularity the live music after about 8 in the evening.

[fishywood]

As already noted above Coral Princess was launched in 2003.

 

If you are looking for a Panama Canal cruise but insist on the newest generation of ships you will have to look for a ship sailing through the new locks--which there is not really a regular schedule of yet especially from the west coast. Because the last Panamax-sized ships built (other than for small ship luxury lines) were launched in 2008-2010 as by then the new locks had begun construction thus no further need to order ships that must fit through the old.

 

"Long in the tooth" or not you will find many Princess regulars who love the Coral due to the higher public space ratio than the different sizes of Grand-class ships (1950 pax vs. 2600-3100; never mind the 3500+ on the new Royal class) plus the forward facing Horizon Court and much nicer indoor pool area.

[paul929207]

We did a 7 day Alaskan cruise on the Coral in 2016. She was wonderful then

[Lucky TGO]

There's always someone who loves to complain. Ignore them. Coral is a wonderful ship.

 

I totally agree with you Thrak.

My best advice to someone who is cruising for the first time. Stay away from the complainers!!!

The Captain of The Rowboat,

Tony

[thinfool]

Considering 2019 Los Angeles RT Panama Canal, but heard the Coral is "long in the tooth". Anyone have any current feedback on the condition of the ship? Thanks.

 

1. Coral is a favorite for thousands....that assessment is sad.

 

2. For that itinerary, what else will you do? No other line offers it.

[Gopherpharm]

Coral was fabulous September 2016! I’d go on her again in a heartbeat.

 

 

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[glkelly57]

The Coral is a beautiful ship!

[anugama143]

Thanks all for the feedback. Think we'll enjoy this forum.:D

[Bimmer09]

We did the Coral in November 2016 for the Canal. It is now our favorite ship because of the Lotus area. We spent many hours in there relaxing at all hours of the day and night. The ship is confusing with the Sanctuary forward and being used to an Aft location, I got turned around a lot. If you are an ardent gambler, the Casino will be a letdown. Very limited area and equally limited in games. Other than that we really enjoyed the ship and plan on doing the 10 day trip again.

 

Hi, I think you meant to say "with the Sanctuary AFT". It's the Horizon Court that is forward and not where you usually expect it on Princess.

Norris

[OCruisers]

Coral remains a wonderful ship! :D

[AlibearNS]

We were on the Coral for the first time over Christmas and New year, our 7th Princess cruise. Absolutely loved the ship. The food in the MDR was the best we'd had on Princess so far. We loved the many outside viewing areas, loved our BE cabin, lower price and HUGE balcony, half covered. I guess the only negative would be the smaller International Cafe and the smoke filtering in from the casino, but we just grabbed coffee and food to go, and enjoyed it on our balcony. Wonderful ship! Now a favourite!