lbfluffy Posted June 12, 2018 #1 Share Posted June 12, 2018 We would like to do a cruise to the Panama Canal next Fall. I noticed the Coral and Emerald both do similar itineraries except one comes into LA the other San Francisco. SF is a couple hours closer to us. So if anyone has suggestions let me know please. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InAlabama Posted June 12, 2018 #2 Share Posted June 12, 2018 One thing to consider is which set of locks do you want to see. The Coral will use the old locks (largest ship that can use them) and the Emerald will use the new larger locks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbfluffy Posted June 12, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted June 12, 2018 One thing to consider is which set of locks do you want to see. The Coral will use the old locks (largest ship that can use them) and the Emerald will use the new larger locks. What is better? I’ve never been through the Canal. I’m trying to get my cruise booked when my TA starts her sale on June 21st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmoger Posted June 12, 2018 #4 Share Posted June 12, 2018 We like the Emerald (and Crown and Ruby) but for the Panama Canal you can't beat the Coral. It has great viewing options. Also, if this is your first canal cruise, I would suggest the old locks which are very historic. Another reason to choose the Coral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheezedr Posted June 12, 2018 #5 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Personally the Coral would be the way to go. Nothing better than seeing a Panamax move through the old locks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memoak Posted June 12, 2018 #6 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I love the Coral - one of my favorite ships Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbfluffy Posted June 12, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Thank you all for your suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted June 12, 2018 #8 Share Posted June 12, 2018 For me - it would be an easy choice with the Coral Princess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted June 12, 2018 #9 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I like both ships quite a lot. For the first ever canal crossing I would definitely say to take Coral so you can see the old locks. Coral has great viewing decks both forward and aft on Baja and Caribe decks. Just go to the end of the hallway and then out the doors to the open viewing areas. We did a 17 day full transit on Coral in 2015 and it was great. We're booked for a 19 day partial transit in November and will be on Coral (even in the same cabin) for that one as well. Someday we will likely traverse the new locks but not yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbfluffy Posted June 12, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I like both ships quite a lot. For the first ever canal crossing I would definitely say to take Coral so you can see the old locks. Coral has great viewing decks both forward and aft on Baja and Caribe decks. Just go to the end of the hallway and then out the doors to the open viewing areas. We did a 17 day full transit on Coral in 2015 and it was great. We're booked for a 19 day partial transit in November and will be on Coral (even in the same cabin) for that one as well. Someday we will likely traverse the new locks but not yet. Great. I think with the special I have to book a balcony or higher. I’m thinking I’ll gamble with a guarantee if it’s available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted June 12, 2018 #11 Share Posted June 12, 2018 We would like to do a cruise to the Panama Canal next Fall. I noticed the Coral and Emerald both do similar itineraries except one comes into LA the other San Francisco. SF is a couple hours closer to us. So if anyone has suggestions let me know please. Thank you I've done a full transit and a partial transit. Both times I went through the old locks. I have not been through the new locks, so I'll have to give that a try in the future. However, I am already book through 2020. Here are about 200 photographs from my full transit in February 2008 ... https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-VnbZQS Here are my photographs from my partial transit in December 2016 ... https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-nHf7fs And here are my pictures of of the Emerald Princess from an Alaska cruise in May 2018 (yes, last month) ... My balcony cabin -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-BthcK4 The Crown Grill -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-PXXLVW Other restaurants -- https://www.smugmug.com/2018-Emerald-Princess/Restaurants The Sanctuary -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-5GXt5S Share (it is a restaurant) -- https://www.smugmug.com/2018-Emerald-Princess/Share Inside the ship -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-ScMJsj On deck -- https://www.smugmug.com/2018-Emerald-Princess/Ship-on-deck The outside of the ship -- https://www.smugmug.com/2018-Emerald-Princess/Ship-outside The pools -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-zCFcMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JF - retired RRT Posted June 12, 2018 #12 Share Posted June 12, 2018 The old locks use the historic "mules" to guide/steady the ship through the locks. Fascinating to watch. From what I understand the new locks don't use "mules". Plus (I think), you can see at least some of the new locks from the old locks. When we went through, we were able to see some of the new section under construction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted June 12, 2018 #13 Share Posted June 12, 2018 The old locks use the historic "mules" to guide/steady the ship through the locks. Fascinating to watch.From what I understand the new locks don't use "mules". Plus (I think), you can see at least some of the new locks from the old locks. When we went through, we were able to see some of the new section under construction. There was plenty of room side to side and front to rear in the new locks for the Caribbean Princess (just about the same size as the Emerald). You are correct, no mules, they use tugs boats. Having been through both the original locks and the new locks I think the old ones are much more interesting. You can't really see the old locks from the new Aqua Clara locks. I don't know about the Pacific side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lois1112 Posted June 12, 2018 #14 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Basically Just off (May 5th) the Coral for the Canal. Loved the ship. Its my second time through the canal and loved it (old locks both times) I would do the Coral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagsfan Posted June 12, 2018 #15 Share Posted June 12, 2018 We also loved Coral. In our opinion, the food was the best we’ve had on any cruise line in years. The ship was easy to get around, and you could move from one viewing area to another quickly if you wanted. I would pick Coral for any itinerary, I think. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbfluffy Posted June 12, 2018 Author #16 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I've done a full transit and a partial transit. Both times I went through the old locks. I have not been through the new locks, so I'll have to give that a try in the future. However, I am already book through 2020. Here are about 200 photographs from my full transit in February 2008 ... https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-VnbZQS Here are my photographs from my partial transit in December 2016 ... https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-nHf7fs And here are my pictures of of the Emerald Princess from an Alaska cruise in May 2018 (yes, last month) ... My balcony cabin -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-BthcK4 The Crown Grill -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-PXXLVW Other restaurants -- https://www.smugmug.com/2018-Emerald-Princess/Restaurants The Sanctuary -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-5GXt5S Share (it is a restaurant) -- https://www.smugmug.com/2018-Emerald-Princess/Share Inside the ship -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-ScMJsj On deck -- https://www.smugmug.com/2018-Emerald-Princess/Ship-on-deck The outside of the ship -- https://www.smugmug.com/2018-Emerald-Princess/Ship-outside The pools -- https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-zCFcMS Thanks for sharing. I think you all are convincing me to do the Coral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbdo Posted June 13, 2018 #17 Share Posted June 13, 2018 We did the partial transit on the Coral in 2014. Absolutely love that ship! We were able to see some of the new locks waiting to be installed. They are HUGE!! (The size of 4 football fields!!!). Cruising on the Emerald to Alaska in September. Enjoy your cruise...the Panama Canal is a fascinating trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbfluffy Posted June 13, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted June 13, 2018 We did the partial transit on the Coral in 2014. Absolutely love that ship! We were able to see some of the new locks waiting to be installed. They are HUGE!! (The size of 4 football fields!!!). Cruising on the Emerald to Alaska in September. Enjoy your cruise...the Panama Canal is a fascinating trip. Thank you. I hope to book this cruise soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cr8tiv1 Posted June 13, 2018 #19 Share Posted June 13, 2018 Add me to the Coral list. No competition at all. The Coral is the only way to see the "Historical Locks". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbfluffy Posted June 14, 2018 Author #20 Share Posted June 14, 2018 I booked it. The one day sale is on June 21st so my agent has me booked and the perks will be applied on that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted June 14, 2018 #21 Share Posted June 14, 2018 My vote go to the Coral. Have a great time no matter what ship you decide on. :) Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle_and_hawk Posted June 14, 2018 #22 Share Posted June 14, 2018 We would pick the Coral hands down, and go through the old locks. We have done the partial transit twice and if we had the time, would do it again. I hope she is still sailing when we retire someday and take the full transit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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