Cabin location question for Coral Antarctic cruise

[txjim09]

My wife and I are booked on the Coral for a Jan 3 Antarctic cruise which features several scenic cruising days in Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula.  In talking with friends who have cruised this area before, wind speed and temperature were part of the discussion and we received a recommendation to try to find a balcony on the ship with as much protection as possible.

We are currently booked on the Dolphin deck in a mini-suite with exposed overhead.  I know that, wherever we are, to expect the possibility of wind and low temps but have a question for those of you that may have experienced both covered and uncovered locations on this itinerary.  Does the lack of overhead cover greatly increase the exposure to wind?  We do understand that temperatures and wind conditions can vary and will be properly dressed for the experience but am considering alternate locations.

We were on this deck last September on a repo cruise and noticed more impact due to sun than wind but September along the west coast is a far cry from Antarctica!  Every other Princess location has been on a balcony that did not have overhead exposure.

 

Thanks, looking forward to your comments and experiences!
 

[lois1112]

10 minutes ago, txjim09 said:

My wife and I are booked on the Coral for a Jan 3 Antarctic cruise which features several scenic cruising days in Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula.  In talking with friends who have cruised this area before, wind speed and temperature were part of the discussion and we received a recommendation to try to find a balcony on the ship with as much protection as possible.

We are currently booked on the Dolphin deck in a mini-suite with exposed overhead.  I know that, wherever we are, to expect the possibility of wind and low temps but have a question for those of you that may have experienced both covered and uncovered locations on this itinerary.  Does the lack of overhead cover greatly increase the exposure to wind?  We do understand that temperatures and wind conditions can vary and will be properly dressed for the experience but am considering alternate locations.

We were on this deck last September on a repo cruise and noticed more impact due to sun than wind but September along the west coast is a far cry from Antarctica!  Every other Princess location has been on a balcony that did not have overhead exposure.

 

Thanks, looking forward to your comments and experiences!
 

I'm recently off the Coral that went to Antarctica. When the wind is at gale speed I don't think it matters whether your balcony is covered or not. I was on the Carribe deck (partially covered) and didn't not notice much difference between balcony and the uncovered front of the ship on the same deck.  

You will love this trip. I've done over 30 cruises with Princess and by far this was my favorite. 

[txjim09]

I appreciate your feedback!  The Coral seemed to be a bit of a strange bird, what with the buffet forward and the IC next to the casino.  Grew to love the lady as our September cruise went on with the great Wheelhouse Bar entertainment and a wonderful CD.  Looking forward to it.

 

May I ask what excursions you took, Princess or otherwise?

Edited February 18, 2020 by txjim09

[LeeW]

On Coral and Island we prefer the Aloha deck, not in a bumpout.  Usually doing this on Panama Canal trips, but these have about a 10' overhang that protects from sun and rain.  Downside is that you can get some noise from them moving loungers around at night (probably not an issue for you.  Pick something under the Lotus Pool area - you will likely spend quite a bit of time there.

[lois1112]

23 hours ago, txjim09 said:

I appreciate your feedback!  The Coral seemed to be a bit of a strange bird, what with the buffet forward and the IC next to the casino.  Grew to love the lady as our September cruise went on with the great Wheelhouse Bar entertainment and a wonderful CD.  Looking forward to it.

 

May I ask what excursions you took, Princess or otherwise?

I love the Coral as well

I did not do many Princess excursions- I find the group size way to big and the tours so so

I booked Volunteer point with Patrick Watts in the Falklands (he may already be full for next year) to be honest- this (other than actual Antarctica )  was a real highlight of the cruise for me

for Montevedio and Ushuaia someone in our roll call planned some trips and I joined them (there was 20 of us I think total)

I did do the punta Arenas I did the Magdelena Island Penguin reserve. After volunteer point it was a let down- but if I hadn't been to volunteer point I would have loved it. (it also didn't help that is was cold and raining that day)

 

If you have other questions- I would be happy to answer them :  lois 1112 @ aol . com (no spaces)

[azbirdmom]

I also agree that if there are heavy winds it won't matter where you are.  We were on the trip to Antarctica in January and previously we had gone around the horn with Princess a few years ago.  What I would recommend though is that for the South America part you are better booking a land side cabin as you will be on the proper side for Glacier Alley and Cape Horn.  The side didn't matter as much for Antarctica although had we been able to see Deception Island, the land side would have been preferable there as well.  We were on Caribe deck this trip and were on the opposite side due to an upsell offer to cruise in a full suite and the best part we being able to go out to the aft deck while cruising.  That provided some relief from the elements as it was mostly covered.  And going out on the forward deck was amazing too but the winds up there were pretty brisk.

[txjim09]

azbirdmom, thanks for the information.  We're on port side so should be good there.  Lois1112, appreciate the offer!  Just starting to focus in on excursions, have a lot of questions.