Alaska cruise trying to decide between ships

[curlybelle2]

I am considering an Alaska cruise for September 2021 or maybe 2022. The choices are between the Coral and Grand ships. We haven't been on neither. What ship do others prefer? Where can I go to see which ship had a recent refurbish?

 

Thanks!! Kaye

 

[memoak]

32 minutes ago, curlybelle2 said:

I am considering an Alaska cruise for September 2021 or maybe 2022. The choices are between the Coral and Grand ships. We haven't been on neither. What ship do others prefer? Where can I go to see which ship had a recent refurbish?

 

Thanks!! Kaye

 

Much prefer the Coral

[Tedferg]

Agree, Coral, we love the ship but also felt her itinerary was best too.

[Coral]

Coral Princess - hands down.

[wolfie11]

Coral

[John99]

****************************

The Coral Princess is a very good choice.  We sailed on the Coral several times and like the layout and size of the ship.  However, the Coral Princess only has 2021 itineraries for Alaska both cruise only and cruise/tours.  For 2022, the Coral sails out of Australia.  We are currently looking at an Alaska Cruise Tour for July 2022 with the Sapphire being our choice which is the Grand Class ship.  This is our 3^rd Cruise Tour in Alaska.  Tour DB4 11 day Denali Explorer.

 

Currently, there are 5 ships to choice from in 2022 that being – Majestic, Grand, Sapphire, Emerald and Discovery.

 

Grand (Grand Class) -- refurbished 3/2019

Guests - 2600

Sapphire (Grand Class) – refurbished 3/2018

Guests – 2670

Emerald (Crown Class) – refurbished 4/2019

Guests -- 3080

Majestic (Royal Class) – built 2017

Guests – 3560

Discovery (Royal Class) – debuting 2021

Guests -- 3660

Source:  Princess web site

Have fun planning you cruise.  John

[skynight]

Coral, but. You would not be disappointed with Grand Class ships. Select itinerary and timing that fits your requirements. Personally I would wait until 2022 where a more normal cruise/cruisetour experience would be expected.

Edited January 3, 2021 by skynight

[Coral]

35 minutes ago, John99 said:

****************************

The Coral Princess is a very good choice.  We sailed on the Coral several times and like the layout and size of the ship.  However, the Coral Princess only has 2021 itineraries for Alaska both cruise only and cruise/tours.  For 2022, the Coral sails out of Australia.  We are currently looking at an Alaska Cruise Tour for July 2022 with the Sapphire being our choice which is the Grand Class ship.  This is our 3^rd Cruise Tour in Alaska.  Tour DB4 11 day Denali Explorer.

 

Currently, there are 5 ships to choice from in 2022 that being – Majestic, Grand, Sapphire, Emerald and Discovery.

 

Grand (Grand Class) -- refurbished 3/2019

Guests - 2600

Sapphire (Grand Class) – refurbished 3/2018

Guests – 2670

Emerald (Crown Class) – refurbished 4/2019

Guests -- 3080

Majestic (Royal Class) – built 2017

Guests – 3560

Discovery (Royal Class) – debuting 2021

Guests -- 3660

Source:  Princess web site

Have fun planning you cruise.  John

Given these choices, Sapphire would be my choice.

[John99]

************************

Hi Kaye – fellow Michigander

Please check out youtube.com

Type in:  “Sapphire Princess cruise ship” and/or “Grand Princess Cruise ship”

There you will find several walk-through videos some only one to two years old.

A picture is worth a thousands words.  Also, I listed (below) detail of 2 recent Grand ship dry docks.

 

Grand Princess (Grand Class) - Dry dock 2019 (Portland, Oregon)

• Reupholster lounge chairs in Explorer's, Crooner's, Wheelhouse, Crown Grill, Library, and Snookers. 
• New information screens throughout elevator lobbies
• New bathtubs in staterooms
• New sofas for Explorer's and Crooner's 
• Replace Mini-suite sleeper sofas 
• Replace astro turf deck covering on upper decks 
• Replace Horizon Court carpeting and tiles 
• Replace Wheelhouse Dance floor 
• Refurbish elevator interiors
• Repair/Refinish beverage station cabinets in Horizon Court 
• New carpeting in the dining rooms and Crooner's. 
• New carpeting in hallways
• Refurbish swimming pools
• General maintenance and upkeep
• Painted hull of ship
• New propellers
• New hot tub tiling around both Calypso and Neptune pools
• Ocean Medallion wiring install (not active until subsequent dry-dock in 2021/2022)
• SHIP SYSTEMS: Inspection and repair of propellers, exchangers, propulsion as well as hot and cold water lines.   

Sapphire Princess (Grand Class) - 2018 dry dock refurbishment 2 weeks (Singapore)

• new bow livery
• All cabins were upgraded with the custom-made Princess Luxury beds.

• Renovated the wellness center (Fitness Center and Lotus Spa )
• Renovated all retail shops
• Renovated corridors and hallways.
• Princess Theatre (indoor movie lounge) received new LED screen (15x5 m / 49x16 ft).
• Theater's show programs have been upgraded with the new production show like "Bravo". The musical is offered on formal nights.
• A new category cabin (Club-Class Mini-Suite) was introduced with VIP amenities and reserved dining area. Price-inclusive amenities also include expedited dinner seating, priority services (embarkation/disembarkation), complimentary wine, expanded menu, premium bathrobes.
• SHIP SYSTEMS: Inspection and repair of propellers, exchangers, propulsion as well as hot and cold water lines.

 

[Coral]

I was on the Sapphire right after refurbishment and it was in excellent shape!

[curlybelle2]

Thank You everyone for your replies. I appreciate the information. I know 2022 is a better choice but we are planning on taking my Dad and he has Parkinson's. Not sure he would be up to it in 2022. We don't know what the future holds. 

 

Thanks again for your info!

 

Kaye

[nini]

Sorry to be a "Debbie Downer", but we are in the minority regarding

the Coral. We enjoy the Grand Class and loved the Golden which has

left the fleet.

On the Coral, the International Cafe is next to the smoky casino. The Horizon

Buffet is in the front of the ship and we tended to feel claustrophobic with the slanted

steamed up windows. Yes, it was humid on the Panama Canal transit which I am sure

maybe accounted for most of that. However, the staff was fine as it usually is on Princess.

 

We have sailed Alaska 4 times and loved hanging in Skywalker's for glacier viewing days

because you could also run outside quickly and then back in to warm up.

[Jimbo]

No Majestic (Royal Class)  lovers?

[neverbeenhere]

I still say; "the ship to Alaska is of little importance compared to the inclusion of Glacier Bay"

[Eaglecw]

6 minutes ago, neverbeenhere said:

I still say; "the ship to Alaska is of little importance compared to the inclusion of Glacier Bay"

We’ve been on 14 Alaska cruises and I couldn’t agree more. The ship I enjoyed the most was the Pacific Princess.

[bsg5698]

We are booked on the Grand for Sept 2021.  I'm concerned that it might get cancelled if Canada does not allow ships to dock in Vancouver BC. Alaskan Cruise tours are selling out fast because so many people have cruise credits to use. We have already been bumped from an August 2021 cruise on the Sapphire because it is being rerouted. I've been told that Alaskan Princess cruises MUST port in Canada -  to keep it an "international cruise" whatever that means. I have already booked hotels and airline tickets. Private Excursions are next but some are very hesitant to book now. I'm concerned that some might be out of business by September. 

[memoak]

21 minutes ago, bsg5698 said:

We are booked on the Grand for Sept 2021.  I'm concerned that it might get cancelled if Canada does not allow ships to dock in Vancouver BC. Alaskan Cruise tours are selling out fast because so many people have cruise credits to use. We have already been bumped from an August 2021 cruise on the Sapphire because it is being rerouted. I've been told that Alaskan Princess cruises MUST port in Canada -  to keep it an "international cruise" whatever that means. I have already booked hotels and airline tickets. Private Excursions are next but some are very hesitant to book now. I'm concerned that some might be out of business by September. 

US law forbids a cruise from an American port to an American finishing port without a foreign port in between. That I why all west coast cruises to Hawaii stop either in Mexico or Canada.  Same for cruises from US ports to Alaska 

[donswife]

6 hours ago, Jimbo said:

No Majestic (Royal Class)  lovers?

We did a 3 night on the Royal, which is similar.  Not enough outdoor viewing and walking areas to suit me, especially for Alaska.  Might be okay for a cooler weather or port intensive itinerary.  Many people really like the Royal class.

[Coral]

18 hours ago, Jimbo said:

No Majestic (Royal Class)  lovers?

That would be the last ship I would go to Alaska with. It is too large to sail in some scenic places and there is not enough outdoor viewing areas (and I am not one that likes to stay on my balcony for viewing). Too limited.

[John99]

I agree with Carol.  The Majestic would be the last ship I would cruise on in Alaska -- having an additional 1000 guests in Alaskan port is not for us.  Ketchikan and Skagway are small ports and can get over crowded when ships are in port.  Plus, the Majestic does not have a promenade deck like the others ships.  Also, the Majestic was originally configured for the Asia Pacific market.  What changes (if any) did they make to the Majestic to accommodate the North American market? 

[Jimbo]

8 hours ago, Coral said:

That would be the last ship I would go to Alaska with. It is too large to sail in some scenic places and there is not enough outdoor viewing areas (and I am not one that likes to stay on my balcony for viewing). Too limited.

What is you were to get an aft cabin facing the wake? Able to see both sides of the ship from your own balcony.

[Coral]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

What is you were to get an aft cabin facing the wake? Able to see both sides of the ship from your own balcony.

I would only be on the aft balcony when we are heading out of the glacier day. When we approach, the aft balcony is the last place I would be. I have been to Alaska many times and have had cabins in several places of the ship, including aft.

[curlybelle2]

8 hours ago, John99 said:

I agree with Carol.  The Majestic would be the last ship I would cruise on in Alaska -- having an additional 1000 guests in Alaskan port is not for us.  Ketchikan and Skagway are small ports and can get over crowded when ships are in port.  Plus, the Majestic does not have a promenade deck like the others ships.  Also, the Majestic was originally configured for the Asia Pacific market.  What changes (if any) did they make to the Majestic to accommodate the North American market? 

Good point. I didn't know that Alaska cruise has smaller ports. We have never been to Alaska and will be taking with us our son that has cerebral palsy, along with my Dad that has Parkinson's. We don't need wall to wall people too!

[Coral]

9 hours ago, curlybelle2 said:

Good point. I didn't know that Alaska cruise has smaller ports. We have never been to Alaska and will be taking with us our son that has cerebral palsy, along with my Dad that has Parkinson's. We don't need wall to wall people too!

Having traveled with a parent who was disabled, I can tell you the smaller the ship the better.

[John99]

Hi Kaye

Sorry to hear about your dad’s medical condition.  I agree with Carol – smaller ships are better. 

 

A cursory check of all itineraries reveals there is no tendering (aka – water taxi) scheduled which is good to know considering your dad’s medical condition (when in port). There are many outside viewing areas – promenade deck, lido and sun decks plus Horizon court.  Some cruisers even view the scenery from their balcony.  In the past, we’ve always used the upper decks for viewing.  When we got cold we popped into the Horizon court to get warm then headed back out on deck for additional viewing.  One thing about being in your stateroom – we found it hard to hear the National Park naturalist giving commentary. 

 

What ever cruise ship you decided on make sure the itinerary includes Glacier Bay National Park.  The Majestic does not cruise into Glacier Bay.  Instead the itinerary includes Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.  The Glacier Bay National Park allows limited access to cruise ships. Technically it is a fjord but a very wide one so it called a bay. Inside are a number of tidewater glaciers - most cruise ships allowed for viewing 4 per day. All cruise ships must obtain a permit prior to sailing into the bay.  Most ships transit the bay in about 8hrs. There is usually enough room around the glaciers that the cruise ships can avoid any icebergs. Speed restrictions and other regulations in the park are intended to reduce the disruption of feeding humpback whales and to lower the risk of whale/vessel collisions.  Park rules require ships to slow down to 10 knots in whale-heavy waters. The regular top speed is 13 knots.