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New to Princess - Coral Princess or Island Princess for Alaska?


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Thy are sister ships, so very much alike, but Island Princess was renovated and modified somewhat. Most noticeable is that the Promenade doesn’t wrap around any more as staterooms were added aft. Most people prefer Coral Princess for this reason.

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I concur with what sunviking90 said. We did our first Alaska cruise on Coral, and given what they did to Island, hands-down the answer is Coral.

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Posted (edited)

If you can afford one of the aft facing full suites on the Island then I’d take that. They are really stunning and the S6 category is a great value.   If not I’d sail on the Coral. @ThrakI’m sure will chime in sooner or later. I think it is deck 8 on Coral that has the aft facing public space with loungers, so the cabins close to that was what he suggested.  I’ve only sailed on Island (in those great aft facing suites) but have always wanted to sail on the Coral.  She has a rotating stage in the Universe lounge (please help @Thrak) from what I’ve read that the Island doesn’t. 

Edited by HaveDogWillTravel
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3 hours ago, peety3 said:

I concur with what sunviking90 said. We did our first Alaska cruise on Coral, and given what they did to Island, hands-down the answer is Coral.

 

Yes, definitely Coral. The aft public viewing areas are wonderful spots to take in the sights. I think that they are on Emerald, Dolphin, Caribe and Baja decks, but the two most spacious are on Caribe and Baja. Great if you are in an inside cabin.

 

Coral is also the only ship that does the "On the Bayou" show, which requires the stage in the Universe lounge that was scrapped on Island. Also the passenger capacity on Coral is 2400 and Island 2657. Considering that public areas were gutted on Island to include those extra passengers, Coral has the feel of a much less crowded ship.

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3 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

When does Island go to Alaska?

In 2026. Since you say you have sailed Princess before, you can view sailings if you log in since the 25th.

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Your Coral Princess says it all for me!  Can't wait for my Spring 23 day FLL to Vancouver on the Coral.  Looking at the deck plans of the 2 ships, wasn't a hard decision, don't care to try the Island.   I snagged one of those deck 6 cabins by the casino with the big windows!

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We did Alaska on the Coral Princess and had an amazing time. Smaller ship, lots of public viewing areas. Others have covered the minor differences between the two, but would also say Coral if you can.

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Coral!

 

We did Alaska on her in one of the aft inside cabins. Just a few steps to the aft outside viewing area.  The biggest “private” balcony with views aft and both sides. We had an amazing warm, sunny day in Glacier Bay. One of our best Alaska cruises of the 10 we’ve taken. 

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Posted (edited)
9 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

If you can afford one of the aft facing full suites on the Island then I’d take that. They are really stunning and the S6 category is a great value.   If not I’d sail on the Coral. @ThrakI’m sure will chime in sooner or later. I think it is deck 8 on Coral that has the aft facing public space with loungers, so the cabins close to that was what he suggested.  I’ve only sailed on Island (in those great aft facing suites) but have always wanted to sail on the Coral.  She has a rotating stage in the Universe lounge (please help @Thrak) from what I’ve read that the Island doesn’t. 

While decks 8, 9, 10 and 11 aft on the Coral Princess have a public viewing balcony; only decks 10 and 11 are large enough to have loungers.

The first image is of deck 10, aft Coral Princess. 2nd image is of the Coral and the 3rd is of the Island.

To the OP, Coral would be my choice......less passengers and more public space.

Panama Canal Cruise Coral Princess Panama Canal Gatun Lake 11-12-15 IMG_3938-3938.jpg

Panama Canal Cruise Coral Princess Colombia Cartagena view from La Popa Coral Princess 11-11-15 IMG_3827-3827.jpg

Can New Eng Cruise Emerald Princess New York 6 25 24 IMG_9042 lum.jpg

Edited by Parrottdizes
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21 minutes ago, Coral said:

They were identical at one time but Princess decided to "modify" Island Princess and IMO ruined her.

Agree with Coral.  Been on Coral Princess several times, and Island Princess both before AND after the "modification."  Sad what Princess did to the Island.

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