Sapphire/Diamond vs. Coral/Island

[Solara]

Just wondering which ships people like better Sapphire vs. the Coral. What are the good and bad points on each one. Trying to decide which one to take. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Colo Cruiser]

I have sailed on all four and my favorites are the Coral and the Island. Just a smaller version off the Grand class ships in a way. But only 1900 passengers.

 

 

But I also like the Grand class ships very much too. :D

[Solara]

Is there is many public rooms and lounges on the Coral vs. the Sapphire. What specifically do you like better.

[Colo Cruiser]

Pretty darn close, that is why I like them because they are comparable to the larger ships (Grand Class).

 

I like the Skywalker area of the Sapphire/Diamond, but I like the Bayou Cafe area of the Coral and Island.

 

Both deck plans are very similar. The one thing I don't like about the Coral/Island is the rear pool area it is tiny and does not have the views and public areas of the Sapphire/Diamond. Hard decision. :rolleyes:

[mii]

I have been on the Coral twice and the Sapphire once and while both have their good points I much prefer the Coral. The reasons are size, it can go through the Panama Canal : Sapphire cannot, the Coral just seems much more homey. I am also a lover of Bayou Cafe. I think it is easier to get around on the Coral. I truly wish that Princess would make more of that size ship(Coral) rather than the behemouths they are making now.

 

Marilyn

[kruisey]

I have never travelled on Spphire/Diamond will be in 2007.

I have travelled on Island sister to Coral and I personally was very disappointed with Island.... Being a senior... I found the Sun and Dawn much more cosy.

I am not a smoker and found that smoke escapes into public areas inside Island Princess.If one wonts to visit Photo Gallery and Explorers Lounge one is subjected to the smoke and all the bells and whistle sounds of a fairground because the whole side of Casino is not contained with a wall its open to all its 'Bells and Whistle sounds on the main promenade deck.Yes a miniature Las Vegas.

In my cabin there were no doors on the cabinets one hangs ones clothes in ........I personally preferred setup of Dawn and Sun with doors.

One plus was the pools are better on Island Princess.

These are my own personal opinions.

[jff50]

I don't think that you can go wrong with either one. The Coral/Island is my favorite ship, but the Diamond/Sapphire is a close second.

 

The Coral/Island is a little smaller, but seems to have all the amenities of the larger ships. The Diamond/Sapphire is larger and holds more people, but does not seem as crowded as the Carribbean and I like the layout better than the Grand.

[Solara]

Thanks for everyone's help. I am wondering what is the Bayou Cafe on the Coral and what does it replace on the Sapphire???????

[phillipahain]

Have been on Island ,Diamond and got off the Sapphire Oct 14th

 

Without any doubt I prefer the Island

 

When we were on the Sapphire for 34 days the CD .....lee Chilvers was awful and the library was so short of books it was pathetic

 

Theres something about the whole attitude on the Sapphire that i simply do not like

[critterchick]

We've been on the Diamond and the Island, and I greatly preferred the Diamond.

 

The Island has a terrible theater - bad sight lines (a tall man 3 rows in front of me blocked my views) and only 2 entrances, so it's a mess getting in & out. Entertainment on both was very, very good in most instances.

 

I thought the Diamond was cleaner and the crew was more personable than on the Island, where they seemed dispirited.

 

We did traditional dining on both. The food was better in all venues that we tried on Diamond, but the service was better (by a hair) on the Island (only at dinner - the waitstaff in the DR for lunch was indifferent bordering on surly, but we found that in the PC dining rooms on the Diamond, too).

 

The HC on Diamond is a mess in terms of layout, I thought the Island's flowed a little better. We enjoyed a lunch in Sabatini's on Diamond (followed by a nice nap) and didn't find the Bayou Cafe on Island (it's a Cajun-style steakhouse that Island & Coral have instead of Sterling Steakhouse) to be all that special.

 

I love the aft pool deck on Diamond - there was always lots of room to hang out and the views are spectacular. I missed that on Island.