Lohe Posted February 28, 2008 #1 Share Posted February 28, 2008 We have a choice of doing an Alaska cruise with either Diamond Princess or Coral Princess. Which would you recommend and why? Just FYI, we are very active retired people who travel a lot, although we have not been to Alaska yet. We appreciate good accommodations, good food and good service. We do not want lots of fun and games - the shore excursions will be our fun. Our cruise experience has been limited to small cruise ships in the Mediterranean. Thanks for helping differentiate these two ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mii Posted February 28, 2008 #2 Share Posted February 28, 2008 We have a choice of doing an Alaska cruise with either Diamond Princess or Coral Princess. Which would you recommend and why? Just FYI, we are very active retired people who travel a lot, although we have not been to Alaska yet. We appreciate good accommodations, good food and good service. We do not want lots of fun and games - the shore excursions will be our fun. Our cruise experience has been limited to small cruise ships in the Mediterranean. Thanks for helping differentiate these two ships. I have been on both the Diamond and the Coral and my preference is the Coral because of the amt. of passengers(1950) compared to the Diamond which has 2600. I have been on the Coral twice and will be on her again doing a B2B2B back to Alaska. The mini's are a good size, good and service I have not had a problem with. Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whale-watcher Posted February 28, 2008 #3 Share Posted February 28, 2008 We loved the coral in Alaska in '04, and she was even better in Panama last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean s Posted February 28, 2008 #4 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hands down I would vote for Coral. This is the perfect size ship with the perfect number of passengers. The crew is very very pleasant and the service was the best. In 10 cruises our cruise on the Coral to Alaska was our favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepr Posted February 28, 2008 #5 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I have only been on one cruise in my lifetime and that was Alaska southbound on the Coral Princess. I believe she is a little smaller than Diamond. Had such a great time on the Coral that we have booked the same cruise on her again this June! Different excursions this trip.. but we loved smaller ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARGIN Posted February 28, 2008 #6 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Coral.. Fewer people, better staff/passenger ratio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted February 28, 2008 #7 Share Posted February 28, 2008 The Coral! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare taxatty Posted February 28, 2008 #8 Share Posted February 28, 2008 The Coral! That's a shock!:D I've been on both (the Coral 2X)--I preferred the Coral as well--significantly less crowded with all of the same amentities you'd probably care about. Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted February 28, 2008 #9 Share Posted February 28, 2008 That's a shock!:D :) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoriPhil Posted February 28, 2008 #10 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Coral - fewer passengers and it has those wonderful (but little known) aft public viewing areas on the Carib and Dolphin decks spanning the entire width of the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Druke I Posted February 28, 2008 #11 Share Posted February 28, 2008 For me, it would Coral in a heartbeat. I am not a fan of the Grand/modified Grand class ships. Too large for my tastes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorontoTL Posted February 28, 2008 #12 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I'll jump in and agree with most about the Coral being the choice ship for Alaska. Much more viewing areas both fore and aft of the ship. However, if you're not in a mini suite or above you will have the smallest showers of the Princess fleet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lohe Posted March 2, 2008 Author #13 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Thanks, folks. Very useful insights about the two ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted March 2, 2008 #14 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Definitely the Coral. It's almost as long as the Diamond but a LOT fewer people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrusinAgain Posted March 2, 2008 #15 Share Posted March 2, 2008 I'll jump in and agree with most about the Coral being the choice ship for Alaska. Much more viewing areas both fore and aft of the ship. However, if you're not in a mini suite or above you will have the smallest showers of the Princess fleet. You mean they can actually make the showers smaller than what is on the Grand ships? I cannot even begin to picture this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted March 2, 2008 #16 Share Posted March 2, 2008 You mean they can actually make the showers smaller than what is on the Grand ships? I cannot even begin to picture this one. You know, it doesn't matter which Princess ship I am on, that seems to have the smallest shower. I didn't realize the Coral class had a smaller shower but they all seem very small to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judynorth Posted March 2, 2008 #17 Share Posted March 2, 2008 I've been on both ships also and much prefer the Coral. Not only is it smaller but from our experience, it is a happier ship. The staff and crew were much friendlier than on the Diamond. The Coral is a great ship and we hope to sail on her again some day, possibly the Panama Canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rouge Wave Posted March 2, 2008 #18 Share Posted March 2, 2008 I'd say the Island Princess... (the Coral is the "ugly" twin sister of the Island............) But since you did limit the choice to the Diamond or the Coral, Do go with the Coral. If I have said it once I have said it 100 times, the Island Princess may be the perfect cruise ship. Ok ok, so the same should be said for the Coral as well... :-) Yeah,, the showers are a bit small, but if you want a larger shower use the ones in the spa. I just soap up the walls of the shower and kind of spin.. I come out all squeaky clean that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whale-watcher Posted March 2, 2008 #19 Share Posted March 2, 2008 It's a shame that most of the new builds seem to be of the mega-ship class...I wonder if there will be even be an incentive to build more ships in the coral/island size range once the canal expansion project is completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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