Coral Princess
Coral Princess: Globe-trotting voyages on a midsize ship
Our review
Snapshot
Originally built to transit the Panama Canal, Coral Princess from Princess Cruises offers a relaxing way to explore the world, partly because the ship is narrower and more compact than many ships competing for your vacation dollars. Walking around the ship is easy because the ship's layout is user-friendly, and when you're cruising a scenic destination, it's easy to stroll between the port and starboard sides of the ship to take in 180-degree views.
Who will like sailing on Coral Princess
Coral Princess attracts a a lot of mature cruisers over the age of 60 as well as younger cruisers who are here for the experience and prefer the laid-back 1,970-passenger Coral Princess's modest size and style over the new breed of 6,000-passenger megaships.
Where Coral Princess sails
Coral Princess, which called on Alaska for years, has a new set of globe-trotting itineraries that include New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti and months-long world cruises that traverse the globe.
Where I went & what I loved
Having had a chance to experience dining on my balcony in Alaska was a real treat, especially when I had a champagne brunch while cruising in Glacier Bay. Another highlight from my Alaskan cruise on Coral Princess was booking time at The Sanctuary during our scenic cruising day in Glacier Bay.
Activities
The ScholarShip@Sea program offers different classes and lectures. There are also other enrichment programs, mostly about the local Alaskan wildlife, the history of the region and a narrated tour of Glacier Bay while scenic cruising. I decided to take a ceramics class one day, which was a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours on the ship. Keep an eye out for announcements in the Princess Patter, the daily activities newsletter delivered to your door each evening.
Family
Although most passengers on the Coral Princess are older, there is the Fun Zone available for kids, while Remix caters to teens.
Entertainment
The two biggest venues on the ship are the Princess Theater and the Universe Lounge, where there's karaoke, Vegas-style shows and other evening activities. The Explorers Lounge gives more of a nightclub vibe, and the retro Crooners Bar offers martinis. And, of course, Movies Under the Stars has become a Princess Cruises staple, so make sure to check for listings and showtimes.
Dress code
There are two formal nights on the ship with tuxedos and ball gowns; however, the rest of the cruise is considered to be "smart casual," which is high-end casual clothes, but no tie or jacket is required. Dining rooms will not permit entry with jeans or shorts.
Disclosure
Carrie Finley-Bajak sailed on Coral Princess on a press/blogger trip as a guest of Princess Cruises. See Cruiseable's Ethics & Disclosure policy.
Updated from an earlier review.
Your take
Have you cruised on Coral Princess? What was the highlight? I'd love to hear about your experience.
Interested in a cruise on this ship?
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Top highlights on this ship
- Balcony staterooms are almost a must to enjoy Alaska.
- Bayou Café and Steakhouse features live jazz music and flavorful New Orleans-inspired cuisine.
- Signature Princess Cruises features on board include The Sanctuary, Movies Under the Stars and Ultimate Balcony Dining
- Relax in the four pools and five hot tubs.
Top dining options on board
