TMW67 Posted August 5, 2013 #1 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We are planning to cruise to Alaska (Southbound) in May of 2015. Never cruised with Princess before, so I am trying to get input about these different ships since the itinerary is the same. Which one do you prefer & why? Dislikes? Likes? Any input in the Island Princess as well. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted August 5, 2013 #2 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We've been on both Coral and Crown and liked both very much. For Alaska we'd take Coral for sure. She's a lovely long but narrow ship with many convenient places for viewing when going through Glacier Bay, etc. :) LuLu ~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted August 5, 2013 #3 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Coral has a full promenade deck for viewing all along both sides (and back) of the ship, plus two forward viewing balconies and four public balconies across the back. This is perfect for scenic viewing and means that every passenger has multiple places to choose. [it also means you can save the cost of a balcony cabin and still have optimal viewing.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted August 5, 2013 #4 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I've been on both ships multiple times. For Alaska, no contest: the Coral. She has about 1,000 fewer passengers but is still a large ship (longer than the Crown but narrower as she's a Panamax ship.) There are public viewing decks both fore and aft that the Crown doesn't have. The Coral has a much better passenger space ratio and better overall cruise experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyro1952 Posted August 5, 2013 #5 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I agree the Coral is the way to go. Anytime you can get an itinerary that you like on the Coral or sister ship, Island, go for it. Smaller intimate ships not as crowded with great staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMW67 Posted August 5, 2013 Author #6 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Coral was looking like the front runner for me to start with & now it looks like she's the way to go! I definitely want to have several opportunities to view the fantastic views & this sounds wonderful! Thanks so much! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro Flyer Posted August 5, 2013 #7 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Coral has a full promenade deck for viewing all along both sides (and back) of the ship, plus two forward viewing balconies and four public balconies across the back. This is perfect for scenic viewing and means that every passenger has multiple places to choose. [it also means you can save the cost of a balcony cabin and still have optimal viewing.] I've been on both ships multiple times. For Alaska, no contest: the Coral. She has about 1,000 fewer passengers but is still a large ship (longer than the Crown but narrower as she's a Panamax ship.) There are public viewing decks both fore and aft that the Crown doesn't have. The Coral has a much better passenger space ratio and better overall cruise experience. Having returned a few days ago from a 14 day Vancouver roundtrip on the Coral & a month on the Crown at the end of last year I definitely agree that the Coral is best for Alaska. The Coral also has the covered pool area for viewing & the partially covered aft viewing deck a few steps from our Baja deck inside cabin was our best balcony & had loungers. With so many other viewing areas it was never crowded. I think the Coral/Island's production show "On the Bayou" in the great aft International Lounge is the best show Princess offers. The Coral has an International Café (minus egg muffin sandwiches) in the old Casino Bar area & the much improved HC which apparently are being done on the Island later this year. I prefer the Crown Grill to the Bayou Steakhouse but for all of the other reasons posted the Coral would definitely be my choice for a scenic cruise such as in Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo222 Posted August 5, 2013 #8 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We are planning to cruise to Alaska (Southbound) in May of 2015. Never cruised with Princess before, so I am trying to get input about these different ships since the itinerary is the same. Which one do you prefer & why? Dislikes? Likes? Any input in the Island Princess as well. Thanks! You might find this thread interesting: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1882101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted August 5, 2013 #9 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Coral for everything mentioned plus it has an indoor pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JimmyVWine Posted August 5, 2013 #10 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I prefer the interior layout of Crown: Skywalkers (not on Coral) Adagio Lounge up top (not on Coral) Sabitini's up top (Promenade Level on Coral) International Cafe in the Piazza (as opposed to the casino) No "bump out" areas that interfere with sight lines while on balcony But I prefer the exterior layout of Coral: Full Promenade More public spaces out in the open Indoor pool. For most cruises, I would choose Crown. But for Alaska, Coral's outdoor benefits coupled with the smaller passenger load would sway me. We are glad that Sapphire is in Alaska this year, as we get the benefit of a smaller passenger load than Crown, but with many of the indoor features that we like on Crown. Will miss Adagio. But hopefully Alfredo's will make up for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMW67 Posted August 5, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Thank you all for your input. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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