Coral Princess 10-Day Panama Canal Partial Transit. D631 - Fiji Suite

[Eagle_and_hawk]

After another day at sea, it's time to eat again.

 

The menu's for 2/12:

 

H5 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

H6 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

H7 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

We had been to one of the wine tasting and had decided on a couple of wines to drink in the MDR.

The head waiters and other servers were in charge of the tastings

and Sergio, had been to one of the wineries to visit.

He seemed to know a lot about the vineyards/wineries and

every night, he would come over to our table to talk to us about

whatever wine we had selected for the evening. After we received

the wine a previous night from the hotel manager, the head waiters

seemed to make it a point to come directly over to our

table to talk about the wine we selected, or just see how we were enjoying the meal.

 

Tonight we had decided on the Brunello di Montalcino, Italy.

As soon as it was brought out, Sergio was over in a flash.

He started telling us all about the wine and vineyard, and how

an aerator should be used to bring out the flavor, bouquet, and finish of any wine.

He asked if it was OK to bring one from the back and we said

that would be fine. He opened & sampled the first bottle, and

this was not to his liking and went in the back to get another one.

The second bottle passed his test, so through the aerator it was

poured to enjoy.

I believe everyone around us was wondering what was going on at our table.

It was a good conversation and we enjoyed 1/2 the bottle,

and had them save the rest for the next night.

It was a very good wine, and enjoyed it with the two meals:

 

h20 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

It was lobster night, and on with the delicacies for the evening:

 

Tian of Crab, SCallop and shrimp

duo of caviar and papaya dressing

 

h21 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Jamaican Pepper Pot Soup

salt beef, callaloo, coconut, okra and yams

 

h22 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Roasted Tomato Cream Soup

brioche croutons and basil pesto swirl

 

h23 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Broiled Lobster tail and King Prawns

grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, lemon butter fondue

 

h24 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

h25 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Chocolate Journeys: Chocolate Pistachio Dome with Almond Pistachio Nougatine

 

h26 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

This is either the Floating Islands in Vanilla sauce

or the Ice cream. Didn't write it on the back of the menu.

 

h27 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Petits Fours

 

h28 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

Tomorrow is Saturday, and port day in the Cayman Islands.

[kml246]

First question might be good for someone on the cruise before us to see how close they are.

My impression is they keep them pretty close to the same during the same season.

The menus, at the bottom, actually are noted in the lower right hand corner as ## of the 15 day Caribbean,

so also assume they are somewhat standard across more cruises than just this one.

 

As for #2 - I knew the copy & paste would eventually get me somewhere

with all the quick posting in a row :)

 

This is the correct one for 2/9:

 

E3 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Thanks, David. That makes more sense!

 

Kevin

[hollon]

Love your review, it makes me excited for my cruise, I usually don't cruise w/ princess and was a little hesitant, you put my mind to ease :)

[testerlady]

We go on this cruise on March 16. I love your review and the pictures. I can't wait to experience it all for myself. I noticed when I followed a youtube link that we have the same last name. My husband's family is from West Virginia. Do you have any relatives from there?

[Eagle_and_hawk]

We go on this cruise on March 16. I love your review and the pictures. I can't wait to experience it all for myself. I noticed when I followed a youtube link that we have the same last name. My husband's family is from West Virginia. Do you have any relatives from there?

 

Helllo - No, we don't have any relatives living in that area that I know of as most are still here in Georgia.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Saturday - February 13th.

 

After two days at sea, we are scheduled to be docked off Grand Cayman with the tenders taking those going ashore, shortly afterwards.

 

 

The Daily patters for 2/13:

 

I1 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

I2 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

I3 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

I4 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Looking through the patters & walking around this ship earlier this morning, they were getting ready for Mardi Gras.

There was a scheduled Mardi Gras trivia, along with mask making for the party.

The Carnival party was scheduled in the Atrium at 9:45PM tonight and a few decorations were up:

 

i40 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i41 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i42 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i43 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i44 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

The first off the ship are those holding a ticket for a booked excursion, called by the group number.

For those without a booked excursion, you went to one of the MDR's

to get a tender ticket when all of your party was ready to go ashore.

 

 

We had been on a land vacation many years ago to Grand Cayman and also toured the island by scooter.

We have also been back on a cruise several years ago with Celebrity

and decided to just get off the ship and walk around Georgetown for a while.

 

One of the tenders heading ashore:

 

i60 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i61 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

A quick look back at her:

 

i62 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

On land again:

 

i63 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

It's a nice town and safe to walk around if not going out to the beaches or other attractions.

 

i64 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i65 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i66 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i77 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

i68 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Once we were back onboard, just spent time relaxing the afternoon away.

As some long time cruisers have mentioned, being on the ship when everyone

else is ashore, was like having your own private mega-yacht.

This was one of these days that we understood that feeling of

having so much of a ship to yourself and enjoyed it to the fullest.

 

The rest of the afternoon we spent some time in the lounge chairs,

watching the tenders come back to ship as well as other activities onboard.

 

Getting close to dinner time & the MDR menus for 2/13:

 

I5 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

I6 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

I7 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

The always available Shrimp Cocktail:

 

i70 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Twice baked Goat Cheese Souffle

garlic sabayon

 

i71 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Curtis Stone Mahi Mahi

curried plantains, cauliflower crisps, passion fruit mustard

 

i74 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Seared Diver Scallops in three Citrus Nage

lemon, lime & orange juice beurre-blanc, warm vegetable julienne, and red bliss potatoes

 

i73 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Strawberry Sorbet - This was served between the courses

infused with lemon and wild thyme

 

i72 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

We skipped dessert tonight.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Sunday - February 14th.

 

Here we are at the last full day of the cruise & Valentines Day.

Another sea day as we are heading back towards Ft. Lauderdale.

 

The daily patters:

 

J1 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

J2 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

J3 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

J4 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

I was up early, so heading down for coffee & to get my extra daily patter.

They had changed the decorations in the atrium overnight, and added

decorations to several places through out the ship.

 

j10 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

j11 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

j12 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

j13 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

j14 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

They had some special items to help celebrate too:

 

j99 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Explorers Lounge:

 

j15 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

j16 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

When you think back, this cruise had a lot of events for only being 10 nights.

There was Superbowl Sunday, Mardi Gras, and now Valentines Day.

 

The day was another typical sea day as we found things to do in the patter.

When we walked past the Bayou Cafe, we seen they were having the British Pub Lunch,

so planned our morning to be there for that. It was held earlier in the cruise,

and sure it is in one of the older patters, but something else was going on during this time

and we didn't go.

 

j20 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

j21 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

We remembered the serving sizes being small, so since there was no extra charge

for the pub lunch, we both ordered the fish, and then one fried shrimp to split

between us. It was just enough to hold us until dinner.

 

j22 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

j23 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

The day went by quickly, just as the entire cruise, and it was dinner time.

 

The menu's for 2/14:

 

J5 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

J6 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

We didn't get a dessert menu delivered to our room tonight.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Tonight we had the servers bring back the other 1/2 bottle of our

wine to finish off with the meal. Once he had the glasses poured,

and set the bottle on the table, a different head waiter appeared.

He also spent 10-15 minutes discussing the wine with us, and seemed

to know a lot about them too. No aerator this time, as poured straight

from the bottle.

 

Grilled Zucchini and eggplant with sun dried tomatoes, chives and hearts of romaine

 

j24 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

We both had steak tonight:

 

Grilled New York Cut Strip steak with green peppercorn sauce

tomato provencale, sauteed zucchini and lyonnaise potatoes

 

 

j26 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

In following with tradition on the last night, it was baked Alaska time.

They dimmed the lights, turned on their LED candles, and did the march

thru the dining room with the baked Alaska. I tried to get a picture of

the march, but too dark and to much movement.

 

A picture of dessert though:

 

j27 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

Since it was Valentines Day, they had a table set up a couple of days before, selling

flowers. We had a large group next to us, and about half way thru the meal, one of the

gentlemen brought in a vase of roses for his wife. Everyone ooh & ahh over that as the

only flowers we seen in our small area of the dining room.

 

Planning ahead, I already knew it was going to be Valentines Day on the cruise,

along with our 32nd Anniversary this month. I ordered by Sweetie a dozen roses to be

delivered when we got onboard, as I wanted ther to enjoy them the entire week

in the suite. They were awaiting her when we walked in:

 

j88 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

We sat them on the dressing table to enjoy when she was getting dressed.

Several times a year while in the local stores, I will buy her

a flower arrangement to keep in a vase on her vanity,

and this was as close as I could get to that.

They lasted the entire week with out a problem.

 

 

After dinner, it was back to the room and the dreaded sight was there:

 

j90 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Time to start packing and get the suitcases ready to put outside later.

 

Tomorrow is the last day, as we sail into Ft. Lauderdale in the early morning hours.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Monday - February 15th.

 

We were both up early this morning and watching as we were sailing into

Port Everglades, all lit up with other ships docked before us.

Since we were in a suite, we ordered room service to be delivered

so we could enjoy the last couple of hours on the balcony as we sailed in.

 

p1 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

We could see the Costa ship in the berth next to us, and a couple others

on the other side of the port.

 

p2 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

p3 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Once it was daylight, we could see it was several more of the Princess ladies.

 

p4 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

The Captains log of the cruise was in our mail box:

 

K1 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

K2 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

k3 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

k4 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

The end of the cruise was near. We had our luggage delivered on to the airport,

so we did not have to hassle with those. First time we did that, and worth the

extra $20 a person. We went down to Explorers around 7:30am, and waited until we

could depart the ship. Once you hear the "donk" the last time your cruise card

is scanned at the gang way, it's offically over.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

I was able to convert and upload a few videos to our own private Youtube channel.

We like to go back later on and see the sights & sounds of the cruise, and not

just the still photos. These are links to several of them, that may be of some

interest to those who are planning this trip or close to departing themselves.

 

They are taken with our point-and-shoot, so some movement at times.

 

They are in no order, just adding them as I go through the list with a little

commentary to understand what they are:

 

The group Xtasea, playing in the Explorers Lounge, 11-minutes:

 

 

The slow sunrise from our balcony, 9-minutes.

 

 

Sail Away on top deck, 6-minutes:

 

 

Gemstone Band in the Wheelhouse Bar, 17-minutes.

 

 

Deck Party leaving one of the ports, 13-minutes:

 

 

The Coral Princess Orchestra in Wheelhouse, 16-minutes.

 

 

Cooking Show in Universe Lounge Part #1, 14-minutes

 

 

Cooking Show in Universe Lounge Part #2, 16-minutes

 

 

Our Canal Poster, 10-seconds (We said it was flashy)

 

 

Going into the first lock, from our balcony, 7-minutes.

 

 

The Canal Visitor center if you take that excursion.

You can really see how close you are to the mules and ship, 6-minutes.

 

https://youtu.be/aCnPehegAHw

 

The excusrion with the bounty ship of them dancing & look around harbor, 4-minutes.

 

https://youtu.be/T_vwWOYlmPU

 

 

** This was not taken on this cruise, but the one back in 2014. Since I have

it uploaded, just including it for those who may want to take the ferry

transit on through to the other locks. This is last two minutes from the

front of the ferry, when they open the last doors and you sail into

the Pacific Ocean.

 

https://youtu.be/biyRcFzNGbw

 

 

I almost have the reflection DVD's converted too.

 

 

Well, I believe this is finally the end unless I missed something.

When I started, I was wanting to show a lot about the Coral Princess,

and life on board for this journey. Between the patters, menus, pictures,

and videos, I believe it represents what is available. From all of this,

I hope it's helpful to those who many be thinking about or planning this trip,

as we thought it was fantastic.

 

I was just looking at the pictures folder from this thread, and 400 photos

and scans.

[Wishing on a star]

Wow, Wow, and WOW.

We bow down before you!

(need the little bowing smiley icon!)

 

Hoping for such nice entertainment options when we are onboard in May....

[Northender]

Shoot. We are back. :(

 

Thanks so much for all the pictures and the reviews of the ship and excursions. I am in awe of you guys for such a wonderful job.:)

[camofwilliamsburg]

Just wanted to thank you for a most enjoyable review. We will be on Coral Princess in April doing the 19 day full transit and this was a wonderful review. This ship has a few different areas unlike the others so we are really looking forward to it.

[Jasperdo]

Thanks again for a very enjoyable review. Loved your photos.