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

[Host Jazzbeau]

I would say either a jacket or sport coat would be fine as see them both in the MDR.

 

This is a dinner jacket:

[Eagle_and_hawk]

This is a dinner jacket:

 

Correct. A true dinner jacket was not that common from my observations, maybe seen just a couple this trip. I have seen those, sports coats, blazers, suite jackets & tuxedos, all of course being a different jacket when looked at closer. I was surprised to see the number of jackets being worn, at least in the Bordeaux dining room.

[socaljo]

Oh my GOODNESS! My mouth is watering, stomach is growling and DH asked what I was moaning about! :p Those FOOD pics...reading the menu had me going already...then total salivation at the pic of the chocolate wonder! That's not the Love Boat dream, I've enjoyed that many times. But I will be SEARCHING for the replica of that chocolate delight on the Island in 34 days! :D Are we there yet??????? :p

[TriumphGuy]

We were on this same cruise with you and looking at these photos is like reliving the cruise! The Coral is a wonderful ship, the staff was terrific and the food was marvelous. We got spoiled, now we're home and no one to pamper us and bring us food. I have to cook it myself.

Thinking about booking an Alaska cruise on Coral for our 40th next year.

Thanks for the reviews and photos!

[Eagle_and_hawk]

That's not the Love Boat dream, I've enjoyed that many times.

 

Ok, thanks for clarifying that as had a 50/50 chance it was either that, or the Chocolate Journey of the night. It was good and after that, I tried to write on the back of the menu each night when we returned to the room, as to what we ate since we have pictures of almost everything :)

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Thinking about booking an Alaska cruise on Coral for our 40th next year.

Thanks for the reviews and photos!

 

Funny you mention Alaska as while we were on board, we booked September 2017 on the Coral for the Southbound journey. Plan on putting together our own land vacation in front of it for 4-5 days. This is our favorite ship.

[Northender]

OH MY, MY,MY. This all looks so delicious.

 

Must get a pen and write down all the things I would order. This is your second night dinner, correct?:) I am assuming the menu won't change too much by April. It is easy as we start our Cruise on the 5th also.

 

YUMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!:)

[Eagle_and_hawk]

This is your second night dinner, correct?:)

 

Yes, it was the second dinner night and the rest of the dinners did not disappoint us either. I can only think of one or two things we got served, that we did not care for as we both shared a bite of everything brought to the table. Most nights we ordered different things from the menu, just so we could both try them without having to order the full dish.

[Northender]

Yes, it was the second dinner night and the rest of the dinners did not disappoint us either. I can only think of one or two things we got served, that we did not care for as we both shared a bite of everything brought to the table. Most nights we ordered different things from the menu, just so we could both try them without having to order the full dish.

 

Thanks. Looking forward to hearing more. Even the things you didn't care for.;)

[Host Jazzbeau]

Correct. A true dinner jacket was not that common from my observations, maybe seen just a couple this trip. I have seen those, sports coats, blazers, suite jackets & tuxedos, all of course being a different jacket when looked at closer. I was surprised to see the number of jackets being worn, at least in the Bordeaux dining room.

 

I wasn't doubting that you saw dinner jackets in the MDR (especially on the maitre d's :D), but my point was that I don't think Princess actually meant to say "dinner jacket" on the definition of formal wear. My guess is that whoever wrote the sign doesn't know what a dinner jacket is, and thought it meant sport coat.

Edited February 18, 2016 by Host Jazzbeau

[azbirdmom]

Appreciated all of the information that you provided while you were on the cruise but you have really outdone yourself with all of the pictures you posted and your info about the cruise. It all sounds great - well except for the part about the smell. Boarding in 7 days and cannot wait.

Edited February 19, 2016 by azbirdmom

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Sunday - February 7th.

 

Today is the second sea day and Superbowl Sunday. They had the game on MUTS, in the Explorers Lounge and the Universe lounge. Also was Tailgate@Sea as they called it - Including face painting, boggo poster making & trivia. Bar food was offered in Explorers Lounge. Someone I was talking too said if you were for one of the teams, go to Explorers, and the other team was gathering in the Universe lounge. MUTS of course was for everyone.

 

This was the first time they offered the Crab Shack tonight at 6:00-8:45pm for $20 a person. They hold it in one section of the Horizon Court. I am not a fan of crab, so never been, although hear from others it's good.

 

Since it's a sea day, I knew we would be in the casino and all around the ship so will post some pictures. These are more for those who have never had the pleasure of sailing on the Coral, although it always brings back memories for those who have.

 

Let's start with the Daily Patters as it's the second thing I look at, after coffee of course.

 

 

C1 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C2 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

C3 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C4 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Here is one of the nice features of the Coral is the wide Promenade deck that is all on one level, and circles the entire ship.

A great place for a morning walk and 2.8 laps is equal to one mile. We like to get in six laps before breakfast while it was

still cool as getting hotter each day as we sail South.

 

C10 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Always a nice & quiet place to sit back and watch the ocean.

 

C12 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Up top, there is a nice pool area along with plenty of open space on deck for viewing the Canal or when she is in Alaska,

the glaciers and wildlife.

 

C14 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C15 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C16 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C17 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C18 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

At some time, we have to go donate money to the crew's retirement fund.

 

The casino is smaller than the larger ships, howver still plenty of things to do:

 

C33 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C30 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C31 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C32 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Since it's right next to the casino, just a few steps over to the International Cafe for a drink and a quick bite to eat if hungry.

 

C35 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C36 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

The chefs were having the fruit and vegetable carving in the atrium today. It's impressive how they can carve these items so quickly.

 

 

C20 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C21 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C22 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

C23 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C24 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C25 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

C26 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C27 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C29 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Time to head to Bordeaux for dinner. The theme this evening was Caribbean and they include some special dishes from the area.

These dishes are marked with the red earth logo next to the item. The menus for 2/7:

 

C5 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C6 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C7 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Tempura Vegetable Sushi

rum-wasabi emulsion, Korean Kimchi

 

C50 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Chilled Blended Coconut Soup

hints of orange and honey, topped with lychees

--OK, this was one of the things I did not care for myself. Tasted like

a watered down pina colada.

 

C51 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Puerto Rico Asopao Soup

annatto seed, red chili, bell pepper, cilantro, bay shrimp and rice.

 

C52 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Spaghetti Carbonara

traditional pasta dish with bacon, cream and egg.

 

 

C53 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Pork Rib Chop

pan-seared, roasted garlic cassava mash, bell peppers & rasins dark rum and lime glaze.

 

C55 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Last but not least, desserts :D

 

 

C56 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

C57 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

That should about do it for 2/7. Tomorrow is first port

day in Aruba.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Monday - February 8th.

 

Today is the first port day in Aruba.

We have made three different week long land trips here back in the early 90's,

before the island went through all it's growth with more cruise ships making it a port of call.

We really like the island and had explored pretty much all of it on those trips.

We already knew the Carnival parade was the day before, and today was a day of rest.

All of the stores were closed, except a few right at the port and the town was empty compared to a normal work day.

All of the excursions were available as booked.

We originally booked the ATV excursion, but decided before we left to cancel it, and just walk around Oranjestad.

We arrived around 7:00am and needed to be back on board by noon, so a short port day.

 

Today's patters:

 

D1 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

D2 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

D3 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

D4 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

A few pictures around downtown Oranjestad. It's always been a safe & clean island to explore.

 

d10 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

d11 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

d12 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

d13 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

d14 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

d15 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Since it was the first time off the ship in port, took a couple pictures of the ship.

 

d16 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

d17 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

d18 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

d19 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Back on board after walking around for a while and only picking up a t-shirt for our Granddaughter.

We rarely buy souvenirs anymore unless it's somthing unique to the area or a T-shirt or two.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing with a few drinks and some of the other activities seen in the patter.

 

Tonight's menus for 2/8:

 

D5 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

D6 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

D7 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Tonight was also keeping with the Caribbean theme, Complete with food pictures.

 

 

Panama's Carimanolas, Chimichurri Sauce

Fried yucca fritter stuffed with beef, and roasted bell pepper aioli

 

d30 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Peruvian Scallop Ceviche with Avocado Fan

lime and lemon juice, cilantro, bell pepper, tomato, and bermuda onion

 

d31 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

Olde English Lamb & Barley Soup

rich broth with scallion and diced root vegetables

 

d32 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Chateaubriand of Beef Tenderloin

medeira essence, bearnaise sauce, yellow squash and berny potatoes

 

d33 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Curtis Stone Grilled Flank Steak

Citrus black beans, aromatic rice, avocado mojo vinaigrette

 

d34 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr