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

[sunbird51]

April 5th will be our 3rd sail on the Coral which made me very excited to see the changes made to her during the last dry dock. I reviewed our pictures from the other 2 cruises to compare and it is amazing the difference (For instance the carpet in front of the grand staircase was pink and blue). When we booked the Panama in 2013, our first long cruise, I booked a cabin with no sofa for a 14 day transit. The mattress was broken down on the nightstand side probably because too many someone's didn't have anywhere else to sit in their cabin except the chairs...Grrr! I decided that trip that we would always have a sofa in our cabin. I hope our cabin was lucky enough to get a new mattress because DH's cousin chose them this trip with his TA. The new carpet and the upholstery work are amazing and very beautiful! I watched the video about dry dock which was very interesting. It was great to see the old gal...all of her! She looks amazing! I have always been curious about how they do such a huge job in such a short time. Very interesting to see the enormous size of the screws too!

ANYWAY! Eagle and Hawk what a wonderful job! I loved it! (Thanks Northender for calling it to my attention!!)

(I love your wife's first name! ;-)

[beachgirls806]

Thanks for the review. We will sailing on the Coral for the first this October. Quick questions, Do they have shrimp in the horizon court during lunch and/or dinner?:)

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Thanks for the review. We will sailing on the Coral for the first this October. Quick questions, Do they have shrimp in the horizon court during lunch and/or dinner?:)

 

They did have shrimp one day for lunch as it's what I had, but we only ate lunch there twice. I don't know about dinner as either ate in the MDR or Bayou Cafe.

[CATGUY7]

What a huge undertaking! Thank you for a most enjoyable review.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Wednesday February 10th - Panama Canal Day

 

We were up early this morning, anticipating the transit through the locks at daylight.

As it was getting closer, I could see lights out the window of other ships sitting

idle, awaiting their turn. We planned ahead and ordered breakfast to be delivered

at 6:30Am as wanted to be outside on the balcony as we approached instead of trying

to eat at Sabatini's at 7:30AM.

 

First time through the canal, most everyone will recommend you be up top on the main

decks or the infamous hidden decks to go from side to side for the best views. These

hidden decks are nice as sometimes not a lot a people on them, plus unlike the forward

decks, you are not trying to take pictures through the tinted glass. If you are behind

the tinted glass, you have to try and shoot pictures between the gaps, sit down and shoot

through the glass below the railing, or try to hold it up over the top of the glass.

 

Since this was our second time through, we already planned on enjoying the transit

from the balcony. We had our poster made and I planned on trying to get it in the

Reflections DVD. I was also interested in being close to the canal walls to see the

workers and mules in action. It did not disappoint and was glad we took this perspective

this time around. We did go over the the port side, promenade deck for a bit, to look

out that side. The TV was turned on to the bridge cam and there was some commentary

as we approached the locks. We could hear that from the balcony was we finished breakfast

and enjoyed more coffee.

 

Before I add a few pictures of the transit from the starboard side, the daily

patter for today:

 

 

F1 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

F2 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

F3 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

F4 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

As we are approaching the first locks, this is the view from this side of the ship.

 

The boats bring out the local pilots for the transit:

 

F10 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

f11 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

A quick walk over to the port side for a couple of pictures.

 

f12 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

f13 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Back to the cabin as we are about half way into the first lock:

 

f14 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

F15 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

The rubber wheels on each side of the lock and hear it rubbing the hull

as we entered. You can see how little room there is between the hull

and the sides of the canal:

 

F18 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Heading on through the first lock:

 

f19 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Looking back from where we came from:

 

f23 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

A picture from the bridge cam on TV as you can see everyone standing in the front of the ship:

 

F16 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Going into Lock number two:

 

f21 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Going into lock number three and the light house off to the side:

 

f24 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Up level with Lake Gatun and exiting the last lock:

 

f25 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

f26 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

The Dam on lake gatun:

 

f27 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

A look across the lake:

 

f28 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

We were looking out for the Princess photographer and video guy & we seen them appear in the second lock on our side of the ship.

Since we were towards the back, it was a little bit before they worked their way back to us.

There were lots of people waving and a few posters from what I could see, looking over the balcony above & below us.

 

Before we left, I was trying to think of a way to draw attention to our poster as wanted

to get it in the Reflections DVD plus, get us at the champagne waterfall.

 

I knew if my bride & I could come up with something "flashy", it might just work.

 

I see the video guy walking along, and when he gets to us, he just stops

and stares a few seconds, then we hear him say "wow". Then he gets our video.

 

So, if you can imagine these lights, flashing off & on every second or two, it's what

we came up with for the crossing, and, yes we did make it in the Reflections DVD. :)

 

F29 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

 

If I don't forget, I will tell the story behind the poster design and the reason

for the heart with our names in it as it's kinda become our logo thru the years.

 

From here, it's off into Lake Gatun to await our turn to get on the tenders and on to the excursion we picked for this trip. It was another enjoyable trip the locks and a different

view from last time.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

The last trip we did, we took the ferry excursion on through to the Pacific Ocean.

It was a long, hot day and worth it to us as don't think we will ever plan the full transit.

This time, we did want to get off the ship and took the Fort San Lorenzo and Gatun Locks.

 

The first stop was at the visitor center.

 

F40 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

At the top of the hill was the viewing platform overlooking the lock.

 

f41 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

The view from the top of the hill looking back:

 

f42 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

f43 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

f44 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Just in time as a large container ship was entering this lock below us:

 

f45 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

You are really close to the mule as it come by the viewing area.

 

f46 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

Heading on throug to the next one:

 

f47 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

After walking around the visitor center and seeing a couple of the old mules, then it was off toward Fort San Lorenzo.

You wait for the the right time to cross over the canal in the bus to get tot he other side in which you get a good view of the locks doors:

 

f48 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

In route, the guide points out as we cross over this bridge, the previous attempt to build the canal which was abandoned.

 

f50 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

This is an old fort that was occupied several times through the years.

The guide said up until about 15-20 years ago, nothing was done to maintain it.

The Government finally decided to try and preserve what was left of it the best they could.

I am not sure if any restoration process is going on with it or just keeping it cleaned up.

 

f51 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

f52 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

f53 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

The inlet the fort was built to mostly protect from high up on the hill top.

 

f54 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

f55 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

After we left the fort, it was back into Colon to meet up with the Coral as scheudled to be there at 5:00PM.

We passed by one of the new locks on the way:

 

f56 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

f57 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

f58 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

It was almost 4:00PM when they dropped us off back near the ship,

so we could walk over to the duty-free shopping are located,as by

this time, we were getting hungry since breakfast was at 6:30AM.

I would suggest to anyone who takes this tour, to buy some

snacks from the ships store to take along as no opportunity

to stop and get anything.

You can't take open food from the ship, but sealed up snacks is OK.

 

They reminded us in the MDR the night before that canal day was open seating in both dining rooms that night.

We were trying to decide what to do and ended up just grabbing a burger over at the duty free shopping area,

as not sure how soon we could actually be back on board.

There is a casino, a few shops and a couple of small places to eat.

 

f59 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

The hamburgers were good sized and was pretty full by the time we were done.

 

f60 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

By the time we were finished, we walked around a bit and seen the Coral docked, so head on back that way.

 

f61 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

[Eagle_and_hawk]

So no trip into the MDR tonight, just some pizza later on in the evening, however

since we had the menus delivered, this is what was in store for those who did go:

 

F5 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

F6 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

F7 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

 

 

Tomorrow, Limon Costa Rica, or so we thought when we went to sleep that night.

[Northender]

WOW!!!!! What great photos. I am sure you mentioned what cabin you were in many pages ago. But would you mind telling us again. We will be in D628 and wonder how our view will be in early morning. I love the idea of Room Service that morning.:):)

 

We are doing the Princess excursion through the locks also, P1615A so thanks for the tips on taking some snacks. Will do that also.:) Our excursion reservation does not show a time due to when the ship starts through the Canal (I guess), how and when did you know where to meet, etc. Thanks again.:D:D

 

You also mentioned open seating in the MDR that night. Was the dress code applicable?:eek:

[BOOFER9]

Has anyone that booked a guarentee had their cabins assigned yet?

[Eagle_and_hawk]

WOW!!!!! What great photos. I am sure you mentioned what cabin you were in many pages ago. But would you mind telling us again. We will be in D628 and wonder how our view will be in early morning. I love the idea of Room Service that morning.:):)

 

We are doing the Princess excursion through the locks also, P1615A so thanks for the tips on taking some snacks. Will do that also.:) Our excursion reservation does not show a time due to when the ship starts through the Canal (I guess), how and when did you know where to meet, etc. Thanks again.:D:D

 

You also mentioned open seating in the MDR that night. Was the dress code applicable?:eek:

 

We were in D631, other side of the elevator lobby on starboard side, from where you will be. The view would be good from that side too, if you stayed in the cabin.

 

Since you are doing the trip thru the locks, I would try and get on the tenders early and grab a seat upstairs in the A/C or at least, get on the left side of the boat. On the right side, as you move on towards the Pacific Ocean, the sun starts coming in from the side later in the day, under the cover, and you end up in direct sun light. The left side of the boat was pretty much in the shade although the front was completely open. At least on the boat we were on as could be more than one company running the excustions.Also, the at trip was 8+ hours and they did provide lunch onboard the ship for that tour. We still took some snacks anyway.

 

For catching the tenders, our vouchers for the excursion had a group number on it. They called the group number over the intercomm as to where and when to meet, to be directed to the tenders.

 

I am not sure about the dress code that night since we just grabbed some pizza up top and don't recall even going past the MDR that night.

[Northender]

^^^^^^^

 

thank you, thank you:d:d

[princess_colada]

Thanks for the review and the pictures! My wife and I love the Coral. One question though, is the lotus pool adults only on this voyage? It was when we were on her for the Panama Canal a few years ago but in Alaska last July it wasn't. We spent a total of 30 seconds in there before our ears were ringing from the kids' screams echoing off the ceiling. Thanks!

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Thanks for the review and the pictures! My wife and I love the Coral. One question though, is the lotus pool adults only on this voyage? It was when we were on her for the Panama Canal a few years ago but in Alaska last July it wasn't. We spent a total of 30 seconds in there before our ears were ringing from the kids' screams echoing off the ceiling. Thanks!

 

My understanding was it's suppose to be adults only, although I don't recall seeing a sign stating that. I was just zooming in on the pictures and did not see a sign in them either, although might have been at the front door too.

 

The pool signs show the depths from five foot, eight inches to six foot, seven inches, so kids who were not good swimmers or have floats, would have to be careful in the pool.

 

I only recall seeing maybe 1/2 a dozen kids under the age of 18 on the trip. This time of year with most kids still in school and if they are on spring break, 10-days is a little too long, so we did not see many on this cruise or the other one.

[princess_colada]

Thanks for taking the time to zoom in on the pictures! I didn't see any signs either so I assumed the policy changed for Alaska as that is the only indoor pool on the Coral. Perhaps with the Sanctuary now on the ship they relaxed the policy for the Lotus pool.

 

Enjoy the Coral on your Alaskan trip next year! Try to find the spot on the Promenade where the vent blows warm air right on the loungers. We spent quite a bit of time in that spot enjoying the magical scenery.

[Northender]

Oh, by the way, where are those "secret doors" I have heard about?:)

[Wishing on a star]

We will be on the Coral in late May, while most all kids are in school. So, maybe the will help with the number of kids and any annoyance in the covered pool area. Princess should probably have designated family time and adult only time in that pool area on these Alaskan cruises.

 

David, can you or any others here reassure me that, with the smaller International Cafe, we can still get the fresh baked croissants and pastries. We have our coffee card, and I am looking forward to the IC.

[Wishing on a star]

Hey Princess C... do tell the general area where we can look for the warm spots on the Promenade!

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Oh, by the way, where are those "secret doors" I have heard about?:)

 

There is one at the very front of Baja Deck. It says "no admittance", but on canal day, the staff wil let it open up for passengers to stand on. There are some pictures of the transit around the forums that show folks standing out there and you can see it's not a balcony cabin.