Alaskan Glacier cruise on Princess ships

[Happycruiser1601]

Hi, Hoping some lucky person has sailed on Island Princess, Coral Princess and Star Princess ( yes all three) as I'm hoping to do the Alaskan cruise and wanted feedback on all three. I have read reviews, and many have mentioned Novo Virus on the Star numerous times.

 

Which is newer inside, how are the restaurants? I noted Coral has Crown grill where others do not I think. Im not into bistro food so feedback on the Anytime dining and specialty restaurants would be fantastic.

 

I'm in my early 50's and very fit so don't need to worry about lifts, stairs etc.

Early September 2017 is when I'm thinking of going, so might I still see bears and wildlife ?

 

Is one ship more lively than the rest as I'm hoping for fun.

Thank you.

[Working 2 Cruise]

There's no gastropub on the Island or the Coral or on the Star... the Crown Grill is on the Star only. You may want to check the Princess website...

 

Also, do a search on the Island, Coral or Star on this forum. There's a recent thread on the subject.

 

Also, its Noro Virus. Not usually a worry at that time of year. Remember, people do bring their illnesses onboard with them, so make sure to wash your hands often.

 

Have a fantastic cruise!

[xlxo]

I'm in my early 50's and very fit so don't need to worry about lifts, stairs etc.

Early September 2017 is when I'm thinking of going, so might I still see bears and wildlife ?

You might want to consider going early August..... mid-August gets wet and September is statistically best for storm chasers (thus the lower prices).

[wishfulone]

Hi, Hoping some lucky person has sailed on Island Princess, Coral Princess and Star Princess ( yes all three) as I'm hoping to do the Alaskan cruise and wanted feedback on all three. I have read reviews, and many have mentioned Novo Virus on the Star numerous times.

 

Which is newer inside, how are the restaurants? I noted Coral has Crown grill where others do not I think. Im not into bistro food so feedback on the Anytime dining and specialty restaurants would be fantastic.

 

I'm in my early 50's and very fit so don't need to worry about lifts, stairs etc.

Early September 2017 is when I'm thinking of going, so might I still see bears and wildlife ?

 

Is one ship more lively than the rest as I'm hoping for fun.

Thank you.

Went on the Coral to Alaska (Vancouver to Anchorage then land tour) last year. It's a wonderful ship and will have everything you want onboard. Forget the novo virus. Just choose the dates you want to travel and book your holiday. Every ship has problems at some stage. You get that many people in a confined environment and germs spread. If you're really worried carry a broad spectrum antibiotic but there's a doctor onboard you know.

[Pam in CA]

I've been on all three multiple times. :)

 

I'd be more worried about getting Noro from touching a supermarket cart than I would on any of these three ships. It's the people who spread the virus.

 

Newer? I never, ever worry about what ship has the latest, greatest or newest. They are all constantly updated and every three years or so go into dry dock for maintenance. The Island has had the most extensive and recent remodels. I'm booked on her in November for the itinerary, not because of the renovations.

 

Dining room menus are the same on all three ships whether you choose Traditional or Anytime. Same menus. Chefs are obviously different and can make a difference when it comes to preparation and presentation. Again, I don't pay any attention to possible differences since I can always ask for modifications or even something different.

 

Each of the three ships has pluses. The Star has Skywalker's which is great for scenic viewing when you want to stay warm. The Coral has the fewest passengers (a lot fewer than the Star) and thus usually a better cruise experience. She also has forward and aft open decks for scenic viewing. The Island had cabins added to her aft so she doesn't have the same open decks aft for scenic viewing but she does have forward decks.

 

Me? I'd book based on itinerary, available dates and pricing.

[Cruise Raider]

Went on the Coral to Alaska (Vancouver to Anchorage then land tour) last year. It's a wonderful ship and will have everything you want onboard. Forget the novo virus. Just choose the dates you want to travel and book your holiday. Every ship has problems at some stage. You get that many people in a confined environment and germs spread. If you're really worried carry a broad spectrum antibiotic but there's a doctor onboard you know.

 

I just have to say, never ever ever take antibiotics haphazardly....not to mention they don't cover illnesses from a virus ... only bacterial infections. Plus, they can cause all sorts of other issues such as C-diff and misuse is responsible for the rise in MRSA, VRE and other super bugs. This is just bad advice!!

OK -- I got that off my chest! Now ... onto the ships.

 

We've sailed on all three and while I love the size of the Coral and the Island, however, the Star is newer and shinier but not by much as they usually keep their ships in good shape. I sailed on the Island right before they added cabins on her and understand she is much more crowded now, as extra passengers + no expansion to the public rooms equates to less space and more lines. The Coral still has that viewing deck at the aft of the ship and a lovely indoor pool area, both of which are wonderful for Alaska. The Star has Skywalkers, which is a lovely lounge with huge viewing windows on deck 17 or 18? If me, that is the ship I would pick but also think you won't go wrong by choosing the Star. I am not a fan of the food on the Star ... don't know what that's about but have heard the crew comment on that as well. We sailed on her just a couple of months ago and that was the 4th time on her and felt that way every cruise. You won't starve, though. I can assure you of that!

 

As far as the norovirus, cruise ships might get the brunt of bad publicity but it is common in areas right next door to you (eg: schools, nursing homes, offices, hospitals, etc). Anywhere people are in close quarters, it only takes one carrier that boards the ship to wreak havoc. It can brought onto and spread on any ship. Be sure to be diligent in washing your hands and using hand sanitizer with one that is effective against this particular virus. The CDC has some good information on their website on this.

 

I would pick the dates and the itinerary you want and go from there. I don't think you would really be unhappy with any of the ships you mention. We've cruised to Alaska 8 times and have one booked for this year as well. We've sailed once in May, 6 times in early to mid Sept and once in late Sept. The late Sept one, was the only one we had bad weather, but still a fantastic cruise. All of the other ones, we had absolutely perfect weather ... so much so, we had thought maybe they were making up all that stuff about rain in Alaska. Our last time there which was from Sept 11-22, we used an entire tube of sunblock and never put my jacket on once. It is not to say it does rain or won't get cold but it is not necessarily the case.

 

Just to add, the buffet is in the front of the ship on the Island and Coral, whereas it is in the aft on the Star. This may or may not make a difference to you but did go with a friend on the Coral that got so sea sick in the front of the ship, he could never go to the buffet with us. It never effected us in the same way ... but some people are sensitive to the increased movement at the bow, while others say the movement is also nearly as bad at the stern.

Edited March 9, 2016 by Cruise Raider

[Coral]

 

Also, its Noro Virus. Not usually a worry at that time of year. Remember, people do bring their illnesses onboard with them, so make sure to wash your hands often.

 

 

There are numerous reports of noro virus in Alaska every year. It is not any worse then any other time of the year. The time I was on a ship with the worst case of norovirus I have seen was in Alaska many years ago.

 

Do not base your judgement on cruises based on this. Norovirus happens everywhere - schools, colleges, hospitals, retirement communities, office environments, etc..

 

Of all the ships, I would select Coral Princess. Love that ship. All 3 have a great itinerary. Island Princess would be my least favorite.

Edited March 9, 2016 by Coral

[Colo Cruiser]

Coral

Star

Island

 

In that order.

[Wishing on a star]

You need to go down to 'ALASKA' in the destination forums here on CC.

 

Yes, do a few searches here, and all your questions will be answered.

No lack of info and opinions.

 

The Coral Princess just came out of a full drydock a few weeks ago.

Lots of new carpet and refurbishing. Just without all of the structural changes and many many new cabins, and increased passenger load, at the expense of public space, that the Island underwent.

 

For anybody cruising in the near future, Coral has the new Princess beds. (The old mattresses on Princess ships get some bad PR)

 

We chose the Coral.

But anyone's preferences might be different from somebody else's!

[cruisequeen4ever]

I've been on the Island pre-refurbishment and on the Star. I personally prefer the Star because it's bigger and offered more activities, including Skywalker's Nightclub. To answer your question, the Star would be more lively. Noro can be on any ship, so I wouldn't worry about that when choosing one of these 3. The Island was most recently refurbished. The Island and Coral are newer by 2-3 years. The Star has Crown Grill, but the Coral and Island do not. We love Crown Grill and prefer ships that have it. Hope that helps!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[wishfulone]

I just have to say, never ever ever take antibiotics haphazardly....not to mention they don't cover illnesses from a virus ... only bacterial infections. Plus, they can cause all sorts of other issues such as C-diff and misuse is responsible for the rise in MRSA, VRE and other super bugs. This is just bad advice!!

OK -- I got that off my chest! Now ... onto the ships.

 

You're right of course. That was very naughty of me.

[azbirdmom]

We have been on all three ships although not on the Island since her refit. We just got off the Coral and loved it, especially for all of the outdoor viewing areas. The indoor pool is lovely although the casino is tiny. The Star is our favorite ship and having sailed it all over the world, we are happily repeating again this year on a southbound Alaska cruise. There's plenty of places to view glaciers on the Star too from the Lido and Promenade decks. And Crown Grill is a plus for us on the Star - not too fond of Bayou Café although that's one of the few negative things I can say about the Coral.

[DoulaAnn]

We got off the Star a week and a half ago, and I must say, she looked "tired". Don't know when the next drydock is, but our carpet was worn, and the sleeper sofa in the room had cushions that sank down into the frame/mattress -- not comfortable. All that said, it was a wonderful ship and a great size. The crew was fantastic and very friendly. Skywalker's at night was a bit loud for our taste, but that could be just us.

 

As others have said, there is a reason that some periods are cheaper -- the weather isn't usually as good. We did Alaska in late May/early June and got a pretty good amount of light rain and cool weather, but it didn't spoil our trip. The glaciers were fantastic and we saw a reasonable amount of wildlife.

[Thrak]

They will all be fine. I'd prefer the Coral but am actually booked for Alaska on Island as that fits the dates my wife wanted to cruise. :)

 

I've sailed Coral and Star but this will be my first time on Island and it will be something different now that it's no longer identical to Coral. Book the ship that fits your itinerary and you will most likely have a great cruise.

[Susieq0102]

I've been on all three multiple times. :)

 

I'd be more worried about getting Noro from touching a supermarket cart than I would on any of these three ships. It's the people who spread the virus.

 

Newer? I never, ever worry about what ship has the latest, greatest or newest. They are all constantly updated and every three years or so go into dry dock for maintenance. The Island has had the most extensive and recent remodels. I'm booked on her in November for the itinerary, not because of the renovations.

 

Dining room menus are the same on all three ships whether you choose Traditional or Anytime. Same menus. Chefs are obviously different and can make a difference when it comes to preparation and presentation. Again, I don't pay any attention to possible differences since I can always ask for modifications or even something different.

 

Each of the three ships has pluses. The Star has Skywalker's which is great for scenic viewing when you want to stay warm. The Coral has the fewest passengers (a lot fewer than the Star) and thus usually a better cruise experience. She also has forward and aft open decks for scenic viewing. The Island had cabins added to her aft so she doesn't have the same open decks aft for scenic viewing but she does have forward decks.

 

Me? I'd book based on itinerary, available dates and pricing.

 

Pam, my DH and I are going on our first cruise in September (vow renewal after 43 years of marriage). Please tell me the three main dining rooms for traditional dining. You have so much knowledge about cruising that I know your answer will be correct. Thanks for your contributions especially to us newbies. :):):):)