Coral Princess vs Norwegian Jade

[dmwnc1959]

I’m wondering if there’s anyone out there that’s actually cruised on both ships. Or, if you do know anything (or a lot) about both of them, which do you prefer for dining, entertainment, public spaces, and amenities. 
 

Torn between two Panama Canal cruises, and having a very difficult time choosing. The door-to-door costs are pretty much going to be exactly the same for both. The killer part is one of them is a 16-night SF-FLL (Jan.20th - Feb.5th), and the other is a 25-night Tampa-Whittier (Apr.3rd - Apr.28th). And as a side note for the latter cruise dates, April is considered the hottest month for the Panama Canal, whereas late-April is really before Alaska season officially starts and things may be closed.

 

I really love Coral Princess for the wrap-around promenade deck (with those gorgeous padded steamer chairs), the multiple observation decks forward and aft for viewing while going through the Panama Canal, the elegant ambience, and her size. One thing I don’t like about her is a severe lack of casual dining options. 

 

Norwegian Jade is the same size, has considerably more dining options of a greater variety, a wraparound promenade deck (unfortunately with no chairs), and a brighter vibe. 
 

I’ve got booking deposits on both of them for an interior cabin.
 

Was hoping to get some input from Princess Cruise fans, all things considered, which one would you choose? Here are the itineraries: the first one is for Coral Princess, the second one is for Norwegian Jade. 
 

 

Edited February 12 by dmwnc1959

[SCX22]

The Coral will use the old locks.  The old locks are more interesting than the new locks.  Not sure which locks the Jade will use.  Also, Panama City is more interesting than Colon, which is a free trade zone with nothing to really to do but shop duty free.  Princess has cancelled Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador due to government unrest for the past few years.  Don't be surprised if Princess, down the road, nixes Puerto Quetzal from the itinerary.  April and Alaska don't mix.  It's still too cold because the ice has only begun to melt and most of the seasonal workers haven't arrived yet so many of the touristy things are still closed.

[cr8tiv1]

Looks like the Coral will have a lot more sea days (you either are happy or sad).  I doubt the Jade is a Panamax ship and therefore would choose the historic locks over the new locks (boring).

 

Yes, it is slightly early for Alaska.  Do take into consideration that flying home from Whittier (aka Anchorage) will be inconvenient and could be expensive.

[dmwnc1959]

6 hours ago, SCX22 said:

The Coral will use the old locks.  The old locks are more interesting than the new locks.  Not sure which locks the Jade will use.  Also, Panama City is more interesting than Colon, which is a free trade zone with nothing to really to do but shop duty free.  Princess has cancelled Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador due to government unrest for the past few years.  Don't be surprised if Princess, down the road, nixes Puerto Quetzal from the itinerary.  April and Alaska don't mix.  It's still too cold because the ice has only begun to melt and most of the seasonal workers haven't arrived yet so many of the touristy things are still closed.

Norwegian Jade will use the old locks as well. From Colon or Fuerte Amador I’d planned on doing the small boat excursion into the locks, which is offered by both cruise lines from either port, and shopping is definitely my least preferred hobby lol. 
 

As for the countries in Central America, I had pretty much already decided to remain onboard to relax and enjoy an ‘empty ship’. The very long bus ride, sometimes an hour to an hour and a half long each way, just wasn’t appealing especially in this age of Covid. And I really don’t mind staying on the ship.
 

It really is a shame about arriving into the Alaskan ports so early in the season. That’s pretty much a smaller downside for me than as April being the hottest month in the Panama Canal.

 

Any insight on which you would prefer when comparing the ships on board venues and amenities? 
 

😁

Edited February 12 by dmwnc1959

[dmwnc1959]

6 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Looks like the Coral will have a lot more sea days (you either are happy or sad).  I doubt the Jade is a Panamax ship and therefore would choose the historic locks over the new locks (boring).

 

Yes, it is slightly early for Alaska.  Do take into consideration that flying home from Whittier (aka Anchorage) will be inconvenient and could be expensive.

I think very much that I would love all of the sea days! It would definitely give me a chance to enjoy those wide-open promenade decks and those padded steamer chairs. 
 

Norwegian Jade is also Panamax so will transit the old locks. 

 

I did already check some late April flights (albeit they were for 2024 schedules) from Anchorage back to Pittsburgh, and I’m OK with those.

 

I’m definitely not a ‘foodie’, but was curious if you have sailed on Coral Princess for a long cruise i.e. 16 days or longer and did not get bored with the limited casual dining options. Not really an MDR person.

 

[Treasure Hunter]

April is way too early for Alaska. Princess usually has a better CD staff with more fun and games on sea days. I gather that you are not a casino person. Try the MDR. Princess is more casual than it ever was and you’d get your variety there.

[dmwnc1959]

7 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

April is way too early for Alaska. Princess usually has a better CD staff with more fun and games on sea days. I gather that you are not a casino person. Try the MDR. Princess is more casual than it ever was and you’d get your variety there.

Not really a casino person, and of my last bunch of cruises I really never set foot in the dining room other than to take pictures. That’s what I sort of like about the Norwegian Jade, having so many complementary and specialty dining options that weren’t the main dining room. I’m guessing with a lot fewer casual dining options on Coral Princess that would necessitate eating in the MDR, I’m just a quick eater from my time in the US Navy and sitting down for an hour is something I would have to conform to. And I’m definitely casual (but not sloppy). 😁

[ChattTenn]

21 minutes ago, dmwnc1959 said:

Norwegian Jade will use the old locks as well. From Colon or Fuerte Amador I’d planned on doing the small boat excursion into the locks, which is offered by both cruise lines from either port, and shopping is definitely my least preferred hobby lol. 
 

😁

We had been on both ships and had been through the canal (Pacific - Atlantic) but not on them.  As either ships would go THROUGH the canal and you would get experience to see how the locks operate from the comfort of your ship(s) which costs nothing.

We did a small boat excursion into the lock, it was nice to touch the canal wall etc but one thing to remember the cruise ship pays PRIORITY to go through but not the small boat tour it must tag a long with another big ship to go through canal the waiting time can be a few minutes or longer.

[roomba920]

I traveled on the Jade around the Greek Islands in 2022. She's a nice ship, but I'm partial to Princess.

 

[Treasure Hunter]

We have been to Alaska with both Princess and NCL. With NCL on the Pearl which is a sister ship of the Jade. There is no comparison. Princess does Alaska way better. NCL cuts short the time in port. Princess has a naturalist on board. Princess is known for Alaska. If the cruises were reversed, I might feel differently. We sale NCL a lot but mostly in the Caribbean. And Princess has the best pizza at sea.

[ChattTenn]

4 minutes ago, roomba920 said:

I traveled on the Jade around the Greek Islands in 2022. She's a nice ship, but I'm partial to Princess.

 

We are partial with Princess too and Princess does have ANYTIME dining for those who does not want the lock in time.

Edited February 12 by ChattTenn

[Treasure Hunter]

When you go to the MDR, just tell them you have a time crunch and order your appetizer and main at the same time. Go for ice cream after the show.

[roomba920]

17 minutes ago, ChattTenn said:

We are partial with Princess too and Princess does have ANYTIME dining for those who does not want the lock in time.

True, however NCL wrote the book on anytime dining. While I liked the Jade and her crew, I can't say the same about NCL itself. They reversed the order of our itinerary, and didn't tell us until we were checked in and onboard. They also dropped a port, and changed the hours we were in each port. I much more prefer Princess.

Edited February 12 by roomba920

[dmwnc1959]

17 minutes ago, ChattTenn said:

We are partial with Princess too and Princess does have ANYTIME dining for those who does not want the lock in time.

I’m definitely an early eater, at home I’m usually sitting down for dinner by 5pm. I’ll have to check to see what the earliest ATD slots are. 

[dmwnc1959]

24 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

We have been to Alaska with both Princess and NCL. With NCL on the Pearl which is a sister ship of the Jade. There is no comparison. Princess does Alaska way better. NCL cuts short the time in port. Princess has a naturalist on board. Princess is known for Alaska. If the cruises were reversed, I might feel differently. We sale NCL a lot but mostly in the Caribbean. And Princess has the best pizza at sea.

That’s one thing that I really like about Coral Princess are the forward and aft ‘secret’ observation decks, which would allow some degree of solitude while cruising the Inside Passage. That’s exactly why I booked my cabin aft on Coral Princess so that I can access those decks early in the morning no matter where we are at. Norwegian Jade only has glassed-in top decks, but they do open the bow for the Panama Canal. Both have a wrap-around promenade deck, but Coral Princess takes home the winning prize on hers. 

[dmwnc1959]

31 minutes ago, ChattTenn said:

We had been on both ships and had been through the canal (Pacific - Atlantic) but not on them.  As either ships would go THROUGH the canal and you would get experience to see how the locks operate from the comfort of your ship(s) which costs nothing.

We did a small boat excursion into the lock, it was nice to touch the canal wall etc but one thing to remember the cruise ship pays PRIORITY to go through but not the small boat tour it must tag a long with another big ship to go through canal the waiting time can be a few minutes or longer.

I’ve been watching the live Panama Canal WebCams for years, but only recently to observe the small boat short excursions that go from Gamboa or Fuerte Amador. And you are correct that the small boats always tag-along with a much larger ship going through the lock, but I think that would be a lot of fun! 

[Treasure Hunter]

Any chance of a Princess ship late May or June to Alaska? We did the Island Princess when new for the Panama canal and it was a wonderful trip. We took the small boat excursion through the locks ( you go by bus one way and meet the ship in a big lake. Fascinating . We live in NY and sail NCL all winter to the Caribbean. They have great private islands.

[dmwnc1959]

21 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Any chance of a Princess ship late May or June to Alaska? We did the Island Princess when new for the Panama canal and it was a wonderful trip. We took the small boat excursion through the locks ( you go by bus one way and meet the ship in a big lake. Fascinating . We live in NY and sail NCL all winter to the Caribbean. They have great private islands.

The main reason for this trip (which will more than likely be my last cruise ever) was to cross off a Bucket List item and do a full transit of the Panama Canal. I had already booked Coral Princess, but about a month later found the one on Norwegian Jade and made a deposit on it while weighing the pros and cons of each. That’s when visiting Alaska again came into play. I have been there five times on three of the cruise lines, but sort of wanted to see it again since I’m pushing 65 and not getting any younger, and this cruise sort of kills two birds with one stone. 😉

 

😁

Edited February 12 by dmwnc1959

[Treasure Hunter]

Ok. Go with your gut. And you are a spring chicken at 65. We are 79 and 76 and have five future cruises booked. I’m going even when they wheel me on board. I gamble on sea days, they discount my cabin ( it comes out even). My Dad was a Navy man ( WW 2 on a destroyer escort The USS Day ) in the Pacific. Maybe that’s why I love the water. 

[dmwnc1959]

5 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Ok. Go with your gut. And you are a spring chicken at 65. We are 79 and 76 and have five future cruises booked. I’m going even when they wheel me on board. I gamble on sea days, they discount my cabin ( it comes out even). My Dad was a Navy man ( WW 2 on a destroyer escort The USS Day ) in the Pacific. Maybe that’s why I love the water. 

When I was a kid I saw a Sea Classics magazine at the drugstore with Titanic on the cover. It was all over at that point. Joined the Navy, spent 10 years at sea on the bridge of ships (with two years of shore duty in Europe), and absolutely LOVE being on the ocean with nothing around for 100’s of miles. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world. Just can never get enough sea days. 
 

Unfortunately, recent health issues have been thinking I’m not going to make it to 75. So I’m going jump on this one last cruise, maybe knock off a couple of Bucket List land trips here in the US, and see what else my health has in store for me. 

 

I think the one advantage of having a lot fewer casual dining options on Coral Princes is that I won’t get fatter - not going to starve to death either lol. 

[Treasure Hunter]

Good luck. Have Hope. You’ll have a great time either cruise. I too love looking at the ocean. The long flight home from Alaska would decide it for me. 

[Ken the cruiser]

10 hours ago, dmwnc1959 said:

I’m wondering if there’s anyone out there that’s actually cruised on both ships. Or, if you do know anything (or a lot) about both of them, which do you prefer for dining, entertainment, public spaces, and amenities. 
 

Torn between two Panama Canal cruises, and having a very difficult time choosing. The door-to-door costs are pretty much going to be exactly the same for both. The killer part is one of them is a 16-night SF-FLL (Jan.20th - Feb.5th), and the other is a 25-night Tampa-Whittier (Apr.3rd - Apr.28th). And as a side note for the latter cruise dates, April is considered the hottest month for the Panama Canal, whereas late-April is really before Alaska season officially starts and things may be closed.

 

I really love Coral Princess for the wrap-around promenade deck (with those gorgeous padded steamer chairs), the multiple observation decks forward and aft for viewing while going through the Panama Canal, the elegant ambience, and her size. One thing I don’t like about her is a severe lack of casual dining options. 

 

Norwegian Jade is the same size, has considerably more dining options of a greater variety, a wraparound promenade deck (unfortunately with no chairs), and a brighter vibe. 
 

I’ve got booking deposits on both of them for an interior cabin.
 

Was hoping to get some input from Princess Cruise fans, all things considered, which one would you choose? Here are the itineraries: the first one is for Coral Princess, the second one is for Norwegian Jade. 
 

 

For us, as we were on the Jade for 38 days back in the Fall of 2022 (see Live From thread below) and the Island (very similar to the Coral) in Jan 2020 for 25 days, the extra 9 days and all of the extra port stops for the same price, NCL would get the nod hands down.

 

We would also book the NCL cruise with the FAS option, but only pay the gratuities for the 2 free specialty restaurants when we booked the cruise but not for the beverage package, as it only includes alcoholic beverages, as we really don’t drink that much alcohol daily to warrant paying $21 pp/day in gratuities for that option.

 

Also remember if you choose NCL, the sooner you stop trying to compare it to things you take for granted on a PCL cruise, the happier you will be. I could tell you why, if you really want to know, but I’ll stop here.
 

BTW we’re getting ready to go on an Alaska cruise on the Grand Princess starting April 30th we are not worried in the slightest that there won’t be anything open on our Alaska stops.

 

As far as cruising through the Panama Canal in April, we did that in April 2022, and the weather and temperatures were just fine.

 

Anyway, that’s my 2 cents. 😁

[dmwnc1959]

8 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Also remember if you choose NCL, the sooner you stop trying to compare it to things you take for granted on a PCL cruise, the happier you will be. I could tell you why, if you really want to know, but I’ll stop here.

Please, by all means, do expand on this. And don’t pull any punches. It’s exactly why I posted this. 😎 I’m not dedicated or loyal to any particular cruise line. Either is fine, I just want get the most bang for the buck without sacrificing the most important aspect of the trip, which for me is the full-transit of the Panama Canal.

[dmwnc1959]

18 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

For us, as we were on the Jade for 38 days back in the Fall of 2022 (see Live From thread below)…

If you can please link your live thread. Yes, I’m lazy and don’t want to go searching for it lol. 😁

[Ken the cruiser]

11 minutes ago, dmwnc1959 said:

If you can please link your live thread. Yes, I’m lazy and don’t want to go searching for it lol. 😁

May I suggest to speed your reviewing time, start with just looking at the pictures. 😁