2good2b Posted February 18, 2009 #1 Share Posted February 18, 2009 We are booked on the Coral Princess for the Sept 24th Panama Canal 15 night cruise out of LA. I found out today that we can book the Sea Princess cruise on Sept 25th out of San Francisco on the Sea Princess for about $800 cheaper....both Balcony Caribe. I know the SF cruise does not do the Cabo port but other than that the itinerary is basically the same. We have never cruised on either of these ships and I'm having a really hard time trying to decide if we should switch or stay booked on the Coral. Can anyone tell me if one ship is better than the other? Seems like I read lots of posts about Coral but not many about Sea. Help, can't decide.:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanJ Posted February 18, 2009 #2 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I haven't been on either ship, but I would prefer to go on the Coral. Bigger ship with more amenities with similar amount of passengers, and I've heard the cabins on the Sea (and sisters) are generally smaller. But still, $800 is $800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Cruiser Posted February 18, 2009 #3 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Sea Princess is a nice ship but do you realise that they do not have the larger balconies on Caribe deck that some of the other Princess ships have? If this was one of the reasons you booked Caribe deck on Coral, then you should take this into consideration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamomo Posted February 18, 2009 #4 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I have sailed on both the Coral and the Sea, and for me, the Coral wins hands down. The Coral is a lovely ship, and the Caribe balconies are much nicer. They are about 9 feet deep, from the wall of the ship to the railing. They are half covered, so there is some protection from the weather as well as having plenty of room near the railing if you want to sunbathe. The balconies on the Sea are cut from the hull and are not nearly as deep. They are completely covered. What I said above does not imply that the Sea is not also a beautiful ship. I would certainly sail on her again if there was an itinerary I wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodofpine Posted February 18, 2009 #5 Share Posted February 18, 2009 The above posters covered much of it. I've not been on Sea P but she is a Sun Class ship and I'm very fond of these ships. This class of ship is not considered 'large' these days as some point to - but in 1995 when Sun Princess was launched she was the world's largest cruise ship (for a few months). The balconies are 'cut from the hull' so they are definately smaller, but the balconies do not look down on tiers of other verandas - its a straight drop to the water which is visually cool, shiplike. The Sun class has some particularly nice smaller rooms; the library looks out onto a very nice traditional promenade for instance. These ships do NOT however have a retractable covered pool, current lap pool and some of the other featurea of the real BIG ships (although it has several fresh water 24/7 pools like most Princess ships). Its a size thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyJon Posted February 18, 2009 #6 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Can someone who has been on Grand, tell me if the balconies are tiered down, or are they all in line with the ships side. Also where would the largest balconies be. JoyJon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nschurr Posted February 18, 2009 #7 Share Posted February 18, 2009 tiered - caribe deck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr green Posted February 18, 2009 #8 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I have been on both, and, I much prefer Coral, although I have nothing against Sea Princess, other than the casino is anly half the size than it once was. This is because she was with P&O for a few years, and it seems that the 'Brits' [of which I am one], do not gamble much, [i find this very hard to believe!]. Speaking of Brits, we/they still favour this ship, so you may have 'bangers, mash and baked beans' for breakfast.:) One final thing with Brits, they tend to dress up a little more on fomal nights, and, I am ashamed to say but since I have been away from the old country for so long, that I could not even understand half of them, although they were great fun. That being said I would go Coral, [my favourate ship], from what you have written, but, I would like more details, before I decided. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindep Posted February 18, 2009 #9 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Been on both ... for a long voyage like that the Coral hands down. The rooms feel smaller (and darker) on the Sea Princess and the balcony is very enclosed which is great for cold weather, but not so good for a tropic itinerary. You have a lot more dining choices on the Coral as well as a fabulous spa. I'd vote to keep the reservation on the Coral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted February 18, 2009 #10 Share Posted February 18, 2009 2 totally different ships, I too would choose the Coral hands down. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gertz Posted February 18, 2009 #11 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Agree with most posters on the Coral. However mini suits on Sea are larger 2 room configurations with much larger balcony. Its been a while but they might still have a sit down pizza restaurant. But---same itinerary probably still go with Coral, great ship.:cool: Jack for the Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted February 18, 2009 #12 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Agree with most posters on the Coral. However mini suits on Sea are larger 2 room configurations with much larger balcony. There not really minis, they are equal to a suite on Grand Class ships. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pretenda Posted February 18, 2009 #13 Share Posted February 18, 2009 We have sailed both and our opinion like most others on CC - is stick with Coral. It is a wonderful atmosphere on Coral with more amenities than the Sea. The balcony cabins measure 178sq feet including balcony which is not as large as Coral balcony cabins. In fact they are quite small and I wouldn't cope in one these days for more than a week long cruise.:) That said - we are booked on the Sea for 2 weeks next February - Caribbean. We are from the UK and sailed on this ship when she was with PandO (Adonia). As Mr Green says - the casino is smaller (boo) and I have to agree when he says Carnival's perception is that Brits don't gamble as much - since when!!!:) Glenda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainron Posted February 19, 2009 #14 Share Posted February 19, 2009 CORAL!!! CORAL!!! CORAL!!! CORAL!!! OK I think I've seriously made my point here and as per previous posters for all the positive things Coral has to offer. Ciao for now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauline wales Posted February 19, 2009 #15 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Please dont tell me I will be disappointed with the Sea Princess. First time in the Caribbean and very excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Cruiser Posted February 19, 2009 #16 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Please dont tell me I will be disappointed with the Sea Princess. First time in the Caribbean and very excited. Don't worry you will love it on Sea Princess - any Princess ship is a good ship. It is geared more to UK tastes in food and entertainment and the majority of the passengers will be from the UK. If you are going from Barbados, it is so easy - the plane lands, you go down the steps onto the tarmac and straight onto coaches to take you to the ship - immigration is done there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauline wales Posted February 19, 2009 #17 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Relief,feeling better now. We are sailing from Montego Bay , any info appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Cruiser Posted February 19, 2009 #18 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Relief,feeling better now. We are sailing from Montego Bay , any info appreciated. Not sure if you will get the same immigration arrangements from MB as they do in Barbados but I am sure there is someone on these boards who can let you know. We were on Sea Princess last April on her transatlantic crossing from Barbados into Southampton and we had a great time. Although the other Princess ships we have been on have been the larger ones, Sea Princess is plenty big enough and there is loads to do on it. We have just booked her sister ship, Dawn Princess, for a leg of her world cruise from Southampton down to Dubai at the end of August and we are really looking forward to it. Never done more than 14 days on a cruise before, so 26 days will be an experience. Have decided we will have to go easy on the food though and try not to visit the dining room every evening. They will have to roll us off in Dubai if we eat as we usually do:eek: If you have any questions, just ask:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sailorbhoy Posted February 19, 2009 #19 Share Posted February 19, 2009 We are just off the Se Princess, having flown First Choice from Edinburgh (late swap for Thomsonfly plane) and sailed from Montego Bay. Immigration at MB is very easy: Fill in a form en route, hand it to an immigration officer when you step off the plane, then walk right to the waiting mini bus. 30 minutes after the flight lands, you are at cruise terminal, and luggage - which you have not seen since check-in at home airport - is delivered direct to your stateroom. The Sea Princess is a lovely ship and in reasonable condition for her age. Food was even better than when we sailed on her two years ago, but entertainment is even worse - which I thought would be impossible! The number of ports you visit makes this less important than it might be otherwise. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauline wales Posted February 19, 2009 #20 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Any more info would be appreciated. e.g. Price of drinks, going ashore, d.i.y. trips etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamomo Posted February 19, 2009 #21 Share Posted February 19, 2009 We did a 14 day cruise on the Sea a couple of years ago, and had no complaints about the ship, the food, or the service. I'd defintely sail on her again, even with smaller balconies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr green Posted February 19, 2009 #22 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Any more info would be appreciated. e.g. Price of drinks, going ashore, d.i.y. trips etc. In M Bay, if you have the chance, go rafting on what they call 'The GRAND River'. I believe that to be the name. It is not what it seems, the 'river' is all of four feet deep, at is deepest, and a guide punts two to three persons down it, pointing out the natural beauty, it takes a ggod hour. Much has been written about Jamaica, I will just say that, we found the people friendly, and had no problems. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sailorbhoy Posted February 19, 2009 #23 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Any more info would be appreciated. e.g. Price of drinks, going ashore, d.i.y. trips etc. Drinks are reasonably priced, considering you can't exactly go 'next door'. Wine in the dining room starts at around $24 for a reasonable Merlot. A Jack Daniels will set you back $5.75, a cocktail around $6.75 (my favourite was a mango daquiri on the rocks), a Coke $1.95, beers around $3.50. If you like coffee, the stuff served in places like the Horizon Court is pretty poor, so it is worth buying a coffee card for $24 which entitles you to 15 speciality coffess (latte, etc) at places like Explorers Bar. Remember, there is a 15 percent service charge on top of all these prices which can add up over the course of your cruise. We were in a balcony cabin on Baja, and it was nice with enough roomin the cabin and outside. If you have a balcony, the best deal available is the champagne breakfast which gives you a half bottle of reasonable fizz,and enough food to last you through most of the day. That costs $32, but is worth every cent. We tried Sterling's Steakhouse which has a cover charge of $15 each. The food and service was very good, but try to book for one of the nights where they serve Under the Stars as the tables are placed out on deck overlooking MUTS. The other nights they just cordon off part of the Horizon Court. We did very few Princess excursions because the cost is so prohibitive, and in most of the ports you can do your own thing quite easily and safely. For eg, whale watching in Dominican Republic with Princess was $69, independently it cost $43. A lot of Princess excursions were cancelled due to lack of numbers as people tighten their money belts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2good2b Posted February 20, 2009 Author #24 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Thanks to everyone that gave info on Sea vs Coral. Looks like we will stick to Coral. It's our 40th anniversary cruise and we don't want to regret a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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