Anyone sailed Coral/Island AND Ryndam/Statendam?

[lmt1022]

We are planning an Alaskan southbound cruise and have narrowed our choices down to either Princess or HAL. I have sailed HAL twice, but never the Ryndam or the Statendam nor any Princess ships.

 

Any thoughts from folks that have sailed either the Coral or Island AND the Ryndam and Statendam?

 

Which would you choose if the itineraries were very similiar (Princess seems a little better - however, it leaves out of Whittier, and I was hoping to leave out of Seward).

Which has better food, rooms (we are looking at mini-suite or suite)? Is there a concierge lounge or suite perks on Princess. Different ages? (We are in our early 40's).

Any differences between the two? Anything would be helpful for me to make a choice... even whether you can order hot breakfast (oatmeal and eggs)?

 

Thank you!

Lynda

[Ms. Alpha]

Although we haven't been on the Island yet, I can say that the Ryndam has a sitting area with a small couch as well as a bathtub in the bathroom in regular cabins. The Island does not have a couch in its outside/veranda cabins and has a shower only. If you are looking at mini's you will get the extra seating area and bathtub on the Island.

 

Island/Dawn are a bit larger than Ryndam/Statendam.

 

Others who have actually sailed on both may have more to offer.

[west coast cruiser]

Although we haven't been on the Island yet, I can say that the Ryndam has a sitting area with a small couch as well as a bathtub in the bathroom in regular cabins. The Island does not have a couch in its outside/veranda cabins and has a shower only. If you are looking at mini's you will get the extra seating area and bathtub on the Island.

 

Island/Dawn are a bit larger than Ryndam/Statendam.

 

Others who have actually sailed on both may have more to offer.

 

I have been on all three ships. Although I have become a pretty loyal Princess cruiser, I miss the larger cabins on HAL. That sitting room area in a regular cabin is a very nice feature. They Ryndam and Statendam are sister ships as are the Island and the Coral.

WCC

[Bookmarker]

I haven't yet sailed on the Coral...we are doing this in December through the Panama Canal.

 

We did sail on the Statendam for my mom's BIG trip to Alaska. We were in what is considered a mini-suite by Princess on the same deck as the full suites. I know there is a concierge lounge for suite passengers to use that is stocked daily with treats and a person to make reservations for dinner in the Pinnacle Grill (specialty restaurant). I am not much younger than you and I felt like I was one of the youngest passengers onboard...this was definitely the case during our land tour. Even my mom commented on how 'old' everyone was and she is the same age but she doesn't consider herself to be that age. :rolleyes:

 

I did the self-guided art tour by downloading the info to my Ipod before we left and I really enjoyed walking around the ship listening to the tour and exploring all of the different art works. We missed the scheduled galley tour which my mom wanted to do but didn't tell me until after the fact. I asked very nicely at the purser's desk and we received a personalized tour for just the two of of us by the Officer in charge of the galley. My mom was thrilled and very impressed by the time the staff took to explain the workings behind the scenes in order to prepare so many many meals for all of the passengers everyday.

 

I found it extremely difficult to find things to do during the sea days onboard as there weren't a lot of activities to choose from that were extremely interesting. I'm not really into the casino and gambling and the spa services were extremely overpriced for the the time and the service.

 

They have a cooking class that you have to pay to take but it is very limited hands on by only a few participants...many watch this experience on a big screen television and they have paid the same fee as those actually up on stage preparing the meal/snack....very disappointing.

 

I played a LOT of bingo simply to have something entertaining (because the staff were hysterical - it was like attending a comedy show with bingo) to do during the day on sea days. There were a few planned activities such as a scavenger hunt, moose droppings (throwing stuffed moose from the central staircase into life preservers below), make your own moose (like build a bear but with a much higher charge) and boat racing at the pool one day. You earn tickets at these activities to be redeemed for Holland merchandise (hats, tshirts, etc.) on the last sea day. This is one of the things I am looking forward to with Princess...they seem to have/plan a lot more activities for passengers to participate in while onboard. :)

 

We had no trouble ordering hot things from room service for breakfast to enjoy on our balcony in the morning. I am more a bagel and fruit while my mom prefers eggs/omelets with all the trimmings. She was thrilled to be able to have lox for breakfast several mornings as this was a real treat. We even ordered French onion soup and sandwiches while we enjoyed Glacier Bay from our balcony.

 

Hope this helps you in your planning.

[lovevacadays]

I havent been on the particular Princess ships you mentioned but have been on the Statendam. I love to cruise and not too picky but would never sail that class of HAL ships again. There were many older folks (no offense) not much entertainment, not much activities, kind of dark atmosphere. I much prefer Princess' ships over, at least, that class of HAL ships.

[teachermandoug]

I have been on all three. At the suite level too. HAL provides access to the Neptune

Lounge for suite guests. Princess doesn't have one. There are more ammenities on

HAL for suite guests that Princess. However the actual suite on Princess is far

superior to HAL. Coral and Island are much newer ships however they are also the

longest in Princess fleet. Takes quite some time to get from forward to aft.

When travelling again, if I could take HAL because of the suite comps, I would.

But you would be slumming it by taking Princess either. Good luck.

[grandmato4]

The Coral Princess is our absolute favorite ship so for us it wouldn't matter where she was sailing she would always be our first choice.:) We loved everything about her. :)

[Happy2Cruise4Fun]

Did the Coral in June. Aside from not having MUTS and some of the new features the Island has received we would sail this ship again.

[mr green]

Have been on Coral, and Statendam, and, while Statendam is nice, to me its a no brainer, if the itineraries are similar, go Coral! Most persons who have sailed Coral say the same as I do. 'She is a happy ship'.

 

john

[spunkie4]

I have never sailed on HAL. I have, however, sailed on the Coral twice. Most recent was May 2009 for Alaska cruise, followed by landtour.

 

We have sailed to Alaska three times, all on Princess. Never had a complaint.

 

The Coral is a beautiful ship. Crew is great.

[lmt1022]

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Right now I am leaning toward Coral Princess - the only reason I am still debating is because I really want to see Seward (Kenai Fjords tours, Exit Glacier, etc.Wildlife Conservation Center, etc) I know I could go to Seward AND then embark out of Whittier, but it would require backtracking.

 

Our plan at this point is to:

Fly into Anchorage - Rent a car and spend the night

Drive to Denali - spend two nights

Drive back to Anchorage

From here I am undecided...

If I cruise Princess - how do I get to Seward. I could just keep the car, but I was hoping to take the train from Anchorage to Seward as I have read that it is a little more scenic than the drive). Therefore, I would have to get some type of transport back to Whittier from Seward.

If I cruise HAL - I can return the rental in Anchorage and then just take the train to Seward and then leave spend 2 nights in Seward before embarking.

 

Should I just skip Seward? Should I do a rountrip train back to Anchorage?

 

Any ideas or tips would be appreciated

[BPCruiser]

We have sailed to Alaska Southbound on the Coral Princess after doing the land tour, our very 1st cruise and she was new and beautiful!! A great experience in every way. Had a Balcony cabin on the Caribe deck which was great for the glacier viewing. The balcony cabins on the Caribe deck are the largest ( 1/2 covered,1/2 uncovered).

Also sailed on the sister ship, the Island Princess to Hawaii. Same ship design but the crew and atmosphere on the Coral was our favorite. You will not be disappointed in her.

 

Good Luck with your choice and have a great trip!!:)

[mikjr]

We are planning an Alaskan southbound cruise and have narrowed our choices down to either Princess or HAL. I have sailed HAL twice, but never the Ryndam or the Statendam nor any Princess ships.

 

Any thoughts from folks that have sailed either the Coral or Island AND the Ryndam and Statendam?

 

We've sailed on both the Island Princess (15 days) and the Statendam (30 days).

 

Although I feel both ships are very different in "mood", we had a great time on both.

 

We cruised the Island Princess to Hawaii. It was more upbeat and had a wonderful cruise director and staff. It was great fun.

 

On the other hand... the Statendam was more subdued. Maybe because it was a 30 day cruise, and the average age was over 70! Many times on the Statendam, my wife and I were the only couple in the Disco!! But there was an element of class that was not on the Island Princess.

 

We loved the layout of both ships. Both seemed comparable in food and entertainment.

 

We would cruise either in a heartbeat!!

 

I hate to throw a monkey wrench in the mix, but have you considered Celebrity?? Also another favorite!

[lmt1022]

I haven't looked at Celebrity... would you recommend them over HAL or Princess?

 

Thanks!

[kermode]

You might want to consider using Renee of PJs Taxi to get from Seward to Whittier. We just took an Island Princess cruise in June to Whittier and had Renee pick us up and drive us to Seward. Highly recommend Princess, PJs Taxi and Seward. To us, it was definitely worth the added expense to get to see Seward and Kenai Fjords. If you're interested, you can read my review on the Alaska message board or the Princess board titled: First-time cruiser review Island Princess (+ Seattle and Seward).

 

Good luck with your decision! :)

[lmt1022]

You might want to consider using Renee of PJs Taxi to get from Seward to Whittier. We just took an Island Princess cruise in June to Whittier and had Renee pick us up and drive us to Seward. Highly recommend Princess, PJs Taxi and Seward. To us, it was definitely worth the added expense to get to see Seward and Kenai Fjords. If you're interested, you can read my review on the Alaska message board or the Princess board titled: First-time cruiser review Island Princess (+ Seattle and Seward).

 

 

Thanks for the information - I have read about PJ's - she seems to get alot of positive reviews. I will look into having this service.