Coral Princess Cruise Ship

Passenger reviews

The 192 mini-suites (285-302 square feet with balcony, 300 square feet
without) have a queen-size bed and sitting area with sofa bed. There are two televisions - one facing the bed, the other the sitting area -- waffle-weave robes for use during the cruise, a mini-fridge with ice replenished daily, a roomy closet with a safe, a hair dryer at the dressing table, and a bathroom with lots of little glass shelves and a shower in the full tub. Don't expect total privacy on your balcony; passengers on Deck 10 balconies can look straight down onto those on Deck 9.

The Coral Princess has 16 suites, measuring 470 square feet with balcony. These have walk-in closets, bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and a wet bar, in addition to the other features found in the lower categories.

There are 20 wheelchair-accessible cabins measuring 217 to 374 square feet. Sixteen have ocean views, four do not.

General notes: Room stewards knocked on the door several times when the do-not-disturb sign was out (several other passengers mentioned the same occurrence). Passengers' names were posted outside each cabin under the mailbox. Fruit baskets are replenished only on demand by filling out the "fruit menu." The so-so bath amenities are being upgraded with the Lotus Spa brand.

Dining

The highlights are the two optional eateries - the Sabatini's
Trattoria and the new Bayou Cafe. The former is an Italian eatery with
tables and bench seating The food is antipasti, such as artichokes,
olives, peppers and marinated shrimp; three kinds of pizzas; three kinds of pasta; caesar salad, seafood, and steak. Reservations are recommended, and there's a $15 cover charge.

The Bayou Cafe is cajun and creole food. Entrees include chicken and chorizo jambalaya, cornmeal fried catfish, or a red pepper butter broiled lobster (an extra $6). Meals are accompanied by dirty rice, fried green tomatoes, slaw and warm Johnny cakes and cheese-topped biscuits. Desserts include sweet potato pie, friend yellow peach pie, buttermilk bread pudding and banana whiskey pound cake with a honey orange glaze. The $10 cover charge includes a Hurricane in the signature wavy glass (although you can ask for a substitute drink). Reservations are recommended. The restaurant has an adjacent lounge where jazz fans would gather after dinner.

Princess has Personal Choice Dining in which you can select to be seated in the Provence restaurant if you like traditional seating with the same waiter and table every night at 6:15 and 8:30pm, or the Bordeaux, to dine when and with whom you choose between 5:30 and 10pm. In addition, food is available buffet or bistro style in the Horizon Court. There's a pizzeria and grill near the pool on Lido Deck 14. The Patisserie on Deck 5 in the atrium is a spot to relax at bistro tables or on a couch; there's a charge for fancy coffees but pastries and cookies are free. The Hagen-Dazs ice cream bar on Deck 14 charges for its treats ($4 for a sundae).

There's a guide in the staterooms that lists restaurant and bar hours and other pertinent dining info.




Entertainment

Entertainment mixes with enrichment and education on the Coral Princess, the first of the fleet to offer the Scholarship@Sea program. Always had a hankering to throw some clay around? Join the Intro to Pottery class ($40 include materials). Pick up some culinary tips from famous cooks, such as the Too Hot Tamales or the ship's own head chef. Want to learn about MS Word or Excel ($20), travel photography (free), or the inner workings of Scotland Yard (also no cost)? It's all here.

Much of the program is centered on the first seagoing pottery kiln and the high-tech Universe Lounge. The kiln is used to fire ceramics painted by passengers (cost varies) while the Universe Lounge features a full kitchen set just like ones used by TV chefs. There are even overhead cameras so you can look into a simmering pot of sauce.

Of course, splashy revues are still part of the entertainment lineup. The
Coral Princess debuted "Curtain Up!" featuring Andrew Lloyd Weber music and "Tribute" with popular music from the Rat Pack to Madonna. Most nights, there are two big shows in the Universe Lounge and the Princess Theater.

The Coral Princess also features a half-dozen other performances a night, from the resident crooner in Crooners, the lively jazz combo in the Bayou Cafe, and several other danceable bands and disc jockeys.

Fitness & Recreation

The Lotus Spa includes the a pool with a swim-against-the-current lane The 13,000-square-foot spa is divided into a serene, quiet area and a more active fitness area.

Asian-themed spa treatments include the Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow body rub and a Japanese Silk Facial. It's always best to schedule appointments as early in the cruise as possible, services book up quickly.

The fitness center includes a well-equipped gym with Lifecycles, step
machines, treadmills, weight-training equipment and free weights. Fitness classes are offered but some charge a fee, such as yoga, pulse cycling, kickboxing and Pilates (all $10).

Public Areas

Most of the public rooms are located on Decks 6 and 7. Deck 6 is the deck for boutiques, an English-themed casino (slots in an old double-deck bus or a red phone booth), a photo gallery, and the African-themed Explorers Lounge. The Explorers is used for after-dinner music, game shows and late-night disco dancing. The Universe Lounge has theater-style seating for after-dining shows, three revolving stages, and state-of-the-art facilities for the enrichment program. The Princess Theater is used for headline shows and big-screen viewing of almost-first-run movies.

On Deck 7 are the optional eateries and the wedding chapel. Right off the panoramic elevators are the 1960s-cool Crooners Bar with Rat Pack photos on the walls and martini menu; the Churchill Lounge smoking room; and the popular Wheelhouse Bar, with its big leather chairs, couches, nautical atmosphere and maritime memorabilia.

Princess does not serve alcohol to guests under age 21 and bartenders may ask for identification. The line also bans the onboard consumption of alcoholic beverages brought onboard. All alcoholic beverages brought onboard will be collected and returned prior to disembarkation. Liquor for stateroom consumption is available for purchase from specific locations.

Outside is the Promenade Deck lined with cushioned teak chairs.

On Deck 8 is a card room, an extensive library, and an Internet Center (50 cents/minute) with about 10 terminals.

One nice touch is a flower shop, at which you can order three roses in a
vase ($15), an anniversary arrangement ($55) or Godiva chocolates ($20) for delivery to a cabin with a personal message. Orders are taken at the
Passenger Services Desk in the atrium lobby on Deck 5.

There are self-serve launderettes conveniently located on every stateroom deck with irons and boards.

Kids

Princess continues to offer an extensive children's program as well as a
separate program for teens. There is a small pool just for the young ones on Deck 12, along with the playroom and video arcade.

Princess Pelicans, ages 3-7, and Princess Pirateers, ages 8-12, are
entertained with arts and crafts, videos and cartoons, scavenger hunts, ice cream parties, sports tournaments, and tours of the bridge, galley and backstage areas.

Off Limits, designed for teens ages 13 to 17, offers a wide range of
activities such as teens-only disco parties and dinners, shipboard Olympics and T-Shirt painting.

Expert Coral Princess reviews are edited by Michelle, and provided by Ian and Cruise Critic.com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation.

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Coral Princess cruise reviews