Coral Princess 7-Day Southbound Alaska. D631 - Fiji Suite

We just completed our third cruise, on our favorite ship, the Coral Princess. This was the first time we had sailed her to Alaska, as the other two times were in the Panama Canal. My bride & I brought back the main dining room menus, daily patters, along with a few other sheets I am going to scan and post. We didn't take food pictures this time as didn't eat in the MDR that much on this trip. We did make use of Club Class and liked it very much.

I try to put reviews together, for those who have not sailed on Princess, the ship, or the particular itinerary.

If you are interested in seeing more about the ship, or this specific suite, I will point you back to the more detailed review I did in February 2016. I didn't see the need to take new pictures on this trip and upload them. We were on the second cruise after the drydock, and very little has changed since those pictures were taken. Just a few things I noticed from that time, was new upholstery on some chairs & carpet that had not been completed during the drydock. Other than that, it still looks the same and in great shape.:D

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2316796&highlight=d631

We decided to book our own land tour the week before. We flew to Anchorage, rented a car, and stayed about six miles from Denali in a small apartment rental. We had a great time that week, with trips into the park, hiking, rafting and ATV adventure. We looked at the Princess options, compared it to what we could book on our own, and decided to go our own way.

On that Friday, we headed back to Anchorage for the night, as had a 10:15AM limo scheduled to take us to Whittier, to board as early as we could. That's where I will start with the various scans we have in the next post.

We arrived at the terminal, just before noon, and was first in line. Shortly after they opened up the desks, we were through in just a few minutes and on our way. Dropped off the carry on bags, and headed to the HC for some lunch. It was quiet on the ship since the bulk of the passengers had not arrived yet.

We meet our room steward, Kanit, and he was great all week. We called the dine line, and tried to get our complimentary meal in the speciality restaurant that night changed to the next day, and they would not change it. Some have had better luck, but we didn't so 8:30PM it was after sail away. We were handed a card when getting on board that said both of the MDR's would be open seating that night, and would open at 5:15PM. We just had a slice of pizza to hold us over until dinner time in the Bayou Cafe.

Staying in the suite always had the extra benefits, and I scanned a few additional items, along with some just for infomational that is for everyone.

If you want to get the full size scan, you can click in the file name next to the picture, and it will take you to it on Flickr. From there, you can probably see it larger or download it.

The welcome aboard letter, which may be of some interest.

XA by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

XB by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

For the Elite guests, this was the offerings for the evening party:

XC by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

If you want some specific treats delivered to the room, this was the selection:

XD by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

The current pricing for laundry:

XI by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

The details around food. Interesting thing I noticed is on our previous PC cruise, they opened Sabatini's at 7:00AM on port days, and on this trip, it was 7:30AM.

XH by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

If you wanted to watch DVD's, you could request two at a time. This was the current list offered:

XE by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

XF by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

XG by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

For those who buy duty free liquor/tobacco on board, this was the current prices from the shop:

XJ by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

XK by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

That pretty much covers a few of the extra things I scanned, and on with the MDR menu's & Daily Patters.

Saturday - The day went by quickly, and we watched the train & buses arrive with the rest of the passengers. It was not long until it was time for the muster drill and sail away. The weather was cool, and we were not up top for sail away this time, as we were getting ready to eat in the Bayou Cafe. It was good as always.

The patter:

Sat-A by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sat-B by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sat-C by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sat-D by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Saturday - continued:

Main Dining Room Menus.

I will only post the drinks menu this one time since it was the same every night after that:

Sat-E by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sat-F by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sat-G by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sat-H by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sat-I by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sunday - Sea day & first formal night.

We did not take formal wear on this trip as already had enough packed in three suitcases with the land trip too. We know we could have worn casual wear, but we didn't.

We were not even that hungry and just grabbed a burger and waited for the music to start in the lounges. Other than that, a relaxing day at sea.

The Daily Patter:

Sun-A by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sun-B by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sun-C by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sun-D by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sunday - Continued:

The MDR Menus:

Sun-E by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sun-F by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sun-G by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Thanks for a great review thus far! Hubby and I will make our fourth trip to Alaska (first time on the Coral) on September 16th so I look forward to hearing about the rest of your cruise! Quick question - I see the Chef's Table advertised on the patters...any idea what night it was actually held? I'm assuming maybe the second formal night?

Thanks for a great review thus far! Hubby and I will make our fourth trip to Alaska (first time on the Coral) on September 16th so I look forward to hearing about the rest of your cruise! Quick question - I see the Chef's Table advertised on the patters...any idea what night it was actually held? I'm assuming maybe the second formal night?

I don't remember seeing what night it was actually held, just the advertisements for it. One of these days, we want to try it ourselves.

I don't remember seeing what night it was actually held, just the advertisements for it. One of these days, we want to try it ourselves.

We will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary on this cruise so we are hoping to book it if we can!

Sunday - A few pictures as we sailed into Yakutat Bay & Hubbard Glacier. It was overcast, which make the blue colors stand out:

IMG_7331 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

IMG_7342 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

IMG_7376 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

IMG_7379 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

IMG_7354 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

On Monday, we sail into Glacier bay.

Monday - Glacier Bay & scenic Cruising.

First thing, here is the Daily Patter:

Mon-A by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Mon-B by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Mon-C by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Mon-D by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

They had the only British-Style Pub lunch this day and we missed reading about it in the patter until after we had already dined elsewhere. It's not the highlight of the cruise, however we always enjoy it.

We had Kanit as our steward in June--he was so wonderful! Enjoying the review, it brings back memories! :)

Thanks for this great review so far! Love seeing the Patters and menus! We are doing Alaska next summer on the Star so a lot of it will be similar. A question for you, do you recall if they had Bingo? I may have missed it on the Patters.

Thanks for this great review so far! Love seeing the Patters and menus! We are doing Alaska next summer on the Star so a lot of it will be similar. A question for you, do you recall if they had Bingo? I may have missed it on the Patters.

Yes, they did have Bingo on the cruise. It seems like it was in the Universe Lounge.

It will be at least Monday before I get back to posting more as will be away from my scanner this weekend,

Monday - continued.

It looked like it might be a sunny day as we started the morning and sailing into Glacier Bay. As usual, just wait 10 minutes and it will change. I believe it was around 44 degrees at this time.

IMG_7386 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

A few random pictures as we sailed in & back out.

IMG_7422 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

IMG_7431 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

IMG_7434 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

We stayed on the balcony with a hot cup of coffee during this time, waiting for the captain to rotate the ship around to our side. If it's your first time, you really should be topside. It was our third trip, and comfortable just taking in the view from the balcony.

IMG_7439 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

IMG_7453 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Sailing away from the glacier & heading back out.

IMG_7469 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

IMG_7491 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Did see a couple of bears:

IMG_7478 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

It was nice to spend more time in here than we did on the previous round trip cruises from Seattle.

Monday - Main Dining Room menus:

Mon-E by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Mon-F by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Mon-G by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Tuesday - Skagway.

This was the first port day and we were ready to get off the ship for a while. The daily patters:

Tue-A by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Tue-B by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Tue-C by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Tue-D by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Tuesday - The port guide for those who want to read about it in advance:

Tue-E by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Tue-F by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Tue-G by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

Tue-H by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

We had booked the Chilkoot Trail Hike & float adventure. Our guide for the day, Robert, was from Georgia, so we had some things in common to talk about. He had spent a lot of time learning about the trail and the various plants along the way. The trail was a little steep in one area, and was a nice hike to get out and stretch your legs.

P1070718 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

P1070719 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

P1070730 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

P1070744 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

At the end of the hike, was the float trip down the river. The weather was really nice that day and worked out to be a good choice for an excursion.

P1070747 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

P1070754 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

There was several bald eagle nests along the river and few were out and about:

P1070766 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

P1070784 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

P1070789 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

After the excursion, we just walked around town for while. The Mascot saloon that had been restored:

P1070793 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

The usual pictures we all take :-)

P1070798 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

P1070799 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr

It was extra smelly over at the creek near the ship. It was pretty much the end of the salmon run, and a lot of dead salmon in the water. There were still a few swimming around:

P1070808 by Cool Runnings, on Flickr