whois going coral 10/25/05

[baby]

loved the coral this past november - going again 10/25/05

 

who is going

 

the entertainment and lounges for dancing were great - especially for a 10 day cruise- nice mix of people

 

food was great too

 

carol in connecticut

[baby]

opinion needed--

 

do you normally get a guarantee room or book an assigned room

 

I normally get a guarantee have been hapy 2 times so far

 

carol

[beachlovergirl]

Hi Carol

 

DH and I are thinking about booking this cruise date. We've only done the Grand twice and the Caribbean Princess last October....haven't gone on a smaller Sun class ship yet. Do you know if there is the difference between the size of the cabins or balconies between the Grand and Sun class? We're thinking of a BC category balcony cabin, or a mini-suite.

 

Dee

[baby]

Hi Dee

 

Sorry, I can't help you with the size of the balconies in the different categories but there are many many threads about this or even if you call Princess directly they can help you. I don't pay too much attention to this certain detail - but I am certainly fussy about other things. I think the cabin sizes are the same on the Carribbean Princess as the coral. The only differece you will find between the Carribean Princess and the coral is that the Carribean has an extra deck of cabins - otherwise the size of the ship is the same.

 

I can tell you I have been on the Carribbean Princess my self last May - on one of the first 4 sailings or so. I like the ship but the Coral Princess is prettier and cozier. I really did not feel the difference in the amount of people on Carribean Princess Vs. Coral but the coral is prettier - other than that, I did not see much differnce. So, if you liked the Carribean Pirncess you will love the Coral and choose the Coral for the itinerary. We had a balcony guarantee and ended up on the Baja deck. I will tell you that some balconies are covered and some are not. We did have a covered balcony for more privacy but most were uncovered. I do not know if it is the same on the Grand. The balconies on the Coral are positioned just like the Carribean Princess.

 

When we went on the coral the first time, I went to the Panama Canal so that my husband would enjoy the experience but to my surprise I enjoyed it also. We spent the whole day watching the process of entering and exiting the canal. Cozumel has beautiful beaches as does Montego Bay (Montego Bay is a new port that was not on the itinerary last time).

 

We were previously on the sun Princess which was nice but does not have the same amenities as the Coral or Carribean Princess. The balconies on the Sun are set into the hull of the ship so you have an enclosed feeling. The Sun also does not have a wonderful lounge for modern bands and dancing like the Coral or Carribean Princess does. We really enjoy 10 day cruises which are hard to find. We were going to go back on the Sun and do a different itinerary but liked the Coral better so decided to go on her again.

 

We are looking forward to this cruise again. If I can answer any questions le me know.

 

You can also e-mail me directly at : canman85@worldnet.att.net

 

You cannot go wrong with the coral - it is a great ship, good food (not great but good), nice friendly staff and a good mix of people. I have never, never seen a bad review of the coral

 

Where are you from in New Jersey. We used to go to Wildwood Crest all the time for vacation before we were introduced to cruising - wouldn't do anything else now - we absolutely love cruising and look forward to it every year

 

talk soon

 

carol in connecticut

[beachlovergirl]

Carol -

 

Thanks for the info. Well, we're booked for this cruise!! We decided on a mini-suite (D606) on Dolphin Deck. I'll be celebrating my birthday during the cruise.

 

We live in southern New Jersey, about 1/2 hour below Cherry Hill, NJ. For the last 20 years, we've spent a week every July in Wildwood Crest at the same hotel.....we really enjoy our time there. During the last few years there has been a lot of new construction.....mostly condos.

 

Dee

[baby]

Hi Dee

 

So what made you decide to actually book the coral???

 

I know you will love it - the Panama Canal will be great.

 

I will look forward to corresponding with you over the next long, long 9 months. Maybe we can give each other pointers and tips along the way. What islands did you go to on the Grand? It's great that you have a mini-suite - I know they are a good size. You can call Princess to see if it is covered or not - it really doesn't matter though. I will have to wait and see where we end up since we have a "BB" guarantee balcony. The only room i would not be happy with are the couple of mini suites in the front of the ship that have large picture windows instead of a balcony. - I will keep my fingers crossed that we do not get one of those - we enjoy sitting out on our balcony - espcially in the middle of the night when I can't sleep - there is nothing more beautiful than sitting in the dark justing listening to the ocean as the ship moves by.

 

In fact, last November Ken and I were out until 2:00AM in the main atrium - everyone else had gone to bed. It was so much fun and romantic having a glass of wine together and enjoying the silence and beauty of the atrium all by ourselves, of course, we were really tired the next morning staying out so late.

 

Ken and I love modern music and that is why we love Explorer's Lounge. They have wonderful bands that play great top 40 music and 70's disco music for dancing.What kind of music do you and your husband like?

 

The last time we were in New Jersey about 4 years ago, there was a hurrince coming up the coast - in fact, the coastline disappeared in north wildwood - we couldn't even walk along the shore.

 

I remember one hotel we stayed in was in the Crest - Royal Hawaiian a few years ago. They had a wonderful pool. I also remember going to Cape May which was very pretty. We've stayed in a few others also, I just can't remember the names. I also remember one small Italian Restaurant in North Wildwood called Russo's - not so great atmosphere but good food.

 

talk soon

 

carol

[beachlovergirl]

Well, a few things made us book the Coral. First, since we've been on the Grand twice and the Caribbean Princess and the Adventure of the Seas last March, we decided we wanted our next cruise to be on a smaller ship with less passengers. There were over 3,100 on the Caribbean Princess and the Coral holds 1,974, so right there it's a big plus.....around 1,100 less !

 

Also, the first time we were on the Grand we did the eastern caribbean, and the second time we did the western. On the Adventure we did the southern caribbean out of San Juan which included Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. We were on the Caribbean Princess last October which went back to San Juan instead of Princess Cays, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. So, we're ready for a new itinerary with some different islands and the Panama Canal fit. Plus, it's 10 days instead of 7 days....yea !

 

This time I picked the cabin I wanted. On the Caribbean Princess we had a AC mini-suite guarantee and Princess moved us to a AA mini-suite. We got our cabin assignment about a month after we booked that cruise.

 

Actually, the Royal Hawaiian is near the hotel where we stay.....the Port Royal. Russo's is a favorite of ours, along with Alfe's, which also has great food!!! Walking around Cape May with all those great shops is a lot of fun too.

 

Dee

[carol allen]

Hi Dee

 

A small world it is - yes I do remember the POrt Royal - a great hotel - it was just a little too expensive for us during the summer months. I can't believe you know Russo's. There was also another restaurant in the heart of wildwood that we loved, more upscale and more expensive, just can't remember the name - I know - you are thinking she must be nuts - there are so, so many restaurants in wildwood.

 

YOu will love the Panama Canal - it is a nice itinerary. Ken and I don't think we will be bored going on the Coral again with the same itinerary because we love the ship so much - like I said, you will feel like you are on the Carribean Princess again - only smaller and prettier. We will plan to do different things in the ports than we did last time. During the canal transit - we just stay on the ship.

 

talk soon

 

carol

[beachlovergirl]

Carol -

 

I agree with you....for what we pay for a week at the Port Royal we could go on a cruise. At this point it's like a time-share. Same week, same oceanfront suite and the same people!!! Since we've been going there over 20 years we've made friends with at least 6 families and our kids have grown up together. We all look forward to that week and if we ever give it up we'll loose our suite.

 

When you were on the Coral last time was it an older crowd? Did you find enough things to do in the evenings? After dinner we usually like to go to the comedians shows, hit the casino, and have a few drinks in a lounge. We like all kinds of music. We used to like the production shows, but we actually walked out of one on the Caribbean Princess. We spent a lot of time at Club Fusion and really liked Princess Idol, the horse races, and Angela, the bartender in there made an excellent Chocolate Banana drink!

 

This thread will probably get moved to the Roll Call section, or maybe we should start one there.

 

Dee

[carol allen]

Dee

 

Yes there is alot to do at night. We also like the comedians, the shows are OK after seeing them on other cruises. We were never bored. We like to go ashore in the morning, lounge by the pool and our balcony during the afternoon and go out at night. The whole atmosphere will be much like the Carribean Princess except there is no disco. Have you ever done a 10 day cruise?? - If not, once you do, you will not be able to go back to a 7 day.

 

We were invited to the Captains wine party in the Universal Lounge and that was really nice, wine and drinks and little appetizers.

 

Before dinner we head to the Wheelhourse bar for a drink and then after dinner and a show (maybe) we head to to the Explorer's Lounge where we spend a lot of time - we love to dance and listen to great music. The band on the Coral in November (Emerald City) was great and played music from the 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90's. We danced quite a bit and many times were the last ones in the lounge. It seemed not too many people stayed out past 12:30PM or so depending on what was going on the Explorer's Lounge. We also think the newlywed game is halarious, they also did a tribute to the 70's.

 

I would say there was a good mix of people on the ship, not too many people at all in their 30's, some in their 40's, much more in their 50's and 60's (most of the people) and some who were in their 70's. I'm 55 and Ken is in his early 60's (but don't tell him I told you his age - that is his secret, hahahahha).

 

talk soon

 

carol

[beachlovergirl]

Carol -

 

This will be our first 10 day, all the rest have been 7 days, except for one 5 day up to Nova Scotia. I'm really looking forward to the extra days, especially the 4 sea days!!

 

I love to get up early and have coffee on the balcony then spend the day by the pool on sea days. While in port we usually do a shore excursion....love to snorkle, or go to a beach, but I'm really not into shopping. Any suggestions for Costa Rica or Belize? We'll also do an excursion at the Panama Canal, probably the train.

 

By the way, John is 55 and I'm 54.

 

Dee

[carol allen]

Good Morning Dee

 

Wow, we sound alot alike in age and what we like to do. It will be fun meeting you and John on the ship. I'm sure there will be others going to - I'm surprised no one else has replied to the post yet - but it is early.

 

As far as the ports - I looked on my sheet and I do not see Belize. I know we went to Belize last time and I think we had to be tendered to port and just walked around. There was a shopping mall area. I believe Montego Bay, Jamaica is on the call now. I'm not good with the ports and after we have been on the cruise - it is hard for me to remember all of them. That is Ken's department - he is very detailed oriented and remembers ever port we were at and what we did - me --- I'm just happy to be on the ship most of the time.

 

I hear alot of great things about the Panama Canal excursions and there are alot of posts on these boards about what to do. There is also a "POrt of Call" Section at the bottom of the main page of this board listing all of the islands and things to do. As I said before, Ken and I stayed on the ship during the Panama Canal, you can't get off the ship if you don't take an excursion in Panama. We had a great day just watching the different ships in addition to our own transiting the canal. You will enjoy one of the excursions - if I remember right, one of the excurions takes you on a train.

 

In Costa Rica, Ken took an excursion to see the "howler monkeys" and went on a small boat to see the scenery and wild life. I am not much at all on the outdoors, so I stayed on the ship and relaxed by the pool all afternoon with a "drink of the day" in my hand.

 

I'm not crazy about shopping either, but Ken loves to walk around.

 

In Grand Cayman, last time we just walked around the port and then went to Seven Mile Beach. It was very windy that day, so it was not a great beach day. This time we are going to take a cab (actually a mini bus unfortunately) and go on a sight seeing tour of the attractions. I think it was about $15.00 per person. We do most of our sightseeing on our own and not through the ship - it is less expensive. But when Ken did the excursion in Costa Rica, he did book through the ship. Doing an excursion in Panama is probably better through the ship also so that you are back in time for the ship to leave.

 

In Cristobal, Panama there is a wonderful shopping area right off the ship with local vendors selling their wares (be ready, though, there is a tribe of natives who do not wear much clothing at all) - I felt bad for them because alot of the cruisers kept staring at them which I felt was awful. There is a group of native dancers with beautiful costumes and they perform dances to live music for the people. There is a little bar right there where you can get a drink (beer only for us) - I don't drink off the ship.

 

Montego Bay I think replaces Belize so this is a new island for us. I have been doing a little research and there a couple of beaches that are a short cab ride from the ship. One is Sunset Beach that I gather for $20.00 a person allows you entrance to the resort, drinks all day and lunch (this sounds awfully inexpensive - I have to research it more first).

 

In Cozumel, we will plan to go to a beach. I was in Cozumel 4 years ago with our family and went to a wonderful beach maybe about 20 minutes away. I will have to check this out again. This trip was when 9/11 happened (my first cruise and first time flying, but more about that later).

 

We are not into snorkeling - although Ken said he would like to try. We want to find an excursion that offers snorkeling (for Ken) on a catamaran. We never been on one and would like to try it.

 

I had a late meeting last night and did not get home until 11:00PM (In the snow) and then could not sleep because I was "wound" from the meeting and could not sleep. I bought 2 cups of coffee for work this morning - I'll need them.

 

talk soon

 

Carol

[beachlovergirl]

Carol -

Actually, I have no idea what the itinerary for the Oct 25th cruise is. I had looked at the itinerary on Travelocity and they show Belize. Princess' website shows Ocho Rios, and now you say Montego Bay......so I wonder where we're going...lol ? We're not fans of Ocho Rios. Never been to Montego Bay...... Sunset beach sounds great, we'll have to do some research.

 

Initially we were looking at the sailing the week before (Oct 15) to celebrate our anniversary. Last Oct we were on the Caribbean Princess and celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary. TA had better rates for the Oct 25th sailing so I booked it. I see now that the Oct 25th sailing is different from the week before and the week after....just the order of the island stops is different.

 

I would love to see the wildlife in Costa Rica. There is an arial tram and river cruise that sound interesting.

 

In Cozumel we're going to go to Paradise Beach this time. We went on the Catamaran Fury and to a beach last time, which was fun. We've also been to Chackanab Park and to San Francisco Beach, and snorkeling Planacar Reef. A stop for lunch at Pancho's Backyard (downtown) is also a favorite.

 

In Grand Cayman, we went with Capt. Marvin's to swim with the stingrays, which was fun. My husband and son actually loved it more than I did. I was only in the water for a little while. One big one brushed up against me way too close and freaked me out so I went back on the boat. When I was planning the trip they were both "ewww" and I was the one excited. Then when we were out there I was freaking out....lol...they thought it was great and couldn't stop laughing at me. We've also been to Seven Mile Beach quite a few times.

 

I was looking at prices for the train excursion in Panama and it's around $150 per person. It gets a lot of great reviews though, so we'll probably do it.

 

For new islands we tend to pick a ship excursion.....just in case. If we really, really know an island we tend to do exursions on our own, like Grand Cayman, St. Thomas and St. Maarten, Bermuda, and San Juan.

 

Catamaran snorkeling trips are our favorites. Once you try it you'll be hooked and you'll love seeing all the tropical fish, coral, sea fans, etc. You don't have to be strong swimmers....they give you a vest, plus they have instruction for novices.

 

Dee

[carol allen]

Hi Dee

 

Now you have me confused regarding what islands we are going to - the princess personalizer does say Ocho Rios and not Montego May -

 

It's nice to know you have alot of experience with some of the islands we are going to - which will give me ideas of what to do also.

 

You will absolutely love the 10 day cruise - once you do one - a 7 day seems so short.

 

Now that you mention the things you have done - they do sound familiar from reading about them on the boards.

 

Did you book your cruise thru a local travel agent or thru the web? I always book thru the web and am very happy - There probably is not much of a difference in price though - I'm just used to do it that way.

 

talk soon

Carol

[baby]

Anyone else booked for the coral yet?

 

Would like an official word on where she is going - Montego Bay, Jamaica or Ochos Rio?

 

carol in connecticut?