Coral or Island P through Panama Canal?

[swedish weave]

Loads of thanks to everyone for all your really helpful replies. I'd never thought about losing time when you go west to east so we'll probably try and start at Fort Lauderdale and it will be brilliant to finish in Vegas. Also appreciated the comments on 'dressing for dinner'. I can usually manage something with a bit of sparkle and husband always wears long trousers in the evening. He does have a linen jacket I can pop into the case, so hopefully that should be ok. If there's a very formal Captain's night, I don't mind giving that a miss. Now that he's retired, my DH is not a happy bunny if he has to wear a tie.

Can't wait to start planning in earnest!

Thanks again, Rosie:)

 

Rosie -- Tell DH to relax. They will allow him into the MDR with dress shirt and slacks. Ties are not required, and he will not be alone in the way he dresses.

[UpcountryTravelers]

We had a great time, but we found ourselves eating practically every meal in the buffet. Wasn't that impressed with the food on the ship - I have had better on other ships. ..

 

Interesting.... what other ships? None on the list below had better food than the Island, in our opinion. Some not quite so good (think Dream).

[rdsqrl]

I toured Island Princess a few years, ago and was not impressed. I sailed Coral Princess Panama Canal last month and the ship, crew, and service was outstanding. I would vote for Coral Princess. Out of 12 cruises that one was the best overall.

This comment truly puzzles me since they're virtually identical ships. Do you perhaps dislike casinos with a Parisian theme? Not like ships whose names begin with a vowel? Enquiring minds anxiously await explanatory details.

[IECalCruiser]

DBIL and DSIL just returned from a partial Canal cruise on the Island and thought the food in the Dining Room was the best they have had on a Princess cruise.

[grandmaa]

We just returned from a full transit on the Island Princess from LA to FLL. The ship is lovely and we really liked the layout with the gym in the rear of the ship and of course the enclosed pool. Food was good and the cruise staff was wonderful, very visible, and friendly. The show

On The Bayou was great..so to me no matter which way you go E/W or W/E you are on a cruise..enjoy!

[deelastcre]

This comment truly puzzles me since they're virtually identical ships. Do you perhaps dislike casinos with a Parisian theme? Not like ships whose names begin with a vowel? Enquiring minds anxiously await explanatory details.

You asked for it! I didn't sail on Island, but had a great holiday on Coral. When I toured the Vowel Ship, one of the workers in Buffet was picking his nose! :( That's why I booked Coral and enjoyed every minute!

[DrivesLikeMario]

We're planning a trip to America to take the cruise through the Panama Canal with Princess cruises. We're very flexible as to when we can go. Does anyone have a preference for either ship? We're a couple 60 /62 and not really into very formal evenings. One per cruise is usually our limit. Also is there a best time of the year to do this cruise from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale? We aim to do about 3 days in Las Vegas before the cruise and possibly a week at Fort L before returning home. Thanks for all comments. We've always found the Boards at CC really helpful when planning trips.:)

 

I have cousins in Cheshire! How neat to see that as your location! They just did a similar trip to the US with a stop in Las Vegas too.

I've been on both ships and they are so similar, you really can't tell which one you're on! The Spring months are the best.

 

February is very rainy in So. Cal. (although to us, "very rainy" may not be so bad to you). March is almost always a great time of year with at least a couple weeks of very warm, dry weather. April is usually rainy here and I have to constantly remind my grumbling DH who despises rain that there's a reason they say, "April showers make May flowers". ;) It's very true for our part of the world.

[thinfool]

This is common amongst male crew on all ships. Who knew?!! :)

 

 

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