Coral Photo Review Sailed on Jan. 8/14

[Debbdo]

"Wave" pool...LOL

 

Loving the review. Makes me even more anxious to get onboard in March. Thanks for the earlier clarification of how your sister and BIL got to FLL....I was just a little curious.

 

Looking forward to the next instalment. :)

 

Debbie

[JimAOk1945]

I am enjoying your review very much. We are booked on the Coral's sister ship, the Island Princess, for an 11 day cruise in December.

 

I have a couple of questions. Where was your stateroom located and did you feel the ship's motion while you were in your room?

 

Also, did you feel the ship rocking during your entire cruise?

 

 

Thanks!

Edited January 25, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[wilfros]

I am enjoying your review very much. We are booked on the Coral's sister ship, the Island Princess, for an 11 day cruise in December.

 

I have a couple of questions. Where was your stateroom located and did you feel the ship's motion while you were in your room?

 

Also, did you feel the ship rocking during your entire cruise?

 

 

Thanks!

 

Hello; First of all I envy you as you still have your cruise to look forward to and mine is over. You will have a great time.

 

Our stateroom (A306) was located directly under the Horizon Court, Deck 12 Forward. As for the motion, we felt it for 3 or 4 days and it was very noticeable. All the other days is was like glass and like we were not moving at all.

 

We sailed, 2 years ago, over to Hawaii on the Golden Princess, one of the Grand Class Ships. During our crossing of the Pacific we encountered 18 foot swells with 8 - 10 foot waves and hardly noticed anything at all. On Coral however the motion of the sea was much more noticeable. I believe this is as a result of her being a much smaller ship.

 

If you are prone to motion sickness or such things I would strongly recommend you bring the patch, gravol, or ginger pills. It doesn't hurt to have them but if you need them and don't have them it could cause problems with you level of enjoyment.

 

Edited January 25, 2014 by wilfros

[JimAOk1945]

Thanks for the answers and your suggestion. Your so right about it being better to be prepared than be sorry. I'll take something with me!

Edited January 25, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[wilfros]

Thanks for the answers and your suggestion. Your so right about it being better to be prepared than be sorry. I'll take something with me!

 

We never travel without them, and yet have never used them

 

 

 

(Another photo of the promenade deck)

[Tyskie]

Enjoying your review and pictures. We'll be on the same sailing as Whimsy & Debbdo, March can't come soon enough!

We normally sail the Grand class ships too, so this will be an adventure! Wave pool, that's a hoot, can't believe (but I do) the ship has that much motion. We're on Caribe deck so lower hopefully is better.

Glad you were able to enjoy your trip and wish you continued good health :) Thank you!

[wilfros]

Enjoying your review and pictures. We'll be on the same sailing as Whimsy & Debbdo, March can't come soon enough!

We normally sail the Grand class ships too, so this will be an adventure! Wave pool, that's a hoot, can't believe (but I do) the ship has that much motion. We're on Caribe deck so lower hopefully is better.

Glad you were able to enjoy your trip and wish you continued good health :) Thank you!

 

Thank you! The hardest part of the recuperation is coming to terms with the fact that we must make our own meals if we want to be fed at the end of the day. The cruise ship does spoil you!

 

Yes indeed, if you are used to the Grand Class you will notice a big difference in the movement of the ship! BUT get into the pool and have some fun it was some of the best entertainment on Coral Princess.

 

Stay tuned ... I am just writing today's entry... Dining on Coral Princess.

 

Thanks for following along.

 

[suejoe]

I am so enjoying your review and pictures. We too are on the same sailing in March with Tyskie, Debbdo & Whimsy (see a pattern here, lol) and I'm hoping you have pictures of the newly added International Cafe. That is one of our favorite places. My husband goes there every morning to get fresh brewed coffee and always brings back a few of their delicious pastries (just a little snack before breakfast ;)). Looking forward to your very informative review.........thanks!!

 

Susan (& Joe too)

[JimAOk1945]

I am eagerly sitting here waiting to read about your dining experience! We always look forward to the "eating" part of our cruises. :D

 

DW was happy to see the pictures of the Promenade that goes around the ship. On our RC cruises, the Promenade is on the inside (except for the Radiance of the Seas which doesn't have one) so this will be a new experience for us. We are looking forward to it!

Edited January 25, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[wilfros]

How does the old saying go??? Don't dare try and complain while on a cruise ship!!! The minute you open your mouth someone will shove food in it!! AND good food at that!

 

This was certain true on Coral Princess! She certainly had enough places to get food. So if you were hungry you never had far to go the "top up

 

The Provence Dining Room

The Bordeaux Dining Room

 

 

The Grill

The Pizza shop

 

 

International Cafe; and

 

 

Horizon Court

 

 

But our most favorite place to eat was by the pool!

 

 

Before departing for our cruise I read a review on this board about the quality of the meals on Coral Princess. The report was somewhat less than stellar in that they were telling us about food that was bland.

 

We found the food to be very unpredictable. There were meals that were out of this world and yet others that were questionable. I know that they are preparing food for a great range of people and trying to find the middle road of taste preferences and this may have been a contributing factor.

 

A glaring example of this would be the Jerk Chicken. We were so happy to hear that this would be served in the Horizon Court, one day. After filling our plates for a feast we found that the coating and the sauce was, at best, mild and had just a hint of Jerk Chicken flavour. Almost all of the pasta salads were the same, in that there was just a mild hint of flavour in each of them. This of course was not the case with regular salad as each person was welcome to add the salad dressing of their choice and these were all quite flavourful.

 

I did not try each item on each menu so it could have been a hit and miss issue with me, in that on one night I would get the best meal on the menu and the next night I just missed it. Not certain but there was a varied level of meal qualities that I experienced in the MDR and Horizon Court.

 

The make your own pizza was a great hit as was the upper deck grill with hot dogs, hamburgers and fries.

 

There is little to say about the International Cafe, except to say it was just like the ones on all the other Princess Ships. In other words, it was perfect. The delights they serve here need to be experienced to be believed. Best part of International Cafe on Coral Princess is that it is located, almost joined with the Casino so now you can gain weight as you loose your money. WOW what a combination.

 

Horizon Court was much more open and accessible than what I have experienced on the Grand Class ships. we enjoyed this venue very much. The design and the views from this room are stellar and we spend a lot of time here. This was the first time, on a modern cruise, where there was a room allowing us to sit and enjoy the view over the bow of the ship as we sailed through the sea. I don't know Royal well enough to say for certain, but I do hope Princess has carried this concept over to her.

 

Now for the final word .... DO NOT MISS the final formal night in the MDR. Beef Wellington and or Lobster Tail! In my case I asked for the surf and turf version and my server brought me a plate of Beef Wellington with a lobster tail on each side of the cut of beef. The best meal on our cruise.

[wilfros]

I'm hoping you have pictures of the newly added International Cafe. That is one of our favorite places.

 

All you need do is ask

 

 

 

More Horizon Court

 

 

 

 

 

I have never had any success at taking actual food photos and making them look any good Sooo.... Sorry but no Food Porn :o

[Jasperdo]

Great photos of the International Cafe and Horizon Court. We sailed on the Coral before the dry dock, so the IC wasn't there, and the dessert section of the HC was still a dance floor with tables and chairs added. (I hope you don't mind if I add one of my photos to show the difference.)

 

Coral Princess by Jasperdo, on Flickr

[wilfros]

(I hope you don't mind if I add one of my photos to show the difference.)

 

I absolutely DO NOT MIND. This is what makes a thread like this good. Having other participate is GREAT..

 

Thank You for sharing with us.

[Bimmer09]

I am following along and enjoying your stellar photos. The Coral was my first Princess cruise back in August 2011 to Alaska. Fond memories and that wide Promenade deck is a real winner for me.

 

Many changes in the ship since then and in me as I now have to live in an aft cabin and as she has none I may not set foot in her again, alas.

 

Keep it coming-I'm all ears, which makes finding an appropriate pair of headphones difficult.

 

Norris

[Darcy15]

Really enjoying your review - and the photos are stunning :)

 

I'll be doing the Panama Canal trip on Coral next year, so this is just great - thank you for taking the time to share :)

[wilfros]

Really enjoying your review - and the photos are stunning :)

 

I'll be doing the Panama Canal trip on Coral next year, so this is just great - thank you for taking the time to share :)

 

Just wait till I get to the Canal itself. If I do say so myself, they are out of this world. I have created all these photos in 3D for my 3D TV and I can't believe how well they have turned out.

 

Thanks for the post and I am glad you are enjoying my little story

 

 

Lets not forget the Bar Staff who made all those NoJitos for me.

[Debbdo]

Excuse me while I grab a tissue to wipe the drool off my chin while looking at those treats at the International Cafe. I had heard rumors of such, but WOW!!! Please tell me they taste as good as they look. I may have found my new favorite place on a cruise ship. :)

 

I am so enjoying your post and pictures. Your humor makes me giggle out loud, which makes my husband wonder what I am up to alone in my office. LOL Let him wonder, I am determined to learn EVERYthing I can about the Coral before we board her.

 

Debbie

[wilfros]

Excuse me while I grab a tissue to wipe the drool off my chin while looking at those treats at the International Cafe. I had heard rumors of such, but WOW!!! Please tell me they taste as good as they look. I may have found my new favorite place on a cruise ship. :)

 

I am so enjoying your post and pictures. Your humor makes me giggle out loud, which makes my husband wonder what I am up to alone in my office. LOL Let him wonder, I am determined to learn EVERYthing I can about the Coral before we board her.

 

Debbie

 

Thank you for your post. I am happy you are enjoying my story. It is fun to write this but even more fun to know people are reading it.

 

Later today my post will be about the Cruise Director, her staff and the entertainers of Coral Princess.

 

 

 

Here is a photo of the musical group that entertained us each day at noon by the upper level pool.

Edited January 26, 2014 by wilfros

[Tyskie]

 

Lets not forget the Bar Staff who made all those NoJitos for me.

 

I just discovered those Mojitos on our December cruise...............yum & refreshing at the same time! :D

[wilfros]

I just discovered those Mojitos on our December cruise...............yum & refreshing at the same time! :D

 

Say no more!!!

 

Edited January 26, 2014 by wilfros

[JimAOk1945]

Can you describe what the International Café is? Sorry, but I couldn't tell much about it from your pictures.

 

Thanks!

[wilfros]

Sorry, but my photos don't do it justice.

 

International Cafe is a small "Cafe" type venue placed in different areas of the Princess ship fleet. On Coral Princess it is located on Deck 6 just beside the Casino.

 

In the display case of the International Cafe are many little nibbley (sp) treats. Little deserts, sandwiches and each afternoon, around 3pm they have hot chocolate chip cookies.

 

Others can probably describe it better but it is one of those little hidden away special areas found on the Princess Cruise Ships. It is a "Not to be Missed" experience. Hope this helps.

 

I almost forget to say ... the treats aren't just for viewing, you are free to have what you like and everything is delicious.

Edited January 26, 2014 by wilfros

[JimAOk1945]

Sorry, but my photos don't do it justice.

 

International Cafe is a small "Cafe" type venue placed in different areas of the Princess ship fleet. On Coral Princess it is located on Deck 6 just beside the Casino.

 

In the display case of the International Cafe are many little nibbley (sp) treats. Little deserts, sandwiches and each afternoon, around 3pm they have hot chocolate chip cookies.

 

Others can probably describe it better but it is one of those little hidden away special areas found on the Princess Cruise Ships. It is a "Not to be Missed" experience. Hope this helps.

 

I almost forget to say ... the treats aren't just for viewing, you are free to have what you like and everything is delicious.

 

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. It sound similar to the Park Café venue on the RC cruises we have experienced.

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

Thanks Wilfros! I'm loving the pictures so much that I am going to start looking into cruises on the Coral/Island Princess as our next booking. Having been in the Ruby and with our next cruise on the Caribbean, I am loving the layout and intimacy of the ship.

[wilfros]

I must start by saying that I have read reviews about Princess and their lack of new shows. People who have seen the production shows once, don't want to see them again. I don't number myself among these people. I just like to be entertained.

 

 

I liked the Stage shows, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis, and Mama Mia and have seen each one more than twice and some as many as 4 times. I don't find any of their plots particularly riveting or complicated but the entertainment value of the Production itself and the music was such that I really enjoyed each viewing and would see them all again if given the chance.

 

It is exactly the same with the Princess Production shows. First there is always a slight change from one ship to another and secondly they are not designed to rival the latest best-selling novel but rather entertain you for a period of time during your evening aboard the ship. I feel Princess excels at this and the dancers and singers aboard Coral Princess are deserving of special mention for their efforts and results.

 

 

 

I saw every show and would go back again tonight if given the chance.

 

The Cruise Director, Susan Rawlings, IM VERY HO left a lot to be desired. If I understand correctly, she is the second, third or fourth highest paid employee on the ship and is head of the largest department on board Coral Princess. She is also the most visible representative of Princess Cruises and a reflection of not only the company but also of the ship and her staff. Given this, I felt she fell well short of that mark. Many times I saw her in the public venues looking, what I would consider to be, very poorly dressed. The way she looked, in many circumstances, was indicative of someone just out of the laundry room on the lower decks who had no intention of being seen by the public.

 

By extension, I would expect, if Ms. Rawlings led by example, her untidy nature would be reflected in her staff. This was not the case at all. The cruise director staff, were at all times, looking and acting like the professional they were. They were great ambassadors for Princess and conducted themselves with grace and dignity. They were entertaining when the need presented itself and concerned and serious when that was called for. Everything I saw them do was appropriate for the moment and they all handled themselves well.

 

That said, the entertainment, in general was fantastic and the Cruise Director staff as engaging and entertaining. There was a magician and a comedian on board and their shows were outstanding. I thought is was something special that Princess arranged with the magician to have him demonstrate and teach some simple tricks that I anxiously wait to try with my Grandchildren. The Wheelhouse Bar had a band playing each evening and they were outstanding.

 

Also deserving of mention are the 3 girls who play classical string music in the atrium each evening and the Pianist. They were all fantastic.

 

 

 

 

 

The one, what I thought to be, less than stellar entertainer was the man playing in Crooner's. He had a laptop with a jukebox type program hooked up to the sound system. He was not engaging with the audience like previous Crooner's pianists we have seen and seldom actually played the piano. Generally, he was OK but fell well short of what I have seen on previous Princess Cruises and on the 2 Carnival Cruises we have taken.

 

 

 

They showed a number of films, in the Theater and the Universe Lounge pertaining to the history of the Panama Canal. These were very interesting and I enjoyed them very much.

 

 

Please remember these are just my feelings and my observations and I am certain other people saw things differently on different occasions. This is one of the reasons I would not want a job such as those on the Cruise Directors Staff. You Are Always On and there is always someone watching and evaluating you. It takes a special person to do this kind of work.

 

Note: Sorry for the quality of the Production Show Photos, but they only allowed Non-Flash photos to be taken so this was the best I could do. They do look better in 3D, as two cameras taking the same photo at the same time, what details one camera missed due to lighting the second picked up so their quality is far better than these 2D photos

Edited January 26, 2014 by wilfros