Coral or Grand?

[puli]

We have to choose between 2 California Coastal Cruises for next September (2016): one on the Coral from Vancouver to LA in a mid ship suite on Dolphin Deck and the other on the Grand R/T San Francisco in a mid ship suite on the Caribe deck.

 

The itineraries for both are good as well as the departure/arrival ports so the deciding factor will be the ships themselves.

 

I think the suites are identical but if someone knows if there is a mid ship port side suite on the Grand I better than any of the others that would also be a plus. The Coral only has 4 so we are OK with the selected one.

 

My concerns are the age and condition of The Grand and the possibility of drastic revisions on The Coral as well as the location of the international Café being next to a smoke filled casino (I have respiratory problems).

 

I do want to take advantaged of the current sale that ends tomorrow evening so would so appreciate any and all quick responses. Thanks!!!!

[Tyskie]

I preferred the Grand over the Coral but we were on the Grand when it was fairly new. I thought the Grand "sat" better in the water than the Coral making it a more stable ride - but then again, that's just my opinion.

 

Was on the Coral last year - disappointed in where the IC was and how small it was. You can't beat the Coral for the viewing areas. It's my understanding that the renovations to the Coral have been canceled but that is only "hearsay" - no hard facts :eek:

[puli]

thanks, Tyskie.

 

I did speak with Princess and it looks like we are leaning toward the Grand...the International Cafe's close proximity to the Casino is a real factor.. too much smoke and noise.

 

As long as the Grand does not produce that horrid odor that spews out from some older ships' exhaust systems whenever waste material is burned we are OK to book.

[jasbo49]

puli:

 

Looks to me like the Coral sailing doesn't qualify for the sale, but the Grand does. Grand also has Alfredo's for another casual dining option.

 

While the Coral on Sept. 17 doesn't fall under the sale, the Crown leaves the next day on the same itinerary and does offer the drink package.

 

Just looking out for a fellow Oregonian. We're up the road in Rogue River. Whatever you choose, have fun.

 

Jim

[Colo Cruiser]

Hands down the Coral. :)

[Coral]

Coral Princess - no debate.

[dogdoc2002]

puli:

 

Looks to me like the Coral sailing doesn't qualify for the sale, but the Grand does. Grand also has Alfredo's for another casual dining option.

 

While the Coral on Sept. 17 doesn't fall under the sale, the Crown leaves the next day on the same itinerary and does offer the drink package.

 

Just looking out for a fellow Oregonian. We're up the road in Rogue River. Whatever you choose, have fun.

 

Jim

 

Originally it did- we had the same debate but decided on the Coral since the Saturday-Saturday worked a bit better for us. Finally got it booked last Monday, and got the Sip and Sail pricing/package. I was just looking a little bit ago, and saw it's gone. Maybe they have limited spots with the sale package?

Dogdoc2002

[Pam in CA]

Coral Princess - no debate.

Same here. The Grad is my least-favorite Princess ship. Cabins are smaller, closet is half the size, wardrobe w/shelves is half the size, not to mention the floods throughout the ship.

[puli]

puli:

 

Looks to me like the Coral sailing doesn't qualify for the sale, but the Grand does. Grand also has Alfredo's for another casual dining option.

 

While the Coral on Sept. 17 doesn't fall under the sale, the Crown leaves the next day on the same itinerary and does offer the drink package.

 

Just looking out for a fellow Oregonian. We're up the road in Rogue River. Whatever you choose, have fun.

 

Jim

 

Thanks, Jim...unfortunately the Crown's mid ship suites are on deck 14...under the Lido I believe...been there,,, done that... too noisy. The Grand at least has some on deck 10 .I understand she was recently in dry dock so hopefully the mid ship elevators were fixed and also any flooding issues.

 

I know old ships have issues so fingers crossed we will not have any severe problems. I do like the itinerary a bit better especially since we can go a few days early to re-visit San Francisco...also a direct flight from Medford which is a blessing even if it means using the dreaded SFO!!!!

[OCruisers]

Coral would be our choice!!! :)

[shsce750]

thanks, Tyskie.

 

I did speak with Princess and it looks like we are leaning toward the Grand...the International Cafe's close proximity to the Casino is a real factor.. too much smoke and noise.

 

 

I've spent 18 days on the Coral within the last year. Not once have I smelled a wisp of smoke anywhere near the International Cafe.

[PrincessDano]

Coral for sure

[Alicomp]

I've spent 18 days on the Coral within the last year. Not once have I smelled a wisp of smoke anywhere near the International Cafe.

 

 

We were on the Coral last week and the casino was "no smoking" the entire cruise. The international Cafe was delightful.

[shredie]

We were on the Coral last week and the casino was "no smoking" the entire cruise. The international Cafe was delightful.

 

Really? Did they say why?

[puli]

We were on the Coral last week and the casino was "no smoking" the entire cruise. The international Cafe was delightful.

 

now that would really make a difference.... was it a group/ chartered cruise?

[CAZephyr]

We really like the front facing Horizon Court on the Coral Princess for scenic cruises. We had balcony cabins in both the Coral and Grand. Shower on Coral seemed smaller than Grand. I had to get out of the shower to retrieve dropped bar of soap in Coral shower; Grand, a little better.

[Alicomp]

now that would really make a difference.... was it a group/ chartered cruise?

 

 

They didn't say why the casino was non-smoking and it wasn't a charter. I assumed it was because the casino is adjacent to the IC and there isn't even a wall between them. Possibly they had complaints from people in the IC. I don't know, but I did enjoy both the casino and the IC.