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Just off the Coral, any questions?

Jetswdo

By Jetswdo,
in Princess Cruises

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CruisinMaterial

CruisinMaterial

Posted
Posted

OP and those who have recently sailed on the Coral Princess:

 

What pier did you dock at in Jamaica? Were you at the International pier with the Island Village and Margaritaville at the end of the road or were you at the pier dubbed "James Bond" since it was used in a film of for that franchise? Just trying to figure it out since I just learned a sailing I'm on is in port at the same time as Coral. It's next scheduled sailing into Jamaica is Sunday, January 24th, right?

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CruisinMaterial

CruisinMaterial

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Posted
Yes coral is supposed to get Share during the refurbishment.

 

No, Coral is not in Jamaica on January 24, that is when she is out of service getting he refurbishment which I think is being done in the Bahamas.

 

Thank you. One website is listing the Coral as in port on that date and people were getting excited for another ship to be in port with us. However, that site was the only one showing it. Other sites were not. I couldn't find the itinerary on the Princess website either and then the roll call section said the cruise had been cancelled. I guess it is cancelled! We will have the port to ourselves then! International pier it is! Thanks for your help! :)

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Wishing on a star

Wishing on a star

Posted
Posted

"A few questions were asked regarding bars and casino. We don't use casinos on ships-- but there was a very good band in Explorers Lounge-- can't remember the name, but many people were dancing and having a great time"

 

We are looking at Alaska for this year or next year...

I wonder if there might be a good band and dancing somewhere on the Coral, if we book. It seems that Alaska cruises, and Princess Alaska Cruises might be a little geriatric. It would be nice if there were a little more lively music somewhere onboard!

 

We took a 'shortie' in the Caribbean on the Ruby some time ago, the entertainment was like a violinest, a ballroom jazz 'dance' ensemble that were a funky alternative jazz band who played music that was just not enjoyable or something one might be able to try to dance to. Really, on a caribbean cruise... A violinist, like the Titanic... hahahaha!!!

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Jetswdo Great Review Rare

Jetswdo

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I never cared for Sabatinis, Share sounds similar to Qzine which I really like on Celebrity.

 

Also in response to poster who asked if I complained about Lotus Pool area, as I mentioned before, yes spoke with management aboard ship- who was more annoyed with me complaining (again, politely) regarding Lotus Pool. If Princess would at the very least, just have a few hours designated for family use in that area, while not liking it, at least that would be a reasonable compromise- Celebrity on the Solstice now does that with their formally all adult area (I wish they didn't) but ok. But the attitude of management really turned us off on the Coral-- Bottom line, is if you are fine with babies and unsupervised children in that pool, and just do the traditional dining times if you are a party of two, then Coral should be ok.

 

I should mention something, I forgot about-- The heated tile loungers didn't work most of the time- many people complained (I didn't) for me that was a total waste of money- I know two persons that I spoke with were going to speak to passenger services to demand their money back-- I let it go- my dh really just used the steam rooms- I was the extra $70? charge for couples pass- I did get 2 days use out of it- still a rip off--- but not enough money for me to continue the aggravation.

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Wishing on a star

Wishing on a star

Posted
Posted (edited)

We are planning for the Coral Princess in May.

 

Can I ask for some info about the 'traditional dining for rwo' comment. We will be traveling as a couple, and would choose late or anytime dining. Which dining option should we go with? Especially if we hope to find a way to get a table for two. I understand that Anytime dining has it's own designated dining room, Bordeaux. But I wonder how they work this out. Seems many report that they are not happy because they are finding it very difficult, with long waits, to be seated.

 

I am hoping to hear a lot about how well things were renovated/cleaned/replaced at drydock.

 

We are hoping for the new mattresses! And any other renovations/improvement in the cabins?

 

I don't think we would care for SHARE... But we both appreciate a decent steak! With Sabatinis being gone, it will have to be Pizza, or Italian Night, for Italian!

Edited by Wishing on a star
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Wishing on a star

Wishing on a star

Posted
Posted

Good questions!

 

I continue to wonder about Anytime Dining on the Coral.

We would be cruising Alaska. I am thinking I have read about issues getting a table. Would they use the Anytime restaurant for Traditional Seating if the demand for Traditional is high? I wonder if Traditional might be more in demand with the demographics on this Alaska cruise.

 

I am thinking that we might start by putting Late Traditional, and then hope we can change this once onboard. (Hoping for a smaller table)

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Colo Cruiser

Colo Cruiser

Posted
Posted (edited)
Good questions!

 

I continue to wonder about Anytime Dining on the Coral.

We would be cruising Alaska. I am thinking I have read about issues getting a table. Would they use the Anytime restaurant for Traditional Seating if the demand for Traditional is high? I wonder if Traditional might be more in demand with the demographics on this Alaska cruise.

 

I am thinking that we might start by putting Late Traditional, and then hope we can change this once onboard. (Hoping for a smaller table)

 

 

They only have main 2 DR's (1 each/AT-trad).

They do use part of AT if needed, but there is not much leeway.

Edited by Colo Cruiser
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jarand

jarand

Posted
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We are just off the Coral. We did Anytime Dining in the Bordeaux Dining Room, and it was great. We generally go early, around 6:00, and never had a wait for a table for 6. Except on the first night, you can call daily and make reservations in that dining room if you want an early time or a later time. We were very happy with both the food and the service.

 

One thing that was a bit frustrating on the Coral was the activity and entertainment scheduling. The evening entertainment times changed every night, and we usually planned dinner around it.

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Wishing on a star

Wishing on a star

Posted
Posted

Thanks! I think it sounds like, for this Alaska cruise, one might do better with Traditional. Maybe it would get a bit more priority. So, we might go with that.

 

I have also noticed comments about the entertainment scheduling. I think the Cruise Director(s) on the Coral recently might not have been the best. Last I heard was maybe Mike Witte??? I will be watching to see who the CD might be when the Coral sails again. But, it looks like they have been changing around pretty frequently, so could change again before we sail!

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  • 2 weeks later...
MJSailors

MJSailors

Posted
Posted

I read a review of the Coral that noted that there were leaks on this ship,mainly in hallways that had a resulting musty odor. I think the review was written before the ship's recent drydock.

Perhaps the matter was resolved during the drydock.

I am asthmatic and mold/ mildew will cause a flare-up for me,so such a situation would cause me to deliberate concerning booking a Panama cruise on the Coral

Has anyone who has sailed on the Coral experienced any water damaged situations?

Thank you for any replies.

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Jetswdo Great Review Rare

Jetswdo

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Again, I strongly suggest if you are a party of 2, that on the Coral you book traditional dining. From what I saw, there was little wait if you are at least 4 persons- around 6:00-6:30--- There are very few tables for two in both the anytime and traditional venues. If we were to ever book the Coral again, we would book the late seating and on the first day, check where our table is, and if location stinks, would immediately find the best one we could get for the cruise.

Due to the disappointment of Lotus Pool area, which is not negotiable for Alaska sailing, we will be sailing on Celebrity Solstice. It's a shame, because I really like the Lotus Pool area (it's prettier) more than the Solstice version.

 

We had no problem bringing on board soda and water at all on Coral.

 

Sadly, we really wanted to do Princess again for Alaska (second time) as they have Glacier Bay which we loved. The cruise we are taking is doing Hubbard which hopefully is almost as nice.

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villager13

villager13

Posted
Posted (edited)
How is Susan Rawlins as CD? Haven't sailed with her before, but will next month.

Had her on the cruise for the Panama Canal last year. Not impressed at all compared to other cruise directors we have had. She has to be past retirement age and it shows with what we thought was lack of energy and personality. In order to be a good cruise director you need an energetic and engaging personality.

Edited by villager13
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Wishing on a star

Wishing on a star

Posted
Posted (edited)

Interesting comments about the cruise director.

 

I had done a quick search where I saw this

"We had Susan Rawlings and Simon Egerton recently on Coral. It was an interesting combination. Susan is high energy and fast talking (but not too fast) while Simon seems very laid back"

 

Almost like descriptions of two different women.

 

And, I see Susan Rawlins and Susan Rawlings.

Edited by Wishing on a star
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villager13

villager13

Posted
Posted
Interesting comments about the cruise director.

 

I had done a quick search where I saw this

"We had Susan Rawlings and Simon Egerton recently on Coral. It was an interesting combination. Susan is high energy and fast talking (but not too fast) while Simon seems very laid back"

 

Almost like descriptions of two different women.

 

And, I see Susan Rawlins and Susan Rawlings.

Maybe she was having an off week when we cruised with her. It was the Panama Canal Cruise on the Coral and maybe it was too long of a cruise for her.

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