Star versus Coral why is one better for Alaska

[californiacruiser]

I am wondering on the Star since it really has a piazza which we love and the Coral doesn't. Does it really matter if the Star isn't quite as good for viewing in Alaska? Is it still going to be adequate?

Pro's and cons

 

Thank you

[Colo Cruiser]

I am wondering on the Star since it really has a piazza which we love and the Coral doesn't. Does it really matter if the Star isn't quite as good for viewing in Alaska? Is it still going to be adequate?

Pro's and cons

 

Thank you

 

 

We have taken the Coral and the Star a few times. We prefer the Coral but would have no issue if we could only choose the Star. She is more then adequate. :)

[shredie]

I am wondering on the Star since it really has a piazza which we love and the Coral doesn't. Does it really matter if the Star isn't quite as good for viewing in Alaska? Is it still going to be adequate?

Pro's and cons

 

You won't be viewing Alaska from the piazza anyway, but Coral has one. It's not exactly the same as on the Star, but it's there, panoramic lifts, etc. The IC is down the hall by the casino. Both ships will provide plenty of places to view the scenery. I've done both.

[Cruiserkenn]

Yes, for sure, the Star will be great.

 

I have done 14 Alaska cruises, and two were on the Star. Great!

 

(I should add, with a smile, that two more were on the original Star Princess... fond memories:)

 

The Star has a nice promenade deck for viewing Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, and the other scenic places your cruise may go.

 

The Star has the nice, new, clean, and sparkling white dessert area, at the buffet. Beautiful and convenient.

 

The Star also still has Crown Grill and Sabatini's, which is good for me:)

 

Bon voyage!

[Kamloops50]

I am wondering on the Star since it really has a piazza which we love and the Coral doesn't. Does it really matter if the Star isn't quite as good for viewing in Alaska? Is it still going to be adequate?

Pro's and cons

 

Thank you

 

Most Princess ships have a piazza. Either ship is good . The thing in Alaska is all about ports and scenery , not the ship. Princess has a very good product in Alaska.

[wishIwascruising]

One of the things we like most about the Star is Skywalkers Lounge. It's a great place to go during the day to read, play games, enjoy the majestic views, etc. We've been on both the Star & the Golden in Alaska and thoroughly enjoyed our time on both ships. The Kids Clubs are bigger on both those ships so perhaps more children & young families (that's why we chose those ships). The International Cafe is bigger on the Star! We recently sailed on the Coral in the Panama Canal (full transit) and fell in love with that ship too! You can't go wrong with either ship. A balcony cabin makes the trip to Alaska that much more enjoyable. It is absolutely breathtaking.

[Colo Cruiser]

The Coral=less pax. :)

[cruisequeen4ever]

I personally prefer the Star. Everyone has their own preference. We like the big ships because they typically have more going on; our only time ever being bored on a cruise was aboard the Island (sister ship of the Coral) to Alaska.

[californiacruiser]

Thank you for the feedback. We also prefer a larger ship as there is more happening. So I will stick with the Star then. We have been on the Sapphire and really enjoyed it.

[Pam in CA]

Coral, Coral, Coral. Fewer passengers, much better passenger/crew ratio, multi-deck forward and aft viewing areas that the Star doesn't have, and overall, a better cruise experience. No Piazza but it does have a slightly smaller Atrium and the International Cafe. Semantics as to the difference between a Piazza vs. Atrium (IMHO) not taking into account the Royal/Regal Piazza. I'd sail on the Coral over the Star any day. Only thing the Star has is Skywalkers.

 

FYI, the Coral is longer than the Star. She's just narrower with a heck of a lot fewer passengers.

Edited February 24, 2016 by Pam in CA

[Nhsaltshaker]

Thank you for the feedback. We also prefer a larger ship as there is more happening. So I will stick with the Star then. We have been on the Sapphire and really enjoyed it.

 

Having done both the Coral and the Sapphire, I also prefer the larger ships. Personally, it seems the larger ships disperse the population better without feeling crowded. I did love the intimacy of the Coral while in Panama Canal, but, disliked the crowding and waiting in line for.....(pick one)

 

I chose the Star for my Alaskan cruise next year. Let us know how you liked it.

[DougH]

Coral, Coral, Coral. Fewer passengers, much better passenger/crew ratio, multi-deck forward and aft viewing areas that the Star doesn't have, and overall, a better cruise experience. No Piazza but it does have a slightly smaller Atrium and the International Cafe. Semantics as to the difference between a Piazza vs. Atrium (IMHO) not taking into account the Royal/Regal Piazza. I'd sail on the Coral over the Star any day. Only thing the Star has is Skywalkers.

 

FYI, the Coral is longer than the Star. She's just narrower with a heck of a lot fewer passengers.

 

I agree with everything Pam said :)

[kingsgirl]

 

The Star has a nice promenade deck for viewing Glacier Bay' date=' College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, and the other scenic places your cruise may go.

 

The Star has the nice, new, clean, and sparkling white dessert area, at the buffet. Beautiful and convenient.

 

The Star also still has Crown Grill and Sabatini's, which is good for me:)

 

Bon voyage![/quote']

 

Does the Coral not have these things?

[Cruiserkenn]

Does the Coral not have these things?

 

I am all for the Coral, as well as the Star. The Star is the ship I know, and that I have enjoyed while cruising to Alaska.

 

The Star has the Crown Grill, which I really like. The Coral has the Bayou Cafe, which I have not yet had the pleasure of partaking.

 

The Star has the beautiful, new dessert area at the buffet, which is so nice.

 

The fact that both Pam and Colo Cruiser like the Coral speaks for itself. You can't beat that:). It is nice to have such a choice, between the Star and the Coral.

Edited February 25, 2016 by Cruisin'Rabbit

[californiacruiser]

Thanks everyone. I will let you know about the Star, that's who we are going with. We have really liked the larger ships. We went on the Paul Gaugin to Tahiti and also the Raddison to Canada New England awhile back, everything about the rooms and the food was outstanding, but it was really too small we didn't like the feel.

[freshair8]

Yes' date=' for sure, the Star will be great.

 

I have done 14 Alaska cruises, and two were on the Star. Great!

 

(I should add, with a smile, that two more were on the original Star Princess... fond memories:)

 

The Star has a nice promenade deck for viewing Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, and the other scenic places your cruise may go.

 

The Star has the nice, new, clean, and sparkling white dessert area, at the buffet. Beautiful and convenient.

 

The Star also still has Crown Grill and Sabatini's, which is good for me:)

 

Bon voyage![/quote']

 

I agree........... Love the Star... looking at doing the 7day RT Vancouver on the Star this year!

[hollon]

I personally prefer the Star. Everyone has their own preference. We like the big ships because they typically have more going on; our only time ever being bored on a cruise was aboard the Island (sister ship of the Coral) to Alaska.

 

What made you bored? Can you compare, give an example - thanks

[Cruiserkenn]

I agree........... Love the Star... looking at doing the 7day RT Vancouver on the Star this year!

 

Fantastic! I love the RT from Vancouver cruise. That was my first Alaska cruise, on the original Star Princess, back in 1990.

 

Enjoy:)

[cruisequeen4ever]

californiacruiser, the Sapphire was our fav ship for years! Have a great cruise on the Star! [emoji568]

[Cruiserkenn]

Yes, I loved the Sapphire, too.

 

Great memories of Alaska, California Coastals, and Hawaii aboard her.

 

The Sapphire had (maybe still has) that great new dessert area, at the buffet.

Also Sterling Steakhouse, Sabatini's, and Alfredo's. Loved the Sapphire.

And when Dino Sagani was Captain, what a ship!