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Just off the Coral - a few comments

Spideysmum

By Spideysmum,
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Spideysmum

Spideysmum

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Just returned from our first cruise -Coral Princess northbound from Vancouver. We figured it would be the only way to see Alaska and a one and done for the 49th state.

 

I've been following comments for months about cruising so will add a few of my own

 

Ship was immaculate in every area Our mini suite was overseen by a wonderful steward. The fitness center was better than my gym. We had ATD and never had to wait even by showing up seven-ish. Formal nights saw few in tuxedos and long dresses. Maybe because it was Alaska in September, as one of our dinner companions said. Suited me fine as my usual attire is jeans or workout attire. I did try though and so did my husband who wore a sport jacket and said he felt over dressed.

 

I'm not much of a foodie and usually just happy someone will feed me. The MDR was great and I got to try pheasant and escargot. The buffet had a great salad bar and a lot of selections for lunch. Breakfast was usually also there (hubby not big on pastries at the IC so I only went for elevenish cappuccino and croissant by myself). Sabbatinis was awesome one night - steak and veal and when it morphed into Alfredo's for pizza lunch I was in heaven.

 

We had the everything beverage cards which were thoroughly used from coffees to sodas to wine. I love coffee anytime and I don't object to the much maligned buffet coffee. The wait staff were very efficient and every staff member seemed to be enjoying themselves as well.

 

The only downer in our entire cruise came from a fellow passenger who shopped in Skagway and came back to ship to drop his purchases before heading out. I was at the security scanner when he jammed in front of me and pushed his stuff through yelling "I'm going before you because I've got to catch a train". Then he forgot to take his cell phone out of his pocket and jammed back, stepping on my foot and startled me. I said "no" and then he started shouting at me "you don't tell ME no!!" OMG what a jerk.

 

We took three excursions through Princess - one of them turned out to be an adventure as the rickety old bus broke down on Haine's evening wildlife hike. A few anxious moments but we made it back to the ferry and then back to the ship on time. Didn't really see a lot of wildlife - just a couple of bears and a few Eagles. Whale watch much the same - a couple sightings. It's late in the season.

 

I really DIDN'T enjoy sea days. That's when the beverage cards got put into play a lot. In fact, if we hadn't signed up for the British Isles cruise next May (another case where there are two ports we'd probably never get to see on our own) I think that sea days would off put us so much that, in spite of our Alaska cruise being so great otherwise, cruising could have indeed been one and done.

 

But all was mostly great. [emoji7]

 

 

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Whimsy

Whimsy

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Great review. It's funny, I was on the August 13th sailing and passengers were more dressed up than I thought they would be. You never know.

 

That was so rude of that passenger to feel he could jump the line. I forgot something one day and had to make a mad dash back to the ship but still waited my turn. There is just no excuse for that type of behavior.

 

 

 

 

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Working 2 Cruise

Working 2 Cruise

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I'm sorry you didn't like the sea days. What did you not like about them? We're you bored?

 

I have told admit that I love sea days... just relaxing, watching the scenery, reading a good book, gambling, watching a movie, there's so much to enjoy! But I understand that cruising isn't for everyone.

 

I hope you enjoy your British Isles cruise!

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Spideysmum

Spideysmum

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I'm sorry you didn't like the sea days. What did you not like about them? We're you bored?

 

 

 

I have told admit that I love sea days... just relaxing, watching the scenery, reading a good book, gambling, watching a movie, there's so much to enjoy! But I understand that cruising isn't for everyone.

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy your British Isles cruise!

 

 

LOL. Yeah. Bored silly as I don't relax well at all. I would spend two hours in the fitness center and I did finish three books. I don't gamble and it was too cold for MUTS. Husband hates having television going in cabin I'm seriously not into scenery ad nauseum and every glacier by the afternoon of the first day looked like the one before. I'm more of an architectural and art nut. It was fun, however, meeting new people.

 

 

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Working 2 Cruise

Working 2 Cruise

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LOL. Yeah. Bored silly as I don't relax well at all. I would spend two hours in the fitness center and I did finish three books. I don't gamble and it was too cold for MUTS. Husband hates having television going in cabin I'm seriously not into scenery ad nauseum and every glacier by the afternoon of the first day looked like the one before. I'm more of an architectural and art nut. It was fun, however, meeting new people.

 

 

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Since you're into art and architecture, you should look into Mediterranean cruises.... they have very few sea days and all the art and architecture you could want!

 

I also wouldn't recommend any of the Hawaii cruises... too many sea days! As I love them, I will be very happy on my Hawaii-Tahiti cruise, with 8 straight sea days, although that might be a bit much, even for me! And yes, we do have the sip and sail promotion with it. I think my liver might need a vacation when I return.

Edited by Working 2 Cruise
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Thrak

Thrak

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Just returned from our first cruise -Coral Princess northbound from Vancouver. We figured it would be the only way to see Alaska and a one and done for the 49th state.

 

I've been following comments for months about cruising so will add a few of my own

 

Ship was immaculate in every area Our mini suite was overseen by a wonderful steward. The fitness center was better than my gym. We had ATD and never had to wait even by showing up seven-ish. Formal nights saw few in tuxedos and long dresses. Maybe because it was Alaska in September, as one of our dinner companions said. Suited me fine as my usual attire is jeans or workout attire. I did try though and so did my husband who wore a sport jacket and said he felt over dressed.

 

I'm not much of a foodie and usually just happy someone will feed me. The MDR was great and I got to try pheasant and escargot. The buffet had a great salad bar and a lot of selections for lunch. Breakfast was usually also there (hubby not big on pastries at the IC so I only went for elevenish cappuccino and croissant by myself). Sabbatinis was awesome one night - steak and veal and when it morphed into Alfredo's for pizza lunch I was in heaven.

 

We had the everything beverage cards which were thoroughly used from coffees to sodas to wine. I love coffee anytime and I don't object to the much maligned buffet coffee. The wait staff were very efficient and every staff member seemed to be enjoying themselves as well.

 

The only downer in our entire cruise came from a fellow passenger who shopped in Skagway and came back to ship to drop his purchases before heading out. I was at the security scanner when he jammed in front of me and pushed his stuff through yelling "I'm going before you because I've got to catch a train". Then he forgot to take his cell phone out of his pocket and jammed back, stepping on my foot and startled me. I said "no" and then he started shouting at me "you don't tell ME no!!" OMG what a jerk.

 

We took three excursions through Princess - one of them turned out to be an adventure as the rickety old bus broke down on Haine's evening wildlife hike. A few anxious moments but we made it back to the ferry and then back to the ship on time. Didn't really see a lot of wildlife - just a couple of bears and a few Eagles. Whale watch much the same - a couple sightings. It's late in the season.

 

I really DIDN'T enjoy sea days. That's when the beverage cards got put into play a lot. In fact, if we hadn't signed up for the British Isles cruise next May (another case where there are two ports we'd probably never get to see on our own) I think that sea days would off put us so much that, in spite of our Alaska cruise being so great otherwise, cruising could have indeed been one and done.

 

But all was mostly great. [emoji7]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I can't imagine being "one and done" for Alaska. We've been twice and I'm sure we will go again. The second trip included a land tour which made it very different from the first one and the actual sailing route was quite different as well.

 

I'm amazed your husband felt overdressed in a sport coat! I've heard that sometimes it is less formal on some cruises but have never yet experienced it. Even so, I appreciate that you both made an effort for formal night. We love to see the folks dressed up. :)

 

Sorry you didn't enjoy the sea days. I've seen that sentiment expressed by others but I'm really good a relaxing so I love sea days. I can hang out on deck and read and watch people. I do know folks who would go absolutely bonkers on sea days if they cruised but, then again, they don't cruise and can't imagine wanting to do so. ***

 

After our first cruise I was hooked. I can't imagine cruising being a "one and done" but we do know a couple who had that exact experience. Their first and last time was Caribbean cruise on Carnival during Spring Break. They will never cruise again!

 

Many thanks for the review. We love Coral Princess - we did a 17 day full transit of the Panama Canal on her last year.

 

*** Note: It took my wife many years to get me to cruise as I absolutely knew I would hate everything about it. D'Oh! We finally took a 10 day SF/Alaska cruise and I was hooked. One just never knows... ;)

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Thrak

Thrak

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Since you're into art and architecture, you should look into Mediterranean cruises.... they have very few sea days and all the art and architecture you could want!

 

I also wouldn't recommend any of the Hawaii cruises... too many sea days! As I love them, I will be very happy on my Hawaii-Tahiti cruise, with 8 straight sea days, although that might be a bit much, even for me! And yes, we do have the sip and sail promotion with it. I think my liver might need a vacation when I return.

 

Perhaps also look into the European river cruises. Possibly right up your alley!

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Spideysmum

Spideysmum

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Working 2 cruise. You are correct. A Mediterranean cruise may fit us. We try to DIY or Rick Steves organized tours most of the time but the Greek islands are a bit hard to do otherwise. We will see after the BI cruise. I've forbid hubby from driving in Scotland again so this cruise will give him the Orkney Islands. And oh yeah. The Hawaii cruise just would drive me crazy

 

Thrak. I will add that hubby even wore a tie to formal nights. Something he hasn't done since he retired. Not sure about river cruising. Considered it but we usually train it or drive in Europe. Will look into it, however. Thanks. [emoji76]

 

 

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Stumptowngal

Stumptowngal

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Thanks Spideysmum for the Coral review. We will be sailing her for the first time next May.

 

We've only cruised three times (and not in the past 15 years); but I remember how anxious I was about at sea days before our first cruise. I was just sure I'd dislike them and feel sick. Amazingly, I ended up loving at sea days as much if not more than port days.

 

There are some really enticing cruise itineraries in Europe and the Mediterranean which are very port intensive and to really interesting locations. I'm just not certain if I'd like being on the ship so little and would maybe just as soon do our own independent land trip. Not sure what we'll do but do know that we want to keep on cruising

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Spideysmum

Spideysmum

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Stumptowngal - I assume you will be cruising Alaska. Hope you love the beautiful Coral Princess. I may have been bored on sea days but being in such lovely surroundings made it so tolerable. The staff seemed so happy and cheery; the food and drink venues were over the top wonderful and the ports were fun. Have s great time!!

 

 

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mikeb384

mikeb384

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Our first cruise to Alaska was on the Coral Princess in 2003. We did the land tour first - Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, then boarded the ship for the inner passage. We enjoyed the whole experience, and have made two other cruises to Alaska since. One was on a very small ship - 32 passengers. It could go places the larger ships cannot, but we were bored much of the time since there was little to do other than scenery.

Our other trip on Princess was the Tahitian Princess in 2008. We love that ship, large enough for all the amenities and yet small enough (650 passengers) that it's arrival in port is not overwhelming.

 

Our next cruise on the Coral is in late October/early November, a partial transit of the Panama Canal. This will be our second tri to the Canal, but with a cou9ple of different ports of call.

 

After I retired, I made a promise to myself that if we couldn't go first-class, we wouldn't go and so far, we've been able to do that. It's especially nice on longer cruises and flights to Europe, etc.

 

Mikeb384

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mikeb384

mikeb384

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Our first cruise to Alaska was on the Coral Princess in 2006, We did the land tour first - Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, then boarded the ship for the inner passage. We enjoyed the whole experience, and have made two other cruises to Alaska since. One was on a very small ship - 32 passengers. It could go places the larger ships cannot, but we were bored much of the time since there was little to do other than scenery.

Our other trip on Princess was the Tahitian Princess in 2008. We love that ship, large enough for all the amenities and yet small enough (650 passengers) that it's arrival in port is not overwhelming.

 

Our next cruise on the Coral is in late October/early November, a partial transit of the Panama Canal. This will be our second tri to the Canal, but with a cou9ple of different ports of call.

 

After I retired, I made a promise to myself that if we couldn't go first-class, we wouldn't go and so far, we've been able to do that. It's especially nice on longer cruises and flights to Europe, etc.

 

Mikeb384

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harrynterry

harrynterry

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Working 2 Cruise---I agree with you! Sea days are my favorite! I actually would prefer to stay on the ship than get off at ports that I've already been to, to take full advantage all that the ship has to offer, without the crowds.

 

 

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We so agree with that. In fact just to relax sea days are the best. We have laughed over the years that if they offered a cruise that just sailed off the coast of Florida far enough you couldn't see land and just cruised in circles for a week we would have been happy just relaxing.

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