Which ship would you choose?

[TMW67]

We are in the planning stages of our Alaska cruise & we have never cruised with Princess before, but have cruised other lines before & always book interior rooms because we're hardly in our room & prefer to be out & about on the ship. We don't drink or gamble, so don't care about bars or casinos.

So, between the Island Princess, Coral Princess, Star Princess & Golden Princess, which of these ships is the nicest (appearance wise, & no overcrowding issues in main public areas) & has the best outside viewing areas?

[hpeabody]

My choice would be The Coral. I have never had a bad experience on her and she does seem a little less crowded to me. Also, in Alaska I believe Coral is one of the ships that cruises Glacier Bay. As to an inside cabin, Alaska is one place you really want a balcony if you manage it.

 

IIRC, Coral has little known door access out to the bow. I don't recall which deck. Someone else may know more about this.

[jean s]

Another vote for Coral. Great size ship with an awesome crew.

[CineGraphic]

coral!

[neverbeenhere]

Coral... As I will not go to Tracy Arm anymore. Princess/Celebrity can't/won't travel up to Sawyer Glacier, so all you do is view it from a long long way away. YMMV

[skynight]

We are in the planning stages of our Alaska cruise & we have never cruised with Princess before, but have cruised other lines before & always book interior rooms because we're hardly in our room & prefer to be out & about on the ship. We don't drink or gamble, so don't care about bars or casinos.

So, between the Island Princess, Coral Princess, Star Princess & Golden Princess, which of these ships is the nicest (appearance wise, & no overcrowding issues in main public areas) & has the best outside viewing areas?

The Coral, Star or Golden are all nice choices and meet your criteria. All have nice viewing areas, indoor pools, nice lounges, two show theaters. I would avoid the Island. During it's dry dock a few years ago the second show lounge/activity venue, Universe Lounge, and the rest of the aft section of the ship was converted to cabins, adding 200+ more passengers and removing public space.

[argenta01]

Coral for sure. If you like inside cabins, go with an ID (B712,14,15,17 & B724, 26, 27,29). If you check the deck plans, you will see 2 doors that go right out to a huge public viewing area. Most of the time it is empty. There are loungers out there and it is covered. You will have a 180 degree view just a few steps from your cabin! :D Way better than the limited view you will get from a balcony.

[paul929207]

Like the others, my vote is for the Coral

[Coral]

Another vote for Coral Princess - no competition.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I have sailed on three of the four ships you mention (Coral, Golden and Star). They all are good ships, but I also recommend the Coral Princess. This ship is a nice size and has great observation decks across the stern. As mentioned above, I would avoid the Island Princess.

 

Chuck

[Times Prince]

Sailed on the Island Princess when she was a true sister ship to the Coral. A big advantage for these ships is front to back access on both deck 6 and 7. This eliminates a lot of the crowding and/or congestion found on Grand class ships where the only inside front to back access is on one side of deck 6.

 

I would go with Coral, all other things being equal.

[Robinsoncruiseso]

I like the Star Princess. Lots of outside deck for glacier viewing, plus has Skywalkers which gives you a great view off the back of the ship. Large atrium area is good for quick access to the outside deck for viewing and then you can duck inside to escape the cold or visit the Ranger's display. Also, the International Cafe is on this ship.

[Lucky TGO]

My vote go to the Coral Princess. I cruise on the Coral twice and I liked it. :)

Tony

[cr8tiv1]

One more vote for the Coral.

 

1. It is one of the smaller ships sailing in US waters.

2. It has more public to passenger ratio than the Grand Class ships

3. It has the best outside (aft/bow) decks for viewing (especially since you are considering interior cabins)

4. I would chose an interior on the Plaza Deck near the Art Gallery/Piazza.

5. Any ship that sails Glacier Bay is a must.

 

I've been on the Coral, Golden, Star. All three are very nice. I would avoid the Island like the plague.

[rbslos18]

Welcome to Princess and our favorite vacation. We have been on other premium and luxury lines but feel most at home on a Princess.

 

 

We have been on all of the mentioned ships. They are all wonderful and have a similar Princess brand feel despite their different sizes.

 

Personally, I’d choose the ship based on the itinerary. We have happy memories on all of them. As long as there is a promenade deck DW is happy.

 

With all things being equal, we'd choose the Coral. But you can’t go wrong with any of them.

[TMW67]

Awesome! Looks like the winner is Coral! Thanks so much argenta01 and cr8tiv1 for the inside cabin suggestions as well, that really helps! :D All 4 ships had the same itinerary, so it pretty much came down to which ship. Thanks everyone for your reply's!

[BarbinMich]

I like the Star Princess. Lots of outside deck for glacier viewing, plus has Skywalkers which gives you a great view off the back of the ship. Large atrium area is good for quick access to the outside deck for viewing and then you can duck inside to escape the cold or visit the Ranger's display. Also, the International Cafe is on this ship.

 

We've been on both the Coral (twice thru the Panama C) and the Star (TA, Alaska-2014). Star was great for Alaska as above poster says. You can easily access the bow, as is true for all grand class ships (just a flight of steps from Promenade deck) and the promenade also wraps around the bow. As ships always slowly rotate when at Glacier Bay, there is always easy access to a view of the glacier there. While it's true the Star carries 1,000 more pax, you wouldn't have known that at Glacier Bay--no problem with crowding on Promenade deck.

[capriccio]

Awesome! Looks like the winner is Coral! Thanks so much argenta01 and cr8tiv1 for the inside cabin suggestions as well, that really helps! :D All 4 ships had the same itinerary, so it pretty much came down to which ship. Thanks everyone for your reply's!

 

Excellent decision! Watch the Patters for the announcement of the performances of "On the Bayou" in the Universe Lounge. The production was developed specifically for the Coral and Island Princesses and is the best production we've ever seen on Princess.

[Colo Cruiser]

Awesome! Looks like the winner is Coral! Thanks so much argenta01 and cr8tiv1 for the inside cabin suggestions as well, that really helps! :D All 4 ships had the same itinerary, so it pretty much came down to which ship. Thanks everyone for your reply's!

 

 

Good choice!

[nini]

Alaska is soooooooooooo gorgeous! We were on the Golden twice and Crown once. We actually made it into Sawyer Glacier which was beautiful- we all hung out just outside Skywalkers and also on the bow.

Also, seeing the comments of the Coral is very encouraging- we will be on her in January for the PC. Some recent comments have been negative.

Enjoy!!!

[OCruisers]

Yet another vote for CORAL! :D

[Wishing on a star]

Go for one of the OV cabins off the Atrium, next to / behind the Casino, with the huge picture window. ; )

[portcbob]

Hi guys. We are researching the same trip from Australia for May, 2019. Looks like the coral it will be if she still does glacier bay. That is a must for us.

Thanks all for the ship info.

Cheers Bob.:):):)

[cr8tiv1]

Hi guys. We are researching the same trip from Australia for May, 2019. Looks like the coral it will be if she still does glacier bay. That is a must for us.

Thanks all for the ship info.

Cheers Bob.:):):)

 

Good luck. That's pretty far out. I tried to book the Coral round trip from LA for the summer of 2018. My TA booked it, received a confirmation number...and the very next day, the voyage was cancelled and substituted with the Star. Which I then canceled.

 

Economically ordered:

 

Interior - Plaza Deck

Ocean View - Fiesta Deck

Balcony - Caribe Deck/forward last cabin of first bump out)

[framer]

What the cheapest? The front clam shell on the Star and Golden is nice if the weather goes south. Also the full wrap around promenade deck is great. Then you can get on top of the bridge with spectacular views. Last Skywalkers to view in warmth and comfort.

 

I second the balcony on the Alaska routes. You wake up to a pot of coffee being delivered to your room, pour a cup and step outside to super views.

 

framer