NCL Star vs Coral Princess for Panama Canal

[phillie gal]

Hope someone here can help. We are going to do an eastbound Panama Canal cruise end March or April. Our choices have come down to an MA suite on NCL Star vs an MB mini suite on the Coral Princess. We are okay with price on either line but want the better quality cruising experience of the two. DH likes the thought of the more casual dress on NCL but that is not a deal clincher. Can anyone tell me which ship or at least which cruise line you would choose and why? 

[Heidi13]

Very difficult question to answer without knowing what you are looking for in a cruise. Also the length of the cruises can determine the pax demographic.

 

Have never sailed NCL, but consider them to be a budget line, somewhat similar to Carnival. Princess, even today are a step up in terms of quality, in our opinion.

 

The Coral, along with sister ship Island were custom built to transit the original locks. We have completed a number of trans-canal cruises on both Coral & Island.

 

We have used Princess for over 35 years, but will no longer sail with them, having moved to the luxury/premium market. However, in comparing those 2 companies and ships, I would definitely go with Coral Princess.

[BillB48]

A while ago I was told that NCL did not have any destination lectures... I don't know that to be fact.  The Pearl has recently done a Canal cruise, perhaps you could check the the roll call and get some input from some of the passengers if they had lectures before the transit.  While I understand they do provide for narration during the transit this is not a great substitute for some good background lectures before you transit.

On the other hand Princess does provide destination lecturers for cruises to the Canal, if NCL doesn't provide them, this alone would be enough for me to choose Princess.

[OCruisers]

Coral Princess would be our choice for sure becuse she was made for Panama Canal  Cruises  -- long and thin with lots of viewing areas!  

[phillie gal]

Thanks to each of you, that is the info we are looking for, Coral Princess it will be!

Edited November 10, 2018 by phillie gal
typo

[crystalspin]

Good choice! I say that having cruised PC on the Norwegian Star...

[phillie gal]

Thanks crystalspin!

[mnocket]

We did the canal on the Coral and loved it.  The Sanctuary on the Coral cannot be beat IMHO and is a great place to experience the canal itself.

[Heidi13]

On 11/9/2018 at 5:49 PM, phillie gal said:

Thanks to each of you, that is the info we are looking for, Coral Princess it will be!

Enjoy your cruise, especially the Canal