Coral Princess Review
Fantastic Cruise - not perfect, but very highly rated!
Rating by category
Additional details
EMBARKATION: We flew into FLL the day before, as I always like that buffer day. Pre-cruise hotel was the Sheraton on the Beach. It was a nice hotel -- but was a fair walk to the beach, as we were in the furthest building. However, we didn't mind the walk. We had dinner at the pool bar, but had to basically beg the server to come to us to take our order, THEN, it took two tries to get the order right. But the food was good when it came the third time. I think we could have walked away without paying, as I had to go to the bar and ask for the bill.
The next morning we walked out the front of the hotel at 11am and the concierge hailed us a cab. We were at the cruise ship terminal within a few minutes. There was a very large snaking line at the terminal. When we walked up to it, they checked our tickets, and luckily we had preferred boarding and were ushered to the first holding area. The wait was about ½ an hour, then they proceeded to guide us to the shore-side check-in. I'd say we were within the first 100 people on board. If you're considering loyalty to one cruise line -- I'd say that preferred boarding is one of the most valuable perks there is! I was on this cruise with my 9 year old son so we had a few different priorities compared to mature travellers.
Once on the ship (which was by 12:15pm), we were able to go directly to our cabin and drop our stuff off, which was nice because I was carrying around a large bottle of wine! We had a nice lunch in the Horizons Buffet. Did a little tour of the ship to get our bearings and then it was time for the Muster Drill. They had several announcements letting everyone know that you were to be at your station at 3:15pm but as always, there were stragglers. Our station was in the Princess Theatre and we were there by 3:05. They filled the theatre from back (top) to front (bottom) based on when you arrived. We were in the 8th row from the back. They wouldn't start the muster drill until everyone was there. People were walking in with their drinks in hand until 3:30 and complained as they walked down to the bottom of the theatre. Please -- if you are reading this and are going on a cruise -- don't be one of these people! If you are one of these people, please realize that the world does not revolve around you and that you deserved the evil eyes as you sauntered to the front of the theatre. End Rant Here.
Cabin Review
STATEROOM: BAJA 317 INTERIOR
This cruise we got an interior cabin: B317. It was wonderful! It was the first cabin from the forward elevators. It was quiet and felt very little movement from the ship and none of the shaking that is often felt in the aft. We were just two decks below the entrance to Horizons and the Lido pool (the pizza station was right there -- which was most important to my son!). The only issue with the location was that the youth (Pelicans, Shockwaves, Remix) was all the way to the aft, and we walked the whole length of the ship at least three times a day! Just a thought for when you pick your cabin if you have kids! The shower is VERY small. We had the beds split and it felt like we had more room than when we have had the beds together. Loved the bed linens (duvet). The mattress's are worn - and we could feel the springs in certain areas. The flat screen TV was wonderful. We just left the bow cam on all night - helped us not to feel like we were in an interior cabin!