Coral Princess Review
Surprisingly excellent cruise vacation
Rating by category
Additional details
The itinerary, the size of the ship, and the reasonable price made this a second choice when our Voyages to Antiquity Cuba/Yucatan two week cruise was cancelled by the company. Knowing what I know now, it would have been a first choice. We missed Cuba and the Yucatan, but we had an awesome vacation with Princess, enjoyed the ship, and our acomodations. Most of all - rich in lectures and enrichment activities about the places we visited. The Canal itself was a spectacular day.
Anytime Dining was our choice going in, and we would do that again. We did have to be present at 5 pm to eat on the early shift. The passengers on this canal cruise were a slightly older crowd, and late dining kind of cramps your style for taking advantage of the evening programs without tiring.
Dining service was superb. I cannot say enough about the staff. The meal choices were varied and interesting and for the most part, delicious. Even the Horizon Buffet was well managed, with great variety and an abundance of fruit and vegetables. We were delighted to see this. Salad Bar a favorite.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Comfortable and large enough, NOT generous, but very adequate. Only tight space was passage between the foot of the bed and the wall. We managed nicely. Shower was tight but not a deal breaker. Slow to cool if your balcony faced west in the late afternoon, but fine by evening. Mattress comfort was "quality but tired" just a little compressed. Huge wardrobe space, more than anyone should need for a two week itinerary. GREAT steward and service. The balcony was comfortable and the foot rests with the chairs were great for those "naps".
Port Reviews
Puerto Vallarta
Good shopping port. We are familiar with PV, so did not take excursions but rather headed for our favorite places.
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)
Not the best of Costa Rica. The excursions were fine, but we had done most of them on previous land based trips to Costa Rica.
Cartagena (Spain)
Exquisite City. The Princess shopping trip is geared toward jewelry only, but there are other things to see if you wander. We mostly pointed our cameras up in the air to capture the flower draped balconies and the church spires which abound, and to keep from interacting with the numerous, aggressive street vendors who follow you mercilessly. Still, a gem even without the emeralds.