Coral Princess Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,032 reviews

Very Nice - Probably Won't Cruise Princess Again

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Coral Princess
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writedesign
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Feb 2018

CREW: Captain Rikard Lorentzen, changed to Captain Andrea Poggi in Cartagena.

CD: Miranda McLean, Naturalist Dr. Thomas Ryan, Enrichment Lecture: Mike Raick

ENTERTAINMENT: The naturalist came down with pneumonia at Cartagena and struggled though the Panama Canal lecture. He made no appearances after that– he was very good and this was a big loss. Did not go to most events because of immunity issues this cruise. Love Princess’ all-inclusive unhosted events: Get togethers for teachers, veterans, police/fire, knitters, Friends of Dr. Bob & Bill W, singles, LGBT, bible study, book club, bridge, ping pong. Cardroom crowded on sea days, but better than no cardroom. Compounding problem are half finished puzzles with ‘save’ signs on it. There are other table locations available, like in front of Bayou. Some used Horizon, during peak times.

Cabin Review

Port Reviews

Cartagena (Spain)

National Aviary Tour $70, 4 hour. Great. Several pairs of macaws flew overhead for a striking entrance. We’re told not to interact with birds, captive or free flying, but I couldn’t help but tell some how pretty they were. Little owls hiding in the crack of trees. Andean Condor. The guide spoke excellent English but wasn’t a bird person. There’s a walkway loop we all followed. Easy, but gravel surface can be difficult for walking challenged. Loved it, but regret that we had to keep a rapid pace and miss several birds. Negotiating with a taxi might be a better way. The countryside could be quaint but looks like a city in a garbage strike. Lots of poverty, cur dogs. Our guide told us how happy the people were, how tourism has been on the rise since Obama’s secret service got in the tiff with prostitutes, and the drug crackdown has changed the country so much for the better. Didn’t see any pony carts in town (??) But merchants dealing out of heavily laden wheelbarrows.

San Juan del Sur

4 Wheel Mombaco Volcano Tour - Tour said ‘strenuous’ and it was. Said it was 1 mile... it was 2-3 mi. Up and down steep banks with stair steps of varying distances, made of rock or tropical wood with wet leaves and mud that made it slippery. None of this would have been a problem but my health issues made it challenging. There were many not in shape or older that gave me company. Cloud forest made for heavy fog that dripped rain. Very ‘jungle-y’ no particular visible awareness of volcano or crater. Saw 3 sloths, heard more birds than I saw. 2 vehicles sold out, plus 1. Then they picked up some cute riders to the top. Grenada portion mixed. Walked us through town square. This was a set-up for aggressive vendors. Vendors wear/carry/wave their wares. They chased us 2 blocks down street to restaurant. The food was very authentic– beef, chicken or fish. When we went to leave, the same vendors were at the door. It was a gauntlet. They chased us down the street. I kept my head down– sidewalks are so rough and irregular you need to watch your step anyway. One man did a face plant. Driving the countryside, slightly less garbage, but poverty still a visible problem. Skinny horses grazing side of road. Cisterns catch water from roofs. Little horses pulling carts. Saw cow with long board attached to a collar (??) And a goat with a frame thing over its neck. How can they graze? Saw mother and child kicking and swatting at a young friendly dog cowering, dragging a tie down lead. Guide explained Nicaragua’s desire for canal. Japan is staged to pay. It was the original location because it is so flat. But that raises engineering concerns. It can cut thru Lago Cocibolca (Great Lake size) but that would cause invasive species to destroy the rare local fauna. They can cut a canal but it would devastate the forests and displace indigenous natives. They have a free health care plan. If you have a headache, doctor will treat your headache. But if you still have a headache and need a specialist, an appointment is 2 years out. What do ex-patriots do?

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