The cruise started off with a quick non-stop flight from RDU into FLL. Our bags arrived at the luggage carousel quickly and after an easy taxi ride, we arrived at the port. Check in was the quickest we've ever had -â€" EMBARKATION GETS 10 OUT OF 10! We were onboard around noon, found our room and dropped on the carry-ons and headed for lunch on the Lido deck.
This cruise started off great and continued to be a wonderful cruise. We love Coral and Island Princess. They're such a nice size -â€" about 1,000 less passengers than the larger ships and almost all the same amenities. One thing they don't have that I miss is the International Cafe. Perhaps, it will be added during the next dry dock :D
As far as the cruise goes, the Panama Canal is al ways an awesome experience. It's amazing to think this structure was built so long ago with so little technology and is still 100% functioning. You could see the construction for the new super canal that will accommodate today's larger ships to be completed in the next few years.
This was only the second time we've stayed in an inside room. It worked out fine because we don't spend much time in the cabin. It was small -- but isn't everything (other than mini and suite level)? It was a good deal for the price.