Princess not for us

Coral Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 8

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Coral Princess

15 Night Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean (Los Angeles To Ft. Lauderdale)

Sail date: September 24, 2016

Ship: Coral Princess

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: B231

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Gave this a 3 star only because we loved the itinerary.    Disliked Princess Cruises, who favour Americans over everyone else.   Having been on many, many cruises over the years, on different cruise lines, this is the only one I would not go back on.   Think they are going to get a shock when the bigger cruise ships go through the Panama Canal, offering  much better prices, drinks packages and food.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
Poor food in main dining room, not quite got the "freedom dining " right. Loads of people , like us, using the Buffet dining at night, which is not why took all these dressy clothes!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Excellent space and cabin steward

Ports of call

San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

3 out of 5

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

3 out of 5

Huatulco, Mexico

5 out of 5

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

3 out of 5

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

3 out of 5

Panama Canal Transit

5 out of 5

Cartagena, Colombia

5 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

3 out of 5

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

5 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 8

11 Comments

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Lazyboy    3 years ago

Don't know why this popped up in my look at list today, it is almost 5 years old. But I must say that our experience with the Coral thru the canal around 6 Jan 2019 was one of our best cruises. And talking to some others over dinner from places like Canada, England, and Korea, they thought so too. As far as telling where someone is from, I am American, but I have had many folks ask me if I am from Canada or Australia, and never have had any nationality issues on any "American" cruise ship. Just wonder how you really tell where someone is from in today's world?

muddert    6 years ago

You should try boarding in Shanghai, China !

 

noname111    7 years ago

Originally posted by: glomarrone

It took so long for me to get through the embarkation process that it turned me off the cruise line and I haven't gone back.‚‚  I don't mind waiting my turn but when they kept bringing others to the head of my line when they had other dedicated lines for those boarding passengers elsewhere that were so much shorter than my line, I‚‚  got annoyed.‚‚ 

We had this happen when embarking in the San Pedro (LA) port. That could have doomed PC for us but we realize some of the blame goes to the Port Authority and some on PC.  It really depends on how the port staff handle disabled cruisers.  LA needs some serious education because the port staff were horrid to us.

PC boards by status with new exceptions.  The cruise we took was 28 days in length. There were so many "elites" ahead of us that it took hours (literally) to get them aboard. We were left with no time to grab a bite to eat before the evacuation drill.  This was the one and only time that our bags made it to our stateroom before we did.

glomarrone    7 years ago

So sorry to red that you did not enjoy the food on Princess and felt that the cruise line caters to Americans.

 

I have only taken one Princess cruise.  It took so long for me to get through the embarkation process that it turned me off the cruise line and I haven't gone back.  I don't mind waiting my turn but when they kept bringing others to the head of my line when they had other dedicated lines for those boarding passengers elsewhere that were so much shorter than my line, I  got annoyed.  ]

 

Cruise lines do cater to their clientele.  MSC was soundly criticized by Americans becauase it catered to the European market.  They did change many of the hings that annoyed the Americans.  What did Princess do that made you feel that they were not treating you a non-American the same as the Americans?

BAK1061    7 years ago

Never heard that critique before.

AuntPinkie    7 years ago

Sorry you didn't have the best experience. We also found (on our first and so far only Princess cruise) that Princess did not seem to have a "good handle" on the YTD.  I was hoping that they had gotten better since Jan. 2015.  We may also be eating on the Lido and not wearing our fancy clothes on our cruise in 15 days. Time will tell.

 

I agree with the others that I would like to know what happened that gave you the impression you were not appreciated.

 

I am happy to hear the ports of call are worth the trip.  We will be on the sister ship the Island Princess and I am very excited.

noname111    7 years ago

We are very loyal to PC and are, as it happens, American as well. Neither of us has seen any favoritism demonstrated by crew. Quite the opposite actually. When we have met non-Americans, especially where most of the party are non-English speaking cruisers, we hear nothing but positive comments about how PC crew have been extremely accommodating and concerned about their cruising experience.  

Failing to give examples of how, "Princess Cruises, who favour Americans over everyone else", it is impossible to understand how the comment has any merit. It is, however, unfortunate that you left the cruising feeling that way. I do hope you brought your concerns up to someone on the ship during your voyage, at least giving PC a chance to right-a-perceived-wrong. If not, as has been suggested, write to PC Corporate and provide them specific examples of how PC fell short.  

Johngold    7 years ago

We have cruise Princess twice and have not noticed any of that. The demographics of the cruises we have taken however,were mostly American, or North American. In your case, you should re-post where you noticed this.

Take them again and let us know how it goes.

 

CrusinTim    7 years ago

Let me start by saying that yes, we are American cruisers and we have sailed on Princess twice. I truly feel your favoritism remark towards Americans sailing on Princess is without validity. Princess, as with all cruise lines really do not care where you come from as long as you support their bottom line. Cruise lines strive to provide the best cruise possible so that you would want to come back to sail with them again. I would suggest you write a letter to the Princess corporate offices explaining your dissatisfaction with your cruise. It may take up to three months to get a response but in most cases, they will provide you with not only an apology but amenities to use towards your next booking with them if you have a change of mind. If this was your first sailing with Princess, don't let it set the tone of future sailings with them as you can have a negative experience on just about any ship or line. Try researching more for your personal preferences and read some current reviews before booking your next cruise. Good luck.

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