Great Panama Canal cruise

Item: Coral Princess
Rating: 3.6
Author: djklinge72

Coral Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

djklinge72

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 61

Overall rating:

3.6 out of 5

Verified Review

10 Night Panama Canal With Costa Rica & Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 10, 2018

Ship: Coral Princess

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: B228

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

I will never book a cruise on the Coral Princess again! I know no one wants to hear this but as a smoker we were treated like 2nd class passengers even though we paid just as much if not more than the non-smokers. The smoking section was on the top deck with no shade, minimal tables and chairs, the other option was on Deck 7 in a corner with no chairs. The ashtrays were never emptied unless one of the passengers emptied them. We as smokers know we're lepers but we should be provided a comfortable area to smoke.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

This was our 6th cruise and this embarkation was the fastest and easiest we've ever experienced.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

We went to the Bayou Cafe and had great service and the food was excellent.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Most of the common areas were clean and maintained except the designated smoking areas. I know as a smoker we're shunned but the only time the ashtrays were emptied is if a passenger would empty them. Even after I complained to guest services there was no improvement. The only service offered in the smoking section was alcohol!

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

If you smoke do not take this ship, you'll be miserable and frustrated.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

4 out of 5

Cartagena, Colombia

1 out of 5

We took a tour of the Old City on our very first stop we were bombarded by the street vendors! They were very persistent and wouldn't take no for an answer. We were so frustrated that we went back to the tour bus trying to get away from them and they followed us there. The excursion was a waste of money, you couldn't enjoy the sites due to all the street vendors. I would suggest this port is taken off the list of stops.

Thumbs Up 0

Panama Canal (Cruise Into Canal)

5 out of 5

Colon, Panama

1 out of 5

It was awful! We could only go to the shops at the dock and were told not to venture past it! After touring the city I completely understand.

Thumbs Up 1

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

4 out of 5

We did the historic banana train ride and it was miserable. All we saw were a few banana plants and the rain forest. I knew it was a old train but it was a rough 2hr ride and really saw nothing interesting, if we would've known we definitely wouldn't have booked this excursion.

Thumbs Up 1

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

The disembarkation was the easiest and most organized we've experienced. We had multiple bags and they were all together so we didn't have to search for our bags.

6 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

oops

Thumbs Up 0

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Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks

Thumbs Up 0

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Tezd 6 years ago

So true ! We just went on carnival conquest and it was the nicest smoking area of any ship we have been on since the no smoking on an outside balcony. We met so many nice people !

Thumbs Up 1

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alleycat51699 6 years ago

I'm a non-smoker, but I agree with you. The anti-smoking activists have gone way too far, even to the point of attempting to ban smoking in your own home.

Thumbs Up 1

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missnotanlines 6 years ago

Wow sounds like you did not have a good time

Thumbs Up 0

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MarineVet71 6 years ago

Agreed

Thumbs Up 1

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Other reviews of this sailing

Very quiet boat. Personal are very professional. Food are awesome. I recommend this boat

Panama Canal Cruise on Coral Princess

Wonderful cruise- awful booking agent