Coral Princess Review: 16 Nights, Plenty of Charm, But Where Was the Princess Magic?

An honest look at 16 nights aboard Coral Princess, from the charm of traditional cruising and the historic Panama Canal locks to excellent entertainment, aging facilities, and a service experience that left us wondering what was missing.

Why We Chose Coral Princess

In an era when cruise lines seem determined to build bigger, taller, and more elaborate ships, Susan and I found ourselves booking a 16-night Panama Canal cruise aboard one of the older, smaller ships in the Princess fleet, and we did it intentionally.

Coral Princess isn’t one of those floating resorts with water parks, roller coasters, or enough restaurants to keep you eating somewhere different every night. She’s a more traditional cruise ship, built during a time when cruising was less about the attractions aboard and more about the destinations, the people, and the experience of being at sea. And for this particular itinerary, her size was a major selling point.

We wanted to experience a full transit of the Panama Canal through the original locks, not the newer, larger locks built to accommodate today’s massive ships. Coral Princess was designed to fit through those historic locks, giving us an opportunity to experience the Canal much as generations of travelers have before us.

So we knew going in that we weren’t boarding the newest or most elaborate ship in the fleet. We expected some signs of age, fewer dining options, and a somewhat slower pace. What we didn’t expect was a service experience that sometimes seemed as tired as parts of the ship itself.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

First Impressions: A Little Rust, a Little Charm

Our cruise began at the Port of Los Angeles, where embarkation was quick and easy. Princess generally does a good job getting passengers aboard, and this sailing was no exception. Before long, we were exploring what would be our home for the next 16 nights.

Coral Princess is a nice-looking ship, particularly considering her age. There are plenty of attractive public spaces, comfortable lounges, and areas that reflect the elegance of a more traditional cruising experience. But it doesn’t take long to notice that she’s ready for some attention.

You know those moments when you’re sitting in the dining room, enjoying a meal, and suddenly notice the rust forming around the window frames? Or you’re walking through a public area and feel the carpet rippling beneath your feet? Then there are the paint touch-ups throughout the ship where the new paint doesn’t quite match the old. It’s not a major issue individually, but after a while, you start noticing just how many of those little things there are.

Some of the public restrooms were showing significant wear, and the furniture in certain lounges had clearly seen better days. The armrests on chairs in Crooners Lounge were particularly worn, and we noticed some broken seats in the Princess Theatre. None of these things ruined our cruise, but collectively they created the impression of a ship overdue for some tender loving care.

Interestingly, other areas looked almost new. The Universe Lounge, Explorers Lounge, and Promenade shopping area were all in noticeably better condition. Apparently, there’s always enough paint and polish available to keep the shopping areas looking their best. Funny how that works.

Coral Princess is scheduled for dry dock following her current season, and based on what we observed, the timing seems appropriate. But an older ship showing its age isn’t necessarily a bad ship. In fact, some of the things we enjoyed most about Coral Princess were directly connected to her age and traditional design.

The Crew: Friendly, But Something Was Missing

Over the years, we’ve come to appreciate the little things that make cruising special. The waiter who remembers your favorite beverage, the bartender who greets you by name, or the cabin steward who notices your routine and somehow manages to take care of everything without you ever having to ask.

Those experiences aren’t exclusive to luxury cruise lines. We’ve enjoyed them on Princess, Celebrity, RCL, and other mainstream ships, and they’re a big part of why we keep cruising. On Coral Princess, however, something just felt off.

It wasn’t that the crew was unfriendly. Most everyone we encountered was pleasant, and there were certainly individual crew members who provided excellent service. But that extra level of attention, warmth, and genuine interest in making the experience special just wasn’t consistently there.

We weren’t the only ones who noticed. During conversations with other passengers, the subject came up several times. Nobody was describing a terrible cruise or an openly rude crew. It was more of a shared observation that the service didn’t quite measure up to what we’d come to expect from Princess.

Dinner provided some of the most obvious examples. On several evenings, someone at our table received the wrong meal. At first, we’d point it out, the staff would correct the mistake, and everyone would move on. But it happened so frequently that it eventually became a running joke among our group. We’d almost wait to see who would get the wrong dinner or dessert that night.

There were also occasions when someone wasn’t particularly happy with a meal. On most cruises we’ve taken, the wait staff would immediately show genuine concern, ask what wasn’t right, and work to make things better. On Coral Princess, the response was generally more transactional. Would you like to order something else? Problem addressed, but without much interest in understanding the problem.

Even at the International Café, which became one of our favorite places to grab coffee, tea or a snack, we occasionally witnessed servers being noticeably short with guests. That’s something we rarely encounter on a cruise ship, particularly at a venue built around relaxed, friendly interactions.

Was Mercury in retrograde or had we simply caught everyone during an unusually difficult couple of weeks?

There were certainly some possible contributing factors. We left Los Angeles racing to get ahead of Hurricane Rachel, resulting in a missed port early in the voyage. Later, we experienced the earthquake in Panama City, which understandably created stress and uncertainty for passengers and crew alike. During several conversations, I also learned that a surprising number of crew members were approaching the end of their contracts, some after eight months aboard.

Maybe those circumstances contributed to the atmosphere. Maybe they didn’t. We really have no way of knowing.

With that said, there was high visibility of the ship’s leadership. The captain, senior officers, department heads, and cruise director were frequently seen around the ship, and the captain provided regular noon announcements. We appreciated that presence.

Unfortunately, visibility and leadership aren’t always the same thing.

During the Panama City earthquake, the lack of timely communication and clear direction became one of the most frustrating parts of an already unsettling experience. I’ve written about that day in detail in Live from Coral Princess: The Earthquake Was Scary. The Silence Was Harder, including why communication matters so much when passengers and crew are facing uncertainty.

There was another small but telling difference for us. Susan and I prepay our gratuities, but we also routinely provide additional tips to crew members who make our cruise particularly memorable. Our cabin steward, dining room servers, and the person who keeps the coffee flowing at the International Café are often among those we recognize.

On this sailing, we found ourselves struggling a bit with that tradition. We still provided additional gratuities, but the amounts were noticeably different from what we’ve given on previous cruises. It wasn’t about punishing anyone, but was simply a reflection of an experience that didn’t inspire the same level of appreciation.

Dining Aboard Coral Princess: The Kitchen Delivered

Despite our concerns about service, the food aboard Coral Princess was generally very good, particularly in the main dining room.

We ate in the Princess Dining Room most evenings and found the menus diverse, with plenty of interesting choices. I’d estimate that 90 percent of what we ordered was very good, and there were several meals we genuinely enjoyed. The kitchen clearly knew what it was doing, even if the service occasionally struggled to keep pace.

One of the highlights of our cruise wasn’t necessarily what was on the menu, but who was sitting around the table. Early in the sailing, Susan and I found ourselves sharing dinner with six other passengers. What began as a table of strangers became one of the most memorable parts of our entire trip.

By the end of the cruise, we’d shared stories, laughed about the occasional dining room mishap, and even ventured into conversations about some of the bigger issues facing our country. It was a wonderful reminder that cruising has a way of bringing people together who might never otherwise cross paths. I shared more about that experience in Eight Strangers at Table 246, which remains one of my favorite memories from this sailing.

The Buffet: Twice Was Enough

While the main dining room food generally impressed us, the Horizon Court buffet was another story.

We gave it a try a couple of times, and frankly, that was enough. To be fair, the food was hot, and there was a reasonable variety of selections. But much of what we sampled seemed bland, inconsistent, and prepared with volume rather than flavor in mind.

I realize a buffet serving hundreds of passengers at a time isn’t going to provide the same experience as a full-service restaurant. But we’ve sailed on ships that have figured out how to produce buffet food at scale without sacrificing flavor or quality. Based on our limited visits, Coral Princess wasn’t one of them.

Fortunately, there were plenty of other dining options, and we were happy to explore those instead.

Casual Dining: Great Food, Confusing Schedules

One dining concept Princess offers that deserves a little explanation is its casual dining program. Depending on the Princess package you’ve purchased, you may receive a certain number of included “casual dining” meals during your cruise.

These aren’t the traditional specialty restaurants, nor are they the complimentary poolside grills or the main dining room. Think of them as something in between, offering a more relaxed sit-down dining experience with a limited menu.

On Coral Princess, the concept was particularly interesting because the ship uses existing restaurant spaces to create what are essentially pop-up dining venues.

For example, we enjoyed lunch at the Salty Dog Gastropub, which was operating inside Crown Grill. This is different from the Salty Dog Grill up on the pool deck. The Gastropub offered a limited menu in a comfortable dining room setting, and both the food and service were excellent.

We also tried Alfredo’s Pizza, which was set up inside Sabatini’s Italian restaurant. Again, the menu was limited, but the food was very good, and it was a much nicer experience than simply grabbing a slice of pizza on the upper deck.

The frustrating part was figuring out when these venues would actually be open.

Unlike a traditional restaurant with predictable operating hours, the casual dining options seemed to appear and disappear throughout the cruise. One day a particular venue might be open for lunch, another day for dinner, and sometimes not at all. The only reliable way to know was to check the Princess Patter, the daily newsletter delivered each evening with the following day’s schedule.

It’s an interesting dining concept, and we did enjoy both experiences. I just wish Princess made it a little easier to plan around them.

International Café: Our Regular Hangout

Like many Princess cruisers, Susan and I gravitated toward the International Café throughout the voyage. Whether it was morning coffee, afternoon tea, a sandwich, a pastry, or simply a place to sit and watch the world go by, it became one of our regular stops.

There’s something comforting about having a familiar place aboard a ship, especially during a longer cruise. You develop little routines, recognize familiar faces, and find yourself returning without giving it much thought.

The International Café served that purpose nicely, even if the service atmosphere occasionally reflected the broader inconsistencies we experienced elsewhere aboard the ship.

Entertainment and Activities: Live Music Everywhere You Turn

If there’s one area where Coral Princess exceeded our expectations, it was the amount of live music available throughout the ship. In fact, I can’t recall sailing on another Princess ship, or perhaps any cruise ship, that offered so many opportunities to enjoy live music throughout the day and evening.

Whether you wanted to sit back with a cocktail, relax in a lounge, or simply enjoy some music between activities, there always seemed to be something happening somewhere aboard. And it wasn’t just the quantity of performances that impressed us. The lounge entertainment was consistently good, regardless of which venue we visited.

Perhaps that was partly a reflection of the passenger demographics. With a somewhat older crowd aboard, live music may have been a bigger draw than some of the more elaborate activities found on newer ships. Whatever the reason, Princess seemed to get this part of the experience right.

The entertainment in the Princess Theatre was a little more of a mixed bag. The production shows featuring the ship’s resident performers were entertaining enough, and certainly provided an enjoyable way to spend an evening. But they didn’t have quite the same polish or energy that we’ve experienced from some production casts on other ships.

The guest entertainers, however, were another story entirely.

We enjoyed an excellent variety of performers, including a vocalist whose show celebrated the music of ABBA, a couple of very funny comedians, talented dancers, and a male vocalist who took us on a musical journey through the songs of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and others. The variety was terrific, and the quality of these guest performers rivaled what we’ve experienced aboard just about any ship we’ve sailed.

The organized daytime activities weren’t quite as successful. While the entertainment staff seemed enthusiastic and did their best to engage passengers, some of the games and activities simply didn’t connect with the audience. On more than one occasion, it seemed that many passengers weren’t particularly familiar with the games being offered, which made participation a bit awkward.

That may have been a case of not fully understanding the audience. A 16-night Panama Canal cruise with a predominantly older passenger demographic is going to attract a different crowd than a seven-night Caribbean sailing filled with families. The activities that work well on one cruise don’t necessarily translate to another.

Still, taken as a whole, entertainment was definitely one of the highlights of Coral Princess. Between the excellent guest performers and the abundance of live music, there was rarely a shortage of opportunities to sit back, relax, and enjoy a show.

And on a ship that embraces a more traditional style of cruising, that kind of entertainment fits perfectly.

Life Aboard: Rediscovering the Charm of Smaller Ships

One of the things we genuinely appreciated about Coral Princess was how much she reminded us of the ships that first introduced many of us to cruising.

The lounges are smaller and more intimate. The public spaces feel more traditional. And rather than trying to impress passengers with an endless assortment of attractions, the ship provides places where people can simply relax, visit, read, or enjoy a game.

Two spaces on Deck 8 particularly stood out.

The first was the library, which may have had the largest selection of books I’ve encountered on a cruise ship. There was a wonderful variety of genres, along with comfortable seating and beautiful ocean views. It was the kind of room where you could easily spend an entire afternoon with a good book and forget about everything else happening aboard.

Directly across from the library was an equally impressive game room. I’d estimate there were at least ten tables available for cards, puzzles, and board games, and the room was frequently busy throughout the voyage.

Apparently, Coral Princess attracts a serious Mah Jong crowd. I counted approximately twenty sets available for passengers to use, and between Mah Jong, Bridge, other card games, and puzzles, those tables were getting plenty of use.

What I liked most wasn’t necessarily the size of the rooms, but how passengers used them. These weren’t decorative spaces sitting empty for most of the day. They were genuine gathering places where people connected, spent time together, and enjoyed activities that didn’t require purchasing anything.

Imagine that. A cruise ship dedicating valuable space to people simply enjoying each other’s company.

The passenger demographics probably contributed to that atmosphere. This was definitely an older crowd, and while I have no official numbers, I’d guess the average passenger age was somewhere around 70 years young. That isn’t particularly surprising on a 16-night Panama Canal sailing in October, where many passengers are retired and have the flexibility to take longer vacations.

For us, it added to the traditional cruising atmosphere. There was less emphasis on constant activity and more opportunity to settle into a comfortable rhythm.

Our Stateroom: A Little Tired, But What a Bed!

Our stateroom was much like the ship itself: comfortable, functional, and showing its age in some places more than others. The bathroom was clearly ready for an update, and the balcony was probably the most obvious example of the ship’s aging condition. Between the visible wear and tear and the various shades of mismatched paint on the walls, it looked like several maintenance crews had taken turns trying to freshen things up over the years, without anyone agreeing on the original paint color.

But then there was the bed.

For all the areas of our cabin that were crying out for refurbishment, the bedding seemed like it had just been delivered and installed while the ship was heading to Los Angeles to pick us up. The mattress was extremely comfortable, the pillows were excellent, and the linens felt noticeably newer and better than what we’ve experienced in many cruise ship cabins, and frankly, quite a few hotels.

Susan and I both commented on how surprisingly comfortable the bed was, especially considering the condition of some of the other furnishings. It was almost comical to walk past an aging bathroom, step onto a balcony desperately needing attention, and then climb into a bed that felt like it belonged in a newly renovated luxury hotel.

And on a 16-night cruise, a great night’s sleep counts for a lot. Whatever else Coral Princess may need during her upcoming dry dock, we certainly hope they leave those beds alone.

Old Ship, Modern Technology

While Coral Princess may be showing her age in some areas, Princess has done an excellent job incorporating technology that makes cruising easier.

We’re big fans of the MedallionClass experience. Having your cabin door automatically unlock as you approach is one of those conveniences you quickly take for granted. The ability for staff to recognize you at various venues also makes transactions and interactions easier.

Then there’s OceanNow, which allows passengers to order food and beverages through the Princess app and have them delivered to many locations throughout the ship. It’s pretty remarkable when you think about it. You can be relaxing somewhere aboard, place an order, and have a crew member find you without needing to provide a traditional location or table number.

We found the technology worked much as expected, and it’s one area where Princess continues to deliver a very good experience.

It’s also an interesting contrast. You can be sitting in a traditional lounge aboard a ship more than two decades old, surrounded by furnishings that could use some updating, while using technology that feels surprisingly modern.

The Panama Canal: Why Coral Princess Was the Right Choice

Of course, the biggest reason we selected this particular sailing was the Panama Canal itself.

We wanted to experience a full transit through the original locks, and Coral Princess’s smaller size made that possible. The ship was built to fit within the dimensions of the historic canal, something many of today’s much larger cruise ships simply cannot do.

There’s something extraordinary about standing aboard a ship and watching the massive lock gates close behind you, the water rise or fall, and the vessel slowly move through an engineering achievement that has been operating for more than a century.

For us, experiencing those original locks was more important than having the newest restaurants, entertainment venues, or attractions aboard.

And while the Canal transit was the centerpiece of the itinerary, one of our favorite experiences actually took place during a shore excursion in Panama.

Monkeys, Wildlife, and an Unexpected Adventure

During our stop in Panama City, we booked the Monkey & Wildlife Nature Cruise on Gatun Lake. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable excursions we’ve ever had.

We traveled by boat through the beautiful waterways surrounding Gatun Lake, looking for wildlife along the shoreline and in the trees. We were fortunate enough to encounter howler monkeys, tamarins, and white-faced capuchin monkeys, along with other wildlife throughout the excursion.

But the real fun began when some of the monkeys decided to come aboard our boat.

Okay, perhaps they needed a little encouragement. Our guides used crushed plantains to attract them, and apparently, word travels quickly in the monkey community when free food is available.

Watching these curious animals approach and interact with our boat was a wonderful experience, and one that gave us some terrific photographs and memories.

What makes that morning particularly memorable in hindsight is what happened just a few hours later. After returning from a peaceful wildlife excursion, we found ourselves dealing with the uncertainty and confusion surrounding the Panama City earthquake.

It was quite a contrast, going from monkeys climbing aboard our boat to passengers evacuating a cruise terminal. But that’s travel. Sometimes the most memorable experiences aren’t the ones you planned.

When the Ship Has Character, the Crew Matters Even More

As I reflect on our 16 nights aboard Coral Princess, I keep coming back to something that I think is particularly important when sailing on an older ship.

There’s a certain charm to traditional cruising. You don’t need endless specialty restaurants, elaborate attractions, or enormous entertainment venues to have a wonderful vacation. Sometimes the appeal is found in smaller spaces, familiar routines, good conversations, and the opportunity to slow down.

Coral Princess has plenty of that charm. Her library, game room, lounges, and overall atmosphere reminded us of what cruising was like before ships became floating destinations unto themselves.

But there’s a tradeoff.

When a ship doesn’t have the newest attractions or amenities, the people who work aboard become an even bigger part of what makes the experience memorable. A waiter who remembers your preferences. A bartender who greets you before you’ve even ordered. A cabin steward who notices the little things. Those interactions aren’t simply good service, but are part of the experience.

And unfortunately, that’s where Coral Princess fell short on our sailing.

We could overlook the worn furniture, the mismatched paint, and the rust around the windows. After all, we knew we were sailing on an older ship. Those things didn’t prevent us from enjoying the cruise.

What was harder to overlook was the feeling that something was missing from the people who should have brought that ship to life.

That’s not meant as a criticism of every crew member. We encountered some wonderful individuals, and I have no doubt that many were working hard under circumstances we may never fully understand. But taken as a whole, the service experience simply didn’t meet the standard we’ve come to expect from Princess.

And on a ship where the human connection is such an important part of the experience, that difference matters.

Final Thoughts: Would We Sail Coral Princess Again?

Looking back, there was a lot to enjoy about our 16 nights aboard Coral Princess. The main dining room food was consistently good, the casual dining experiences were enjoyable, and the ship offered some wonderful traditional spaces that are becoming increasingly uncommon on newer vessels.

Most importantly, Coral Princess delivered the experience we had booked her for: a full Panama Canal transit through the original locks. That alone was a significant part of why we chose this sailing, and we wouldn’t trade that experience for a few more restaurants or modern attractions.

But the ship also reminded us that a great cruise is about more than the itinerary, the food, or the amenities. It’s about how the entire experience comes together, and particularly how the people aboard make you feel.

Coral Princess has the bones of a wonderful traditional cruise ship. With some needed refurbishment and a renewed emphasis on the personal service that has long been part of the Princess experience, she could offer something increasingly valuable in today’s cruise industry: a smaller, more intimate ship where the journey and the people matter more than the attractions.

Would we sail her again? For the right itinerary, particularly after her upcoming dry dock, we’d certainly consider it. But we’d also hope to rediscover a little more of that Princess magic that seemed to be missing this time around.

Because while a fresh coat of paint can make an older ship look new again, it’s the crew that makes passengers want to come back.