Coral Princess

Launched in 2002, Coral Princess is the first of the two Coral-class Princess ships, together with Island Princess.

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a US cruise company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (founded 1977), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - world's largest passenger shipping company. Among Princess Cruises assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau.

The 91,627-ton, 1,974-passenger cruise ship Coral Princess, together with sister ship Island Princess, is an aberration for Princess Cruises. The line launched only two cruise vessels of this size before joining the rest of industry in building ever-more-massive ships (like those in the Grand class). Not part of either the group of biggest-in-fleet ships or the mid-sized Sun-class vessels, Coral Princess falls somewhere in the middle and in many ways, it represents the best of both. Coral Princess mixes the exotic (international crew members, stylish Italian dining venues, celebrity-style spa treatments) and the familiar (cruising's ubiquitous buffets, poolside umbrella drinks, cocktails and bingo). 

Cruise itinerary program

Coral Princess itinerary program is based on Panama Canal cruises and Alaska sailings during the summer months.

Cabins

Most Coral Princess staterooms are 170-sq.foot balcony rooms (581). Almost 80% of ship's outside accommodations have private balcony views. There are a total of 1000 staterooms in 34 categories. 20 are the wheelchair accessible rooms. The largest aboard Coral Princess are the Balcony Suites (470 ft2).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The two main restaurants onboard Coral Princess serve up traditional 5-course evening meals. The line offers set seating at 6 and 8:15 p.m. in the Bordeaux and flexible anytime dining in the Provence Restaurant. The menus in both venues are the same with favourites, such as Executive Chef Martial Diffor's fettuccine alfredo, beef wellington, deep-sea cod in coriander butter sauce, twin broiled lobster tail. All meals are prepared to order. Menus in the main restaurants also offer vegetarian choices and Lotus Spa innovative dishes, with healthier options like chilled yoghurt and tamarind soup with grated lemon zest, filet of baby turbot with fennel Pernod sauce and tropical fruit smoothie with lime. Guests who prefer more formal fare can choose the sit-down service in the Bordeaux dining room for breakfast and lunch. 

Follows the complete list of Coral Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Bordeaux Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room; dinner only)
• Provence Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room for Breakfast 7-9 a.m., Lunch 12-1:30 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 p.m.; features “Anytime Dining” for Dinner between 5:30-8 p.m. or 8-10 p.m. and "Chef's Table" private dining)
• Sabatini’s Restaurant (Italian speciality restaurant; reservations recommended)
• Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse (speciality restaurant)
• The Bar & Grill (complimentary fast food)
• Horizon Court (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

On either side of the Fiesta and Promenade Decks are the two grandest venues of Coral Princess: Princess Theater and Universe Lounge. Tucked between the two are the majority of lounges and bars, including the clubby Explorers Lounge, the Wheelhouse Bar which is more sedate, the retro Crooners martini bar, Churchill's cigar lounge and the casino, with its various table games like blackjack, poker, roulette and state-of-the-art slots. By day, ScholarShip@Sea program focuses on enrichment with a wide range of programming. There are dance classes, lectures on bridge and fashion, computer instruction. When Coral Princess gets to the Panama Canal, passengers are provided with a lecture about canal's history and how it works. 

Follows the complete list of Coral Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• La Patisserie Bar (speciality coffee bar)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Photo Kiosk; Platinum Studio
• International Cafe (24-hour speciality coffee bar and patisserie)
• Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour); Card Room
• Princess Coral Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• The Universe Lounge (2-level second show lounge, also used for dance lessons)
• Churchill Lounge & Bar (smoking lounge and sports bar)
• Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Princess Coral Casino
• Crooners Lounge & Bar (live music; also used for seminars)
• Explorers Lounge & Bar (disco/show lounge; hosts karaoke, comedy, game shows and art auctions)
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Wedding Chapel
• Coral’s Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
• The Sanctuary (adult-only open-air area)
• Lido Pool area; Lotus Pool area 
• Central Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Shuffleboard; Deck Chess; Princess Links mini golf course.

Princess Cruises Island ship is the first of company's two Coral-Class liners, with sistership Island Princess. Ship's christening ceremony was held on January 18, 2003. Its godmother was Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodríguez de Arias - Panama's first female president (mandate 1999-2004).

The cruise ship has environmentally friendly engines - more silent, less vibrating and with lower emissions and increased fuel efficiency. The engines are mounted in the funnel, freeing space for more public places and facilities.

During summer, the ship offers 7-day Alaskan itineraries from homeports Vancouver Canada and Whittier Alaska. Being one of the "Princess Panama Canal cruise ships", Coral Princess spends autumn, winter and spring on transition cruises through Panama Canal. The ship offers 10-days or 2-week itineraries visiting ports in Aruba, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico Riviera. The two Princess ships Coral and Island are the only Panamax vessels in the fleet. Panamax ships cover all standards for transiting through the Panama Canal.

In 2017, Coral Princess did its maiden season of Panama Canal cruises through the new locks (inaugurated on June 26, 2016).