Public Areas & Facilities

Princess includes Coral Princess in the Sun-class category; however, she's a larger ship with a similar capacity, which means much more space per passenger. All the Personal Choice features attributed to the larger Grand-class ships were incorporated into this new design as well as a few unique additions, such as a demonstration kitchen and ceramics lab complete with kiln where ScholarShip @ Sea programs are presented. The four-story atrium is similar to that on Sun-class ships, but public rooms are mainly spread fore and aft on two lower decks.

While signature rooms such as the Wheelhouse Bar are more traditional, the casino has a subtle London-like atmosphere with themed slot machines; Crooner's Bar is a retro 1960s Vegas-style martini and piano bar. In addition to the stately Princess Theater showroom, the Universe Lounge has three stages for shows and flexible seating on two levels, making it a multipurpose space.

Restaurants

Coral Princess has one dining room with two traditional assigned dinner seatings and a second dining room for open-seating Personal Choice cruisers. Alternative dining options are the two specialty restaurants, Sabatini's and Bayou Caf[ac],both of which have a surcharge and require reservations. The pizzeria, grill, patisserie, and ice-cream bar offer casual dining options.

What Works & What Doesn't

As many as 20 courses in the ScholarShip @ Sea Program are offered on each cruise, and you can select from ceramics, cooking fundamentals, computer, and photography classes or attend lectures on a wide range of topics. No one should have trouble finding their way around or feel crowded on Coral Princess. Oddly, the library and card room are situated so they are often used as passageways, which results in a bit more noise than usual in areas that should be quiet.

Accommodations

Layout: Stepped out in wedding-cake fashion, over 83% of ocean-view staterooms include Princess Cruises' trademark private balconies. Even the least expensive inside categories have plentiful storage and a small sitting area with chair and table. Suites have two televisions, a sitting area, wet bar, large walk-in closet, and separate bathtub and shower. Minisuites have a separate sitting area, two televisions, walk-in closet, and a combination bathtub/shower.

Amenities: Decorated in attractive pastels and light-wood tones, typical staterooms have a personal safe, hair dryer, refrigerator, and bathrobes for use during the cruise. Bathrooms have shampoo, lotion, and bath gel.

Suites: Occupants of sixteen suites receive complimentary Internet access, dry cleaning, and shoe polishing, afternoon tea and evening canapés delivered to their suites, and priority embarkation, disembarkation, and tendering privileges. An extended room service menu is also available for them, as are priority reservations for dining and shore excursions.

Good to Know:Twenty staterooms are designed for wheelchair accessibility and range in size from 217 to 374 square feet, depending upon category.

Category	Size (square feet)
Suite	470
Minisuite	285-302
Oceanview Balcony	217-232
Oceanview Stand./Deluxe	162/212
Inside	156
All dimensions include the square footage for balconies.

Favorites

Best Splurge: Surprise your sweetie with flowers or chocolates delivered to your cabin from the shipboard floral shop. Orders are taken at the Passenger Services Desk.

Best Place to Escape the Crowds: Claim a padded steamer chair on the wrap-around promenade deck for quiet spot to read or nap.

Most Appreciated Addition: The Fine Art Gallery is a dedicated spot for art-auction stock, meaning that displays don't clutter the passageways and distract from the art pieces selected to complement the décor.

Our Favorite Spot for a Nightcap: With seating for only 15, the clubby Churchill's has a custom humidor and call-button for bar service that summons a server from the nearby Crooner's Bar.

Best for Families: Cabins that sleep third and fourth passengers are numerous, and the best bet for families are interconnecting balcony staterooms on Aloha Deck (A624-A631 and A704-A722), which are adjacent to facilities dedicated to children and teens.