Reef Encounter vs Coral Princess
Mar 5th, 2006, 08:39 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reef Encounter vs Coral Princess
We will be arriving Cairns Nov. 14 and will be in the area for 5-6 days. We'd like to do a short cruise/liveabord on the reef. I have it narrowed down to 3 day/2 night Reef Encounter or 3 day/4 night Coral Princess. Both ships are the same size. Coral Princess is 2.6 times more expensive than Reef Encounterr on a per day basis in the minimum cabin, which is bunk beds on Coral Princess.
Why the big difference in price? Can someone who has been on either or both explain? Does Coral Princess have that much more to offer? We are snorkellers and have cruised over 35+ times on "traditional" cruises. Coral is one of the most expensive per day that I have seen.
Thanks for your feedback/advice.
Susie
Why the big difference in price? Can someone who has been on either or both explain? Does Coral Princess have that much more to offer? We are snorkellers and have cruised over 35+ times on "traditional" cruises. Coral is one of the most expensive per day that I have seen.
Thanks for your feedback/advice.
Susie
Mar 13th, 2007, 06:40 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Susiean,
I just did the Reef Encounter in December and went for the "Top Deck" experience. (don't know if you've reviewed that and compared prices vs. the Coral Princess).
As I was on "Top Deck" I can't comment on the minimum cabins, (although I looked at them, but didn't stay in one). We had a lovely stateroom with a king bed and nice amentities. I haven't done Coral Princess yet, but I'm familiar with them - more upscale, more typical sort of cruising experience.
What did the Reef Encounter offer? Well, as a "Top Deck" person, we were certainly made to feel special! We felt it the moment we boarded.
The ship itself, vs. the Coral, probably isn't as "pretty" or "modern" as the Coral Princess; as you say you've cruised alot you probably know exactly what I mean. My thinking is: as long as the ship is CLEAN, the crew good, and the food as well, you're going to have a good experience.
The Encounter experience was all of these. Yeah, maybe the ship needs some refurb here and there, but it doesn't detract from the experience. The vibe was relaxed, comfy and casual.
Our stateroom was lovely - the food was AMAZING and the crew was young, active, an eager to please staff - a huge plus on any cruise!
This was at the end of our 3 week trip in Australia, and the highlight for my husband! We also splurged and took the helicopter out to the ship.
One of our favorite memories will be our "Top Deck" experience of having dinner in our bare feet, white linen tablecloth, fine wine and an amazing dinner as the sun set with the Captain joining us, pulling up a chair, the Chef personally serving us...it can't get much better than that!
Feel free to email me if you need any other information!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
I just did the Reef Encounter in December and went for the "Top Deck" experience. (don't know if you've reviewed that and compared prices vs. the Coral Princess).
As I was on "Top Deck" I can't comment on the minimum cabins, (although I looked at them, but didn't stay in one). We had a lovely stateroom with a king bed and nice amentities. I haven't done Coral Princess yet, but I'm familiar with them - more upscale, more typical sort of cruising experience.
What did the Reef Encounter offer? Well, as a "Top Deck" person, we were certainly made to feel special! We felt it the moment we boarded.
The ship itself, vs. the Coral, probably isn't as "pretty" or "modern" as the Coral Princess; as you say you've cruised alot you probably know exactly what I mean. My thinking is: as long as the ship is CLEAN, the crew good, and the food as well, you're going to have a good experience.
The Encounter experience was all of these. Yeah, maybe the ship needs some refurb here and there, but it doesn't detract from the experience. The vibe was relaxed, comfy and casual.
Our stateroom was lovely - the food was AMAZING and the crew was young, active, an eager to please staff - a huge plus on any cruise!
This was at the end of our 3 week trip in Australia, and the highlight for my husband! We also splurged and took the helicopter out to the ship.
One of our favorite memories will be our "Top Deck" experience of having dinner in our bare feet, white linen tablecloth, fine wine and an amazing dinner as the sun set with the Captain joining us, pulling up a chair, the Chef personally serving us...it can't get much better than that!
Feel free to email me if you need any other information!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
Mar 13th, 2007, 06:44 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did the 4 day Cairns to Cairns trip in Sep 2004. We have not done Reef Encounter. I can only tell you that our experience on CP II was nothing short of awesome, incredible, wonderful, really great. The food was good and plentiful. The accomodations were very nice for the size boat. The staff very friendly and helpful.
There was a marine biologist on board who helped us immensely with what we were seeing and the biology of the area. She was constantly available.
We would go out with her in the glass bottom boat, listen to her tell what was there, then go snorkle the same area with increased knowledge and appreciation.
They stopped at least twice every day for extended periods. We got plenty of snorkeling, in addition to nature walk on Lizard, and time in Cooktown with guides.
We have snorkled in many places around the world, and this was one of our top experiences.
Value? Can't translate that for you. For us, "priceless" as they might say.
There was a marine biologist on board who helped us immensely with what we were seeing and the biology of the area. She was constantly available.
We would go out with her in the glass bottom boat, listen to her tell what was there, then go snorkle the same area with increased knowledge and appreciation.
They stopped at least twice every day for extended periods. We got plenty of snorkeling, in addition to nature walk on Lizard, and time in Cooktown with guides.
We have snorkled in many places around the world, and this was one of our top experiences.
Value? Can't translate that for you. For us, "priceless" as they might say.
Mar 14th, 2007, 07:14 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I absolutely LOVED the Reef Encounter and am jealous that you will be doing 2 nights (we only did one). The weather didn't cooperate with us and the seas were pretty rough, but it was still a highlight of our 3 week trip. We must have been in a midlevel cabin since we had just a double bed rather than a king. It was very comfortable, though. And I have to agree that the food was wonderful and the crew couldn't have been better. We also met some really great people on board. The boat that gets you out to the Reef Encounter is a bit old and slow, but it was fine. I can't speak to the Coral Princess, but for my money, I would definitely book with Reef Encounter. You will have a fabulous experience!!!!
Mar 14th, 2007, 04:52 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jcasale,
Glad you had a positive experience as well -- we took the heli out, and I was a bit disappointed not to be landing ON the ship, but due to some permit problem that had yet to be resolved, we had to "settle" for landing on a pontoon.
Re: the older, slower boats - I was there with the sales rep from the office (who used to work on the boat at one time), and she said they were going to be switching to a newer, speedier one in the months to come.
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
Glad you had a positive experience as well -- we took the heli out, and I was a bit disappointed not to be landing ON the ship, but due to some permit problem that had yet to be resolved, we had to "settle" for landing on a pontoon.
Re: the older, slower boats - I was there with the sales rep from the office (who used to work on the boat at one time), and she said they were going to be switching to a newer, speedier one in the months to come.
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
Mar 15th, 2007, 11:41 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That would be fabulous if they did get a faster boat. That was really the only downside to the trip. If the woman you talked with in the office was the same one we dealt with when we arrived in town, she was VERY helpful. Told us where to park out rental car overnight and gave us some good recommendations on restaurants. If (no...WHEN) we get back there again, I would consider doing the Reef Encounter again and hope for the weather to be a bit less rough. I took FULL advantage of every single water session, but many of the other snorkelers (my husband included) ended up not going on several of them. For the early morning time, I was the only snorkeler who wanted to go and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to . But they simply sent one of the crew with me as "buddy" and I had a great time.
