Ship Comparison
Coral Princess vs Crown Princess
For a journey that blends intimate discovery with classic comforts, Coral Princess offers unique Panamax itineraries, while Crown Princess provides a grander, yet uncrowded, elegant escape with diverse offerings.
The verdict
Coral Princess brings a unique charm with its Panamax capabilities, allowing for specialized itineraries through destinations like the Panama Canal. It excels in delivering a comfortable, intimate experience with a touch of elegance, appealing to those who appreciate attentive service and a relaxed pace. Crown Princess, a larger Grand-class vessel, offers a more expansive yet thoughtfully managed environment, ensuring an uncrowded feel despite its capacity. Its recent refurbishment brings modern comforts and a broader range of dining and entertainment, making it an excellent choice for adults, couples, and families seeking a balanced mix of relaxation and enriching activities across varied global destinations. Both ships uphold Princess Cruises' commitment to quality, differing primarily in scale and specialized itinerary focus.
Choose Coral Princess if…
Travelers prioritizing unique itineraries through places like the Panama Canal, seeking an intimate ship with attentive service and a classic, comfortable atmosphere, will find Coral Princess a fitting choice.
Best for
- The Panama Canal Explorer
- The Serene Wellness Seeker
- The Classic Cruise Lover
Avoid if
- You prefer high-energy, cutting-edge attractions
- You require spacious standard bathrooms
- You are sensitive to potentially uneven room temperatures
- You prefer all dining options to be complimentary
Choose Crown Princess if…
Guests desiring a larger, elegant ship with a wide array of dining and entertainment, an uncrowded feel, and modern comforts, suitable for both couples and families on diverse itineraries, will appreciate Crown Princess.
Best for
- The Global Gastronome
- The Engaged Explorer
- The Relaxed Romantic
- The Savvy Family Adventurer
- The Understated Luxury Seeker
Avoid if
- You are traveling with toddlers under 3 and require nursery services
- You prioritize complete privacy on your balcony
- You expect gourmet quality from all complimentary dining venues, including the buffet
- You prefer consistently high-quality main theater shows
- You seek the latest high-tech attractions and numerous specialty dining options found on newer mega-ships
Overall Vibe
Coral Princess
The Coral Princess, launched in 2003 and last refurbished in 2009, presents an inviting, mid-sized atmosphere. As a Panamax-class vessel, it was custom-built with specific dimensions to navigate the historic Panama Canal, offering unique itinerary possibilities. Across its 16 decks, the ship strikes a balance between a pleasing sense of glitz and a comfortable, familiar cruising experience, making guests feel right at home. It combines signature touches with opportunities for discovery, appealing to those who appreciate a well-appointed ship that remains intimate enough for personal exploration.
Crown Princess
The Crown Princess, a Grand-class ship launched in 2006 and refreshed in 2018, offers a grander scale than its sister while maintaining an elegant and unpretentious feel. Spanning 19 decks, it provides a balanced blend of relaxation and enrichment, designed to impress with dazzling amenities and sublime dining. The ship's layout is thoughtfully designed to minimize crowds, ensuring a serene environment despite its larger passenger capacity. It's built for those seeking a sophisticated yet comfortable voyage to exotic destinations, offering modern comforts and a refined onboard style.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Coral Princess
Carrying 1,970 passengers with a dedicated crew of 900, Coral Princess fosters an intimate and spacious atmosphere, often appealing to a mature crowd. Despite being fully booked, the ship is noted for its surprising sense of spaciousness and operational efficiency, ensuring a relaxed pace. The crew-to-passenger ratio of approximately 1:2.19 supports attentive service, contributing to a feeling of being well-cared for. Guests can expect a sociable yet comfortable environment, ideal for those who appreciate classic cruising without feeling overwhelmed by crowds.
Crown Princess
With a capacity for 3,080 passengers and served by a crew of 1,200, Crown Princess manages to create an uncrowded environment. The crew-to-passenger ratio of about 1:2.57 ensures a good level of service. The atmosphere is balanced, attracting a slightly older crowd, including many couples and groups traveling together, alongside families who benefit from its well-designed children's spaces. It balances lively public areas with tranquil retreats, providing a relaxing and enriching experience that feels elegant and welcoming to a diverse group of guests.
Dining
Coral Princess
Coral Princess offers a diverse culinary journey, from the complimentary Bordeaux Dining Room with fixed seating and the flexible Provence Dining Room, both serving traditional American and international fare. For a taste of specialty dining, guests can indulge in Sabatini's Italian Trattoria for $25 or savor New Orleans-inspired Cajun and Creole cuisine at Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse for $20. Casual options include the 24-hour International Café, Princess Pizzeria, The Bar & Grill, and the extensive Horizon Court buffet. The "Dine My Way™" option allows for Personalized mealtime customization, enhancing the overall experience.
Crown Princess
Crown Princess boasts an extensive selection of dining venues, including three complimentary main dining rooms: Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo, offering flexible or traditional seating. Specialty dining highlights include the upscale Crown Grill steakhouse and the visually stunning Sabatini's Italian, both for an additional charge. The popular 24-hour International Café in the Piazza provides free casual bites. Other complimentary options are The Salty Dog Grill, Slice Pizzeria, and Coffee & Cones. Guests can also experience the unique Chef's Table or enjoy pub fare at the Wheelhouse Bar, offering a comprehensive and varied culinary landscape.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Coral Princess
Entertainment on Coral Princess centers around classic cruise offerings and enriching experiences. The Princess Theatre presents Broadway-style productions, while the Universe Lounge offers a more intimate, versatile venue for various shows and lectures. A signature highlight is "Movies Under The Stars" on a large 300-square-foot poolside screen, complete with blankets and popcorn. Nightlife includes the Vegas-style Casino, Crooners Bar for martinis and dueling pianos, and the Wheelhouse Bar for a relaxed pub atmosphere. Enrichment opportunities like ScholarShip@Sea programs, culinary demonstrations, and wine tastings round out the offerings.
Crown Princess
Crown Princess delivers a lively entertainment program with options for all. The Princess Theatre showcases Broadway-style productions, while Club Fusion offers a vibrant dance floor for karaoke and themed parties. "Movies Under The Stars" provides first-run films and concerts on a large outdoor screen, a popular evening draw. For active nightlife, Skywalkers Nightclub on the highest deck offers panoramic views and a DJ. Guests can also enjoy "The Voice of the Ocean" singing competition, live music in The Piazza, and game shows in the Explorer's Lounge, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience.
Cabins & Suites
Coral Princess
Coral Princess offers 1,970 cabins across six categories, with an impressive 83 percent of outside cabins featuring private balconies. Accommodations range from Interior (158-162 sq ft) to spacious Suites (460-932 sq ft). Balcony Staterooms, at 217-232 sq ft, provide private outdoor space, and adjoining balcony doors can be unlocked for shared areas. Mini-Suites, including the upgraded Reserve Collection, offer more legroom and a bathtub. While standard bathrooms are efficiently designed, some guests noted tight shower-only facilities. Decor is simple and tasteful, utilizing blues, greens, and coral accents.
Crown Princess
Crown Princess provides comfortable accommodations for its 3,080 passengers, featuring nearly 900 balconies. All staterooms, from Interior to Suites, are equipped with the comfortable Princess Luxury Beds. Standard balcony cabins are 214-222 sq ft, offering a private outdoor area. Mini-Suites, including Reserve Collection options, provide extra space and a bathtub, while Two Bedroom Family Suites cater to larger groups with two bathrooms and an expansive living area. However, some cabins on Decks 5 and 8 may experience noise, and many balconies lack complete privacy due to the ship's tiered design.
Service & Onboard Style
Coral Princess
Coral Princess cultivates a welcoming onboard style that blends understated glitz with a familiar, comfortable atmosphere. The international staff contributes to an attentive service, consistently noted for its operational efficiency, particularly during embarkation and disembarkation. Guests can expect Personalized mealtime options through "Dine My Way™" and convenient food and drink delivery via OceanNow®. While the ship offers elegant specialty dining and celebrity-style spa treatments at the Lotus Spa, it also embraces classic cruising comforts like poolside activities, appealing to those who appreciate a harmonious mix of sophistication and ease.
Crown Princess
Crown Princess prides itself on an elegant yet unpretentious onboard style, enhanced by modern comforts from its 2018 refurbishment. The service is attentive, with features like white-glove afternoon tea and Serenity Stewards in The Sanctuary. The ship utilizes "Dine My Way℠" for flexible dining and boasts superfast MedallionNet Wi-Fi, along with the Princess@Sea app for seamless onboard communication. Its European-inspired Piazza, vibrant with live music, serves as a central hub, reflecting a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance that prioritizes guest comfort and effective crowd management.
Best Itineraries
Coral Princess
Coral Princess stands out for its unique ability to traverse the historic Panama Canal, making it an ideal choice for travelers specifically seeking this iconic and educational passage. Its Panamax size allows access to a wider range of "offbeat itineraries" that larger vessels cannot navigate. For those interested in destination-rich voyages with cultural immersion and historical lectures, particularly focused on the Caribbean, Alaska, or the Panama Canal region, Coral Princess offers a perfectly tailored and intimate exploration experience, appealing to "The Panama Canal Explorer" persona.
Crown Princess
Crown Princess, as a larger Grand-class ship, is well-suited for broader, more diverse itineraries to exotic destinations, offering a balanced mix of sea days and port calls. While not specifically tied to a single iconic route like the Panama Canal, its extensive array of onboard activities and dining options makes it appealing for guests who enjoy a rich ship experience alongside their travels. It caters to "The Global Gastronome" and "The Engaged Explorer" who value both destination discovery and a refined, comfortable ship experience, regardless of the specific region.
What reviewers say
Coral Princess
4/5Coral Princess blends the exotic (an international staff, elegant Italian restaurant, celebrity-style spa treatments) and the familiar (cruising's ubiquitous buffets, poolside umbrella drinks and, yes, bingo). The ship is a vacation destination that offers up a pleasing amount of glitz yet makes passengers feel right at home.
Crown Princess
4.5/5One of Princess' Grand-class ships, Crown Princess excels at providing fun, relaxing and enriching experiences for adults, while also featuring great children's spaces and special programming for families. It offers a simple yet elegant cruise option for those seeking relaxation or romance, with a layout that effectively minimizes crowds.
Itineraries to compare
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