Ship Comparison
Coral Princess vs Majestic Princess
Coral Princess offers intimate, classic voyages, while Majestic Princess provides a larger, contemporary experience with enhanced dining and modern amenities.
The verdict
For cruisers seeking a more intimate and traditional experience with a focus on unique routes like the Panama Canal, Coral Princess presents a charming option. Its smaller scale fosters a sense of comfort and personalized service. Majestic Princess, on the other hand, is a grander, newer vessel designed for those who appreciate extensive dining choices, modern entertainment, and a lively, social atmosphere that still respects a more relaxed evening pace. Both ships uphold Princess Cruises' commitment to quality, but cater to distinct preferences in ship size and onboard energy.
Choose Coral Princess if…
Ideal for seasoned travelers and couples who appreciate a classic, mid-sized ship experience with a strong emphasis on destination immersion, particularly those drawn to the unique transit of the Panama Canal. Guests will enjoy a relaxed pace, attentive service, and a blend of traditional cruising comforts with enriching activities.
Best for
- Travelers seeking an intimate, mid-sized ship experience
- Guests interested in Panama Canal transits and unique itineraries
- Couples and mature cruisers who prefer a relaxed pace
- Food enthusiasts looking for diverse dining, including New Orleans-themed specialty options
- Wellness seekers who appreciate adults-only retreats and spa treatments
Avoid if
- Guests looking for large-scale, high-energy entertainment and bustling nightlife
- Families with young children seeking extensive, modern kids' facilities
- Travelers who prefer the latest ship technology and contemporary design over classic charm
- Those sensitive to potentially uneven room temperatures in certain areas
Choose Majestic Princess if…
Perfect for couples, adult groups, and families with children who are looking for a larger, modern ship with diverse dining options, abundant live entertainment, and engaging activities across multiple age groups. Guests will value the ship's social yet not overly rambunctious atmosphere and advanced onboard technology.
Best for
- Families with children and teens who desire well-programmed youth clubs
- Couples and adult groups seeking diverse dining and abundant live entertainment
- Cruisers who appreciate modern amenities and advanced onboard technology like OceanMedallion
- Wellness and relaxation seekers valuing a large thermal suite and adults-only pool club
- Food connoisseurs eager to explore a wide range of specialty restaurants
Avoid if
- Passengers desiring a very intimate or small-ship experience
- Guests who prefer a more traditional, fixed-seating dining structure exclusively
- Those looking for a vibrant, late-night clubbing scene
- Travelers on a strict budget for dining, as many specialty options incur additional costs
Overall Vibe
Coral Princess
Launched in 2003 and last refurbished in 2009, Coral Princess exudes a warm, classic charm. As a Panamax mid-sized vessel, she was custom-built to navigate the historic Panama Canal, allowing for unique itineraries. Carrying 2,000 guests across 14 decks, the ship balances a pleasing amount of glitz with a comfortable, at-home feel. Her design emphasizes spacious public decks and intimate nooks, creating an atmosphere that is both grand and welcoming, appealing to those who appreciate traditional cruising without feeling overwhelmed.
Majestic Princess
The Majestic Princess, built in 2017 and recently refreshed in 2025, offers a contemporary and vibrant experience. As a Royal-class ship, she accommodates 3,560 guests across 19 decks, providing a larger scale without sacrificing comfort. Her atmosphere is described as fun, relaxed, and social, featuring a Hollywood chic-style environment in areas like the Hollywood Pool Club. This ship is well-suited for guests seeking a modern cruise with abundant amenities, diverse dining, and a lively yet not overly boisterous onboard energy.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Coral Princess
With a passenger capacity of 2,000 and a crew of 900, Coral Princess maintains an intimate and attentive atmosphere, reflected in its crew-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:2.2. The ship generally appeals to a mature crowd, favoring a relaxed pace and a social yet not rambunctious environment. Even when fully booked, the ship is noted for its surprising sense of spaciousness and operational efficiency, making it feel less crowded and more welcoming for those seeking a tranquil journey.
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess, hosting 3,560 guests with a crew of 1,346, offers a more dynamic and social atmosphere, with a crew-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:2.6. While it provides dedicated family spaces, the ship's vibe is particularly well-suited for couples and adult groups. The overall ambiance is relaxed and fun, encouraging social interaction, though the nightlife tends to be quieter, with the ship often settling down before midnight, making it social but not a late-night party hub.
Dining
Coral Princess
Dining on Coral Princess offers a blend of traditional and specialty experiences. Complimentary options include the Bordeaux and Provence Dining Rooms for fixed or anytime seating, the extensive Horizon Court buffet, Princess Pizzeria, The Bar & Grill, and the 24-hour International Café. For an additional cost, guests can savor Italian cuisine at Sabatini's Italian Trattoria ($25 cover) or New Orleans-inspired dishes at Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse ($20 cover). Unique experiences like the Chef's Table and Ultimate Balcony Dining are also available for a fee.
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess boasts an outstanding and diverse culinary landscape. Complimentary choices include the massive World Fresh Marketplace buffet, the 24-hour International Café, the poolside Salty Dog Café for gourmet burgers, and Alfredo’s Slice for grab-and-go pizza. Specialty dining, available for an additional cost, features the highly-regarded Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini's, The Catch by Rudi for seafood, and the Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar. Exclusive experiences like Chef's Table Lumiere and Winemaker's Dinners also enhance the gastronomic journey.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Coral Princess
Entertainment on Coral Princess leans towards classic cruise offerings. The Princess Theatre hosts Vegas-style shows and first-run movies, while the Universe Lounge presents diverse performances and enrichment lectures. Guests can enjoy live music in various lounges, try their luck at the Vegas Style Casino, or participate in "The Voice of the Ocean" singing competition. Movies Under the Stars on the Lido Deck, complete with blankets and popcorn, offers a relaxed evening option, complementing the ship's generally quieter nightlife.
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess offers a more expansive and interactive entertainment lineup. The Princess Theater stages Broadway-style productions, while the Vista Lounge features comedians and illusionists. Princess Live! hosts interactive game shows and live concerts, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Beyond traditional venues, guests can enjoy poolside fun with live music and the Watercolor Fantasy Fountain, test their skills at the Grand Casino, or unwind at the new O’Malley’s Irish Pub with a live band. The ship also features late-night DJ clubbing in the Piazza.
Cabins & Suites
Coral Princess
Coral Princess offers 987 cabins, with an impressive 83 percent of outside staterooms featuring private balconies. Accommodations range from Interior (156-166 sq ft) to Balcony Suites (470 sq ft). Balcony Cabins (217-232 sq ft) are noted for their roominess, and adjoining balcony doors can be unlocked for shared space. While bathrooms in standard balcony cabins are described as tight, the decor is simple yet savvy, utilizing blues, greens, and coral accents. Suite guests enjoy perks like complimentary laundry and internet access.
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess features a total of 1,780 cabins, offering a range from Interior (158-162 sq ft) to expansive Owner's Suites (587-682 sq ft). All cabins are appointed with the Princess Luxury Bed, quality linens, and flat-screen TVs with on-demand content. Mini-suites (299-329 sq ft) provide a separate seating area and a shower/tub combination, with Reserve Collection perks like private dining. Decor is clean and fresh in shades of brown and burgundy. The ship offers 10 interconnecting balcony and mini-suite cabins, ideal for larger families.
Service & Onboard Style
Coral Princess
Coral Princess prides itself on attentive service and efficient operations. The international staff ensures a welcoming environment, contributing to the ship’s at-home feel. Disembarkation is notably swift, often taking as little as ten minutes from paging to taxi. Suite passengers receive enhanced amenities, including complimentary laundry and internet. The "Dine My Way" system allows for Personalized meal planning, and Serenity Stewards cater to guests in the adults-only Sanctuary, reflecting a focus on comfort and guest satisfaction.
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess combines excellent service with modern onboard style, significantly enhanced by its Medallion technology for seamless experiences like automatic cabin door unlocking. Guests benefit from a dedicated wait staff in Reserve Dining and Personalized service across various venues. Wi-Fi access is available throughout, included with premium packages, allowing constant connectivity. Serenity Stewards attend to guests in the Hollywood Pool Club, and the ship's overall service philosophy supports a relaxed, social, and well-catered voyage.
Best Itineraries
Coral Princess
Coral Princess is uniquely positioned for destination-focused cruising, being custom-built to navigate the historic Panama Canal. This allows for distinctive voyages of discovery to fascinating, often offbeat, destinations that larger vessels cannot access. The ship's "Discovery at SEA Enrichment Programmes" and "Destination-Themed Activities" further enhance the cultural immersion, appealing to a mature crowd eager to explore and learn about the places they visit, making the journey as enriching as the ports themselves.
Majestic Princess
While the payload does not specify particular routes, Majestic Princess, as a modern Royal-class ship, is well-suited for a wide array of popular cruise destinations globally. Its extensive onboard amenities and diverse dining options cater to guests exploring various regions, offering a contemporary and comfortable base for diverse itineraries. The ship's design and features support a vacation experience focused on both exciting ports of call and a rich, engaging onboard environment, making it a strong choice for broad appeal.
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.
Majestic Princess
4/5Majestic Princess offers a classic cruise experience, with excellent food and service. While it may not have the cutting-edge features of more modern ships, its wide range of venues, entertainment, and outstanding dining ensure a very good voyage.
Itineraries to compare
Pick an itinerary on either ship to see all available departure dates.
Coral Princess
Majestic Princess
Compare different ships
Swap either side to generate a new side-by-side comparison.
Ship A
Ship B

