Coral Princess

We have just returned from cruising Miami to Vancouver via the Panama Canal – 18 days. It was our sixteenth cruise with Princess and one of our best. It is a well appointed little ship (about 2000 passengers) crewed with some of the most attentive personnel we have ever met on a ship. The crew prided themselves on being Princess’s most coveted ship where service is concerned, and they earned it – well done. Miami to Vancouver was a wonderful experience (the second time for us) and I would recommend it to anyone, providing you do not mind too much sunshine and temperatures close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The food on the ship was incredible, and the entertainment was well above average.

The downside mainly comprised two elements: tips and waiting time to get through immigration at Miami Airport. Tips: Princess debit your on-board account with $12.50 a day per person i.e. $450 for eighteen days for two of us (?œ300!). That is excessive so we cancelled the tips and made our own arrangements. I strongly recommend you do that unless you are happy paying ?œ300.

Miami Airport: waiting timed was two and a half hours to get through immigration. An official sign posted at immigration states that Federal cutbacks are responsible for the delay. Be warned, standing in line for that length of time is no joke, particularly after a nine-hour flight. Wash-room facilities were available but there was no refreshment or seating.

Well done Princess. We love you and look forward to our next two cruises in October 2013 on the new Royal Princes.

Alan Dennis
June 2013