Coral Princess: Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents
If you’re looking for a big ship experience, but without the crowds, the Coral Princess delivers on good food, comfy rooms, and a proper holiday vibe. She’s one of the smaller ships in the Princess fleet, which means fewer crowds, easier navigation, and a more chilled-out atmosphere.
Whether you’re sailing past glaciers in Alaska or island-hopping through the South Pacific, Coral Princess brings that sweet spot between adventure and relaxation. She’s got all the essentials: balcony cabins with cracking views, restaurants that’ll tempt you back for seconds, and just enough onboard activities to keep things interesting without overwhelming your holiday brain.
Here’s everything you need to know before hopping aboard, from 2025/26 itineraries to where to eat, what to do, and where to crash between cocktails.
2025/26 Itineraries and Destinations
If you’re the kind of traveller who likes a bit of variety (tropical islands one month, glaciers the next), the Coral Princess might just be your dream ship. Her 2025/26 itineraries look enticing, offering a mix of warm-weather lounging, nature-packed adventures, and full-blown round-the-world epics.
She’s kicking things off with classic Alaska runs. Passengers will enjoy misty fjords, towering glaciers, and a fair chance of spotting a bear. These cruises usually leave from Vancouver, winding through the Inside Passage and stopping off at ports like Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau. It’s a bucket list trip, and Coral’s size makes it a bit more personal than the bigger ships muscling through those same waters.
In the cooler months, Coral Princess heads down to the Caribbean, serving up sun-soaked island-hopping with stops like St. Lucia, Grenada, Aruba, and many other postcard-worthy destinations. If you’re dreaming of turquoise water and cocktails by the pool, this one’s for you.
There are also some longer repositioning cruises between continents, perfect if you love a sea day or ten. One standout is the Sydney to Singapore trip (or the reverse), which gives you a few exotic ports and a heap of time to truly unwind. And for the real diehards, there’s the World Cruise: 131 days of globe-trotting goodness, where you can rack up more countries than your mates have fridge magnets.
Dining and Culinary Experience
For most of us, half the reason we cruise is for the food, and Coral Princess doesn’t disappoint. Whether you’re into fine dining, buffet binging, or grabbing a cheeky burger after a dip, there’s something here for every kind of appetite.
The main dining rooms—Provence and Bordeaux—are where you’ll get white tablecloths and rotating menus with everything from seafood to steaks, pasta to puddings, with enough variety to keep things interesting over longer trips.
If you’re feeling fancy, book into Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, where the pasta’s handmade and the wine list will make your inner nonna weep with joy. Or go for the Bayou International Café & Steakhouse, which serves up straight Louisiana vibes: gumbo, jambalaya, live jazz, the works.
For something more casual (and often underrated), the Horizon Court buffet is a crowd-pleaser. Breakfasts here are solid, and the views aren’t bad either. And if you’re craving comfort food, the Salty Dog Grill does a cracking cheeseburger and chips. Also worth a mention: room service. It’s free, it’s 24/7, and it’s perfect for lazy mornings or midnight snacks.
And if you’re keen to level up, the Chef’s Table is a must-do. It’s a multi-course small bite meal hosted by the ship’s executive chef, paired with wines and behind-the-scenes kitchen insights. Just book early, because there are limited spots, and they go quickly.
Onboard Activities (Family, Kids and Couple)
You’re never short of something to do on the Coral Princess—whether you’re wrangling the kids, travelling as a couple, or just keen to make the most of your sea days. While she’s not the flashiest ship in the fleet, she’s got plenty of personality—and more than enough to keep everyone entertained.
For Families
Coral Princess makes it pretty easy for families on board. You’ve got pools, live game shows, interactive trivia, and a mini-golf course to keep everyone happy. There’s a basketball court for a bit of friendly competition and Movies Under the Stars at night. Perfect for flopping into a deck chair with popcorn while the kids wear themselves out.
The ship also puts on destination-themed activities depending on your itinerary. Think salsa lessons, ukulele strumming, or themed crafts the whole family can get into. And if you’re doing one of the longer cruises, there are enrichment talks and port lectures that even the older kids might find surprisingly interesting.
For Kids & Teens
Coral Princess has proper kids’ and teens’ clubs:
- The Treehouse (Ages 3–7): This one’s all about crafts, storytime, dress-ups, and games. It’s super colourful, full of energy, and the staff are brilliant with little ones.
- The Lodge (Ages 8–12): At this level, kids will get scavenger hunts, sports tournaments, science experiments, and themed parties.
- The Beach House (Ages 13–17): For teens who want to do their own thing, this hangout has video games, movie nights, dance comps, and karaoke. They can also get stuck into dodgeball, foosball, and even hip-hop classes if they’re game.
The clubs are split by age group and run by trained staff, so you can relax knowing they’re in good hands.
For Couples
If you’re cruising as a couple, Coral Princess serves up plenty of ways to unwind and reconnect.
First stop should always be The Sanctuary. It’s an adults-only retreat at the top of the ship with cushy loungers, soft towels, chilled drinks, and staff that bring everything to you. No kids, no queues, just peace, sunshine, and sea breeze.
If you’re in the mood for pampering, head to the Lotus Spa for a couples massage or a soak in the thermal suite. Later on, grab a wine and catch a show in the theatre. You’ll get everything from Broadway-style productions and live bands to magic acts depending on the night.
And of course, there’s always the classic combo of dinner and a movie. With Movies Under the Stars, you can cuddle up on a lounge chair, blanket over your legs, and watch a film under the night sky.
Accommodations Details
Whatever your budget or holiday style, Coral Princess has a cabin to match. You’re not going to get palatial rooms, but everything’s clean, comfy, and surprisingly roomy for a vessel of her size.
If you’re the “just here to sleep” type, go for an Interior Stateroom. They’re compact but functional. Ideal if you’re planning to spend most of your time out and about.
If you want a bit of daylight, the Oceanview rooms come with either a window or porthole, which is great if you like waking up to actual views rather than four beige walls.
Then there’s the sweet spot: the Balcony rooms. These are super popular, especially on scenic routes like Alaska or the Pacific. Nothing beats sitting on your private little deck with a cuppa, watching the ocean go by.
If you need more room to stretch out, look into a Mini-Suite or a Suite. These come with bigger living areas, bathtubs, extra perks, and priority everything (from boarding to disembarking). Amazing if you’re celebrating something or just like being treated like royalty.
Deck Plan
Coral Princess is laid out over 15 decks (though not all are accessible to guests), and her smaller size makes getting around much easier than on the behemoth ships.
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s where:
- Top decks (14–16): This is where you’ll find the open-air goodies like pools, spas, sun loungers, Movies Under the Stars, and a few bars. It’s the place to be on a sunny sea day.
- Mid decks (6–8): Home to the theatres, casino, dining rooms, lounges, and some of the best spots for people-watching with a cocktail in hand.
- Cabins are spread across several decks (from 5 to 12), with the more premium suites up higher for better views.
- Fitness centre and spa: Both are mid-ship, so easy to access and relatively quiet.
There are 14 lifts dotted around, so no need to worry about endless stair-climbing unless you’re trying to hit your step count. Navigation’s a breeze too, because everything’s well signed, and the Princess crew are always happy to point you in the right direction if you get turned around.
FAQs
Is everything all inclusive?
Not quite, but most of the big stuff is covered. Your cruise fare includes accommodation, main meals, onboard entertainment, and access to pools, gyms, and lounges. But if you’re eyeing specialty dining, cocktails, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, or spa treatments, those come at an extra cost. You can bundle a few of those into Princess’ packages if you’re keen to keep things simple.
Is there a dress code onboard?
Yep, but nothing too fancy unless you want it to be. During the day, it’s all casual with shorts, tees, and flip-flops. In the evenings, especially in the main dining rooms, you’ll want to level up a bit with something smart casual. On formal nights (usually one or two per cruise), you’ll see everything from cocktail dresses to dress shirts and jackets. But don’t stress, it’s more about the vibe than the labels.
Is the cruise suitable for solo travellers?
Absolutely. Coral Princess is a solid choice if you’re cruising solo. It’s a friendly, smaller ship, which makes it easier to meet people. There are regular social events, group activities, and shared dining options, so you won’t feel like the odd one out. Just note that there aren’t any dedicated solo cabins, so you’ll either pay a single supplement or keep an eye out for solo traveller deals.