When Princess Cruises' newest superliner, Coral Princess, set sail on her maiden Caribbean Adventure voyage from Fort Lauderdale on December 24, 2002, she was not only one of the most advanced passenger vessels in the world but also the largest ship in the fleet to be able to transit the Panama Canal.
She offers the same public room space as Princess's renowned Grand Princess and Golden Princess, but spread over two decks and with fewer passengers onboard.
This extra space for passenger facilities is achieved with the help of the installation of an innovative and environmentally friendly power combination of diesel engines and a gas turbine, similar to the jet engines on a Boeing 747.
The 88,000 ton ship, which carries 1,950 passengers, is almost 1,000 feet long and would be almost 200 feet higher than London's Canary Wharf if stood straight up.
The impressive range of facilities offers Princess's trademark choice and variety and boasts several cruising firsts. Unique features on Coral Princess are the Bayou Cafe, a New Orleans theme restaurant offering traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine and live Jazz music, the Churchill Cigar Lounge, the Crooners Bar and the Universe Show Lounge.
Utilising the very latest lighting and digital sound and video systems, the Universe Lounge is home to a varied entertainment programme, from Las Vegas-style extravaganzas to the new ÔScholarship at SeaÕ programme, featuring courses on cookery, photography and arts, among many others.
