The Polite Traveler

Food on the Coral Princess Panama Canal Cruise Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  When discussing desserts and the various other scrumptious meals we experienced on the Coral Princess Panama Canal cruise, it’s a must.  Words couldn’t possibly come close to doing any of the dishes justice.  Therefore, check out the slideshow of delicious eats.   One note, the absolute “not-to-be-missed” dishes were the Chocolate Journeys desserts.  All were unforgettable.  Note : Follow CDC and Princess guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.      Please Read Cruise Review: Panama Canal; Coral Princess Importance of Being Polite When Cruising Cruise Room Review: Grand Princess L307

Fall in Love with the Quirky but Lovely Coral Princess Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, So, after several cruises on the much larger ship—the Grand Princess—we now are on a smaller ship; our first time on the Coral.  While the Grand is grand in size, it is not as homey...or quirky.  The Coral hosts 1,000 guest cabins compared to the Grand’s 1,301.  The Coral’s cabin sizes are much smaller, as well, with the average balcony cabin at 225 square feet compared to Grand’s 253 square feet which makes taking a shower even more interesting than on the larger ships—not that it is ever easy.   Note : Follow CDC and Princess guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    Quirky is as Quirky Does Many fellow passengers shared the same first impression of the Coral: it’s quirky.  For my fellow polite cruisers of larger ships, you probably recognize the long, sometimes tight, hallways leading to our staterooms.  Coral definitely follows suit with one notab

Poor Behavior by Rude Passengers on the Coral Princess Panama Canal Cruise Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Travelers, Surprise!  We’re talking civility here.  Who would have thought?  Sure, most of us consider ourselves polite, civil people who treat others kindly.  Then why do many of us cringe when observing the behavior of fellow cruisers?  Simple answer: many travelers have unrealistic high expectations that are bound to result in poor behavior toward those attempting to please us.  This is especially true with cruisers.  Note : Follow CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    What?  Rude Passengers? Okay, so here’s a scenario I observed.  My travel partner hubby and I were sitting at the Explorer’s Lounge Bar—tiny and intimate—enjoying a wonderful conversation with the bartender and a couple of servers.  With one of the servers, I became more familiar with and found that she’s actually a nurse who gave up her career to work for Prince

Cruising Through the Panama Canal on the Coral Princess Dear Polite Traveler, Revised 4/2021 Today, I’d like to share with you tales of our Princess Cruise through the Panama Canal—some were amazing and some...not so.   The “Not so,” I’ll save for another post.  Prepare to be amazed! “The event to be celebrated tomorrow will probably always be known as the 'Wedding of the Oceans.'” Direct Wire in the Oct. 10, 1913, edition of The Times Mere words cannot describe the wonder and intricacy of the canal dug through the middle of a mountainous country to join two seas.  Just imagine waking up to see beautiful Panama City facing the mild Pacific and toasting the wilder Atlantic in late afternoon.  Granted there is plenty of rising and lowering of the ship squeezing through locks and cruising placid waters in between.  History on the Water Nevertheless, this is more a cruise of traveling through history.  Every inch of this canal cost thousands of lives and millions