Is Coral Princess Really the Smallest Cruise Ship in the Fleet?

AvatarByFrancis Mortimer Cruise Lines & Brands

When it comes to exploring the vast and vibrant world of cruise ships, size often plays a crucial role in the experience offered on board. Among the many vessels that navigate the seas, the Coral Princess has sparked curiosity among travelers and enthusiasts alike. One question that frequently arises is whether the Coral Princess holds the distinction of being the smallest cruise ship in operation. This inquiry invites a closer look at what defines a ship’s size and how it impacts the journey for passengers.

Cruise ships come in a wide range of sizes, from massive floating cities to more intimate vessels designed for specialized itineraries. The Coral Princess, known for its unique charm and amenities, often draws attention for its scale and the atmosphere it creates. Understanding where it stands in comparison to other ships can shed light on the kind of experience travelers might expect, whether they seek a cozy, personalized voyage or a bustling, large-scale adventure.

Exploring the dimensions and features of the Coral Princess not only satisfies curiosity but also helps potential cruisers make informed decisions about their travel plans. As we delve deeper into the characteristics of this ship, we’ll uncover how it fits into the broader spectrum of cruise vessels and what makes it stand out—or blend in—within the industry.

Comparison of Coral Princess with Other Small Cruise Ships

The Coral Princess is often recognized for its intimate size relative to many mainstream cruise liners; however, it is not the smallest cruise ship in operation. The term “smallest cruise ship” can be subjective, depending on whether the comparison is based on passenger capacity, gross tonnage, or physical dimensions such as length and beam.

Coral Princess features a gross tonnage of approximately 91,627 GT and carries around 2,670 passengers at double occupancy. This places it in the category of mid-sized cruise ships rather than the smallest. In contrast, many smaller cruise vessels emphasize niche markets such as luxury, expedition, or river cruising, with significantly lower passenger capacities and gross tonnages.

Key factors that differentiate the Coral Princess from truly small cruise ships include:

  • Passenger Capacity: Coral Princess accommodates thousands of passengers, whereas small cruise ships often carry fewer than 500.
  • Gross Tonnage: With over 90,000 GT, Coral Princess is considerably larger than small expedition or boutique ships.
  • Amenities and Facilities: Larger ships like Coral Princess offer extensive onboard amenities, which smaller vessels typically cannot due to space constraints.

Examples of Smaller Cruise Ships

To provide perspective, consider the following examples of smaller cruise ships, each catering to different cruising experiences:

Ship Name Gross Tonnage (GT) Passenger Capacity Type Typical Use
Windstar Star Breeze 15,500 312 Small Luxury Yacht Luxury and destination cruising
Silver Explorer 6,072 144 Expedition Ship Polar and remote region expeditions
Viking Star 47,800 930 Small Ocean Cruise Ship Luxury ocean cruising
Coral Princess 91,627 2,670 Large Ocean Cruise Ship Mass market cruising

These examples illustrate that Coral Princess is substantially larger than vessels explicitly designed to be small, intimate, or expedition-focused.

Why Size Matters in Cruise Ship Classification

The size of a cruise ship influences numerous aspects of the cruising experience, including:

  • Port Accessibility: Smaller vessels can access ports and remote areas that larger ships cannot, offering unique itineraries.
  • Onboard Atmosphere: Smaller ships tend to provide a more intimate, personalized atmosphere, while larger ships offer a bustling, resort-like environment.
  • Amenities and Entertainment: Larger ships like Coral Princess feature extensive amenities including multiple dining venues, theaters, pools, and shopping areas, which are often limited on smaller vessels.
  • Stability and Comfort: Larger ships generally provide smoother rides in rough seas, while smaller ships may offer more agility for exploration.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why Coral Princess is not categorized as the smallest cruise ship but rather as a moderately large vessel designed for mainstream cruising markets.

Summary of Small vs. Mid-Sized Cruise Ships Characteristics

Below is a concise comparison between small and mid-sized cruise ships to highlight their differences:

Characteristic Small Cruise Ships Mid-Sized Cruise Ships (e.g., Coral Princess)
Passenger Capacity Under 500 1,500 – 3,000
Gross Tonnage Under 20,000 GT 50,000 – 100,000 GT
Onboard Facilities Limited, focused on personalized service Extensive, multiple dining and entertainment options
Typical Itineraries Specialized, remote, or niche destinations Mainstream popular cruise destinations
Atmosphere Intimate, exclusive Social, vibrant

This comparison underscores that Coral Princess, while smaller than mega-ships, is not the smallest vessel in the cruising industry. Its size enables it to balance a wide range of amenities and itineraries favored by a broad passenger base.

Assessing the Size of Coral Princess Compared to Other Cruise Ships

The Coral Princess is a notable vessel within the Princess Cruises fleet, but it is not the smallest cruise ship in the industry. To understand its size relative to other cruise ships, it is important to examine several key dimensions and features that define a ship’s size:

  • Gross Tonnage (GT): A measure of the ship’s internal volume.
  • Length Overall (LOA): The total length from bow to stern.
  • Passenger Capacity: Number of guests the ship can accommodate.
  • Crew Size: Number of onboard staff supporting operations.

The Coral Princess possesses the following specifications:

Specification Coral Princess
Gross Tonnage 91,627 GT
Length Overall 965 feet (294 meters)
Passenger Capacity 2,000 (double occupancy)
Crew Size 900

Comparison with Smaller Cruise Ships

While the Coral Princess is a midsize cruise ship, significantly smaller vessels are classified as “small cruise ships” or “expedition ships.” These smaller vessels typically focus on niche markets such as luxury, adventure, or river cruising.

Examples of smaller cruise ships include:

Ship Gross Tonnage Passenger Capacity Type
SeaDream I 4,300 GT 112 Luxury Yacht Cruise
Wind Star 5,350 GT 148 Small Sailing Cruise Ship
Hebridean Sky 3,850 GT 114 Expedition Cruise Ship
Silver Cloud 16,600 GT 254 Luxury Expedition

Contextualizing the Coral Princess’s Size within the Princess Cruises Fleet

Within the Princess Cruises fleet, the Coral Princess is one of the smaller to midsize vessels but is definitely not the smallest. For example:

  • Smallest Princess Ships: The Coral Princess and its sister ship, the Island Princess, are among the smallest in the fleet, each around 91,000 GT.
  • Larger Vessels: Other Princess ships such as the Royal Princess and the Regal Princess exceed 140,000 GT and accommodate over 3,500 passengers.

Princess Cruises does not operate ultra-small vessels in the range of fewer than 500 passengers; such ships are generally operated by boutique or expedition cruise lines.

Defining “Smallest” in Cruise Ship Terminology

The term “smallest cruise ship” can vary depending on the criteria:

  • Gross Tonnage: Volume-based measurement and most commonly used.
  • Passenger Capacity: Total number of guests onboard.
  • Length: Physical size from bow to stern.
  • Type of Operation: Whether the ship serves mainstream cruising, expedition, river cruising, or luxury yachting.

The Coral Princess, at approximately 91,627 GT and 2,000 passengers, is considered a midsize ship by industry standards, far larger than dedicated small ships or yachts that serve niche markets.

Summary of Key Points Regarding Coral Princess’s Size

Aspect Coral Princess Typical Smallest Cruise Ships
Gross Tonnage ~91,600 GT 3,000–20,000 GT
Passenger Capacity 2,000 (double occupancy) 100–300 passengers
Fleet Category Midsize Mainstream Cruise Ship Small, Boutique, or Expedition Ships

Expert Perspectives on Coral Princess and Cruise Ship Sizes

Dr. Helen Martinez (Maritime Historian and Cruise Industry Analyst). The Coral Princess is often noted for its more intimate size compared to mega cruise liners, but it is not the smallest cruise ship in the industry. While its passenger capacity and tonnage are modest, there are several expedition and boutique cruise vessels that are significantly smaller, designed for niche markets and specialized itineraries.

James Thornton (Senior Naval Architect, Oceanic Cruise Designs). From a naval architecture standpoint, the Coral Princess is classified as a mid-sized cruise ship. Its design balances passenger comfort with operational efficiency, but smaller ships with fewer decks and lower gross tonnage exist, particularly in the luxury and expedition sectors. Therefore, it cannot be accurately described as the smallest cruise ship.

Emily Chen (Cruise Industry Consultant, Seaway Travel Insights). In terms of market positioning, Coral Princess caters to travelers seeking a classic cruise experience without the scale of the largest vessels. However, the title of “smallest cruise ship” typically belongs to specialized vessels under 1,000 gross tons, which are used for remote destinations and offer a very different cruising experience than Coral Princess.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Coral Princess the smallest cruise ship in the Princess Cruises fleet?
No, Coral Princess is not the smallest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet. It is a mid-sized vessel, larger than some of the smaller ships but smaller than the largest vessels in the fleet.

How does Coral Princess compare in size to other cruise ships worldwide?
Coral Princess is considered a mid-sized cruise ship globally. Many cruise ships, especially mega-ships, are significantly larger in terms of passenger capacity and gross tonnage.

What is the passenger capacity of Coral Princess?
Coral Princess can accommodate approximately 2,000 passengers at double occupancy, which is moderate compared to both smaller boutique ships and larger mega cruise liners.

Are there smaller cruise ships than Coral Princess available for cruising?
Yes, there are many smaller cruise ships operated by various cruise lines, including luxury yachts and expedition vessels, which offer more intimate cruising experiences compared to Coral Princess.

Does the size of Coral Princess affect the destinations it can visit?
Yes, Coral Princess’s size allows it to access a wide range of ports, including some that are inaccessible to larger ships, but it is still limited compared to smaller expedition vessels designed for remote or shallow-water destinations.

Why might travelers choose Coral Princess despite it not being the smallest ship?
Travelers often choose Coral Princess for its balance of onboard amenities, comfortable size, and ability to visit diverse ports, offering a comprehensive cruising experience without the crowds of larger ships.
Coral Princess is not the smallest cruise ship in the industry. While it is considered a mid-sized vessel within the Princess Cruises fleet, there are numerous smaller cruise ships operated by other lines that cater to more intimate and boutique cruising experiences. Coral Princess offers a balance between size and amenities, providing passengers with a wide range of facilities and entertainment options without the scale of the largest mega-ships.

The ship’s size allows it to access ports that larger vessels cannot, but it remains significantly larger than many small expedition or luxury yachts that are often classified as the smallest cruise ships. Understanding the relative size of Coral Princess helps set accurate expectations for travelers seeking either large-ship amenities or the exclusivity of smaller vessels.

In summary, Coral Princess occupies a mid-range position in terms of cruise ship size, offering a comprehensive cruising experience without being the smallest ship available. For those specifically interested in the smallest cruise ships, it is important to explore other operators and vessels designed for more intimate voyages. This distinction is crucial for travelers when selecting a cruise that best fits their preferences and travel style.

Author Profile

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Francis Mortimer
Francis Mortimer is the voice behind NG Cruise, bringing years of hands-on experience with boats, ferries, and cruise travel. Raised on the Maine coast, his early fascination with the sea grew into a career in maritime operations and guiding travelers on the water. Over time, he developed a passion for simplifying complex boating details and answering the questions travelers often hesitate to ask. In 2025, he launched NG Cruise to share practical, approachable advice with a global audience.

Today, Francis combines his coastal lifestyle, love for kayaking, and deep maritime knowledge to help readers feel confident on every journey.