This is my first review. I am a 68 year male and a veteran of 28 cruises. To date I have traveled exclusively on HAL and Windstar ships so this Hawaii cruise was my first Princess experience. I traveled with a friend who has traveled frequently with me. This was also his first Princess cruise.
We drove to San Pedro the day before the Island Princess arrived and stayed at the local Holiday Inn. The motel provided parking for the length of our cruise at a very attractive rate and their free drop-off and pick-up service was a breeze. The embarkation was smooth and easy also. We were in our cabin by 12;30, half an hour after arriving at the terminal.
Our mini-suite was very nice with great closet space and a nice, if rather stark, seating area. Princess provides two TV's and a fridge. but no mini-bar. The bath size was generous with a full size tub and a fantastic shower. I saw several standard balcony cabins which appeared to be tiny -- bed, desk and a chair. I don't think that they are really adequate for a cruise longer than a week. Also people were complaining about their tiny showers. Go for the mini-suites. They are worth the fare on a longer cruise. However, Princess' "affordable Balcony" certainly would not spoil anyone. Our balcony was tiny with almost no privacy. The mismatched very cheap plastic furniture (oversized table for six, yes six) was crammed on a space perhaps 3.5" by 8.0'! These "affordables" Princess' description not mine, can't compare to the HAL verandahs.