My husband and I travel quite alot...we have only been on one other cruise years ago. Our vacations are always land based and we travel to Hawaii, South Pacific, and the Carribean, so my opinion may leave me less impressed than some.We took this cruise to go with my parents to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. We did the North sailing out of Vancouver going to Ketchikan,Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and the College Fjords. Again we only took one other cruise about 10 years ago with a different cruise line. We really liked Princess alot...we thought the service was really great, the staff very nice and friendly, not to mention they really try to accomadate you any way they can.
We had a balcony room on Dolphin deck (Left side of ship going North), My parents had the other side Starboard? Anyway they had Aloha deck, this room they paid alot more money to choose it it was also a balcony however their was a huge overhang that prevented you from really being able to get the best pictures...we had the better room on the other side....I would say eiether side is about the same certainly not worth paying an additional $700 to $800 to pick a room. Just my opinion. Room was small but we knew that. A balcony is a must. We slept at night with the door open and it was nice to hear the ocean. The Buffet was good enough nothing to write home about but a decent selection of food....we had most breakfasts and lunches there. We had dinner on anytime dining in the formal restraunts...worked out great. Dinners were somewhat long and drawn out...but again it was a more
formal setting. the food was pretty good. We didnt really go to any of the entertainment because we too tired by the end of the day so cant comment on that.