Background Information This was my first cruise. Therefore, my review is based on having no prior experience with cruises or other cruise companies. I traveled with a group of eight friends, sharing a balcony stateroom with one of them. We chose the Princess Mexican Riviera cruise because it starts and ends in San Francisco, California, our home. I would have preferred a 7-night cruise for a first experience. But, my friends wanted the advantage of easy transport to the ship. And, from a cost point of view, the price of flying to Los Angeles and staying overnight at a hotel prior to departure for a 7-night cruise balanced the price of going 11 nights from San Francisco.

Embarkation Living in San Francisco it was super easy to get to Pier 35. A friend drove my friend and I to the pier. We arrived about 1 pm and were on board by 2 pm. A porter took our heavy luggage at curbside. The queue for getting on the ship was long but moved at a good pace.

Cabins My friend and I booked a balcony stateroom with a GUAR. That is, we didn't know our assignment at time of booking. A couple weeks before the cruise we found we were assigned a room on the Aloha deck toward the front. I would have preferred a room closer to mid-ship for a stabler ride and due to ambulatory issues. But, overall, I was very pleased with the room. And, I am glad we booked a balcony. I didn't spend a lot of time there but it was good to have that private place to go and look out over the sea or to view a port. Read more