My wife is 29 and I am 35; this is our second cruise together (our honeymoon was on the Sapphire Princess in February 2007, 12 days Sydney to Auckland). I had previously cruised the Inside Passage on Norwegian Wind in September 2002 with my parents and sister. I tend to prefer a more formal experience, my wife does not, and Princess has worked out well for both of us. We are fairly frugal on board; we have never tried the cover charge restaurants, have not taken any shore excursions (I'm comfortable sightseeing independently, particularly in English-speaking ports), and don't drink much. My wife did enjoy two Lotus Spa visits for massages.

We arrived in Vancouver by air and stood in an approximately half hour line to clear customs. We took the bus downtown ($3.75 pp, must have coins) but I wouldn't recommend it with a lot of luggage; it was crowded, one must change buses, and there's no real place to put bags. Supposedly they are extending the train from downtown to the airport in time for the Olympics.

We stayed two nights at the Comfort Inn Downtown on Nelson Street, which I found a good value at $119 per night plus tax (including continental breakfast). The room was very small and there is only one lift in the building, but it is clean, reasonably comfortable, and walking distance to downtown and the main cruise terminal, although with bags, take a bus or cab. The next day we toured on the public buses - a one day unlimited pass is $9, including the SeaBus if you want a "mini harbor cruise" to the north shore. One good tip from a guidebook was the suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon; not as crowded or touristy as the "famous" bridge, and admission to Lynn Canyon is free. Walked down to the cruise terminal to watch the ships in port Friday; also visited and enjoyed lunch at The Bay, a traditional downtown department store. Friday night downtown Vancouver near the hotel was quite active with club goers; not our scene but interesting people watching. Quite warm - sunny and upper 70s. Read more