This old lady holds up remarkably well...yes age is apparent but not really noticeable...a few stains here and there and rust is normal....food is best at the Crown Grill, Sabatini's is overly rich in butter and garlic...I find the MDR's noisy and the food soso...the Horizon Court is awful BUT great salad fixings that are very fresh for a perfect lunch...the ice tea can range from great to hints of chlorinated...yuck...coffee is decent
However, the real magic was my full suite aft...quiet...roomy...with an incredible wrap around balcony...spent many hours dozing, reading, eating and gazing at the sea...the screw cavitation rumbled, the stern moved and the wake white noise all rocked me to sleep at night and my frequent naps...I found the rest of the ship crowded and noisy...the music mediocre, the entertainment corny...lots of selling of stuff...stores overpriced...excursions overpriced...spa massage average and overpriced with irritating sales job...there is a great hideaway, starboard deck 15, just outside with really comfortable chairs, shaded and not crowded...great for the kindle crowd...enjoyed the elite lounge canapés at 5:00 pm where I met new friends for the cruise with great drink specials...I rented convertible on Big Island through Hawaii Discount rentals...perfect choice for the day...also went with Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tours (significantly cheaper than Princess) for a bedazzling tour of Kauai ( best island for Helicopter tour)...a must do...shuttle to and back to pier with great staff...I enjoy sea days and there were plenty (9-10) as opposed to destinations...but Hawaii is magical except for Honolulu where I remained aboard...hot and humid except for the cooler less touristy Hilo...Lahaina, Maui is quaint mostly shops and beaches but a great cool park right by the tender pier...great for stretching out and watching the surf and water roll in....Ensenada is funky Mexico...crowded and poor...grab a cab (extremely cheap $2.00 per person) and go to downtown for beer, margaritas, guacamole and nachos with new found friends from the ship....
I must admit that my voyage would not have been lovely if I hadn't been a full suite aft (Dolphin deck vista largest and best value) morning breakfast delivered, In room dining from MDR menu, free laundry and dry cleaning, chocolate dipped strawberries every afternoon, private elite lounge for cocktails, quiet, roomy with an impeccable at your service stateroom steward...It felt like my own yacht many times...it is the only way to do it...re-booked the same suite for the Mexican Riviera next year...I will do Hawaii again
The only way to travel...perfect size....D737 and D736 largest aft deck balcony on ship...the balcony is magical...room decor is dated but not a problem...a stain on bed headboard fabric that you forget about...fabulous bathroom and very roomy suite overall..we had a suite party with 8 people that was delightful and memorable for those who attended as we heard the next day...you easily have 15...booked the same suite next year