We've been on 17 cruises together, from NCL, Carnival and Princess. Although we are platium members on NCL and enjoy them, Princess is our cruise line now. This was our 3rd on Princess and 1st on the Grand 2 others were on the Star Princess (sister ship). To start off we're only two hours from San Francisco, so we parked at the 55 Francisco st parking garage, did it all online, easy valet and only about a city 1/2 block to the ship. Embarkation was , well the only thing that took a little time was the security metal detectors, I swear some people thing that they are going to get zapped or something., but after that it took maybe 15 mins to check in get our cards and get on the ship.
Chose our room aft end on dec 12, one deck below Horzion court but far enough back as to not hear the cleaning going on at night. We had a balcony with no one on one side. Nice but this trip rarely used do to the weather. Cold and raining out of SF, couldn't even see the Golden Gate at times. Room stewart was good, always had the room cleaned by 9am. Evey single worker on the ship from the Capt on down were awesome, always said hello, or good morning, or how's things going.
The ship is showing a little aging, rust in spots, but i understand it's going in to dry dock soon. If you are a smoker there are only three places on the ship to smoke. Snookers Bar outside of the Casino, The Casino, but they do have non smoking nights, then on Dec 15 (sun deck) out side of the One5 night club, nice covered area, also have a waiter out there morning to night, coffee, bar service etc.
Cabin was good, little small but it's just the two of us and well it met our needs. We did have a balcony.
Hot, humid, kinda dirty, shops selling Mexican things made in china.
Good place to get off, walk a bit, have lunch and get free wifi.
From SF, great parking.