This was my seventh Princess cruise and 13th overall.

We drove to the pier, arriving at around 11:45, parked close to the terminal and went through an extremely quick and efficient check-in. We were on board and in our cabin by noon.

We went to the International Dining Room for lunch and were seated at an empty table for six by the window. After a few minutes the maitre d' brought over two more people to share our table. As I looked up I realized it was my sister and a friend. They had secretly booked the cruise to surprise us and it was just luck that we all showed up at lunch at the same time and were seated together. Thus began a very enjoyable week on the Sapphire Princess. Read more