Pre cruise: We flew into Seattle a day ahead of time and stayed at the Executive Pacific Hotel. Transportation from the airport to the hotel was easy. We had planned to take the light rail but once we arrived we decided that we are on vacation and need not work that hard. So we jumped in one of the many shuttles and $32 dollars and 25 mins. later we were at the front desk of our hotel. It was early so our room was not ready yet, the desk clerk checked out bags and off to Pikes market we went. As promised it was a rather easy walk down (coming back is another story). We were told that the best chowder was at pikes chowder house. WOW !!!! I have been to San Francisco and I have to say that the chowder at Pikes gives any chowder house in San Francisco a run for it's money. We walked around and got excited even more when we saw the ship at pier 66. We decided to look for a bottle or 2 of wine to take on board. There was a nice little local market at the end of Pikes that had a great selection. We headed back up to the hotel and like I said this was a whole different story. The walk up was strait up hill. I kept looking for a petty cab but there were none to be found. When we got back to the hotel our room was still not ready. We sat for about 45 mins. waiting for a room before one came ready. The room was small, about the same size as our room on the ship but without the great view. The hotel is rather dated and you can tell from the staffs attitude that they know it. I don't know if we are insane or just looking for punishment but after dinner we went back down the hill to what I think was called pier 56. We looked around and did some shopping. My wife and I both had to have the most tourist jacket you will ever see. Then back up the hill we went. Wow those hills are huge.
Embarkment: We checked out of the hotel at 10:30 and headed to the pier with a shuttle the hotel set up for us. It was $20 for my wife and I. It took about 1o mins. to get to the pier and another 20 to wait in the row of cars to get out of the shuttle. The driver said that the boat had come in late and that they were still unloading. Once we were dropped off it took about 5 mins to find a valet to take our bags and off to check in we went. My wife described it like waiting for a ride at Disneyland. I think Disney land could learn a thing or two from Princess. As we got into the terminal we were greeted and directed up the escalator to security. The standard check for things that go Boom. As soon as we passed that check there was another agent welcoming us and asked us to fill out the 2 question health questionnaire. Then off to the real check in. We waited a whole 13 seconds before we were offered and agent that scanned our passport, ran our credit card, and gave us out cruise cards. Then she directed us to the line to her right and told us they would begin boarding shortly. By the time we go to the line, they were boarding. We went outside and had a brief moment to wait before the line began to move again. I was barely able to get a picture and on to the Ship we went. I think there must have been 37 people that welcomed us to Princess. So up the gangway we went and onto the ship where we had our first picture taken then onto the elevator and up to the Baja Deck. As we got off the elevator there was another person welcoming us and directing us to our cabin. From the time we found the valet to the time we got to our room was a total of 23 mins.
The ship: The best way to put it would be, WOW !!! Our room was perfect. I know that I have read about how the rooms are small and that the bathrooms are tiny. I felt that our room was just right. It did get a little tight when my wife and I would try to both get in the closet at the same time but for the most part it was fine. I spent plenty of time on the balcony and that had ample space. Within the first 30 mins our room steward introduced himself and asked if there was anything we needed. I asked for an ashtray and 2 wine glasses and before I was able to thank him they were in the room and he was gone. Our room attendant was like a ghost, He was there all the time but yet we never really saw him. Since we go on early my wife and I decided to go check out the buffet. It was good but not great. I now understand what others had said about the set up being a bit of a mess. I think more than anything it was just small for that many people. While in line we were approached by a server selling wine tasting for the next night. We declined and he moved on. I had been expecting to be battered by the individuals pushing things but I did not see that the entire trip. After lunch we wonder the ship trying to make ourselves familiar with the layout. In the early afternoon we met up with the formal tour and wander our way through the ship. We sailed our right on time and began our journey.