BACKGROUND: We are early 60's, retired, and select a cruise based on its itinerary. We enjoy visiting new ports, being on the sea, and meeting new people. We expect a safe ship, clean accomodations, decent food and service, and some entertainment. We do not expect to be "waited upon" as though we were royalty. We think that those who "complain" about food on cruise ships must have a wonderful home life. This was our 19th cruise, 6th on Princess, and 4th on this ship. We do not do ship tours unless we can't find a way to do it ourselves.
Pre-Cruise: We met a Cruise Critic couple from Halifax on a cruise in April. We told them we had thought about a cruise to their area. They told us how beautiful it was there (they were right) and said they would guide us around Halifax if we should ever come there. We did. We booked the cruise through Princess, did our own air, and flew from Detroit to NYC the morning of the cruise. Our plane left Detroit at 8:45. We arrived at LaGuardia, had a car service (Carmel-$40) arranged, and were waiting in the priority boarding lounge by 11:45. Boarding began at noon. We dropped our things in our cabin, had lunch in the Horizon Court, found 2 nice lounge chairs in the shade of the back deck, enjoyed the view of NYC and cool breezes, and fell asleep for about an hour.
Cruise Critic; Our Roll Call planned to meet at Outriggers Bar for sail away. About 15-20 showed up and we met the couple who had started the RC. On Monday, we had a "formal" meet and greet in Skywalker's. About 35-40 showed up, and we met people from California to Turkey. Nice group of people, as always. That afternoon, about 35 of us participated in a "slot pull". We didn't win, but had fun. We would see many of these people throughout the week.
CABIN C529-this is an inside on Deck 10 in middle of ship. We usually try to get in this area on this ship. It was quiet and about equal distance from buffet or dining rooms. Some people on this deck with insides complained about excessively warm cabins, but we did not experience this. On our last cruise we were in C511.