Unlike many of the posters on CC's message boards; Roll Call, and "Live From", I have only been one other cruise, some 25 years ago, so I guess my opinion will be not a comparison to other ships or cruises, but as an overall travel experience. My wife however, has been on 7 other cruises (prior to meeting me), and has helped me in areas that really needed some comparisons to cruise experiences.
This cruise was RT from L.A. to Hawaii for 15 days, leaving Jan 26, 2007 on the Island Princess. I ended up booking thru an agent after I called the Princess 800 number after I had a question about the Princess website. I am writing this review the day after we returned. Getting to the ship...
We drove from our N. Calif home and stayed at the Sunset Harbor Hotel, just across from the port. They offered a "park and stay" plan, and we stayed one night and parked for free for the entire cruise, with a free shuttle to and from. Saved about $50 in parking fees over the port parking, and there are restaurants on each side of the hotel. Shuttle was quick and easy, porter curbside at the ship took our bags out of the van and onto his cart.