Our 13th cruise, second time on Diamond Princess, previous cruises with Cunard (3), Disney (3), Celebrity, Holland America (2), Royal Caribbean (2). Travelling with two kids, 12 and 15 years old. Flew into LAX day early. We rented a car from Enterprise as they had good rates despite the $25 drop off fee. They are the only car rental agency in San Pedro, besides the Crowne Plaza Hotel with a free shuttle in 5 minutes to port. You can rent from others such as Hertz but it's about a $25 taxi ride from nearby Lomita or Long Beach. We stayed at the airport as hotel prices in San Pedro for higher end hotels were $200+. There are lower cost alternatives in the area. Try to get to the port early, preferably the day before, because if you miss the sailing due to flight delays or whatever, it's a hefty cost to fly out to Maui and stay for four days in a hotel somewhere before you meet the ship again. As a minimum, consider travel insurance as there were a number of people who missed the sailing out of LA.

Check in was OK. No problems. Inside cabin was fairly small, probably one of the smallest we have had so far. Seas were fairly rough for a day or two going both east and westbound for the one way journey covering four days. Princess should insist that all passengers use hand sanitizer gel from the time we get on. By day 2, the number of Norovirus gastrointestinal cases had increased to the point that an extensive sanitation program had to be implemented and the problem didn't clear until about day 8. Service levels dropped as staff were at all buffet, water and coffee stations, so that was the end of serving yourself. Some would say service improved because they even brought the cream and poured it into your coffee or tea, or brought the salt and pepper for your food, and then took it away. Ports were good. Only three more 15 day cruises to Hawaii before the Sapphire moves to 14 day schedules, making it easier to leave and arrive on the same weekend day. Kona will be dropped as a port.

First port: Lahaina, Maui. We had been to Maui before so spent the day on the beach at Ka'anapali. Go to the Black Rock for great snorkeling at the beach by the Sheraton at no cost. The kids loved it. You can rent equipment from the shack at the Sheraton. We used Maui Transit for $1 per person. See schedules for the island bus service at http://www.co.maui.hi.us/bus/. We went back to Lahaina for lunch. Lots of whales around so see these when you sail in or out of port at no cost. If you want a closer look at the whales, go to the website of the non-profit Pacific Whale Foundation with more whale experts (http://www.pacificwhale.org/ecotours/tours.php?catid=96) at a cost of $31 although the ship's whale tour is only $39. Read more