We are a sixties couple from Canada. This is our sixth cruise, all with Princess. Previous ships were the Caribbean, Coral, Emerald, Diamond and Island. This is our first cruise as Platinum members.

We boarded the Grand about noon on the 15th. Check in was speedy and efficient because of "preferred" boarding and relatively few passengers at that time. Tried to have lunch in Dining room as indicated in boarding info but told we could not use it as it was reserved for "back to back" guests. Despite have two references indicating the dining room was available to boarding guests the purser's desk stated that this was an error and that was not the practice on the Grand.

Sailaway was good but weather cool. Always great to go through the pass at Port Everglades. We're delighted with our cabin, C753. It is a standard BB category suite but it is a stern corner cabin and has a double size balcony. First night dinner for anytime dining in the Michelangelo dining room was excellent. We got an isolated table by a window (#14). Waiters, Rudi and Rudi, understood the pace we wanted for dinner and the meal was excellent. I had a thick cut prime rib and my wife had Barramundi. We're hoping to make a standing reservation for this table. Read more