Being from the Phoenix, Arizona area, we choose to drive to San Pedro, that way we could pack anything we wanted. We arrived in San Pedro at the Double Tree hotel at approximately 1.00 PM and had no problem checking in early. When you check in at Double Tree, you get their wonderful warm chocolate chip cookies. Check in was generally easy and pleasant, but did have to run down my own bellman and although the sign says "Valet", they do not have valet service at this hotel. We checked in with the Bell Captain to set up our shuttle service to the ship the next morning. The check in clerk was very informative about this procedure. Our room at the double Tree was excellent, as was the food and service. At about 6:30 AM on Saturday, I watched the Sapphire Princess come into port, followed by the Norwegian Star, which backed in. We participated in the "Bon Voyage" offered by Princess (new this year), so we checked in at about 10:45 AM and boarded the Sapphire Princess around 11:30AM. Our cabin, the Grand Suite, was ready for us and our guests arrived about 11:45AM and joined us in the suite. We took a tour of the ship, had and wonderful Princess class lunch in the International Restaurant, then went back to the suite to visit until 3:30 PM, when they had to exit the ship. We really enjoyed this marketing tool that Princess has introduced. I hope they keep it up and get many new customers from the program. We cast off on time, following the Norwegian Star out of port. We had the early dinner seating, 6:00 PM, so it was unpack, get dressed and head down to the International Dining Room. We were promptly seated at Table 23. Bill and Mira, Vancouver B.C., were already seated and Jim and Jackie, Tucson, Arizona, showed up shortly after we arrived. We had already ordered when the last couple showed up. All I remember about them is they were from New Port Beach, Ca. (they never returned to the table the entire voyage). We had never used fixed seating dining before and found we greatly enjoyed it, especially meeting new friends. After diner, we had a nice bottle of champagne in our cabin, finished unpacking and spent the rest of the evening enjoying our cabin and being on cruise again.

Sunday, being the first full cruise day, was also a sleep in day and breakfast in the suite was on the agenda. This breakfast was delivered hot and on time, actually a few minutes early. The food was excellent, well prepared and well presented. It was the first of every breakfast that was never quiet what we ordered (ordered two orange juice, got 4 etc., etc.), but nothing earth shaking. Today was Kathy's Lotus Spa day, which is one of the most important days of the entire cruise, and I had a haircut in preparation for the first formal night. I also attended the Cruise Critic get together in Skywalker's and met some very pleasant people and put some faces to some Cruise Critic "handles". The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the ship and the obligatory shopping.

Monday was another day that was very busy. We had n early "lunch", which turned out to be eating "too much" in the Horizon Court. We were very pleasantly surprised at the improvements in the service in this 24 hour restaurant. The food, as usual, was excellent, the flatware and cloth napkins were on the tables and the beverage service was prompt and cheerful. We did though overeat and subsequently did not eat supper that evening. Read more