My husband and I absolutely enjoyed our cruise with Princess! The Sapphire is an older ship but still very elegant.
Seattle: Beautiful city...highly recommend staying a day or 2 to visit the sites. Stayed at the Hyatt Place near the Space Needle (great rooms & service)--they offer free shuttle service anywhere within a mile, which was great! Also stayed at the Paramount Hotel (post-cruise)--another nice hotel easily within walking distance to Pike Place (7 blocks).
Embarkation/Disembarkation: Easy! Much smoother than I thought it would be.
Quiet location. Awesome larger balcony. Close to stairs and elevators. Easy elevator access to Horizon Court.