If anyone can help with this info, I'd sure appreicate it. As I check the cabin configurations some seem bigger than others. Is that true? What side of the ship is best?

I've stayed in a mini suite on the Grand. I was midship on the Dolphin Deck - don't remember the specific cabin. The Grand has a lot of mini's and it could well be that some are a bit larger than others. I don't think the difference in size would be significant - I believe they all have a queen bed plus a fold out couch bed, a tub/shower combination, and a balcony.

My bigger concern if I were you would be which deck it is on. The balconies on the Dolphin deck are completely uncovered. That could be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences. The ship is configured in 'steps' with each deck from Aloha to Baha to Caribe to Dolphin set out a little more than the previous. Thus the Dolphin balconies are not shaded/covered by the Caribe balconies.

I don't remember if the balcoonies on the Aloha, Baja and Caribe are fully covered or partially covered. You should probably check with a travel agent or read the message boards at www.cruisecritic.com for some detailed info on the Grand.

As far as cabin selection, I'd choose something midship, reasonably close to an elevator or stairs. It doesn't matter a bit if it's port or starboard side as you have know way of know which way your ship will park at the various ports --- you might have a view of the ocean or the city or the ship parked next to you, depending.