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What do think it actually costs Princess to provide internet, drinks, casual dining, etc... on average, each day of a cruise?? If a passenger pays $60 per day for a seven day cruise, the total is $420. Over the course of the seven days, let's say 40 drinks are consumed and a couple of pizzas are eaten. Internet is probably less than $2 per day, drinks cost $2 each and the entire rest of the Plus Package is probably not costing more than $20. So, the total cost to Princess for the week is 7 x $2 plus 40 x $2 plus $20... a grand total of $114!!! Plenty left over to make contributions to CA pool, take a profit, etc.... Even though I fabricted the numbers, I believe the service staff and bar staff aren't being short-changed by Princess as a result of passengers choosing to purchase packages.

hard to do with mittens on.

Over $25 refundable onboard credit will be repaid by cheque mailed to him in a few weeks.

OK, good work on your part. For me, if the cruise line says they're going to Place X, I believe them.

OK, I did not realize you have a Princess Plus package; I thought you had asked about 'a beverage package'.

I don't know that the average 'Joe Passenger' should have been aware of this when booking but, for sure, Princess ought to have been fully aware that the possibility of this happening was very high and ought not have market3d and sold itineraries includin Bar Harbor on ships that would not realistically be permitted to visit.

If you purchased a drink package, you paid a gratuity based on the value of the drink package. For the Plus Beverage Package the cost is $64.99 + 18% of that (service charge) per day... $11.68; there is no individual service charge on the drinks, within the limits of the package. So, I'd say you've paid the bar staff right up front when you purchased the package (unless Princess pockets the entire 18%, which I doubt). If you purchased the Princess Plus package at $60 per day (grats, wifi, drinks, etc...), I've no idea how bar staff would be compensated out of that. Am I confused about what you've asked?

The question seems a little uncertain to me. Are you asking whether the bar staff receive a portion of the gratuities added to a drinks package?

I read your rant.

What is this 'above and beyond' thing I often read about? How can I recognize it compared to regular service standards/expectations?

I'll agree the space is not well utilized but wouldn't characterize it as a total waste; we have plenty of nice photos of Funchal, Tenerife and Malaga from our recent transatlantic, as do a (relatively small) number of other AQ passengers.

I don't know about that. We just cruised on Ascent and the door from SEA spa to the deck was only open (unlocked) while approaching/leaving port; not while 'at sea'.

Which ship?

Although you have to do this pretty much every day of the cruise (or make up for it on a sea day!).

For what purpose(s)? Booking a cabin on Princess?