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You are correct. Princess makes it very confusing with the use of similar terminology. They should never have changed the name from Club Class Dining to Reserve Collection. This separate dining area is for those passengers who have a booking in the Reserve Collection Mini-Suites or Full Suite guest. It is a section of the MDR that is off to the side, usually Deck 6. And yes, there is a small sign that says "Reserve" dining. It confuses many new passengers who may think that it is for anyone with a Reservation. I am surprised that they closed the aft dining room for a special group. It must be a rather large group since that is the largest MDR on the ship. Did they close it for breakfast and lunch on sea days too? That would put a strain on the other 1.75 MDR to pick up the slack. I am saddened that they would do this. Sometimes Princess really doesn't think things through.

The Premier bundle AND the Plus bundle both have the same dessert offerings.

You are correct. But I have seen people having to wait for a few minutes...not just walk in and be seated. I have actually seen a family of 4 seated on a very small round table in the overflow section. Then transferred to a larger when it opened up. They were on their appetizers. In theory, there is no wait (or very little wait). It is still better than the MDR. Hopefully, when traditional dining begins again in September, everyone will be able to just walk to "their" tables.

I was on one cruise with a friend and we were in line at 4:45 every evening (at least 4 couples were in line before the door opened). Then I was solo following that cruise. Maybe my experience was different because I wanted that same table in the corner with my same wait staff, but at 6 PM. Once, I was told to "go back to my cabin" and they would call me when "MY" table was available. I would re-enter the dining room sometime between 6:15 and 6:30. On another cruise, we decided to have a later dinner (after 6). We entered and were told there would be a wait. I told the hostess that I would go down to Vines. About 15 minutes later, I was starting my walk back up when the hostess came running down the stairs to fetch us. I do realize that there is "rarely" a wait to be seated. I guess my "wait" is because I wanted my same wait team. I have also been seated (without a wait) at a different table and my "wait team" came by to make sure I was "taken care of". All of the waiters in Reserve Collection work together and are fantastic. I just have my quirks.

Lunch is only available on Sea Days (noon to 1:30). Host/Hostess will see your name on an iPad as you approach the door. Confirming Deck 6/Starboard side of MDR. There are tables for two scattered around the designate dining area. 3 by windows and a few more as you enter on your right (overflow area). No reservations necessary. Dependent on voyage itinerary. In Asia, area did not fill up until 6 or later. Hawaii/New England/Mexico had a line before the doors opened at 4:45. Don't know European dining habits. Once tables are filled, expect a 90 minute turn around time for next "group".

FCC = Future Cruise CREDITs usually generated by Princess for a variety of reasons like compensation, good will, etc FCD = Future Cruise DEPOSITs can only be purchased onboard for $100 to be used against (usually) a new booking deposit. I have bought FCDs for others, but one poster said that it is/was being discontinued, you had to purchase it onboard for yourself. Card to credit card on file (not folio). It may be purchased: on the app, fill out a paper form, see a Future Cruise rep. OBC (Onboard Credit) can be purchased on the app for use on your cruise.

As mentioned, Princess will do TransPacific crossing at the end of seasons (to reposition ships from one coast to/from Australia-New Zealand. Many would love to do the same...ship over, stay for a couple of weeks, ship back. As far as I know, you will have to fly one way. I would love to do the same for Hawaii. In the 50's you could do it...not anymore.

Sharing is a good thing. 😉

Keep in mind: Plus = $60 per person/per day Gratuities/Crew appreciation runs $16 - $18 per person/per day/average $17 Internet will cost $24.99 per day per/person $60 - (24.99 + $17) = $18.01 (or about 3 sodas/mock cocktails/specialty desserts/coffees, etc). If the kids will be limited, then I would get the 2 Plus for the adults and allocate time slots for the kids from the Plus devices. I do understand that kids want to be on the internet 24/7. I am a teacher and a grandparent. But this is a family vacation. I'm old school. Limit wifi to 6 hours a day and that's a lot of savings.

I sure hope your phone has a ton of memory. Glad you are enjoying this voyage so much. I can "hear" it in your "voice". Thanks for taking us along.

How old are the grandkids? How economical do they want to spend? Lots of different options out there. 1. Adults get Plus. Will give them 2 devices. Adults get one. Kids get one (shared time/even-odd hours) 2. Adults get Plus. Adults purchase 2 single = 4 or 4 device plan = 6 accesses 3. Adults get Premier. Access to 8 devices. 4. Adults get Plus. Kids get Plus = 4 devices. and there are probably many more combinations.

Wow...I don't remember starting this thread. And what was that link I included? I am getting old. Moderators: You may put this thread to rest. Old and outdated information. Thank you.

I find it absolutely amazing that such a serious problem could be fixed without going into dry/wet dock. Only one voyage was affected. I do feel for those on the last cruise. Kudos to Princess and their "fixers" to do this on the fly. May the rest of the season be void of any more disruptions.

This is the money exchanger I used in Waikiki. https://www.yelp.com/biz/pacific-money-exchange-honolulu No parking (take 2 people). Give them a call ahead to "reserve" your purchase. The Japanese are not returning to Hawaii as Pre-pandemic. Yen is not flowing into the islands. You will be given big bills. The Diamond was able to break up some of them. I stayed at the Yokohama Grand Hotel. Fantastic place. They were able to make smaller Yen for me. Daiso is so much cheaper in Japan as well as super fresh sushi. @trintrav I hope you are enjoyed your cruise around Japan. Looking forward to a recap/review.

@chepar I believe covid tests are no longer required. e-docs may also have been simplified. But I do hope this may help you overall.

So why couldn’t your TA book it for you? Well, there drops one more Elite perk.

Last cruise in a Window Suite was November 2023. Full Suite benefits.

Correct, that is why the Caribbean Islands satisfy the Near Foreign Port for closed loops out of FLL, Miami, TX, New Orleans, Tampa, etc. AND ABC Islands satisfy Distant Foreign Ports for Ocean to Ocean Panama Canal crossings.

I'd be interested in knowing which WS you are assigned. F301 is slightly smaller with a different configuration, but ample space for 2 people.

I love "my" window suites. I am not a balcony person. Location, Reserved Collection Dining, Location, Suite Perks (Sabatini's/Crown Grill), Location, Size of cabin....etc.

Distant foreign port "usually" means a different continent (ABC islands/South America). Near means the same (North American/Hawaii/Ensenada. North America, Alaska, Victoria). In case of Florida, some of the Caribbean Islands count as "near".

The ship was getting ready to leave St. John when I visited the Medical Center at 4 PM (appointment time). By the time they had diagnosed my covid, we had already departed and was out to sea. I am not sure what the "distance" Medicare will cover but someone else listed 200/300 miles? outside a US port. I was already in Canadian waters. From CC, I learned to make sure I had a hard copy of my Medical History Records. I already knew that Medicare would not pay for this service. But no one (here) told me that I needed to include the itinerary. LOL. Good advice from these threads. So if you are ever caught in this situation, you will need the following: Medical History Record ($28) Itinerary Invoice from Medical Center It will help to have a photo of your folio charge Then: Submit to Medicare (for approval or denial if out of the country). wait Submit to secondary insurance, tri-care, supplemental insurance. wait Submit to AON for balance not covered by above. I was very fortunate. Every penny was reimbursed. PLUS...I was prorated my time in an isolated cabin from Princess. That was documented someplace...either invoice or history.

I believe we cleared customs on the way up. St. John or Halifax? (editted: yes maybe, Sydney. There were 3 ports before Quebec). We did not have to pass through any customs' booths. Left the ship, got our luggage, and walked to bus line. Same for on the way down. We cleared Customs and Immigrations for the US in Portland, ME. That was was painful. We had to stand in line to show our passport. Took over an hour for us to clear....and had an independent tour that we had to reschedule due to delay. The Canadians do it right!

The number of outlets will be dependent on which cabin you select. A suite will have maybe one extra. There might be one behind the television. Lamps may have low powered USB A connections. The desk will have an outlet but the plugs are too close together to use more than one block. Most cabins will have European outlet at desk and behind bends. On the other hand: All Apple devices and most medical equipment will be dual voltage. Bring an adapter that will allow you to plug in a European plug for the bed lamp AND a US outlet for your device. I purchased non-surge protector power bar from IKEA. You can also bring on an old fashioned extension cord. I travel with an Anker outlet block that has a USB A and C plug AND places to plug in 3 other pronged plugs. If I were to make this purchase again, I would buy the one with a plug instead of the block plugging into the outlet.

I was on a similar cruise. There is no customs/border patrol. We walked off the ship on second day and walked on to a transfer bus. Gangway is put up on first day and left up the entire time (about 36 hours) for you to come and go as you please. You must be able to handle all of your luggage by yourself. You can leave at any time. To be "safe", I guess you could pre-arrange departure with Customer Service/security. Yes, most flights out of Quebec are early...early morning.