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The bigger issue with Princess is that they do not know how to handle multiple packages (with/without loyalty, with/without suite, with/without alcohol, etc). This has been an issue since day one. You would think (aka Sheldon Cooper) that some IT person would be able to do an algorithm so that the persons on the other side of the counter would not have to second guess which package a passenger has. How many remember the coffee "card". It got to a point that the baristas were just handing folks coffees and not deducting them from the digital package. At least with the physical card, they would stop and add a punch.

@NavyVeteran Thanks for catching that. I caught a head cold from the kids and not operating at full capacity.

Mini-suites are misnamed staterooms. They are considered "extended/expanded" balcony cabins and do resemble Full Suites at all. Welcome to Princess? Enjoy your cruise.

I can't remember which tour company I used, but "Ernie" was the pilot. A Vietnam helicopter pilot who was skilled, but not a dare devil. We were able to fly close to Waialeale Falls, the wettest place on earth. Kauai is a place to see by helicopter since there are so many remote places like the NaPali Coast Line. Also took a door's off helicopter ride over an active lava flow on Hawaii Island.

I was also concerned about check in time in Quebec. I emailed the port. This is the information they told me. Initially, my flight arrived at 10 PM. You can arrive anytime (after 9 PM). They will have to call someone from the front desk (customer service) to process you on. I did the cruise and changed my arrival to 5 PM (via train from Montreal). I also was on a previous cruise that overnighted in Quebec at the end of the cruise. The gangway is manned all night long. Security is at the door. The terminal is open all night long. Unfortunately, Whittier doesn't have the same availability since the ship will leave at 8:30 PM.

The Diamond does have a Japanese breakfast menu, but probably not offered in Sabatini’s (unless requested). They did have more of a variety of vegetables. I also like Japanese food, but the Diamond offerings were very much Westernized. The tempura was more of a beer batter than a light tempura.

The Grand Princess has their casino on the same floor...just outside the "Arcade". The Caribbean has a random slot near Club Fusion on Deck 7...far far away from the casino. They could have turned the cigar lounge into a smoking room and make the casino smoke free. That would have appeased everyone. If Princess is going to send out surveys, why won't they send one our about smoking? So, my three wish list items: Turn down the volume Smoke free casino Suite Escort on Embarkation Day (this has only happened to me once!)

There was one Assistant Manager in the MDR who had a terrific voice. He sang loud enough that everyone was able to enjoy his song for the special person/s.

I do this for my room steward and a few others. Many times, they are unable to get off at a port. It may be too short, they may be working, They.....Often times, they will decline my offer. I once had an Assistant Manager ask me to track down some razor blades and vitamins. I had a room steward ask me to bring him back a magnet from a particular port. One asked me for chocolate bars. When I visit a port, I most often just meander around town. So not a huge task for me.

Yes, I can see the benefit of upgrading to Premier for a short cruise. All the advantages without breaking the bank. YES, YES, YES....bring back the $50 Plus without the extras. Call it Economy Plus or Basic Plus!

If you list it on the app, you will receive a "free" personalized chocolate/mousse cake. You will also be celebrated on any digital board as you pass by with your Medallion. Wait staff will sing to you. If I were you, I would make plans to decorate your cabin on your own. I find Princess' packages to be extremely expensive. You may bring flowers onboard (but may not take them off/not supposed to).

Any "additional" perk will have to be offset with a price increase (to justify adding more perks. Look what they did to the $50/pp for Plus increase. Added specialty desserts (2 x a day) and gym classes. Both of which I would not partake in. Then they added 2 specialty dinners to the Premier, making it harder for everyone to get reservations at the Crown Grill/Sabatini's. Let's do some math here. An extra $20 a day for 2 specialty dinners. 10 day cruise = $200 extra for 2 dinners (per person). Without the package, you could independently book 5 dinners at the Crown Grill (5 x $40). I know....there were other inclusions, mostly costing Princess nothing (photos, reserved seating, higher beverages costs, etc). Princess wins ALL the time.

New Arcade - what were they thinking? I would have been happy if they had used the space to install slots machines....NO SMOKING AREA. It would have generated more money than the arcade. I have seen people smoking in the casino without gambling since is is allowed. I have never seen anyone removed from the casino for smoking and not playing. AND I support the "bring back formal night no smoking in the casino".

They brought the Golden Princess down to LA for short cruises. Couldn’t sell the cabins. Not only did they offer short cruises (to reach elite) but offered 100% back as FCC for a 7 day or longer cruise.

Look at all this free publicity/speculations. Hope Princess comes through with a huge “game changer”.

I watched the webAir on the Sphere (Sun Princess). One and done. All hype, no byte. I have taken the approach of “wait and see”. It will take a lot to “WOW” me. hmmmmm. No way to 💜 or thank @PescadoAmarillo

I'm a little confused. How can B102 be an aft balcony suite if that number reflects a bow cabin?

I am unable to follow the math. But, this is just a suggestion. Ask for a refund for the following three bookings. Pay for the one you are currently on. Then at the start of each new booking, "buy" the package for that amount of time. It seems to me that since you started in Australia, you will be charged in AU$. Or wait for Dr. Math to chime in. (lol/inside joke)

On Princess, the biggest perk to Reserve Collection is the MDR. If you are going to want to experience everything that is happening on the ship, then having dinner in the Reserve Collection dining room will be one step to accomplishing that. No waiting (or very little) for a table, attentive wait staff, speed of meal is your decision (fast/slow) etc. Have an early dinner, go to the 7/7:30 shows in the theater, take part in the evening game shows. Even come back for dessert and coffee if you ran out of time. If it is a tender port intensive cruise, having priority will be helpful on the way over. Doesn't help getting back the ship. Have an independent excursion, you will be able to get off the ship before the other passengers. Or you could "save" the difference, have nice dinners in the Specialty Dining Rooms and book lots of excursions.

This is the main reason for the complimentary specialty dinner on Embarkation Day for suite passengers. Not many will reserve them because they are busy unpacking and getting settled. Not the most convenient since dinner will mean you will miss the one and only intro show in the Princess Theater. Many are just tired from traveling. Lots of reasons NOT to partake in a heavy meal on the first day. That being said, I look forward to a leisure, stressless, and pampered dinner.

Disclaimer: Princess "may" stop you from entering the MDR for not complying with their recommended dress code for the evening. Formal, smart casual, buffet attire. My daughter invited me to do a staycation with her and her family. I didn't quite have the "wardrobe" for Ruth Chris and PF Chang. HER "dress" for the evening was "party attire". I managed to pull together an appropriate outfit for both venues. There are many eating venues on a ship. Dress as you would if you were going out to a nice restaurant for the evening (MDR). Coming back from a day out and want to hit the buffet, what you wore out for the day would be appropriate. Casual dining is less restrictive. I am dating myself, but I went to a college that I was not allowed to wear pants (only dresses and skirts). My cruise attire is functional with clothes that can be dressed up or down. This advice may not suit everyone's opinion. I am only speaking for myself. Bring a pair of slacks and one nice shirt. Who cares if they wear the same outfit every night? Itinerary may also vary clothing preferences. I was shocked to see people wearing jeans in a New York Theater.

Drinks are served on cocktail napkins. Public bathrooms have paper hand towels. Carry a facecloth from your room. Return it at the end of the day and your steward will gladly add it to laundry collection (for free). BTW...maybe Princess purposely does not place trash cans about. Then someone would have to go through it to sort recyclables from waste.

Thank you for returning. It is a promotion offered by ONE (the Future Cruise Department on the ship). It has nothing to do with being Elite. I am Elite with a good amount of cruise nights AND have never been contacted. NOR do I want to talk to these sales persons regarding the Princess Promotions. There are several threads on Cruise Critic. A current one is updated by a friend who "may have" booked such a promotion. There is another one that is frantically trying to reach Princess Promotions for a booked cruise but not having any luck. I do believe there may be a few comments from some that have had success, but did not share details. Are you looking at booking one of these or have already booked something and looking for more information? The majority of "us" here on Cruise Critic have vowed to stay as far away from ONE/Princess Promotions as possible.

Posted 10 hours ago. Will OP be back? @notatubaplayer

Iced Tea is only available in the MDR or in the Buffet. Unable to order it on the app (I thnk). You are able to stop a server on the Lido Deck and request Iced Tea/Lemonade/Coffee. That is a little bit out of their service area, but will do it with a smile. A nice thank you is warranted here. You can stop any roving server anywhere for a glass of still water. I've often done this in the Piazza or while sitting in the Explorer's Lounge. Come to think of it???? Wonder if iced tea is on the room service app? And water on the ship is very drinkable.