Because it is. But I do not bow down to corporate lunacy. Also have recently traveled on two other cruise lines. Any other questions of a personal nature?
Why jump thru hoops to get a cabin YOU desire? If I can not go on their website and see available cabins or my TA has problems reserving one then we will look at other cruise lines that make it much easier. Princess has created a system that is cumbersome and idiotic. Why not just let Princess know how you feel with your money going elsewhere. Instead you just condone this mes by finding workaround and justifiying this lunacy.
Make a booking and put it on hold for 24 hours. Then try to get ahold of your original rep to work it out. You could always cancel the old booking and keep the new one.
Also if you use PCL for your hotel each person in the cabin will get charged the full room rate. i.e. If room rate is $125.00 both people in the cabin will pay that rate.
Again you do your way and carry your dirty dishes wherever you desire. Does this include the Lido deck and the buffet? After all there are often plates of food sitting out in these places also. I, and many others, will continue to do as requested by the ships crew. If it is such a huge problem for you there is another way to alleviate for you. That is to find another means of vacation/travel.
Be careful opening your cabin door if you put them outside like you were told. Some on here advocate moving the tray in front of your door as they do not like the looks of the tray in the hall.
Also you can enter, by booking number, as travel companions, under Journey View. Then select them when making dining reservations. Just did this today for our February cruise of 5 people in 3 cabins/bookings.
Maybe they wanted to ensure others got their medallions before going thru security. Like airports requiring boarding passes in order to go to the gates. Makes sense.