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I understood the concept and rationale. Doesn’t mean I have to like it!

@teecee60I love bargain hunting! Unfortunately, I would only get less than half of what you would get OBC. Still a bargain. Now, I just need to find a cabin mate who can leave at a drop of a hat....and would put up with my OCD..... It's like playing the airplane game. The guy seated next to you could/would have paid $300 and you got it for $150. Not a good opening conversation piece. Being retired and flexible is really wonderful. I highly recommend it. I told all my students that the sooner they got into the work force, the sooner they could retire!

May the many gods (goddesses and demigods) of Hawaii shine on you as you travel upon the ocean waves. https://greenglobaltravel.com/hawaiian-mythology-gods-goddesses-legends/ May Maui bring you lots of sunshine. Lono will watch over you during hula and ukulele lessons Na-maka-o-Kaha'i - bring you calm seas. Aloha, sure wish I was going with you.

At least you had a heads up on Ensenada. We circled the island three times before the Captain told us we wouldn't be docking. Boat came out to us to sign documents and we had another sea day. LA/Catalina became San Diego/Sea Day/Sea Day. What fun. Loved it! Weather report for Ensenada has rain. Wonder if the 20 mph plus winds will keep you from docking.

Also, by waiting for a Drop and Go fare, final payment is usually due immediately. I lucked out. Found a really good deal from my home port. No air fare. Wide open cabin choices. The cruise I booked almost a year ago is almost sold out. My current category is costing $400 more (or about 33% more). It all depends on the risk you want to take.

You are correct. I don't see a Royal Class ship in my future. Although I did see a Crown to Hawaii March 2 for $742/inside. Was very tempted! I would have at least a driver in Maui to take me to Guri Guri. Good time to add more step-child tantrums. The Grand Class ships don't have a Concierge's Lounge. During dry dock, they could have "removed" 2-3 cabins and installed a lounge. Or...or...or...Princess is really missing the mark with me. Boo Hoo.

You and I cruise on the step-child ships. Only the Royal Class ships have them.

Any reason given for missing Ensenada? Oh dear...I know of a crew member that is suppose to get on. Sea Day?

What a hardship. I wish they would give all of us that option to choose between a $50 and $60 option. How many do you think will opt for the $50????????

I stand corrected. Thank you everyone for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

Yes....enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. in-transit days are one of the most relaxing days on the ship. Find a seat near Crooners....(or bar on Deck 7) and watch all the incoming passengers. Raise a toast to each one of them.

I am a believe in Asian medicine including acupuncture. I do think it works. But I did one of those sample sessions. "It won't hurt". "You won't feel a thing". "You will feel immediate relief". I felt the needle going in. I felt the sensation after he removed the needle. Not for me. No relief. I was told I had a slippery pulse. Did ask an acupuncyurist I knew what that meant. Something about my pulse (One of the most typical wide pulses is called a rolling or slippery pulse – this one feels something like small beads rippling underneath the fingers This pulse indicates food stagnation in the intestines, or a build-up of phlegm somewhere in the body.). I have asthma. hmmmm

You get one medallion...until the battery runs out. At the most inopportune time. Mine ran out less than 24 hours before disembarkation. Fortunately, my cabin was near Customer Service and I could get a new one. Imagine if you are on Riviera Deck forward/aft...your medallion doesn't work...and you have to trapse down to Customer Service for a new one....after breakfast on disembarkation day?????? It will last about 2-3 weeks. It will also be printed with your start and end dates.

Need more information...ship/port? Most often, you will need to do an in-transit trip. Get off the ship/zero out passengers/get back on the ship. Watch safety briefing only once Laundry rooms should be open. Elite/Suite Laundry not returned same day. Embarkation in MDR / first to get reservations in Sanctuary. Do not need to pack and unpack I generally tell my steward to forget my room and concentrate on new passengers.

@ldtrNone of this would even be under discussion if Princess did not raise the beverage package, take away the coffee card, added. useless stuff like the desserts/gym classes. Most everyone (I'm stretching it here), accepted the $40 as a unpleasant but doable "necessity". Again, "fixed" something that was not broken. Totally their fault.

I don't/won't be on a Royal Class ship this year or next...not if I can help it.

The only part I disagree with your plan here...is...$60. If they are going to roll it all in under fares, it should be less than $50. $60 would imply that EVERYONE on the ship takes part in the beverages. If it was $40-$50 a day (wifi = $15/crew appreciation = $17 (average)/total $32 + $18 = $50. That doesn't even account for the number of elite on board that would get a 50% reduction in wifi charge. Princess would still be coming out ahead.

@caribillthanks for catching lunch and ice cream. Guess I am used to lots of sea days, and forgot. Don't know where gelato for pay is being offered anymore. I did order ... once... Mocha milkshake at Cones on the Grand. That was enough for me. One and Done like so many of Princess' "new" offerings. Never paid for gelato either.

Must mean you are in club class.

Let's compare apples to apples: Cruise Hawaii Cruise on Princess interior with beverage package = $2000 for 15 days 15 days = $1100/pp (average $1000 to $1200 (dependent on time of year) Beverage package = $60 x 15 days = $900 (tip/wifi/beverages) Cruise around Hawaii on NCL = $3278 for 7 days 7 days = $2998 (not current sale price of $1499/even then, more expensive per day) includes: Beverage package, specialty dining, wifi, and excursion(s). Does not include gratuities $280 (as posted on page 1) I did not add insurance nor taxes/fee nor airfare/hotel pre cruise. If Princess rolled gratuities into base fare, we would have to pay more for insurance and taxes. But by not including it, it allows passengers to remove gratuities. Keep in mind that NCL is required by law to pay their employees standard minimum wages since they are American flagged in Hawaiian waters. That was part of the "agreement". Bottom line for me. I would rather pay a lower base fare. Then have the choice to do add ons (Beverage Package/additional tips (leave auto in place), excursions, specialty restaurants, etc. From my one and done time on NCL, they had too many pay for dine restaurants. You really have to do your comparison to see what is manageable for you.

Missing the point. I have a Keurig at home. Why would I want to go through the trouble of brewing my own coffee/tea if I had a coffee card and let someone else do it for me...I'm on a cruise (ha ha).

Gelato? What happened to ice cream. Not the same and don't want a gelato substitute. Princess "used to be known" for their great in house ice cream. Now you can only get ice cream at lunch. Sometimes they substitute gelato. Not a gelato fan. Sad about the flavors of ice cream "today".

When I have visited Cones, there were maybe one or two passengers in front of me waiting for their free soft served ice cream. WIth multiple passengers with Plus/Premium packages, how many will be in line? How long will it take to create monstrosity? How long will I have to wait for my one and done bite?

I have been on 5 post pandemic cruises. All with my medallion in hand, Never was I able to do as described….scan my medallion and walk on the ship. Each embarkation required a stop and talk to an agent. Granted…it was to verify vaccines and tests, but also had to show passport. Now that some cruises are test free, has anyone scanned and boarded?

Is there a reason why breakfast and lunch are being served in the hard-to-get-to aft dining room (International MDR)? Thanks for all of your answers and posts.