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No chance. Hawaii is in for some wicked weather this coming week/end. You can't outrun it since you are sailing toward it. Should be a cakewalk compared to your air travels. Or was that a precursor to prepare you for your sailing?

It's almost 2 PM California time. Wondering where you really are? Hope to NOT hear from you for a while, meaning you are inside some aluminum tube.

So very glad you are “arriving” with a (half) day room to spare, maybe.

I knew it! Kindred soul. Which end of Hawaii Island? Love Hilo. Friends in Waimea. Extended family at Manago Hotel.

Express service (same day) is a suite perk (yes, you have to check the box). Why do I do it? Less time for it to get lost. I can pack less. No extra charge. Sometimes laundry can take more than a few days. Just because ?????

Very nice shower. Are you in a balcony or less (aka shower stall or tub)? Disappointing about Good Spirits, but totally understand. I'm guessing with so few passengers, they do not have all MDR's open. A heads up and railing holding ahead. There is a low coming in from the West (Kauai). You are heading right into it this week/weekend. Hopefully, it will have cleared out of Kauai before you get to that island. https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/02/13/breaking-news/high-surf-advisory-in-effect-for-hawaiis-eastern-shores/

Still waiting I started at 59 days. Weeks ago.

You are going to become my best resource person in the world. Would you take a photo of the shower head in your cabin? I am thinking about asking for a hand held shower and wonder if I would be able to use it as both a wall mount and a hand held. Or would it just be dangling from the fixture. I hope we are going to be really good friends by the end of this trip. Someday, I hope I can repay your kindness.

I have always gotten my (suite) laundry back by the time my steward ends his day : same day service. I try to get it to him the night before (or tell him I will have it outside my door first thing in the morning before 9). The only time it did not get returned was on turn around day or when he mistakenly placed it in "ordinary" laundry basket. I do not fret...nothing is that critical that it really has to be returned immediately. That's a good reason why I overpack.

I am already past final payment. They want more ?????

I'm sorry...we are still strangers. I know you knew about Club Class not being full suites. Sorry for the false lead. Sometimes I write before I think a statement through.

While Princess was rebranding Club Class Mini to Reserve Collection Mini, could they not have renamed those cabins as "not suites"..... I know you @Nobbiknow...but many, many others don't.

@We_like_to_cruise Your photos are lovely. Thank you for sharing them with all of us that can't be there. I do have a friend on this world cruise. By now, I would imagine you have run across everyone.

Will I have to pre-pay for an arrival time? I know. I am just one of those that play by the rules. They say I have to have an assigned time. Knowing my luck.....it will be reinforced on my next cruise. AND I won't have one.

I looked into this cruise for myself and my sister (she lives in Honolulu). It was listed under a cruise from San Diego to Yokohama. There was something in there that "allowed" passengers to embark in Honolulu. They would have to pay the full fare. There is no PVSA involved since they would start in Honolulu and end up at at foreign port. Holland America, even the Pacific Princess, had a few cruises from Honolulu to....South Pacific, Asia, Vancouver. It was very enticing to my sister, but she is a new cruiser and was concerned about so many sea days. So we opted for a later cruise around Japan. I was booked on March 15. Should have kept it. Imagine....a thoroughly cleaned ship from top to bottom. But, the pragmatist in me says that the Diamond needed to work out a few bugs. Regardless of all my excuses. I will be on the Diamond this year! So my sister is flying up to CA to take a flight to Yokohama with me. It was cheaper that flying out of Honolulu. Go figure????? I know passengers have reported back about no International Cafe (I knew that), but would like to know what they offer for breakfast/snacks at the Good Spirit's Bar. Time available? On the Coral (pre IC), the bar would have a tray of goodies. Again, Thanks for taking the time to keep us informed.

I can just see it now. Seats are opened up for general public 15 minutes before (production) show time. People arrive a minute or two late and demand to get in to opened rows. The elevators were slow. The clocks on the ship aren't synced. My watch isn't the same as the clock in the.... I "paid" for those seats...now get up and get out. I was a volunteer usher at a pretty upscale live theater. End people always showed up early. Middle always showed up late and had to traipse across EVERYONE. I would hate to the the assistance cruise director in charge of the reserved seating area. Just don't block off "my favorite" seats.

@Busy MumAloha Vicki, Someday, we (you and I) will have to plan on being on Oahu at the same time. I hear I make a pretty good (free) tour guide. I sure wish Cruise Critic made messaging available. That actually goes for ANYONE who happens to be there when I am at home.

Maybe? Yes, for cruises BOOKED after Feb 20? Who knows how Princess thinks. Not me. I was able to get "free" shipping for a cruise booked before Feb 20 but sails after that date. I just can't get my Medallion app arrival date (but that is for another thread).

@Bobbiegentry I wish you great internet "speed" and connection as you keep us up to date on your journey. Looking forward to hearing all about your journey. Nice numbers. I did know about picking up passengers in Honolulu, but didn't think the number would be so high. Why would anyone give up 5 sea days? It was the same fare, regardless. My dear friend (Assistant Manager MDR) was supposed to be joining the Diamond in Osaka in March before their deep cleaning (March 10--15). He was reassigned to another ship. Got a promotion to Assistant Maitre 'd. So sad for me but thrilled for him. I am guessing you will be picking up a lot of new crew once you hit Japan. Enjoy these new ports. Have fun in Hawaii. Malama Pono

or show how elite you are…spread the wealth (mini-bar) amongst the not so fortunate (crew), other new passengers, security, etc. Lots of others to share with.

I have "porters" spend more than a minute with me. The load is distributed amongst several. I needed a "porter" and one was nowhere to be found. Some (staff) person hailed one down for me. He ran across the street/drive way to assist me. This all took about 15 minutes. He earned his keep for the day. There are some really hard workers out there.

Dear Rick and Jeannie, You are making a few inquiries into the age old question of why? The simple answer is: Princess believes it is user friendly and intuitive. The fortunate answer is: That there are so many cruise critic experts (and tech savvy posters) that most are able to navigate their way to the Green Lane. IF...Princess produced a formal document to walk people through the app, THEN people would expect it to function as it was intended. Case in point. I have done many cruises post covid. I am in the Green Lane for my upcoming cruise. In the past, I have been able to pick an arrival time 59 days out. Still hitting the same button every day/sometimes twice a day with no success. If there was a manual, and I referred to it, then found my answer in writing...I would hold Princess accountable. BTW...I get one rejection notice for one cruise and a DIFFERENT one for another cruise. Not going to happen. You are on the trail of something good. I am thankful that there are so many here that are helpful.

Loyalty status has nothing to do with shipping charge. Princess will charge you $10 if you did not purchase the Beverage Packages. A360ad7@carnival.com is the email address for Ocean Navigator help. Not sure they will be able to do anything about loyalty color. I would print out something with your status so you can board and wait in the Platinum waiting area. You can always change the color of your medallion once onboard at the Customer Service Desk.

Waiting for you to leave San Diego...You are late and losing the sun. Did you receive anything from Princess that stated 2 days? I wonder why the differences. I also understand you will have to test in a few days (onboard). I will follow the directions given me for a Japan embarkation. Thanks for chiming in.

I have not been to Australia or New Zealand. I am sorry if I gave you the impression that I didn't like Australia. One day, I would like to visit both. Each has their own charms. New Zealand just seemed to be easier to visit while on a cruise. Most transPacific trips end in Sydney without visiting any other ports. Australia is HUGE and would require more than a few port stops to really get a good feel regarding Australia. That is a (longer) trip in itself. I have met wonderful representatives from your beautiful country. Someday. On my bucket list, but flying over is so expensive and time in the air. A cruise is much more doable (but I would have to fly back). Mahalo nui loa for making me feel welcomed in your land.