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I’ve used EZ Air multiple times. Always less than booking directly for my reservations (not always the case when I have flown without EZ Air). I have run into a few complications because THE AIRLINE made the cancellation. But EZ Air has come through for me. I had to be flexible and invest some time on the phone and at the airport. Look at EZ Air as the same as a guarantee cabin. Patience is the name of the game.

Specific to the Caribbean Princess: The ship is still pretty much the same. I believe the cigar lounge is/will be soon turned into a vending machine arcade. (Secretly wished they had turned it into a non-smoking slot room.) If you are is in full suite, you will have access to a roving concierge. If you are in Reserved Collection mini-suite or Full suite, you may dine in the Reserve Collection part of the MDR on Deck 6. Lots more revenue activities. Lots more noise and activities in the Piazza. Plus @Mud_Shark detailed post.

Glitches? How could that be? They are no longer supporting the old app that took 4 years to perfect. aka Sheldon Cooper

Showing up on my new app (old app has been discontinued).

Are you asking about ocean view? Deck 5 and 6 have nice midship cabins close to everything.

I have never been able to reserve a suite dinner via the app. I gave up. Others have been successful. I just call the fine line when I get on board.

Hotels work slightly differently. If they do not have a room, they will find you accommodations at a sister property. Not always ideal, but you will have a bed.

Guaranteed cabins may be assigned as late as at the port.

Have you received approval from the hotel to check in early? I don't know what a day pass is. Are you able to check in just for the day? I guess you could leave your luggage in storage at the hotel if you arrived early. International Cafe is open early (24/7?) Buffet opens at 6? MDR opens at 6:30?

Me too. But when I was confirmed, another page popped up so you could enter your information. I was also informed that I would be getting a "follow up" of some kind since I applied so far out. Will see what that means.

Arizona Memorial: Very limited to what you can take in with you. Charging for parking now. Don't leave valuables in the car..."opportunists" look for rental cars (they have bar codes on the window). You are missing out on Spam. 7 Eleven has the best (according to officiates. The "Kodak Hula Show" is back at Kapiolani Park. Called something esle now. Free.

Get to the theater 30 minutes early for good seats. Explore the ship from top to bottom (not necessarily on the first day). Bring a refillable water bottle for lemonade (love this stuff). Tea/coffee/milk/lemonade are free in the buffet and MDR. You will be fine without Plus or Premier. FOR ME, it is just a convenience. Each passenger is allowed one bottle of wine. You can purchase 12 (500 mL bottles of water for $7.08. Cheaper than the ones they sell individually. If you bring water onboard...it is suppose to be in cans. Water is very safe to drink on the ship without purchasing water. The aft pool and seating area is wonderful. Try to avoid mid-ship elevators. Be aware that Deck 5 and 6 do not go from bow to stern. Use Deck 7 as your thoroughfare. Or walk out on the Promenade to avoid the crowds, especially after the theater lets out.

I argued the same point with the Food and Beverage assistant officer. Too me, it seemed illogical that Princess would charge you for a suite perk (MDR menu) that could not be ordered any other way (if you did not have Plus or Premier). He confirmed with his boss, the senior officer. Princess fails badly with anything that would be considered an exception to the rule.

I am so thankful that you chimed in! Mahalo Nui Loa for confirming some of my experiences. WHEW. And to be on the Grand...my favorite ship since they got rid of the Golden.

I organized the Meet and Greet on one of the Caribbean Princess' New England cruise (Fall 2023). That's what they were referring to ... if ... I was going to do it again to contact group services. I am not planning on putting together the next group services. By the way....that is one of the reasons I got to talk to Malory and Silviya. Malory helped me with the Meet and Greet in the Fall. Silviya worked with me on several other cruises. It is my understanding that IF you have a beverage package and call room service for Suite MDR meals.. You will be charge $5 if you DON'T have Plus or Premier. If you have Plus or Premier, you WON'T be charged. I'm happy to relay my experiences. But I am just the messenger. Refer back to my original post for details.

Those are very good questions of which I do have have an internal source for an answer. Maybe the "manager" of ONE is a crew member? But I have never seen him/her in an officer's uniform during the Meet and Greet for Suite passengers only. I stopped going to Captain Circle Parties a long time ago. I'm sure he/she has their hands in organizing that function since it has to do with "Loyalty" member. The way it was explained to me in 2022: Loyalty and Events organizer (the one that had an office next to the Future Cruise Department) was going to be split up: Loyalty would go to ONE. They would have access to all of the Captain Circle loyalty information and would be in charge of any events that involved loyalty. Such as: Most Traveled Lunch, Captain Circle Parties, wine tasting invitations, Recognition of loyalty increments, etc. Events would become a new department. They would take care of Weddings, Burial at Sea, AND be the concierge for Suite guest (new). They do not have a store front office. They can be reached by requesting contact via Chat or walking up to the Customer Service Counter on Deck 6. Silviya gave me her direct number. Malory told me to call Customer Service and ask for a call back. Those of you who have not been fortunate to run into a Concierge on a Grand/GEM class ship, I would suggest you take it upon yourself to search out the concierge on your ship. Please do report back. I can't imagine that I am the only one who as had a positive experience.

The "concierge" is not part of the ONE team. They are part of Customer Service. At this time, I can only relay my experiences on the Caribbean Princess (which had living breathing concierges). I was told by both of them, that it is a service on ALL Grand/GEM class ships. Again. No lounge, just modified services. I have had many conversations with Silviya and Malory. I don't think the employees of ONE are officers. They wear regular suits. The "concierge/aka events manager" is a junior grade officer who works behind the scenes. I do hope that future suite passengers on a Grand/GEM class ship will be able to locate their concierge. There wasn't much I needed to ask them to do for me, but was reassured that if there was something I needed, to contact them. It's not as easy as going into a Royal Class lounge and speaking with the concierge on duty. But Princess is trying to even the playing field a bit. Thank you for further clarifying the $5 Charge (or lack of). I will have to "test" this all out on my next cruise.

Did you read my pdf communications with "Steve"? This is why I wanted it in writing. I did have concierge services on the Caribbean Princess in July and October. I did have Plus for July, but did not test out the $5. I didn't have a package in October so didn't want to test out the package. But was given information from the Food and Beverage Assistant officer who did state everything that "Steve" left in his voice message. It has been confirmed to me more than once that if you have Plus or Premier, in a suite, you will not be charged $5 for picking up the phone to call room service for suite perk items (like ordering off the MDR menu). I am not sure if this would apply to normal room service deliveries. On my last cruise, I was told by my steward that I would need to phone room services for my canapés since he did not provide a door hanger chit. Didn't test this out either. I was on the Grand in the Spring of 2022 (or so long ago). This was before the separation of services. But, the Loyalty and Event's officer did assure me that Grand/GEM class ships would have concierge services when the switch was made in the summer of 2022. Did you contact anyone at Customer Services while on the Grand? I am sorry if you did not receive these services. I am pretty persistent when it comes to getting answers for my inquiries. BTW...the concierge can be reached by requesting to speak to him/her...their office is behind the scenes and not available to the public. I arranged to met each of my CB concierges in public spaces.

You will also be charged $5 if you pick up the phone to order anything from room service (except for mini-bar change out and Elite Tea Service). As long as you use Ocean Now on one phone, you should be good.

There are trade offs for using EZ Air. If you were to book directly with United, you would have to pay the fare immediately. If the fare would drop, you would be stuck unless United has a no fee change policy like Southwest or Hawaiian Air I booked Business with Delta/Virgin Atlantic. I had troubles getting in to EZ Air (my internet provider did). When I finally booked, the fare had gone up slightly....and has not dropped since. Now the same fare is $2000 more and I still haven't paid for my flight. Locked in at lower fare. EZ Air sometimes gets a bad rap for something the airline does. I generally will book domestic flights directly and bite the bullet early.

I usually cruise for more than a week. Because of this, you will meet the same people in Reserve Class MDR who dine around the time you do. You might be fortunate to sit near the same couple every night. It really isn't a very large area. I often have passing conversations with others although I prefer not to share a table with others. I have met some very interesting passengers in passing. But I do understand your desire to share. I met some wonderful friends that way. You could always ask if they would be willing to share a table with you on another evening.

I sent an email inquiry to Princess in February....yes, it's now March (after several resent attempts). I apologize for the PDF format, but there was no other way to transcribe the voice message that Robert left. This was my phones AI attempt at "translating" voice to text. I wanted documentation to take on my next cruise. Feel free to print and take with you also. Very interesting that "Robert" called me instead of replied by email. I didn't pick up the unknown number (not Princess) so it went to voicemail. Bottom line: There is no concierge's lounge on Grand/GEM class ships (I knew that). Suite passengers do have access to a concierge through guest services (I knew that too). If you have PLUS or Premier, you will not be charged the $5 Room Service Delivery Charge for ordering off the MDR menu. concierge services redacted.pdf

I do agree with your sentiments. It has gotten out of hand. I have no guilt not tipping at some establishments.

I have spoken to several Entertainment Directors as well as guest entertainers. The sets should be staggered…..so only one venue is active at a time. If there are competing venues, that’s the ED’s fault in scheduling.

Most of my “tips” were addition to crew appreciation while onboard. My cousin took us around Yokohama and explained that tipping isn’t necessary in Japan, but was not considered insulting if we choose to do so at the other ports. I found the Japanese to be so friendly and helping without the anticipation of a tip. But….they do appreciate omiyage and I always had Mac nut treats with me.