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Not in any particular order (I'm not known for being sequential). The ship transfer is only good for day of cruise. If you are planning on coming in a day or two earlier...and making your way to Southampton, then you will need to arrange for your own transportation. We have hired a car service. For 2 passengers, it seemed like the most reasonable way at the end of a long flight. I am booked at the Moxy (a Marriott). Many of the hotels are transit hotels...small and not much to offer. I just cancelled: the Holiday Inn and the DoubleTree (outside the port area). I am not sure how far in advance you can book a hotel. Just keep checking. I am an overplanner. I also booked my flight with EZ Air 330 days out (or was it 300?). The fare never dropped. Granted, I am flying in Business Class from California. I've tracked it at least least once a week. Again, this is something you can cancel 90/45 days out. I also check with airline direct (more expensive to International).

@Knickearth Thanks for the follow up post. I am so sorry your flight home was such a nightmare. There is a slight difference in coverage between regular and Platinum Princess Vacation Protection (PVP). I have cruised a lot. I am "lazy". The one time I didn't have insurance, ("it was a last minute trip...why would I need....") was the time I needed it the most. I have "cashed" in on 4 travel insurance claims. I know I should be more invested in choosing my insurances. But I am covered by Medicare (within the US) and an excellent secondary plan. So medical is taken care of. It's the travel portion I am most concerned about. Crossing my fingers that your claim is processed quickly and you are reunited with your travel expenses.

Spot on.... I do feel for those passengers that need an accessible cabin. The bottom line to this is to book very early, keeping watching, and/or see what happens near Final Payment. I understand that some are not planners and/or "stuff" comes up. Cruising isn't for everyone (dietary needs, handicaps, getting sea sick, etc). But it is one of the best ways to travel, in my opinion.

Tea service in the MDR on a sea day is free. Service begins around 3/3:30. Scones can be found in the buffet after 3 PM (not sure daily). Wish they were at the IC also. I miss my warm cookies and milk cart in the Piazza at 4 PM.

I stayed at the Pan Pacific for less than $1000 in September 2022. I think it was even less than $400. It's the Canadian fees that are outrageous. There is a fee (not suggested tipping) for the bell desk to come to your room, pick up your luggage, walk it to the ship, and "watch" that it gets loaded on to your ship. Then you can skip the first step (drop off your luggage and go upstairs). The Grand was the only ship in port. We were seated in the first couple of rows by 10:30. Boarded shortly after 11. It was all part of the "experience". The Pan Pacific is the perfect place to do a pre-cruise stay. Disclaimer: A friend of mine is leaving out of Vancouver in September 2024. Three ships in port. No room at the "inn". That's A LOT of passengers coming and going.

Buy it now or buy it later… If you trust Princess not to raise the price between now and then.

They have changed. I can't say change as in an improvement. Still won't eat the canapés. Pretty to look at, but sketchy at best.

Mahalo @mikjr for the video...missing a video of Leialoha and her graceful hulas.

I am so happy you are all posting warm and sincere memories of ELUA. I forgot to add that they exemplified A-L-O-H-A. Always kind and welcoming. Two absolutely wonderful people's people.

I realize this may not end up on the Princess Board for very long. I know that Leialoha and Tiki Dave are too modest to toot their own horn. But I wanted to make sure that everyone who cruises with Princess to Hawaii are aware of @Elua decision to retire as Hawaiian Cultural Ambassadors. David, Leialoha, and CD David Cole gave birth to this program decades ago. They developed and refined it to be the most excellent experience one could have on their way to and from Hawaii. They brought with them their talents: ukulele lessons, hula lessons, entertainment, port lectures, and their love for anything Hawaiiana. They shared their program with Princess and it was expanded to include a few other couples. I have been on cruises with them. And even though I am a Kama'aina, I still enjoyed what they brought to our sea days. They will surely be missed. It is hard to duplicate unique...and that is exactly what they are. I won't get into the details that were posted on their Social Network account. I am sure they will miss visiting the islands and indulging in the foods that every port stop made (Hamura Saimin/Lilikoi Chiffon Pie, Liliha Bakery coco puffs, Highway Inn poi plate, etc). They are a legend and leave a legacy for others to try to replicate. A Hui Hou Malama Pono Leialoha and Tiki Dave. May you continue to share your talents with a new and exciting group of admirers.

I also had a difficult time a couple of months back. Decided it was my provider. Some of the blame could be for Safari too. Crossing my fingers, things have been better.

The very few times I’ve used the tile beds, I wore shorts and a t-shirt. I stopped taking a swim suit on a cruise a long time ago.

I recently saw a beet sandwich. Does that count? I do miss the watermelon/feta cheese dish.

I wish Princess would assign better locations for their suites. I was in a Grand Princess suite. It was moved over to the Regal. Then changed to the Sky. The cabin ended up being way forward, way high, and f a r away from lounge. I'm not a drinker. I am not a walker. The combination (plus the "suite" seemed more like a mini suite layout than the suites on older ships). I may be wrong, but the concierge lounge did not offer enough to make the long trek to the lounge from the bow of the ship worthwhile for me. I am not trying to discourage anyone from a Royal Class ship suite. Just not for me.

Not interested in food...interested in who your servers will be. It's been a while since I was on the Grand. Fond memories of those that worked the dining rooms. Sorry about the pigeons. Maybe you will see eagles teaching eaglets how to do touch and go landings on the water.

I have requested to keep my original when the battery died. The didn't put up a fuss. Is the Medallion a keep sake for you? Then $5 is worth it. For me, no one ever sees my medallion unless I am walking on/off the ship or getting something at the bar.

It's too early for the pigeons. Looking forward to your live on one of my favorite ships. Envious... Please report on Assistant Manager for Reserve Collection and staff at breakfast. Also Maitre d'. HA HA...all food related!

I have been the one that walks in at 1 PM on embarkation day (I was running late/doors closed at 1:30). We did order on time and had a nice lunch. The staff was very patient with the person I was dining with/slow eater. They did actually have to ask us to leave so they could set up the tables for dinner before the staff was released. Another friend/another cruise, got on board late. Tried to get into the MDR on embarkation day at 1:30....denied. On another cruise/another evening, we had a very longer than/later than usual dinner. Our group of 6 were the last in the dining room. The staff was cleaning menus and "polishing silver". I encouraged the group to move on. A regular day allows the wait staff to have about 90 minutes off before they are required to report back to the MDR (3 ish to 4:30 ish). They work very very hard and I do fill guilty about lolly-gagging in the MDR when there are other places you can socialize. Self appointed guilt.

Will you be on a Royal Class ship or a Grand/GEM class ship? On a Royal Class ship, you will have access to a Concierge Lounge with refreshments. On a Grand/GEM class ship you will have access to a concierge, upon request. On a Grand/GEM class ship, you will have access to their Thermal Spa (not much to write home about). As another poster wrote, if you had considered PLUS with a Mini-suite, then you will enjoy the benefits while in a suite. Recently found out that if you don't have a PLUS package, all room service (one time $14.99 fee) and phone calls ($5 per call) to room service will incur a charge. Correct, crew appreciation isn't a "mandatory" charge. It is an auto addition daily. There are those that will remove/reduce this amount. I, personally, find that to be offensive and would not think about doing that. Others boast that they do. They have their right to do so (and no other comment from them is necessary). If you do, you do. If you don't, you don't. Not open for discussion. The OP asked if they should retain the PLUS package if in a suite. On a 16 day cruise/on a Grand/GEM class ship/with 10 sea days....I would purchase the PLUS combo package. Included in (Grand/GEM) suite: minibar, 2 bottles of water daily, specialty coffee at breakfast, embarkation specialty dining. These are the items that would overlap the PLUS package. Will that be enough for you?

This doesn’t sound like it is weather related. What an awful way to end a relaxing cruise. So sorry. Wasn’t clear if you were booked with EZ Air (sort of sounds like you were). I am surprised that they will only reimburse you for air and not a hotel. Hotel might have fallen under trip interruption. Do you have documentation that says no pilot? I’d write to American.

Forgot to mention that you would also receive a complimentary specialty dinner on embarkation evening. With Plus you would get 2 casual dinners. With so many sea days to Hawaii, I would take the Plus package and enjoy your cruise (more). Net cost would be minimal if you intend to separately purchase WiFi and crew appreciation.

That’s your call. You will get a complimentary minibar and 2 bottles of water a night. You will not get Medallion Net (internet/wifi) and will still be charged $18 a day for crew appreciation. i have done with and without, but: Had 2 minibars for being Elite in a suite and tons of OBC for WiFi and crew appreciation. 16 days is a long cruise.

Do you also have trip insurance? I do not believe you will have any protection from EZ Air getting to the ship IF you didn’t book a flight with them (to get there). I do believe either insurance and/or EZ Air will assist you with a hotel due to your delay. Weather may be the determining factor if you are reimbursed.

Interesting. …. Low sodium “used to be” an option on the old app. I don’t see it on the new one. And why should it take 3 minutes to open the app? You can still request low/no sodium with the Assistant Manager in the MDR.

I haven't been able to book a specialty dining reservation for the Crown Grill. I get an error message. If I do "get in" it will say no availability.