Well said.
If we have ever had any special needs, we have found that a polite request us all that is needed.
Throwing money around says more about the individual concerned than anything else.
Agreed. You would be better off going to somewhere like The Boatyard for the morning, getting a taxi back to the ship, have a shower in the gym, and then catch the coach. Or, alternatively, get a taxi at the port and do a three hour private tour.
A cruise is not like a hotel. You continue to enjoy all the amenities [apart from your cabin] until you leave the ship to join the transfer coach to the airport.
Probably around 800 to 1000 passengers will leave the ship in mid afternoon to go to the airport on the shuttle buses, that are included as part of your fare.
We actually like BHX.
When we flew back in earlier this month it took just 20 minutes from landing to getting into our car, and that included a five minute wait for our luggage.
We watched the first 45 minutes or so, but then gave up.
So sloooow!
Perhaps Glass Onions might be better
In the meantime we are halfway through Wednesday the Addams family spin off, directed by Tim Burton.
The increase is from $30 to $40 for the CG - substantial, but well below 40%.
I think Princess just decided to bite the bullet and go for a big increase now, meaning that they can then, hopefully, hold the price for at least 18 months.
We eat perhaps a couple of times in the speciality restaurant on a 14 night cruise. In tge scale if things, $40 extra is nothing compared to the cost of the cruise.
And, if you go to an AI resort hotel, the cost of speciality dining has increased there as well.
Cruise lines are just as susceptible to inflation as any other business.
The following thread is of interest, as it contains the opinion of a Carnival employee in the UK
https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2901485-carnival-corporation-axing-three-ships/page/2/
In which case, I am surprised. I booked the last available wake view balcony cabin for a December 2023 cruise, (different ship) but booked in July this year !
That's a valid point - if you view the ship as being the equivalent of a floating hotel, why pay the premium for being on a ship.
(I appreciate that this opinion does not apply if you do not wish to fly)
It seems that basically the OP wants a wake view balcony cabin.
The problem is this:
-Wake view cabins are highly sought after
-There are only 26 such cabins available
-This particular cruise has been on sale for almost a year
To expect to be able to book this cabin category now is just unrealistic.
I looked at one cruise at random, and had a fair choice of balcony cabins that I could select.
As John says, more details would help.
I still think your best bet would be to contact a reputable TA that specialises in cruises, as they will see full cabin availability.