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I “saved” a lot of $$$ by pre-paying internet, crew gratuities, and/or beverage packages when they first announced all the price increases. You either pay now or pay the piper later. I’m good for all of 2023. Who knows what 2024 will bring if I don’t have my Grand Princess back where she belongs. I really don’t understand the rationale behind the increases. Seems to be pulled out of thin air. I can understand percentage increases, but these seem so random.

You should be thanking the color gods that you did not get “gold”. Ha Ha.

Didn’t specialty restaurants increase their charge? I don’t think the Crown Grill is $29. But, but, but….you are getting prime real estate.

A while back, I watched a webAir (shortly after restart). Some executive announced (again, prematurely) that phone calls to Customer Service would be shorter, wait times would be cut down, AND they were going to initiate call backs. We all know how that turned out. I don’t want to turn this thread into a complaint session. You asked what Cruise Critic members want to see from Princess. We are clearly letting you know the things that would keep us as your loyal…paying….passengers. I hope you @CCAubsare able to bring this into their discussions.

All airlines will print the pass for you. You just have to stand in line. First class/loyalty lines are a bit shorter. Depending on the airport, sometime porters can print them too.

Stage Left or House Left....not that it matters. Surprised it wasn't center. Hmmm. Not the best seats in the house.

I don't understand why the Discovery is having so many wi-fi problems when they sail the same route as the Crown, the Emerald, the Grand/the Diamond, (previous to deployment). None of them had connectivity issues. (California Coastals/Mexico/Hawaii) AND, AND, AND, she is the newest of the ships.

Southwest still "requires" you to remotely check in 24 hours prior to get your boarding number/cattle call tag. Air Canada gives away (free/no purchase) seats 24 hours prior to flight. Some of us (me) like to check in 24 hours in advance. I always do...but then again, I always buy at least a one device package. I can't live disconnected. Kudos to those that have so much will power. Make a friend on your cruise. Buy them a drink and then "borrow" their phone or wifi to check in. My daughter stopped printing boarding passes decades ago. I'm slowly moving in that direction.

Agree mostly with @jeromep Interesting take. But the Royal Class Ships out of Vancouver are restricted by tides (going under the Lions Gate Bridge) and too big to transit the Inside Passage. There aren't any tender ports, so that alleviates a wait time (unless Skagway is a problem or too many ship in Juneau and you have to anchor out). My vote always goes for the smaller ships. Much better design. Ha Ha...you beat me to it!

You are in a suite: You will have a complimentary embarkation dinner at a specialty restaurant of your choice (Crown Grill or Sabatini's). Some have been able to make this reservation ahead of time. Others (me) are not as lucky. Just do it once you board. You will have breakfast at a designated specialty restaurant. Most have been able to order anything (within reason) off the menu. Just speak to the Assistant Manager for special requests. You will have Club Class Dining. It is a section of the Main Dining Room. You walk in, you are almost always seated immediately. Sometimes, there may be a short wait. You may order dinner off the MDR menu to be delivered to your stateroom. You may also have afternoon tea service on sea days, but will need to call Room Service ahead of time. When you call for a reservation for a specialty restaurant, your SUITE number appears on the DINE line. They generally try to fit you in at your requested time. You will also get a mini-bar you can exchange out, 2 bottles of water daily, and Express Laundry (same day service if out by 9 AM). There are a few more perks that others will be happy to share with you.

The fact that Princess removed some public areas AND did not increase other venues like MDR, Princess Theater, Elevators, etc speaks volumes. What were they thinking? At the very least....have 3 theater performances instead of two jam packed shows. It isn't rocket science. But then again.....

Everyone that has posted has had wonderful suggestions. A balcony is the frosting on the cake on an Alaskan voyage. But if it is not in your budget, then the other alternatives are just as valid. For my money, I would choose a Grand Class ship over a Royal Class. I think several have backed up that recommendation.

I started this thread and you might find some helpful information. Yes, you need an K-ETA for Korea.

Where you able to pick an arrival time? You SHOULD be thankful for small wonders.

@arctickittyLove your descriptions and interpretations. Keep them coming. Did you know that the first parts that fail (for professional hula dancers) are the hips and knees? It can be a real cardio workout. So glad you are enjoying the lessons. Leialoha is a pro. Her love and respect for her Hawaiian ancestry comes through loud and clear.

@SargassoPirate and everyone else....Do you notice which ships have the larger numbers? Coral, Sapphire, Diamond...Island...Grand.

I am torn between the Yokohama Sheraton and the Intercontinental Yokohama Grand. Both are rated about the same. Cost are similar. Really would like some help in deciding which one I should keep/cancel. Any input would be appreciated. Arigato gozaimasu

Again, another Princess "is not ready" for roll out. That's pretty sad. How hard could it be to get the "special cookies" that went with the ice cream? Or gym classes? Princess really needs to keep their mouth shut until they are ready for 100% emersion.

I don't know anything about Celebrity, but I thought their fare was all inclusive. This is beginning to look very attractive. Princess has too many packages. All of which I am not interested in. But I am just one and they really won't care.

@mtnesterzThank you for a wonderful link. For others who don't want to go there...

In my opinion, the Royal Class ships are the worst to have an inside/interior cabin for Alaska. They do not have a full Promenade Deck. They do not have Plaza Deck cabins. On a Grand class ship, you could be in a Plaza Deck 5 inside cabin and still have access to a full Promenade Deck 7. You could possibly choose an aft interior just below the aft pool on both ships and walk a few steps up to an outside area. You would almost have to use the (crowded) elevators to get anywhere. Unfortunately, the Coral, with her many hidden doors to viewing areas, is not available for Alaska. Alaska is really all about the gorgeous views. If a balcony isn’t in your budget, do what you can do and enjoy your cruise,

I may be wrong and someone will definitely set me straight. I believe Princess Transfers drop you off at the upper level departure terminals (where the ticket counters are). I am not sure you will be allowed to get on the hotel shuttle that is dropping off passengers at the departure terminal. Hotel shuttles pick up on the lower level baggage claim (outside curb). Doesn't Princess ask you for travel information (airline/flight number/time)? A quick google search produced this: Where is hotel shuttle pick-up at LAX? LAX Transportation Shuttle stops are located at the PINK LAX Shuttle signs on the Lower/Arrivals level in front of each terminal.

@arctickittyI hope you brought your galoshes and foul weather gear, you are going to have a lot of rain in Hilo. Makes for beautiful waterfalls. Chance of thunderstorms on Oahu. At least it is warm rain with a chance of rainbows.

There is absolutely no way to determine how rough/calm a cruise to Hawaii will be. It is the Pacific (Peaceful) Ocean. I have seen her rath with Beaufort Scale readings of 10 (out of 12) winds and swells that rocked the boat. Then there were days it was so peaceful and calm with not even white caps. They don't hold big wave surf events in the islands for nothing. Some of the events wait for 40 foot waves.

I am glad you got this worked out (I think, this is correct). One more reason not to use the app. I find it just as easy to walk up to the venue, ask them for my water, scan my medallion, and walk away. Call me old school, but I don't use the app on board very much. I pick up the phone to call Room Service or to make specialty dining room reservations. I walk up to the bar. I stop by the Customer Service Desk in person (on occasion, I have crew chatted). Journey View is horrible on the app. I use Ocean Concierge. I do use the app to purchase FCDs. Find my friends.