Princess Chatter

"Princess Cruises will never bring a ship out before it’s ready, the line’s president John Padgett vowed on Tuesday (23 April), as he explained why he’d delayed the introduction of Star Princess by two months."

https://www.ttgmedia.com/cruise/princess-chief-defends-gutsy-decision-making-behind-ship-launch-delays-45984

"Princess also revealed its newest indulgence – the “Love Line Premium Liquors” collection. Crafted in collaboration with renowned celebrities Pitbull, Jason Aldean and Romero Britto, this exclusive line of wines and spirits promises an unparalleled experience for guests sailing aboard ships from the Love Boat. The new premium collection features meticulously selected wines and spirits, each bearing the unique touch of its celebrity partner including Voli Vodka by Pitbull, Love Prosecco by Britto, and Melorosa Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Jason Aldean. The Love Line collection is currently available aboard Sun Princess, and will roll out to all the ships in the Princess fleets throughout the summer. "

 https://ittn.ie/travel-news/ittn-attends-official-naming-ceremony-of-princess-cruises-newest-ship-sun-princess/

While they'll never resort to calling it "steerage", it's not to far from being that lately.

It certainly appears, on the surface of it, that Princess is becoming a 'pay for privilege' vacation choice.
I have an upcoming voyage on the Emerald, with an inside cabin, and have submitted a bid for a balcony that is nearly twice what I paid
for a similar move last November. Additionally, we've bid for an Oceanview upgrade, because I simply cannot fathom paying an fortune
to enhance our sleeping quarters.
Perhaps I'm being too much of a nitpicker, but everything from excursions to enhanced dining seems to have
increased substantially.

  They're slowly chipping away at all the things we used to enjoy on Princess as being included. In the very near future cruising will return to being reserved only for the very rich.