I can't take the OP at all serious, basically he’s moaning about XIV being XIV.
You can't type up an essay for cons and just bullet point the pros - sorry kid but life doesn't work like that. In the real world that entire post would look like a whine above all else instead of looking like constructive feedback.
SE deserve credit for doing something well, if it doesn't feel new I suggest you quit because unless they drastically change XIV - you're not going to be happy.
Speaking of quit, I suggest you uninstall the game and quit because you are moaning about the very fundamentals about the game. Every MMO has that grind/repeat feeling, that's MMOs. I've played over a dozen and yet to find a single one that always feels different when going through expansions- even WoW, EQ, STO, KOTR, XI.
You are complaining about something that frankly the majority feel is a great expansion if not one of the best SE has made.
So please just quit.

And yes my 1st post is having to defend SE for a damn good job well done because I am sick of people crying like a child.