Knickearth

I agree, the Ruby is in fine shape and I can’t imagine what they will do in dry dock.

The former owners suite which is becoming the family suite on the Ruby, had a dining table with 4 chairs and two more chairs elsewhere, at rear of room there were two armchairs and a couch. Other side of room had tv, large mirror and a wet bar. The bedroom was separate with a wonderful king size bed. The bathroom was two rooms. One with large shower with glass door and a large jacuzzi tub. The other room had a toilet and sink area.

We were just on the Ruby and they are pairing up the owners suite with an inside cabin to form the family suite. So it doesn’t look like any of the pics shown here. You have to call princess to reserve the family suite.

Was surprised no more drink specialties or reduced price drinks anymore.

Ok. Always nuts, cheese and crackers,raw veggies,fruit cup, then other would change daily. We had tuna in tomato, mini quiche, samosas, shrimp

Remembered another item. we arrived at ship about 11:45 am. Walked in and immediately got medallion, no lines. Walked toward ship entrance and again no line, no wait. Was fabulous. third night onboard we requested to have same table nightly and we got it. The waitress and her asst. we’re incredible throughout cruise. Friendly, smiling etc. but most impressive was that no matter what we all ordered, if she thought there was a dish we should try, she brought it out to center of table. whenfried calamari was a starter on the menu, she heard us discussing that we like it crispy etc. so she got a plate and again put it in middle of table so we could determine if we liked how it was prepared. Yes we did like it. don’t know if this is good news or not, but because of having the drink package we consumed more alcohol than we usually do. We use to go to the vines before dinner and purchase a bottle of wine and have tapas. No more tapas and now we ordered the individual drinks. We went to platinum and elite lounge nightly.

I am presently on the Ruby. I am an elite level. All that said in my many cruises over 20 yrs the staff is the happiest and most helpful I have ever encountered on a ship. This of course has made the cruise wonderful. on the second day out they started using lavazza coffee in the lido. No more syrup coffee or unknown brand. I am loving the coffee. the trivia games are now strictly for fun with just old prizes being given out. They don’t have rules. No requirement mentioned of 6 or less to a team and when all 20 questions are asked there is no trading of papers.

My girlfriend had a lot of non refundable obc. She purchases art on the ships she is on and that uses her obc up. For some reason they wanted to use her charge card and she was upset and complained. Tonight she learned they did use her obs so she too is happy.

Actually, I gambled every time the casino was opened daily. FYI what I ended up doing and it luckily worked for me was - I moved all my obc to the casino account and came home a winner and my account on the ship reads minus .10 now. So I am very happy. Hubby’s stock obc is non refundable so because of a liquor sale today he purchased 4 bottles of alcohol and he has 3.90 on his account.

Sorry but you have me a bit confused. The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it. when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct. they would not let me get the other monies. My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

So hubby and I are on the final two days of our cruise. We decided to go to the casino and cash out whatever monies are on our account. I thought iit odd that no announcement was made to remember to cash out before you leave the ship. My husband had only non refundable monies on his account and was told he could only spend it. I had refundable monies but since the monies were not winnings onboard the ship, the casino could not pay me. I asked where I could get my money and have now been told to leave it on my account and when I am home it will either go back to my charge card or they will send me a check. This makes me nervous that they even do that.

In San Francisco, went to get medallions and then just walked onboard. No lines etc.

O the Ruby

Yes tobev package but they are willy Nelly about it. My hubby and I as well as friends in a balcony regularly get credited with ordering specialty coffees or alcohol. Don’t know why. We were considering ocean now for lunch in the cabin today, but didn’t appreciate the choices offered. Did not order room service

I am presently in a full suite and we are ordering room service today. So when we do we will let you know hopefully. We are also confused. Bigger problem is that there does not seem to be a room service menu whatsoever.

I keep reading how we are all confused and rightfully so. But I have to let you know that the personnel seems equally confused. Although the four of us are ordering drinks daily - both specialty coffees and alcohol - they don’t seem to be keeping count. I should have had 4 drinks deducted from my 15 yesterday and had only 1. today, it is very early in the morning and I have gotten zero coffees yet my account reads 1. Princess has a lot of work to do on this.

Sorry but they are. I husband and I get cappuccinos at the IC in the am daily and a 1 of 15 shows up. We don’t care as if we have an alcoholic drink a day it is a lot. Ironically, at dinner last night the four of us ordered wine and we had cappuccinos after dessert. Neither have been counted for any of us. Also, we went to an event yesterday that the drinks were free. My husband told the officer on duty that the two drinks allowed him to have 17 that day.

one more thing. Bring a copy of travel summary. My acct was missing a 250. Dollar. Shipboard credit. I showed them the summary and got the credit.

Presently I am on the Ruby princess heading to Alaska. Prior to the cruise I went and booked four of us nightly in the Michelangelo dining room at 6 pm. This way we had reservations for four of us no matter what. We felt we could cancel per night if needed. We cancelled one night already. There is no set table or waiter altho I recommend when on board you could speak to the maitre de and see if he will do it. Last night we opted for dinner for a table for 4. Were were seated immediately. Service was fabulous, the best ever in all the years I have cruised. We will attempt to get that table nightly.

I agree with you, but now I learned others here are not being given the newer level of princess plus. So as usual 1. Depends on who you ask. 2. Hopefully deal with bars that think like the answer you got. we realized yesterday that the 15 drink limit per day - which I was lead to believe was an alcohol drinking limit only daily also includes specialty coffees. This too is most confusing as if you get that specialty coffee at the intl. cafe they take one of the 15 drinks. If you get it at the coffee and cones on lido deck no deduction from the 15. This is on the Ruby right now. the only new item I personally think is DUMB is called Ocean Ready. This is where you can order and pay for food to be delivered anywhere. Sorry, but between Lido buffet, pizza, burgers and the MDR and specialty restaurants why pay for a delivery service?..

Ruby

You are right except in my case we are on the ship and yes they are treating it as the newest.

We are presently on princess in Alaska. We purchased the old plus package. My husband went to captains circle to inquire about a bunch of stuff and was told it is all upgraded and there is only the one package. When I looked at our statement we were not charged the difference.

We are sailing this week. Need update on alcohol policy. Corkage fees, quantity. we purchased 1.5 liters and we are two people. We want to drink it in the cabin, so will they allow us to bring it between the two of us. thanks

Good thought. They are charging extra for everything else, why not pub lunch. I will let you know asap