emanddee

Does anyone have a picture of a mini with the sofa opened up? We never have had an issue in a standard balcony for 3 on Princess. We cruised on Celebrity this summer with a pullout and hated it. DD (16) much prefers a pull down - says they are more comfortable. Plus it was a pain climbing over the sofa early in the morning or late at night to get out on our balcony. I am curious to see if there is enough room in a mini to get past the open sofa.

Sorry, I did not get a still photo of the Dolphin mini-suite that we just travelled in, on the Ruby. We could easily get around the end of the pull-out couch if the coffee table and chair were carefully stowed to the side before the bed came out. Hopefully your steward knows to do that. There is a great 360-degree video available on the web site.

The sofa is three cushions wide. The sofa bed is only two cushions wide, so that there is still a seat available to be used when the bed is made up.

(Note -- uncovered balcony on this deck. Decks above can look into your balcony space. If you want more privacy, try Caribe...?)

We were travelling with DH's mom and the suite was perfect for the three of us. We were able to get a sale price where the percentage discount off the mini-suite was greater than the percentage off the smaller balcony cabin, making the mini-suite cheaper! It was a sweet find! Loved the full-size tub! Loved having breakfast on the balcony. (Disappointed in the room service menu. Breakfast sandwich was the only "hot" food for breakfast. We ended up having juice and coffee to get going and then eating at the back of Cafe Caribe, overlooking the Terrace pool.)

no...on some decks the balconies are actually completely uncovered (eg deck 8).

OCruisers is distinguishing between mini-suite balconies and regular balconies.

The deck plan link is an excellent aid.

We just cruised on Dolphin deck 9 on the Ruby and, yes, we turned and looked up and waved at fellow passengers and even yelled out a few greetings.

We just did a short run on the Ruby. "Magic to Do" - the stage production in the theater was very good.

We enjoyed people-watching while having lunch at the International Cafe, Deck 5 midship, just off the Piazza where there is always something going on. Specialty teas and coffees and gelato are extra charge, but the salads and sandwiches (some hot) and dainty desserts (like carrot cake, cookies, tuxedo cake and fruit tarts) are no charge.

We popped into one of the main dining rooms after the theater one night when it was not at all busy and had just dessert. Staff were very gracious about it.

Our other favorite spot was eating outside at the very back of the ship, picking up breakfast from Cafe Caribe, and sitting on the deck overlooking the Terrace Pool. Sadly they started sanding and painting it so that we couldn't repeat the experience but good news for you -- it is all done and you won't have the same problem.

Maybe go to the top deck and explore from the top down. Some decks are all cabins -- skip those. There's mini golf and kids'

activities at the tiptop.

Enjoy!

So glad it worked out. I was going to say that moms come in all shapes and sizes and some may sleep just fine. We just did a cruise with Mom and we did give her one of the beds, so she could tuck up against the wall and we could wander in and out without disturbing her. (We came in from a different time zone and were up much earlier.) The Ruby Princess mini-suite had a sofa bed that folded out in the more conventional direction, but from two-thirds of the sofa length, and the remaining third was still available as a seat. The frame of the bed was a bit creaky but DH said he slept just fine. To each his own.

Yes, from the bars for an extra charge. Ruby Princess also had shakes and malts at the Pizzeria / Scoops Bar for $2.88.

That would be great if they had stevia / Truvia. I had to stop using Splenda / sucralose after developing a weird skin condition. I hear it causes joint issues for some people as well. Apparently 30% of us can't process it properly.

If so, where can you find gelato on the Ruby? :)

:eek:

In case it's not clear above and someone still needs to know...

The gelato is available on the Ruby at the International Cafe off to the side of the Piazza on Deck 5 midship. My account shows $1.73 for the $1.50 three-scoop serving of gelato. (Gratuity added?) It was delicious and there were intriguing flavours available.

I can't comment on the coffee card as it wasn't a sensible purchase for us.

The International Cafe also served no-charge desserts, salads and sandwiches. Great spot for people watching. We got a great view of the paper airplane contest in the Piazza.

Are power strips allowed? And if they are should I place it in my luggage or carry on?

 

I had mine lifted from me on my last cruise and returned and disembarking. I specifically brought a surge protector to protect my CPAP machine and to ensure I could use the machine at my bedside. No explanation was given for taking it away except, "Not safe." I did need a cord to reach the bed -- only outlet was on the desk. They brought me a 100-foot long extension cord to use instead. If I were you, I'd put it in my carry-on. It will save you waiting with hundreds of others in "suitcase jail" to find out why your suitcase did not arrive.

You only need a lanyard if you have no purse or pockets and don't want to carry your card in your hand at all times. They often sell souvenir lanyards in the gift shops if you want one. We have found several lost cards on past cruises and we just pass them in at the desk; then the staff can contact the owner. The kids have often lost theirs, too. The card itself will have your name printed on it but not your cabin number, so if anyone finds a lost card, they cannot help themselves to your cabin's contents. There is not pervasive custom on lanyard use.