March 20 and 30 Ruby

[cruisin36]

Some observations from the Ruby Caribbean cruise of March 10 and March 20.

Embarkation – This was the most efficient embarkation we have ever experienced. Arrived about 11:15 and in our room by 11:45. We then proceeded to the DaVinci dining room and were greeted by Generoso himself. What a wonderful man!

Fresh squeezed OJ now has a $2 charge in the MDR.

Entertainment was first class as always. The production numbers were the same as we saw on the Ruby TA last fall but we went anyway and thoroughly enjoyed them. The comedians were great. Carey Long, Fred Klett and Jason were exceptionally good. We did not attend the hypnotist show but everyone commented on how funny he and the participants were.

Food and service were exceptional as always. We eat all of our meals in the MDR.

Staff and Crew – Exceptional – James Ibraham was the CD. We met him last fall. A very energetic and friendly Ozzie. Godwin was the headwaiter at the door in the DaVinci MDR. WE had anytime dining and he reserved a table for us every night. We never had to wait in line for a table.

Passengers – There were a lot of oneuppers on the ship. Having anytime dining and eating in the MDR for all meals we got to meet a lot of different folks. It seems that everybody is from Florida or winters in Florida. It seems everyone except us has a balcony cabin which they booked for several hundred dollars less than our inside. One experienced cruiser (5 cruises) was telling me about a new “point “ system that Princess and Carnival has and that Carnival points count toward Princess CC levels. One of the perks is that certain pointholders only have to pay a $5 tip charge for the entire cruise.?????????????

Lecturer – The “Enrichment Lecturer” was Lawrence Klausner. We had the misfortune of having embarkation lunch with him. All we heard was how wonderful he was. He founded a large TA company which includes Expedia. Hotels.com and VTG among others. He has 20,000 people working for him. On all of the new Princess ships he buys 224 rooms before it is built exclusively for his TA company. All midship rooms. His story line was very inconsistent. We ran into a couple that had dinner with him and his stories to them were different and inconsistent. We did not attend his lectures. I think he has created a fantasy world resume just to get free cruises.

All in all a five star cruise!!! We have two more currently booked.

[BobT172]

Godwin was the headwaiter at the door in the DaVinci MDR. WE had anytime dining and he reserved a table for us every night. We never had to wait in line for a table.

 

Ditto that!! We did the same...Godwin had the same table for us reserved every night. A great guy.