Ruby is a Gem

[RhondaPerr]

I just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Ruby. Just to give you an idea this was my 27th cruise and 7th on Princess. I loved this ship. I know that sounds like a simple statement but it sums it all up! The things that really stood out above my last Celebrity Cruise (which was my favorite line,) Embarkation: It was not only early and fast, but we were in our cabin by noon and it was ready!

 

The second thing that stood out was the friendly crew. I encountered only Two people who were not friendly which I will get to later. I felt the staff went above and beyond, especially in the Dining room. I have severe spice allergies, and the head waiter, and staff made sure not only that I was safe, but made it so I never felt deprived. I ordered each day for the following day. We thought the food was very good. We really did not eat in the Horizion Court that much, opting to eat on our balcony from the room service menu. The layout of the court does not flow very well when t is crowded.

 

We thought there was plenty to do on the ship, depending on what you wanted to do. I can not understand how anyone can say that they were bored. We even were able to get pool chairs if we looked hard enough, even with the typical chair hogs. We loved the adult only pool and enjoyed our time there.

 

I had a personal training session in the fitness area, and although I could not even twirl my spaghetti that evening, it was a great session, well worth the money. I was also impressed that my friend was able to get a machine, on a sea day.

 

Kayaking in St Maarten, make sure you are in tip top shape, but it's a long excursion. Princess Cays was nice, and no problem finding a chair. Lunch was okay, not great. Tendering is not an issue at all. The Ship was very organized, and instead of a mass line, you sit in the lounge and go by number. There was an issue on the Magens Bay excursion,

 

We liked two out of the three production shows, and loved the comedians. How refreshing it was to hear a comedian who did not feel it necessary for every other word to be an expletive! There was some great music, but it did not seem like Skywalkers was ever very busy.

 

Okay get ready here are my less than positive comments. There were times that room service was totally not reachable, and I mean after trying several times, and even being in a loop for 20 minutes. The photographers were driving me crazy..it was not just the one picture when you got off at whatever port, it was another one waiting down the way, and then more on the excursions. I have to say that the pictures we did have taken were not the best I have seen.

 

Now here is the biggie... Okay, so I fly First Class, and I do not pay for my baggage. My friend and I signed up for the EZ Check program where you can have your luggage picked up outside your door, and it goes to your final destination. The advantage of not having to deal with the luggage through customs, the bus and airports is fantastic! So we signed up, with the understanding that we should not have any luggage charges. We get our bill and we were charged 30 per bag for a total of 120.00.. When I went down to guest relations, and tried to explain why this never should have happened, I was told and I quote. This was not Princess this was the airline...When I tried to explain that could not possibly be the airline, because they would not charge us... I Again showed him my eticket. Then he started yelling at me and told me PRINCESS charges all the passengers that fee. I asked to speak to the Officer in charge, and was told to come back at 7am...wrong answer. I went back at midnight, tried again to explain to a new person why we should not have been charged...and when I got nowhere, this time I insisted on talking to the Purser. This time he came out, and when I received the same line from him, I told him find my form and you will see that your peer wrote in big letters and highlighted that we should not be charged. He did find it, and only then would he take the charge off. So, the question becomes, is the program twenty dollars, or is it really eighty dollars. When we were in the lounge awaiting disembarkation the next morning I came across other people who had not realized that they had been charged who were also flying baggage fee free, and now would have to take it up with Princess.

 

I had a similar issue on Celebrity last year, but it was fixed right away. This in no way has influenced my next cruise decision, but I will not use the Valet Service until they get this fixed. I plan on talking to the Princess rep where my TA works. I also included it in my survey comments online.

 

Looking forward to the British Isles in July on the Crown.

 

One last comment. Sam Hawker was fun as the CD. The cruise staff was great, and if I were to rate this cruise it would be a 9.. I can without hesitation recommend this ship!

 

 

 

 

We loved MUTS and the International Cafe and the Pub Lunch was a nice variation.

[blueridgemama]

Rhonda, Thank you for the review. Sounds like you really enjoyed your cruise:)

[Vexorg]

Was Carlos Oscar the comedian you referred to? We had him on our Ruby Princess trip a few weeks ago, and found him quite entertaining while keeping clean. I just wish they could have put him in the main theater instead of the Explorer's Lounge, because he was really packing 'em in for his shows.

[RhondaPerr]

Was Carlos Oscar the comedian you referred to? We had him on our Ruby Princess trip a few weeks ago, and found him quite entertaining while keeping clean. I just wish they could have put him in the main theater instead of the Explorer's Lounge, because he was really packing 'em in for his shows.

 

No, he was not the comedian on our cruise. I agree though the Explorers lounge was small, but they really solved that problem by having repeat shows.

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the comments. Sounds like you had a great time.

[caribill]

Now here is the biggie... Okay, so I fly First Class, and I do not pay for my baggage. My friend and I signed up for the EZ Check program.......So, the question becomes, is the program twenty dollars, or is it really eighty dollars. When we were in the lounge awaiting disembarkation the next morning I came across other people who had not realized that they had been charged who were also flying baggage fee free, and now would have to take it up with Princess.

 

 

Others have posted having the same problem when they should not have been charged due to:

o Flying first class

o Using a certain airline charge card

o Being at an elite status in the airline's FF program

 

Others who have contacted the airline have reported that the airline says it was Princess, not the airline, that charged fror the luggage.

 

Not sure how to avoid this, but I do suggest when filling out the EZCheck form to indicate in big print that there should be no airline charge and why.

 

At least when they do mistakenly charge you, you can refer them to the form you filled out.

 

You still need to pay the $20/person fee for using EZCheck even if there is not a baggage charge from the airline.

[Tinious]

There were times that room service was totally not reachable, and I mean after trying several times, and even being in a loop for 20 minutes.

 

People in my party experienced this many times as well. Interestingly, if you call the services desk and complain there is no answer, they will somehow connect you through a different channel that works 90% of the time. When that fails (as it did at least once), they just called back to the services desk again and complained again and got service right away.

 

It's almost like if there are 2-3 people on hold, anyone else goes into an infinite hold loop -- it's almost like you really need to keep trying and retrying.

[STUR]

We had the same problem with baggage charges with Princess & Celeberty

Every one says it is not there problem In 2010 I did convice Delta to give me a credit for $50.00 (never used)

I did find that the cruse lines contract with a Co. (they should have a understanding for this isue with them)

 

Stur Dayton,ohio

[CRLess]

and when I got nowhere, this time I insisted on talking to the Purser. This time he came out, and when I received the same line from him, I told him find my form and you will see that your peer wrote in big letters and highlighted that we should not be charged. He did find it, and only then would he take the charge off.

 

By any chance was the person in charge that you spoke with Andreas? I had a very ugly experience with him when I was on the Ruby last year. I have never been treated so rudely by a Princess employee in all of my 11 cruises with them.

[RhondaPerr]

Others have posted having the same problem when they should not have been charged due to:

o Flying first class

o Using a certain airline charge card

o Being at an elite status in the airline's FF program

 

Others who have contacted the airline have reported that the airline says it was Princess, not the airline, that charged fror the luggage.

 

Not sure how to avoid this, but I do suggest when filling out the EZCheck form to indicate in big print that there should be no airline charge and why.

 

At least when they do mistakenly charge you, you can refer them to the form you filled out.

 

You still need to pay the $20/person fee for using EZCheck even if there is not a baggage

 

charge from the airline.

 

 

Yes, that is what finally resulted in the charge being removed. The person who took my form wrote it in big letters and highlighted it. So when the officer went in and pulled the form, he really had no choice but to admit I should not have been charged. My TA told me to send her a letter and she is going to give it to her princess Rep. Next time not only will I have the person who takes the form highlight it, but also give me a copy.. We were totally prepared to pay the twenty dollars each, but NOT 120.00.. Like I said this did not ruin my cruise, but certainly stressed me out that evening.

[RhondaPerr]

By any chance was the person in charge that you spoke with Andreas? I had a very ugly experience with him when I was on the Ruby last year. I have never been treated so rudely by a Princess employee in all of my 11 cruises with them.

 

I do not know his name. He was of Indian Origin I believe. The only ugly people I have encountered in 27 cruises seem to always be from guest relations..Oh and one waiter who threw food at someone after a melt down, and was escorted off the ship at the next port.