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Ruby Princess Questions

Rottweiler Puppy

By Rottweiler Puppy,
in Princess Cruises

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Rottweiler Puppy

Rottweiler Puppy

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Well it looks like I might be booking Ruby Princess for the end of November for my girlfriends birthday.

 

Carnival lost my previous sailings, for some reason they show me as zero days sailed lol. So I decided to look elsewhere and I noticed this one leaving from my hometown of Ft. Lauderdale. Saves me the POM parking fees, gas, drive and general aggravation of driving in Miami. Heck Its only costing me $55 over Carnival too for the entire cruise.

 

It sails at 4PM, Whats a good time to get there? I usually get there at 10:30 when I sailed out of POM with Carnival. We like to be on early as to me, thats when my cruise starts.

 

Any tips you all have? I know the rooms are smaller then the Carnival ships I sailed but I dont care about 20sqf but how are the beds? Comfy?

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RMLincoln

RMLincoln

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I think the beds on Princess are hard and I request an egg-crate mattress pad and survive ok. The rooms may be smaller, depends on the category maybe. Love Ruby and have been on Liberty too which is not a favorite ship for me, but heck, It's hard to have a bad day on a cruise ship! :) m--

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toberman

toberman

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A hard bed is ok for me.

 

Do they have free room service?

 

Beds are subjective - just like food. If you like hard, you won't have a problem... other people do.

Room service is free xcpt for pizza - can't give u a price but 3-5$ sounds about right. The room service menu is limited and depends on the cat of cabin you have... ie. Suites get more. A nominal tip for delivery is always appreciated. A little searching on this board will give u lots of info.

Enjoy... The Ruby is a beautiful ship.

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toberman

toberman

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It sails at 4PM, Whats a good time to get there? I usually get there at 10:30 when I sailed out of POM with Carnival. We like to be on early as to me, thats when my cruise starts.

 

We have be out of hotel by 11, so always go to the port in FLL at that time. Depends on whether they had any issues with deparkation of the previous cruise, but 5 cruises out of FLL and we're normally on by noon or shortly after.

Take care.

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Princess Patches

Princess Patches

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We have be out of hotel by 11, so always go to the port in FLL at that time. Depends on whether they had any issues with deparkation of the previous cruise, but 5 cruises out of FLL and we're normally on by noon or shortly after.

Take care.

 

This is my experience as well. Check in is usually open by 10:30 and boarding begins about 11:30-12. We get to the port about 11 and are onboard by noon almost every time. Your cabin will be ready for you when you board unlike other lines that prevent you from going to your cabin until later in the day. The dining room is also available for a nice sit down lunch. Check the Patter schedule in your cabin for where lunch is being served. It is usually served from 12-1:30. You can also go to the buffet for lunch, if you prefer more casual dining. Have fun.

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golfb4cruzing

golfb4cruzing

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Rot Puppy I bounce between here and Carnival side. We just got off the Ruby in April and had a great time. I think I still have scans of the daily papers. If you like, shoot me an email and I"ll get them straight to you. I can answer most of your questions as well. We had a great time and you might not go back. I think they are two different lines.

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Rottweiler Puppy

Rottweiler Puppy

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Rot Puppy I bounce between here and Carnival side. We just got off the Ruby in April and had a great time. I think I still have scans of the daily papers. If you like, shoot me an email and I"ll get them straight to you. I can answer most of your questions as well. We had a great time and you might not go back. I think they are two different lines.

 

I recognize your screen name from over there and you are one of the good ones so I truly appreciate your response. We are cooking up tons of questions and will probably have some soon.

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golfb4cruzing

golfb4cruzing

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Pup no problem. The wife and I had a very enjoyable classy trip. Pricing very comparable and my wife enjoyed the IC daily. The casino got tight after the 2nd night I thought. Pleasant atmosphere and what cruising should be like. We are on Destiny end of month and Caribbean Princess in the Spring. Have a good night.

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united4life

united4life

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Rot Puppy I bounce between here and Carnival side. We just got off the Ruby in April and had a great time. I think I still have scans of the daily papers. If you like, shoot me an email and I"ll get them straight to you. I can answer most of your questions as well. We had a great time and you might not go back. I think they are two different lines.

 

 

I'd love to see the scans of the daily patters from your Ruby cruise. United4life at live dot ca

 

Thanks

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flamomo

flamomo

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Just a note re: the pizza ..... there is a charge if you get it from room service, but if you get it up on the pool deck, it's free. I think their pizza is excellent, as do a lot of other passengers. The burgers and other stuff at the Trident Grill, on the pool deck, are pretty good too.

 

I think embarkation in FLL is handled very well. I have no idea how it is in POM because I have only cruised with Princess.

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rcacace

rcacace

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Just a note re: the pizza ..... there is a charge if you get it from room service, but if you get it up on the pool deck, it's free. I think their pizza is excellent, as do a lot of other passengers. The burgers and other stuff at the Trident Grill, on the pool deck, are pretty good too.

 

I think embarkation in FLL is handled very well. I have no idea how it is in POM because I have only cruised with Princess.

 

 

I don't eat pizza but don't they limit you to a slice at a time when you get it on deck vs a whole pie delivered to the room? :confused:

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hubofhockey

hubofhockey

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Any steak in the MDR? or Steakhouse only? I am doiong the steakhouse at least one night though but wondered if they at least have a NY or even a sirloin in the MDR

 

You can't get a good steak in the MDR. The Ruby has two specialty restaurants (Crown Grill and Sabatinis). We usually book both of them. They do have a couple of decent beef dishes. I thought the prime rib was decent.

 

I can give you a quick comparison of differences you'll find on the Ruby vs Carnival.

 

Cabins: Carnival cabins are larger and the balcony cabins have sofas. Princess do not.

 

Pools: Carnival's pools are very small and pool areas are overcrowded. The Ruby has several separate pool areas and three good sized pools.

 

Dining: Buffet is much nicer on the Ruby and selections (espeically breakfast and dinner) are much better than Lido buffet on Carnival and there is even wait service in the evenings. Main Dining room service and food quality is also a step up on Princess. But others may feel differently. Having two specialty restaurants is an advantage Princess has.

 

Entertainment: Princess has more entertainment options at night, especially in ships like the Ruby. Between the main theater, Explorers, and Club Fusion, there is more going on than you see on Carnival, which has the comedy club and the main theater.

 

Atmosphere: Carnival has more active cruise directors who are always on the PA system. The atmosphere is more charged up than on Princess, where the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed, there is less crowding, and there are much fewer announcements.

 

I don't think either Princess or Carnival are for everyone. We don't mind paying more for Princess. We like the product. But we'll go on several lines.

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Rottweiler Puppy

Rottweiler Puppy

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Thanks for the info. Glad to hear about the entertainment options as my GF likes shows. As far as MDR food, I expect banquet level of quality at best. Not really expecting to much out of it. I eat mainly a primal diet (lots o meat and fat) so was hoping for a regular plain jane steak at least as an option.

 

I don't like buffets at all so while its good to hear its nicer, I probably wont be using it. Still a nice option for backup. We will definitely do the steakhouse at least one night, maybe more depending on the quality of the MDR food. I am really looking forward to a more laid back atmosphere on this trip. Many great reviews of the ship.

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centralcalicruzer

centralcalicruzer

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I didn't eat a lot of beef dishes on our cruise in January because there were so many other entrees to choose from that I don't have the opportunity to have in regular life, but I did have the below "Surf and Turf" one night, and I thought the beef was good. On the second formal night Prime Rib was one of the choices, my husband had it in addition to his lobster tail entree and it looked good. I think there is some type of sirloin steak or something similar that is available every night. I find that most beef on any mainstream cruiseline is not the optimal cut, so I tend to choose other things, but my husband had steak several times and I don't recall him complaining about it.

 

IMG_0818.jpg

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PrincessMelody

PrincessMelody

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Rot Puppy I bounce between here and Carnival side. We just got off the Ruby in April and had a great time. I think I still have scans of the daily papers. If you like, shoot me an email and I"ll get them straight to you. I can answer most of your questions as well. We had a great time and you might not go back. I think they are two different lines.

 

Hi golf!! Would you mind sending me the Ruby patters too?

 

We're leaving next month for a B2B! :D

 

melody.jensen@comcast.net

 

Thanks in advance!! :)

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