LIVE from the RUBY PRINCESS Jan. 13-23, 2014

[Pia1913]

Tuesday morning and we’re still floating along on our way to Grand Cayman. We are due to arrive approximately 11:00 AM and stay until 7:00 PM. It’s been a few years since we last tendered ashore, and this time we will; in quest of a pharmacy and to refresh our memory of what is here.

Yesterday was a very relaxing day; did nothing again but eat and read and play one losing trivia. Didn’t want to see the magician’s show so won some more in the casino. That in itself is a plus; literally and figuratively.

　

Captain’s Circle party was very nice and again we opted for Godiva instead of the cheapo yucky “champagne.” Here are the stats:

Elite 296

Platinum 748

Ruby 364

Gold 641

Most traveled in the number one spot was the same couple from last cruise. They have 1043. It seems like we’re stuck in the number two position. This now makes four in a row, but I’m not complaining. I remember when we were always number four and of course it will probably happen again on the longer cruises.

　

Tonight will be the most traveled cocktail party (again in lieu of a luncheon) and the cutoff is 398.

　

Morning offerings are nil, unless you consider a Cayman talk and a zumba class. Afternoon is Way Way Back (again) in the theater and Hitch (again) on MUTS. Isn’t there anyone who monitors the repetitious selections? I’ll be filling out the questionaire; for sure.

Tonight we have comedian Miguel Washington doing a solo show in the theater (three of them, in fact) and The Wolverine is on MUTS. We will manage to see Miguel somewhere along the way between dinner and the party; whichever comes first. Or last.

Comments:

1. Heresy vs. heresay: shoot! What did I start? LOL :)

2. Homosassa: did not consider mentioning bible study since it’s a very private offering. Same thing with my not mentioning the fact that there’s a priest on board both cruises and there’s been Catholic mass every morning.

3. Carolyn: Thank you. Sniff sniff.

 

 

4. All monies from both cruises are already showing on our accounts as cruise credits. I can’t wait to get home and spend it. What a deal this has been!

 

Sali: too funny. Ship's getting crowded.

 

Post ran away and I had to go back to continue, so fonts will differ. Bye for now.

Edited January 21, 2014 by Pia1913

[bhopal21]

Thanks Pia, I would have thought you would have had better luck with a Pharmacy in Cozumel; but I am interested in what you discover in Grand Cayman.

 

Have a great day!

 

Mike:)

[chamima]

Hi Pia

Someone just off the Royal reported that they are charging $40/day/pp for the Sanctuary.

If you have time could you find out if that's true for the Ruby as well or just for the Royal?

(If memory serves that's more than double what we paid last year! :eek:)

[tothemall&beyond]

So, how do you compare the Park West experience with the former Princess Fine Arts art auctions?

 

AWFUL! The kid didn't know s**t from shinola about art and his jokes were terrible. His auctioneering call was ridiculous and annoying. The art was ugly - not the same as before.

[tothemall&beyond]

I was wondering what happened to the Zumba on the 1/13-18 cruise. There were no classes.

 

Pia forgot to mention the daily one hour Bible study class that was held every morning.

 

Eve, the Asst. Deputy CD, was the Zumba-certified instructor for the past 6 months. She did the Zumba on our Greek Isles in Oct/Nov and on our Dec. 14 and Jan. 9 getaways. She finished her contract on Jan. 13. They haven't gotten someone to replace her.

[Pia1913]

Hi Pia

Someone just off the Royal reported that they are charging $40/day/pp for the Sanctuary.

If you have time could you find out if that's true for the Ruby as well or just for the Royal?

(If memory serves that's more than double what we paid last year! :eek:)

 

Do we have a sancruary? This is how much I know about it. We have a thermal suite; same thing? For that the 5 day unlimited pass is $79/pp. Sorry.....this is not my forte'

Very humid outside; just had tremendous downpour. Sun is trying to come out. Tendering and walking in the rain not for me. Hope rain doesn't return; at least until later in the day.

[Colo Cruiser]

Stay dry and have a great day. :)

[san diego sue]

Good morning Pia. I am up bright and early and reading your greetings with my morning coffee. Oops, shouldn't be on the computer. Had unexpected eye surgery yesterday. Good news can read the computer.

 

These shorty cruises really have little activities. If not for trivia and repeating of movies we have seen already, not much happens.

They are set up for Casino time, shopping, and booze. Your chose so not forced on you to do it.

Seems like all the Princess ships have the same movies at the same time.On our shorty cruise this month on Sapphire, same movies as last month on longer cruises , same ship.

However, so much to be said for the inexpensive (or freebie) getaways.

They are such deals and so relaxing, and fun.

 

[WendyG]

Sorry to hear of your eye surgery Gloria, glad all is well.

 

I'd be happy with trivia four times a day, that and red wine will keep me happy. (With a side of 3 card poker) :D

 

I'm looking forward to boarding on thursday...sad Sam and Jamie left though :(

 

Pia...who replaced them? Since Lee is such a winner (don't know him...just reading on cc) so I'm hoping for happy cruise staff to make up for his unenthusiastic patter planning. :)

[PescadoAmarillo]

Hi Pia- I'm just getting caught up and read with interest how Captains Circle and MTP parties are handled on the short cruises. I think I read they're not doing them at all on the 4-nights? BTW- we don't all prefer the luncheons. We don't like them at all, and much prefer the parties. More opportunities to mingle.

 

See you soon.

[RASHOPPER2]

The Sanctuary for the five day cruise is $90. It is worth it. Sitting up here right now relaxing. It is also the best spot fo Internet. Much faster than the cabin or Internet cafe.

[smtcan]

We are also on this cruise, as well as the previous one. We did not expect many activities on short cruises, and we were correct. A disappointment is that the movies are exactly the same as last week, as are the shows. We did not anticipate major differences, but surely with so many B2B passengers some different movies could be shown.

 

Last night we belatedly celebrated our anniversary with an ultimate balcony dinner. It was a real treat for us, and luckily we selected a night that was warm, if a little windy. We have a Caribe deck cabin, so we were sheltered somewhat. Ricky was an excellent host and the food was well presented and tasty. It was a first for us, but we would repeat the experience any time.

[Host CJSKIDS]

I paid $90 for the cruise in the sanctuary and it's worth every penny.

[Host CJSKIDS]

All they are playing on Muts are concerts. One movie yesterday and the rest are concerts. Not sure why they are doing this.

[Colo Cruiser]

All they are playing on Muts are concerts. One movie yesterday and the rest are concerts. Not sure why they are doing this.

 

 

I hope Tina Turner is not still around. :eek:

[Kmkub]

I hope Tina Turner is not still around. :eek:

I didn't see Tina on the Crown last week, but plenty-o-Barry Manilow. :rolleyes:

[san diego sue]

Thanks Wendy,

I am doing real well and my vision is great now.So glad it was fixable.

Red wine for me is all I need too. Enjoy your cruise.

Gloria

[bhopal21]

I didn't see Tina on the Crown last week, but plenty-o-Barry Manilow. :rolleyes:

 

 

I'll take Tina any day over Barry.:eek:

 

Mike:)

[Pia1913]

Mission accomplished. Found a pharmacy; old and not looking very clean. And a pharmacist who did me a favor by lifting her head while I spoke to her. Bottom line is when I asked for certain med, she mumbled "you need a prescription." I had prescriptions, but she said they had to be from a Cayman doctor. You know, I don't think I would have trusted anything dispensed from there anyway.

Meandered around for a while, saw nothing of interest and went back for lunch. Three ships in port, but nobody in town. I guess they all went to the beach.

No Jeanne, not on the four day. But last month on the four day they gave us dinner at Crown instead. That was definitely a better choice. :)

Gloria, what happened? Send email.

Nothing to report. Hot and sticky outside, but it didn't rain again. Bye.

[bhopal21]

Mission accomplished. Found a pharmacy; old and not looking very clean. And a pharmacist who did me a favor by lifting her head while I spoke to her. Bottom line is when I asked for certain med, she mumbled "you need a prescription." I had prescriptions, but she said they had to be from a Cayman doctor.

 

 

Sorry about the scripts Pia.

 

Mike:)

[geoherb]

Last night we belatedly celebrated our anniversary with an ultimate balcony dinner. It was a real treat for us, and luckily we selected a night that was warm, if a little windy. We have a Caribe deck cabin, so we were sheltered somewhat. Ricky was an excellent host and the food was well presented and tasty. It was a first for us, but we would repeat the experience any time.

Congrats on your anniversary. I look forward to doing the Ultimate Balcony Dinner the next time we're in a balcony cabin. We had the Ultimate Balcony Breakfast on the Ruby in December and enjoyed it as well. A friend sent it to us to help us celebrate our wedding/anniversary/birthdays/Christmas. As with the dinner, there was way too much food--but we managed to eat everything eventually.

[bcnvcanada]

Pia, since you are always have the correct answers. I have a question. Does Princess have a secret loyality level as other cruise lines

have? This is one that is not listed, but grants other perks. We finally reach over 500 this year, and our wondering. This of course doesn't often qualify us for the lucheons.

Thanks for any information.

[Pia1913]

Last day of the cruise; time to pack and prepare to go home to real life. Even for a short while.

Good Morning! Boy did it rain mid/late yesterday afternoon. So many people go soaked; on and off the tenders. Fortunately we were on board when the torrential rains came. We played trivia, got a perfect score and lost the tiebreaker. I always say when you play Blackjack and lose with a 20, it’s time to quit. Different game; same analogy. I quit until the next cruise.

We never did make it to the comedian’s show last night. After the MT party, six of us spent the rest of the evening chatting in Skywalkers.

So is there anything offered today that is different from the last cruise? Not much. Morning has Zumba, Big is showing on MUTS, the outlet sale is in Michelangelo, culinary demo is in the theater, and again you will be able to lose inches and look 10 years younger.

Some afternoon delights are:

1. Ice carving

2. Napkin folding

3. Mr. Sexy legs competition

4. “The Wolverine” in the theater

5. Real wooden horse racing

6. “Mr. & Mrs. Smith on MUTS

7. Red Hat society tea

8. Last chance to go home wrinkle free

Wine tasting is also this afternoon but we’ve decided to pass on it. They have new wines and we don’t care for any of them.

Tonight in the theater is the production show Once Upon a Dream. At the beginning of the cruise they listed Broadway Ballroom; guess someone changed their minds. World War Z is on MUTS and Explorer’s has music and dancing.

BcnvCanada: No secret level. We reached 500 a very long time ago. They just have the loyalty level, but you already know that. I have heard that you get something special at cruise

#50; we didn’t, since it was initiated after that and no grandfathering. Next it should happen at #75; almost there. I will let you know if it happens. Not telling what; don’t want to jinx myself.

Mike: no great urgency on what we wanted. And we'll be in the caribbean again in two weeks. :)

I am sitting on Lido now and freezing. Could not connect at all in my cabin. Bye for now.

[bronxgirl25]

Enjoy your last day of the cruise. Reality will be cold when it arrives ;)

[bcnvcanada]

Thanks for the info Pia, knew you would know. We always enjoy your

lives. Will be waiting for your next one. Thanks again.