We returned from the Ruby

[Bases5]

We just returned from the Ruby Princess 5 day cruise Cozumel & Grand Cayman

 

I must say we were overall very impressed with Princess and the Ruby.

I'm not doing a review, Rather some random thoughts and observation,

 

I hate to say we didn't like thing because it sounds like we are complaining. Were not.

This was my 28 cruise, so you will find some like and dislikes .

 

The 24 hour international cafe was awesome. we had a OV on deck 5, I loved just sneaking out and grabbing a snack any time.

 

Thank You for telling us about the coffee card, very nice feature. (We thought the reg coffee was pretty bad. We are black coffee drinkers.

 

We are smokers (shame on us) but there were more than enough places to smoke, I have no issue with the balcony smoking policy. Saves me money not having to get one.

 

Food is very subjective. I thought this was hit or miss. I thought the buffet area was laid out bad, confusing and conjugated.. I really didn't care for the selections offered. My DW thought it was better than past cruises.

 

Dinning room food was ok to good. We had my time dining, We were willing to eat with others, so never had to wait at all. We laugh at the tables for 2 because they were separated by 6 inches. not really private.

I loved the pizza and burgers at the grill plus the ice cream was nice.

Room service was slow slow slow. Tried twice with over a hour wait each time. They could improve this

We ate at the crown grill. This was very good, I loved the fact you could add a lobster tail with your steak at no extra cost.

 

I'm a casino junkie, the casino staff was awesome, they took my money with a smile and was very friendly. I hate to lose, but at least they didn't make me feel as bad as normal.

 

Life boat drill is great. It was nice not going outside in the elements and stand there like cattle.

 

The ship itself was beautiful and elegant. For the most part it was easy to navigate. 2 thumbs up for the rap around promenade

The staff was top notch every where, We actually tipped a little extra to some of the crew.

 

I wish Princess would not sale pre paid gratuities because it's not really pre paid. Other line's actually have PPG. We are cash cruisers so we buy obc and pay as much before hand as possible. It was no big deal as I would just print out my statement and see where we stood.

 

Entertainment, this is where Princess wins hand's down, there was live entertainment every where all the time. Some we didn't care for, but it was there. Not just 1 man bands either.

 

I'm sure there are other things to ramble on about but I will spare you.

So overall How did we like it you ask. We bought 4 FCC's that's the best answer I can give.

[Rockymountainsparky]

Thanks. Welcome back.

[rdh rules]

Thanks for sharing! We're leaving on the 17th for 5 nt Easter cruise:D This will be her second to last Caribbean voyage before heading transatlantic. Did you watch any MUTS? Was Serenity still crowded? I love International cafe. Our room is close to it! Definitely heading to the Crown Grill for a night.

[-Lew-]

Thank you for your thoughts, Ed & April...

 

Your over an hour waits for room service has not been our experience at all. The kitchen was obviously having some issues. In 20+ Princess cruises I can't recall ever waiting more than 20 - 25 minutes for our order to arrive.

 

Happy you enjoyed your cruise...

 

Lew

[Bases5]

Thanks for sharing! We're leaving on the 17th for 5 nt Easter cruise:D This will be her second to last Caribbean voyage before heading transatlantic. Did you watch any MUTS? Was Serenity still crowded? I love International cafe. Our room is close to it! Definitely heading to the Crown Grill for a night.

 

Oh yes MUTS is great. They put out blankets and serve popcorn. I forgot about that. We watched Capt Phillips.

Can't really offer a answer on serenity

[Bases5]

Another thing we really liked about the Ruby. We were not pounded with sale things over the loud speaker all day. Just a daily briefing and port instructions.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for your comments.

4 FCC's pretty much sums it up. :D

[Darcy15]

Thank you for your thoughts :)

 

5 weeks today and I board the Ruby for a British Isles cruise - can't wait :D

[Pam in CA]

Was Serenity still crowded?

What is Serenity? I don't know of anything called "Serenity" on any Princess ship.

 

OP, thanks for the review. Like the others, my experience with room service is that it's usually very fast. I've ordered and they've been there within what felt like minutes but was probably more like about 20-25 minutes a number of times.

[RickEk]

What is Serenity? I don't know of anything called "Serenity" on any Princess ship.

 

 

Ah, c'mon Pam, you know they meant Sanctuary... LOL. :p:)

[Bases5]

Maybe it was just timing of when we ordered room service. both times was when we just got back from shore and wanted a snack and take some showers.

I was not a issue due to the fact we were in the cabin for a while anyhow.

 

"Serenity" thats Carnival

 

I did not want to answer, I figured i missed something on the ship

[rdh rules]

Ah, c'mon Pam, you know they meant Sanctuary... LOL. :p:)

 

Lol I did sorry!;)

[OCruisers]

Glad you had a great cruise! :)

Where are you planning your next cruise ... and when?

LuLu

~~~

[Luvmyrotti]

Thanks for sharing your balanced perspectives. Enjoy using those FCCs on future cruises!

[Bases5]

Glad you had a great cruise! :)

Where are you planning your next cruise ... and when?

LuLu

~~~

 

Well our next cruise is on Carnival Valor southern out of San Juan

Then we are looking at a 5 day cruise next spring, Either RCI or Princess

After that we leaning towards a Alaska cruise late summer

10 RT Alaska cruise from SF on the Golden or

land/cruise trip on Princess

That was the main reason for a FCC

Our first princess cruise was on the Regal

to Alaska from SF and it was great.

[greenie082756]

Thank you for taking the time to do a short review of your cruise on the Ruby. It makes my future cruise on the Ruby look hopefully pleasant. We too booked a OV on the Plaza level.

I am looking forward to walking around on the Promenade. :D

[Working 2 Cruise]

Thanks for sharing! We're leaving on the 17th for 5 nt Easter cruise:D This will be her second to last Caribbean voyage before heading transatlantic. Did you watch any MUTS? Was Serenity still crowded? I love International cafe. Our room is close to it! Definitely heading to the Crown Grill for a night.

 

There is no such thing as Serenity on Princess. This is strictly Carnival. Are you referring to the Sanctuary?

 

Oops, I think most of us thought alike with regard to "serenity."

 

BASES5, thank you for your review. Glad you had a great time!

Edited April 6, 2014 by Working 2 Cruise

[rdh rules]

There is no such thing as Serenity on Princess. This is strictly Carnival. Are you referring to the Sanctuary?

 

Yes I was talking about the Sanctuary! Sorry for the confusion. I was typing my post while talking to my friend about the difference b/t the serenity and the sanctuary. I guess Carnival was on my mind lol:p

[Ilovepj]

Thanks for your comments, we are doing the ruby this Saturday. You said you smoked (so do we) and said there is a lot of smoking areas, we are on the lido deck, is there any smoking out there? Any areas where there is shade?

 

We are also eating at the crown grille, glad you enjoyed it. I plan on eating lobster.

 

I also love the casino, please tell me they don't have a lot of penny slots, carnival and RC have put so many of them, I did not enjoy the casino, I enjoy nickel, dime and quarters.

 

Glad you said that about the tips, I prepaid my tips, and also put cash down for obc, I have my debit card listed, but prefer to put cash, and only use the card if we had to. (we never do).

 

I will post when I get back.

 

Helen

[Bases5]

Thanks for your comments, we are doing the ruby this Saturday. You said you smoked (so do we) and said there is a lot of smoking areas, we are on the lido deck, is there any smoking out there? Any areas where there is shade?

 

We are also eating at the crown grille, glad you enjoyed it. I plan on eating lobster.

 

I also love the casino, please tell me they don't have a lot of penny slots, carnival and RC have put so many of them, I did not enjoy the casino, I enjoy nickel, dime and quarters.

 

Glad you said that about the tips, I prepaid my tips, and also put cash down for obc, I have my debit card listed, but prefer to put cash, and only use the card if we had to. (we never do).

 

I will post when I get back.

 

Helen

 

Smoking

On deck 16 forward by the tradewinds bar has shade close to forward elevators.

Promenade aft, starboard has shade.

Deck 16 aft behind sabaions over looking the Horizon Terrace.

!/2 of the casino. there is a smoke free night in the casino but

you can smoke in the speakeasy cigar bar which is attached to the casino

I'm a table player so I don't know the percentage of slots but I did see $1

 

I put obc also and checked my debt card daily. There was never a hold put on my card

So I guess if you have a positive balance they don't touch your debt card.

There are kiosk machine, so I printed out my statement every day also.

[DENNAS]

Thanks for your comments, we are doing the ruby this Saturday. You said you smoked (so do we) and said there is a lot of smoking areas, we are on the lido deck, is there any smoking out there? Any areas where there is shade?

 

We are also eating at the crown grille, glad you enjoyed it. I plan on eating lobster.

 

I also love the casino, please tell me they don't have a lot of penny slots, carnival and RC have put so many of them, I did not enjoy the casino, I enjoy nickel, dime and quarters.

 

Glad you said that about the tips, I prepaid my tips, and also put cash down for obc, I have my debit card listed, but prefer to put cash, and only use the card if we had to. (we never do).

 

I will post when I get back.

 

Helen

 

The lobster at the Crown Grill had to be one of the BEST I have ever had. It was so so sweet. We also just got off the RUBY. Crown Grill is awesome and definately worth the extra $$. Enjoy it!

Edited April 6, 2014 by DENNAS

[Ilovepj]

The lobster at the Crown Grill had to be one of the BEST I have ever had. It was so so sweet. We also just got off the RUBY. Crown Grill is awesome and definately worth the extra $$. Enjoy it!

 

Thanks, they only have lobster tails right? Looking forward to it, going to be our 25th anniversary dinner.

 

Helen

[Ilovepj]

Smoking

On deck 16 forward by the tradewinds bar has shade close to forward elevators.

Promenade aft, starboard has shade.

Deck 16 aft behind sabaions over looking the Horizon Terrace.

!/2 of the casino. there is a smoke free night in the casino but

you can smoke in the speakeasy cigar bar which is attached to the casino

I'm a table player so I don't know the percentage of slots but I did see $1

 

I put obc also and checked my debt card daily. There was never a hold put on my card

So I guess if you have a positive balance they don't touch your debt card.

There are kiosk machine, so I printed out my statement every day also.

 

Was there seats in the smoking section?

[lovevacadays]

Thank you for posting your thoughts. Sounds like you had a great cruise.

[Bases5]

Was there seats in the smoking section?

 

Yes all of them