Ruby Princess E. Caribbean photo and video review

[Bimmer09]

Conroy drove us around a big inlet towards the distant lighthouse. Before we got that far he turned off the road and down a dirt track to the beach. There was another safari tour just preparing to leave there so we soon had the place to ourselves.

 

While our group huddled around Conroy and a gentleman who was there to show off the sea creatures- starfish, sea urchins, non-stinging jelly fish and conch, I moved away to take photos by myself.

 

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Once away from the sandy waterline I was standing on a layer of pumice stone

 



 



 

[ChiefSealthCruz]

Norris,

 

I'm still here too. I am keeping this open in its own tab on my browser, so that I don't have to hunt for it every day. Keep up the good work.

 

Hal.

[catwoman6226]

Finally coming out of the shadows where I've been lurking for days, thoroughly enjoying your posts, Norris.

 

I have to admit, though - this afternoon I was browsing some other threads and came across a post of two of yours, and my first thought was "Norris, quit posting elsewhere and get back to the Ruby! I want to see pictures!"

 

Then my sense of reality came back and I just giggled instead.

 

So, many thanks for the humorous and informative review, and the wonderful pictures. A friend and I are planning a cruise to Hawaii in 2017 and I've got cruise fever. Can't stay off these boards....

[Bimmer09]

While I was away from the group cuddling up to the starfish etc Conroy pulled a conch from the tub, dispatched it to meet it's maker and then gave everyone a sample of it's apparently very tasty raw flesh. Carol in her notes refers to it's "delicious white meat, so fresh and tender" I was , as I often am, more in a burger and fries mode and declined the offer to come taste the conch. I'll try some fritters at some point as I love anything deep fried in batter.

 

It was a nice quiet spot

 

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It was time to move on to the lighthouse so we all clambered aboard the bus. One lady on the bus cried "where's my husband? I haven't seen him in 20 minutes or so". We looked around and there were no lost husbands on the beach.

We had to go on assuming he had got on the wrong safari bus and was at the lighthouse. We started off and met the other bus as we were leaving the beach.

There he was! He didn't know he was on the wrong bus and apparently hadn't noticed his wife was not with him.

 

All's well that ends well.

 

Meanwhile the sea creature handler had discovered that it's always better to draw your kayaks up out of the water when the tide is coming in. He was wading out to arrest them as they took turns at leaving the beach for a new life adrift on the ocean.

 

On to the lighthouse!

[nutensteve]

Norris ... wanted to thank you for your excellent review and your pictures and videos are fantastic. Really glad I found your review.

[perfect match]

I never miss a sail way by the Independence of the Seas. A mighty vessel indeed.

Would you be likely to review your cruise on the Royal board? I spend a lot of time over there as there are some great reviewers with superb photos (Gambee, Little Miss Magic, Sinppu (sp?) Harryfat1, to name just a few)

 

Sailing on a different line with some new ports can't be a bad thing.

 

Once we have Elite cards in hand (just in case they move the goalposts at some point) we can think about different lines.

 

By the time we get off the Emerald in Barcelona we will be at 13 points.....

 

Norris

 

Norris, so far I have not taken on the project of doing a cruise review. I will think about it for this one, but no promises. I am very tech challenged so a simple task like posting a picture is a major event for me. I am learning, but it has been a slow process. I really do appreciate the time and effort that you and so many others put into the reviews that you do.

 

We are looking forward to trying a new cruise line. While we really have enjoyed Disney and Princess, we do want to see what some of the other lines have to offer. So far we are having a lot of fun trying to decide if we will choose one cruise like to be "our" cruise line, or maybe we will just continue to explore like we are doing now.

 

Since you are going to be at 13 points towards Elite after Barcelona, I think it makes a lot of sense for you to just go ahead and book another cruise! :D

 

 

Nancy

[Bimmer09]

Hi Norris. Another great set of pictures taken in Grand Turk. What was your overall opinion of Grand Turk? If you had the option, would you go back to GT or would you rather go back to Princess Cays? On this cruise it was my first visit to GT and hopefully my last. Too many people at the beach and pool area. I'd rather go back to Princess Cays but that's just my opinion.

 

Hmmm. I have never swam at either beach. Each time I have been at GT there was another big ship there so that could mean 6,000 potential beach users. Pcays there is only one so 3,000 (not including Royal/Regal) on a long beach far from the ship. When I get off the ship I like to get away from it and the beach at GT has the ships still right in your face. So I'd vote for PC as the lesser of two evils.

 

One beach I did enjoy that was close to the ship was the one in Roatan.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

 

I'm still here too. I am keeping this open in its own tab on my browser, so that I don't have to hunt for it every day. Keep up the good work.

 

Hal.

 

Hal, thanks for checking in and I'm glad to see you are still reading.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Finally coming out of the shadows where I've been lurking for days, thoroughly enjoying your posts, Norris.

 

I have to admit, though - this afternoon I was browsing some other threads and came across a post of two of yours, and my first thought was "Norris, quit posting elsewhere and get back to the Ruby! I want to see pictures!"

 

Then my sense of reality came back and I just giggled instead.

 

So, many thanks for the humorous and informative review, and the wonderful pictures. A friend and I are planning a cruise to Hawaii in 2017 and I've got cruise fever. Can't stay off these boards....

 

Thanks for making yourself known and welcome to the thread.

 

I am all over CC at times. Yesterday I was on the Celebrity and River Cruising boards and surfed some RCI too.

 

More Ruby pictures coming up after we complete our LAST excursion.

 

Welcome- I am glad to see you following along!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris, so far I have not taken on the project of doing a cruise review. I will think about it for this one, but no promises. I am very tech challenged so a simple task like posting a picture is a major event for me. I am learning, but it has been a slow process. I really do appreciate the time and effort that you and so many others put into the reviews that you do.

 

We are looking forward to trying a new cruise line. While we really have enjoyed Disney and Princess, we do want to see what some of the other lines have to offer. So far we are having a lot of fun trying to decide if we will choose one cruise like to be "our" cruise line, or maybe we will just continue to explore like we are doing now.

 

Since you are going to be at 13 points towards Elite after Barcelona, I think it makes a lot of sense for you to just go ahead and book another cruise! :D

 

 

Nancy

 

Nancy-regarding posting photos on CC there is thankfully a test forum which is where I did my trial and error practice. Uploading from Google Plus and from Flickr is easy. Since I have a Mac now everything goes into iPhoto first and then I share to Flickr, making albums of each day to make finding photos easier.

 

Yes-once we come off the Emerald in October the next cruise will get us to Elite if we book a suite (2 points vs 1 for any other cabin category)

 

Take as many photos as you can on IOS and then you'll have plenty to work with should you decide to review it. Or just write text if you don't have the time for a photo review.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris ... wanted to thank you for your excellent review and your pictures and videos are fantastic. Really glad I found your review.

 

Steve- glad you found and are enjoying the review.

 

Thanks for the compliments!

 

Read on....

 

Norris

[Tatanka]

Again beautiful pictures and great narrative. This place reminds me of a place we went in Belize way back in 1986 it was beautiful and unspoiled. Keep up the good work loving it.

[Bimmer09]

They are building a zip line out here by the lighthouse so expect to see that as an excursion in the future. You can see the tall support masts to the left of the lighthouse. No jungle canopy to zip through but you'll have a great sea view while you are up there.

 

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The lighthouse was closed but there were toilets, a stand to get drinks from, a gift shop and a guy who would hack open coconuts and sell you a drink from them.

 

 

There was a 2nd gift shop...

 



 

So I took a look in

 



 

A dazzling array of merchandise

 

There were 2 safari buses so plenty of people milling around, stretching their legs etc. Bottles of water were passed around by Conroy.

[Bimmer09]

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The commercial complex at the lighthouse which I imagine might expand when the zip line is up and running

 



 

The real gift shop-love the boat!

 



 

A final sit-down before climbing back into the bus for the ride to the port

 

 

We avoided the off-road trails this time and stayed on pavement. Conroy pointed out the biggest houses on the island, close to the lighthouse. Two of them belonged to successful local merchants- a lady who owns one bakery and a man who owns a no-frills supermarket. He told us that many of the homes are owned by Canadians who use them for vacations.

 

All through our drive we had passed abandoned houses or houses in severe decay so even though there is a successful port on the island the money doesn't seem to spread beyond it much. Cockburn Town is rather Third World and not a magnet for tourists venturing beyond the port. A little sprucing up could go a long way to attracting cruise passengers. A restaurant or two and some bars with music along the stunning waterfront could make it a nice relaxing destination and bring in some $$$. Our bus of about 20 people was the only "crowd" there so the pickings for shopkeepers are slim, especially as we were only stopped for 20 minutes and had our own drinks on board.

[Bimmer09]

We all enjoyed the excursion-bare bones as it was as there's really nothing compelling to see. It was just nice to be away from the ship and the crowds at the cruise port. Conroy was a good guide and we tipped him $10.

 

The excursion ran over by 30 minutes but we weren't really rushing anywhere although hunger was setting in. We went over to the beach for a look at the sunset and passed the homage to John Glenn on the way.

 

I asked him what it was like up in space but he just gave me a blank stare and said nothing. This just proved what Stoned Surfer Dude said on the boat ride to St John about celebrities being aloof.

 

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[Bimmer09]

Here is a short video of our drive around Grand Turk.

 

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

We stopped in the Duty Free shop en route to the ship. We were looking for some candy and Carol bought the World's Largest Sack of her British favorite-Smarties which look like multi-colored chocolate pills. A $20 sack!

 

You have to pass through the Duty Free shop to get to the dock so ship card and perhaps photo I.D have to be shown. Have both.

 

As you head up the gangway at the last port there is that dreaded sign that tells you next stop is Fort Lauderdale.

 

NO!!!!!

 

Yes.

 

For real.

 

Ugh!

 

But this may cheer you up....

 

 

Now we are trapped on this ship until Saturday morning. Better make the most of it!

 

I still have to bring you the glory of the Ruby interiors including rooms I seldom set foot in;

 

Casino/ Crooners/Club Fusion/Adagio/ Lotus Spa/Gym/Conference Room/Chapel/Vines/Art gallery and so on.

 

Photos of sunrises and sunsets, plates of yummy food you haven't seen before and lord knows what on video as I am seeing it for the first time as I put it on youtube.

 

They will boot us off the ship but we will take refuge in the Ritz Carlton Hotel so we'll take a good look at that.

 

Then we'll fly home on Superbowl Sunday to an airport enjoying a blizzard....

 

Stay tuned!

 

Norris

[Susie51]

Your photos of the Explorers Lounge are magnificent. Looking forward to more of your review.

 

When DH and I were at Grand Turk we used the HO/HO bus that took us out to the lighthouse and other places on the island.

[G&Gcruisers]

It is nice to support the locals in Grand Turk as that island never really recovered fron Hurricane Ike back in 2008.

 

I am enjoying all of your reviews. We were on the Ruby Eastern Caribbean and one of our favorite cruises was on the CB Southern Caribbean.

We will be on the Coral to the Panama Canal in October.

 

Your photos are wonderful and I like your writing style.

Mj

[Bimmer09]

Your photos of the Explorers Lounge are magnificent. Looking forward to more of your review.

 

When DH and I were at Grand Turk we used the HO/HO bus that took us out to the lighthouse and other places on the island.

 

Susie- I didn't even know there was a HO/HO bus. Thanks for the info.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

It is nice to support the locals in Grand Turk as that island never really recovered fron Hurricane Ike back in 2008.

 

I am enjoying all of your reviews. We were on the Ruby Eastern Caribbean and one of our favorite cruises was on the CB Southern Caribbean.

We will be on the Coral to the Panama Canal in October.

 

Your photos are wonderful and I like your writing style.

Mj

 

MJ thanks for the compliments and for introducing yourself. Welcome aboard.

Panama Canal is a bucket-list item for us.

 

I loved that Southern Caribbean cruise we did on the Crown. We can't keep doing the E Caribb over and over...

 

Thank you!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

While I have another video in the youtube oven I want to touch on a couple of random things.

 

PUBLIC RESTROOMS

 

I often hear stories of restroom X being closed all day/all week. There was none of that and I should know as I must have hit every one on the ship at some time or other as our cabin was a bit of a trek from the forward end. Always immaculate and well tended and operating.

 

Here's a typical mensroom shot

 

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Then there was this nice touch. Some sort of colorful popcorn to snack on in the bathroom. Really rather chewy but the upside was it made my breath smell nice-kind of floral scented.

 

 

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

 

Another thing that was happening around the ship was constant maintenance

Here a crew is varnishing the life-jacket cabinets on Promenade Deck

 

 



 

DUST-BUNNY COMBAT



And if you wonder about their fastidiousness in cleaning the ship here's a man in the early morning hours vacuuming a ledge that no one will ever see. Sorry about the lame focus as he moved his arm.

 



 

[clutchcurrier]

Norris,

 

I am loving your review of the Ruby. We were on the Emerald last March, her sister ship to the Caribbean. You should try the Panama Canal. It is a wonderful experience. Being a fellow east coaster (Michigan) I would suggest you do the LA to Ft Lauderdale trip full transit (if possible). It is much easier to fly back. We did the trip in 2011 on the Coral.

Looking forward to more fun and photos of the Ruby. Love the interior shots as it brings back memories of the Emerald.

[bhopal21]

Sorry that you missed Jack's Shack as we think that is the only thing worth seeing at Grand Turk.

 

Mike:)

[Bimmer09]

Well this is the last video you'll see of us leaving a port and I wish it were more dramatic, but it is what it is.

 

 

Norris