Ruby Princess E. Caribbean photo and video review

[Bimmer09]

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

 

Mike:)

 

Mike (1) thanks for stopping by. Good to know you are reading

(2) Thanks for the recommendation of Jack's. I had never heard of it until

now and if I am ever in GT again will give it a try. I see a photo of a guy

doing BBQ over an open flame and that is what I crave on a beach (plus

beer but I believe they charge ship prices)

 

Cheers,

Norris

[Bimmer09]

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.

 

Thanks for the compliments and for taking the time to post and identify yourself.

LA to FL sounds amazing with a full transit. It's on the bucket list for when we can take a longer cruise.

 

I have held back a lot of interior shots for the last sea day-which is imminent.

 

Our next cruise is on the Emerald.

 

Thanks again!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Before dinner we managed to see a show- Once Upon A Dream. As I was sitting in a seat and not standing at the back where I am not a distraction, I didn't video it but I wish I had as it was very inventive in the use of the LED screen. You'll have to see it for yourself. It really is like a dream sequence.

 

On to dinner at 8.30 after our usual rummage through the photo gallery which was drawing a crowd as always.

 

We had our usual two-top, off by itself, table 311 (it's 511 in Da Vinci).

We saw Cindy and co eating at a nearby table but they were almost finished when we arrived.

 

Here's the food...

 

This is the oddly named (British) Cock-a-leekie soup which is a chicken broth

 

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After Carol's Smoked Haddock Chowder came a Caesar salad

 

 



 

I always order Rotelle pasta with Braised Oxtail if it appears on the menu

 



 

Surf n turf- the surf being shrimp and the turf a Filet Mignon, for me

 

[Bimmer09]

This is Carol's Smoked Pork Loin with sauerkraut, parsley potatoes and carrots.

 

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Carol's dessert was a delicious Burnt Rhubarb Napoleon while I whipped out the coffee card (not punched) for a double espresso and Sambuca ($7)

 

 

Our corner of the DR had cleared out and the waiters were setting the tables with new tablecloths for the next day. One was singing as he was getting off the ship and going home to the Philippines on Saturday after 9 months at sea.

 

Here's a couple of shots of Michaelangelo before we left the table

 



 

 

Correction and apology to Princess for something I said earlier- Al Katz the comedian DID do two shows in Explorers on the night we left Grand Turk.

The first at 9.15 while we were eating and the second at 11pm when we were sleeping. I'm glad of this-even though I didn't take advantage-in that I feel the Princess Theater is the wrong room for stand-up comedy. In a more intimate venue like Explorers which seats 250 vs PT's 700 you can see the facial expressions of the performer which in comedy often helps drive the joke home.

 

Another great dinner with wine and Sambuca and I was ready for bed by 10.30

 

Norris

[Dbld777]

Correction and apology to Princess for something I said earlier- Al Katz the comedian DID do two shows in Explorers on the night we left Grand Turk.

The first at 9.15 while we were eating and the second at 11pm when we were sleeping. I'm glad of this-even though I didn't take advantage-in that I feel the Princess Theater is the wrong room for stand-up comedy. In a more intimate venue like Explorers which seats 250 vs PT's 700 you can see the facial expressions of the performer which in comedy often helps drive the joke home.

 

Another great dinner with wine and Sambuca and I was ready for bed by 10.30

 

Norris

 

I totally agree that Explorers is a better venue for stand-up comedy, unfortunately with a ship of 3000 passengers, only a small fraction get to see the show when it's only one night. We heard that Al Katz was a great comedian, from those who had seen his brief bit on the opening night show in the theatre. We arrived at 8:45 PM to find standing room only and folks spilling out into and standing in the hallway just outside of Explorers. We were considering the 11:00 PM show, unfortunately, I was sound asleep by then... I wish they would either schedule the comedian on more nights(and let people know it's the same show, so that they don't go twice) or maybe consider Club Fusion???(not sure how many that lounge holds, but I would guess it's more than Explorers?).

 

Bruce

Edited February 21, 2015 by Dbld777

[Bimmer09]

Friday January 30 Sea Day

 

I woke at 3 a.m. Went to the bathroom where I saw my watch in the light.

I had a lot of photos still to take and thought that as I am up, now would be a good time to get caught up and I could always catch a nap in the Sanctuary later.

 

So by 3.30 I had bagged a coffee to go from the IC. There was a couple snoozing there as they hadn't made it to bed yet and a young guy getting a beer so he wasn't planning to sleep anytime soon. The slots and Poker table in the casino were staying open all night according to the patter. I had taken my casino shots earlier in the week when no one was there.

 

I went up to one of my favorite places on the ship-deck 16 just outside Sabatini's which was a smoking area overlooking the wake and the aft pool.

 

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I would be ready for a buffet breakfast as soon as they opened the hot food lines but that would be a couple of hours away so I could roam the ship until then with the camera.

 

My usual route to get to this deck 16 spot was to take the aft elevator up and cut through Adagio Lounge which is rather under-utilized in my experience. They do have drinks and live music in the evening but it is seldom packed. As it is one of the most beautiful rooms on the ship I'll start my photo tour there.

 

I see from my patters that the previous night after leaving GT Adagio featured;

 

7.30 LGBT Get together

 

9-11 pm Easy Listening Music with Ruby Princess Musicians- I think it was the steel drum/keyboard duo.

 

So next up-the beautiful Adagio...

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Seen from the back door which leads out to deck 16 above the aft pool

 

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There are a few windows on the starboard side and also facing out to the aft pool.

 



 



 

[Bimmer09]

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Seen from the entrance, looking aft. The tiny stage is rear left corner and much of the space is taken up by a baby grand piano.

 



 



 

Beautiful Art

 



 

and Artefacts

 



 

Sabatini's is visible through the door on the right

[Bimmer09]

Promenade deck just before 4 a.m

 

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Photo gallery, looking forward, deck 7

 

 

The camera offerings are Nikon and Go Pro and they have batteries and memory cards if you need extras

 

 

A couple of wall sections on Deck 7 amidships are given over to awards the Ruby has picked up in ports all over the world (just friendship plaques from the ports)

 

 

[Bimmer09]

I totally agree that Explorers is a better venue for stand-up comedy.... I wish they would either schedule the comedian on more nights(and let people know it's the same show, so that they don't go twice) or maybe consider Club Fusion???(not sure how many that lounge holds, but I would guess it's more than Explorers?).

 

Bruce

 

Bruce I think the answer is more shows. Club Fusion I think is of a similar size-maybe 280 capacity as it has no side aisle eating up space?

 

They had two different comedians in Explorers when I was last on the Ruby - I think it was Phil Tag and David Moore (the very funny pianist from Crooners)

 

Norris

[gelo7]

Excellent review.

[Bimmer09]

Excellent review.

 

Thanks gelo-good to see another new face here.

 

I see you've sailed on several lines. Something I hope to do some day.

 

Do you have a favorite?

 

Norris

[HRPro]

Continuing to enjoy the gorgeous photos, Norris. You have inspired me to give the Ruby a try as we have not cruised on her yet.

 

Susan

[Colo Cruiser]

Hi Norris,

 

fyi, not awards..... but the plaques are for first time visits to ports mostly during the ships maiden season. They will usually have a small ceremony/photo OP on the bridge with dignitaries/port agents etc. Enjoying the photos! ;)

Edited February 21, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[bhopal21]

Hi Norris,

 

fyi, not awards..... but the plaques are for first time visits to ports mostly during the ships maiden season. They will usually have a small ceremony/photo OP on the bridge with dignitaries/port agents etc. Enjoying the photos! ;)

 

You're right, I remember looking at/reading those when we were onboard in November.

 

Some are quite nice.

 

Mike:)

[Bimmer09]

Continuing to enjoy the gorgeous photos, Norris. You have inspired me to give the Ruby a try as we have not cruised on her yet.

 

Susan

 

Then my work is done!

 

Norris

Edited February 21, 2015 by Bimmer09

[Bimmer09]

Hi Norris,

 

fyi, not awards..... but the plaques are for first time visits to ports mostly during the ships maiden season. They will usually have a small ceremony/photo OP on the bridge with dignitaries/port agents etc. Enjoying the photos! ;)

 

Thanks Colo.

 

Many more photos to come!

 

Norris

[toberman]

Then my work is done!

 

Norris

 

No.. No... Say NOOOO !! :)

 

Thanks Colo.

 

Many more photos to come!

 

Norris

 

Whew... I got scared for a moment there. :D

 

Great review Norris - loving every post.

 

Doug

[Bimmer09]

No.. No... Say NOOOO !! :)

 

 

 

Whew... I got scared for a moment there. :D

 

Great review Norris - loving every post.

 

Doug

 

Thanks Doug! Good to have you along as we enter the home stretch, time wise.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

The only occasion I had to be in Club Fusion on this trip was on Disembarkation as it was a waiting room for Platinums, Elites and Suites.

 

Normally it is the Home of Karaoke but this trip that honor fell to Explorers.

 

I know Vacations to Go, with their group of 350 had a couple of functions here, including a Pirates Party where everyone had brought some great Pirate costumes-lots of parrot, tri-cornered hats, false stubbly beards, eyepatches and big buckled coats- great fun seeing them spill out of the Club.

 

It has a lot of TVs throughout the room which made it good for Karaoke as the audience could see what the singer was seeing. Ditto during Bingo Games. I think the Captain's Cocktail Party was here-we had an invite but didn't go.

 

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CF is the aft-most lounge on deck 7.

 



 

It has a large dance floor

 



 

[Bimmer09]

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Old Hollywood is the Art theme

 



 

There are public bathrooms outside the room in the elevator lobby. Men port, ladies starboard. A smoking section is outside the starboard door.

Edited February 22, 2015 by Bimmer09

[Bimmer09]

The Casino is on deck 6

 

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It has a bar

 



 

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Great pictures of the ship ;)

I never get great pics cause when if I wake at 3am to use the bathroom I go back to bed lol ;)

[Bimmer09]

I never gamble. Even though we have been to Las Vegas 8 times and stay in a casino (Bellagio) I haven't even put a quarter in a slot machine. On the Ruby I used the casino as a way to get where I was going. I like that the ships have casinos as it's another avenue of entertainment and excitement for those who do enjoy them.

 

I was talking to a lady who loves the casino and was mentioning that I found some of the crew a bit downbeat. She agreed and mentioned that she won $1,000 in the casino and went to cash out. The girl in the vault was sober but efficient and the lady was expecting some excitement- "Wow congratulations!"-that sort of thing but instead heard "here's your money". A minor thing, maybe.

 

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Detail from the crazy carpet in the Casino

 

[Bimmer09]

Just off the Casino is the Speakeasy- a smoking lounge where cigars are on display for purchase.

 

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A waiter from the Casino services this room. If you need a cigar they can get the keys to the Humidor.