My Princess Ruby Cruise review (10/14/17) and comparison to Celebrity Equinox.

[riclop]

Thanks for the comparisons.

[Gran2five]

This is my personal review and comparison to the X cruise that we took in May on the Equinox.

 

Embarkation/Debarkation: We were shocked as to how quick we got on the Ruby! We arrived at about 11:00 AM (were told to be there at 1:30 PM) and were literally on within 10 minutes! Debarkation was just as fast and efficient on the Ruby.

 

X was terrible since they could not locate 2 passengers to get off of the ship! Because of that, it took longer than usual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X wins, without a doubt!

 

Final Comments: I went with a group of 30, friends and family. I can honestly say that they made our trip! If it was just my wife and I, I think I would’ve either jumped off the ship or flew home from Puerto Vallarta! It really was that boring and DEAD! Being that we’ve been on many cruises, I kept my comments to myself so that I could get an honest opinion from others. From the ones that rarely cruised, they said that it was slightly boring. They said that the food was ok and that the ship was ok. They too noticed the crew and how they seemed ‘not interested’. For those that have cruise several times, a few said that the food ‘sucked’ and that the ship was boring and that there was nothing to do! All agreed that if it wasn’t for our group, that this cruise would’ve been a failure! The kids, aged 19 – 24 enjoyed the company of one another. They too said that it was BORING! My two boy, who have cruised about 7 or 8 times said that it was boring and that the food was terrible! For those 60 and older, they said that they had a great time and would’ve loved to do a B2B! So there you go, lol! Again, I kept my comments to myself and wanted to know what everyone thought.

 

We have another Princess cruised booked and we are now seriously considering if we should cancel. It’s on a newer ship, the Royal, so we have hopes that maybe it will be better. I really think that X spoiled us and set the notch/bar high. I’m trying to be open minded and fair, but honestly think that X is what we’re looking for. Also, just to show you how Princess left a bad taste in our mouth, we’re actually considering cruising on the Carnival Horizon in Sept. of 2018! I never thought that we would go back to CCL, however I think that this might even be a step up from the Ruby! Please don’t hate or slam, this is my sincere review. I had HIGH expectations for the Ruby and came back feeling like a total downer! The funny thing is that the only ones to really have a smile were the Princess employees that worked at debarkation! Even those that were sending us off were robotic, my friend told them, ‘Smile! Say bye or say something, sheesh’!!! So that basically summarizes our cruise!

 

Feel free to ask questions… Feel free to slam away ;)

 

We were last on the Equinox in April 2016 TA to Spain. Happy to hear that the ship is as good as it was then. We never have experienced such a happy crew and a happy crew = happy passengers. Contrary to that our cruise in Sept. 2016 on Infinity was the exact opposite - bored crew, very boring CD. Perhaps the crew were finishing a summer in Alaska and thought of this coastal cruise as a 'break' before cruising Panama Canal and South America. For that reason, once I am no longer grounded and can fly again, we are going back to Princess and will give it another try. We are elite on Celebrity and one cruise short of Elite Plus but the Infinity cruise left me wanting a better cruise experience.

[Coffeeluvr05]

Thanks for the review. I do hope that you also communicated all of these issues to Princess directly. It’s the only way to affect change. We sail on the Ruby in November and it will be my second Princess cruise. I don’t have super high expectations, but I hope to enjoy our trip nonetheless!

 

 

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[ckb104]

I love reading reviews. They can be so diverse. For those saying that they are booked on the Ruby, please don't worry. Everyone has different experiences.

We were on the Ruby in May and the crew was incredible. The Cruise Director staff was friendly and funny. The other staff I encountered was smiling and attentive. I was impressed with the service we received. I thought it was up to the level of past cruises.

As far as activities, I'm one of those boring people who would love to sit and read while looking out to the ocean. I never had a chance. I only managed to do a fraction of the activities I highlighted on my Patter. ;)

[Despegue]

People are saying that Ruby is an older ship compared to Equinox... this is not really true. Both are roughly of the same age.

[klfhngr]

:'):'):'):')

 

Oh wow, hope it wasn't my fault!! ;)

[klfhngr]

Thanks for the review. I do hope that you also communicated all of these issues to Princess directly. It’s the only way to affect change. We sail on the Ruby in November and it will be my second Princess cruise. I don’t have super high expectations, but I hope to enjoy our trip nonetheless!

 

 

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I did.... Via survey and I called in for a lost item....

 

I'm sure your'll enjoy it!

[klfhngr]

People are saying that Ruby is an older ship compared to Equinox... this is not really true. Both are roughly of the same age.

 

Then it can be said that the Equinox is aging gracefully....

[klfhngr]

You're all welcome......

 

Last Comment: We had dinner with friends on Friday that sailed with us. They got off a little later than us. When they exited, a worker asked, 'How was your cruise'! My friends said if was ok/not great. The employee said,. 'You're about the 6th or 7th person that has told me that so far. I'm so sorry'!

 

Anyhow, I think that we're going to give NCL a shot. I'll post another review when the time comes. Until then, happy sailings to those of you that will be going on the Ruby. I truly hope you all have a GREAT cruise! And see May/Mayou from Japan!

[geoherb]

What does price have to do with service and attitudes??!! Sorry, not coping an attitude, I'm sincerely asking. I'm not comparing Princess to Cunard or Seabourne... Paid 2600 for 7 day on Ruby and 3700 for 10 day on X if that helps.. give or take..

That helps show that the cruises had a comparable cost per person per day if the cabins were comparable levels. Thanks for posting your comparison. The last time we were on the Ruby was when Commodore Romano was still in charge. He moved over to the Regal afterward. I think a lot of how the staff interacts with passengers emanates from the top.

[cruiser1956]

We were on the Ruby just after your sailing. OP, I agree with your comments. We had a few different challenges while we were sailing.

The crew did seem like they could use a vacation of their own.

I usually enjoy a good piano bar with a sing along attitude, but this time it was classical music being played. Beautifully played, but hard to sing to..

Embarkation was so easy!

Our cabin steward was magic. So that is a plus.

I will continue to sail Princess because their itinerary and departure port works best for my schedule, but Royal Caribbean’s service and ships has them beat.

Princess, however has superior pizza and cheesecake!

 

 

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[klfhngr]

We were on the Ruby just after your sailing. OP, I agree with your comments. We had a few different challenges while we were sailing.

The crew did seem like they could use a vacation of their own.

I usually enjoy a good piano bar with a sing along attitude, but this time it was classical music being played. Beautifully played, but hard to sing to..

Embarkation was so easy!

Our cabin steward was magic. So that is a plus.

I will continue to sail Princess because their itinerary and departure port works best for my schedule, but Royal Caribbean’s service and ships has them beat.

Princess, however has superior pizza and cheesecake!

 

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Sorry to hear that you had a similar experience as ours.... Hopefully someone from Princess is reading this.... We think the Pizza was the bomb too. But why do they close so early?!!

 

We'll probably try Princess again but on a newer ship. We booked last night with NCL on the Escape. Can't wait to give them a try!

[Baatman]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review...I enjoyed it.

[klfhngr]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review...I enjoyed it.

 

You're welcome :)