Live From The Ruby Princess CA Coastal March 10-17, 2019

[Kenosha Cruiser]

Bob & Holli, have a wonderful cruise. Looking forward to your review as we will be boarding the Ruby March 24th to Hawaii. Please let us know who the Captain and Cruise Director is onboard.

 

Mahalo - Ken & Darlene

 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

2 hours ago, Woobstr112G said:

Thanks Ann.  Holli & I are really looking forward to having a great time.  I hope the Ruby's casino is a little friendlier than the Star's from this past November.....

 

Bob

 I’m hoping it’s a little kinder to me than it was in January/ February 😊😊😊

[Woobstr112G]

26 minutes ago, Kenosha Cruiser said:

Bob & Holli, have a wonderful cruise. Looking forward to your review as we will be boarding the Ruby March 24th to Hawaii. Please let us know who the Captain and Cruise Director is onboard.

 

Mahalo - Ken & Darlene

 

Will do.  Soon as we get settled in, I’ll grab today’s Patter and post the information.....

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

14 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

 I’m hoping it’s a little kinder to me than it was in January/ February 😊😊😊

Ain’t that the truth.....

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

Greetings all from the Ruby Princess with a quick check in.  We got onboard very quickly.  Embarkation was a breeze.  Only downer is we can’t get into our cabin yet to drop off our carryons.  I was able to sign in/ register for Medallion Net with no problems.  Only thing that confuses me is it says I have 150 minutes re: my Platinum/Elite perk.  I’m not sure what is covered by the package I purchased prior to boarding.  I’ll head down later and ask the internet manager a couple of questions.  We also made our reservations for our suite perk dinner at the CG.

 

One great thing I’ve already confirmed is the expanded beer selection menu is in fact onboard the Ruby.  I’ve been waiting quite a long time for this to actually happen.

 

That’s all for now.  I’ll check in later once we are able to get into our cabin.....

 

Bob

[Colo Cruiser]

4 minutes ago, Woobstr112G said:

Greetings all from the Ruby Princess with a quick check in.  We got onboard very quickly.  Embarkation was a breeze.  Only downer is we can’t get into our cabin yet to drop off our carryons.  I was able to sign in/ register for Medallion Net with no problems.  Only thing that confuses me is it says I have 150 minutes re: my Platinum/Elite perk.  I’m not sure what is covered by the package I purchased prior to boarding.  I’ll head down later and ask the internet manager a couple of questions.  We also made our reservations for our suite perk dinner at the CG.

 

One great thing I’ve already confirmed is the expanded beer selection menu is in fact onboard the Ruby.  I’ve been waiting quite a long time for this to actually happen.

 

That’s all for now.  I’ll check in later once we are able to get into our cabin.....

 

Bob

Thanks for the heads up on the cabins not ready and not being able to drop off carry-ons.

Seems to be pretty standard now.

Did they set up a bag check until 1pm?

 

[willyoo]

Thanks ,

Looking forward to your report.

[DavyJoneses]

On ‎3‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 2:16 PM, land lover said:

Just off last month...go for the street tacos at the new Salty Dog grill. The Ernesto Burger with a beer is $8 bucks if I am not mistaken, $5 alone...but it does take about 20 minutes to have it prepared, as another server takes the order and goes to get the meat patty and brings it to the grill for cooking. On our cruise a, 5 day Cabo the grill was always packed.

 

However,  Ernesto burgers are available in the MDR on a few nights, no upcharge. Since last April the menu has been tweeted on Ruby, I've been on her 3 times, since the inital menu change, Pacific Coastal, Alaska  and once since the refurb, Cabo.

I love the new menu changes. But miss the speads, now they have an olive oil herb dip, you must request butter.

 

Share is wonderful and well worth 29.

 

 

I kinda like the olive oil but I agree about the changes.

[candide333]

Thanks for checking about the Internet. For now, I am planning on getting the $59+ special for my daughter and selecting  the free Elete minutes for me. Not sure that decision is the most sensible.  Have a wonderful cruise. 

[cr8tiv1]

Now that you are onboard, I have some questions that can be answered over time.  

1.  As one mentioned:  Rooms not accessible until 1.  Place to store your carry on?  Take it to lunch in the MDR?  Standard policy now (not happy).

2.  Please review dancing options.  I heard that the CD/ED overtook Club Fusion for more art auctions.  One of them was a previous Princess Fine Arts manager.

3.  Who's playing in the Wheelhouse?

4.  Where is late Traditional Dining?

5.  What time are the shows and how crowded are they?

6.  Have corsages and boutonnières returned on formal night?

 

Thanks for taking us all along.  I enjoy your threads.  Have a wonderful time.

[Woobstr112G]

Good afternoon from the Ruby Princess.  We were finally able to get to our cabin at 1300pst.  Holli & I are in an aft facing Vista Suite (E733).  We are still waiting on our luggage to arrive.  

 

Interesting thing about the Muster Drill.  While it is still a half hour before we sail (1530) it is not called "Muster Drill" anymore.  It is now known as the "Guest Safety Assembly."  Our muster station is in Club Fusion.  

 

Right now I'm sitting on our balcony as I type this.  While the internet speed is not as good as inside the ship, it is still reasonable as I am now able to connect without having to prop our cabin door open to allow a signal to get to the balcony.  

 

I just returned from taking some dockside pictures from around the ship as I reacquainted myself with a Crown Class ship.  I know that a lot of Princess are very similar in nature, but I haven't been on a Crown Class ship since 2011.  I forgot about the bigger Vines and IC areas.  

 

As I stated earlier, we plan on dining at the CG this evening.  We probably won't go tot he production show tonight which is "Magic to Do" in the Princess Theater (1830/2030).  As far as MUTS goes, the movies scheduled for this week are Bohemian Rhapsody, Crazy Rich Asians, First Man, Green Book, Instant Family, The Old Man & the Gun, The Greatest Showman, Johnny English Strikes Again, Christopher Robin, and Mama Mia Here We Go Again.

 

The Ship's Officers are as follows:

 

Giorgio Pomata - Commodore

Valerio Esposito - Staff Captain

Andrea Scantamburlo - Chief Engineer Officer

Riccardo Capraro - Hotel general Manager

James Eaton - Customer Services Director

Andrea Baiardo - Food & Beverage Director

Dr. Cornelis Oosthuizen - Senior Doctor

Richard Joseph - Entertainment Director

Gary Golding - Cruise Director

Carmine Malebra - Staf Engineer

Giorgio Lacchini - Chief Electrical Officer

Davor Pelicaric - Environmental Officer

Lorena Ferrini - Executive Housekeeper

Giancarlo Semeraro - Executive Chef

Giorgio Pisano - Maitre d'Hotel

 

That's all for now.  I'll check in a little later.....

Bob

[cr8tiv1]

I'm just confused.  But normal for me.  Had to edit this post and stick words in...instead.  

 

My Ruby booking for April says Ronald Wilson will be my captain.  ????

 

Edited March 10, 2019 by cr8tiv1

[Gorilla Girl]

Thanks for the update!!  Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Colo Cruiser]

52 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I'm just confused.  But normal for me.  Had to edit this post and stick words in...instead.  

 

My Ruby booking for April says Ronald Wilson will be my captain.  ????

 

They change every 10 weeks.

[Colo Cruiser]

[Woobstr112G]

 

Goodbye San Pedro.....

 

Bob

[Kenosha Cruiser]

Hi Bob, thanks for the names of the ship's officers. Looks like we will have the new Commodore Giorgio Pomata who took over from Commodore Giuseppe Romano last fall. Gary Golding is a new Cruise director to us. You will have to let us know towards the end of your cruise what you think of him. Have a great meal at the Crown grill tonight!  

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

 

[gbolton]

16 minutes ago, Kenosha Cruiser said:

Hi Bob, thanks for the names of the ship's officers. Looks like we will have the new Commodore Giorgio Pomata who took over from Commodore Giuseppe Romano last fall. Gary Golding is a new Cruise director to us. You will have to let us know towards the end of your cruise what you think of him. Have a great meal at the Crown grill tonight!  

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

 

Google "Gary Golding 777" on Instagram and you'll find several pictures etc. Also a five year award with Princess.

[Calimari62]

Hi Bob, Thanks for the updates.  We will be taking this cruise from Mar 17 - Mar 23.  As first time cruisers, what time is the best time to show up for embarkation?  Looking forward to your updates!  Have a great trip!

 

[Woobstr112G]

An early good morning (0632 local time) from the Ruby Princess.  TOday is our first of two sea days for this voyage.  I just got back from the IC for my daily Americano with an extra shot.  After I got my coffee, I walked around the ship a little taking some pictures.  I am still getting reacquainted with a Crown Class ship and trying to remember the way the Ruby looked back in 2011.  I'm sure they've updated/refreshed things.  So far, I like what I see.  One thing I did notice, unless my mind is playing tricks on me, is there seems to be darker woods throughout the ship that gives a more nautical feel.

 

Last night, Holli & I, along with her DS and DS's hubby enjoyed dinner in the Crown Grill.  Three of us had the fillet while one had the porterhouse.  All selections were quite good.  The onion soup was, as always, fantastic.  Our waiter was also very attentive.  

 

Holli & I plan to try the suite breakfast in the Crown Grill at 0900.  I'm very much looking forward to it.  Today, is our first formal night.  A little later, I plan to try on my rental Tux (Cruiselineformalwear) to make sure it fits.  Holli has a hair appointment later in the Lotus Spa that she always enjoys.  We also plan to do a little window shopping after breakfast.  

 

That's all for now.  I'll post a wake view sunrise picture a little later when it's lighter outside.

 

Hope all are well.....

 

Bob

[Rogueperson]

Are you able to do a speed test and post the results?

 

[Woobstr112G]

2 hours ago, Calimari62 said:

Hi Bob, Thanks for the updates.  We will be taking this cruise from Mar 17 - Mar 23.  As first time cruisers, what time is the best time to show up for embarkation?  Looking forward to your updates!  Have a great trip!

 

Good morning.  We showed up around 1045 ish and were onboard within 20-25 minutes after walking into the terminal.  The downside to this is we couldn't get into our rooms until 1300.  This was pretty much true throughout the ship.  If you do not want to schlep all of your carryons around for a couple of hours, I would suggest arriving a little later than I did to minimize the time you are kepy out of your stateroom.....

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

3 minutes ago, Rogueperson said:

Are you able to do a speed test and post the results?

 

 

I just did this on my aft (wake view) balcony with the door closed.  The speed seems faster that what the readings were.  I have not yet ran a test inside the ship.....

 

Bob

[mjceditor]

Try fast.com on your Internet Browser.

It’s Netflix speed test site.

[Rogueperson]

Just now, Woobstr112G said:

I've tried, but the app I have on my Macbook Pro will not connect.  I'm not sure if it is due to being satellite internet.  I will still look around for something that will work.....

 

Bob

I use an app, but you can do it through your browser if you do a google search for speedtest.  Google has one you can find.