Come sail with me on a virtual cruise to Hawaii on Ruby Princess

[StrawberryHill]

Make sure you visit the Adagio Bar in the afternoon.  Its a nice quiet place to get away and read if you are looking to do that.

[cr8tiv1]

Haven't checked in for a while, but here are a couple of links:

 

Beyonce:  https://startsat60.com/media/lifestyle/entertainment/hilarious-beyonce-parody-made-for-the-over-60s-will-have-you-in-stitches

 

Sea conditions: https://www.passageweather.com

 

How to make a yarn lei:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1qDgmdGtv0

 

 

 

 

[cr8tiv1]

 

April 8, 2019 - Port of Los Angeles Web Cam

 

 

April 10, 2019 

[ellie1145]

‘Explore New Adventures Onboard’

 

Is there anywhere better in the world to sleep than on one of the new Princess beds, especially when you are gently rocked by the motion of a ship?

 

We sleep like proverbial babies, (not that mine ever slept that well, but you get the idea!) and wake to see that we are speeding along, on our way to Hilo.

 

I pull back the curtains and can just see the sea over the top of the lifeboat. It’s looking pretty rough and there are plenty of white horses on the horizon.

 

 

We get ready and make our way down to the Da Vinci Dining Room for a civilised breakfast. Service is good and we enjoy a relaxing meal. This is the life, we feel.

 

 

While we are eating there are plenty of activities going on around the ship -  Egg Drop Challenge and Escape Room Sign-Up at 9.15 am, Zumba Express at 9.15 am, Speed Soduku for Fun at 9.30 am, a free Stretch and Release class in the Aerobics Studio at 9.30 am, Giant Jenga Challenge at 9.45 am and a Scavenger Hunt Sign Up at 9.45 am.

 

Well, all of that makes me feel quite exhausted so pass me another Danish pastry please!

 

[ellie1145]

🎶  What shall we do with a drunken sailor

       What shall we do with a drunken sailor?

       What shall we do with a drunken sailor,

       Early in the morning.  🎶

 

 

We arrive in the Explorers Lounge and are lucky enough to find a team to play with, a lovely couple from Las Vegas, and another lovely couple from British Columbia, who become our regular players, and also our Progressive Team Mates. One of the real joys of cruising is to meet new people and we certainly strike lucky with our team. We have great fun getting to know each other and searching our memories for the answers. We all agree to meet at 12.15 in Club Fusion for our Progressive Sign Up and first trivia. 

 

Following the Trivia is the ‘Introduction to Ukulele Class’ with Tiki Dave. I really wish I was brave enough to try this, but two of our trivia mates enrol, and we watch the class for a while before venturing outside to walk round the Promenade Deck.

 

The wind is north-easterly at 35 knots, so it’s pretty breezy, and we struggle to walk along the deck, but it’s good to get some fresh air. The sea looks pretty rough but I love watching the foaming waves as we sail along rapidly. It’s partly cloudy and a cool 16 degrees C/62 degrees F. so not the weather for lying out on sun loungers, so it’s doubtful if the chair hogs will be out in force today. As far as we are concerned they are welcome to the chairs!

 

 

 

Indeed, as the day wears on we all begin to look like drunken sailors as we try to walk down corridors in a straight line. When the Captain comes on with the midday update he sounds somewhat annoyed as, apparently, he has had numerous passengers asking him about the rough weather. But Ruby Princess is very stable and rides the waves really well. I think that if you decide to go on a cruise you have to take the rough with the smooth, as far as weather is concerned, and we are on the ocean after all. It’s all part of the fun, as long as it’s not a Force 12 gale (which we have endured!)

[ellie1145]

8 hours ago, StrawberryHill said:

Make sure you visit the Adagio Bar in the afternoon.  Its a nice quiet place to get away and read if you are looking to do that.

 

I certainly agree, StrawberryHill, it never seems to be crowded during the day and is a lovely oasis of calm. 

[ellie1145]

58 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Haven't checked in for a while, but here are a couple of links:

 

Beyonce:  https://startsat60.com/media/lifestyle/entertainment/hilarious-beyonce-parody-made-for-the-over-60s-will-have-you-in-stitches

 

Sea conditions: https://www.passageweather.com

 

How to make a yarn lei:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1qDgmdGtv0

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for posting the links. The Beyoncé song is so funny and I definitely can identify with the sentiments. 

 

Do you have any photos of your cabin? 

[ellie1145]

58 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

April 8, 2019 - Port of Los Angeles Web Cam

 

 

April 10, 2019 

 

How brilliant to see these wonderful photos, especially the sail away from San Pedro. Thank you so much for posting these. 

[cnd crsr]

Hi Ellie,

With the UK, Canada and the US teemed up for trivia, sounds like a good mix. I am waiting to hear what wonderful prizes you win😉.

 

Now that you skipped Ukulele lessons with Tiki Dave, maybe you will sign up for the hula lessons?

 

As long as I am on a ship, I don't mind looking like a drunken sailor.... oh how I miss trying to walk back to the cabin without reaching for the railing!

 

Gail

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

10 hours ago, cnd crsr said:

Hi Ellie,

With the UK, Canada and the US teemed up for trivia, sounds like a good mix. I am waiting to hear what wonderful prizes you win😉.

 

Now that you skipped Ukulele lessons with Tiki Dave, maybe you will sign up for the hula lessons?

 

As long as I am on a ship, I don't mind looking like a drunken sailor.... oh how I miss trying to walk back to the cabin without reaching for the railing!

 

Gail

 

 

 

 

 

It certainly was a good mix, and something we really enjoy, talking to Americans and Canadians. We made a pretty good team, although it was tough going as Trivia was VERY popular on this cruise, and there were some really brilliant teams. 

 

I’m afraid that I will have to skip the hula lessons, as I don’t want to frighten the natives......😉

 

I have to agree that there is something rather exciting about walking down the corridor and veering from side to side, when you really AREN’T drunk! But it is not the sort of thing you want to do when shopping in Walmart, as you’d probably get thrown out....🤣

[JF - retired RRT]

32 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

But it is not the sort of thing you want to do when shopping in Walmart, as you’d probably get thrown out....🤣

Not a chance...you'd fit right in.

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Not a chance...you'd fit right in.

 

Love it! 🤣

[ellie1145]

Having taken our morning constitutional we make our way back to Club Fusion, where we see our team ready and waiting for us after their ukulele lesson. One of our team has brought her own ukulele with her from home, which is really cool. I really wish I’d joined the class, too.

 

Our quizmaster arrives and we start our first quiz. We think we have done reasonably well but we will have to wait until tomorrow to get the answers, and our scores.

 

Meanwhile, in the Michaelangelo Dining Room, there is the one and only, never to be repeated (until next time), amazing Holiday Store, with gifts for only $10 - all those things you never knew you needed (and probably don’t!) but just can’t resist because they are only $10. Sadly, we are too late, and there are no Nicaraguan key chains left.

 

I’ve also inadvertently missed the ‘How to Look 10 Years Younger’ seminar, at 10.30 am, which promises that we can join Dr Isabel ‘to eliminate all signs of ageing.’ Darn it.... I will just have to ply DH with alcohol and hope he doesn’t notice my baggy wrinkled skin, and brown spotted hands...

 

Dr Wu is also busy this morning with an ‘Introduction to Acupuncture‘ at 10.00 am, which is, apparently, ‘a life changing seminar’ and this is followed at 11.00 am by a seminar on ‘How to Increase Your Metabolism.’ I’m sure he will be very busy (or maybe it’s a she).

 

There is an Arts and Crafts Class at 10.45, but we are busy with Trivia so, again, I miss it.

 

The first of the Enrichment Naturalist Lectures on ‘Hawaii Volcanoes - Are We Safe?’ takes place in the theatre at 11.00 am, presented by Mark Harris.

 

We are impressed by the range of activities available on this cruise, and there seems to be something for everyone, even those who wish to knit.

 

Following our Trivia we make our way up to the Horizon Court for a late lunch. The sea is still pretty choppy but Ruby Princess continues to be very stable. I love sitting up there watching the ocean out of the window. The ever changing patterns of the waves and the sight of the spray as bursts into the air is mesmerising.

 

Lunch over we return to our cabin to watch some TV.

 

As Elite (please bow down and genuflect) we are given a complimentary set-up of our mini-bar. We are not great drinkers so the little bottles of spirits usually end up being taken home for our grown up children, whilst the cans are exchanged for water.

 

 

But here is a list of what we have been given with the cost of replacing them. You can also exchange the full bar set up for a coffee card or two.

 

 

There is a note left for us about Laundry. I prefer to do my own and our cabin is very close to the guest laundry, so apart from DH’s shirts we don’t make use of this service. But the shirts are returned beautifully laundered which is great. These longer cruises do tend to consist of more Elite passengers, hence the demand on laundry services.

 

Edited November 19, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

🎶 What shall I do today? 

      What shall we do?

      What shall I do today?

      What shall I do?

      I’ll start a new adventure

      By jumping on my bed... 🎶

 

(any ideas who sang this?)

 

Today’s activities continue with ‘Concerts at Sea:Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett: Cheek to Cheek Live!’ on MUTS on deck 16 at 12.15 pm, Concerts@Sea: Crowded House - Farewell to the World at 5.00 pm.

 

There is Line Dancing at 12.45 pm in Club Fusion, ‘Wet Wild and Wacky’ Pool Games in Neptune’s Reef and Pool at 1.15 pm (but that is weather permitting), Princess Pop Choir Sign-Up and Rehearsal at 1.45 pm in Skywalkers, an Enrichment Lecture by Dr Michael Tribe on the 1936 Los Angeles Olympics, plus Lei Making and Hawaiian Crafts with Leialoha of Elua - fees apply.

 

SeaCrafts@Sea take place in the Crown Grill at 2.30 pm, which is very popular and has limited space available.

 

This morning, at 10.00 am, the MUTS was ‘Moana,’ one of my little grandson’s favourite movies, and ‘Johnny English Strikes Again’ is playing on MUTS at 3.00 pm, with the Evening Movie: Instant Family at 7.00 pm and 9.30 pm, followed by ‘Cold Pursuit’ at 10.00 pm.

 

After a relaxing hour or so in our cabin, we make our way to the dining room for the first afternoon tea of this cruise.

 

[ellie1145]

🎶  Picture me upon your knee

      With tea for two

      And two for tea,

     Just me for you

     And you for me, alone! 🎶 

 

(Fastest finger first for the singer of this classic!)

 

Now as you know, Afternoon Tea is something we try never to miss, so I am afraid that I have to forgo the Non-surgical Facelift on offer by Dr Isabel at 3.00 pm, as I don’t think the 10 minutes I can spare is enough time to do it justice.

 

Afternoon Tea is relaxing and civilised, and provides the best cup of tea onboard, served from a silver teapot no less, by our gracious white-gloved waiting staff. We are escorted to a table for two and indulge in some cakes and scones with jam and cream. Delicious.

 

Fully replete, we waddle along to Explorers Lounge where we meet our new team for the Trivia Challenge at 4.00 pm. It’s an opportunity to chat and exchange views as well as to dig deep in our memories for those irritating answers we really thought we’d remember, and sadly, don’t.

 

As usual there is plenty of live music, one of the great advantages of a Princess cruise. The Souvenir Duo play Classical and Contemporary Melodies in the Piazza at 1.15 pm, and DJ11 plays ‘Your Favourite Dance Music’ at 2.00 pm by the pool, weather permitting, for any hardy creatures who are sunbathing on the windswept deck. Let’s hope they don’t get swept overboard, although maybe the loss of a few chair hogs would be acceptable.

 

[ellie1145]

 

Here is a final view out of our window, which shows the sea has moderated a little. 

 

 

 

 

Here is some of the live music available this evening. There really is something for everyone:

 

Guitar Melodies with Jack Lee - Wheelhouse Bar 5.00 pm

Guitar and Vocal Entertainer Mary Simon - Wheelhouse Bar 6.00 pm

Piano Favourites with Richard Sulek - Crooners Bar 6.15 pm

Music and Cocktails with Souvenir Duo in the Wheelhouse Bar 6.15 pm

Hawaiian Melodies with Duo Elua - Wheelhouse Bar 7.15 pm

Music and Dancing with the Main Offenders in the Piazza 7.15 pm

Dixieland Jazz with the Ruby Princess Showband in the Adagio Bar 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm

Piano Favourites with Richard Sulek - Piazza 8.15 pm

Hawaiian Melodies and Steel Guitar with Tiki Dave - Wheelhouse Bar 8.15 pm - 9.00 pm

Walker Black presents the Music of the Eagles - Explorers Lounge 8.30 pm

Music and Dancing with the Main Offenders - Club Fusion 9.00 pm

Guitarist and Vocalist Mary Simons - Wheelhouse Bar 9.15 pm ‘till late.

Piano and Vocal Entertainer Tommy McPhee in Crooners 9.15 pm ‘till late

Music and Dancing with Walker Black Duo - Explorers Lounge 10.30 ‘till late

 

But if all that doesn’t appeal and you think you could do better, then there is Karaoke in Club Fusion at 8.00 pm.

 

We sit and chat to our Trivia mates for a while before saying goodnight, as we cannot make the Movie Poster Trivia at 7.30 pm for that is dinner time.

 

We make our way to the cabin to get changed for dinner and are in time to go to the Theatre for the Spotlight Showtime which is the comic, Robbie Printz, after which it’s time for dinner. 

 

Now, once again, I seem to have forgotten to photograph either the menu or the food, apart from a gorgeous ‘always available’ Creme Brûlée and a Chocolate Dessert which shall remain nameless.

 

 

 

I think I may have to ask Dr Wu or Dr Isabel if they could possibly put on a Seminar on ‘How to Beat Forgetfulness and Reinvigorate your Brain.’ I’m sure it would be very useful, as long as I remember to attend.

 

After a leisurely dinner we take a walk around the ship, to see what is going on, but we decide to give the Yes/No Gameshow in the Explorers Lounge a miss.

 

There is just time for a final cup of de-caffeinated tea before we make our way back to our cabin, which, as always, has been prepared beautifully for our slumbers. Tomorrow’s Patter is lying on the bed, the lights are low, the curtains are drawn, and on our pillow, that most indulgent of treats, a little wrapped chocolate.

 

Is there any better way to spend a vacation?

 

[ellie1145]

Now I hope all you Cruising Adventurers have had a wonderful day onboard Ruby Princess. There has certainly been a lot to do, and I’d love to know how you chose to spend your time.

 

Until tomorrow I wish you a wonderful night, rocked by the motion of this beautiful ship. Sleep tight, see you in the morning.

[Loucat]

This song was the theme song from Pippy Longstocking sang by Rachel Laderoute, among others.

I liked one of the following verses:

I could skate around the kitchen and throw pancakes in the air.

Sounds like fun!

 

[AF-1]

Ellie1145;  sorry I just got caught up.  Have been off the boards for two weeks.  Anyway. I see you had a ok time in LAX.   I know Dennys well. Have stayed at the Hilton over 100 times.  Carl Jr’s is next door.  Know the crown plaza where you stayed.  

[ellie1145]

12 hours ago, Loucat said:

This song was the theme song from Pippy Longstocking sang by Rachel Laderoute, among others.

I liked one of the following verses:

I could skate around the kitchen and throw pancakes in the air.

Sounds like fun!

 

You are absolutely right, Loucat! Well done!

 

Of course, you now have a choice of one of my brand new, completely updated, full size, super powered, ULTRA VORTEX vacuum cleaners, just imported from China, which is waiting to wing its way to you via Amazon, (the river of course), or one of my unique and exotic leis, made by my own fair hand, from orchids specially flown in from Fiji....😉

 

Now I shall have an image of you skating round your kitchen, throwing pancakes in the air! 🤣

[Loucat]

Ellie-My choice is one of your exotic leis, made from Fiji orchids. I plan to wear the lei while skating in my kitchen throwing pancakes in the air.

I have your vacuum cleaner from the previous virtual and it is used frequently. I will also use it to swoop up the pancakes on the kitchen floor!

[ellie1145]

14 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Ellie1145;  sorry I just got caught up.  Have been off the boards for two weeks.  Anyway. I see you had a ok time in LAX.   I know Dennys well. Have stayed at the Hilton over 100 times.  Carl Jr’s is next door.  Know the crown plaza where you stayed.  

 

Nice to see you back, AF-1. I did wonder if you’d jumped ship! 

 

Yes, we had a good time in LA. Actually I did think I saw you one night in Denny’s, just as we were leaving......😉

[ellie1145]

2 hours ago, Loucat said:

Ellie-My choice is one of your exotic leis, made from Fiji orchids. I plan to wear the lei while skating in my kitchen throwing pancakes in the air.

I have your vacuum cleaner from the previous virtual and it is used frequently. I will also use it to swoop up the pancakes on the kitchen floor!

 

One of my exotic leis will be winging its way to you momentarily... and I hope you will post a photo of you wearing it as you skate round the kitchen throwing pancakes in the air! 🤣

 

I am glad the vacuum cleaner is still working. It will be most useful for all those bits of pancake you may drop. 

[ellie1145]

Wednesday April 10th, 2019
 

Ruby Princess is following a south-easterly course on her way to Hilo. It is still pretty windy, with a north-easterly of 30 knots. It’s partly cloudy with temperatures of 20 degrees C/68 degrees F, slightly warmer than yesterday’s chilly 16 degrees C/62 degrees F.

 

We have slept well, as usual, and as I open the curtains I see that the sea is still pretty choppy.

 

 

We take breakfast in the Dining Room, and enjoy a leisurely meal. It is lovely the way there are still flowers on the table.

 

 

There is a really good choice, and my DH decides to try the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Tonight is Formal Night, and of course there is the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Party and the Champagne Waterfall at 7.00 - 7.45 pm.

 

As usual there is plenty of live music around the ship so I won’t bore you with a blow by blow account of each session. One of our favourite musical interludes is in Crooners, from 9.00 pm ‘till late, but it is usually crowded - something we didn’t find on Majestic Princess, and we can’t always find a seat, which is a shame.

 

I will try to give you an idea of what activities there are and I will add photos of the ship on the way.

 

Here are some pictures of Crooners, which is located on Deck 7 midships, overlooking the Piazza.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2020 by ellie1145