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

[ellie1145]

 

Food, glorious food…

 

It is Formal Night, and everyone is looking wonderful. Formal Night is one of the things which we still really enjoy, although I know that many younger folk think that cruising should be less formal. But as long as Princess continue this tradition, we will willingly take part in it. And if you don’t want to dress up there is always the Horizon Court, although we have never seen anyone turned away. 

 

We start with freshly baked breads, something which Princess excel at. However, I prefer just a plain roll, and as usual, our lovely steward brings them with no fuss - and plenty of butter. No Butter-Gate here I can assure you! 

 

 

 

I know that lots of people love Escargot, but they just remind me of the snails that like to eat everything edible in my garden, just bigger, so I’m afraid they are definitely not for me, or DH.

 

 

DH opts, instead, for the Lime and Salt-Cured Salmon, with a Sweet Chilli Sauce. I order my usual fruit plate. 

 

 

 

 

Neither DH nor I like Lobster, so he chooses the Pineapple Glazed Hickory Smoked Virginia Ham, and I choose the Roasted Rosemary Leg of Lamb.

 

 

 

 

The crowning glory is, of course, the Chocolate Journeys: Chocolate Pistachio Dome with Almond and Pistachio Nougatine. I have to admit it’s not my absolute favourite, as I love the hazelnut dessert, but it looks beautiful and tastes good so what’s not to like? 

 

 

 

So here are a couple of photos for you all to drool over…😉

 

 

[AF-1]

ellie. I heard Ruby is getting ready for dry dock to get ready for cruising in November 

Edited August 1, 2021 by AF-1

[trbarton]

8 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

ellie. I heard Ruby is getting ready for dry dock to get ready for cruising in November 

I’m on the October 31, 2021 on the Ruby & we have some people joining us from the cancelled cruise before ours. 
 

Someone posted that the November 7, 2021 cruise was cancelled but I’ve not seen anything from Princess. 
 

Tom😀

[Belle]

Was told the the cruises on Ruby starting Oct.31st and the ones after

are a GO.   As of now ( but we know things can change)  only

Oct. 17th and the 24th were cancelled because of dry dock.,

[ellie1145]

19 hours ago, AF-1 said:

ellie. I heard Ruby is getting ready for dry dock to get ready for cruising in November 

 

Hi AF-1. Thanks for that information. That’s good news.

 

We have had our April Caribbean cruise on Crown changed to Emerald. That’s fine by us. It’’s a year younger and pretty much the same.

 

How are you and the family doing? 

[ellie1145]

19 hours ago, trbarton said:

I’m on the October 31, 2021 on the Ruby & we have some people joining us from the cancelled cruise before ours. 
 

Someone posted that the November 7, 2021 cruise was cancelled but I’ve not seen anything from Princess. 
 

Tom😀

 

Fingers crossed it’s just a rumour, Tom! 😀

Edited August 1, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

11 hours ago, Belle said:

Was told the the cruises on Ruby starting Oct.31st and the ones after

are a GO.   As of now ( but we know things can change)  only

Oct. 17th and the 24th were cancelled because of dry dock.,

 

That’s good news, Belle. Are you hoping to go on her? 😋

[AF-1]

34 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Hi AF-1. Thanks for that information. That’s good news.

 

We have had our April Caribbean cruise on Crown changed to Emerald. That’s fine by us. It’’s a year younger and pretty much the same.

 

How are you and the family doing? 

Family is doing good.  We sailed Emerald to Alaska;  it was our first Princess Cruise.  We liked the ship

[ellie1145]

We enjoy a leisurely dinner, and finish with our usual pot of tea. What would we Brits do without our ‘cuppas?’

 

Then it’s a gentle stroll to Explorers where we join a team for the Motown Trivia at 9.30 pm. Now I’m sure you are all dying to know how we did. Well, we scored 21/25. We were ok with the likes of ‘My Girl,’ and ‘Tracks of my Tears,’ as well as ‘Heard it Through the Grapevine’ (one of my absolute favourite Motown hits), but we missed out on ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,’ (which was a hit for the Temptations), but we didn’t recognise it. There were 3 others, too which stumped us.

 

The winners score an amazing 25/25, which was brilliant, and they won a very well deserved bottle of fizz.  Apparently, it is brewed on board by the maintenance department, using toilet cleaner….

 

We make our way up to Horizon Court for our nightcap, decaffeinated tea, and a crafty cookie, and as usual, we find some lovely staff to chat to. It’s one of the pleasures of cruising, meeting people from all over the world, and hearing their stories of how they came to be on the ship. They have a very hard job, which is quite relentless, day in day out, and yet the majority of them do it with charm, efficiency and a welcoming smile, so we always try to engage with anyone who serves us, and let them know much we appreciate them. Many of them make huge sacrifices in order to give their children a better life. It reminds us of how lucky our own children are.

 

Then it’s the long walk back to our cabin. There are usually very few people about at that time of night, so I am able to remove my shoes and carry them in my hand as I patter along the long empty corridor. Wow, is that a relief!

 

 

Thought you might like to see how we open our door. Cool, eh?

 

 

Tomorrow is our final port, Ensenada, and we are not sure what to do there. None of the tours really appealed to us, as we are not drinkers, so visiting a winery would be a waste. So we will probably just get off the ship and explore the town. I wonder if anyone has any photos they could share?

 

So, goodnight, Cruising Adventurers. See you in the morning.

 

 

[ellie1145]

6 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Family is doing good.  We sailed Emerald to Alaska;  it was our first Princess Cruise.  We liked the ship

 

Glad to hear that, AF-1. 

 

Yes, we sailed on her soon after she was launched and we loved her. She was refitted in 2019, so at the least she should have those lovely comfy Princess beds. 

 

Take care and very best wishes to you and your family. 😋

[trbarton]

7 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

 

That’s good news, Belle. Are you hoping to go on her? 😋

Yes my fingers are crossed..

 

Here’s what I sent to the Portland Dry Dock facility & their reply. 
 

Is the Ruby Princess scheduled for dry dock & if so do you have the dates?

 

Currently in the bid phase.

Joe Morgan
Chief Estimator 
Vigor Marine Ship Repair

 

Tom😀

[margord]

On 8/1/2021 at 5:34 PM, ellie1145 said:

 

Hi AF-1. Thanks for that information. That’s good news.

 

We have had our April Caribbean cruise on Crown changed to Emerald. That’s fine by us. It’’s a year younger and pretty much the same.

 

How are you and the family doing? 

We had a February cruise on Crown also changed to Emerald.

[ellie1145]

On 8/2/2021 at 6:27 AM, trbarton said:

Yes my fingers are crossed..

 

Here’s what I sent to the Portland Dry Dock facility & their reply. 
 

Is the Ruby Princess scheduled for dry dock & if so do you have the dates?

 

Currently in the bid phase.

Joe Morgan
Chief Estimator 
Vigor Marine Ship Repair

 

Tom😀

 

It will be interesting to see how this pans out, Tom. Do let us know if you have any more information. Thanks!

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, margord said:

We had a February cruise on Crown also changed to Emerald.

 

Hmm, that is interesting, margord. I presume Crown is being moved elsewhere. 

[ellie1145]

The Cinderella of the Pacific

 

 

Ensenada is the third largest city in Baja California, and was officially incorporated in 1882. First discovered by the Spanish explorer, Juan Rodriguez in 1542, it was called ‘San Mateo.’ It was re-discovered in 1602 by Sebastian Vitzcaino, and renamed ‘Ensenada de Todos Santos.’ The word ‘Ensenada’ means bay or cove.

 

Located 78 miles from San Diego, Ensenada has now emerged as a thriving cruise ship destination. Over 700 thousand cruise passengers visit this port each year, making it the most visited tourist port in the Pacific.

 

Ensenada is an important commercial and fishing port as well as having a military airfield, (which serves both commercial domestic and military flights),  a naval base, and an army base. There are plans to eventually build an international airport, which will then be able to handle large aircraft.

 

Ensenada is also famous for its local wine region, which is said to have started when the Jesuit priest, Padre Juan de Ugarte, planted the first vineyards.

 

Interestingly, it is said that Ensenada first began to develop as a tourist destination as a result of prohibition in nearby USA. Americans would cross the border in order to purchase alcohol. However, this success was not sustained, and although it briefly became a hotspot for international celebrities, artists and politicians, by the 1960s it had declined. Its main hotel, the Hotel Riviera del Pacifico, closed in 1964.

 

Did you know that the Margarita was said to have been invented in Ensenada? Sadly, that claim is disputed.

 

Now just in case you don’t know, and it comes up as a trivia question, according to a recipe published in 1953, a Margarita is made from tequila, a dash of triple sec, and the juice of half a lime or lemon. It should be served ‘on the rocks’ in a salt rimmed Margarita glass.

 

Although the Ensenada region is famous for its wineries, such as Bodegas de Santo Tomas, Casa Dona Lupe, and the Guadalupe Valley Winery, it also boasts one of the world’s largest marine geyser, La Bufadora, which blows more than 100 ft above sea level.

 

 

Technically it is actually a blow hole, as it does not have a thermal source. The spout of water is the result of air being forced into a sea cave by the waves, being trapped, and then exploding upwards as the water recedes, accompanied by a roar like thunder.

 

It is approximately 17 miles from the port and it is, apparently, possible to get a taxi there and back, or there is a bus which goes along the coast. There are little souvenir shops and food outlets a short walk away.

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Our final day and our final port, Ensenada

 

 

Ruby Princess has steamed 2257 nautical miles across the Pacific, from Lahaina to Ensenada. We must make a stop here before returning to the USA due to a historic law, which forbids the return of a vessel to the USA if it departs from an American port. Our speed has averaged 17.5 knots over the past 5 days.

 

The weather today is expected to be sunny, the first time in days we have clear skies, and the temperature is likely to reach 19C/66F. There is a westerly wind of 10 knots, so it is going to be a lovely day. We are certainly in need of some sunshine as the last few days have been dull and chilly.

 

 

The pilot is onboard at 06.54, and Ruby Princess sails past the breakwater en route to her berth, and is docked by just after 8.00 am.

 

 

Looking out of our window with its obscured view it is just possible to see that we are moving slowly towards Ensenada. It is a lovely sunny day as Ruby glides past the breakwater.

 

 

We get ready and make our way upstairs to the promenade deck so that we can see what the port looks like. The water is calm and like a millpond. It’s great to be seeing some sunshine at last.

 

 

 

 

 

I take a few photos and then we go to the dining room for breakfast. We are not in a hurry today as we have nothing booked or planned, and we want to savour our final breakfast before we return to LA.

 

[azbirdmom]

I actually went to the blowhole back in the 80's.  I took a cruise with my parents that stopped in Ensenada and I remember going on an excursion that went to the blowhole and also to a point where we saw whales.  Except the tour guide kept exclaiming with glee about the "wheels".  I was an adult then and can't remember the year or cruise line but I will always remember how we chuckled about the "wheels" for years.

[Belle]

Yes I planned to go on a few b2b's starting in November.

I haven't been on the Ruby before but have been on the Crown and Emerald

each a few times. Sister ships.

 

Was told the dates but don't remember for sure around 1st week

of October for about 14 to 17 days, The date it was getting out of dry dock 

I was thinking it could of made the October 24th cruise. Waiting later to sail

I assume is to get the crew onboard, shots if needed and if they have to stay

in cabin for 2 weeks because in dry dock don't have all the crew on the ship.

 

This was told to me my by Princess Planner who's been with Princess for years.

Always go to her with questions and she has always been right unless the

company change plans at the last minute.

[ellie1145]

Stepping on Terra Firma

 

After a lovely, relaxing breakfast, we decide we will do the Morning Trivia Challenge at 11.15 am before leaving the ship. There are very few guests in Explorers so we join a group and to our great excitement, we win!

 

Apart from Trivia, there isn’t much going on, although there is a ‘Giant Jenna Challenge’ in the Piazza at 10.15 am, and ‘Cirque du Soleil: Delirium’ in Movies Under the Stars at 10.00 am.

 

Boosted by our win we make our way off the ship and onto the dockside. It’s lovely to feel terra firma beneath our feet, especially as the sun is shining.

 

 

There is a shuttle into the town, and we decide that it is too hot to walk so we jump onboard. We see the Mexican flag fluttering in the gentle breeze.

 

 

It only takes a few minutes, but it gives us a snapshot of the town.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking out of the shuttle window we spy a familiar sight - MacDonalds! Is there anywhere on earth you can’t get one of their burgers?

 

I wonder if AF-1 will be sitting in the window in one of his jaunty caps?

 

 

The shuttle pulls into a little square and stops. We are told that this is where the return shuttle will be found. 

 

We disembark and make our way over to the Main Street, which is called Avenida Lopez Mateos, the main tourist shopping area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

20 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

I actually went to the blowhole back in the 80's.  I took a cruise with my parents that stopped in Ensenada and I remember going on an excursion that went to the blowhole and also to a point where we saw whales.  Except the tour guide kept exclaiming with glee about the "wheels".  I was an adult then and can't remember the year or cruise line but I will always remember how we chuckled about the "wheels" for years.

 

How funny, azbirdmom. It’s strange how we remember certain things from years ago, and then can’t remember what we had for breakfast! 

[ellie1145]

14 hours ago, Belle said:

Yes I planned to go on a few b2b's starting in November.

I haven't been on the Ruby before but have been on the Crown and Emerald

each a few times. Sister ships.

 

Was told the dates but don't remember for sure around 1st week

of October for about 14 to 17 days, The date it was getting out of dry dock 

I was thinking it could of made the October 24th cruise. Waiting later to sail

I assume is to get the crew onboard, shots if needed and if they have to stay

in cabin for 2 weeks because in dry dock don't have all the crew on the ship.

 

This was told to me my by Princess Planner who's been with Princess for years.

Always go to her with questions and she has always been right unless the

company change plans at the last minute.

 

Here’s hoping your cruises go ahead, Belle! 🛳️

[Belle]

Thank You Ellie, I do to. Everything keeps changing day to day.

Now new rules for cruises to follow for awhile---at least cruises not cancelled,

their still sailing.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise and you get to cruise as soon as you want.

[Reader0108598]

On 8/4/2021 at 6:26 PM, ellie1145 said:

 

How funny, azbirdmom. It’s strange how we remember certain things from years ago, and then can’t remember what we had for breakfast! 

Ellie if you take nothing else away from here remember all the joy you brought us 🙂Cannot say it enough! TY! Loved reading and looking at your photos 🙂

 

Gail

 

Edited August 7, 2021 by Reader0108598

[ellie1145]

2 hours ago, Reader0108598 said:

Ellie if you take nothing else away from here remember all the joy you brought us 🙂Cannot say it enough! TY! Loved reading and looking at your photos 🙂

 

Gail

 

 

Oh thank you so much, Gail, for your very kind words. 

 

It has brought me much joy, too, not only reliving wonderful cruises, but having such amazing people following along with me. I’ve enjoyed all your comments, and have been so amazed at how so many of you have really got into the spirit of these virtual cruises. 

 

I was very reluctant to start a thread as, I have to say, sometimes CC can be a pretty scary place, and I have seen others receive some pretty unkind comments. But these two virtual cruises have been such friendly threads, and that is wonderful.

 

I feel as if I have come to know all you lovely Cruising Adventurers over the last few months, and I shall miss you all when it’s time to say ‘adieu.’ 

[ellie1145]

The main street is wide, and busy, with shops on each side of the road.

 

 

We begin to amble along the strip but it seems that the shops are full of the usual sunglasses, t-shirts, hats and various souvenirs made in China. It’s not our scene to be honest.

 

 

However, there are women with young children and babies begging on the street, and it is very unsettling as they keep approaching us. Some are selling trinkets and souvenirs, others just want money. We cross the road but it is exactly the same.

 

 

We feel very uncomfortable and not a little scared as the shop keepers are very ‘full on’ too and accost us every few yards.

 

 

 

We both decide this is not for us, so we head back to the square where a shuttle bus is waiting.

 

We gratefully make our way onto the bus, which is pretty empty, find ourselves a window seat near the front, and sit and wait for it to depart back to the ship.