Review of Ruby Princess SF-Hawaii 2.10-2.25.22

[SWACK]

Just got off of a cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii and back for 15 days.. Flew in from Buffalo 2 days early and got a chance to explore the area. Used Turo for the first time, a rental service much like AirB&B. It worked out well, with the car being delivered at the airport and I dropped it off at the port. Got in Tuesday morning, checked into our in-town old school motel, left our luggage there and took a dive across the Golden Gate. 

[SWACK]

We also went up to Muir woods,  less than an hour out of town, and walked 2 miles on a paved trail through the beautiful woods. 

 

 

Edited February 27, 2022 by SWACK

[LunaSeaRetreat]

Looking forward to hearing about your cruise.  We will be on the Sapphire  LA to Hawaii in July .

Cynthia

[SWACK]

Day 2 took us to Hyde Street Pier, Chinatown and a trip down the coast and dinner in Silicon Valley

 

 

[cr8tiv1]

You have a nice camera eye. You might consider putting a (white) space between each photo posted.  Thanks for your review.

[SWACK]

 

 

[SWACK]

7 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

You have a nice camera eye. You might consider putting a (white) space between each photo posted.  Thanks for your review.

Thanks, will do that going foward.

 

[Lido deck main]

@SWACK I must say I love the way you frame the pictures.  I feel like I am there.  I can feel how big the trees are in Muir Woods, great pictures of the Golden Gate, and the pictures on the cable cars, and China Town, just great.  Keep it coming.

[hobo1937]

Great photos. We lived in the SF Bay Area from 1973-93. Brings back some wonderful memories.

[Drews_Cruise]

Super photos,  thanks for sharing

[SWACK]

Arriving in port was simple, and the lines moved easily. We had done 'proctored' covid tests at the airport, which we had ordered and brought with us. We simply connected to a website, and they watched us take the test and verified our results 15 minutes later. Our car rental was through Turo,  and we arranged to leave the car at a lot across from the port. We were checked several times for ID and new covid requirements as we went thought he process, and also got another test administered to us. We then waited for 15 minutes in defined groups until we could get our magic wristband that would give us final entrance. In all, it was less than 90 minutes from arrival at port until our first drink. 

Edited March 1, 2022 by SWACK

[SWACK]

We left the port on time, about 5pm, and did a fabulous sail under the Golden Gate and into the Pacific. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by SWACK

[SWACK]

After sailing under the Golden Gate, we were on our way, but over 18 hours later we were on our way back, to get closer for an emergency evac. Took us over 9 hours to get close enough for the helicopter, which had to refuel on the way there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by SWACK

[SWACK]

Overall, this maneuver took us a total of almost 18 hours to get back to the same position we were in and caused the captain to push the ship to the max to get into Honolulu on the proper day, 4 days later. 

[2 cruises a year]

37 minutes ago, SWACK said:

After sailing under the Golden Gate, we were on our way, but over 18 hours later we were on our way back, to get closer for an emergency evac. Took us over 9 hours to get close enough for the helicopter, which had to refuel on the way there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a story about the rescue.   Just another day at the office for these brave men and women. 

 

https://grizzly.shorthandstories.com/129th-rescue-wing-saves-cruise-ship-passenger-feb2022/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0l_yzIGgVG8YeMYoz8uQrIPXkIKjnQEM_zL0QAgvf22H_9KEsiCpz3VHw

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

Thanks for the helicopter Save story.  We were wondering what transpired.

Hope that 35 yr old man is doing much better.

 

Thanks SWACK for posting your review and terrific photos!

 

 

[AZjohn]

Thanks for taking us down your memory lane 🙂

As others have committed, great photos.

Also, thanks for your perspective on your 2 days in San Francisco. Living here I sometimes forget how first time impression are 🙂

Look forward to seeing more from your cruise!

 

Cheers,

John

[SWACK]

 

The 5 sea days in transit were interesting. We were going in excess of 22 knots, and it was quite windy on deck, and overcast in the mid 50's, so we spent much time below deck. 

 

The ship was about 2/3rd's full, but still not too many lines. The demographics were interesting as well. I knew they tended towards the older crowd, but this ship, with 15 days in the middle of the year, had no children, and the average age had to be 70+ . As a 65 year old, I felt young in this group.

 

The entertainment  was geared older as well, and left me wishing for much more. There were 2 stage shows, 4 nights of comedy, and in the 15 days the rest of the big stage entertainment was instrumental soloists, or with the very good house band. In fact, the  vast majority of the entertainment was music-based. The small staff did a fantastic job of adapting games and show to the  crowds and covid restrictions, but they were stretched thin, and there were many times when there was nothing to do that did not involve listening to a musician or art auction-type revenue generators. 

 

We did participate in two of the smaller groups. My wife and I attended 6 different Ukulele lessons, where they provided the Ukes. And we also both made Leis, all for free after signing up on the 2nd day. 

Edited March 3, 2022 by SWACK

[SWACK]

6  days in, we arrived in Hawaii. Because of the  delay, we arrived late into Oahu. Luckily we knew ahead of time, and I was able to log into the NPS page at exactly 3pm the day before and get new tickets for Pearl Harbor at the new time. There were tons of people in the wait-list line, and I hear later that many from the ship did not make it. I also was in contact with my Turo owner, and was able to adjust the car rental as well. I would have not been able to do either if I did not sign up for the internet package. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2022 by SWACK