Ruby 03/21/09 - 03/28/09 Cruise report

[sartracker]

Slowly coming back to reality and posting some pics. Will do more tomorrow as well as a cruise report. :)

 

I will say in advance that we had a wonderful time and had only a few minor issues.

 

More tomorrow! :D

 

Pics can be found here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/570761857wueUqz

[JWJs]

Thanks for the link to your Ruby cruise pictures. Looking forward to your report.

[MadamePrez]

Hi -

 

Thanks for the pictures. I'm looking forward to your report! My mother and I are leaving on 4/11/09 on the Ruby. I can't wait!

 

Cat

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for sharing your pictures:)

[sartracker]

Finally my cruise report for the Ruby Princess, 03/21/09 – 03/28/09

 

We arrived in FLL on March 20th. We stayed at the Embassy Suites near a Publix and the Total Wine store and with a late check out met the free hotel shuttle bus at Noon on the 21st. After arriving at the pier the porters quickly lined up our luggage and we were herded through the check in process. It was very quick and painless and by 12:45 pm we were in our new home for the week, Dolphin 405. Jamie our steward was very helpful and we never wanted for anything. He is very quiet but pleasant to speak with and I enjoyed his tremendous care for us during our time aboard. By 3:30 all of our luggage had arrived and we commenced to stroll around the ship, eating our first meal in the Horizon Court. Muster happened at 4:30 and was quick and painless. We especially got a kick on how to abandon ship if necessary; life jacket on, hold your nose, cross your other arm over your chest and walk straight off the ship into the water, do not jump. Hah! I’d probably need a shove!

 

Because it was raining in FLL the Sailaway Party was held in Club Fusion and went on for several hours as we were waiting for a delayed flight that had around 10 passengers on it. Normally the ship wouldn’t wait but because the flight was booked through Princess, they held the ship for them. We did the Electric Slide, the Cuban Shuffle, some line dances, a Congo line that snake it’s way around the room and just some good old jumping around pretending my body was still young. Owie! I was reminded that I’m not a spring chicken about 3 hours later. Tickets were given to those who were dancing and free gifts such as spa credit were given away. The Coast Guard boat entertained many of us by speeding around and doing wheelies around the buoy. It was fun to watch but would have been more exciting to be on their boat with them.

 

We finally pulled away around 6:30 pm and partied on. Although the rain continued off and on for most of the evening, we had pizza on the Lido deck under the bit of cover along the sides of the deck. After more exploring we headed back to our cabin to unpack and get settled in. I signed up for the 250 minute Internet plan and received 30 minutes of free time. Used my laptop in my cabin and never had any problems. Later in the week, I was starting to run out of minutes so I added another 100 minutes and received 20 more minutes of free time. Make sure to log out though or you’ll pay dearly!

 

The mini-suite was worth the extra money, the egg crates on the bed were very comfortable and the only valid reason I could see for not having a partially covered balcony was the rain. But that soon ended and as far as I could tell, no one bothered to look down on our balcony during our trip. I did chat with the woman next door one morning as we were watching a man overboard drill the morning we were at Cozumel. That was interesting and on the 5th practice, the dummy was snagged, pulled through a ladder device rolled into the water from the little boat and rolled onto the boat in 35 seconds. That doesn’t account for the boat being lowered into the water or the fact that the dummy had a floatation device on but it was still good to know that given the perfect scenario - someone seen going overboard, a floatation device thrown to them and the boat quickly lowered into the water, a rescue with a good outcome was possible.

 

There was no noise from outside our cabin with the exception being as people returned from the excursions, still excited and talking. Never heard a tender or any other machinery being used. We had room service breakfast every morning and complimentary fruit every afternoon. Beds were turned down, chocolate left on the pillows and ice in the bucket. Jamie always checked with us before going on his break to make sure we didn’t have any immediate needs and there was someone else available if necessary. The elevators were always busy so we used the stairs quite a bit. But, after walking up to the Lido deck once we were convinced us that elevators going up to the higher decks were a good thing!

 

The 2nd day we had our Roll Call Meet and Greet in Adagio’s Bar. We had 3 officers attend and enjoyed meeting them as well as the other cruisers. I’ve posted our M&G pictures in the link on this post, if you were there, please comment and try to give me your position in the pic along with the name. Faces I’ll remember forever, names for about 30 minutes. We ate lunch in the Wheelhouse and enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the Crown Grill with Dorothy and Joe. Captain Draper was sitting near us with some of the other officers and sent limoncello to our table. Yummy! A wonderful experience!

 

Ochos Rios was my favorite stop and the shore excursions were worth every penny. We swam and danced with dolphins then climbed our way up the Dunns River Falls. We did buy the DVD’s of both activities because a picture wouldn’t do them justice. There were a few pushy people selling things but saying, “No, thank you” did the trick. I’m sorry this port will not be a stop any longer as it was lots of fun. Our favorite Margaritaville was also in Ochos Rios although we managed to visit the others at the next 2 stops.

 

Dinner that evening was in Da Vinci and we asked for a table for two. We got it but it was next to another table for 2 separated by about 6 inches. We found out later that there aren’t really any tables for 2 but we met nice couples and the food was good. If you really want privacy try the specialty restaurants.

 

Grand Caymans was beautiful but crowded with 5 ships in port. We went to the Sea Turtle Farm and enjoyed the different pools of turtles. Hell was not much, but I did mail postcards to family and friends. After sampling the Tortuga rum and rum cakes and purchasing some to take home (It was deliver to our cabin on Friday) we hit another Margaritaville and then returned to lounge by the pool.

 

We had planned to do the Tulum excursion but it was a long day of boat rides, bus rides and walking so we cancelled that early on and decided to explore Cozumel on our own. We met a nice couple during the “3 mile” walk to downtown. Beware, it’s much longer than 3 miles, take a cab! We shopped and enjoyed yet another Margaritaville, then back to the ship for another late afternoon of lounging in the sun.

 

The next day we were at sea and enjoyed reading and relaxing. I walked the “On the Deck for a Cure”, we played Majority Rules, watched the Battle of the Sexes (a swimming pool relay) and then dressed for the 2nd Formal night. We had pictures taken and although they are pricey, having a nice formal portrait of the two of us was worth it.

 

Princess Cays was beautiful and relaxing. The water wasn’t very warm but after sitting in the sun for a while it felt nice. The buffet was hamburgers and hot dogs and while not fancy tasted great! The clamshell was worth it and it’s possible to pull the back up off the ground a bit to let air through if you need to. The aqua chairs were an adventure but we didn’t last very long in them, as you had to paddle with your arms to not be swept past the ropes. There are lifeguards in most of the swimming/water sports area. You really only needed your Cruise Card for store purchases but a little cash for tipping the person setting up your clamshell or for buying things from local vendors was needed. I saw the colorful Bungalows but didn’t go inside. The Clamshell was comfortable for 2 and a pretty safe place to leave our bags while we swam and ate.

 

The last night we enjoyed dinner again with Dorothy and Joe at Sabatini’s. Wonderful selection of food but alas I had no room for dessert. The Captain and his party were at dinner as well. I think they were following us!

 

Then it was back to pack or at least try to get everything back into the suitcases we brought. Thank goodness for an empty duffle. We had breakfast in The Da Vinci Dining room then returned for the last time to our cabin to pick up our carryon luggage. We met at 8:10 in the Michelangelo Dining room to await our color and number being called then we were off, through customs and at the airport. We easily made our 2:30 pm flight.

 

All in all a wonderful cruise!

 

My least favorite thing was the constant push to buy, buy and buy! Jewelry of all sorts was constantly raved about and there were many stores at each port guaranteed to sell authentic stones. I don’t know about you but I went on this cruise to relax with my spouse and not spend every last penny I have buying jewelry. I think there were more advertisements for jewelry than Princess Patters! Granted, if you did want to buy jewelry it would be nice to know the best stores, but the stores that were guaranteed by Princess paid to be advertised and I don’t like being pushed or rushed on my vacation.

 

My favorite on ship pastime was the Casino. I played Golden Monkey, a penny slot machine and won $500 on the first night. Woohoo! Didn’t have any problem watching what I was taking out on the cruise card and cashed out all big wins each night. The very last night there were constant reminders to get your money (it’s paid out in cash) if you had any left before the casino closed because it would not transfer to your cruise card. As one casino host told me, the cruise card works to take money out but has a little secret account on it for your casino credit. Made sense to me and I enjoyed playing on their money and bringing most of it home.

 

Absolute essentials – A travel alarm clock (we reset the time at least 4 times). Comfortable shoes (even for formal nights, a comfortable dressy shoe will help you last through the evening), some type of jacket (sweatshirt or hoodie) and a nice shawl or sweater for dressy clothes and most importantly a good attitude. You will have times you have to wait, although we never waited more than 30 minutes for anything. Enjoy the pools, Jacuzzi’s, the Spa if you like spas, they had lots of specials for days we were in port. Eat what you like, leave what you don’t. Try the Scholarship at Sea programs or the golf simulators. Go to the outlet like sale on the last at sea day, lots of fun things for around $10. If all you want to do is sit someplace quiet and read, do it! There are plenty of private places. The coke sticker came with a nice unbreakable cup with a lid although you didn’t need that to get a coke. Try everything you want at least once, you won’t regret it.

 

Really watch the bar tab, it adds up, but make sure to have a Dirty Banana (or 2-3) it was my favorite drink and I’m sure the banana made it very healthy! Go to the purser’s desk early on the last night to check your bill for mistakes or overcharges and check the special last minute deals being offered on pictures, souvenirs and that sort of thing.

 

I’ve posted lots of pictures, mostly things that interested me. I hope you enjoy them. We came home with the directory for the coming year’s cruises and hope to be able to enjoy another one before too long. Please feel free to ask any questions and if I can I will answer them.

 

Pictures are at: http://travel.webshots.com/album/570761857wueUqz

 

Happy Sailing! :)

[DEERINH2O]

Sartracker,

 

Loved your report. Your pictures were great! Looks like you had fun. I am so excited to go on the 11th.

How was the weather? Looks like the water was a bit choppy?

Did you need a sweater at night?

 

Sorry for the questions. Thanks again.

 

Kathy

[dmpuszcz]

Thank you very much for your review. I enjoyed it very much.

[Tak8]

Thanks for the review and posting photos. It's great to hear good things about the Ruby.

[Sailor Gal]

Just booked Ruby for Nov. Loved your pics - especially those of the atrium-beautiful! THX

[sartracker]

Thanks everyone! :)

 

Kathy, a sweater was a must have, sometimes even the days were a little chilly when the wind blew.

The waters were a little choppy the first 2 days but not so noticeable that you couldn't walk around. Being out on the deck in the open you noticed it much more. The gentle swaying of the ship during the night was a little like being rocked to sleep, but it never kept us awake.

 

The atrium is beautiful but I couldn't figure out how to get a picture of it all at once. There were coaches to sit on and listen to piano or violin music while drinking coffee or tea. There were occasional Piazza shows but the only one I came across was the Bar Wars, which showed the process of making the most popular drinks. :D

[rdsqrl]

Thanks for the review, I enjoyed reading it. Glad you had a good time and good luck picking out your next cruise!

[dsawyer]

I loved your review and pics, especially the one of Jay kissing the dolphin.

 

It was great meeting you guys and we enjoyed our time with you.

 

Let's keep in touch.

 

Dorothy

[dsawyer]

Email me at dsawyer22 at verizon dot net. Thanks

[mickeysgal]

That atrium! Holy cow - simply beautiful! Now I really want to get my booking together for the Ruby next year.