Live from the Ruby - May 7, 2016 - 1-day Vancouver-Seattle

I hope I didn't bore too many people with my Live from the Crown in January... I'm doing it again for the quick 1-day on the Ruby.

Day 0:

It was a long day of travelling... Buffalo-Chicago-Denver-Seattle, then renting a car and driving to Vancouver. Yes, this is also a United flight segment trip as well as a cruise credit trip!

My ORD-DEN segment had an equipment change to a 767-300 which was nice, as I got a lie-flat seat in business. I slept the entire flight. It was very late leaving due to maintenance, but I was able to run the three gates over to my connection in DEN just as boarding was starting. Turns out it was a hurry-up-and-wait scenario, as this plane also had a maintenance issue and ended up being late too. At least I was on board both times and not standing at the gate.

I wanted a cheap place using either Hilton or Marriott points, so I'm at the Hampton Inn Vancouver Airport tonight. Will be driving to Canada Place in the morning, returning the car (very convenient!) and getting in line. Stay tuned for more tomorrow, and my usual overdose of photos!

Steve.

Also on this cruise. But I'm a 45 minute drive from Vancouver and 1.5 hours from Seattle. You flew a LONG way for a one day cruise. Going on the May 20th as well?

You sound like someone I understand completely!! Are you a point junkie and miles maniac like me? But what's the deal with so many flights? Are you doing a B2B after Vancouver??? One day is not enough.

Yes, doing the May 20 on the Crown as well. After this one docks in Seattle, I'm headed to San Fran to see the Blue Jays play the Giants on Monday night. Then it's back to work for a week and a half.

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Looking forward to pics.

Just landed in to YVR from YYZ... Tomorrow will drive back to YVR to fly home to YYZ.... What we do for cruise credits :-)

Looking forward to your live. We spent 10 days on the Ruby in March, and miss her already. You have great weather for this short cruise. Enjoy.

flyboy88, I'm only half an hour from YYZ, but I had a United flight credit, so I went from BUF.

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Beautiful morning in Vancouver!

Left the hotel around 9:15, and half an hour later I was at the port. Vancouver drivers are still SOOOO slow compared to Toronto. Tip for those returning cars: get in the right lane on Howe St which is signed for taxis. You must be in the lane to the right of the cones to turn into the garage. Stay left in the garage and go down to P2, then follow the return signs.

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Nice! I flew direct as work for an airline. All about points or credits. I'll be platinum after this one. Which was the point of a one day for us

We are already through security and in line at customs

Joined the queue for all ships at 10am. Security hasn't been opened yet. The Ruby's at East Berth and the Nieuw Amsterdam's at West Berth.

Security opened at 10:15, and the line is moving quickly.

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Through Security in about 15 minutes. US CBP is pre-cleared in Vancouver before checking in. And good news: they take NEXUS cards, although there isn't a separate line. Customs took about 20 minutes. There was no wait at all for the Preferred check-in, and I'm seated in the Preferred boarding area with about 30 people ahead of me.

The usual snacks are available.

I can see her! Excited to board!

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On board at 11:45. Dropped off bag in my cabin. I'm by myself, and it's one night, so just in an inside.

It's nice having the ship almost to myself!

First stop, Crooners! (Of course!)

They are NOT selling the AIBP on board. [emoji45]

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Here's the Patter for those interested:

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Thanks!

We'll be boarding on May 15 th for our fifth cruise on the Ruby. Your pictures have made us even more excited for our cruise.

Lunch in the MDR...

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Princess now serves butter to you in the MDR instead of having it on the table, purely as a cost-saving measure, according to the waiter, so there's less waste.

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Thanks for the Patters. The Captain is the same from our March cruise, but for the most part it's a bunch of new names.

Here is the chicken, the salmon, and my beef tenderloin. As those who've followed my last Live From will know, you won't see any veggies on my plate...

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I love sailing out of Vancouver. The weather today couldn't be more beautiful.

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Ok, time for second lunch. The Princess Pizza is sooooooo good!

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Margarita time by the pool!

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It's sad when you get the Disembarkation Notice a couple of hours after boarding!

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Platinum and Elite Reception tonight, and a free drink voucher.

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