Nickoli G

You absolutely will not be disappointed we were on the Ruby in January and it was by far the best meal experience we have had in a long time. We booked only one specialty restaurant early on the first day but could have canceled it and it would have. Even alright with me. You will love it!

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I did not say it was a free "perk" it is a nice benefit of the CC upgrade. Is that better? I agree with you 100% on the so called Anytime Dinning. But that is what we want and CC gives that to you so yes it does cost more for me it's worth it!

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Yes, my comments aren't yet supported by actual experience but I'm sure the day will come shortly.

The lines were long for AT dining way before CC came around. Which is why I hated it. If you don't call early enough to make a reservation your relegated to waiting in line, plan and simple. This perk is by far in my opinion one of the best there is on Princess.

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I'm not clear on whether or not CC uses their separate MDR area for breakfast and lunch also, or do they mix with the other passengers in the regular dining areas for those meals? If so, do they have to wait if there is a line, or do they have walk-in privileges as at dinner?

It becomes a good habit because you can usually even sit at the same table with the same waiter and staff.

Any comments on the additional menu items for dinner? Also, anything else that you can let us know would be much appreciated.

Thank you very much;

The menu is the same with the exception of one or two additional items each night cooked in the center of the CC dinning area. For example last night had Strip Steak he cooked a delicious Diablo dressing for the Steak. He usually did a couple night a from scratch Ceaser Salad which were also fantastic. If your Platnum or above not to much difference with the exception of the canapés you can order each night a nice touch.

Why would you not do anytime Club Class dinning? You can go at anytime and have additional menu items!

??????????

We just returned from the Ruby and Mexican cruise. We had the CC mini suite and absolutely loved the CC dinning option a true anytime dinning experience. We had the same wait staff during each meal!

Ask any questions I will try and answer them. By the way no ropes like I read in earlier threads. Is a separate entrance and hostess how learns your name by the 2nd night and different color table cloths that's about it on separation.

When I booked my room I booked direct thru the hotel website and was able to choose a bridge view room either lower or upper floor. There were also intracostal, marina view and pool view options. Each view option had a different price depending on the location.

I don't think other websites show these exact options when booking. I remember seeing pool view and marina view, but not specifically bridge view.

Go for the bridge view if you can and the higher the better if your comfortable with that. You'll have a cool view of the draw bridge and some fancy yachts to see in the intracoastal water way and a view of your ship at the dock. On a side note I think this was mentioned in an earlier post, but find the time if you have it to take the water taxi a lot of hop-on hop-off options and good info about the landscape and area info. Enjoy your cruise.

We did in Jan last year nice place. Very convenient for cruisers. There are a couple of good restaurants right down the street from the Hilton one right on the water 15th Street Fisheries. Which is literally right next door unfortunately there is a water way in between. You can take the water taxi which is to the left right out the front door of the hotel. Hop on hop off. Then it's a little bit of a hike about 4 blocks but if your driving it's very close is Kelly's Landing New England Seafood. Enjoy!

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We have a CC mini booked. We booked when Princess was on the very ground floor of the roll out. We wanted to book a MA gty- but for just a little bit more (less than $150 for the two of us), we snagged a mini with the largest bump out balcony.

 

Our reason for booking a MA gty? We have a better shot at being offered an upsell to a full suite. If we don't get the upsell call- we are really happy in a mid-ship mini. The whole CC deal was completely secondary to us.

I agree a little with Some of the comments on the impact of the CC on the ship experience and disagree with some others. All I can add is we sailed on the Island Princes in January 2016 to Panama, it was our first cruise in about 5 years and was our first time with ATD option and it was a horrable experience, lines a mile long stretching back to the Cigar lounge. So unless that was an anomaly and only an issue with that MDR staff I don't know, but after reading a lot of comments about ATD and the waits I think it has been an issue for a while. To me if you can afford the upgrade to CC then go for it and everyone else will have to work around the change. Every time a line makes a change be it cabin arrangement or major remodel something is taken away. They can't add on more ship like you can on a house remodel. I guerantee when they but in the Sanctuary someone lost something, an aft pool or just an open lounge area. Or when the first specialty restaurant opened someone lost a set in a lounge or casino table or machine. So it is what it is and roll with it. There are a lot of choises out there pick another line or choose a traditional dinner time and just stick to it. So everyone just grab another specialty drink because you baught the all inclusive drink package and relax...... your on a cruise ship!

When I was on Royal, about 20% of the traditional dining

room was not even set up for second seating.

 

These people were not crashing anytime dining.

They had not signed up for traditional, and anytime is where

they rightfully belonged.

Point taken.

Very valid points.

 

Problem I see with the Club Class Mini is it really doesn't offer anything of value to justify the additional expense. There is no "wow" or point of difference in this proposed class, especially when you compare it to some of the other lines.

 

Roped off section in the MDR? Maybe okay if they offered a different menu.

The whole problem with the ATD is it should be just for the guests that chose it. If you chose early then you should eat early or the buffet, a specialty restaurant. Same for the late dinner. But you have way to many people changing their minds and then the lines for the ATD is 45 mins. I am looking forward to our January CC trip! If for no other reason then this issue. I will try and give some good feed back during our after our Ruby trip stating January 21st.

We are set to sail on the Ruby with Club Class on Jan 21 so looking forward to get some first hand experience with the new class and the looks and jeers from fellow non Club Class passengers. I will try and give a detailed review when we return.