Ruby Princess photo review Jan 13 to 20,2013

[Bimmer09]

We had sailed from St Thomas at 4pm which was way too soon for me. We were sailing to Grand Turk which I notice is not on the port list next year.

 

Carol had mapped out our evening as she reads the Princess Patter cover to cover and highlights events of interest. If any whiner ever claims there is "nothing to do" on a Princess Ship-ask to see some ID and then call the police and have them locked up. There's often too much going on and you can feel you missed a lot just by doing the basics-eating, drinking, napping, wandering on deck, watching a movie, listening to a band etc. Even on the last day there were rooms I hadn't spent more than 5 minutes in and I was seeing crew members I hadn't seen all week. These ships are huge and people are always coming and going. There's always something happening in the Piazza and I am sure some folks camp out there for hours, sustained by trips to the International Cafe or Vines (never set foot in it and I have been on two ships that feature it). Still-there's always NEXT time....

 

So Thursday being the 2nd Formal Night there were the usual photographers and backdrops to dodge. We were dressed up. I had cancelled a booking in the Crown Grill (which is excellent) in favor of the MDR as we had the fancy duds on and fit right into the elegant surroundings of the Michelangelo. Usual table and warm welcome from the hostess Jelena and Vitor, Head Waiter-who, like several of the staff I spoke to, is going to the Royal Princess in May to get acquainted with his new tub, er, vessel.

 

Food, as always was finger-licking good and the wine flowed. Micheal and Natalia were there to serve us impeccably and keep us amused and be amused in return, once I got a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio in me.

 

We dined early so we could see a comedy show in Explorer's Lounge. It was the Scottish pianist we had admired in Crooners earlier in the week, but tonight he was mainly about the comedy with some indulgent piano thrown in. He had the room in the palm of his hand early on and both Carol and I were in tears until our faces hurt. Go see him if you can.

 

We like karaoke and later went to Club Fusion for Princess Pop Star which is a K competition. Carol usually joins the Princess Pop Choir on our trips but I talked her out of it this time so she could join me on an Ultimate Ship Tour on the last sea day (Saturday). It involves a lot of rehearsal that can eat into one's time. She was in a Choir of 35 or so on the Crown but only 7 on the Diamond.

 

Bedtime always found us out on the balcony watching the wake in the darkness and eating canapés, drinking beer from the mini-bar.

 

Next up are some morning ship photos then a semi-submersible sub adventure in Grand Turk...

[Bimmer09]

I would start each morning with coffee from the Horizon Court buffet and enjoy the peace of the aft deck....

 



 



 



 



 

[Bimmer09]

On MUTS they were playing some clips from Princess.Com on the new Royal Princess. This face is Teresa Anderson who designs Princess interiors (including the Ruby).

 



 

The fountains outside Sabatini's and you can see some coffee pots laid out for passengers.

 



 

Breakfast at Sabatini's and I walked in with my camcorder running to capture the warm and witty welcome we had each morning from Paul (the host, from Italy). Always good banter if you are up for a laugh which I always am.

I ordered corned beef hash from the buffet or MDR....doesn't matter where because in Sabatini's you ask for it and they go get it , wherever it is.

 

Captain Foster came in and sat down with the people at the next table and he was bright eyed and bushy tailed (maybe some squirrels in his family tree)

which is how you want your Captains to be as opposed to hung-over or "wasted"

 

Grand Turk ahoy!!

[keylimepie]

Loving your review! Thank you!

[Cupcrazy]

Fantastic review! Can't wait for more

[Bimmer09]

 

The Carnival Glory was already berthed and their passengers adorning the beach which is right by the pier.

 



 



 

[Bimmer09]

We were up by the Tradewinds Bar enjoying lunch from the Trident Grill.

There was a live Tom Jones show on the Glory's movie screen which we could hear clearly enough to enjoy. I noticed that the Carnival balconies have a door on hinges which opens outwards, meaning that you have to give up some balcony space for the door to open. Design genius!! The decking was wood however.

 

 



 

 

I was standing on the roof of the bridge now to get some different angles.

 



 

[Bimmer09]

Our sub excursion wasn't until (I think) 2.30 so we didn't have to rush off the ship.

 

We met up in the International Cafe around 1.30 for a light snack and some cappuccino and looking outside noticed it was raining and people were exciting the ship wearing plastic rain hats and had umbrellas. It didn't last long and most puddles had evaporated by the time we walked down the gangway.

We always managed to avoid the ship's photographers on the pier. In Alaska they are usually indoors by the security scanners and as they are dressed up in Alaskan outfits the photos are fun.

 

On the pier

 



 



 

 

On shore you enter into Grand Turk through a Duty-Free shop (Genius!) and out the other side to a modern plaza ringed by more shops. It's a cruise-ship destination, built for that sole purpose. We lined up for our tour. 26 people,some of whom were late arriving as they were shopping.

We were escorted by one of the sub crew to a small jetty to board a fast boat to take us a few miles down the coast to where the sub was anchored.

 

 

The boat pulled alongside the sub and as there was some bobbing the crew members helped each person onto the sub and also down the steep ladder below decks where on each side there were big windows for viewing. Benches ran down the center with 13 people on each side. The sub was "semi submersible" which means that the top of it was always above water and the viewing cabin always below.

 

Without big lights (think Jacques Cousteau) much of what you see is monotone blue/grey and fish are shadowy shapes until they come closer. We would be underwater for about 45 minutes and at first I thought we weren't going to see many fish clearly.

 

 



 



 



 

One of the crew up on deck had meanwhile donned SCUBA gear and was now in the water with some fish food....

 

[Bimmer09]

 



 

 

The crew were witty and fun but very safety conscious and helpful and I recommend this excursion. I heavily edited the photos as I took maybe 25 shots and of course was also using the video camera.

 

Back to shore, sitting on the bow with the warm wind on my hair and the bow-spray in my happy face at times, I was able to get great video shots of the Ruby from low down in the water as we passed her on the way to the small jetty.

[Bimmer09]

Made me smile...a whale breaching on the beach.

 



 



 

 

 

 

A tribute to Grand Turk's small role in the amazing history of the U.S. Space Program, something that has always excited me. Kudos to everyone who has ever worked at NASA or were responsible for the massive funding needed to make it happen.

[Ti2m]

I didn't stay for the whole show as I was tired and in need of some "fresh air" (euphemism for cigarette in my vocabulary) ....

 

Can you tell me where you can smoke on the Ruby besides the Casino and Cigar Lounge? Are there any bar areas where you can have a drink and a cigarette?

 

We are enjoying your review. We sail on the Ruby on Sunday.

 

Thanks ... Timm

[Bimmer09]

You can smoke on Promenade deck Starboard. You'll see a couple of tiny ashtrays on the walls there by a couple of the exits.

 

You can smoke on the deck outside Adagio/Sabatini's (either side but ashtrays are on port)

 

If you want a drink with an ashtray nearby then port side of the Tradewinds bar is the place. The seats never got cold on the Ruby. There were many French Canadians sharing the space with me and it was a good opportunity to brush up on my French.

 

Hope this helps.

 

BTW...cigarettes are $22 a carton at the Duty-Free shop on the pier at St Maarten. $28 on the ship which is still a good price. On the ship they will hold them until the last day.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

"En route to Ft. Lauderdale".....chills the blood as it means your cruise is soon going to end. (Sigh)

 

A last look at the beach before boarding...

 



 

We were leaving at 7pm after 7 hours at the pier. We had done all our shopping- a fridge magnet, which we buy at each port as a momento. We got one of the Ruby too during our only visit to the ship's shops.

 

Here is a flower, one of many, that was just growing put of the bushes at the port. I just wanted to share it's beauty.

 



 

[Bimmer09]

I sat up by the Tradewinds bar until the sun went down and we set sail in the dark. My Canadian friends were there celebrating a 50th Birthday and telling me how much they enjoyed their first-ever cruise. They were in a competitive race with me on the Clean-Sweep bar tab cards. I would enter 5 in the drawing but neither of us won. They had eaten at the Crown Grill on my recommendation and raved about the experience. Tonight they were eating at the buffet as they like the casual atmosphere and didn't want to dress for dinner.

 

On the previous night- Formal Night- we had an invitation to the Captain's Cocktail party but once we saw the lines to get into Club Fusion we nixed that idea and went to the Piazza to watch the incredible act I had mentioned many pages ago...Ludo and Luci...he is a man who earns his living balancing odd and dangerous objects on various parts of his head. Luci hands him things like bicycles, swords, balloons and champagne bottles. They always draw a crowd and are worthy of your time. I took video of their act, rather than photographs.

 

We were back in Michelangelo at our usual table (we call each morning to reserve even though we are Anytime Diners). Our dinner times that week ranged from 7 pm to 9.30 pm.

 

I ordered something I have had on each Princess ship- a trio featuring pork, lamb and chicken. Of course I began with soup -a wild mushroom- and a couple of baskets of the fantastic dinner rolls. Princess knows baking!

 

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

As usual I was up early and out and about with my camera.

..

 

 

It had been raining just before I got on deck.

 



 



 

Getting Tradewinds ready for me later....

 

[Bimmer09]

I had left my tripod at home-maybe for obvious reasons...

 



 

There were two events on my calendar for today (besides eating). One was the Ultimate Ship Tour which would begin at the Princess Theater at 1.30 p.m. and the other would be the International Crew Show in that theater around 10 p.m.

 

Somewhere between those two I would have to pack....

 



 

 

I had met two charming ladies as we waited to board in Ft. Lauderdale but had never bumped into them on the cruise- the ship is that big. There are many rooms that I have mentioned in passing and now is their time to be seen...

[Bimmer09]

 



 

Art.

 



 

[Pam in CA]

Norris, great review and cleverly written. :) Love the photos.

 

BTW, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you have a marvelous celebration with Carol.

[CanadaDeb]

Thank you so much for taking the time to review this for us...and in such a clever way! So enjoying it!

[MGnut]

More (and even more than that) pictures to come, if not tonight then tomorrow.

 

Glad you are enjoying them. Some sailaway pictures at dusk coming up.

 

Then St Thomas-submarine excursion plus tramway ride and panoramic scenery. Some unbelievable tropical gardens and who knows what else.

 

Lots of Ruby shots!

 

Norris

 

Bimmer (Norris), thanks so much for this thread. We haven't got a Royal cruise booked yet, but hope to in the next year or so. I'm loving your pictures and commentary.

 

Howard

[Bimmer09]

Thanks to all for the nice supportive comments. Many nice interior shots still to

come and then some photos from the Ultimate Ship Tour which were taken by one of the ship's photographers (so don't blame me if they are a tad out of focus).

 

Work and Birthday celebrations are keeping me away from my task but there's light at the end of the tunnel (possibly an oncoming train....)

 

Thanks again!

 

Norris

[rjyusep]

Really loved this review with all the pictures, we will be sailing on Ruby March 17. First time with Princess, looks awesome. Can't wait to see for real what we enjoyed in your pictures

 

Rick

Edited February 21, 2013 by rjyusep

[BCC]

Great Review!! I really enjoyed reading it and looked forward to what was coming next. I like that there is still more to come. We are on the Ruby on March 17. This was a great pre cruise - Trip. Chris

[cruisergirl79]

Thank you for the great review and pictures, I can't wait to do this itinerary on the Crown next January :D

[BobfromNY]

We just got back (February 17th) from our first cruise on Princess, on the Ruby Princess, after many cruises on Holland America. Your review made me want to book our next cruise as soon as possible. You brought back so many wonderful memories of our week on the Ruby Princess...thank you so much for such a detailed account.