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LIVE from the RUBY PRINCESS Jan. 13-23, 2014

Pia1913

By Pia1913,
in Princess Cruises

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Carolyn R

Carolyn R

Posted
Posted
Liz, no. No free specialty dinner on cruises less than 6 days. Already asked. My friend is on a short cruise now out of San Pedro, and the Calif. folks in suites get it.

Bhopal: you are always looking for escargot. :D

 

The policy must have changed or not be uniform across the fleet with all the shorter cruises being offered. When I was on the 4-day "Sandy" cruise in 2012 in my first ever suite we ate in Sabatini's the first night. Not a big deal for you I know. Chicken and broccoli are not the usual specialty dining offerings. Haha! As usual, I will be following along. Say hi to Mike.

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riclop

riclop

Posted
Posted
Welcome aboard the Ruby Princess as we begin our short 5 day Eastern Caribbean cruise, which will be followed by another short 5 day Western Caribbean cruise. It seems like only yesterday that we were on this ship. :) Hey, it was almost yesterday. ;) We got off on December 26th. Boarding was quick and easy; pier 2 and in our cabin by 11:40. And what a cabin this is. Since this cruise is a promotional one wherein we get all our money back, we happily grabbed a PH suite. Let me tell you, I could learn to live this way. But not having unlimited $$$, we will be very happy in the future with our usual balcony and/or obstructed view cabin. In fact, we need to move after these first five days.

 

 

 

 

For those who are interested in the wine situation, I carried on 2 bottles in my wheelie and one more in my big purse. They asked after xray screening how many bottles I had in my wheelie and I told them two. They didn’t ask about my purse and I didn’t offer info. Then they told me to go over to the table to officially tell about my wine. I didn’t.

 

 

　

Ship’s Officers

Commodore Giuseppe Romano

Staff Capt. Tony Ruggero

Hotel Mgr Guenther Kopf

CD Lee Childers

Maitre D’ Nicola Furlan

Customer Services Jeanine Whitehouse

 

 

We’re about ready to do muster, and I wanted to get this started ASAP.

　

　

　

Other than the usual Welcome Aboard Show, tonight’s entertainment is The Wolverine on MUTS. Nothing going on in Fusion except Bingo. Craig Andrews is in Crooners, Icon is in Explorers and G & V Duo in Wheelhouse.

 

 

Nothing else to report. Later

You live some life. Congrats.

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geoherb "Live from...." Rare

geoherb

Posted
Posted

Have a great cruise, Pia! I'm jealous that I couldn't work it out to go again without Sam. (He's teaching.)

 

We had escargot on the second leg of our back-to-back Ruby cruises in December. We were on the first cruise with Pia, and then stayed on for another.

 

Bhopal: Just check with your head waiter to see if escargot will be on the menu. Even if it's not going to be, you'll probably be able to get it. We were on the Emerald several years ago (right after escargot disappeared from the regular menus for a while). When I mentioned this to one of our tablemates, she was very disappointed. But our head waiter made sure she got some--along with the rest of us at the table.

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5326jan

5326jan

Posted
Posted

Wow!!! A suite!! That's awesome!

 

I take it Mike won't have to hunt down polo shirts for this cruise, since you've done it so many times! ;)

 

Have a great cruise and thanks for doing the live. :)

 

 

** I'm glad Wehwalt was rescued! He's on our roll call for Midnight Sun and I'm looking forward to meeting him!

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PhoneGoddess

PhoneGoddess

Posted
Posted
I am interested to know if they will have escargot on the menu one evening.

 

We will be doing a b2b also on the Ruby beginning 2/1

 

Mike:)

 

Just got off the 4 day cruise on the Ruby and yes, they had escargot one night in the dining room. My mother said that is was fantastic. Enjoy! :)

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westendgirl

westendgirl

Posted
Posted

You are starting 2014 with bang in your PH suite. You will absolutely be spoiled. Enjoy your BTB's. Maybe we will cross paths next week when we're on the Emerald. Bon Voyage! PS Wasn't the person stuck out on their balcony one of your trivia buddies? Was amazed at the support from the CC family.

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Pia1913

Pia1913

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Good Tuesday morning as we approach Princess Cays. On our last Ruby cruise we pushed our clocks forward the first night before this port. Last night we didn’t. I don’t understand why it happens on one cruise and not on the other. DST doesn’t enter into it since the other cruise was Dec. 22nd. Temp. today is supposed to be in the hi 70’s and sunny.

　

We had dinner in HC last night and then went to the early Welcome Aboard Show. Don’t know why I subject myself to these repeat performances, but Mike wanted to go. He regretted it. And the comedian who I thought was funny the first time I saw him (Phil Tag) is now very very stale. His act remains the same. Afterwards we popped into the casino for a very short time. It was hard to breath in there; very crowded and very smoky. Reading in my cabin is always good.

　

　

,

So what’s happening today? I assume the majority of passengers will be tendering to the Cays and we will have a quiet day on board. We don’t do beach, as I‘ve mentioned before.. Not very much going on, but that’s fine with us. There is a MUTS movie The Princess Bride at 10:00, and trivia at 11:15. Otherwise nothing in the morning except acupuncture intro and trying to find out how to look ten years younger. :rolleyes:

　

In the afternoon there are two movies; Fever Pitch on MUTS and Wolverine in the theater and assorted spa “remedies” to ultimately have you buy their wonder products.

Tonight will feature a male vocalist in the theater, The Way Way Back on MUTS (three showings) and dancing to Icon in Club Fusion. Jan Gulbicki will be playing in Crooners early and Guitarist Toby Reilly takes over in there at 9:30. G&V Duo are in the

Wheelhouse and Atomic Party Band are in Explorer’s.

　

I’m certain our dinner tonight will be Café Caribe; it’s Bavarian night. My favorite. Red cabbage and spaetzle. Yum. I also have to find out about DVD’s, and how to get them. Perhaps that’s what we’ll do tonight; watch a movie ensuite. This time when I say “ensuite” I’m really meaning it.

Responses:

1. As for Wehwalt and his balcony last night, when I read CC it wasn’t until 10 PM and he had already been rescued. I called him, but no answer, so assume he’s fine. I don’t know him, but certain we will meet eventually.

　

2. Most traveled: no info yet, but I heard there will be a cocktail party for the top 40; no lunch. I know we all prefer the lunch. CC hostess will not commit until all her ducks are in a row. I do know we are not number one.

　

Just got back from the gym; just semi crowded. Lots of young people there. And me. :D Just tried to post this; internet is down. Will copy and paste when I can.

　

Trying again an hour or so later. Saw internet guy because computer kept going and minutes kept going and computer didn’t work. He gave me back minutes and said it was fine now. Will try to post and see if he’s correct.

Seas are rocky; announcement now tender ride will be choppy. We aren't going. Capt. had announced perhaps not stopping, but I guess he changed his mind.

Later gator

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Hlitner "Live from...." Rare

Hlitner

Posted
Posted

Just a story about your Captain (Romano). Quite a few years ago, when the Grand Princess was a very young ship (this happened in 98 or 99) Captain Romano has occasion to take the ship into Venice on the day of their "Festa del Redentore" which is a very popular Venice event (takes place every July) where there are amazing fireworks displays, boat parades, etc. The story on the ship was that Captain Romano was friendly with the, then, Mayor of Venice and he was able to obtain permission to dock the huge Grand Princess right along the Giudecca Canal only about 200 yards from St Marks Square (we blocked the view of the lagoon for many Venice residents...which did cause some issues in the local papers). He then helped arrange to bring a local symphony orchestra onboard, had the crew put a plywood stage over the aft pool, and as the fireworks went off over the Canal we had this large orchestra playing appropriate music (might have been Beethovan's 5th). It was probably the most memorable evening we have ever had on any cruise (and we have spent more then 3 1/2 years on cruise ships).

 

So, if you happen to meet the Captain and have a moment to chat (he is very approachable) you might mention that he made a big impression with what he pulled-off on that cruise.

 

Hank

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March Babe

March Babe

Posted
Posted
We'll be on the Ruby from the 18th to the 23rd. What kind of music does Icon play? My wife and I love to dance, mostly the Carolina Shag. Thanks and enjoy your trip.

 

Just noticed you are from Pawleys Island. We lived there 8 years and still visit several times a year. We lived in Heritage. Have fun on your cruise. We love the Ruby.

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Pia1913

Pia1913

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Just popping in with updated info which I know you were holding your breath waiting for. Hahaha ;)

1. Breakfast at Sabatini’s was nice. Best part for me was having two Americanos and not having to use punches on my coffee card. Otherwise my food choices remain the same wherever I am.

2. Captain Circle party is Friday night (casual) and wine tasting is Friday afternoon. I don’t know the stats yet, but we are number two.

3. We lost at Trivia. Twice. Wehwalt is on our team. He survived last night’s fiasco quite well.

4. International Café salads were those we were always used to having; Greek, marinated veggies, shrimp and chicken. However, chicken salad seems to have more pineapple than chicken.

5. We figured out how to get DVD’s and right now Mike is watching Guilt Trip; again. We have another movie for later tonight which we haven’t seen. “Sunshine Cleaning.”

6. Future cruise area is unbelievably overcrowded. They have a signup list which at 9:00 AM numbered more than 20. Leftover list for afternoon is more than that. I don’t need her but my friends do.

Regan: formal night is Wednesday and noise from above was running when we were going to bed. Didn't bother us; we slept well.

HanK: I've know Capt/Comm. Romano for years. If I get the chance I will mention it.

Hooley: Chances of my ever seeing Icon is nil.

Will be back when there’s something meaningful to report or even if there’s nothing to say. You know my fingers have a will of their own. Ciao.

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baronessk

baronessk

Posted
Posted

I come from the resort industry where it is fairly common practice to build a catwalk or stage over the pool and often wondered why I don't see that on cruise ships?? I would have LOVED to have been part of that cruise in Venice with the Orchestra. Comm. Romano IS very approachable! My fav. Happy cruising everyone!

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bronxgirl25

bronxgirl25

Posted
Posted

1. Two free Americanos sounds wonderful for you!! Glad you got it! :D

 

2. Yea, goodie for you on being #2!! :)

3. You know why you lost at Trivia? David and I and Neal and Sam aren't there!! :p

5. The movies are worth the price of the suite by itself! ;)

 

6. Is it the same Future Cruise girl? :(

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Croptop

Croptop

Posted
Posted

Pia,

 

Thank you for posting this live thread. And thank you for answering the various questions. My wife and I will be on the Ruby from 1-10 Feb (our first B2B -- even if it is a short one!) and your information has been invaluable.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

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bhopal21

bhopal21

Posted
Posted
Pia,

 

My wife and I will be on the Ruby from 1-10 Feb (our first B2B -- even if it is a short one!) and your information has been invaluable.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

 

 

You need to join our roll call for the B2B beginning 2/1

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1936833

 

Mike:)

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