Ruby Princess E. Caribbean photo and video review

[rianvi]

Thank you for taking the time to do this. Well Done!

Anna:)

[Bimmer09]

[quote name='rianvi']Thank you for taking the time to do this. Well Done!

Anna:)[/QUOTE]

Thanks Anna!

Welcome to the thread.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

As we are in the last full day on the ship I have been showing the Interior Photos of places that didn't really fit into the everyday story. They were taken at various times during the week but being up and on deck by 3.30 a.m on our last day certainly helped cross a lot off my list.

I hope that anyone not familiar with the Princess ships will be impressed by what they see as I was when I first stepped onto the Coral in Whittier in August 2011.

There's a photo collage of the Ship's Officers on promenade deck. The same people you saw introduced at the Captain's Welcome Aboard speech. You don't see much of them on the ship (or at least I didn't) and they are not interactive in the way I see [B]Celebrity[/B] or [B]Azamara[/B] officers when I read reviews on those boards.
I've seen photos of Celebrity senior officers in uniform playing volleyball vs passengers in a swimming pool and Azamara Captains dancing with passengers onshore during their Azamazing Evenings.

The one that matters most on this collage is the [B]Executive Chef Paolo Merio[/B] as he is running a tight galley. Very commendable food throughout the ship! That said I must say that the quality of food we have enjoyed on our 7 Princess Cruises has been good with very few dishes that missed the mark.

It's impossible to read the names on the photo as there is glare hitting the image but if anyone needs a name to fit the title just ask.

Captain was [B]Karl Austin[/B] who's pretty much all business and may not give you the warm fuzzies.

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Down on deck 6 there is a similar collage showing the winners of the Employee of the Month award.

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As you know crew members are always rotating in and out and bouncing from ship to ship or moving to a different cruise line. I saw just 4 faces on the Ruby that were familiar to me from 2 years previously and one of those was [B]Nicola Furlan the Maitre d'Hotel. [/B]

No [B]Ultimate Ships Tour[/B] ($150) or [B]Ultimate Balcony Dinner[/B] ($100) for us this trip as we have done them before on this ship so that saved $400 right there.
Complimentary 150 minutes each of Internet (Platinum Perk) also saved mucho $$. Foregoing a suite saved around $2500 and has allowed us to book one on the Emerald in the Med.

[Bimmer09]

As we already have a Ruby Princess fridge magnet-one of the lame 2-D ones-we had no reason to visit the shops this trip, although I took a walk through Meridian Bay for a look-see one day.

The shops, as would be expected, are clean, well-lit and merchandised. You can buy Duty Free goods (Liqor, smokes, perfumes etc) and they'll be delivered to your cabin on the last day.

[CENTER]This one is on deck 6 near Da Vinci dining room. I think it may be called Facets as it sells jewelry.

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[Bimmer09]

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All the shops are clustered around the Piazza, the core of the ship and a very impressive one.

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[philv]

Love this stuff! We are off for our cruise next week and I can't get enough of ship board life. Thank you, :D

[Bimmer09]

[quote name='philv']Love this stuff! We are off for our cruise next week and I can't get enough of ship board life. Thank you, :D[/QUOTE]

Phil-where are you sailing to next week? Are you on the CB again?

Norris Edited February 26, 2015 by Bimmer09

[Bimmer09]

Who doesn't like a piano bar on board a ship? (Rhetorical !)

Princess has [B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Red"]Crooners[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] on Deck 7, at the top of the central Piazza. Although I personally don't spend much if any time there it is often standing room only in the late evenings as people relax over cocktails while being entertained by a pianist who may sing or tell jokes. There's only one pianist I ever stopped to listen to - the Scot named [B]David Moore[/B] (Ruby 2013) who is not only a skilled pianist who can play Debussy pieces but can also hold a room in stitches with his comedy on the piano. If his name is listed on your patter [B]go see him[/B].

Crooners is very artfully decorated indeed as you'll see in the photos. It has a sophisticated nightclub look.

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There's a mirrored ceiling in parts...hi there!

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[Bimmer09]

Crooners has windows looking out to Promenade Deck. It opens at 11 a.m so you can sit here with a cocktail and watch the sea and the promenade walkers pass by.

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There's a fully stocked bar so it's not just about martini's. When I was taking these bar shots a lady asked me why? I told her that I write reviews on CC (no hint of recognition of CC) and that folks are interested to see photos of the ship and that they serve as memory joggers to me. She seemed mystified. I didn't see many people on the ship taking ship photos, come to think of it, and certainly none lugging around a bag of lenses.

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Maybe your favorite brand is here?

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[Bimmer09]

Another nice lazy day at sea. Our last.

As it was a sea day [B]Pub Lunch[/B] was being served and we went along at 1 pm. The menu changes for the 2nd day so instead of my Steak and kidney pie or fish and chips we had the Chicken Madras curry (madras is mild, vindaloo is hot and that's what I usually order on land) and asked for a side of crispy fries. Both delicious.

A couple of beers followed at [B]Tradewinds[/B] and that might have been my last time up there as I had to think about packing before we went to dinner later. I would be wearing smart casual when I got off the ship as we would be checking into the[B] Ritz Carlton[/B] after disembarkation and I didn't want them to be sending me around to the tradesmen's entrance (LOL as I am sure they don't care)

We had a 3 pm show lined up for our entertainment. Not listed in the Patter but Estonians on deck were talking about it and we had to go along. The Princess Theater was packed as word had got around about their show.

In the Princess Theater they were handing out brochures on Estonia, no doubt provided by the Estonian tourist board. It looks like there is a lot to see and enjoy there. Cruise Passengers who have done a Baltic cruise may have stopped there in the town of Tallinn. Anyone been there?

Anyway since I believe 1992 they are no longer occupied by Russia [B](Hooray for the fall of Communism and the break-up of the Soviet Union!!)
[/B] and so can enjoy being Estonians again. The few I spoke to were salts of the Earth.

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The Estonian concert lasted for about 90 minutes.

Here's a clip from it....

[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyzTmIwbpzs&list=UUEvSQGerlsdVQOEeOV7rNlw"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyzTmIwbpzs&list=UUEvSQGerlsdVQOEeOV7rNlw[/URL]

Enjoy and embrace other cultures!!

[jlf1]

Norris,

We were in Tallinn last August on the Baltic cruise on the Royal.

No choice on ship, it fit with our land tour before the cruise.

Nice ship but we won't be sailing on her again.

Tallinn was my favourite port of the cruise. I had been hoping that Stockholm would be my favourite because my grandfather was from Sweden but although it was nice Tallinn blew all the other ports out of the water.

Judy

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[Bimmer09]

[quote name='jlf1']Norris,

We were in Tallinn last August on the Baltic cruise on the Royal.

No choice on ship, it fit with our land tour before the cruise.

Nice ship but we won't be sailing on her again.

Tallinn was my favourite port of the cruise. I had been hoping that Stockholm would be my favourite because my grandfather was from Sweden but although it was nice Tallinn blew all the other ports out of the water.

Judy

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Judy glad to hear you liked Tallinn.I have not been there but am fond of towns that have been preserved as they once were. Rothenburg in Germany is a favorite of mine-have been there 3 times and stayed a few days each time.

I am curious as to why you don't plan to sail on the Royal again?

I know she can't get close to Stockholm and passengers don't get to sail up through the archipelago which would be an absolute must for me.

Norris, not a big fan of the Royal Class.

[jlf1]

[quote name='Bimmer09']Judy glad to hear you liked Tallinn.I have not been there but am fond of towns that have been preserved as they once were. Rothenburg in Germany is a favorite of mine-have been there 3 times and stayed a few days each time.

I am curious as to why you don't plan to sail on the Royal again?

I know she can't get close to Stockholm and passengers don't get to sail up through the archipelago which would be an absolute must for me.

Norris, not a big fan of the Royal Class.[/QUOTE]

All the reasons previously reported...no central staircase and no promenade deck....too many passengers.

Having said that the buffet blows all the others on other ships out of f the water.

We just feel that the Grand Class is a better fit for us.

So on our TA we have spurgled for a Vista Suite. First suite for us. Lots of sea days to enjoy the perks. Hope we have done the right thing.

Judy

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk Edited February 27, 2015 by jlf1

[Bimmer09]

[quote name='jlf1']All the reasons previously reported...no central staircase and no promenade deck....too many passengers.

Having said that the buffet blows all the others on other ships out of f the water.

We just feel that the Grand Class is a better fit for us.

So on our TA we have spurgled for a Vista Suite. First suite for us. Lots of sea days to enjoy the perks. Hope we have done the right thing.

Judy

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Grand Class is fine by me. Lots of pools to spread the crowds without having to listen to MUTS. Bigger balconies and a real promenade deck. Forward views.

You will LOVE the suite life!!!

Norris

[ar1950]

[quote name='Bimmer09']
The Estonian concert lasted for about 90 minutes.

Here's a clip from it....

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyzTmIwbpzs&list=UUEvSQGerlsdVQOEeOV7rNlw[/URL]

Enjoy and embrace other cultures!![/quote]

Now that was awesome! Your video had me when the mandolin player and the lady vocalist with the violin started playing. Thanks for sharing this Estonian performance. Loved it!

[Bimmer09]

[quote name='ar1950']Now that was awesome! Your video had me when the mandolin player and the lady vocalist with the violin started playing. Thanks for sharing this Estonian performance. Loved it![/QUOTE]

Thanks for the feedback ar, glad you enjoyed it. The band has great energy and I love that girl's crystal clear voice.

Later in the performance there's a marriage proposal on stage!

I recorded the whole show but probably won't put it all on youtube while I am writing this review.

The Estonians gave a unique flavor to this cruise with their performances.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Just as we had to pack up all our clothes in preparation for leaving the ship in the morning I'll "pack up" some more photos of parts of the ship I hadn't visited all week-such as Guest Services on deck 6 in the Piazza

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There is also the library

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A couple of left-over [B]Lotus Spa[/B] pics

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As you can see we are coming to the end of our time on the Ruby. The last day is never my favorite!

Still to come...

Art around the ship
An amazing balancing act in the Piazza (video) featuring our last dinner dishes.
The approach and docking in Port Everglades in the dark
Disembarkation
Final thoughts on the Ruby

[B]The review didn't start on the Ruby nor will it end there.[/B]
We have a day in Ft Lauderdale, in a hotel I want you to see
Followed by a waterside dinner
Followed by Norris' accident
Followed by landing in O'Hare in a snowstorm
The next cruise

So stay tuned!

Norris,with thanks for following along this far!

[Bimmer09]

[CENTER]From the Princess Theater lobby area

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Explorers Lounge

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From the Photo Gallery area

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[AZ Ocean Lover]

You've been thanked so many times I hope you can handle one more. Everytime I log in and see a post from you I exclaim "BIMMER's Posted again." My husband thought I was nuts but is now saying "Did Bimmer post?"

I'm absolutely loving your thread. The ship, food, entertainment and excusion descriptions are just top notch. I really get a sense of the trip. I love your sense of humor and your responsiveness to comments and questions from everyone.

Thank you for hours of entertainment. We have a little under two months left until our next cruise on the Caribbean Princess and this is getting me more and more in the mood (not that it takes much to get there).

Thanks.

Denise

[Tatanka]

Norris great review they need an award for this. Have a wonderful summer. I'm heading out for Hawaii on Ruby in April and you have made that ship so real I feel like I've been on it too. Thanks for the great review and if you ever come out to Yellowstone look me up at Mesa Falls, island park, ID.

Dalene

[Bimmer09]

 



 

Elevator lobby pool deck

 

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Kimono Art, Lotus Spa hallway

 

[Bimmer09]

As our a**es were being unceremoniously kicked off the ship in the morning we felt we should take our clothes with us rather than have to buy new ones in Ft Lauderdale.

 

Usually I have left packing until the last minute-i.e after the hallway has been cleared of 600 pieces of luggage. On the Ocean Princess I put my cases out at 1 a.m and they were still there at 3 a.m when I checked. Luckily they were gone a couple of hours later when we got up.

 

On the Ruby the packing was done before we went to our last dinner in the Michaelangelo. I think that will be my routine from now on!

 

I took a video of the cabin. This will join the many cabin videos on youtube to help people who book D616 in the future.

 

 

Norris

[Gabrielle R.]

It was great fun following you and Carol on your trip! We did Ruby over New Years so it was great to see everything again!!

 

Since DH and I are Guinness lovers I so enjoyed your bar/drink comments! Jennifer was great! We often had Caribbean Guinness.... it has a shot of dark rum in it... try it on your next trip!

 

THANK YOU for a wonderful tale! Looking forward to the next posts... Ft Lauderdale is one our favorite places!

Gabrielle

[Bimmer09]

It was great fun following you and Carol on your trip! We did Ruby over New Years so it was great to see everything again!!

 

Since DH and I are Guinness lovers I so enjoyed your bar/drink comments! Jennifer was great! We often had Caribbean Guinness.... it has a shot of dark rum in it... try it on your next trip!

 

THANK YOU for a wonderful tale! Looking forward to the next posts... Ft Lauderdale is one our favorite places!

Gabrielle

 

Gabrielle, thank you for stopping by and introducing yourself. Ruby over NYE should still be fresh in your mind but a little memory jog doesn't hurt!

 

Guinness....ahhh. This was the first cruise I drank it on deck although I always have it at pub lunch. Jennifer hooked me up as she was never far away and no words were needed once I started on the Guinness. I have not put rum in the Guinness yet but will give it a "shot" so to speak.

 

We like Ft Lauderdale too and like it even more now that we have stayed at the Ritz Carlton which I can't wait to show you photos of. I wrote a review on Trip Advisor a week or so ago called "A service culture lives here". I have a bunch of reviews on TA-mainly European hotels and restaurants. They are LONG and I bet that is a surprise. I have a different name on TA-Bavarian Chicago USA-still has a reference to BMW (Bimmer being slang for BMW car. Beamer is a BMW motorcycle)

 

Thanks for following along!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

We saw in the Patter that Kirill, a balancer Cindy had seen and raved about, was giving a show in the Piazza just before dinner, so after we packed we headed down there where we saw Cindy already waiting in front row seats.

 

As you're watching this remember he is on a ship going at over 20 mph....

 

Oh-and don't try this at home!

 

The video begins with our last sunset at sea and ends with our dinner courses.

 

 

Norris