Ruby Princess E. Caribbean photo and video review

[Ellie322]

Norris,

 

I spent the last couple of days thoroughly enjoying your review. Great photos! Especially the sunrises and sunsets. I'm not sure I'll ever be up in time to take sunrise pictures myself. Thank you for making the effort.

 

I'll definitely need to read some of your previous reviews. I'm looking forward to your review later this year in the Med.

 

 

Sue

[rianvi]

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

 

We will try the rum in the Guinness on our next cruise.

 

And Norris, thanks again for this great thread!

 

Peace, Anna:)

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

 

I spent the last couple of days thoroughly enjoying your review. Great photos! Especially the sunrises and sunsets. I'm not sure I'll ever be up in time to take sunrise pictures myself. Thank you for making the effort.

 

I'll definitely need to read some of your previous reviews. I'm looking forward to your review later this year in the Med.

Sue

 

Sue, thanks for joining us and reading through the whole thing.

 

I think you'll find some great places and excursions in the older reviews-Alaska and Italy being the highlights to date.

 

I'm with you on anticipating the next Med trip! Tastes of Italy, France and Spain and mostly cities we haven't set foot in. We don't mind seeing Rome again as there is so much to savor there.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

We will try the rum in the Guinness on our next cruise.

 

And Norris, thanks again for this great thread!

 

Peace, Anna:)

 

You're welcome Anna!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

As you saw from the Kirill video I didn't photograph our last dinner on board.

 

We had a table for 5 and soon after we sat down Andy and Ken appeared having finished their meal at an other table. They stopped at our table to chat and that disrupted my flow somewhat.

 

They would be moving over to Oasis of the Seas after disembarkation.

 

After a lengthy dinner following their departure it was already after 10 pm and any thoughts of going to see the final show-Rick Steele again-were dismissed.

 

An early night seemed like a great idea as I was planning to be up at 5 a.m so I could watch us sail into Port Everglades-something I had never seen from the ship's side.

 

In the dark, in the distance, as I enjoyed my last smoke on Promenade Deck,

we could see the lights from the other ships returning to port after "WOWing their guests for a week.

 

I set the bedside phone alarm for 5 but was awake just before it rang as I knew I had to be. There would be no "snooze button" pushing.

 

Coffee on deck, in the dark on a smooth sea. Peaceful and calm but that would all end by 7 a.m when the turnaround process would begin.

 

I shot video as we entered the harbor. No air horns to greet us at this hour- I think it was about 5.30.

 

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Oasis was already in the Harbor

 



 

 

 



 



 

We make our turn just astern of Oasis and back slowly into Terminal 2

 

[Bimmer09]

Here's the video I was shooting as we entered P.E

 

Pardon the extreme zoom shot-the zoom just kept on going further out.

 

Nice to see Caribbean Princess again!

 

 

Norris

[Susie51]

I missed reading your review the last several days. I was glad there were several of your posts to read and also enjoy your photos.

 

Thank you so much.

[Bimmer09]

Photos taken from our balcony once we were tied up at the dock

 

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I love the profile of the Caribbean Princess, with that dramatic Skywalkers.

 



 

The sunrise hints at yet another beautiful day in Ft. Lauderdale! Yippee!

 



 



 



 

[OCruisers]

Thanks so VERY MUCH for allowing us to sail with you! :D

[Lady Bird]

Looking for other cruisers on the ship. Thinking it will be a relaxing time. :D

[Bimmer09]

Thanks so VERY MUCH for allowing us to sail with you! :D

 

The pleasure is all mine!

 

I have been tasked today with finding us a cruise for next January ,with the caveat that "it doesn't have to be Princess" so I have been spending time on the websites of Azamara, Oceania, HAL, Celebrity, Princess and Royal-so now I have a headache!

 

I have to say that the Princess site is the easiest to maneuver through especially when it comes to picking the exact cabin you want.

 

We are looking at Celebrity Silhouette and Regal P 7 day trips closely.

 

Much to research! Do you have any recommendations for these other lines?

 

Thanks for the kind comments!

 

Norris

Edited February 28, 2015 by Bimmer09

[Bimmer09]

Looking for other cruisers on the ship. Thinking it will be a relaxing time. :D

 

Head over to the Roll Call forum and check the Ruby for that date.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Our time to get off the ship, as we had no transfers or excursions planned was 10.15 a.m and as we had Platinum cards we were invited to wait in Club Fusion where there would be drinks (coffee, tea, juice, water and cakes and cookies to snack on)

 

Before that we made a beeline for the open MDR which in this case was the Botticelli Dining Room, our one and only visit there.

 

We got a table by a window

 

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Another fine breakfast marred only by a loud New Yorker-one of the karaoke contest singers at a nearby table. Even though he was sharing the table with 3 others he was talking to someone on his cell phone loudly giving him directions to somewhere in New York. I recommend the google maps app for such occasions and some self-sufficiency.

 

 

We were out of our cabin by 8.30-supposed to be 8 but we had already checked with our room steward and he was fine with 8.30 as he had plenty of other cabins to be working on.

 

We found a booth to sit in up in Club Fusion and tried to keep busy while waiting for 10.15 to roll around.

 

Every 20 minutes or so I'd step out onto Promenade deck for a cigarette and to watch the restocking of the ship process.

 

Just after 8.30 one of the forklifts pulled away from the ship slowly as his cargo was coming off the ship- a table loaded with coffee carafes and plates of pastries. This would be a breakfast for the fork-lift drivers. Nice gesture!

Here they are gathering around the table. After this a motorcycle cop came by and joined them.

 

 

A while later I was back out there again as they were loading the ship. One of the pallets was stacked with boxes of grapes and I watched as one of the drivers took a bag and started munching. He shared one with another driver who declared them juicy and delicious and so he got a bag to munch on as he was driving.

 

Pilfering.

 

Our 10.15 eventually became 10.45 as the number of Customs Officers would change, probably due to breaks and colors to disembark were put on hold.

 

No matter. Putterdude came by and we talked for 10 minutes or so. He was getting off after 3 weeks on board.

 

Our color Pink 2 was finally called and we began the march to the luggage hall.

 

My feet stepped off the Ruby Princess and I had no option but to follow them.

 

To be continued...

[Gabrielle R.]

The pleasure is all mine!

 

I have been tasked today with finding us a cruise for next January ,with the caveat that "it doesn't have to be Princess" so I have been spending time on the websites of Azamara, Oceania, HAL, Celebrity, Princess and Royal-so now I have a headache!

 

I have to say that the Princess site is the easiest to maneuver through especially when it comes to picking the exact cabin you want.

 

We are looking at Celebrity Silhouette and Regal P 7 day trips closely.

 

Much to research! Do you have any recommendations for these other lines?

 

Thanks for the kind comments!

 

Norris

 

Our one Celebrity cruise was very nice. My husband's complaint is that he had to dress up much more then any other ship. They had two formal nights and 2 semi formal nights- meaning he had to wear a suit coat Food was very good- but this was over 10 years ago. My TA & friend told me that she did Celebrity & Princess a few months apart- she preferred Princess AND the food was much better on Princess! I thought that was interesting.

 

HAL- we were NOT impressed food was bland and the couldn't make a steak to my husband's liking. My Uncle & Aunt did HAL (They were in their 80's) Both felt the food was bland... they felt like they were the youngest ones on the ship. I thought that was funny considering their ages.

 

My sister did her first ever cruise on Oceania. LOVED IT! That line makes me want to try them.

 

IF you do any of the other lines hope you give us a heads up over here on Princess so we can follow along!

 

Loved the morning shots of Ft Lauderdale!

Gabrielle

[Bimmer09]

>> My TA & friend told me that she did Celebrity & Princess a few months apart- she preferred Princess AND the food was much better on Princess! I thought that was interesting.

 

HAL- we were NOT impressed food was bland and the couldn't make a steak to my husband's liking. My Uncle & Aunt did HAL (They were in their 80's) Both felt the food was bland... they felt like they were the youngest ones on the ship. I thought that was funny considering their ages.

 

My sister did her first ever cruise on Oceania. LOVED IT! That line makes me want to try them.

 

IF you do any of the other lines hope you give us a heads up over here on Princess so we can follow along!

 

Loved the morning shots of Ft Lauderdale!

Gabrielle

 

Gabrielle-glad you liked the sunrise harbor shots at Port Everglades.

 

Having just had very good food on the Ruby I would hate to take a step-down but at some point we'll have to take a chance. Reading photo reviews can let you see how much care is taken in the presentation but of course you can't taste a photo.

 

Comparison reviews by PCL pax can help so I read any that come my way.

 

The only reason Carol suggested trying another line is the repetitive nature of the Princess Caribbean offerings which I am sure disappoints many Princess fans.

 

Carol is curious about the Royal class but she is much less familiar with the ships than I am but the S Class Celebrity ships are similarly weak when it comes to Promenade decks and aft balcony overhangs for shade. We are using Cruisetrail's excellent Grand Tour of Eclipse... thread to help make sense of their cabin locations. The fact that the Sihouette's 7 day visits (among others) san Juan, Basseterre and Port of France is a draw.

 

Oceania sends me an e mail daily offering "deals" but when you double the price that any sane person might pay and then slash that price to "50%" off! it's disingenuous , smoke and mirrors.

 

Azamara is only doing 10 day trips in January and that's a couple too many.

 

For me, if we ended up with an aft suite on the Regal it would complete our quest for an Elite card while the requirements are still what they are today. I know cruise lines have moved the goalposts in the past. Or we could repeat routes and ships (CB and Emerald) again as a let resort.

 

Lots of research to do on the computer.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

One benefit of leaving the ship as late as possible because you don't have to be anywhere in a hurry is that when you get to the massive luggage hall there is very little luggage waiting and so finding one's bags is a quick process.

 

We snaked through the line for customs and were out of the building within 15 minutes of finding our bags.

 

This was our third time leaving a ship in P.E but our first time getting a taxi instead of meeting a Hertz pick-up. The taxi line forms in a roofed shed opposite the ship and follows the perimeter of the shed-no snaking stanchions at this time. There was maybe 30 people ahead of us and it took 25 minutes before we were in a cab.

Unlike in a big city airport there isn't a corral of empty taxis waiting to come get arrivals. So the taxis are thinly spread. If one had just dropped a passenger off at the Ruby then he became free to pick up. 5 minutes could go by without anyone getting a ride, then 2 might come.

 

Andy and Ken were just ahead of us, with enough luggage for two cruises as they were joining Oasis today.

 

For 25 minutes we shuffled our luggage along. A long line built up behind us.

 

When it came Andy and Ken's turn the taxi driver refused to take them saying "too much luggage" and so we were ushered through. Hopefully a bigger taxi or a taxi where the driver would try to fit the luggage came along soon after to get Andy and Ken.

 

Off we went, heading North along A1A, towards the Ritz Carlton.

 

A week before when we were staying at the Marriott Harbor Beach we had asked if there had been any cancellations for January 31st as we wanted to stay there.

We liked the hotel-this was our third stay-and it was close to the port for my ship-watching. No rooms available so we kept the Ritz booking. The RC was about the same price as the MHB but was a new chain to us. We were familiar with the name of course as we don't live under a rock.

 

So an unknown quantity ahead but the important thing was that we were not at the airport waiting with thousands to go home just after leaving the comforting cocoon of the Ruby. A sunny day in Fort Lauderdale would help take the sting off our cruise being over.

 

When we arrived a the hotel and the taxi stopped two bellmen immediately opened the doors for us and while I was paying the cabbie they unloaded our bags and whisked them into the hotel.

 

We went to reception to check in

 

 

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The lobby was big and was a temple to marble

 



 

Desks for two concierges

 



 

And lots of seating

 

[Bimmer09]

At the RC reception desk we were quickly helped by the desk clerk-a pretty girl whose name escapes me now but it may have been "Perky". Fast and efficient with a big smile and "here are your room keys. Robert will escort you to your room"

 

The room is ready a couple of hours prior to check-in time. That's a relief and what we wanted to hear.

 

Robert, a stocky clean cut guy with the build of a Marine, led us to the elevators

after welcoming us warmly. I was expecting maybe stiff and pretentious but he was down to Earth and witty and made a great first impression-as did the room.

 

We were up on the 11th floor, ocean view. I noticed as we followed Robert on 11 that there were no room service trays in the hallway-just something I am always on the lookout for, to see if they are keeping up with the housekeeping.

 

Once in the room Robert brought all the luggage in and set up a rack for Carol's heavy suitcase before explaining the features of the room-how the phone could work the lights for instance, how opening and closing the balcony door would shut off or start the Air Conditioning system. We like ocean breeze and the temperature outside was only high 70's anyway.

 

The room was huge. This photo was taken when I was 10 feet inside the door

 

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Carol had already unpacked when this was taken. I had been outside scouting for lunch opportunities. Carol is researching my choices on her Yelp app.

 

 

There's a TV on the armoire at left and later on the right an Honor System mini bar where you write down what you use. Full size bottle of spirits were there but I wasn't intending to drink anything. Stoned Surfer Dude might have suggested I drink the Vodka and fill the bottle back up with water, LOL.

 

[jlf1]

Norris,

 

Having just had very good food on the Ruby I would hate to take a step-down but at some point we'll have to take a chance. Reading photo reviews can let you see how much care is taken in the presentation but of course you can't taste a photo.

 

It may not be possible to taste a photo but your pictures gives the reader the next best thing.

 

I will miss your daily postings but thank goodness there will be another in the fall.

 

Many thanks.

 

Judy

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

 

Having just had very good food on the Ruby I would hate to take a step-down but at some point we'll have to take a chance. Reading photo reviews can let you see how much care is taken in the presentation but of course you can't taste a photo.

 

It may not be possible to taste a photo but your pictures gives the reader the next best thing.

 

I will miss your daily postings but thank goodness there will be another in the fall.

 

Many thanks.

 

Judy

 

Judy I will miss the daily interaction with good people such as yourself, but like you am looking forward to the fall cruise on Emerald.

 

I have just put a hold on an aft suite on Celebrity Silhouette for next January so I might be posting on the Celebrity board in February next year!

 

Have 24 hours to do more research.

 

Best wishes,

Norris

[Bimmer09]

The room was impressive-wooden floors as you come in and also by the balcony, which is a change from the usual wall to wall carpet and gave the room a more beachy feel.

 

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Just enough furniture for our needs and of course Carol had her chaise longue by the window with a warm breeze blowing in.

 

Looking to the North wing of the hotel

 



 

The outdoor pool is on the 7 th floor and has a Pool Cafe and Bar

 



 

Looking South

 

 

The hotel has a bridge from the 7th floor pool area, crossing over busy A1A. This bridge had an elevator down to the RC part of the beach where there was a beach attendant from the hotel with loungers and towels. We didn't get wet.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Carol is a woman who loves her bathrooms and this one got her excited.

 

Marble everywhere. A favorite feature for Carol was the TV above the dual sinks so she could watch the Weather Channel as heavy snow was forecast for the midwest for the next day. We had briefly discussed canceling the hotel while we were waiting at the port taxi rank-going to the airport and trying to get out a day early. I favored sticking with the plan as I wanted this decompression day in FLL and am familiar with the weather hysteria kicked up by the news channels.

 

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The rain shower cubicle with glass door. Next to it was the toilet, with a glass door and telephone. No bidet (just saying)

 

 

The lotions and soaps/shampoo etc on the vanity were by Asprey of London (ooh!). They smelled good which is fine by me.

 



 

A nice room to take a luxurious shower in, or a long tub soak. We both enjoyed it.

 

Norris

[HRPro]

Love your pictures of the RC and the gorgeous view from your room. Like Carol, I like my bathrooms, and I could have spent several days in that one. The RC's are known for their fantastic service, so I'm sure you all had a wonderful stay. Thanks for a great review--have enjoyed following along as we have had cold weather, sleet and snow for a couple of weeks, which is not normal for us this time of year.

 

Will miss having your review to read each day, but we have a cruise on the Royal coming up soon so I have to look forward to. Thanks again for a great read!

 

Susan

[Bimmer09]

Love your pictures of the RC and the gorgeous view from your room. Like Carol, I like my bathrooms, and I could have spent several days in that one. The RC's are known for their fantastic service, so I'm sure you all had a wonderful stay. Thanks for a great review--have enjoyed following along as we have had cold weather, sleet and snow for a couple of weeks, which is not normal for us this time of year.

 

Will miss having your review to read each day, but we have a cruise on the Royal coming up soon so I have to look forward to. Thanks again for a great read!

 

Susan

 

Thanks Susan for the compliments!

Have a great time on the Royal.

We've just booked Celebrity Silhouette for next January due to the itinerary and number of sea days (3) including two in a row on the way back to P.E. Should be interesting to compare to Princess.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

The Ritz has a Peets Coffee Bar on site but we needed lunch. We had breakfast in the MDR at 7.30 and it was now 7 hours later.

 

 

From my scouting mission soon after we arrived at the hotel we found, after reading Yelp reviews, that we were drawn to the Atlantic Surf Club.

 

There's a cluster of eateries one block south of the hotel (and the hotel takes up a whole block so these are not long blocks) and more beyond that. Some have tables out on the deep sidewalk but then you are right next to the traffic.

 

Restaurants are stacked atop one another

 

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Atlantic Surf Club is the center floor in this stack

 

 

An escalator or a flight of stairs can get you up to the higher levels. This complex is very busy and loud as each bar plays music( at a decent level) but they all combine so don't expect to hear crickets or birdsong- two of my favorite sounds when dining (waves washing ashore is even better!)

 

We wanted to sit in the open air section at the front facing the ocean but the seating there is those high barstools and Carol prefers a down-to-Earth ( i.e closer to it) seat so the hostess led us to a side room that was (a) quieter and (b) still allowed us to see the sea. The room was not crowded as I guess it was late for lunch.

 

View from our table

 

[Bimmer09]

The restaurant had such a menu that after scanning through it I remarked to Carol-"there's not one item on here that I wouldn't order!" and it's not often I say that. Beach bar food so plenty of burger and seafood choices-grouper, snapper, scallops, calamari, mahi-mahi, swordfish-that sort of thing. They also had a number of good Pizza combinations and one that was brought to the next table was a super-thin crust which we like (no deep-dish for us!) .It had fresh leaves of basil on it. The smell was intoxicating.

But we weren't here for Pizza as the reviewers on Yelp mentioned the "King Crab Reuben" as worthy.

 

I often order Reubens when we eat out casually but they never have crab in them-until now. We both opted for the same dish, so definitely no sharing.

Carol had a Yelp coupon for 20% off beverages on her phone but our waitress, Melissa, wasn't familiar with it and had to send the Manager over. She was a young Asian lady and apparently the offer didn't consider soft drinks as eligible but she was understanding and very customer service oriented which warms my heart always. She stayed to talk to us about Marriott Harbor Beach where she used to work and we enjoyed talking with her. The 20% coupon didn't amount to much in $$$ but it was the principle of the thing that mattered and the manager saw that and agreed.

 

I sipped a cold Guinness (served in a Coors glass) as we waited for our food. Took a look around the room..

 

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Cool decor

 

 

The sandwich was priced at $14 and was stuffed with crab and sauerkraut. I ordered duck-fat fries with mine. Yummo! What a filling meal for the money and super-tasty.

 

 

Unlike my usual Reubens where some of it falls apart with a splat when I lift it to eat, this bread was fresh but firm and nicely toasted so that it stayed together until the last bite. The crab stayed within the bread until I bit down on it.

 

I gave them a good review on Trip Advisor and deservedly so. Good spot for lunch and if you sit on the high stools with a drink it would be a prime spot for people-watching and enjoying the sea breeze. A good find.

 

Four hours from now we would be sitting down to dinner....I hope we'll be hungry by then.

 

Norris