Ruby Princess- Review & some Top Tips from CC

[poppypobble]

Hi

We just got back from the 4 day sampler to Alaska on the Ruby. All of us (4 in our family) had a great time!

I must say that I scoured these boards for months to get tips and advice. That really payed off! So thanks to all of you for the help!

 

Our fave spots on the Ruby

 

The International Cafe- loved this! I became addicted to what the staff call dark & white pudding. It is 2 layers of white & dark chocolate pudding served in a talll dish. One of the best things I have ever eaten!

The cheeses & dried fruits served here were also nice for a light snack.

The hot chocolate served in the bar next door was also very good.

 

The gym- Has such a great view & the staff were helpful. My older son worked out many times here.

 

Deck 7 & 8- walking track- my favourite area to walk & for views- it is covered but you also can get clear views for photos. Very relaxing too with nice wooden chairs & benched.

 

Pools- 1st 2 days were very cool outside but water was quite warm. We enjoyed the pools then compared to when sunnier because it was way too crowded for my liking in those areas.

 

Ping Pong table- My kids loved this but they really need 2 more tables. There was a larger group ( with 1 woman in particular) who comandeered the table and chose who could play or not. We just kept coming back to see when it was empty.

 

 

Tips from Cruise Critic Members:D

1- Soda & More Drink Package- such a great deal! Had tons of non alcoholic fancy drinks. My favourites were the Nojito, Fruity Rita & one with cranberry/sprite & lime juice. I also loved the chocolate milk shakes & hot chocolates.

 

2- Lanyards for the cruise card- we all brought our lanyards & had the cards whole punched at the front desk right when we arrived. This saved us from losing the cards & made it easy to find the cards.

 

3- 1st day Lunch- we went straight to the Da Vinci dining room- it was so empty & we had great service from Orlando & Duro ( not sure of spelling) My kids loved feeling so fancy and my older son loved his Cuban sandwich.

 

4- Anytime Dining- We just chose times that were outside of main eating times & really no big lines. We mainly went to the Horizon Court or Caribe. The curries were tasty. I am vegetarian so liked that there was a bit of choice. Breakfast was harder though- liked that they had cottage cheese & fruit.

 

5- Plastic Bags- we brought about 10 and they sure came in handy for various items such as soap etc.

 

6- Car rental back from Seattle- there was a free shuttle ( we tipped the driver) to the car rental- it was right outside the terminal & even though there was a line we just relaxed and waited. Alamo & National were very resonably priced & staff were super helpful!

 

7- Buying onboard credit and casino credit. I am Canadian so buying credit beforehand really paid off! I was able to go to the casino and cashed in my credits for cash which we used for Ketchikan.

 

Improvements Needed

 

Video Arcade- really needs to be revamped- only 3 or 4 games & not a very welcoming area. :( We had been on Norweigan Pearl and their arcade was excellent!

 

Kids Centre- It would be great to have games such as fooseball that parents could play with their kids if they want. Parents are not allowed to stay.

 

Ping pong tables- As mentioned before they need at least 2 more tables in various areas of the ships. I did see 1 on an upper area but it was not in service.

 

Trays for taking Food to your room- it would be great to have trays because it is hard to juggle plates, drinks etc

 

Looking forward to our next cruise!

 

Poppy:)

[Sandy Sails]

Glad you had a nice time! It was such a beautiful day yesterday in Seattle that we loaded up the dog in the car and took a short Sunday Drive down to the cruise port and saw the Ruby sitting there. It was around 11 a.m. and I was wondering if she had any passengers coming or going as I didn't see people.

[JF - retired RRT]

[quote name=poppypobble;46456885 Trays for taking Food to your room- it would be great to have trays because it is hard to juggle plates' date=' drinks etc

 

Looking forward to our next cruise!

 

Poppy:)[/quote]

There is a tray in your room...you just need to take the drink glasses and napkins off of it:D

OR order room service and keep the tray.;)

[poppypobble]

There is a tray in your room...you just need to take the drink glasses and napkins off of it:D

OR order room service and keep the tray.;)

 

LOL- you are right- wish I would have used my brain when I had the breakfast delivered. Will know for next time:)

[AKman2495]

Hi

 

Deck 7 & 8- walking track- my favourite area to walk & for views- it is covered but you also can get clear views for photos. Very relaxing too with nice wooden chairs & benched.

 

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise but the "walking track" is actually called a "promenade deck". It has historic connotations and it is a great place to walk on a ship.

[lakemurraykid]

I am thrilled to hear your review. We sail on the Ruby May 17 and we are really excited. This will be our first Princess cruise. :D

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise but the "walking track" is actually called a "promenade deck". It has historic connotations and it is a great place to walk on a ship.

 

Glad the OP enjoyed the cruise! If calling it a walking track will get prom decks added to the newbuilds, then I am all for it :)!

Edited May 4, 2015 by SoCal Cruiser78

[Miss Pat]

There is a tray in your room...you just need to take the drink glasses and napkins off of it:D

OR order room service and keep the tray.;)

That tray is almost smaller than the platters they use in the Horizon so why bother?

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the comments, sounds like you had a great cruise. :)

[Cali_Mum]

Thanks for the info, glad you had a good time! We are trying out the Ruby in September and love any news about Her!

[Eaglecw]

Poppy

I’ve got a couple of questions for you;

 

 

Is there a charge for the hot chocolate that is served in the coffee bar next to the IC?

 

 

What was on the menu for the embarkation lunch in the Da Vinci dining room?

 

 

How was the food in the MDR? Did they have the sail away Prime rib dinner with the wonderful corn on the cob?

 

 

How were the Pizza, Burgers, and Hot dogs up on the Lido deck?

[Happiest when cruising]

Sandy, the next time you feel like a short drive, come to Canada. Brad and would love to see you and Dan and we are in White Rock, now. Just hop,skip and jump from you.

Glad you had a nice time! It was such a beautiful day yesterday in Seattle that we loaded up the dog in the car and took a short Sunday Drive down to the cruise port and saw the Ruby sitting there. It was around 11 a.m. and I was wondering if she had any passengers coming or going as I didn't see people.

[poppypobble]

Glad you had a nice time! It was such a beautiful day yesterday in Seattle that we loaded up the dog in the car and took a short Sunday Drive down to the cruise port and saw the Ruby sitting there. It was around 11 a.m. and I was wondering if she had any passengers coming or going as I didn't see people.

 

Thanks Sandy! yes amazing day yesterday- had a great drive home.

 

Poppy

[poppypobble]

Glad the OP enjoyed the cruise! If calling it a walking track will get prom decks added to the newbuilds, then I am all for it :)!

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise but the "walking track" is actually called a "promenade deck". It has historic connotations and it is a great place to walk on a ship.

 

Thanks AKman

I will pass that info onto my son. When we looked at the ship when it was docked in Ketchikan he asked what a particular area was called. I later showed him "the Promenade Deck" and he agreed it was awesome! It is such a relaxing area and yes lots of people walking up there.

 

Socal- I agree they should have the prom decks on all newbuilds.

 

Poppy

Edited May 5, 2015 by poppypobble

[poppypobble]

I am thrilled to hear your review. We sail on the Ruby May 17 and we are really excited. This will be our first Princess cruise. :D

 

Oh that will be a nice time to sail. Hope you have a great time!:)

 

Poppy

[poppypobble]

Poppy

I’ve got a couple of questions for you;

 

 

Is there a charge for the hot chocolate that is served in the coffee bar next to the IC? No it is free with the Soda Plus package.

The bartenders were very happy to put any drinks in other glasses or cups. However the big cup they give you is great for milkshakes. Just try to get a cup with a non curly straw as it is a pain with milkshakes and lots of ice in your cup.

 

What was on the menu for the embarkation lunch in the Da Vinci dining room?

I had a veggie burger. It was actually a very strange soft, crumbly patty. I would not order it again. Hubby had an appetizer of prawns with salmon mousse, fish ( halibut I think), my eldest son had the Cuban sandwich and the youngest had a bacon cheeseburger. It was 1 of the biggest burgers I have ever seen but he managed to eat most of it:eek: For desert hubby had a lemon meringue tart which was excellent and my sons had 3 different types of ice cream.

 

How was the food in the MDR? Did they have the sail away Prime rib dinner with the wonderful corn on the cob? This I am not sure of but I think so. I went looking at the different menus & think I spotted prime rib- not sure about the corn.

 

 

How were the Pizza, Burgers, and Hot dogs up on the Lido deck?

The pizza was very good. I had the Margarita pizza a couple of times. The 4 cheese was not so good because it was almost the last slice on that tray. The pepperoni pizza was apparently good and the 50th anniversary pizza- prawns, brocoli & spicy sauce I think- was apparently very yummy!

The chicken burgers were apparently really good & the burgers were also good. I even spotted someone with BBQ rubs and asked them and they said they were very good. Not sure about the hot dogs as my people didn't try them.

 

Poppy:)

[Eaglecw]

Thanks for the reply Poppy. What was your opinion of the overall condition of the Ruby? Do you think she’s in good condition or in need of some refurbishment? Did the crew seem happy?

 

 

The reason I ask about the corn on the cob is because it's terrible, over cooked mush.

[Colo Cruiser]

The reason I ask about the corn on the cob is because it's terrible, over cooked mush.

 

 

 

Funny, I have found corn on the cob on Princess to be abhorrent for 20 plus years. On the Emerald in March it was the best I have EVER had on a cruise.

Go figure! :eek: Hope I don't have to wait for an eternity to get more good ones. :p

[Eaglecw]

The last time I had the Prime Rib I had them substitute the corn on the cob with Asparagus, which was wonderful, the time before that I ordered snow peas, which was also better than the corn on the cob. All you have to do is ask.