Live from the Ruby Princess August 15-25

[ceilidh1]

10 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I'm not so sure the new fees and package contents will make an appreciable difference.  People are creatures of habit.  It Princess stated expectations are near correct, then about 75% of the passenger load is on one of the two packages.  That leaves 25% approx with Standard.  I imagine a good number of those who were used to Ocean Now will pony up the $15.  The load on resources may not change at all - and could even increase from folks who will want to get their $15 worth by ordering more than ever.

 

IDK for sure of course, but it will be interesting to see reports come in if Ocean Now and RS service delivery improves, stays the same or worsens.  Poor service is going to result in complaints and guests wanting their $15 refunded.

I agree with you - in the past, if delivery from the app/room service was slow (or never arrived at all) I would just shrug it off as a mild irritation. Now that I am "paying" for this service (whether as part of a package or as a fee) it better be an actual service!

[startedwithamouse]

11 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

Someone that ordered off the menu at vins was kind enough to let me take photos of their food order.  It did look very nice!  

 

That looks delicious!!!

 

[voljeep]

1 minute ago, startedwithamouse said:

 

That looks delicious!!!

 

looks great - but if sharing is not allowed - no way we are ordering 2 of those ... well, maybe on the SUN when we have Premier and unlimited casual dining's... but still

[startedwithamouse]

2 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

So, I’m surprised you can’t share the prix fix menu at Alfredo’s/Gigi’s.  Are the other casual dining spots the same policy?
TIA

 

I'm not.

 

This is to alleviate a scenario below I mentioned a couple days ago. Apparently someone at Princess did think about this. 

 

Scenario only:

You have 100 guests with casual dining options. They are each parties of two, so table for two. Each table only uses one of their casual dining options.  The next day, they all come back to use another credit, in the same manner.  This would shut out a whole new "batch" of guests  This would be a problem, especially on short voyages. 

A little extreme, but it seems no one at Princess has thought about this. Maybe they won't seat two if only one credit will be used? 

 

 

[startedwithamouse]

20 minutes ago, voljeep said:

looks great - but if sharing is not allowed - no way we are ordering 2 of those ... well, maybe on the SUN when we have Premier and unlimited casual dining's... but still

This doesn't look like a huge meal for dinner or lunch.

 

I'm sure they'll be massaging these new offerings prior to the Sun Princess launch.

 

Edited August 17, 2023 by startedwithamouse

[Cruise Raider]

5 hours ago, schnapperin said:

Finally a live from the Ruby! Thank you so much for taking the time

 

Couple of question as I‘m looking forward to my November cruise:

- any confirmation about the dry docking and what’s been done? 
- how is she looking? As rough as some mention? 
- any chances for some current breakfast & dinner menu‘s and daily activities? 

The Ruby is in fine shape!  And if you know me through my posts, I am not one to go easy on the condition of a ship in my descriptions.  
I don’t know exactly what they are going to do in dry dock but will check with one of the officers if I get the chance.  It’s doubtful that much of anything will be done inside but that’s just my take on it because everything looks to be in very good condition.  They are actually going to complete their dry dock in Portland, Oregon.  Someone mentioned there would be two weeks in Portland and one week in Victoria.  I may have misunderstood but that’s what I heard.  
 

As for rough, I know that’s not what you mean, but thought I’d include it right here.  The whole way up, the seas have been having the ship doing this weird wiggly motion.  We are dead center ship and can still feel it but it’s not really bothering us.  If our cabin were all the way aft or forward, that would definitely be another story.  

 

[Cruise Raider]

20 hours ago, Cruisingisthebestfun said:

What about swapping some drinks from mini bar set up? I'm wondering if they will charge $5 for Using phone to call RS. 
 

 

You now do that through your room steward.  So, no charge.  

[Cruise Raider]

4 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

So, I’m surprised you can’t share the prix fix menu at Alfredo’s/Gigi’s.  Are the other casual dining spots the same policy?
TIA

There is no Alfredo’s / Gigis onboard this class of ship but that’s what I understand to be true at the Wheelhouse Bar.  I’m guessing the same would be for the other casual dining restaurants, though.  Think of it as a cover charge.  
 

I did ask the couple at Vines if I could take a photo of their food as they ordered the prix fix menu and they were sharing it.  Not sure what package they had, though. 
 

[Cruise Raider]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Someone posted a good workaround to this if the total cost is better.  One person orders the prix fixe for $15 and the other orders $3 dessert.  That is either $18 or $3 if guest has the free meal.  Next visit, the other person orders the prix fixe and the other the dessert. 

 

If all a couple wants is a pizza each, that is $17.00 if on Standard and paying.  Just depends what you want to eat.

 

Also, on another thread it was reported no problem sharing the prix fixe.  Could be variations among the ships as this new way launches.

I think you are right in that people will find a way around the $14.99 charge pp.  

I also think there will be people complaining about the ON activation fee on the app. I think that is what all the lines are about at guest services.  
 

 

[Cruise Raider]

OK .. a few things I’ve learned ..

Rombauer Chardonnay has been discontinued, at least on this ship.  They still may have a few bottles left but are only selling it by the bottle.  
The only Chardonnay they have by the glass is canyon road, pennifolds, Schaffer Ranch.

 

but now for the good news, they are offering lunch in the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s on alternating dates on sea days.  It’s the same price as dinner but offered at a better time for some people .. namely us!  
We saw this on the Emerald last month, too! I’m excited for my cruises where I have purchased the premier package.  I can’t eat that much at night and still feel comfortable enough to sleep.  So, this is a perfect option for us.  I help they keep this change permanently.  
 

 

Edited August 17, 2023 by Cruise Raider

[Cruise Raider]

I just have to say, thank you all for keeping this post civilized and not just a forum to complain.  I was hesitant to start a live from feed because of all the negative comments on here and on FB.  But, you all have restored my faith in humanity.  I just wanted to relay what I’ve noticed without having to defend my experiences and happy to do so since nobody has gotten nasty on this thread.  
 

[Cruise Raider]

At todays vegetable carving demo!  

[fsdorado]

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

The Ruby is in fine shape!  And if you know me through my posts, I am not one to go easy on the condition of a ship in my descriptions.  
I don’t know exactly what they are going to do in dry dock but will check with one of the officers if I get the chance.  It’s doubtful that much of anything will be done inside but that’s just my take on it because everything looks to be in very good condition.  They are actually going to complete their dry dock in Portland, Oregon.  Someone mentioned there would be two weeks in Portland and one week in Victoria.  I may have misunderstood but that’s what I heard.  
 

As for rough, I know that’s not what you mean, but thought I’d include it right here.  The whole way up, the seas have been having the ship doing this weird wiggly motion.  We are dead center ship and can still feel it but it’s not really bothering us.  If our cabin were all the way aft or forward, that would definitely be another story.  

 

 

We disembarked Ruby on 8/5/23.  I agree that Ruby is in fine shape for a ship of her age.  We talked to several crew members about dry dock.  They confirmed that she will spend two weeks in Portland and a week in Canada (she didn't specify Victoria but that makes sense).  She just signed on a cruise before ours and said that they'll stay aboard during dry dock to take care of the dry dock workers and to do a bunch of cleaning.

 

 

Frederick

[fsdorado]

Sorry, wrong thread

Edited August 17, 2023 by fsdorado
wrong thread

[Cruisingisthebestfun]

2 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

You now do that through your room steward.  So, no charge.  

Thank you for the information. It’s helpful for our Majestic cruise on this coming Saturday.

[Cruisingisthebestfun]

17 hours ago, avonlady6390 said:

On my last cruise in April our room steward took care of swapping out our mini bar items I just left him a note on the second day in am and when we returned later it was done.

thank you.

[Belle]

I've been on since 8-5 everything was normal except they started the blue line early for

those who didn't have their medallion. didn't matter if Elite, blue line for you.

 

Now 8-15 everything started

. I'm Elite called room service to change out bar--no charge

Room service if use phone to order even if have PP charge $5,  if use TV or App

no charge but is that after the $14.99 charge, don't know. I used the phone, like

to make changes so far no $5 charge (usually charges goes on in a minute) Have

the plus package either she was wrong before or didn't charge me.

 

New room service menu (old still on TV) no more Dip with chips, Chocolate chip cookies 

 Don't know what else they have taken off.

 

Dry dock, one thing their doing is taking the double table games away and adding more

slot machines, that's where they make their money.  All I heard was 2 weeks in Oregon.

Can check by seeing when the next cruise starts. Panama Canal.

 

Cruise Raider yes ship is moving differently then normal.  Doesn't bother me but can

feel it. Now going faster to make up time from yesterday. We were getting in late to

Juneau than normal already.  I hope the passenger is alright and getting better. 

Hard going with rain and fog.

 

The ship is fine even if older. Least has Skywalker and a deck to walk around unlike

the new ships. Service is good as usual. I think who ever comes on will have a good time,

plus who can beat the beauty of Alaska?

 

[Steelers36]

24 minutes ago, Belle said:

I'm Elite called room service to change out bar--no charge

NTH.

[Cruise Raider]

We are watching the totem pole carver with great interest in the piazza.  I find the enrichment programming so interesting.  
So, not to be rude, I’m posting this a bit late.  We are not stopping in Juneau tomorrow after all as we have another medical emergency onboard, one that can’t be airlifted off .. so, we will make an unscheduled stop (not a port call) in Ketchikan tomorrow to disembark the gravely ill or injured passenger.  Our first stop will now be in Skagway.  I realize people’s vacations are important to the, but we saw some people absolutely disgusted that we had to miss Juneau tomorrow.  Needless to say, I have zero empathy for those upset about this.  Imagine if that was one of your loved ones needing care.  Anyway, to not break my cardinal rule of negativity on this post …I will leave it at that!  
 

[Knickearth]

8 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

The Ruby is in fine shape!  And if you know me through my posts, I am not one to go easy on the condition of a ship in my descriptions.  
I don’t know exactly what they are going to do in dry dock but will check with one of the officers if I get the chance.  It’s doubtful that much of anything will be done inside but that’s just my take on it because everything looks to be in very good condition.  They are actually going to complete their dry dock in Portland, Oregon.  Someone mentioned there would be two weeks in Portland and one week in Victoria.  I may have misunderstood but that’s what I heard.  
 

As for rough, I know that’s not what you mean, but thought I’d include it right here.  The whole way up, the seas have been having the ship doing this weird wiggly motion.  We are dead center ship and can still feel it but it’s not really bothering us.  If our cabin were all the way aft or forward, that would definitely be another story.  

 

I agree, the Ruby is in fine shape and I can’t imagine what they will do in dry dock.

[lstone19]

19 hours ago, Belle said:

Dry dock, one thing their doing is taking the double table games away and adding more

slot machines, that's where they make their money.  All I heard was 2 weeks in Oregon.

Can check by seeing when the next cruise starts. Panama Canal.

 

 

 

We're currently on Ruby Princess.

 

The second table game pit (including the craps table) is only open after 8pm. So it's largely wasted space. I only play Craps on the ships as I will not play 6:5 blackjack and to get 3:2, you need to be at the $25 minimum table which is more than I want to risk.

 

Of course, reconfiguring the casino is not something the ship needs to be in dry dock for. Dry dock is for below the waterline work although you can do above the waterline work at the same time. If they really wanted to reconfigure the casino, it could be done on a turnaround day or even overnight while underway (just like a lot of the painting and other stuff happens). 

[lstone19]

14 hours ago, Knickearth said:

I agree, the Ruby is in fine shape and I can’t imagine what they will do in dry dock.

 

What of they keys to keeping it in fine shape is doing the constant maintenance a ship requires. And some of that requires that ship go into dry dock so the hull can be inspected below the waterline. Going into dry dock does not mean there is something that needs to be fixed or change. Think of it as like your 90,000 mile maintenance on your car that is needed to keep it going another 90,000 miles.

[sfpd3000]

@Cruise Raider.  Enjoy your cruise.  I'll be working the port at the end of September when Ruby comes back on her final Alaska run of the season and just before she departs for drydock.  Those half turns are easier than the full turns.

[Cruise Raider]

5 minutes ago, sfpd3000 said:

@Cruise Raider.  Enjoy your cruise.  I'll be working the port at the end of September when Ruby comes back on her final Alaska run of the season and just before she departs for drydock.  Those half turns are easier than the full turns.

 I’m afraid we will miss you again!  
we will be on the Royal up north by then.  
We will meet in person one day!  🤞 
 

[Serious Cruisers]

2 hours ago, lstone19 said:

 

What of they keys to keeping it in fine shape is doing the constant maintenance a ship requires. And some of that requires that ship go into dry dock so the hull can be inspected below the waterline. Going into dry dock does not mean there is something that needs to be fixed or change. Think of it as like your 90,000 mile maintenance on your car that is needed to keep it going another 90,000 miles.

I was recently invited to do a tour of a hal ship I had sailed on two years ago kongingsdam pretty new ship. It was in dry dock for a few weeks and I was shocked when I saw all the interior changes showrooms bars etc