Panama Canal on the Ruby Princess 2023 Christmas cruise-photo/ video journal by Bimmer09

[Walt fan]

So glad you let Princess know about the excursion; there were many things wrong from your pics and description; forced shopping, late busses and rude guides are big no-no's, legitimate complaints that need to be voiced. But, your cake looks amazing.

[Bimmer09]

9 minutes ago, Walt fan said:

So glad you let Princess know about the excursion; there were many things wrong from your pics and description; forced shopping, late busses and rude guides are big no-no's, legitimate complaints that need to be voiced. But, your cake looks amazing.

That story isn't over yet...

I spent 40 minutes doing the Princess survey when we got home and although I didn't detail the Sloth guide I complained about the practice of allowing guides to hijack a bus load of people who already have all the cameos, tanzanite, diamonds, Turkish rugs, Mexican pottery, 4 foot diameter sombreros etc in their homes.

I slammed the DJ and the practice of using 1 musician and a backing computer file vs a band of 4 reggae musicians from Barbados with personalities. I slammed the decline in MDR food- our last cruise was Celebrity Apex where crap flavorless dishes were few and far between and the buffet had amazing variety of hot foods and warm plates to eat  off. I seldom had a memorable dish in the MDR although the service was first class.

Carol reminded me that the forced shopping took the place of a Banana Plantation Tour. That will play a part in my 2nd visit to the Excursion Desk when a determined British lady unloads her complaints with both barrels while I stand in line listening. I saw Princess service in a dim light then.

All coming up in a future action packed tale on the High Seas!

Don't touch that dial!

Norris, LOL

[Bimmer09]

Aida Luna will leave just before us today

 

I have to swing by the Crown Grill later and book a table for tonight.

During my many corridor walks I have often been stopped in my tracks by some of the colorful door displays ... is yours one of these?

 

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

 

We're going to say "adios!"

 

One last look at the crane parts strewn on the dock. Hopefully one day the team that can build it will come. Anyone know how long these have lain here?

 

tonight's wannabe sunset

 

Good band-Pinnacle

 

 

Tradewinds bar

[stoneharborlady]

On 1/4/2024 at 10:19 AM, Bimmer09 said:

I've had Covid since Tuesday and it's a strong dose. I had it in January last year after a cruise on Diamond Princess. Last year I just had to wait it out.

Norris

I assume you are getting the Paxlovid on board?  They are OK then, for you to eat in the dining room?

[Bimmer09]

1 minute ago, stoneharborlady said:

I assume you are getting the Paxlovid on board?  They are OK then, for you to eat in the dining room?

I'm not onboard a ship. I left the Ruby on December 30.

Norris

[stoneharborlady]

5 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

I'm not onboard a ship. I left the Ruby on December 30.

Norris

Sorry, I misunderstood.  Thank you for clarifying.  And, hope you are feeling fit very soon!

[Bimmer09]

CROWN GRILL

Always a treat to eat here. Who doesn't like a nice juicy steak or some surf 'n turf?

The young man I made the reservation with mano a mano a few hours ago, just soon after he had stepped in some bright blue paint in a crew area was on the front desk. Two people ahead of us. He went over to a table, removed the tablecloth and walked away. Odd. 3 people got in line behind us. The young man came back into the room, realized he had forgotten something and left. He was walking willy nilly when the huge CG Manager came walking in, saw the line forming and took action. "Where are the reservations?" he asked the young man. No answer as the young man walked away into the shadows. The huge Manager, went looking and soon came back with the reservations clipboard. The young man had disappeared. Odd.

 

The manager saw our "names" (always the room number) and briskly led us back to a two top in the second half of the restaurant. A waiter appeared with the speed of a seagull on a dropped French fry. His name was Jade from the Philippines. Ivan was the Manager-Russian I think and he called himself Ivan the Terrible. He ran the room with gusto to make up for the lost blue-shoed assistant.

 

Classy!

 

 

It's a beautiful room, featuring artwork showing London , England. Anyone who thinks wood, brass and leather is "dated" won't like it. I love it. It speaks of comfort which will never go out of style.

 

 

 

 

My mouth is watering just looking at this menu....

I like all the bits shown above

[1emerald1]

19 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

 

This is our motor coach, complete with restroom, that will take us to the Sloth Sanctuary and eventually back. It will be about an hour away, down the coast. Don't be surprised if I take iPhone pics out of the window...

The band is singing away on the pier. Nice voice!

 

7FBFED63-3874-4CA2-9C2E-02BE305A9212.mov 48.07 MB · 6 downloads  

 

 

One of my favorite things is watching them drop the lines and slowly taking off, and you have the perfect view for that?

[Bimmer09]

2 minutes ago, 1emerald1 said:

One of my favorite things is watching them drop the lines and slowly taking off, and you have the perfect view for that?

Always- with the exception of the mini suite on the Diamond last year (free upgrade) we have sailed aft since cruise #2 (aft suite, Crown 2012)

We have 3 cruises booked currently-2 HAL, 1 Celebrity, all aft.

The cruise really starts when the lines get wet!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Wine for Monsieur, I think a Cabernet Sauvignon. For Madame a Prosecco. Some cheesy bread gets me chewing. I already know what I want. Carol passes on the bread.

 

Before the 15 walk-ins group

 

My Black Tiger prawn with Papaya Salpicon and mustard seed aioli

 

Carol's beet salad

 

My Filet Mignon (medium) with lobster for an extra $10

 

Mushrooms, asparagus and herbed French Fries (yum). Carol had a  7 oz. Filet, no lobster and a side of creamed spinach and asparagus. Mushrooms would have been less greasy  if whole button mushrooms used-these were sliced "wild" mushrooms but I wasn't wild about them.

 

Carol's dessert was Vanilla gelato which wasn't on menu. Me? Sambuca and Espresso.

 

During the early part of our meal Ivan had a group of 15 "walk in" without a reservation. Within 5 minutes he had arranged two new tables and seated them. The noise level increased greatly as there were a number of loud talkers. A table of 8 and a table of 7 which was mostly kids. Ivan offered a couple of times to move us to a quieter table. He's a good manager.

 

The cost is now $40 a head with a surcharge for lobster. It was well worth the spend!

 

 

Edited January 14 by Bimmer09
punctuation/add photo

[Bimmer09]

After the Crown Grill we went to the Princess Theater to hear  Nathan James in a show called Rock Legends. A good rock singer but we didn't stay long. The theater was half full and the Princess Orchestra isn't a convincing Rock Band. Plus we were tired and so you shouldn't be surprised when I tell you we hit the hay (we'd bought a bale in Limon) at 10.30.

Tomorrow is another sea day as we sail towards Grand Cayman. (photo from late in the day)

[Bimmer09]

Another sea day

I am often very glad that I like getting up early in the morning. I see this....

 

 

 

 another beautiful day dawns

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

Another sea day which means Sabatini's serves breakfast until 10.30 a.m. Our clocks are now set to the same time as Chicago. We check the PetCube cam each morning to see how our 2 cats are getting along. Our cat sitter sends us an email each day and includes photos of them being petted or playing. All is well.

My French toast with cinnamon apples has arrived

 

Followed by my forgotten bacon

 

Carol's Lox and (Almost) Toasted Bagel. This was prepared in what we call a "Canadian" toaster.

When in Ontario many times we've noticed the toasters have no heating elements and the bread is whiter when "done" .Possibly a safety concern.

 

[MisterMet]

On 1/12/2024 at 11:01 AM, Bimmer09 said:

We're going back through the canal

 

 

We left the lake behind

 

 

The tug draws us in

 

 

The ship will be secured to some of the yellow bollards once in position

 

 

The sheltered bow on deck 8- a superb Grand Class feature

 

 

 

I went back to our balcony to get a shot of the tug at the stern

 

 

 

Man Norris!  This looks so cool!

[clutchcurrier]

Norris,

 

When we were on the Ruby in November, the band Pinacle was also there.  Fantastic band.  There was also a duo (two guys from St Lucia) who often played in the Wheelhouse bar in the evenings. They could do Motown really well.  Enjoying your GSJ. 

[Bimmer09]

December 27 sea day

I'm up early which means I can take some photos before the ship wakes up.

 

 

Good Spirits bar/International Cafe

 

 

 

 

 

The decks look in tip-top condition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

 

 

Barrier protecting kids play area

 

 

 

The Sea Witch

 

 

Tiered movie seating

 

 

Promenade deck aft walkway-see and hear the wake!

 

 

Promenade deck narrow walkway starboard aft

 

 

[Deck Chair Queen]

On 1/13/2024 at 7:15 PM, Bimmer09 said:

carol can speak to it.

Oops I see I have fallen behind in my responsibilities. My excuses are 1) Covid fatigue; we are feeling much better but I am sleeping at least ten hours a day and have zero energy. I’m going to try to get back to work tomorrow. 2) Our loft’s heating system decided to give up the ghost on Sunday, just in time for a week of subzero temperatures.  I’ve been trying madly to get it repaired on a holiday weekend. Fortunately we have electric baseboard heaters along the exterior wall and a very well insulated brick building built to last more than a hundred years ago. It’s about seventy inside but much colder in spots, like the frosted-over window by Norris’s workspace. So sloths:  The sloth sanctuary was featured in an Animal Planet series years ago called “Meet The Sloths,” but I have been unable to track it down. For all the mishaps and screwups of the day, it was a wonderful excursion. They are precious, rare, and unique creatures and it was great to see them up close. A peaceful, Zen presence. No petting allowed, which I understand but regret. I also loved the canoe ride in the silent lush rain forest and was sorry it didn’t last longer. It was magical. I am not much of an outdoorswoman and I’m grateful for the chance to experience nature with so little effort on my part. 
 

Annie I noticed you in the dining room and wanted to invite you to join us but as a loner myself I recognized and respected the signals that you just wanted to dine in peace alone with your Kindle. 

[rdsqrl]

Thank you, Carol.  I appreciate both the thought and your perspicacity.    

 

My waiter was very displeased  I think he thought extra tips/mention on the survey were at stake because I didn't want to chat.  On the last night, he said something about not getting to know me.  Dude, I'm not there to be your bestie - just keep my wine glass full and deliver my food and I'll take care of you.  Sigh.   

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

The pics of the ship before any passengers were up is priceless!

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

I know that staff are all about positive reviews in the survey but Princess does NOTHING about negative comments that I can’t see them even reading them never mind giving kudos to crew. I have written some really bad things in the survey and they didn’t feel the need to contact me nor has anything changed. 

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

And that lobster… yuck!  If you are ever in the Boston area I will grill you an amazing lobster!  🤪

[Bimmer09]

PUB LUNCH

 

The Hostess with the Mostest, Madhu from India. The British Flags aren't enough to turn Da Vinci into a Pub,alas. The Wheelhouse Bar was the ideal facsimile. All change is for the worst.

Her middle name is salad

 

I already knew I was going to order the Steak and Ale pie, although it's a pale shadow of the Steak and Kidney pie that has gone before. The pastry is now wafer thin as is the gravy. Kevin had given us a head's up that PL would be served today.

 

Carol's "Ploughman's Lunch"

The dark patch is thankfully Branston Pickle which accompanies many salads in the best households including ours in Chicago. Stingy on the cheese, although British ploughmen have become very body-conscious and are dieting, particularly Keto. They are also spending more on grooming-the Harry Stiles hair  style is sweeping across the furrows of rich soil that grace our sceptered isle.

 

I ordered a make-up entree to console myself over the pie. Bangers and mash.

 

God Save the King! This turned out to be the most memorable MDR dish of the week. Herbed sausages-Cumberland sausages perhaps? A rich oniony gravy and some mash to mop it up.

Served hot as was the pie. Knocked it for six! (UK equivalent of Home Run- a cricket phrase)

 

 

The bread and butter pudding has the consistency of a soft sponge cake-not chunky bread bits

 

 

Edited January 16 by Bimmer09
remove a doppelgänger pic

[Bimmer09]

16 minutes ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

And that lobster… yuck!  If you are ever in the Boston area I will grill you an amazing lobster!  🤪

Hence my declining another helping of the lobster thermidor. I can't get too excited when the lobster is "cruiseship lobster". They have to have a "lobster" offering as every line has one. Bottom line kills the quality. Luckily we have a Joe's Seafood (of Miami) in Chicago. 

Thanks for the offer!

Norris