raymo

We were on a VIP cruise on the Caribbean Princess (5/1/18). We took this cruise so that we could qualify for the Ultimate VIP cruise. But after our experience on the CB - 650+ VIP cruisers.......125 slot machines, and the bedlam that prevailed, not sure we will bother with the Ultimate VIP cruise unless they give it to us and it's on a larger ship with an adequately sized casino. It was a bedlam atmosphere and getting a machine to play was extremely difficult. This might be the same on the Ruby...the casino is small. Princess (really Carnival) oversold this cruise, IMHO. A lot of people were not happy, especially when there were a lot of "high rollers" that parked at machines for the entire cruise. In 15 cruises, this is the first time we experienced this. Just my observations....for what they are worth.

 

And it kind of ticks me off that they are not releasing any information about this November cruise until September. How many working people can plan for a vacation on such short notice?

We were on the same cruise and the casino was packed! 3 days in I asked the casino hostess how many were VIP were on the ship and she said 320. 320/650 who cares, packed is packed and a lot of players were parked at machines all day everyday throughout the cruise. My wife was frustrated by not being able to move around to different machines because most of them weren't open. Not good.

Our trip was booked because of the price and the drinks available in the casino, not because of the Ultimate VIP in Nov. If this invitation should come our way, we will think twice about it, because too many players in one small casino does not equal a good time.

Have fun to all that get the invitation!!

We've been on 6 VIP casino cruises with Princess and all of them have been fun. A welcome aboard party with snacks and drinks after sail away is always fun. The free drinks in the casino throughout the cruise and a free slot tournament as well as drawings every night help make the VIP experience enjoyable. We're not big spenders and still don't know why we get the offers, but take them if it fits our schedule.

The big one is in November called the Ultimate VIP casino cruise by invitation only. Our names won't be on that list!

If the Majestic is the ship for the Ultimate VIP cruise, it should be big enough to handle all of the invited players.

I don't think my wife and I will be on the list, but we qualified taking one of the cruises listed.

Ray

Ray, I hope you have an awesome cruise!! We sure wish we were back onboard!

Thanks, we'll have a great time! I plan to be at the poker table every night and maybe break even after 10 days. I'm laughing at my post, I need to proof read a little better. This cruise will be a lot of fun. I've never been on a bad one!

Ray

Thanks for the clarification on Pax. I hope I don't have the need to find them, but if I do, I'll be the first and the loudest in line! 10 plus cruises with Princess and never had problem that needed to go beyond the cabin steward. There had better be hot water and a nice robe or Pax will be meeting me.

Right now, I'm more concerned with wrapping things up here and packing for the trip.

Ray

Great review! Thanks so much for taking the time. We are going on Emerald for 35 days starting 1/23. We are in a suite aft on Dolphin deck. What room did you have? We've lucked out all these years getting really good room stewards. Hopefully it's not the one you had! Very concerned about the beds, water and toilets. My husband just finished his chemo/radiation and is now cancer free; however, he will have to be quite careful as immune system will not be 100% by the time we leave. He is freezing all the time and I don't think public showers is a good thing for him. I am afraid. Are they working on fixing these problems?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Mary

Thanks for the great report! I did not understand what "Pax services" meant and the no of people that would be in line.

Thanks, Ray

I hope the 92 MPH forward wind speed is a typo ?? Are you in the middle of a storm ?

If this is correct, I plan to bring my life jacket to dinner and happy hour!! We leave on Jan 4th and don't want high winds or cold water in the shower.

Thanks for the update.

Ray

Thanks for all the info!! I will take a look at the Share, but the Crown Grill is my choice for now. My wife wants to see the Share menu and will decide if it meets her culinary standards.

I suspect we may be dining at the Share after she reviews it.