plunker

Gravity, Capt Phillips, and Last vegas

Just got off the Ruby and it was the 2nd day. First sea day

Hi We were on the same cruise as you and loved it. Just wanted your opinion on NCL and RCCL. We were on the Ruby with our 2 kids(11,7) and they loved it but we are thinking of trying a different cruise line that had more to do for the kids. Thanks

I honestly don't know. Where we docked there were I think 5 other ships there that morning. You walked down the pier and there was a big covered area you had to walk thru that was all shops on either side and you walked down the middle. Once you got outside of that area there was a lot of shops everywhere and if you kept walking and turned to the left there were all of the taxis and shuttles. Hope that helps.

I forgot to mention the pool temperatures. I don't like swimming in cold water but I swam a couple of days. When you put your foot in it was a little cool but once you got in after a couple of minutes it was nice. The last day was a different story. It was freezing and people would jump in and be out in 20 seconds it was so cold. Overall not too bad tho.

Chankanaab park was really nice. It was between that and Paradise beach. The kids were in the pool a lot on the ship so we decided on Chankanaab. The place was huge and had a botanical garden area and as you walked thru it they had a enclosure with 5 or 6 big alligators in it and another pool with baby alligators. There were mayan ruins scattered about as you walked plus the sea lion show and the dolphins are jumping constantly as they are being trained. Great day. I loved your review Andrew and glad you got away from your original neighbors.

We left Wisconsin around noon the day before the cruise and flew into Ft. Lauderdale. We got in around 4 and stayed at the Hyatt Place North. They sent a shuttle to pick us up which was nice. Easy check in and we all went down to the pool. Our family was my wife and I and our 2 kids (11, 7). After swimming we changed and went to the Outback steakhouse which was close by. The food was ok and we went to a gas station and I bought 5 20 oz bottles of soda for the cruise. While we were walking back to the hotel we walked by a cab and I asked him how much it would be to take us the next morning to the port. He said 10 bucks and gave me a number to call. Back to the hotel and to bed after I called the taxi company and asked for a 1030 pick up.

The next morning we all had our free breakfast at the hotel and I called the cab company to confirm our pickup and they said it was all scheduled. We walked around in the beautiful weather looking at the lizards on the trees while my 11 year old son took pictures of them. They emailed me on my phone that they would be at our hotel in 5 minutes and we should come out front. We got our stuff and the cab was waiting. They dropped us off and the bill was only $6.90. We checked our bags and got in line for the ship. Kids were amazed at how big all the ships were.

Embarkation: We were in line around 1045 and around 11 we were in the doors and checked in. You sit and wait in a huge area and someone told us we would start boarding around noon. Sure enough at noon we all went on the ship and they take your picture and give you your cruise cards for the week. Our rooms were p330 and p338.

1st night: We went to the buffet and had already talked to princess about my sons deadly peanut allergy. Everything was good on the buffet and then we started our scavenger hunt. After getting all our stamps my son and I went to play mini golf while my wife and daughter went to the pool. Went back to do the muster drill and then played some basketball. We went and checked the kids into the kids club and I think there were only something like 30 kids on the ship but we met a family from New Jersey that had a 11 and 9 year old boy and a 6 year old girl. The kids hung out and played with them all week so that was great. My son got in a hula hoop contest and won that so he got a prize. We watched Billy Joel on MUTS and then went to dinner. After dinner we went to the Princess theatre to see the Welcome Aboard show which was OK. My wife and daughter went to bed and my son and I went to watch Gravity. Watched half of that and off to bed. Great first day.

2nd day: Sea day A lot of sports today like mini golf and basketball and ping pong. Kids went with their new friends to the kids club. We saw Rootberry and these guys were great. My son got picked and went on the stage with them. We went to Crown Grille that night and just happened to get Froderick for our waiter. I told him he was a rock star on cruise critic and he laughed. Had a great meal and at the end I tried to tip him twice but he wouldn't take it. We saw Once Upon a Dream and the girls went to bed while we went and saw most of Last Vegas on MUTS.

3rd day: Took a tender to Grand Caymans. We signed up with Moby Dick to do a snorkel/stingray tour. My wife and I had done this with them 4 years ago and loved it. It was very hot. Had to be around 90. We did the tour and they dropped us off at Rackums for lunch. It was a great place to eat. Close to the ship on the ocean. There were big fish swimming right off shore and a green and orange iguana walking around the rocks a few feet away. If you go with Moby Dick you get 10 % off your meal. After eating we shopped and walked around. Back on the ship we went to dinner and then saw magician Landon Swank. He was amazing. Girls went to bed and we went up to MUTS but there was no movie just some old concerts by U2 and Lionel Ritchie. We didn't want to watch that so we went to bed.

4th day: Walked down the pier into Cozumel and our daughter got a braid in her hair for 2$. Took a shuttle to Chankanaab park which was 11 dollars. The park was beautiful. We just caught the first sea lion show which was really good. After the show you can go up there and get kissed by a sea lion and they take a picture and you can buy it later for 16$.(which our son did) They took us on a tour of the dolphins and you can see all the people that paid to swim with them. Our guide fed the manatees a head of lettuce and it was very informational. Our new friends from New Jersey joined us there so the kids swam in the lagoon and ran around all day. It was very windy in Cozumel and cloudy in the morning but the sun came out all afternoon. We stayed in Chankanaab park all day and it was great. I think it was 21$ per adult and 15$ per kid but we had coupons we had printed before we left for 2 dollars off per person. Took the shuttle back to the main area and shopped. Our daughter had 2 more braids put in her hair and my wife got a free charm from one of the shops. Went back to the ship and ate dinner and saw Rootberry again. My son and I went and saw Captain Philips on MUTS and then to bed.

5th day: Last sea day was just a relaxing day with some sports thrown in. I went to the casino for the first time and gambled for a hour and a half and I ended up winning 16 cents. Better than losing I guess. My wife did laundry so she wouldn't have to do it all when we got home. The kids went into the kids club with their friends. Just a relaxing day.

Debarkation: We were out of our room by 745 and got breakfast. Walked around the beautiful ship and we were scheduled to get off at 930 We had the stewards take almost all of our luggage the night before. When they let us go it was quick. We found our luggage and waited in line about 10 mins before going thru security and down to the cabs. We took a van for 22$ for all 4 of us to the airport. We flew Southwest so we were at gate B5. The line to go through security at the airport was absolutely unbelievable. It looped around all over the place. We were in line a hour and a half before getting thru security. People were complaining like you wouldn't believe but if you get 6 or 7 ships on the same morning I guess that's what happens. Our flight was delayed a hour anyway so it didn't matter for us.

Overall: The ship was beautiful and the crew on the ship was amazing. Everyone had smiles and it was always hello sir and hello maam. Our room steward Andy from the phillipines could not have been better. Special attention was paid to our son because of his peanut allergy in the dining room. Everyone kept checking on him to see how he was and how his food was. They made both our kids animals and a ninja our of the napkins. It was a amazing cruise and thankfully our kids loved it. Any questions, I will try to answer them.

We were on the Ruby 4 years ago and stayed in a mini suite and it was wonderful. Plenty of room and a great balcony. 2 tv's. We will be on the same cruise but this time we will be taking our kids for their first cruise.

Funny! although i shouldnt be laughing as we will be getting on the ship feb 10 and my kids will be very disappointed if its too cold too swim.

What is that a picture of? Looks delicious

I'm surprised nobody complains about the pools being so cold. Or if people are complaining they must be ignoring the complaints.

Do you have to get dressed up to eat in the dining room for lunch?

Could you please let us know how warm the pool water is? We will be getting on Feb 10 with our kids for their first cruise and the reports have been the pool water is very chilly. Thanks

We put a luggage tag on a 12 pack of soda when we were getting on the Ruby and it never made it to our room.

We got our emails yesterday and we sail Feb 10th.

Did you go in any pools? Read a report that the pool water was very cold. What did you do in Cozumel?

That would be a bummer if the water is that cold. We will be on the Ruby for our first family cruise Feb 10 and our 7 year old will live in the pool but i guess not if its as cold as you say.

Going on the ruby feb 10-15th and got a email today that a couple movies that will be playing will be "gravity" with sandra bullock and "captain phillips" with tom hanks. Entertainers are rondell sheridan and landon swank.

What if its only a 5 night cruise?

Is formal night the night they serve lobster in the main dining room? Anyone know the dishes they usually serve that night? We are thinking of going to the crown grill that night and wondering what we would be missing. Thanks

Whats a good website to find out which pier your cruise ship leaves from? We are on ruby feb 10-15th and cant find it on the port everglades website.

I'd put it in your luggage if possible cause i put a luggage tag on a case of coke and it never made it to our room.

So is that correct that you can share the drink package with your wife?

From everything i have read it i thought you need to make your reservation as soon as you get on the ship. Just wondering how you know what night to make it for.

When you get on the ship is it possible to see a menu for all 5 days of your cruise?(ours is 5) if you immediately make reservations for the crown grille when you get on the ship how do you know what night you would like your reservation for? I wouldnt want to miss the lobster in the mdr and would like to pick a night that i didnt really care for the menu.r