truckguy

Does anyone have a recommendation for whale watching tours from Victoria. We will be in port there in October and would like to take a morning whale watching tour. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

See if this will attach.

 

Yep it attached. Best coconut shrimps ever. This is at Lety's. White tablecloth but my toes are in the sand. I think this was like $9.

How do we get to Letys and Stone Island ?

Bryan

I too was on the last sailing of Ruby from LA to Vancouver. It was my second trip on Ruby since September. We were aft on Emerald deck in a covered mini-suite. We never noticed any smells or had any bathroom issues. I found her to be (as was in September) fit and in good order. I would sail on her agian tomorrow if possoble !! She is just in for drydock and should be in stellar condition when she re-emerges. You will have a great time I assure you !!

bryan (truckguy)

We have five Princess cruises to our credit and we have enjoyed anytime dining on each of them. We have always just showed up at the time of our convenience and made our request for a table. We generally like to sit at a large table of 10 with people we have never met. We have found that the varity of stories and experiences to be excellent conversation topics. We have occasionally requested a smaller table if we have met a couple and wish to dine alone with them or by ourselves. We have always been promptly accommodated with sometimes only a minimual wait. We love the anytime dining. It suits our chaotic schedule.

Wishing you calm seas and endless sunsets,

Bryan (truckguy)

You're welcome. I figured buy 4/get 4 was a reasonable amount. Now if someone requested 20 or something, I'm sure they'd put the brakes on:) We did the math, and even with purchasing the Coke card, this was a better option for us vs buying the all-inclusive package. As I said before, there are days when I might not feel like drinking, so utilizing the BOGOF $1 allowed us to save some money. Enjoy your cruise on Ruby!!

We have done the math after returning from each cruise and have realized a substantial savings "as you go" over the drink package. We have never held back on our drink spending and have always ordered what we want when we want including $12 shots of port wine after each dinner and bottles of wine at the crab shack. On Caribbean Princess last week we saved almost $150 over the all inclusive package. However, we are no longer the drinkers we were once upon a time long long ago either !! Anyway, thanks again for the tip.

Bryan(truckguy)

Just got off Caribbean Princess last week and am now Platinum level. I am aware of the listed benefits on the website but was wondering if any experienced Platinum or Elites can tell me if you know of any other perks or benefits available to me that are not listed. Thank you in advance for any information you can share.

Wishing you calm seas and endless sunsets,

Bryan(truckguy)

I was on Ruby for the Vancouver to LA 3 night sailing back in September and had no complaints whatsoever, we had a premium aft balcony and enjoyed the wake view all the way down. We were blessed with whales one morning while having breakfast on our balcony. It was an awesome cruise. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I am going the reverse direction in just over to weeks. This time in a mini suite (couldn't resist for the price we paid). Ruby is a beautiful ship. She is scheduled for dry dock and does need some sprucing up in some areas but over all you will have a memorable time on her. We had impeccable service, wonderful food (especially the Crown Grill - make a reservation asap). I am looking forward to the Crab Shack dinner again as well as the fish & chips lunch at The Wheelhouse Pub.

You know what they say about opinions, right? Form your own, go with the flow and have a great time, Otherwise, whats the point really? I am certain you will enjoy Ruby !!

Wishing you all calm seas and endless sunsets !!

Bryan(truckguy)

We just got off the Caribbean Princess Sunday, and here's my advice: buckets are fine to save a bit, but the best way to go is the daily 'buy one get one for $1' promotion. Everyday on our cruise they had happy hour in the Fusion Lounge from 3-4pm and Skywalkers from 11pm-midnight. You can buy beer unopened and put it in your fridge for later. We bought 4 and got 4 for $1 each, which makes it $3.88 per 16 oz bottle, versus $5.29 per beer when you buy the bucket of 5. Of course, we still bought one bucket and some singles along the way, so it's not like Princess didn't make money off of us:)

 

We did the math and decided this was more economical for us vs buying the all-you-can-drink package. We did get the Coke card and used it quite a bit too. Also, if you want to keep beer for later, take a bottle opener with you:)

 

Another reason I've been hesitant to pre-purchase alcohol is what if I get onboard and am not feeling up to drinking?? The last night of our cruise we had very high winds and the ship was rolling a LOT....which led to many people feeling poorly. The thought of drinking or eating anything made my stomach turn. I would have hated to have pre-purchased stuff that went to waste.

I too was on Caribbean Princess Nov 4 to Progreso. We really enjoyed the cruise. It was the first time I had experienced happy hour pricing on the cruise. I went to the Horse Races (btw, Paul was a fantastic race announcer - Pee in the Pool won me $6) as planned and ordered my Grolsh beer and received two. After an brief inquiry, I discovered that it was Happy Hour and buy one get one for a dollar. Your idea of a happy hour buying spree is brilliant. I bought a bucket from room service immediately after muster but was limited to the selection (Heineken for me). The happy hour deal is way better as you could get whatever you want and go (genius). I am going on Ruby in two weeks and will definitely utilize your plan. Thank you for the idea.

Bryan (truckguy)

in having you procure a charm for me. How can I reach you?

SilverBird

bryan9661@gmail.com, I will also be on Ruby Princess Nov 30.

bryan(truckguy)

I am quite happy with my mini suite. I was just curious. I dont expect anything and would be grateful for any offer. I have just heard stories and like here they all vary. So, I guess the best for me is to be content with the cabin I paid for and continue to wait my turn for the upgrade fairy bless me with her presence and gifts.

Bryan (truckguy)

After my next cruise on Nov 4, I will be Platinum level and I am wondering how Princess handles upgrades. I am sailing again on Nov 30 on Ruby in a mini suite and have noticed almost all the full suites are available as of today. I have sailed in a mini suite on all my Princess sailings and have never been offered an upgrade. I also gamble a little in the casino each night and have never received any casino offers. I'm not complaining, I'm just curious as to others experiences.

Bryan(truckguy)

We ate in the Crab Shack twice this year , on Emerald in February and on Ruby in September. Both times it was all you can eat. We didnt order extra bowls as we were only 2 and each got a bowl but there were other tables next to us that had several bowls again and again.

Bryan(truckguy)

When we were on the Ruby a week ago, they were out of the Princess 50th Anniversary Charm. I have sent an email to Princess to find out how I can get it. Our next cruise isn't until next year. Anyone have any other suggestions?

I am going on Caribbean Princess on Nov 4. I could get one for you and send it to you if they have them.

Bryan (truckguy)

We’re going on the Ruby in November for the first time and have a few questions.

1. Is there Crab Shack on board anywhere? Maybe the Café Caribe?
   
2. Does the Adagio on deck 16 next to Sabatini’s have entertainment or is it just a lounge?
   
3. Have they started serving Curtis Stone menu items in the MDR yet?
   

thanks..

We just sailed on Ruby Sep 14 Vancouver to LA and had Crab Shack on the second night in the Horizon Court. It was a $20 pp add on but well worth it in our opinion. We never made it to Adagio and we had anytime dining so were never in the MDR either. Sorry, I can only answer the first question.

It worked just fine on Emerald two weeks ago. I used it every morning after my thermal spa session.

We were on the Emerald Princess sailing Feb 8 and the "Rock the Deck" party was on Wednesday night after our port stop in Roatan. I double checked my Patter to be sure !! I have also noticed that there are a couple different itineraries so maybe that has an effect on which night is Deck Party night ...We had 2 sea days right away, there is a different itinerary with the 2 sea days at the end of the cruise ..

If you havent experienced Ultimate Balcony Dining, you may want to check it out. It is really awesome. You get to pick your menu, comes with a photo, flowers, drinks with appetizers, your personal bartender and waiter. It is truely wonderful ...and ... everyone passing through your hallway will wonder what the hell is going on in there !! $150.00 .... They only do a couple each night so book early if you wish to have this service. When there are 2 formal nights on our cruise we usually book it for one of those nights.

Hi,

Hope you have a great cruise. My sister lived in Conroe,Tx. during that time. Small world.

I am from Conroe. Graduated CHS in 1980. Indeed it is a small world.

For any wine lovers sailing in the next few weeks, this is where Princess's allowance for wine is a good thing! ;) We sailed the CB last year from Bayport (in Feb) and knew about the possibility of fog issues. Sure enough, when we left muster drill, fog had enveloped the ship and my husband & I knew we weren't leaving that night. Luckily, we had brought on four bottles of wine (they didn't ding us for corkage, btw) and took a nice bottle of cabernet to the Crown Grill for dinner that night. So we were able to enjoy our extra night at port and not be too frustrated by the very limited wine choices available (which was pretty much just Mondavi wines if I recall correctly).

 

So just though I would offer that helpful hint. We went to Spec's the night before and stocked up for the trip.

Brilliant!! Thanks for the tip. We are sailing on EP in Feb. How many bottles of wine can each person take on the ship?