Shogun Live From Ruby 24th April to 16th May

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

We have made it, where to start, well a big thank you to all,

 

I will start with Edinburgh Airport , other airports please take note, this is how an airport should be run,

 

we arrive for check in all desks are open, and there are helpers floating about to assist those lost or needing help.

 

So no waiting straight up check in, then onto the security again all desks manned with a person guiding you to the nest free one, so a que of a few hundred but moving at a slow walk very quick,

 

then London next good thing we are kept airside not like when we changed planes last time in US or Canada so no waiting again.

 

Flight was a Jumbo nice seats BA inflight service very good food seemed a lot better,

 

At Miami we have passport control to get through this normaly the low point of any trip to the states but this time loads of desks open only 4 people in front of us, far the best service we have had entering the US,

so what was the first words spoken , may a hello or welcome, no its 4 fingers then thumb and thats it no other words, may be bloke gets feed up saying hello to thousands of folks a day.

 

At Miami a Princess rep just for us we were only ones on the flight, a Greyhound bus just for us at the hotel a princess rep just for us,

all very fast great service.

 

This morning bus on time about 20 of us in total straight to the port.

 

Now then you are not going to beleave this, no que thats right of the bus into the great hall every desk waiting so onto ship in the fastest time ever,

even photo bloke was standing to one side so easy to walk past him and onto the ship.

 

Ship is in easter mode, will take photos for you great easter egg display best I have seen, will post more when we have time.

 

yours Shogun

[Luvmyrotti]

Hi All

 

We have made it, where to start, well a big thank you to all,

 

I will start with Edinburgh Airport , other airports please take note, this is how an airport should be run,

 

we arrive for check in all desks are open, and there are helpers floating about to assist those lost or needing help.

 

So no waiting straight up check in, then onto the security again all desks manned with a person guiding you to the nest free one, so a que of a few hundred but moving at a slow walk very quick,

 

then London next good thing we are kept airside not like when we changed planes last time in US or Canada so no waiting again.

 

Flight was a Jumbo nice seats BA inflight service very good food seemed a lot better,

 

At Miami we have passport control to get through this normaly the low point of any trip to the states but this time loads of desks open only 4 people in front of us, far the best service we have had entering the US,

so what was the first words spoken , may a hello or welcome, no its 4 fingers then thumb and thats it no other words, may be bloke gets feed up saying hello to thousands of folks a day.

 

At Miami a Princess rep just for us we were only ones on the flight, a Greyhound bus just for us at the hotel a princess rep just for us,

all very fast great service.

 

This morning bus on time about 20 of us in total straight to the port.

 

Now then you are not going to beleave this, no que thats right of the bus into the great hall every desk waiting so onto ship in the fastest time ever,

even photo bloke was standing to one side so easy to walk past him and onto the ship.

 

Ship is in easter mode, will take photos for you great easter egg display best I have seen, will post more when we have time.

 

yours Shogun

 

Congrats on such a smooth embarkation. We can't wait to join you in a week for the TA!!

Doreen

[trikeman]

Glad to hear your send off has been a good one. We'll be looking forward to you posts as always.

[Woobstr112G]

Shogun;

 

I hope you have a fantastic cruise:) I'm looking forward to reading your reports.....:):):)

 

Bob

[A1A]

Looking forward to your live from! Hope you enjoy the Ruby as much as we did!

Ken

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

WEll its end of day one, as one would expect ship is clean, well maintained,

 

 

crew all that we have met have been very nice, once they find out we are staying on for the TA they chat even more.

 

Maitre D called our room to say hello very nice touch, we have spent almost month with him when on the Emerald.

 

Spooky the hotel manager came up and said hello, he new my name.

 

Our room steward speaks very good english, and is one of those happy people always smiling etc, he will be with uus on the TA.

 

The down side was dinner we had two other couples and three languages,

so not even a hello,

As to the food the shrimp cocktail needs to be renamed baby shrimp cocktail,

I had the fish the orange what ever, it was outstanding, good size well cooked and the taste could have eaten that all night.

 

I have asked for another table, it was so quite that we left and did not have desert instead we went to Adargio knowone there just us so thats where we had coffee wine and desert to die for. The piano player was happy to see us and played away very romatic. low lighting etc.

 

AS many of you know I have like many others become friends with a number of ships crew etc, and in our cabin was a range of welcome gifts from crew etc, even people not on this ship but knew we were cruising, such a nice touch.

 

So age group range is 6 months to 96 so very mixed lots of folks from different parts of the world.

 

So far the entertainment has been very good througout the ship,

overall ship has a happy holiday feeling

 

The ship has easter stuff throughout which again is a nice touch.

 

Some quotes from today from fellow passengers

 

I have been on the Grand its a lot bigger than this ship,

 

At muster lady complained that this confused her in that she did not know what life boat was hers

 

 

 

yours Shogun

[rdsqrl]

Thanks for checking in. Sounds like a lovely first day aboard. You'd think the maitre d', knowing you personally, could at least have assigned you to a table with people who speak a common language. I wonder if the assignments are done by computer? You should ask one of your crew buddies.

"I have been on the Grand; it's a lot bigger than this ship."

Okay, this cracked me up...

[hiworldtraveler]

Shogun,

Looking forward to your updates on Ruby! Glad to hear your commute has been good so far. Wish I could ever be that lucky with airports and flights. Enjoy your journey! :cool:

[hiworldtraveler]

Hey Shogun,

Regarding the confused lifeboat lady, you should have told her that the inflatable one was for her or the one with Ruby Princess written on the side of it. :eek: Nah, just kidding. Lifeboat drills can get very confusing after a few drinks.

[meemeec]

Hey, Shogun! Save some of those umbrella drinks for us!!!

See you next Sunday!!! Bon Voyage!!

Maureen

[Seal]

On our last 2 cruises on the Royal Feb and March of this year--as you know there is only traditional dining on the small ships--we always ask for a table of 8 since we figure this gives you 3 couples to draw from--hopefully all good--sooooooo on the February cruise we checked out our seating and it was a table for 4--then on to the ass't MD--explaining the desire for the large table (not the reason) first we were told it was done by computer--didn't seem to make sense then he showed us a diagrahm for the late seating--it had 2 red marks beside tables of 4--we were one of the red marks--he told us that they put those in a full suite with others in a full suite--not paying any attention to what we asked for--never heard of such a thing--needless to say we were immediately assigned a large table--on the small ships we always try to get an aft suite--spend lots of time there for 20 days--plus internet is usually good there--love the wake etc. and always try for 6088. Just can't undersand why they think we should be with others of like cabins on that cruise--normally I have no idea what type of cabin my tablemates have--and I don't care!!

 

We usually choose Anytime Dining when it is available.

 

Nancy:D:D

[kdrew88]

Thanks for the updates! Looking forward to joining you on the TA very soon!! Put in a good word for us to get a room upgrade. Haha! :D

[Starshine95123]

Looking forward to reading more of this live from. Thanks for taking us with you. :D

[Rockymountainsparky]

Shogun, I'm so glad you're getting your feet wet again. Don't worry about that big ball of fur, he'll do fine. Enjoy your cruise. I know we'll love following your Live From.

[caber]

Glad you had a good journey and are settling in.

 

I look for ward to the next installment.

 

Cheers! :D

[Mapu]

Have you had a chance to prepare the bartenders at the Tradewinds bar for the Ruby Gems? Gail

[cruisenuts4life]

Cant wait to hear about your cruise,we were on ruby last year and loved it so much we booked again for next year.My friends Tammy and Dave are on board with you.I talked her into going Princess so I hope they have a real good time! Diane:)

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

Sea day today and weather is good, Maitre D came and spoke to me at breakfast at Sabaintis, very nice people at Princess invited me, so we have a new table for diner table of 8 and we all chatted away,

 

Casino

Well first few visits was feeding time then last night slots started paying out played three machines and walked out with $600 so well up so far, had to move due to folk sitting smoking next me but if I had not moved I might not of won

 

Cabin, makes a fair bit of noise but it is a ship so not an issue or me, however in early hours something fell over in the area behind my cabin do not know what but load bang crash etc

 

Had our first asssessment party call, ship slowed down a few minutes later captain came on to say minor tec issue all is well

 

 

Princess Cays weather was overall good a few little showers, ship has big mix of folks which is nice.

 

Not had any issues withing anything all appear happy but I am sure some one will be having the cruise from hell.

 

 

formal tonight so will see how many dress up

 

 

yours Shogun

[Woobstr112G]

Hi All

 

Sea day today and weather is good, Maitre D came and spoke to me at breakfast at Sabaintis, very nice people at Princess invited me, so we have a new table for diner table of 8 and we all chatted away,

 

Casino

Well first few visits was feeding time then last night slots started paying out played three machines and walked out with $600 so well up so far, had to move due to folk sitting smoking next me but if I had not moved I might not of won

 

Cabin, makes a fair bit of noise but it is a ship so not an issue or me, however in early hours something fell over in the area behind my cabin do not know what but load bang crash etc

 

Had our first asssessment party call, ship slowed down a few minutes later captain came on to say minor tec issue all is well

 

 

Princess Cays weather was overall good a few little showers, ship has big mix of folks which is nice.

 

Not had any issues withing anything all appear happy but I am sure some one will be having the cruise from hell.

 

 

formal tonight so will see how many dress up

 

 

yours Shogun

 

Shogun;

 

Sounds like you're having a great time so far. Congrats to your good fortune in the casino.....:):):)

 

Bob

[WarEagle76]

Greatly enjoying your live thread. Regarding the following:

 

Spooky the hotel manager came up and said hello, he new my name

 

Happened to us one evening on Sapphire in February and surprised us too. Wonder if something new they are doing fleetwide.

 

At muster lady complained that this confused her in that she did not know what life boat was hers

 

This is a situation when you wish someone had a pair of kids water wings to hand her.:D

[moosepond]

Hi All

 

Sea day today and weather is good, Maitre D came and spoke to me at breakfast at Sabaintis, very nice people at Princess invited me, so we have a new table for diner table of 8 and we all chatted away,

 

Casino

Well first few visits was feeding time then last night slots started paying out played three machines and walked out with $600 so well up so far, had to move due to folk sitting smoking next me but if I had not moved I might not of won

 

Cabin, makes a fair bit of noise but it is a ship so not an issue or me, however in early hours something fell over in the area behind my cabin do not know what but load bang crash etc

 

Had our first asssessment party call, ship slowed down a few minutes later captain came on to say minor tec issue all is well

 

 

Princess Cays weather was overall good a few little showers, ship has big mix of folks which is nice.

 

Not had any issues withing anything all appear happy but I am sure some one will be having the cruise from hell.

 

 

formal tonight so will see how many dress up

 

 

yours Shogun

 

 

Hope your having a great time, How is the "SUN". Save a lounge chair for me. I sit out even if its freezing!! See you Sunday!:D

 

Marcy

[InsideTheCaldera]

What a great basket of eggs the Easter Bunny brought for you in the Casino!!! Bob is itching to get there... Thanks for these great comments

Bob & Pamela Crosby

Oh check ou the NEW Roster!! More and more and more.....

 

Hi All

 

Sea day today and weather is good, Maitre D came and spoke to me at breakfast at Sabaintis, very nice people at Princess invited me, so we have a new table for diner table of 8 and we all chatted away,

 

Casino

Well first few visits was feeding time then last night slots started paying out played three machines and walked out with $600 so well up so far, had to move due to folk sitting smoking next me but if I had not moved I might not of won

 

Cabin, makes a fair bit of noise but it is a ship so not an issue or me, however in early hours something fell over in the area behind my cabin do not know what but load bang crash etc

 

Had our first asssessment party call, ship slowed down a few minutes later captain came on to say minor tec issue all is well

 

 

Princess Cays weather was overall good a few little showers, ship has big mix of folks which is nice.

 

Not had any issues withing anything all appear happy but I am sure some one will be having the cruise from hell.

 

 

formal tonight so will see how many dress up

 

 

yours Shogun

[Jasperdo]

Not had any issues withing anything all appear happy but I am sure some one will be having the cruise from hell.

Ha! That's funny. I'm sure you're right about that!

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

We had our meet and greet

 

Cruise Director Sam Hawker Thomas

 

Customer Serviced Director Steve Ross used to be on the Crown

 

Hotel Manager Gaunther Koft Sorry about spelling

 

 

And the star of the show Tony Yeomans Captain

 

Who arrived in dress uniform chatted told storries joked away

 

but would not tell us about the asssessment party call would only smile

 

Casino starting to claw back winnings got to almost $800

 

 

Big party for the 100 Carnival group ship launch on Friday also a wedding that day

 

Captain doing wedding to day a renew of vows

 

 

yours Shogun

[Wormy53]

So glad you are doing this! It is so fun to hear your adventures!! What a good idea to do a Caribbean cruise then the TA - Only have to do the flight once, then you can be rested-up by the time you get back home.

 

Don't take all the casino money - save some for the rest of us!!!:D