Report on our recent cruise on Ruby Princess

[caber]

We came off Ruby Princess at the end of last week after 12 lovely days Barcelona to Venice.

We had priority boarding and arrived before 12 but at that time anyone could board pretty quickly. We deposited our hand luggage in the cabin and went exploring. Having been on Crown and Emerald, we found our way round quite well.

There were a couple of little disappointing changes since our last Princess cruise 18 months ago. The first was that the main dining room did not open for lunch on port days. Secondly, Vines did not open until 4.30 most days. We managed not to starve anyway.:D

Having been to most of the ports before, we decided to do something different so from Livorno we took a half day ships tour to Lucca. We looked at doing it ourselves but this would mean a transfer and two trains. The Princess tour was inexpensive and less stressful. For anyone who has been to Florence and Pisa I would recommend this tour.

That evening, after a lovely dinner in Sabatinis, we returned to the cabin only to find a letter from the tour desk, telling us our tour the following day was cancelled. We had opted to do a wine tasting tour instead of Rome. At this time we were too late to make other arrangements. After complaining I found out that there had been a mix up on the houskeeping side and this is why we were told so late. The passenger relations manager, whom we had met on a previous cruise, apologised and sent wine and dipped strawberries to soften the disappointment. These things happen.

I can tell you that the Platinum, Elite and Suite cocktails are still being served in Skywalkers each night for $3.99. We found ourselves up there for sailaway every evening.

The weather was perfect.The passengers were quite a young set with about 800 children. We tended to stay around the Spa pool after our days ashore.

In Naples we took the hydrofoil for 12 euros each way to Sorrento. It left just to the left of the ships dock. When you get off the hydrofoil a local bus takes you to the town at the top of the hill for 1 euro. We walked back down. One of the other passenger we met waiting for the hydrofoil had recommended a local restaurant for lunch. It was a good call.

In Istanbul, Princess are running shuttle buses from the ship to the area near the Grand Bazaar, something we have not experienced before. The charge was $5 I think and well worth the money.

In Kusadasi we shopped.

We were not planning to go to Athens again but just along from the ship we found a hop on hop off bus going for 20 euros. This had the usual headphones in all languages.

The water shuttle in Venice is now $17 for the day. We went back and forward twice. Beware of the new checks getting back on the ship in Venice. We queued for about half an hour. Everyone had to have their passports with them and they were checked against the cruise card. It was especially busy around 5-6 when a lot of shuttles were coming back to the ship for dinner. Later that night we got on a lot quicker.

We were staying in Venice for another night when we disembarked so went for the People Carrier, 1 euro, just outside the port, which took us to Piazalle Roma, the main square to get buses to the airport, Our hotel was nearby and the next morning we took the airport shuttle bus for 6 euros.

Venice felt the most uncomfortable as it was so hot and humid.

We had a great cruise, met lots of new friends and came back to constant rain. :(

Now to start saving for the next one. :)

[paul929207]

Thanks for your comments. We will be in that area on the Crown in October, so you have been very helpful

[windsor26]

Thank you Interesting to hear about European stops:)

[lovevacadays]

Thanks for your review. Sounds like a lovely cruise.

[highheel girl]

Thanks for the review.

[erewhon]

Thank you for this report of your cruise.

[Sea Day Cruiser]

Thanks for the review. I'll be on the Ruby doing the Med cruise in a few weeks so your review was very helpful.