Ruby Princess Best Night for Crown Grill?

[EMBFlyer]

We're sailing on the Ruby Princess in March to the Eastern Caribbean. Since all the reviews I've read have said to call the DINE line as soon as you board to book, we were wondering which is the best night to go the Crown Grill. We don't want to miss any formal nights in the dining room or the first or last nights. Is there a night where the menu is so-so and the Crown Grill the better option? Thanks!

[rdsqrl]

When you board, there'll be a schedule in your cabin that'll show which nights to come are formal nights. As for which menus are better/worse, the Caribbean Night has generally been the least favoured (at least by those who have been lucky enough to not have to endure Oriental Night. Even after three years, the memories remain to scar me!). Of course, since menus have recently undergone some changes, the selections for that night may be different/better. Or you may love jerk chicken (it's actually pretty good; plus that's Key Lime Pie night on the dessert menu!), making that night a must-do. Anyway, if you go down to wherever they're taking specialty restaurant reservations on embarkation day (the time/place will be listed in the Patter that'll be in your cabin when you board), they should have the entire week's Main Dining Room menus there for you to peruse.

 

Bon voyage/apetit!

[EMBFlyer]

When you board, there'll be a schedule in your cabin that'll show which nights to come are formal nights. As for which menus are better/worse, the Caribbean Night has generally been the least favoured (at least by those who have been lucky enough to not have to endure Oriental Night. Even after three years, the memories remain to scar me!). Of course, since menus have recently undergone some changes, the selections for that night may be different/better. Or you may love jerk chicken (it's actually pretty good; plus that's Key Lime Pie night on the dessert menu!), making that night a must-do. Anyway, if you go down to wherever they're taking specialty restaurant reservations on embarkation day (the time/place will be listed in the Patter that'll be in your cabin when you board), they should have the entire week's Main Dining Room menus there for you to peruse.

 

Bon voyage/apetit!

 

Thanks! I appreciate it. We've sailed on Carnival for the last few cruises and have been used to pre-booking our Steakhouse reservations with the help of John Heald and his Facebook page. When we board, we'll head there and make our decision.

[5326jan]

We like to go on one of the Formal Nights. Go directly to the restaurant you choose right after you board and make reservations. Sometimes, if there is a wedding or conference on board, the event can reserve the whole restaurant. :(

 

We loved Crown Grill on Ruby!

[2little time]

If you want the whole place to yourself go on embarkation night.

[RestonCruiser]

We like to go on the last night of the cruise. We were on the Ruby two weeks ago and were not thrilled with the offerings on the new menus. The last night had very few good choices. We go to Crown Grill on the last night, have a bottle of champagne to celebrate another cruise and toast the preparations for the next, and then eat steak and lobster until we can't eat anymore. Has become a last cruise night tradition with us. Two weeks ago on the Ruby, the food and the service were absolutely spectacular. I reserved as soon as we got on the first day and there was no problem getting a 7:30 p.m. reservation. Have a great cruise.

[Kirsten T]

We're never keen on "Continental" night. "Landfall" (the last night) is also pretty lame - it's perilously close to leftover night at home. With Anytime dining we also like the Crown Grill the first night, to avoid the mass hysteria at 7pm in the Anytime DRs. If you've got Traditional dining, though, I'd agree that the 1st and last nights are fun in the MDR, so check the menus and see what menus don't appeal to you (and perhaps ask your table staff, who always seem to know what's good and what's not.) Crown Grill is excellent; well worth one night away. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Kirsten