Just back from Ruby, some pro & con observations

[jean s]

Thanks for sharing your review. I agree with how quiet some Princess ships can get at night. My dh solves this by getting his own well used seat in the casino.

[gemz]

Thanks for the review. We're from Toronto too and going on Ruby soon. My first Princess in 10 years, my husbands first Princess (he's only experienced Royal Caribbean). I know it will be quieter than Royal and ill miss practicing my Flowrider skills but will take it as pure relaxation :)

[motoryacht]

I enjoyed your review.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[gelo7]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[trailgirl]

An interesting point about the name tags, and the privacy issues. A friend had pointed that out to me, when they were looking at my cruise photos -- of course I took a photo of our name tag. I usually do take a photo showing our cabin number, for future reference.

 

But I had a bizarre experience when sailing on the Golden last fall with my two sisters and my parents. The day we embarked, after several trips into our cabin, I just happened to glance over to our next door neighbours' door out of curiousity to see their names. I was pretty shocked to see MY name there, with a strange man's name (different last name). I thought they had made a mistake and put the wrong name on the tag. The next morning it was still there and we happened to meet the couple going out to breakfast. I said to the lady -- is this YOUR name? And she said yes, why? And I pointed out my name on our name tag with my sisters' -- exactly the same name as hers. I thought it was a really really weird coincidence that we ended up side-by-side on a shipful of over 2,500 passengers like that. My father picked our cabins. I wonder if they picked theirs or if they let Princess assign them and someone thought it would be funny to put the same names side-by-side.

 

I am one of those people who reads the names and looks to see if they are blue, gold, platinum or elite. I just like to look at that type of thing. I agree, it doesn't make any difference though if you are a newbie or a veteran. On our Hawaiian cruise on the Golden, they announced that more than half the ship was platinum or elite. That is a whole lot of seasoned Princess cruisers!

 

By the way, the name tags still hasn't prevented people from trying to get into our cabin, thinking it was theirs, on the several cruises we have been on.

[OCruisers]

Thanks so much for your time for the review ... loved your pros & cons! :)

 

LuLu

~~~

[beltane]

...I wonder if they picked theirs or if they let Princess assign them and someone thought it would be funny to put the same names side-by-side.

 

Definitely strange. Maybe it was the same employee who thought to put all the Canadians at the same Chef's Table dinner. :D

[sckal]

Well I would have loved a red and white card! :D

 

Here's a funny little story from our cruise~~ in St. Maarten we had the Celebrity Reflection across from us in port. It's nearing the time when everyone is back on board and hanging over their balconies waiting to cheer for the stragglers when THIS guy wanders out onto his balcony. He proceeds to set up a laundry line. Goes back in and comes out and hangs up all his WET UNDERPANTS and socks. Hangs 'em all out for all to see. :eek: On our side of the pier we we're all busting a gut laughing... then it got better. He proceeds to start doing exercise LUNGES! It was priceless! That's when I got my camera. Suddenly his wife comes out and her hands are flying, you can tell he's getting a strip torn off. He goes inside, she pulls down the laundry line and goes in after him. Those of us on the Ruby were absolutely in pain with laughter. Man I would have LOVED to have been able to hear that conversation! :p

That's hysterical! I'm sure his obliviousness was quite the point of contention

[trailgirl]

Definitely strange. Maybe it was the same employee who thought to put all the Canadians at the same Chef's Table dinner. :D

 

LOL -- well probably not since it was a different ship and I am not sure how the cabins are assigned, as opposed to the seats at the Chef's Table. Even though we had the same name, she was from New Hampshire and I am too am from Canada (so I probably would have been seated at your Chef's Table!). We are in the group who never make it to party at Skywalker's either. My friend and I have been known to fall asleep during some of the 10:15 theatre shows. :rolleyes: And we aren't much older than you. I think she may even be your age. I don't know if it is the sun, sea air, the motion of the ship, or just having busy days, but it is hard to stay awake past 11 p.m. when cruising!

[JUST CRUZIN]

Thanks for your review and thoughts. I agree with all your pro's as she is a fantastic ship with a great crew. We were on her madien voyage and last months voyage was our fourth on the Ruby and 31st sailing on Princess. Princess usually embarks the ship either mid ship or aft depending on cabin location to keep the flow of new passengers moving without clogging the main elevators. This is the same as in port with 2 gangways though. The brand does keep me coming back with its reasonable fares and quality product. We were upgraded to a full suite on a Sun class ship and not only did we have our usual name tag at the door but were supplied with our own personalized Princess stationary in the cabin, that was a treat. I must say we enjoy the "cast system" as the free internet and laundry are just 2 very helpful loyalty rewards for me. With free laundry and dry cleaning I no longer need to dry my clothes on my balcony. I think most cruise lines employ some kind of returning customer rewards program as well? The only negative I find is sailing the same line so often some of the shows remain the same. Quality entertainment as always though. The casino was empty most nights which was not the norm. There was a large group of Canadians on our sailing as well and we made new friends with quite a few. Room service does a nice job on the Ruby as well. Mornings on the balcony with a hand delivered croissant and some OJ was a great way to start the day. When asked they usually will deliver almost anything to your cabin. I know you will enjoy your next Princess cruise with your gold card as will I in November on the new Royal Princess. Calm seas to all.

[Tak8]

I enjoyed your pro\con approach to your review. I also found the Ruby hard to navigate at times.

[Grammyluvs]

I always enjoy reading reviews. I think the fact you and your husband had opposite views on many of your observations reflects cruisers in general. We were on the Ruby for our Med. cruise and absolutely loved everything about her.

We have done Carnival and found the decor garish and the crowd actually rambunctious. Of course at the time we were on with a Tattoo convention. Honestly! I am sure that is not the norm for Carnival and I didn't hold that against Carnival.

We traveled many years ago on the Sovereign of the Seas and found that cruise flawless . Of course, we were 25 years younger then and like you wanted some night life. We danced every night.

I said all this to say age and experience has a lot to do with your perception. I thought your perspective was very honest and not mean spirited as some can be.

Happy Cruising

[sherryf]

Maybe that's it... Hubs and I are quite short statured. The shelf over the closet bar was mostly useless to us. We would have to get a chair each time we needed to get something off it. As it was we kept our pool towels up there and still had to stand on tip-toe to grab one. I'm not sure what it is, but I have definitely found more cupboard space in our Carnival cabins. There was plenty in the RCC cabins because we had junior suites. Anyhow, like I said, once I made better use of hangers the closet area worked very well.

 

I agree on this. I'm only 5' and never use the closet shelf. I can't even reach the life jackets. Good thing my husband is taller. I take up all the low shelves in the cabinet, and my husband can have all the space I can't reach. :D