Oh My! Ruby Princess 11/14-11/18 Review

[Guest arowe6]

Great review. And yours might just be the first one that I have read from a person returning to a Grand Class ship after being on Royal. I'm curious to see if a trend develops where people start to conclude: "I really loved Royal, but I have to say that once I got back on a Grand Class ship, my heart belongs to them."

 

The Royal was an incredible ship. Very beautiful. And although a small detail, the buffet area was hands-down the best we have encountered.

 

Unfortunately, our particular vacation was plagued with problems that affected our trip. Wifi not working. AC in in our cabin not working well. Soot covering our entire balcony.

 

These might not bother a lot of people. But they bothered us. Couple that with the exorbitant price we paid for, in our opinion, a sub-par cruise.

 

As silly as it sounds, coming back to a Grand Class ship felt like coming back home. I would absolutely sail on the Royal again. But I will never pay a high price for that ship.

 

-Andrew :)

[Guest arowe6]

OK, where is the smoker on the balcony, from your description could not be considered porn rather comedy. Not supposed to smoke or exhibit. on balcony

 

It certainly provided a good laugh! :)

[Guest arowe6]

Enjoyed your report and your fantastic photos! Your pup is so adorable and beautiful all wrapped up into one!

 

Thank you for the nice words Cindy.

[pablo222]

I wouldn’t classify this as a booze cruise, but the demographic was definitely skewed to the younger side and many, many, many first-time cruises who left their manners at the door.

 

This has been exactly my impression on of the folks on short cruises.

 

I really wonder why princess has done this --- for the people

who have only done this one short cruise, this is the complete

impression of Princess.

 

Short cruises dilute the brand.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Andrew, leave it to you and Brad to fit in another cruise, and an Andrew review is always a treat.

 

The employees at check in and disembarkation in the terminal work for Drake Associates. We've encountered a couple of duds over the years (and a more than a few turnarounds) but most are really amazing at what they do and that they do it with a smile and after spending all day on their feet at their (generally) senior ages.

 

We are getting a bit wind-weary out here, bobbing around the Carribean, and Internet has been totally out on the Emerald Princess for over two days. (Writing this surrounded in the ambiance of Kings Casino in Antigua, and thank God for their wifi). And thank YOU for your review!

[Wehwalt]

The cards are supposed to come with the voyage number written on the back.

 

If you get two cards marked this way, the "free" coffee will only apply to that voyage.

 

The way I look at it, I'll try it on the first Ruby segment, and see how it goes. I have an unexpired coffee card from the Pacific last October, so if they are identical and unmarked, I shall consider the matter. Possibly ask customer service onboard.

 

I agree on the booze cruise scenario, almost every short cruise (5 or less) I have taken has been like that. People with buckets of beer everywhere. I intend to take a very low profile and stay out of the way of the mobs. I agree, many of them have no idea how to behave just to get along without friction with fellow passengers.

Edited December 22, 2013 by Wehwalt

[kayelbee]

I find it funny that you seem to find the fact that someone was naked more shocking than they were smoking! We are all naked under our clothes but it is a choice to smoke. May be that's just my European 'let it all hang out with hang ups' mentality! Sounds like you had a good cruise and that it may have put some of the negative experiences on the Royal to bed.

Edited December 22, 2013 by kayelbee

[Sanibel*Gal]

Nice review Andrew!! DH and I were on the same cruise and enjoyed the 4 day get away at such a great deal too. We saw you and Brian at the pool, first sea day I think. Also had Commodore Romano & his wife stop by our lounge chairs to admire our towel clips & ask where we purchased them. It's always nice to see him out and about greeting passengers & taking time to chat.

[Guest arowe6]

I find it funny that you seem to find the fact that someone was naked more shocking than they were smoking! We are all naked under our clothes but it is a choice to smoke. May be that's just my European 'let it all hang out with hang ups' mentality! Sounds like you had a good cruise and that it may have put some of the negative experiences on the Royal to bed.

 

Who said I was shocked? Just not something you "see" everyday on a ship

[Guest arowe6]

Andrew, leave it to you and Brad to fit in another cruise, and an Andrew review is always a treat.

 

The employees at check in and disembarkation in the terminal work for Drake Associates. We've encountered a couple of duds over the years (and a more than a few turnarounds) but most are really amazing at what they do and that they do it with a smile and after spending all day on their feet at their (generally) senior ages.

 

We are getting a bit wind-weary out here, bobbing around the Carribean, and Internet has been totally out on the Emerald Princess for over two days. (Writing this surrounded in the ambiance of Kings Casino in Antigua, and thank God for their wifi). And thank YOU for your review!

 

Jeannie,

 

Been following along with your blog again. Was wondering what happened with the internet. I've been going through withdrawals the last 2 days...

[Guest arowe6]

This has been exactly my impression on of the folks on short cruises.

 

I really wonder why princess has done this --- for the people

who have only done this one short cruise, this is the complete

impression of Princess.

 

Short cruises dilute the brand.

 

10000% agree with you. But I wonder how many first time cruises had a negative opinion about Princess with this cruise. And how many of them didn't even care because the cruise was so cheap.. And because they were drunk and don't remember anything :D

[Guest arowe6]

Nice review Andrew!! DH and I were on the same cruise and enjoyed the 4 day get away at such a great deal too. We saw you and Brian at the pool, first sea day I think. Also had Commodore Romano & his wife stop by our lounge chairs to admire our towel clips & ask where we purchased them. It's always nice to see him out and about greeting passengers & taking time to chat.

 

He was our Commodore on our very first cruise together back in 2007 on the Caribbean Princess. It took all my will power not to screech with excitement like a school girl when he said hello to Brad and I. But yes, he is always out and about. Such a nice girl.