LIVE from the RUBY PRINCESS - DEC. 22ND - DEC. 26TH. Cr

[Sailingpeace]

Merry Christmas Pia ! Looking at 4 feet of snow on our pool deck and having a toast to your health ( Chateau Destieux 1999).

Thanks for taking us along and. I hope Santa did something nice for you with the casino machines...

[Pia1913]

Good evening folks. Boy oh boy, I sure did open a can of worms, didn’t I? But it had to be told as advance warning to those who will be getting on the Ruby and need to buy their FCC’s. I don’t always fill out the email questionnaires we receive post cruise, but I sure will this time. I can understand when the reps are bombarded with passengers and have tons of stuff to do. This was not the case here. Anyhow, all’s well that ends well and the amount was on our personalizer minutes after I left there.

　

Re Santa: no. never waited and never went back. I wonder if I would have gotten a gift too. What I missed out on was a small furry grey dolphin. ;)

Wine tasting interesting; four new ones. A rose’, which they never have and a shiraz which is also rarely seen were two included.

Trivia was another victory and more flashlights. Just these few days we could have gone into the keychain flashlight business. Yes. Gave them all away. So did our teammates.

Had nice pre-dinner snackies at Skywalkers and another frozen margarita for me. This one was the freebie that we got in lieu of the party. I asked for a large one and they made it for me. All of us got large drinks.

We intend to do early walkoff tomorrow morning, so I’ll say goodnite now. If I don’t check in early I will from home. Amazing to see more than 7000 hits on a mini cruise. Thanks for being here.

[Woobstr112G]

Good evening folks. Boy oh boy, I sure did open a can of worms, didn’t I? But it had to be told as advance warning to those who will be getting on the Ruby and need to buy their FCC’s. I don’t always fill out the email questionnaires we receive post cruise, but I sure will this time. I can understand when the reps are bombarded with passengers and have tons of stuff to do. This was not the case here. Anyhow, all’s well that ends well and the amount was on our personalizer minutes after I left there.

　

Re Santa: no. never waited and never went back. I wonder if I would have gotten a gift too. What I missed out on was a small furry grey dolphin. ;)

Wine tasting interesting; four new ones. A rose’, which they never have and a shiraz which is also rarely seen were two included.

Trivia was another victory and more flashlights. Just these few days we could have gone into the keychain flashlight business. Yes. Gave them all away. So did our teammates.

Had nice pre-dinner snackies at Skywalkers and another frozen margarita for me. This one was the freebie that we got in lieu of the party. I asked for a large one and they made it for me. All of us got large drinks.

We intend to do early walkoff tomorrow morning, so I’ll say goodnite now. If I don’t check in early I will from home. Amazing to see more than 7000 hits on a mini cruise. Thanks for being here.

 

Pia;

 

Have a short and safe journey home.....:):):)

 

Bob

[rdsqrl]

Only 42 days to go until your next Live; I'm looking forward to it!

[jpj39]

After my experience a couple of yrs ago i

Never cruise at Xmas. Its for families and zillions of kids

Won't waste my money. I travel when kids are in school.

This is how I feel so don't write me any nasty notes about kids.

[bronxgirl25]

Thank you to all who wished me a Happy Birthday and I too hope to sail with all of you again. Hope everyone who celebrates had a great Christmas.

 

I don't want to get off the ship but have to early tomorrow morning :( We are meeting Pia and Mike at 7:10 am for our walk off!!!

 

After we lost all our money early in the casino we decided to go to the Broadway show in the theater. Really enjoyed it. One of the lead male singers is fantistic!

 

Time for bed. Even I enjoyed Pia's live, so thanks for everything Pia!

 

 

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[kiwimum]

We were on the TA and tried several times to drop in and book a future cruise but was not a do or die issue. The sign up sheet was out very early, one morning the first person signed up at 6:00am for a 9:00am meeting. Whoever the consultant was she was overwhelmed, often staying well past her posted time to accommodate those that had signed up. There was a box for dropping FCC forms in. The day I dropped my form off for 4 credits there was a sign indicating it would be 10 days before we could see it in our account. The deposits showed up on the 22nd, credit card charged the same day. No problem as far as I am concerned. For those that need to meet face to face with a PC, another is needed to relieve this poor persons stress. Several travelers comments, attitudes were poor.

[RotaryMike]

Thanx again Pia for the posts, sounds like you all had a good trip, thanx for the FCC warnings. What pier did you leave from, do you know yet which you'll be coming in to .? Looking forward to boarding tomorrow. Mike from CT

[WendyG]

Mike in Ct, the Ruby was at pier 4.

Pia has another live before 42 days, doesn't she? I believe she's B2B on the 13th and 18th and gets off the day I get on (23rd)

Boo! Last time I actually sailed with her was in 2008 but I never miss her 'lives' :)

 

Welcome home Pia!

 

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[Wehwalt]

We were on the TA and tried several times to drop in and book a future cruise but was not a do or die issue. The sign up sheet was out very early, one morning the first person signed up at 6:00am for a 9:00am meeting. Whoever the consultant was she was overwhelmed, often staying well past her posted time to accommodate those that had signed up. There was a box for dropping FCC forms in. The day I dropped my form off for 4 credits there was a sign indicating it would be 10 days before we could see it in our account. The deposits showed up on the 22nd, credit card charged the same day. No problem as far as I am concerned. For those that need to meet face to face with a PC, another is needed to relieve this poor persons stress. Several travelers comments, attitudes were poor.

 

It depends. I've found the FCC helpful (most of them are charming to talk to) in cabin selection. The FCC on the Ocean (she is now on the Pacific I think, Lindsey) on my PVSA trip on the Golden, clued me in to take the "corner" balcony just before the indent, which I liked, it was fun watching all the people watching us pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, and I've booked the same cabin on the Coral this coming September for a three-day PVSA repositioning. That being said, I'm mostly a self-starter who likes to do the work himself, but I was glad for the advice.

 

I will most likely drop a form for several FCD's next Saturday in the slot and avoid the FCC. I am eyeing a trip on the Royal and am out of FCC's. The only difficulty might be getting my TA's name on the reservation, but I can call Princess when back within phone range of Fort Lauderdale.

[tothemall&beyond]

Thanx again Pia for the posts, sounds like you all had a good trip, thanx for the FCC warnings. What pier did you leave from, do you know yet which you'll be coming in to .? Looking forward to boarding tomorrow. Mike from CT

 

 

On the 12/14 sailing (a Saturday with 8 ships in port), we sailed from T21 (mid-port) and returned on Wednesday to T2 (north port).

[geoherb]

Happy Boxing Day! The ship is beginning disembarkation now (7 a.m.) We had a great first cruise. There were lots of children on board, but we hardly ever saw them except for events like Santa's visit and the gingerbread house making activity they had on the first sea day. We tend to stick to adult activities and use the spa pool for swimming. We eat second seating traditional as well, and there were not any young children at the tables near ours.

 

For a four-day cruise, it has been very relaxing. I'm glad to have the two days at sea--plus going to Princess Cays was nice as well. We did not get off the ship until after trivia, which was around noon. Some people complained the water was too cool, but I thought it was perfect. The only problem I had was the rocks near the shore. The sand gives out about three feet in. The snorkeling isn't great, but I was glad I brought along mine to see a few fish. We went to the right-hand side, which seemed to be less crowded.

 

Tendering was very easy since we waited, but we also had an easy time coming back--not having to wait at all.

 

We enjoyed the Platinum/Elite/Suite cocktail party each night. The menu was smoked salmon the first night, steak tartar the second, fresh guacamole the third, and herbed goat cheese last night. The drinks were chairman of the board, rob roy, mejor margarita, and brezza marina. We only had the margaritas from the drink specials.

 

Last night's show was entertaining. It was Broadway Ballroom. We have not seen it on any of our previous cruises, but it did look like it's been around a while. The singers/dancers and cruise director's staff did a Christmas show after dinner that was enjoyable as well.

 

Dinner last night featured several specials for Christmas. I'll find out in four nights which menu items won't be repeating. I know many of the desserts won't, including the English Christmas pudding, pannetone, and gingerbread souffle. But maybe they will.

 

I'll be checking my Princess pages to see if our cruise credit shows up. I guess that's the good part about doing the back-to-back. I'm hoping I don't have to confront the future cruise consultant about making sure our credits are there.

 

It was great playing trivia with Pia and her husband and friends. I'll try to start a new live thread for the next cruise.

[Pia1913]

It's me. And I'm home. In the house by 8:30. Can't beat that. :D You guys are amazing; over 8000 hits now and still going.

 

Annie, not 42 days. Only 18 days. What a life! :p

[Host CJSKIDS]

It's me. And I'm home. In the house by 8:30. Can't beat that. :D You guys are amazing; over 8000 hits now and still going.

 

Annie, not 42 days. Only 18 days. What a life! :p

 

Thanks for the live from thread and all the information.

 

I'm sailing with you in January and so looking forward to meeting since I always follow your live threads.

[5326jan]

18 days! Wow! Where next? I love your lives and don't want to miss it!:)

[Wehwalt]

18 days! Wow! Where next? I love your lives and don't want to miss it!:)

 

I think she said she would be back on the Ruby for January 13 (Princess Cays, Grand Turk) and 18 (Cozumel, Grand Cayman). I'll be on the first of those sailings.

[5326jan]

I think she said she would be back on the Ruby for January 13 (Princess Cays, Grand Turk) and 18 (Cozumel, Grand Cayman). I'll be on the first of those sailings.

 

Thanks! I obviously missed that. :o Hope you have a great cruise too!:)

[FritzG]

I supposedly bought two thru the drop box but only got one :( on the Ruby in sept. Watching this for next month before I leave the ship!

 

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We'll be on the 1/18 Ruby sailing, but we're taking a 10 day on the Emerald first. We'd better stock up on our FCC's on the Emerald and not take a chance on the Ruby's rep.

I've always thought that the FCC rep has the easiest job on the ship. They have such limited office hours, and the ones we've actually managed to meet never seem to have much information or know the answer to any questions we might have.

[Pia1913]

We'll be on the 1/18 Ruby sailing, but we're taking a 10 day on the Emerald first. We'd better stock up on our FCC's on the Emerald and not take a chance on the Ruby's rep.

I've always thought that the FCC rep has the easiest job on the ship. They have such limited office hours, and the ones we've actually managed to meet never seem to have much information or know the answer to any questions we might have.

 

The Ruby rep had the audacity to say she works 13 hours a day. Doing what? This cruise had 88% first timers, most with little kids. She had nothing to do and never had anybody waiting at her door. Do buy your FCC's on the Emerald.

 

As an aside, one of the newbies went to the reps sales presentation and usually after one of those, there's a big rush to buy. She told me she and one other woman were the only ones who went to the office. She did buy one each for herself and her husband, but also wanted information about specific cruises. When the rep thought she was taking too long, she told her to just look at the brochures and come back when she had made a decision. Yes, she felt rushed and also intimidated. And of course only one other person was waiting. I told her to fill out the questionnaire she would receive and tell Princess all about it.

[geoherb]

Once again, the highlight of our cruise was meeting Pia. We did check our emails today, and our credits are showing up. I was prepared to go all Pia (ha, ha) on the poor cruise consultant. I'm glad I don't have to.

[freshair8]

Could you tell us the name of the person please? Thanks

[Pia1913]

Once again, the highlight of our cruise was meeting Pia. We did check our emails today, and our credits are showing up. I was prepared to go all Pia (ha, ha) on the poor cruise consultant. I'm glad I don't have to.

 

So did "we" win today? Another flashlight? :D

[Moviegirlnyorlando]

INTERNATIONAL CAFE FOOD UPDATE

But of course this is the Ruby, so who knows what's on other ships. As of today, Greek salad, shrimp salad and grilled veggies are here. As are the tuna sandwiches and chicken sandwiches. What tomorrow brings; who knows. The chicken salad however looks way too mayonaissey and seems to have more pineapple in it than chicken. Didn't taste it and don't plan to either.

As an aside, we won trivia again this morning. I know you were all holding your breath to find out. :D

Later.

 

Did you try the curry chicken salad with pineapple ? I think it came out day #3 also last night they had mince meat pies I think leftover from dinner but good

[Moviegirlnyorlando]

So did "we" win today? Another flashlight? :D

 

Pia did you tell herb what we won ? And to do the scavenger ? We didn't do any trivial next cruise we will we played the blank blank game yesterday and lost miserably, I also sang karaoke at family karaoke ,apology to anyone who had to suffer through

[Colo Cruiser]

Once again, the highlight of our cruise was meeting Pia. We did check our emails today, and our credits are showing up. I was prepared to go all Pia (ha, ha) on the poor cruise consultant. I'm glad I don't have to.

 

 

 

Goin PIA!! Good one!!! :D:D

 

Maybe that one will stick like "Stewart" did.?