Ruby Princess Questions

[abisha]

Hi..I am booked on the Ruby Princess Nov 3 2014 (snagged an inside on lido deck for $199 plus the tax and got a $100 OBC!) I am excited to be trying out Princess for the first time! Would love to hear comments about the Ruby (likes/dislikes, must see's/must do's, etc.).

 

Some other questions in particular:

What beverages can you get at the drink dispensers on the lido/buffet include and are those dispensers available all the time (in other words, can you stroll through the buffet area and fill up a drink cup even though the food stations are closed)? Or, are the doors locked and only opened during dining times?

 

Where is pizza served and is it part of your cruise fare or is there a fee?

 

Is there a self-serve ice cream machine in the buffet area?

 

What are the shows in the main show room?

 

How much are the self serve laundry machines and how do you pay (coin operated or do you slide your ship card)?

 

Thanks!

[mariakitty]

I haven't been on the Ruby yet (booked for June 2015!) but I can answer some of your questions.

 

Pizza is served on deck in front of the main pool. There is also a bar and a grill for hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. all of this food is part of your cruise fare. My family loves the pizza in particular and is an easy grab to go lunch.

 

The beverages served in the buffet that are complementary include water and iced tea. Maybe lemonade too? My kids always score free milk as well. I am sure someone else will correct me if I missed anything, but basically anything else has a fee. The drink dispensers are always available (usually one side of the buffet closes while the other is open).

 

We don't watch many of the shows in the Princess Theatre so I cannot address this.

 

I'm not aware of any self serve ice cream, but there is Scoops that offers ice cream much of the day.

 

Have a great cruise!

Maria

[karena1]

Hi..I am booked on the Ruby Princess Nov 3 2014 (snagged an inside on lido deck for $199 plus the tax and got a $100 OBC!) I am excited to be trying out Princess for the first time! Would love to hear comments about the Ruby (likes/dislikes, must see's/must do's, etc.).

 

Some other questions in particular:

What beverages can you get at the drink dispensers on the lido/buffet include and are those dispensers available all the time (in other words, can you stroll through the buffet area and fill up a drink cup even though the food stations are closed)? Or, are the doors locked and only opened during dining times?

 

Where is pizza served and is it part of your cruise fare or is there a fee?

 

Is there a self-serve ice cream machine in the buffet area?

 

What are the shows in the main show room?

 

How much are the self serve laundry machines and how do you pay (coin operated or do you slide your ship card)?

 

Thanks!

 

Ruby is great, we were on her in Jan and going again in Dec.

 

Yes, Pizza is free, not sure where it was, but it is free

Shows are different every night - watch your Princess Patter each day to see what the shows are

 

Not sure on the rest. I don't think you can go into the buffets if they are closed.

[erber]

We have sailed on the Ruby and thoroughly enjoyed the ship. Buffet is called Horizon Court and has two sides. Drink dispensers include water, iced tea, coffee and decaf, hot water to make tea (lots of choices of tea bags). You can get these drinks at any time I believe. At breakfast you get complimentary juice and I believe if you ask for lemonade it is complimentary at lunchtime.

 

There is also an additional buffet area open some of the time called Cafe Caribe. You need to check the back of the Princess Patter to see if there are special lunches or dinners in Cafe Caribe during your cruise. They have had special themed offerings in there that are delicious but are limited to certain hours ( for example Asian lunch with sushi and various stir fry options, a Mexican lunch with all sorts of tacos, burritos and other offerings)

 

Pizza is included in your fare and at a location outside on the Lido deck. There is also the Trident Grill on Lido deck that serves hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches. There is also a soft serve ice cream location that is included in your cruise fare (it is not self serve).

 

Afternoon tea is served in one of the dining rooms from 3:30 to 4:30 all days except embarkation day and it is DELICIOUS (scones, tea sandwiches, cookies, and tea of course).

 

International Cafe: On deck 5. Everything is free, except for gelato and specialty coffee drinks served at the coffee bar adjacent to the International Cafe. Yummy salads, panninis, pastries, etc. Do not miss it!

 

Laundry: self service laundry on the Ruby (at least the last time we were on that ship requires quarters. I think it was $1.00 a load but I am not certain; it might have been a little more than that). We brought quarters and we also brought detergent, but you can get quarters at the purser's desk and you can purchase detergent if you need to.

 

Shows vary by ship. Don't know what productions are on the Ruby at this time. We have seen a number of the production shows and have enjoyed most of them. We also enjoy MUTS (Movies Under the Stars), weather permitting.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[cnd crsr]

Horizon Court has drinks available 24/7 (tea,ice tea, water, coffee and decaf)

 

Pizza, and Scoops ice cream available all day, not sure what time they close at night and are free.

 

There should be an email announcing some of the entertainment a couple of weeks before sailing - all shows and movies will be listed in the Patter.

 

Washer and dryer each cost $2. and use quarters.You can buy detergent or bring your own. Best to bring quarters, the change machines in the laundry rooms are often empty. You can buy quarters at the Customer Service Desk.

[VADawg]

Hi, we will be joining you on this cruise in Nov. We have not sailed on the Ruby but have sailed on her sister ship the Emerald . The Ruby also has a international cafe (IC)in addition to the areas you asked about. It is a great place to pick up a quick bite for breakfast or lunch or a quick bite after returning from excursions. It also has a coffee shop attached and serves gelato at an additional cost. We purchased a coffee card last time and it worked out well if you are a coffee drinker. Across from the IC is Vines which has small plates and wine by the glass which is nice for a drink and small bite if you are having a late dinner.

 

The roll call for this cruise is a little slow but you might get some additional information if you are signed up.

 

We really enjoyed our first Princess cruise and hope you will as well.

[geocruiser]

Remember if any one taking this cruise has been in the military there is on board credit for you.

[abisha]

Hi, we will be joining you on this cruise in Nov. We have not sailed on the Ruby but have sailed on her sister ship the Emerald . The Ruby also has a international cafe (IC)in addition to the areas you asked about. It is a great place to pick up a quick bite for breakfast or lunch or a quick bite after returning from excursions. It also has a coffee shop attached and serves gelato at an additional cost. We purchased a coffee card last time and it worked out well if you are a coffee drinker. Across from the IC is Vines which has small plates and wine by the glass which is nice for a drink and small bite if you are having a late dinner.

 

The roll call for this cruise is a little slow but you might get some additional information if you are signed up.

 

We really enjoyed our first Princess cruise and hope you will as well.

 

yes..roll call seems a bit slow, but that's ok.

[abisha]

Thanks for all the info everyone!

[Momma loves the water]

We sailed in March. LOVED the Internstional Cafe. We really enjoyed the MUTS. This was our first cruise with Princess. We liked it so much we will be sailing in the Regal in January.

[camofwilliamsburg]

The pastries at the International Cafe change daily and change during breakfast, lunch and later in the night. For breakfast they have danish, doughnuts and wonderful cinnamon apple fritters. At lunchtime this case switches over to tarts, cups of tiramisu, cakes. After dinner they have dried fruit and cheese and crackers in addition to some cakes. If you see something that looks tempting, it may not repeat any other day, although I have seen the tiramisu a few days.

 

For breakfast, they have delicious parfaits with yogurt, fruit and granola. They also have the same egg sandwich that room service delivers. Also some quiches. Then later on, they will have soups, sandwiches, salads of all types.

 

This area is a great stop to see some "street entertainment" type of entertainment. They are short but the environment is so nice to stop and catch a variety of different things.

 

I think Scoops closes at 11 PM.

[DVCTiff]

Remember if any one taking this cruise has been in the military there is on board credit for you.

 

Is that on a cruise by cruise basis and covers veterans? We're sailing next year, and I'd love to look into that for my DH.

[duck addict]

Is that on a cruise by cruise basis and covers veterans? We're sailing next year, and I'd love to look into that for my DH.

 

Your DH registers the first time. He or your TA need to fax a copy of his DD214 to Princess BEFORE the cruise (I believe it has to be in a week in advance) as you cannot get it once on board. The information will be attached to his Captain's circle account, so he will not have to do it for future cruises. This is not a discount on the cruise, but an onboard credit (OBC) based on the length of the cruise.

[camofwilliamsburg]

On Board Credit Given to Veterans, one per cabin:

cruises that are 7-13 days: $100

cruises that are 14+ days: $250

 

Stock On Board Credits: one per cabin

6 days or less: $50

7-13 days: $100

14+ days: $250

 

Future Cruise Certificate : given per person

7-10 day cruise: $25 for inside and OV, $50 for balcony

11-16 day cruise: $75 for inside and ov, $100 for balcony

17 + days: $ 125 for inside and ov, $150 for balcony.

 

Sorry I never kept track of anything higher than balcony, since we have never booked suites.

[Kenswing]

Here's the link to the info on the Princess site. It also includes the form you need to submit.. http://www.princess.com/military_benefit_program/#.VBj5Hvjn8uQ

[DVCTiff]

Your DH registers the first time. He or your TA need to fax a copy of his DD214 to Princess BEFORE the cruise (I believe it has to be in a week in advance) as you cannot get it once on board. The information will be attached to his Captain's circle account, so he will not have to do it for future cruises. This is not a discount on the cruise, but an onboard credit (OBC) based on the length of the cruise.

 

 

Thank you SO much for this info. As loyal as we are to Disney (resorts, parks, timeshare, etc.), it's always annoyed me that they give NOTHING to veterans. Plenty to active military, which is great, but still. This is fantastic that DH is eligible. He so deserves it. Thanks again!

[holula]

$100 credit? It was $200 credit pp when we booked ;) $602 paid inc tax. $400 credit :) call them!!!!

 

 

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[Jadn13]

The last time I was on the Ruby the Pizza station served Waffles with toppings for breakfast.

 

 

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[Scrappinbec]

$100 credit? It was $200 credit pp when we booked ;) $602 paid inc tax. $400 credit :) call them!!!!

 

 

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How did you get $200 credit per person? We are going on the Ruby in December and they are only giving us $100 credit total. Would be awesome to get more credit.

[DCurious1]

How did you get $200 credit per person? We are going on the Ruby in December and they are only giving us $100 credit total. Would be awesome to get more credit.

 

 

Hi - this is my first Princess Cruise (Ruby Nov 3 2014) - the website said this particular sailing was supposed to give me $200 per person (and I had to pay for 2 people as a single sailing - so it showed $400 onboard credit would be given)

 

BUT now that I am booked i don't see the onboard credit amount listed anywhere - where do you see how much onboard credit you have??

[LRY229]

Hi - this is my first Princess Cruise (Ruby Nov 3 2014) - the website said this particular sailing was supposed to give me $200 per person (and I had to pay for 2 people as a single sailing - so it showed $400 onboard credit would be given)

 

BUT now that I am booked i don't see the onboard credit amount listed anywhere - where do you see how much onboard credit you have??

 

I am also sailing solo on this particular cruise and did get the $400 obc. If you log into your account on Princess.com and pull up your booking the obc should show under the "payment & credits" tab. If not, call Princess (or your travel agent if you booked thru one).

[DCurious1]

I am also sailing solo on this particular cruise and did get the $400 obc. If you log into your account on Princess.com and pull up your booking the obc should show under the "payment & credits" tab. If not, call Princess (or your travel agent if you booked thru one).

 

Thanks for your help Lynn --- found it and it said 0.00 - but I called and got the $400 obc :D

[mikel24m]

We re booked on this cruise too and had a few questions maybe someone could answer :)

 

Hows the casino and casino dept. :) I emailed my contact at Carnival to see what I need to do ,I am not sure if he also works for Princess as well since its is owned by the same company

 

I called and pre paid our tips and bought the coffee card and a soda and more card for my wife, I specifically asked for a confirmation email and never got one ,I cannot seem to find anything about it on the website looking through my docs .I like proof just in case of confusion.Am I looking in the wrong area?

 

 

Are we able to get smoothies they offer in the sanctuary with her drink card or just the regular bars ? Can she get virgin drinks with dinner in the MDR ?

 

Whats a good time to arrive at the port ,I was thinking around 11 or so?

 

Very seasoned Carnival cruiser first time Princess cruiser :) Any tips or things to not miss onboard

 

Thanks :)

[flahagan]

We re booked on this cruise too and had a few questions maybe someone could answer :)

 

Hows the casino and casino dept. :) I emailed my contact at Carnival to see what I need to do ,I am not sure if he also works for Princess as well since its is owned by the same company

 

I called and pre paid our tips and bought the coffee card and a soda and more card for my wife, I specifically asked for a confirmation email and never got one ,I cannot seem to find anything about it on the website looking through my docs .I like proof just in case of confusion.Am I looking in the wrong area?

 

 

Are we able to get smoothies they offer in the sanctuary with her drink card or just the regular bars ? Can she get virgin drinks with dinner in the MDR ?

 

Whats a good time to arrive at the port ,I was thinking around 11 or so?

 

Very seasoned Carnival cruiser first time Princess cruiser :) Any tips or things to not miss onboard

 

Thanks :)

 

I'm not sure why you contacted a Carnival rep for a Princess cruise - other than being owned by the same parent company, they have nothing to do with each other.

Try calling someone at Princess and see if they can find your pre-paid beverage cards. I can't imagine that a Carnival PVP would even entertain an inquiry regarding a Princess cruise. Good Luck!

[mikel24m]

I'm not sure why you contacted a Carnival rep for a Princess cruise - other than being owned by the same parent company, they have nothing to do with each other.

Try calling someone at Princess and see if they can find your pre-paid beverage cards. I can't imagine that a Carnival PVP would even entertain an inquiry regarding a Princess cruise. Good Luck!

 

I should have been more specific my contact at Carnival is from the casino dept and I think one dept is in charge of the Players club(He was able to find our booking and got back to me the next day). We don't use a PVP