Mixed feelings Ruby 11/3-11/8

[Grannycb]

A few of the recent posts made me think of other points I forgot to mention. We ate at the Any Time Dining room for all of our meals except for a buffet breakfast and pizza. Two servers get top ratings for their extraordinary service. They were Sher-Ann at dinner and Lena at breakfast. They went way beyond expectations by actually listening to people. That's really rare when servers are so busy.

 

At the private island AJ, a paramedic, very kindly helped by storing some medication in a cool location. While there at the first aid station, I saw how professionally he treated someone who had a cut foot. It's good to know there are Princess professionals who really care.

 

Ashley, who ran the arts and crafts and a few other activities around the ship was very good too. The assistant cruise director (senior moment here & can't remember her name) was as funny as all get out. Loved her in the Love and Marriage Game. She had the crowd going with her perfectly paused comments. She also had some pretty good couples to work with which helped.

 

The afternoon tea was very nice. We sat and talked for a long time with our table mates. We did the wine tasting too. I'll skip it next time. No way will I spend $150 for three bottles of wine. My tastes run more to Double Dog Dare at $4 a bottle.

 

And yes, DH came home just in time to develop that cough that was going around.

 

Both DH and I had a wonderful cruise. Yes, there were a few hiccoughs but it still rates as a very good cruise vacation.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Grannycb

[Reader0108598]

Good evening

 

I just wanted to thank everyone for your posts..as what was stated the good the bad and the indifferent all matter and deserve mention.

 

We still like princess and already have two cruises booked for next year. :)

 

Reader

Edited November 10, 2014 by Reader0108598

[lynwar]

Reader........

I'm glad you went up top to see the arrival in port. That is always the perfect ending to all my cruises. It is just so quiet up there at 5:30 or 6:00 AM.

 

All of our cruises have been good. No big complaints. We've been on the Ruby twice.

 

Enjoy yourselves, Everyone!! Lynne

[holula]

Going to make this a quick review :)

 

 

 

Embarcation a disorganized mess!

 

 

 

Food not so good:(

 

 

 

Kids on board.. well if you like kids dumping cups of fruit juice in the hot tubs and without parental supervision this was the cruise for you!

 

 

 

Cabin steward (Gervacio )Baja deck forward. Wonderful! Knew how to keep this low key couple happy without intruding.

 

 

 

It was a funny kind of cruise staff present but not really there... Hmm

 

 

 

OBTW: Princess met plenty a first time cruiser you upgraded...just wanted to say thanks:) Yeah we get it we are not valued!

 

 

We were on the same cruise as you and had mostly opposite feelings. We are first time Princess cruisers. Embarkation was horrible. Enough said!

 

Our food was excellent other than the Crown Grill which had okay food and terrible service. It shouldn't take 50 minutes from sitting down to take an order. We only had two courses and was in there two hours. Crazy.

 

We barely saw any kids on the cruise and the ones we did are were VERY well behaved.

 

Our room host was excellent too. Guest services was awful. We only had scalding water in our shower one night and they claimed it was because we were in warmer seas. (Eventually they sent a plumber.)

 

We didn't get an upgrade. ;) Neither did our parents (also first timers).

 

 

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[Reader0108598]

We were on the same cruise as you and had mostly opposite feelings. We are first time Princess cruisers. Embarkation was horrible. Enough said!

 

Our food was excellent other than the Crown Grill which had okay food and terrible service. It shouldn't take 50 minutes from sitting down to take an order. We only had two courses and was in there two hours. Crazy.

 

We barely saw any kids on the cruise and the ones we did are were VERY well behaved.

 

Our room host was excellent too. Guest services was awful. We only had scalding water in our shower one night and they claimed it was because we were in warmer seas. (Eventually they sent a plumber.)

 

We didn't get an upgrade. ;) Neither did our parents (also first timers).

 

 

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Just goes to show how cruisers have different experiences on the same cruise.

BTW: Guest services were excellent with us....lol

 

Reader

[Reader0108598]

Reader........

I'm glad you went up top to see the arrival in port. That is always the perfect ending to all my cruises. It is just so quiet up there at 5:30 or 6:00 AM.

 

All of our cruises have been good. No big complaints. We've been on the Ruby twice.

 

Enjoy yourselves, Everyone!! Lynne

 

Lynne we were VERY happy we went up also ...a whole new perspective for us.

This is one cruise ritual we will continue no matter what cabin we are in. This is also our second time on Ruby.

 

 

Happy Sails ! Reader

[flahagan]

"Our food was excellent other than the Crown Grill which had okay food and terrible service. It shouldn't take 50 minutes from sitting down to take an order. We only had two courses and was in there two hours. Crazy."

 

We had the very same experience. Were you there on Thursday night (Jamaica day)? Our waiter kept switching off with another waiter, neither could get our orders straight, they were actually rude and got huffy when any of our party tried to ask a question about the selections. We waited 40 minutes for food to arrive, and our water glasses weren't refilled until we were nearly finished.

I'd expected it to be a "special" dining experience and it was anything but. We fix a much tastier steak on the grill at home.

 

As for the cough and cold thing, one in our party came down with it the last day, never left her cabin. I just attributed it to ordinary seasonal cold/flu. Anytime you put 3,000 people together, there's going to be a percentage with cold symptoms no matter the venue, I would think. Hopefully this week's cruisers aren't dealing with the bug!

[lovey1103]

Shore side staff in Florida are miserable. They never know what is going on and it always seems like barely contained chaos. Mind boggling that they can't get a proper manager to train these people and maybe get a few more resources to boot. Then again, if you lived here you'd understand why that may be so difficult!

 

No question it is stressful for shore side staff on turn around day, however, a few of the of the land staff are out of control. More than once we have been herded out and yelled at to get in the proper line etc. I witnessed a land staffer yelling very loudly at a wheelchair group who were close to tears.

[Disconnections]

We were on this cruise as well here are my thoughts

 

That little old lady at the port started everyones vacation off not so well !! She was mean and yelling at everyone.We were at the port early and had to wait and that was ok with us but the number system Carnival uses would have eliminated the chaos and pushing and shoving

 

We went right to our cabin on the Aloha deck and were greeted by our cabin steward Frankey. His service was perfect all cruise!! Five minutes after we arrived to our cabin our luggage was sitting outside

 

We only went to the MDR the first night and that night the service was awesome as well ,the food and food selection didn't impress us so we did the buffet for the rest of the cruise.The buffet wasn't that great either. Not bad but not great.The lines at the buffet were crazy just very long and by the time you got through you weren't even hungry anymore. We liked drink service in the buffet and the servers were all friendly

 

The casino was pretty good I won a $1600 handpay jackpot on wheel of fortune $1 machine ,but the staff never offered us a comp or introduced themselves to us,usually on Carnival we get little goodies throughout the cruise and some comped drinks .By the last day we had 10000 points between the two of us and a letter to each of us offering us $150 each in cash from the casino if we book again within 30 days

 

The TV lineup was horrible !!! When you watch the tonight show every night and cant watch any regular TV for the week it makes it tough it was rerun movies and the food channel and espn. (I know we are on vacation not to watch TV ) :)

 

My personal favorite part of the cruise was the International Café and my coffee card.I am an early riser and my morning coffee at the bar was wonderful and taking a tea to my wife along with a donut to wake her up in the morning was nice for her

 

We have never tried afternoon tea and it was awesome ,now a must do for us every cruise for now on

 

Getting off the ship was a breeze ,it took maybe 40 minutes total from the time we got to the meeting place (dining room) through customs and into our taxi

 

We will for sure cruise with Princess again

 

Didn't expect to see you on the Princess boards, mikel. Glad to see you enjoyed your cruise for the most part.

[holula]

"Our food was excellent other than the Crown Grill which had okay food and terrible service. It shouldn't take 50 minutes from sitting down to take an order. We only had two courses and was in there two hours. Crazy."

 

 

 

We had the very same experience. Were you there on Thursday night (Jamaica day)? Our waiter kept switching off with another waiter, neither could get our orders straight, they were actually rude and got huffy when any of our party tried to ask a question about the selections. We waited 40 minutes for food to arrive, and our water glasses weren't refilled until we were nearly finished.

 

I'd expected it to be a "special" dining experience and it was anything but. We fix a much tastier steak on the grill at home.

 

 

Yes, we were in there that same night. It was nowhere near what I imagined it to be like! It was definitely not special at all. Maybe they are taking service tips from England since the whole room has the London theme?

 

 

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[magandy]

Yes, we were in there that same night. It was nowhere near what I imagined it to be like! It was definitely not special at all. Maybe they are taking service tips from England since the whole room has the London theme?

 

 

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Funny enough we were on the Ruby in October we used the Crown Grill, found the décor no different from all the other Princess ships that we have been on. same American Flag decorated plates, service was good.

Been in America and received very good service which has been rewarded, also have received very bad service but you are still expected to tip :confused:

So perhaps they have taken the view that it doesn't matter about the service.

 

Hope that you all complained to the Management about your service received :rolleyes:

[sueandy]

Yes, we were in there that same night. It was nowhere near what I imagined it to be like! It was definitely not special at all. Maybe they are taking service tips from England since the whole room has the London theme?

 

 

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We are from the British Isles and I take exception to your views! Where we eat in England we tend to have excellent service and manners. We have dined in Florida and many other states in the United States and have frequently not found the service on par with the United Kingdom! Maybe it's the type of restuarants that you frequent? We dined in the Crown Grill on the Ruby with our American friends and found the staff most attentive and we had an excellent meal!

[holula]

We are from the British Isles and I take exception to your views! Where we eat in England we tend to have excellent service and manners. We have dined in Florida and many other states in the United States and have frequently not found the service on par with the United Kingdom! Maybe it's the type of restuarants that you frequent? We dined in the Crown Grill on the Ruby with our American friends and found the staff most attentive and we had an excellent meal!

 

 

I'm English. Now live in Florida. Generally I've found that service is so much better in the U.S. than in England. Not everywhere, but in about 75% of places. The further you are from a tourist trap the better the service is my rule! I lived in London for four years and the same applies there too.

 

I've had some slow meals on cruise ships but the Crown Grill really took the cake.

 

 

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[magandy]

I'm English. Now live in Florida. Generally I've found that service is so much better in the U.S. than in England. Not everywhere, but in about 75% of places. The further you are from a tourist trap the better the service is my rule! I lived in London for four years and the same applies there too.

 

I've had some slow meals on cruise ships but the Crown Grill really took the cake.

 

 

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That's fast food around the world for you!

 

Hope that you complained to the Management whilst on board and not just Cruise Critic?

Edited November 12, 2014 by magandy

[abisha]

I was also on this same sailing as the OP. It was my first Princess cruise. I loved the Ruby Princess and really have nothing negative to say at all. I found the food to be excellent no matter where I ate. I at mostly in the buffet and was very impressed at selection and presentation. I was looking for some sour cream and the manager noticed it, and ran right into the kitchen to get some for me. Tables were cleared promptly and water glasses filled always when getting low and always had someone ask "can I get you anything"?. I ate once in Crown Grill. Service was excellent and food was very good...our waiter even gave us an entire plate of about 4 or 5 lobster tails (we were so stuffed, we could barely eat them). I only ate once I the MDR on formal night and also had wonderful service and thought food was excellent.

 

It was both mine and my sister's birthdays...we got so many "complimentary" cakes throughout the cruise..we couldn't keep up with it! LOL

 

We an inside cabin on Deck 15...forward..very quiet hallway and our steward was great and attentive. We liked the fact we could go up one deck and use the Lotus Spa Pool...so convenient and never crowded.

 

I thought entertainment was great (loved Steve Morris and the Illusionist). Ship dancers/singers were very talented.

 

We went to cooking demonstration...what a hoot! Could smell that garlic from where we were sitting...so good!

 

I liked the entertainment in the Piazza as well. Gillato very good too.

 

I was happy that we got to go to Princess Cay (very nice private beach...no match for Carnival's Half Moon Cay though), but still very nice. Got the clamshell and floating chairs..those were terrific!

 

Loved my Ruby Princess experience so much that I just booked DH and I on the Regal Princess for April 5 (Princess Cay/St. Thomas/St. Martin).

 

Hopefully embarkation will be quick.

Edited November 12, 2014 by abisha

[JimmyVWine]

I was also on this same sailing as the OP. It was my first Princess cruise. ...

 

Loved my Ruby Princess experience so much that I just booked DH and I on the Regal Princess for April 5 (Princess Cay/St. Thomas/St. Martin).

 

So great to hear that a first-time Princess cruiser was impressed!! Thanks for your write-up.

[bdjam]

I truly believe the majority of people who post their negative experiences do so to provide important feedback to hopefully improve the Princess (or pick your cruise line) product. If Princess personnel reading these forums (and you know they do) keep seeing negative comments regarding food quality, sub par entertainment, general staff indifference, etc., it becomes pretty clear that these areas might warrant some closer scrutiny. And if Princess can read the Princess forums, they also can access the other cruise line forums to see what comments are being made (the food is better, the rooms are bigger, the entertainment is top notch, etc) about their competition.

I hope the good, bad and indifferent comments all result in a better experience for all of us!

Maybe...but there's also a tendency for people who feel they have had negative experiences to embellish them to the point of ridiculousness...

 

I was getting off the ship while people on this cruise were waiting to get on. I can't comment about the embarkation issue as I didn't experience it, but i will corroborate that there were only two customs agents available for US citizens and one for Non-US citizens when we got off the ship. We were in the first group off after "walk-off" as we had an early flight and already the line was snaking around in the luggage hall...so I can see that clearing the ship of 3000 people might have taken some time. Note that available customs agents are out of Princess' control.

 

As for the other issues, we found none of them. Our food was excellent as was the service in DaVinci dining room. Our room stewards were excellent (we had a change over in New York as our first steward ended his contract and went home). Entertainment was very much lacking, I agree with that. We went to dinner twice at Crown Grill and both times had excellent food and service.

[holula]

That's fast food around the world for you!

 

 

 

Hope that you complained to the Management whilst on board and not just Cruise Critic?

 

 

We did. We also put it on the questionnaire that Princess emails to you.

 

 

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[bhopal21]

Yes, we were in there that same night. It was nowhere near what I imagined it to be like! It was definitely not special at all. Maybe they are taking service tips from England since the whole room has the London theme?

 

I can't imagine what could account for the difference in two weeks time? We were onboard the Ruby from 10/22-11/3 and ate in the Crown Grill for 7 of our 12 nights. The headwaiters Godwin and Anna were super courteous and our waiters Froderick and Roden could not have been more attentive obviously or we would not have eaten there so many times.

 

Mike:)

[magandy]

There are people on this thread that are saying that they had a good experience on this cruise. Other people who have experienced the Crown Grill on recent cruises appear to have nothing but praise for the service.

For us its our 3rd time on the Ruby this year and have used the Crown & Sabatinis on each cruise with no problem, also the previous 8 cruises on Princess no problem.

For me if there was a problem, I would of made my concerns known on the night, when it happened.

For you and others appear to of had a different experience, so perhaps Princess is not for you.

 

 

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[Reader0108598]

Maybe...but there's also a tendency for people who feel they have had negative experiences to embellish them to the point of ridiculousness...

 

 

 

Just because one does not agree with someone else's opinion no need to diminish that opinion. In the same venue I would not dismiss your opinion that "every thing was good "as that was YOUR experience.

 

Happy sails !

Reader

Edited November 13, 2014 by Reader0108598

[Shogun]

Hi All

A few months ago our experience with the Crown Grill was not good, we were a table for two, we advised the HGM that things were not up to standard, so when we ate there a couple of weeks ago we were not sure what to expect, this time we were 8 of us, we had a full time waiter, backed up by an assistant as well as Godwin, service and food was first class chef even did a special order off , off menu items for us, l still think there is a staffing issue, in that they need more staff when they have lots of small tables,

 

Yours Shogun

 

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[holula]

Hi All

A few months ago our experience with the Crown Grill was not good, we were a table for two, we advised the HGM that things were not up to standard, so when we ate there a couple of weeks ago we were not sure what to expect, this time we were 8 of us, we had a full time waiter, backed up by an assistant as well as Godwin, service and food was first class chef even did a special order off , off menu items for us, l still think there is a staffing issue, in that they need more staff when they have lots of small tables,

 

Yours Shogun

 

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I probably would agree with that. Our waiter had at least six tables that we counted. Mostly couples but we had four and there was a group of eight also.

 

 

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[karena1]

Going to make this a quick review :)

 

 

OBTW: Princess met plenty a first time cruiser you upgraded...just wanted to say thanks:) Yeah we get it we are not valued!

 

 

Couple of questions:

 

Did you have Anytime Dining? Is so, were the lines crazy long? When we were on Ruby in Jan, it did not matter what time you went to ATD the lines were insane. Everyone was complaining about it. We ended up in the buffet 3 out of 5 nights because of it

 

Did you notice for sure if they had the BOGO at 3 pm and 11 pm? Want to buy my beer that way as it is less expensive than buying the buckets.

[karena1]

We will be boarding the Ruby on Saturday Nov 15, so will see if we have the same types of experiences you did.

 

If you have AnyTime Dining would you please report back on it? We are on Ruby again Dec 13th and if ATD is as horrid as it was in January with the wait times that were insane, I don't want to drag formal clothes with me if we are going to end up in the buffet again. In Jan we ended up in the buffet 3 out of 5 nights b/c the lines were do long. And it did not matter what time you went, they were long all the time!!

 

Also, can you check for sure if the BOGO is offered at both 3 and 11? Would appreciate it.

 

Looking forward to going back on Ruby, we had a great time other than the ATD situation.

 

Thanks