Ruby Princess E. Caribbean photo and video review

[chuck517]

We had one of our best meals ever (land or sea) at the Crown Grill, filet& lobster.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[tequilasunrise]

Thanks so much for taking time to write and post a great review, as always. We especially enjoy your photos! :D

[Bimmer09]

We had one of our best meals ever (land or sea) at the Crown Grill, filet& lobster.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

We'll be dining there after we leave St Maarten.

 

We sail at 6p.m NOT 7 p.m as I reported earlier. So=8 hours in port but would prefer more!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Thanks so much for taking time to write and post a great review, as always. We especially enjoy your photos! :D

 

Thanks for the compliments!

 

Welcome aboard.

 

Norris

[JimmyVWine]

Was the 50th Anniversary menu served on the first Formal Night? If I have followed along correctly, so far we have had:

 

1. Embarkation Day-Sabatini's.

2. Princess Cays Day-Italian Night

3. Sea Day-Formal Night with Anniversary Dinner.

 

Did I get that right, or did I miss anything? Thanks.

[Bimmer09]

Partially obscured by MSC Divina was the beautiful Celebrity Reflection

I have yet to sail with Celebrity but as you know I like the look and size of the Constellation

 

Seadream1 is also tied up and doesn't take up much dock space.

 

[/url]

 



 

 

It appears we'll have a bit of a walk to get to where the tour busses park-behind those red roofed buildings ahead of the Seadream1.

 

 

It looks like a beautiful day on the island! 3 drops of rain (I counted them) fell at one point. Either that or a crew member was spraying a deck somewhere above me.

[Bimmer09]

Was the 50th Anniversary menu served on the first Formal Night? If I have followed along correctly, so far we have had:

 

1. Embarkation Day-Sabatini's.

2. Princess Cays Day-Italian Night

3. Sea Day-Formal Night with Anniversary Dinner.

 

Did I get that right, or did I miss anything? Thanks.

 

Jimmy you are correct. We have never eaten in the MDR on Embarkation Day so I have no idea if there's a theme then or not.

 

Tonight will be Crown Grill for us.

 

Norris

[JimmyVWine]

We have never eaten in the MDR on Embarkation Day so I have no idea if there's a theme then or not.

Same here. I have seen enough "Sailaway Menus" on line to conclude that we would prefer Sabatini's, so that has become our tradition.

 

While the Anniversary Menu is a neat idea, it actually looked a bit lame for a Formal Night menu. Especially in the non-beef area.

[Bimmer09]

Here is a short video of the 50th Anniversary Dinner we enjoyed on Formal Night.

 

We dined alone as the other members of our previous dinners had eaten early and Carol was at a show at that time.

 

Following this we'll have a video of our approach and docking in St. Maarten. I use the Dutch spelling as we dock on the Dutch side of the island in the capital Phillipsburg. The French side is Sint Martin and the capital there is Marigot. We'll be there later in the day.

 

 

Users of youtube may be aware that at times it has a mind of it's own. I keep getting pop-ups telling me that videos I successfully loaded days ago (and have been viewed since) have failed to upload.

 

On some uploads I check back in to see it's progress to find it is trying to upload an old clip from days before and have to start over again. In some instances the upload times have been forecast as over 5 hours....who has the time for that?

 

Regardless , it's the tool I have to use and I am thankful for it as it lets me share.

 

More soon!

 

Norris

[PekingeseLady]

[/url]

 

 

MSC Divina is already here. Not a line I am likely to sail on (read the reviews) but a handsome piece of shipbuilding which I always admire.

 

][/center]

 

Norris, I have to agree and disagree with you on the MSC Divina. If you have a chance to book their YACHT CLUB it is FABULOUS! The best cruise we ever had. The experience is like none other. Spoiled, pampered, exclusive, just out of this world. It is pretty pricey, but I'd jump on it again in a heart beat if I could, we don't sail out of Florida very often. DH doesn't like flying, LOL

But you are right, DH and I both agreed if were not in the Yacht Club, this would be the last ship we would ever book. Access of the whole ship is cut off by the Yacht Club. The promenade deck has no view as the life boats are in your way, you can not walk anywhere on the ship to see the front unless you were in the Yacht Club. Exclusive eating areas, beautiful private lounge in a full windows from port to starboard, with full butler service. We were always seeing people trying to walk to the bow but stopped by the glass doors leading to the One Pool area of the Yacht club. Just FYI for you, I can tell by your reviews, you have style and class, and I know you would love MSC Divina if you sailed in their Yacht Club. :D

[Bimmer09]

Norris, I have to agree and disagree with you on the MSC Divina. If you have a chance to book their YACHT CLUB it is FABULOUS! The best cruise we ever had. The experience is like none other. Spoiled, pampered, exclusive, just out of this world. It is pretty pricey, but I'd jump on it again in a heart beat if I could, we don't sail out of Florida very often. DH doesn't like flying, LOL

But you are right, DH and I both agreed if were not in the Yacht Club, this would be the last ship we would ever book. Access of the whole ship is cut off by the Yacht Club. The promenade deck has no view as the life boats are in your way, you can not walk anywhere on the ship to see the front unless you were in the Yacht Club. Exclusive eating areas, beautiful private lounge in a full windows from port to starboard, with full butler service. We were always seeing people trying to walk to the bow but stopped by the glass doors leading to the One Pool area of the Yacht club. Just FYI for you, I can tell by your reviews, you have style and class, and I know you would love MSC Divina if you sailed in their Yacht Club. :D

 

Thank you for this validation on the Yacht Club section of the Divina. I just wonder why they can't raise the standards more for the other passengers if they want to compete with the big boys in the Caribbean. Food and service seem to be the hot buttons among US travelers on MSC and the lengthy announcements before shows in multiple languages.

 

On the interiors of the ships I look at there is a little too much bling for my simple tastes. Swarovski staircases? That money could be put to better use I imagine-like offering people coffee after their dinner.

 

I love sailing in suites and I know for instance that NCL has some swanky ones with a Haven or private area for suite guests which must be similar to the Yacht Club but again the NCL interiors are too busy and tacky for me and -as you mention in your excellent response (welcome by the way!) a lack of promenade deck for me is a big issue, which is why I am not interested in sailing on the Royal or Regal Princess.

 

If I was someone who could, or who planned to cruise a lot then I would try some new ships in a cheaper cabin. However I can't cruise often and enjoy the space and comforts of premium cabins so my cruising will be limited. Cruising isn't the be all and end all for me. I love driving holidays in Europe and the USA just as much and will never be one of the most traveled passengers on any cruise line.

 

We stumbled into Princess and found it comfortable like a well-worn jacket. We are a couple of cruises away from Elite status and it's perks in only 3 years and 7 cruises. Once we are Elite we may venture out and try another line- Azamara calls to me (Carol is not yet familiar) as does Oceania. I read an immense amount of reviews on CC and surf most of the boards so we'll pick and choose carefully.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to comment-I have learned something new about MSC today, thanks to you.

 

Norris

[JimmyVWine]

Users of youtube may be aware that at times it has a mind of it's own. I keep getting pop-ups telling me that videos I successfully loaded days ago (and have been viewed since) have failed to upload.

 

On some uploads I check back in to see it's progress to find it is trying to upload an old clip from days before and have to start over again. In some instances the upload times have been forecast as over 5 hours....who has the time for that?

 

Regardless , it's the tool I have to use and I am thankful for it as it lets me share.

FWIW, I have been able to view the videos without incident. I think I have seem most of them except for the Estonian Chorus, (or, as I like to refer to them, "The Rolling Estones"). I will catch those later.

 

...you can not walk anywhere on the ship to see the front unless you were in the Yacht Club.

Who would be dumb enough to design a ship that affords no view from the bow? ;)

Edited February 11, 2015 by JimmyVWine

[Susie51]

The champagne tower is beautiful to watch and you painted a lovely word description of it.

[Bimmer09]

FWIW, I have been able to view the videos without incident. I think I have seem most of them except for the Estonian Chorus, (or, as I like to refer to them, "The Rolling Estones"). I will catch those later.

 

 

Who would be dumb enough to design a ship that affords no view from the bow? ;)

 

Jimmy-there's no problem viewing the videos- it's just the issues uploading them I was talking about when youtube tells me once every two minutes for a day that it can't upload that which is uploaded already.

 

Ship designs for me need to be able to show me as much sea as possible, forward aft and to the sides. I spend most of my time on deck while cruising. Grand Class when the decks aren't closed satisfies this craving in me.

 

The greatest English sea painter JMW Turner had himself lashed to a mast in a storm so he could experience it first hand. I don't ask to go that far but open the decks for me when there is a mild puff of wind-as long as you can keep the ship upright I won't blow overboard.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Here's a short video of our approach and docking in St. Maarten

 

 

We have a semi -submersible submarine, scenic drive and shopping tour lined up for the day on the French side of the island.

 

Norris

[Liz54]

Here is a short video of the 50th Anniversary Dinner we enjoyed on Formal Night.

 

We dined alone as the other members of our previous dinners had eaten early and Carol was at a show at that time.

 

Following this we'll have a video of our approach and docking in St. Maarten. I use the Dutch spelling as we dock on the Dutch side of the island in the capital Phillipsburg. The French side is Sint Martin and the capital there is Marigot. We'll be there later in the day.

 

 

Users of youtube may be aware that at times it has a mind of it's own. I keep getting pop-ups telling me that videos I successfully loaded days ago (and have been viewed since) have failed to upload.

 

On some uploads I check back in to see it's progress to find it is trying to upload an old clip from days before and have to start over again. In some instances the upload times have been forecast as over 5 hours....who has the time for that?

 

Regardless , it's the tool I have to use and I am thankful for it as it lets me share.

 

More soon!

 

Norris

 

My understanding, with some French ability and no Dutch, and Wikipedia is

"Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten)

[Bimmer09]

My understanding, with some French ability and no Dutch, and Wikipedia is

"Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten)

 

Thanks for the clarification and welcome to the thread!

 

Norris

[TXRed]

Thank you so much for posting your review and photos. We are going to Alaska in Sept on the Ruby..our first time for both Princess and Alaska. Loved the food photos...you had me hooked at the calamari photo!! If I may ask a few questions...is the afternoon tea only for those in the Sanctuary? If not, is there a charge? You mention coffee syrup and water at the buffet and I immediately went HUH? Is there anyplace to get regular brewed coffee other than at the IC ? And if not, then we would have to pay for each single cup of coffee or purchase the coffee card? Again thank you for sharing your voyage with us.

[jlf1]

.

 

Following this we'll have a video of our approach and docking in St. Maarten. I use the Dutch spelling as we dock on the Dutch side of the island in the capital Phillipsburg. The French side is Sint Martin and the capital there is Marigot. We'll be there later in the day.

 

Norris

 

Norris,

 

I hope that you don't mind but the Dutch side is Sint Maarten and the French side is St. Martin.

 

Judy

Edited February 11, 2015 by jlf1

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

 

I hope that you don't mind but the Dutch side is Sint Maarten and the French side is St. Martin.

 

Judy

 

Already clarified above. Thanks Judy!

 

Norris

[toberman]

Thought it was... Sint Maarten and Saint Martin??

[JimmyVWine]

Now we're splitting haairs.

[Bruinboy]

Potato ... Potahto. Norris, thanks for the videos. Have you had many conversations with others while in ports? What have you heard from non-Princess folk about their cruises?

[westcoastvecs]

Enjoying so much! Delightful way with words! great pics! Thank you Norris!

[Working 2 Cruise]

Thank you Norris! Another fabulous review! I've just read the whole thing in one day! It's truly educational and fun (love that food porn).

 

I'm very happy that the Ruby will be on the West Coast!

 

One question, from smoker to smoker, on the Crown, on Deck 16 aft (in front of Adagio's), there's a lovely smoking section with cushioned chairs and tables. Is it the same on the Ruby?

 

I have to say that our cruise in December on the Crown and the food was so good... Have to take elastic waist pants for my 28 day cruise!!!