Ruby Princess E. Caribbean photo and video review

[Bimmer09]

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?

 

Hi Nina-more to come but to answer the smoking question...yes (with a caveat).

Maybe 4 tables with chairs which had removable chair pads which could use some cleaning.

 

 

The pads were taken in overnight so weren't available until after 7 a.m so people would sit on the rim of the Sabatini's fountain if it was dry.

 

The ashtrays were taken away on the last sea day and when I went up there that evening the tables were occupied and guests were using their coffee cups and drinking glasses as ashtrays (ugly).The topic of conversation was "where are the ashtrays?"

 

Next morning after docking in P.E I was up there around 7 and one of the deck attendants came along to tell guests who were smoking with their coffee that the smoking deck was now one deck up by the hot tubs, with no tables and chairs-"Ma'am you can't smoke here". I told him a sign would have been helpful rather than him having to go around shooing people upstairs which was unpopular and made no sense after having that smoking section for 6 days. I moved elsewhere.

 

Another annoyance.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

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

 

Thank you!

I'm happy to see you following along.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

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?

 

To be honest the only person from another ship that I spoke to (on St John's) was a Canadian gentleman sailing on the Regal. He was loving the ship but they had to skip Princess Cays because of strong winds. Prior to the Regal he and his wife were on Oasis of the Seas (a B2B) and he disliked the crowds and having to book entertainments in advance.

 

Our excursions were all by Princess and tended to be full of Ruby passengers with St Thomas the exception where we made a stop at the Regal.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

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.

 

Afternoon Tea is available in Da Vinci MDR as well as the Sanctuary. Room Service will deliver to your cabin if you are in a suite (and maybe if you are Elite-I don't know for sure). As far as I know the IC is the only place to get fresh brewed coffee-show your Coffee Card which is a good investment. I mainly use mine for espressos and cappuccinos. I was using my card from the Ocean Princess and I'll use it again on the Emerald.

 

Thanks for following along!

 

Norris

[jlf1]

Already clarified above. Thanks Judy!

 

Norris

 

I should have continued reading to the end before posting. Sorry Norris.

 

Judy

[Bimmer09]

I should have continued reading to the end before posting. Sorry Norris.

 

Judy

 

No problem Judy!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

The various port excursions met on the dock between the Ruby and the Getaway.

The tour guides hold up signs with your tour number on them. Ours was a little late in arriving but once assembled we were marched two abreast off the pier and past the Duty Free shops to a bus parking lot in the rear of the welcome complex.

 

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The coach was air conditioned and had windows as opposed to open sides. Our guide was a good talker with a lot of personality and humor. She called herself Chanel which was easier to remember than her real name. She kept up a running commentary on the history of the island and what we were seeing outside. I ran the camcorder and took stills along the way.

 

I think there were 26 of us on board as that was the maximum the semi-sub could seat down below.

 

We stopped at a scenic overlook on our way to our destination which was the small town of Grand Case on the French side of the island, where the restaurants congregate on the water.

[Bimmer09]

The roads on St Maarten are hilly and narrow and they drive on the right. There was some dangerous overtaking going on now and then and I was hoping they had lots of ambulances and body-repair shops on the island.

 

The bus pulled over on a hilltop so we could get out and take photos or do some shopping for ten minutes.

 

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These are the shops seen from the rear

 

 

Onward to Grand Case....

[Susie51]

Just curious Norris, which do you prefer the E. Carib. or W. Carib.? Your photos of the water are gorgeous.

 

In Dec. I was in the W. Carib. and I don't think the water was as lovely a shade of blue as E. Carib. What do you think?

[Bimmer09]

Just curious Norris, which do you prefer the E. Carib. or W. Carib.? Your photos of the water are gorgeous.

 

In Dec. I was in the W. Carib. and I don't think the water was as lovely a shade of blue as E. Carib. What do you think?

 

Hmm....good question.

 

I did enjoy the excursions on Roatan (Dolphins) and Belize (airboat) last year on the CB but the islands themselves were very poor and dirty so that part was depressing and I found no desire to explore the towns on foot.

 

I guess the Eastern would be the answer for the better infrastructure there in St. Maarten and St. Thomas and now that I have been to St John I would look forward to going back there again.

 

Thanks for asking!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Once in Grand Case we had to park the bus. Chanel made a call to the sub only to find they were running behind schedule so we had to wait 15 minutes before leaving the bus and trooping down the narrow street hugging the shore. The sidewalks were narrow and one had to watch out for traffic.

 

We walked down a narrow alley past a little cafe where the smells were inviting and found ourselves on a jetty waiting for the returning submariners to disembark and make way for us.

 

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Nice setting for lunch or a hotel stay

 



 



 

 

There was seating all around the sides of the boat and a toilet for those who are wondering. We sailed out to open water where we transferred to the keel section which was a row of windows both sides with bench seating facing forward and people sitting two abreast so everyone had a view. We were only about 7 feet underwater so a short flight of stairs had to be negotiated.

 

There was no buffet or specialty restaurant on board although the fish got to eat...

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

There were indeed fish under the water but there's only a fat chance of me putting names to any of them. I'll give you a list of the species we saw, which Carol was making on her cell phone while I was wrestling with the cameras.

 

I know none of them were my favorite fish which is cod dipped in batter and deep fried then served with hot crispy chips and a pint of Guinness. I saw none of these but maybe the water was too murky.

 

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Some of the fish were in shadow like those members of the FBI protection program.

 



 



 

Not exactly Jacques Cousteau here

 



 

 

Towards the end of the 30 minutes or so in the sub one of the crew put on SCUBA gear to go down and draw the fish near. That worked a charm and is on the video I shot.

 

Here's a list of "fish" who bothered to show up; sea turtle (not a fish),sea urchins (ditto) dories, snappers, sergeant majors,yellow fins,damsels and a sting ray. We also saw fan, finger,brain and red coral although all colors are muted down there without camera lights.

 

We trooped upstairs again for the pleasant scenic ride back to the pier at Grand Case and like all good tour boats there was a hard-to-miss giant tip jar so I tipped them $5 for bringing us back alive. We walked straight back to the bus which had to squueze it's way through the narrow street there to head back to Marigot.

 

At Marigot we would have a 45 shopping minute stop. We parked by the colorful market by the harbor there and Chanel told us of a store we could go into where we could use the toilets and if challenged by Toilet Police we just had to mention her name.

It was of course a big souvenir shop called Maya. The bathroom for gentlemen was one urinal with a half door on it facing into the shop (think Wild West saloon door) so there was no hiding in there. Ladies had to line up for a solo toilet with full length door.

 

We shopped 'til we dropped which in our case means we bought a fridge magnet for the growing collection at home.

 

It was hot and we needed some shade once it was decided we couldn't be bothered walking around the street market or over to the glitzier shopping mall.

 

 

A bar with shade lured us in. We weren't eating although many folks were so we just had a beer and a club soda for Carol. Bill was 6 Euros but I paid in dollars (about $7.50) , gave the girl a $20 and got dollars in change which was good.

 

Cont...

[Bimmer09]

This is my kind of photo!

 

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No time to climb up to the hilltop fort for a bird's eye view. Instead back to the bus and happy to return to the ship again.

 

[Bimmer09]

I had one order of business to take care of once back in the bus parking lot on the dock-a visit to the nearest Duty Free shop for cheap cigarettes (approx 20% of (not off!) the Chicago price.

 

The grumpiest least helpful tourist-hating cashier was on duty and silently rung me up at $23 a carton (10 packs). While I am used to being ignored by cashiers

in some stores, the two ladies who were asking him questions about where to find a Pharmacy nearby were met with a tsunami of indifference. I wished I could have helped them as he certainly had no intention to.

 

I only found out much later that he hadn't returned by Mastercard to me and I had to order a new one when I arrived home. No fraudulent use was made of it though which was a relief.

 

On to the ship once past security who check your Ship Card.

 

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A Ship Nerd's Dream

 



 

Celebrity Reflection





 

Ruby and Getaway

 



 

[Bimmer09]

Getaway would be leaving before us. I noticed they had couches under a canopy on the dock when I got off earlier and when we were getting back they had music blasting from some speakers on the dock. Yikes! The party has already started!

 

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On the Princess side of the dock there were warm wet facecloths awaiting before we boarded.

 



 

 

Back on board Carol went to our cabin and ordered a chicken caesar salad from room service ( got it in 20 minutes) while I made for the Trident Grill and a knackwurst and fries which I ate so fast that the shutter speed on my camera couldn't even catch it. Jennifer brought me a cold Guinness without words being spoken and was excited to tell me that the Tradewinds Bar would not be closing early tonight ! Nope they were staying up past 7 pm to serve drinks at the Ultimate Deck Party and would close at Midnight.

[Bimmer09]

I had watched members of the Cruise Staff team- the ones who move the band equipment from the lockers and set it up on stage-setting up the Ultimate Deck Party before we went ashore at 12.30 for our excursion.

There were about 9 of them in black shirts and using the Chicago Road-Crew Method which is where one person does the work and the others stand around and shoot the breeze as it were.

 

After an hour they were done.

 

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Compare with the Ruby set-up from 2013.....

 

 

A little more Festive ?

 

The Party wouldn't get underway until 9pm well after sail away at 6 pm and there would be a live band on deck- a loud one with three left-handed musicians (drums and guitars) and a male and female singer. I think they were British and played a wide selection of hits from the 50s to the present day (Thursday today) So the music would be in good hands. Their name was (and probably still is)

Atomic. I like it loud but at the pool during the daytime when Atomic would play, some folks like to relax, chat and even take a nap in the sun, but when Atomic plays all that goes out the window.

 

Our plan for the evening was as follows- see Mentalist Wayne Hoffman in the Princess Theater... He had a 7 pm show for us and an 8.30 for early diners.

 

 

...and then mosey over to the Crown Grill for a slap-up feed which we had booked

the day before. On the Caribbean Princess we left it too late in the week and had to be put on a stand-by list for a table-and failed to get one on the last night.

 

We'll see the Crown Grill when dinner is served later...one of my favorite rooms, mainly because it smells of seared meat.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

First to leave was MSC Divina

 

 

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This let me get a clear shot at the Reflection...

 

 

Getaway backedaway

 

Ruby was about 30 minutes late leaving, the rumor suggesting she was waiting for a passenger who had suffered an injury on shore.

[Bimmer09]

Here's the video of the sail away from St Maarten

 

The last ship we'll see was an arrival who had been waiting for a berth just offshore. I thought it was a fancy luxury cruise ship but it is the World's 2nd largest Private yacht belonging to a Russian Billionaire who among other things owns Chelsea Football Club in the UK. 536 feet long, 24 guest cabins, a small submarine that can dive to 50 feet and a crew of 70. The Eclipse

 

Norris

[perfect match]

I enjoyed sharing your day in St Maarten. I am looking forward to stopping there myself on our cruise at the end of April. I have only visited St Maarten once before, and it left me with a taste for more. :D

[Izabelle]

Fabulous review and amazing photos, now I will be reading the past cruises you have in your signature and looking forward to your future ones....Thank you from a Liverpool Lass now living in Australia. :)

[Bimmer09]

Fabulous review and amazing photos, now I will be reading the past cruises you have in your signature and looking forward to your future ones....Thank you from a Liverpool Lass now living in Australia. :)

 

Izabelle-thank you for joining us and for the kind compliments. I'd be happy if you read some of the other reviews as there are some great Princess ships and itineraries/excursions described.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

With dusk approaching and the Divina and Getaway already heading for the horizon we waited for our turn. Ahead of us here is the British luxury yacht Aquila. 164 feet of opulence registered in Douglas, Isle of Man.

 

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Deck lights came on

 



 

Reflection cast off her lines

 



 

[Bimmer09]

We were late leaving and out of the darkness came the super yacht Eclipse which belongs to Russian Billionaire Roman Obramovich (sp?). It tied up next to us so I took some photos as she backed into her berth. 536 feet long.

 

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St Maarten lit up in the distance. Wish we could stay overnight.

 



 



 



 

Yacht cost $340 million and was delivered in 2010. Built in Hamburg.

[Susie51]

Your thread is a great way to start my day with a chuckle. Thank you for continuing to post your review with pictures.

[Bimmer09]

We had to go see Wayne Hoffman the Mentalist in the Princess Theater soon after we reversed away from the dock in St Maarten and spun around, bound for St Thomas. Wayne was very witty and wowed the audience with his feats of memory and powers of reasoning. He can remember where he left his car keys 5 minutes ago which leaves me in the dust as a Mentalist. He was very interactive with the audience and brought some on stage to dazzle us with his mind.

 

The main event of the evening though would be our dinner in the Crown Grill, the Specialty restaurant where there is a modest $25 cover fee per head for some good quality steaks, served in the atmospheric surroundings of what could pass for a Gentleman's Club.

 

Here are a few photos to give you a sense of the space which features an open kitchen where the sizzling' and smoke happens before your eyes....

 

There's a menu as you walk in....all it needs to say for me is MEAT!

 

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There's a fireplace

 



 

Artwork shows images from the great city of London

 



 

Cosy booths

 



 

A gleaming kitchen