Ruby Princess E. Caribbean photo and video review

[Bimmer09]

A beautiful room. Like a Chicago steakhouse.

 

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There will be Blood! er, um,Wine and I will order a bottle of Merlot -Oberon by Mondavi for $40 (plus 15% tip)

 



 

We met the Head Waiter and asked him if it would be possible to sit by a window and he led us to a booth for 4 and whisked the extra place settings away.

 



 

A fun server brought the wine to the table. She works in the IC during the day.

She was just about to break into a spiel when I told her that I was the Director of this camcorder Movie and she could wait for my go-which is why you hear "Action!" when the video starts. She played along.

 

 

 

Carol's Spiny Lobster cake

 

 

We checked the menu for appetizers and they didn't take long in coming.

 

For me, Black Tiger Prawns or Shrimp (?)

Cuts of meat, wrapped in Saran wrap for viewing, are brought to the table so you can choose your cut. We are happy with a Filet Mignon but really any cut is worth your time. There's even a 22 oz Porterhouse. I had that on the Diamond Princess once but it was really too much meat all at once unless you've just spent 8 hours as a lumberjack. We were in Alaska but I was told when I went ashore carrying my axe (a Paul Bunyon model,no less) that it was illegal to cut down the rain forests . I did no know that.

 

We had a different waitress for our food but I didn't get a shot of her. She was very good though so no long waits or incorrect orders etc. While we were waiting for the steaks to be seared we met Joel, our go-to guy in the Sanctuary. He does a shift at night in the Crown Grill and typical of him he was engaging with customers and there was much laughter from his tables.

 

Where's the BEEF?

[Bimmer09]

Before the steaks arrive Carol enjoys a salad

 

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We both have the same thing on our plates -Filet Mignon, creamed spinach and herbed French Fries (yummo!) but I asked for a lobster tail on mine and was brought 4. They are small though. Still, dipped in some drawn butter they are tasty!

 

 

Cooked medium, pink center, seared to perfection. The wine was exactly the perfect accompaniment.

 

As there was a Norman Love Dessert on the menu we had to have it although I yet to indulge myself in the famous Crown Dependence dessert. Next time!

 

Newly defining the word DEE-LISHUS!!

 

 

As always with me, the perfect after-dinner drink is a Sambuca and double espresso. Sambuca is $7 ($12 in my hotel in Ft Lauderdale) and the coffee card pays for the espresso but they didn't punch my card.

 

As you'll see in the video later the bartender put my Sambuca in a cocktail class. When the waitress brought it over I commented on it and she agreed it was the wrong vessel to serve this in and insisted on going back to the bar to (a) slap his face (harsh yet fair, I thought) and (b) get it put into a nice little snifter glass so I could swish it around and breathe in the licorice vapors for an extra "high"

 

What a fantastic meal that was! Worth the spend even though we had a "free" dinner available in the MDR. The Ruby's cuisine kept hitting the mark.

[Bimmer09]

Here's the brief dinner video I shot in the Crown Grill.

The opening shot is the cover of the menu.

 

 

Buon appetito!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

After such a big dinner and with no pressing entertainment schedule we sat on the Promenade deck for a while. I joined the smokers aft on the starboard side. The half dozen chairs there seldom got cold in the evenings and passengers and staff alike (usually casino or cruise staff) would stop for a cigarette and a chat.

 

For Carol it was an early night while I went up to check the Ultimate Deck Party happening on deck 15 by the pool and on 16 where Tradewinds was in fact open and serving. Jennifer brought me a Guinness right away and I listened to the music and people-watched.

 

There was quite a crowd up there and many were dancing the night away.

 

I shot some video but wasn't making a documentary so didn't roam the decks and get close-ups of the band or the dancers. I just took it all in while sitting relaxing.

 

Had I not been stuffed there would have still have been time to drop down a deck to the Trident Grill where in the evenings, after 6 p.m they add some BBQ dishes, including pulled pork and brisket to the offerings. I have still yet to try that new menu but will look for it on the Emerald in September in the Med. Trident closes at 11p.m

 

After the on-deck party cooled down many people including me found themselves up in Skywalkers where the disco was in full swing. I could smoke in there (after 10 p.m) by sitting all the way over to Starboard. I had one drink. In my corner were some of the male and female cruise staff having a blast together dancing and singing along to the hits and knocking back a few shots and cocktails.

 

The pianist from Crooners was there. I thought he was a passenger at first as he was really living La Vida Loca. I think his name was Tommy McFee- I only ever heard him in passing Crooners and he was keeping the crowd entertained so now it was his time to unwind and relax and he was relaxing with gusto.

 

It was time for bed though, after midnight and I had to see us coming in to St Thomas as we were docking at 7 a.m and staying until 4 p.m

 

There would be 6 ships in port including the Ruby...

[Bimmer09]

Here's a video clip from the Ultimate Deck party...

 

 

Norris

[Jilliebean28]

Loving your review and pictures!! Thank you so much for sharing!

[jlf1]

 

We both have the same thing on our plates -Filet Mignon, creamed spinach and herbed French Fries (yummo!) but I asked for a lobster tail on mine and was brought 4. They are small though. Still, dipped in some drawn butter they are tasty!

 

 

 

Norris,

 

We will be on the Emerald for the Transatlantic and now I know what to order at the Crown Grill.

 

thanks a bunch.

 

Judy

 

Cooked medium, pink center, seared to perfection. The wine was exactly the perfect accompaniment.

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

 

We will be on the Emerald for the Transatlantic and now I know what to order at the Crown Grill.

 

thanks a bunch.

 

Judy

 

Judy you can't go wrong with a Filet-no fat no waste. I also grill ribeyes at home where the fatty marbling adds flavor for sure. A filet isn't lacking though if seared well and not overcooked. I use a cast iron skillet at home (seared both sides in hot pan-smoke and vapors everywhere) then pop it in the oven to finish for 5 minutes, then rest on a warmed plate for 5 to 10 mins before cutting into it.

 

I've just made myself hungry. There's a Ruth's Chris 3 miles down the street but it is super cold out there...

 

Ever have a Ruth's steak? You have to wear goggles when it comes to the table spitting butter all over the place and when the server says "careful-the plate is hot" he means "hotter than the Sun hot".

 

Buon appetito on the Emerald. When do you sail?

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Loving your review and pictures!! Thank you so much for sharing!

 

Jilliebean-thanks for stepping out of the shadows. I love to know who's reading this as I go along. Stick with it as it only gets better ( or longer at least!)

 

Norris, laying down a Welcome mat. Now wipe your tootsies!

[Bimmer09]

Just a word about Internet Access on the ship. As Platinum members we get 150 free minutes each. Carol uses hers to download the newspapers- NYT and WSJ to her Kindle. I had my laptop on board and even then I only used half of my minutes and I can't even tell you how much they would cost without looking up the plans on line. So internet at sea isn't vital to me in any way. Check Facebook at sea? Ha! ROTFLMAO! E-Mail-which is what I used it for-can wait too. How did all those people in Burkino Faso know where I was?

 

Although Internet on vacation isn't something I need, you might.

 

Princess has you covered with their Internet Centers and here's the one on the Ruby....DECK 5 just to the right of this...

 

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Pay for some minutes and have at it! Connections at sea will be slower than you are used to though and I mean slower but there will be a little counter than shows how much you are using. If really slow you may want to come back at a less busy time of the day-early morning or late at night when less folks are likely to be using it. When everyone's ashore? Sure! Great idea. Forget about bandwidth Hogs like Skype though and keep it simple and concise.

 

 

 

As you can see Princess has a beautiful clean room and lots of computers waiting for you and at the ungodly hour I took this photo you could have had a brisk connection!

 

DON'T FORGET TO LOG-OFF!!!

Norris

[PekingeseLady]

As always with me, the perfect after-dinner drink is a Sambuca and double espresso. Sambuca is $7 ($12 in my hotel in Ft Lauderdale) and the coffee card pays for the espresso but they didn't punch my card.

 

 

Norris I copied part of your post. Because of you I had to look up Sambuca. Never heard of it. Do you drink the white Sambuca? Do you drink it neat? Is its taste similar to Yaggermeister (sp?) Can you describe the flavor. I'm always looking for something new to try, and I LOVE my coffee. :D

 

Much enjoying your review. I'll be sailing on her sister ship the Crown in 2 weeks. Taking my SIL for her 2nd cruise. Her first was 30 years ago. I'm 56 and she's 66 It's going to be girls week out in Mexico. Thank you for the GREAT entertainment.

Edited February 14, 2015 by PekingeseLady

[MilliesMom]

We are on the Ruby to Alaska this August. Really appreciate all of the details and photos you post. Great review.

[jlf1]

Judy you can't go wrong with a Filet-no fat no waste. I also grill ribeyes at home where the fatty marbling adds flavor for sure. A filet isn't lacking though if seared well and not overcooked. I use a cast iron skillet at home (seared both sides in hot pan-smoke and vapors everywhere) then pop it in the oven to finish for 5 minutes, then rest on a warmed plate for 5 to 10 mins before cutting into it.

 

I've just made myself hungry. There's a Ruth's Chris 3 miles down the street but it is super cold out there...

 

Ever have a Ruth's steak? You have to wear goggles when it comes to the table spitting butter all over the place and when the server says "careful-the plate is hot" he means "hotter than the Sun hot".

 

Buon appetito on the Emerald. When do you sail?

 

Norris

 

The Transatlantic leaves Barcelona on Oct 3, 2015.

 

Yes, we have had a Ruth's steak. They were certainly spitting butter all over the place (i.e. Bruce's tie). But oh so yummy.

 

Judy

[Bimmer09]

Sambuca is flavoured with essential oils obtained from anise, star anise, liquorice and other spices. It also contains elderflowers.[1] The oils are added to pure alcohol, a concentrated solution of sugar, and other flavouring. It is commonly bottled at 42% alcohol by volume.[end quote]

 

So that's what's in it- the one I have served is Sambuca Romana which is clear (called white as there are other colors). It's a sipping drink-in my case a sip of Sambuca and then a sip of espresso. Usually served in a snifter glass as it deserves to be swirled and sniffed and with 3 coffee beans floating on top. It's thicker and more viscous than water based drinks like whisky or vodka.

 

I was introduced to it nearly 30 years ago by a Portugese friend in a great Portugese restaurant in Newark( called Tony Da Caneca. )

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

We are on the Ruby to Alaska this August. Really appreciate all of the details and photos you post. Great review.

 

Thank you and Welcome!

 

Lots of ship interiors still to come.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

The Transatlantic leaves Barcelona on Oct 3, 2015.

 

Yes, we have had a Ruth's steak. They were certainly spitting butter all over the place (i.e. Bruce's tie). But oh so yummy.

 

Judy

 

Hi Judy-we get off the Emerald in Barcelona on Oct 3.We get on Sept 26 in Rome.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Here it is-Wednesday already! We've already had our disembarkation request forms delivered and have chosen to leave the ship in PE at 10 a.m.

 

Sobering thought.

 

On the bright side though...we were docked in ST. THOMAS!!

 

HOORAY!

 

We had booked an excursion today- a 4 hour visit to the island of St John and back with a bus tour while over there.

 

When I knew a few months out that there would be 6 ships in port today my thought for an excursion was to GET OUT OF ST. THOMAS Luckily none of the ships would be the Allure or Oasis (phew!) but still...a lot of people in town.

 

St. John would be much quieter and we had never visited it before.

 

We didn't have to assemble on the pier until 10.20 so there was plenty of time to enjoy another breakfast in the Da Vinci. We got our favorite table back in a corner.

 

Carol liked to start with a fruit plate and once she discovered Papaya was available it became a standing order with our waitress Frances from Peru.

 

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Simple breakfast for me

 

 

Other ships were joining us. Celebrity Reflection was already berthed ahead of us.

 

 

Westerdam has already lowered two tenders outside the harbor and they will join her again once she drops anchor in the sheltered bay.

 

 

Up ahead the aerial tramway (suspended gondolas from Switzerland where they know steep inclines) leading up to Paradise Point. I had a hankering to make a quick trip up there as it has a scenic overlook for great sprawling vistas.

 

 

I set off on this quick trip. Down the gangway where a photographer was waiting to take a snap. No Pirates in costume to pose with. I had missed one in St Maarten as we got off the ship late. I usually buy the photos if they come out well ($20 for an 8 x 10).

 

Princess runs an excursion to the top of Paradise Point for $49. The ride up in the gondola is $21 and as I was doing a spur of the moment trip I would be walking at my usual non-leisurely pace so I was there in 15 minutes and bought a ticket.

 

I had a to share a gondola with half a dozen folks from other ships. There are 3 gondolas and a line had built up behind us as we waited to fill the first three.

 

They were doing big renovations two years ago when I was there and they still are and seem to be working at an "island pace". Disappointing as I thought they would be long done.

 

The 6 ships are in place. Getaway, Ruby and Reflection at Havensight dock.

Westerdam at anchor and miles away at Crown Bay there is the Regal Princess and the Carnival Glory.

 

Edited February 14, 2015 by Bimmer09

[New York Nana]

Snowing outside the window? Check

Cold wind blowing below zero wind chill? Check

Cup of hot tea? Check

Ipad charged up to BINGE watch DOWNTON ABBEY? Check

 

Oh, let's first check out CC to see if there were any interesting posts....

OH NO!!! NORRIS IS POSTING!

 

Now, how can I POSSIBLY binge with D.A now? I CAN'T, I simpy can NOT!

 

Instead, I am compelled to read every.single.word; watch every.single.video; look at every.single.photograph from Your Ruby P. trip!

Mind you, we did the same itinerary a couple of weeks before you on the Regal P. (understand your concerns about the ship's design - but we still loved her!)

 

OK, I will now sip my tea while the snow falls out the window and read your review (no, more of a 'come along with us' diary).

Darn! we are supposed to go out for Valentine Dinner-I wonder if DH will understand that I need a little more time to get ready?

 

Well, I made him listen to nearly your entire post from the Ocean P. this past summer - so I think he WILL understand how much I enjoy your perspective on traveling!

 

We did a B2B on the Ruby P. in Jan 2014 - our first time to cruise the Caribbean islands. Like you and Carol, our cruising history began only 3 years ago on the Island P. to Alaska and this January's trip was #8 for us! We reserved and cancelled cruises on both RCI and Celebrity because we have enjoyed every one of our trips on Princess so much, we didn't want to be disappointed. Perhaps in the future we'd consider it, but for now we feel very comfortable with the Princess product.

 

So, let me pour that tea and go back to the beginning and start your adventure while reliving ours!

Thank you Norris for all the time and effort you put into these reviews.

Molto bene!

[Bimmer09]

Snowing outside the window? Check

Cold wind blowing below zero wind chill? Check

Cup of hot tea? Check

Ipad charged up to BINGE watch DOWNTON ABBEY? Check

 

Oh, let's first check out CC to see if there were any interesting posts....

OH NO!!! NORRIS IS POSTING!

 

So, let me pour that tea and go back to the beginning and start your adventure while reliving ours!

Thank you Norris for all the time and effort you put into these reviews.

Molto bene!

 

Nana- I definitely want you as my Press Agent!

 

I think I started this on Feb 3 and we're 11 days in already so there's plenty to catch up on. Enjoy a nice long read.

 

I remember you well from the Ocean Princess epic and am very glad you have joined us here.

 

Thanks for the compliments!

 

Norris

Edited February 14, 2015 by Bimmer09

[Bimmer09]

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Norris, off to a night of Opera in Chicago

Edited February 14, 2015 by Bimmer09

[Susie51]

Another day of terrific pictures and commentary. I don't want your cruise to end. Why did they have to send you those pesky dbk. papers?

[Bimmer09]

Another day of terrific pictures and commentary. I don't want your cruise to end. Why did they have to send you those pesky dbk. papers?

 

Susie- I didn't get much computer time today as I saw 3 operas- spent a total of 8 hours in theaters but all the better for it.

 

The DBK papers help them get organized and remind us that we only paid for 7 measly days. Someday we'll book a 10 day....

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Excursion to St John

Formal Night #2

Sunsets

Sunrises

Food Porn- someone alert Annie

Hundreds of interior shots of the Ruby

Grand Turk tour

Last sea day

Disembarkation

Observing the loading process

Ft lauderdale stay in the Ritz Carlton-Hotel Porn

Dinner by appointment

Norris has an accident

Landing in Chicago where 1400 flights cancelled- Super Bowl Sunday blizzard

Summing up

[lovelearnteach]

Norris, I'm immensely enjoying reading your perspective of your cruise vacation aboard the Ruby. I feel like your honest and funny style of relating your adventures makes me feel as if I was right there vacationing with you guys. I'm so appreciative of the immense time and energy it takes to do a review like this, thank-you so much :). I will be faithfully following until the end, love the Ruby & this itinerary, bringing back so many wonderful memories.

 

P.S. Please bring back the Emerald safely for my cruise in Oct. ;):p:)!

 

P.S.S. If you ever get the chance to go back to St.Maarten, there is a little place called Sarafina's in Marigot, that is a must go to for anyone that remotely calls themselves a "foodie". The pastries are to die for, and the sandwiches are out of this world. It's a busy place frequented by both tourists and locals alike. The chocolate eclair and the French macaroons were just heaven in my mouth!

[perfect match]

Norris, I loved the pictures of the Eclipse. She's a real beauty! Sure wish I could afford a ship of my own just like that. :sigh:

 

The food porn from Crown Grill made me hungry. I'm not sure why we didn't go there on our CB cruise this past Oct. :confused:

 

One of these trips I will manage to ride the tram to Paradise Point in St Thomas. The view from there really is beautiful. So far though we have docked in Crown Bay and a trip to Paradise Point simply hasn't fit into our schedule. I guess that's a good reason to go back to St Thomas! :p