Ruby Princess Alaska 2017 Observations from Veteran Alaska Cruisers

[lovely13]

I have a question about our upcoming Ruby princess sailing in August. I have heard that on days that we leave port after 8 pm they open the dining room to all anytime dining . Is that true for Alaska cruises too. We have a large group of 12 and some of us are on traditional dining and some are on anytime dining. I was wondering if on the 2 nights that we leave at 10:15 will they still enforce the dining times or since we are leaving port so late will the whole dining area move to anytime dining during those 2 nights? Thanks for any information on this.

[mnelson242424]

Thank you

 

I don't know about you, but when I get onboard I notice new things (and old things) and think to myself: "I should tell that to Cruise Critic", so here I am just off the May 20th Ruby after our 14th cruise to Alaska and ready to post the notes I took during this great trip. These are in no particular order and are my opinion only. YMMV. Hope they're understandable and if you've got questions, I kept the Patters.

 

1. Perfect weather; Seattle was magnificent on both Saturdays showing its best face for the pax. We even had a sailaway party at 4:15 as we got farther out into Elliott Bay (the neighbors nearby on Magnolia Bluff won't let us play music at the pier so you have to wait a bit). I don't think we had one last year. The perfect weather lasted just about the entire cruise, with just a little bumpiness (enough for wrist bands) in the first 24 hours to prove we're on a ship. Juneau (where we almost always have great weather in May) proved disappointingly gray and drippy (some real rain, too), but it was relatively warm. After that, we could have been in the Caribbean until the end of the trip. Such beautiful sun and Glacier Bay was incredible! So happy for all those who traveled so far for their bucket-list cruise.

 

2. As always, almost 75% of AK cruisers are 1st time cruisers. Nice mix of people; not too many walkers or scooters on this trip (not complaining ---- we use a scooter in our family); not many kids at all. The Chinese have discovered Alaska: the cruise following ours is a Chinese charter for Amway achievers! Chinese signs were going up around the ship and the crew were getting their instructions. Needless to say, they were nervous about the language difference.

 

3. Lanyards were nearly sold out by the second day.

 

4. Happy Hour can sometimes be held in Adagio as well as Wheelhouse. It was shortened to 4-5 each day, with 3-5 on Friday.

 

5. Time change: Sunday night 1 hour back (yay!) and Thursday night (forward --- yawn!) As I understand it, the crew follows the same changes.

 

6. Ship's temperature is always perfect. That's why you see sleeveless dresses on formal nights. I like wearing a long-sleeved tee and am comfortable in flip-flops.

 

7. Drop a dollar bill on your bar steward's tray or hand it to your bartender with your cruise card and you'll benefit! I've done this for years and am convinced I get a better pour and faster, more attentive service (if that's possible). Besides, what's a dollar to me for these hardworking folks? I noticed the Happy Hour tips went into a can by the register this cruise ... maybe I haven't noticed it before; I thought they got to pocket it themselves. Even my thank you envelopes were immediately stuffed into the can on Friday. And no, we didn't win the wine raffle again this time.

 

8. Formal was a huge mix: one white jacket (at least), a few tuxes, a kilt, lots of everything in between and some "formal wear" you wouldn't or shouldn't get away with anywhere but casual Alaska. There's no fighting it. It's going to be informal on formal night.

 

9. Tender drills were held in Skagway so say goodbye to your mid-day nap on the starboard side. Berthed there on the graffiti wall (love it!). We were the farthest berth away in Ketchikan. Coral, Niew Amsterdam and Eurodam were frequent berth mates.

 

10. The luxury beds are all onboard now and they're wonderful, but the required four sheets must practically kill the poor room stewards. I had the bunk and let me tell you: I don't know how he makes it so tight. (It's quite comfortable, if you need to know.) Also the ladder rungs are killer, so take your flip-flops to bed up there. Huge pillows.

 

11. A lot of trivia was held every day (maybe an average of 4/day?)

 

12. Zumba at 9 on Sun, Mon and Fri.

 

13. Fox News was on TV on this sailing.

 

14. No blue bags.

 

15. Stanley the Bear is $24.95 and is larger than I imagined. He should be smaller and $12.95 and they'd sell the heck out of him. Plaid hat and scarf for Alaska.

 

16. Order your mochas extra hot and you'll have a better drink. You'll have a shorter line for your mochas and capps at Calypso Bar (machine is around the corner where you can't see it).

 

17. Art shows were everywhere, all the time, it seemed. Fewer events in Explorers because of the clutter in there.

 

18. Plaza 324 (the stateroom backing to the IC) was uninhabitable due to banging from the kitchen all night every night. P320 (handicap) is also noisy from the art being removed and replaced at all hours of the day and night.

 

19. Did you know Loyalty Credit is for the stateroom, not the passenger? One per household.

 

20. I didn't notice Shrimp Daniele (boo hoo) but I may have missed it on Salty Dog night. It might be changed out for the seasonal Alaska menus. I think Princess fish entrees are all wonderful.

 

21. Alaska Fish House Fish Tacos were featured on Ketchikan Thursday ONLY at Trident Grill. Reindeer Chili is always good.

 

22. The MDR for embarkation lunch had maybe 30 tables filled? Most we've ever seen ... word must be getting out. DaVinci, Deck 6 mid.

 

23. Taku Fisheries (the bright green building you'll pass when you berth in Juneau) is a favorite find for us. Cut through the fish bins on your right and go up the metal grate steps and step inside their office door. If the fish are in, you'll be able to see the workers carving and slicing up the salmon or halibut through the plate-glass office window. The office workers seem to enjoy showing off their business. Maybe they won't ... after this hint! Also, another hint that the fish might be in the processing stage: dozens of bald eagles perched above their building on the hillside trees (look for white dots). They get the leavings!

 

24. I didn't go, but I heard the Princess Whale Watching excursion had an incredible adventure with pods of both Orcas and Humps at nearly the same time. My source told me the guides were giddy with excitement.

 

25. It began to get rocky again at 5pm Ketchikan day.

 

26. If you want to see Marjerie Glacier, adjust your local clocks for 9:15am Alaska time and tune into the Ruby webcam. Should be just about the right time ... for an hour ... while the ship spins in Glacier Bay.

 

27. The naturalist Michael Modzelewski does a good job, although I'm not sure everything he says is 100%. He does drive me crazy when he says "Ladies and Gents" over and over. I heard lots of compliments about him. Libby Riddles comes onboard on Juneau night for a few hours and sled dog puppies come to the Piazza at 3:00 on Tuesday, right about the time we need our puppy fix.

 

28. Weather was so good people swam a lot, although hot tubs are still (and always) too cool to much enjoy, although they're still used, even in gloomy weather.

 

29. Most Traveled Passenger: 702 days. We made it again as we always do for Alaska because there are so few elites onboard (this cruise: 72). Evening reception with Commodore Romano and his wife. Do you know what a commodore is? I didn't! He's the most senior of all Princess Cruise Captains and is therefore a commodore. Wow, we were impressed. I told him that the white house halfway up the left hillside as you berth in Seattle (always facing Ballard and Fisherman's Terminal) is the old Commodore's home from WWII, when Pier 91 was used for the Navy. You can tell!

 

30. We were honored to sit with handsome Ricardo Capraro, Hotel GM who is onboard with his wife and two little kids. Peter Tredgett was everywhere and did a great job. Generoso Mazzone couldn't come because he was busy with dinner. Lisa Ball, the Entertainment Director, had tons of activities ... so many that the Patter had to be printed in smaller print.

 

31. This cruise felt different for some reason: never felt crowded at all, even by the photos. I don't know where the pax were, but even the corner clogs by the shops were manageable. Piazza often had available seating.

 

I hope you've enjoyed this little snippet about life onboard Ruby. It was ANOTHER great cruise aboard a lovely ship, so much so that when we learned of a flash sale while onboard, we ran down to the FC desk and booked another one in two weeks (at a terrific price we couldn't refuse).

 

Questions? Ask away before I leave for our next cruise!

[bumbletigger]

We will be on the Ruby soon for our 2nd Princess cruise. Our first was on the Island for the Panama Canal. I have few questions that I hope someone can answer.

 

1. Does the Ruby have the Pub lunch, specifically the fish and chips for free?

 

2. How much is the Sanctuary? How does it work? We usually get a balcony, but have decided to try an inside, so I am looking for a place to watch the water go by.

 

3. Is there a lot of vibration and noise from the engines in the aft? We had an aft balcony on a Carnival ship and it was miserable.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[1yearoff]

Hello, all. What a valuable thread. I am a South African passport holder with visa problems (DH has a British pp so no hassles there). We have finally retired and are tempted, provided the USA and Canada don't take a dislike to me, to do the very last cruise of the year, late September, on your favourite ship. This might just be doable if the visas go to plan.

 

If I may ask, should we wait a year? Iffy weather we can do but not if we see absolutely nothing. We are not getting a straight answer from our cruise agent regarding whether excursions will even be open- his advice is to book first, then we will see. Typical. I would rather consult the ones who will be straight with me. Thanks in advance!

[Pierlesscruisers]

Hello, all. What a valuable thread. I am a South African passport holder with visa problems (DH has a British pp so no hassles there). We have finally retired and are tempted, provided the USA and Canada don't take a dislike to me, to do the very last cruise of the year, late September, on your favourite ship. This might just be doable if the visas go to plan.

 

If I may ask, should we wait a year? Iffy weather we can do but not if we see absolutely nothing. We are not getting a straight answer from our cruise agent regarding whether excursions will even be open- his advice is to book first, then we will see. Typical. I would rather consult the ones who will be straight with me. Thanks in advance!

 

Not trying to sound strange or anything, but why wait? With the weird way the world is going nowdays, who knows what will be the situation a year or so down the world either with the world or with your own health for that matter? Last year, to the best of my memory, the weather on the end-of-season cruises was pretty darn good. My recommendation would be that if you are financially/physically able to go on your desired cruise this Sept., go for it! Next year, you can go on another cruise to where ever you'd like to go too! Go for it! (One advantage of the late season cruises is that most of the souvenirs (if you are in to those things) in Alaska are 50-75% off so you'll save a bit there.

 

 

One person's opinion!

 

Tom

[1yearoff]

Thank you, Tom. You are right, of course: in addition to health etc the world is a particularly messed up, scary place at the moment, isn't it?

 

It is good to read that pretty darn good weather is possible, of course it is. The souvenirs thing would have been a plus in years gone by, too!

[peety3]

I have a question about our upcoming Ruby princess sailing in August. I have heard that on days that we leave port after 8 pm they open the dining room to all anytime dining . Is that true for Alaska cruises too. We have a large group of 12 and some of us are on traditional dining and some are on anytime dining. I was wondering if on the 2 nights that we leave at 10:15 will they still enforce the dining times or since we are leaving port so late will the whole dining area move to anytime dining during those 2 nights? Thanks for any information on this.

I think you'll have to check your patter for that. I've heard that they do it but never thought to look in years past, and then earlier this season when someone posted their patters, it looked like Botticelli was still TD all night long.

 

Do keep in mind that there's only one table for 12 on the Ruby, and it's in Botticelli. If it's taken, it's taken. It's the only one that needs two tablecloths.

[westendgirl]

Minor little nit of a question. Did they have the little custard filled donuts at the IC or just the raspberry filled ones? I like the raspberries, but I love the custard filled.

I love them too! The custard-filled donuts are not there every morning, but as I recall (from our June cruise), they showed up a couple of mornings. Also fantastic are the almond croissants at the IC!