LIVE: Ruby Princess Dec 18-29 Western Caribbean/Mexico

[ceilidh1]

Another wonderful dinner! The food has been excellent on this sailing!

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Please let me know when you arrive in Galveston.  My friends are on the cruise after yours.  Thank you!  

[ceilidh1]

Cozumel tomorrow. Since Maya Chan was cancelled today, we booked a last minute all inclusive through the ship - no clue which beach!

[bluetardis]

I’m interested where you end up in Cozumel, will be there in April. Have a great time…enjoying the review and photos🧑‍🎄

[that]

17 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

Cozumel tomorrow. Since Maya Chan was cancelled today, we booked a last minute all inclusive through the ship - no clue which beach!

Wise excursion choice

🤞🏻

[caribill]

18 hours ago, j.beatle said:

No mention yet of WiFi issues (unless I missed them)- slow, fast, how many gadgets can be used.

 

From the thread for the next segment

 

14 hours ago, ssbeagle said:

The internet has been very slow unless we are in port.  But it does work.
 

 

[caribill]

9 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

Good Spirits Menu

 

 

What about prices?

[PaperSniper4]

15 hours ago, CC Rider 69 said:

Hey Doug,

PCL switched the 3-19 sailing Costa Maya call to Belize, which I am not a fan of.

Rats. I must have been thinking of another cruise we had booked for awhile, an NCL also in March. I switched from that NCL cruise from New Orleans to the current PCL cruise because I found out we could use a $500 Princess FCC. I am just too Scottish to let that FCC expire! We prefer Princess over NCL anyway. The benefit to NCL for us is we can drive down to NOLA much, much, much  easier than flying to any other cruise port. I hate to fly commercial!

 

 Doug

[ceilidh1]

We went to Liars Club Game Show this evening. I usually really enjoy this show on every ship, but tonight it was almost painful to sit through. The staff were just “off”. The definitions were so long winded that they became boring as opposed to funny, and it was very obviously scripted (I know they all are, but usually the staff makes that script their own). If there is one complaint I have about this sailing (and there really isn’t - we have had a blast) it’s that the entertainment has been “meh”. I never struggle to find things to do but this one has really had little that is of interest. If you take away all of the upselling entertainment - spa, wellness, fitness, art, effy, and casino - you are pretty much left only with a handful of trivia. I love trivia, but it would be nice to have some other options. Only two production shows in 11 nights. Last night the comedian was cancelled as he didn’t make it to the ship so they played a movie in the theatre instead. No problem - except it was Ghostbusters! On a Christmas cruise with the demographic we have? Odd choice! Anyways, I sound like I’m complaining and I’m really not - just giving a heads up to those coming after me!

[CC Rider 69]

9 minutes ago, PaperSniper4 said:

The benefit to NCL for us is we can drive down to NOLA much, much, much  easier than flying to any other cruise port. I hate to fly commercial!

That's why we do Galveston so much, don't have to fly.

[PaperSniper4]

32 minutes ago, CC Rider 69 said:

That's why we do Galveston so much, don't have to fly.

Makes total sense to me! I just wish NOLA had more cruises, and lines other than Carnival and NCL. There are occasional RCI cruises also, but not often. And of course, NOLA cruises are like Galveston cruises: the same basic itinerary each time. There are some exceptions, but not many. But we are more into the "cruise ship experience" at this stage anyway I suppose, and often do not even step off the ship in many ports.

 

 Doug

[edspec]

Thank-you for a great review @ceilidh1

[ceilidh1]

Finding the excursion could not have been easier. We walked the long pier, through the duty free, and were checked in immediately. You fill out waivers, get a wrist band and then taken to a van/taxi for the 20 minute ride to the beach. We booked the all inclusive option through the ship for $79.99 per person. The beach is Islands - it’s nice enough, but there are FAR nicer all inclusives on Cozumel. The beach is very rocky, not much sand, lots of seaweed. Staff are great and lots of activities to do for an extra charge. The same beach is available without food/drinks included for $44.95 through princess. I’m including a picture of the all inclusive menu (food is just one item, not really all inclusive) so you can get an idea - you can upgrade while here for $35

[ceilidh1]

Just got hit with a big rain shower so moved into the restaurant area. Drinks are plentiful but really weak! I’ve had margarita and daiquiri so far but haven’t tasted anything alcoholic in either! Taste really good though! 

[ceilidh1]

Switched to beer but that also tastes like water! Food was very good! Free wifi is lightning fast (compared to ship)

[caribill]

ceilidh1 --

 

As this cruise nears its end, I want to thank you and the others who posted from the ship for this very informative thread about the first Ruby cruise out of Galveston.

[arizonaperson]

Ceilidh1-  loving your drink pictures and food pictures and what a great review and information. Don’t worry about offending anybody telling it like it is ,if things aren’t “right /correct” .

of course you’re having a good time- you’re on a cruise. My reviews are always factual regardless of what anybody else’s experience is ,because more than likely it’s different. So definitely enjoying my armchair  Cruise via you. 

 

Edited December 27, 2022 by arizonaperson

[ceilidh1]

Switched to Tequila Sunrise and now we are in business! Definitely stronger! Showers (downpours) have been on and off all day so switching between beach, restaurant, pool, but having a great time regardless! We visited the gift shop and my teen hit a ceramic mug off the shelf - the lady was so gracious but I insisted on paying for it! 

[ceilidh1]

Three ice creams - almost $200! Lol . Luckily not American 

[ceilidh1]

Back on the ship now! Great day despite the weather. We definitely didn’t get our moneys worth out of the all inclusive, but it was easy, fun, and the staff were wonderful. It was a price I was happy to pay, so no regrets!

[ryndam]

2 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

 

Good heavens! Is the hull really that rust-streaked?

Edited December 27, 2022 by ryndam
deleted photos

[arizonaperson]

Wow 4 ships at Costa Maya dock.

[Thrak]

Can someone onboard please check the Room Service Menu on the TV for me? Ruby got in a bottle of Macallan Scotch that is selling for $165 a shot. I forgot to get a picture of exactly which Macallan it is. Can someone please check for me and let me know what the listing is on the TV menu? (The bartender at Good Spirits was showing me the bottle and I forgot to get a picture of it.)

[lakegirl16]

Thank you for taking us along.  On the Ruby in May.  Last Princess cruise was 2017.  Have been sailing Celebrity.  Will be interested to compare.  Love seeing the menus!  Thanks again.

[ceilidh1]

4 hours ago, Thrak said:

Can someone onboard please check the Room Service Menu on the TV for me? Ruby got in a bottle of Macallan Scotch that is selling for $165 a shot. I forgot to get a picture of exactly which Macallan it is. Can someone please check for me and let me know what the listing is on the TV menu? (The bartender at Good Spirits was showing me the bottle and I forgot to get a picture of it.)

I will take a look when I go back to the room tonight