Alaska B2B in Ruby Princess May 7-27 - Semi Live

[cruzin4us]

The Details:

 

I'm traveling solo again, leaving DH at home to tend the cats and the garden.  Booked on a casino comped cruise.   This time I'm doing a B2B to Alaska, the 1st segment is Glacier Bay and the 2nd is Endicot Arm.    

 

Just to get this part out of the way......I am not a writer, my grammar is usually not correct and I do this just for fun and half the time I don't proofread my stuff, so there are definitely some errors to be seen.  I also take lots of food pictures and critic my meals.  I do this when I'm eating dinner, because I eat by myself and it passes the time.

 

So, let's get on with the trip.

 

Today, I flew Southwest Airlines out of San Diego to Oakland.   For those of you who ever cruise out of San Francisco, be sure to consider flying into Oakland.  The airport is MUCH smaller, and so much easier to get from point A to point B.   Uber was right outside the baggage pickup, not like SFO where you have to walk forever to get to the ride share pick up.   The distance is about the same to the pier too.    Cost of Uber was $42.99 (I hit it at a peak time).

 

I'm staying at the Orchard Hotel which is like 1.5 miles to the pier.  Cost of the room was $207.    The room is very clean, and it's quiet inside my room.   I hear no road noise.  I've stayed at Columbus Motor Inn and RIU on prior trips, but I think I like this hotel the best of the 3.  It's within walking distance there are a few places to eat.   There is a Wallgreen's and a Starbucks 1 block away.  For dinner,  I chose Maru sushi, which hit the spot.  It was about 1/2 block away.   One bottle of sake later and I'm already lying in bed and it's not even 7:00.

 

The weather is overcast and the 10 day forecast shows Alaska is going to be raining most of the time.  That's the luck of the draw going this early in the season, but of course last week is was sunny.    

 

I'm in group A with a boarding time of 11:00, but I'll probably mosey down to the pier about 10:00 because I have nothing else to do.  

[FrankieJayIII]

i am very excited to read this blog!!

 

i am going through SF end of month.  so excited to read your story and share everything!   thank you!!

[SwimCarrie]

Can you share if you tried to do an upgrade bid and if it was successful? (I won't make you share your cabin number. LOL. But category.) 🙂

Thanks!

[FrankieJayIII]

Can you tell me what you ordered at Maru?  I am going to go there today.  Those pictures convinced me!

[cruzin4us]

22 minutes ago, FrankieJayIII said:

Can you tell me what you ordered at Maru?  I am going to go there today.  Those pictures convinced me!

Soft shell crab hand roll, hamachi carpaccio, kamikaze roll (I think), sea bass nigiri and eel sushi.  

[cruzin4us]

10 hours ago, SwimCarrie said:

Can you share if you tried to do an upgrade bid and if it was successful? (I won't make you share your cabin number. LOL. But category.) 🙂

Thanks!

I did not do an upgrade bid.  I’m in 2 rooms on this B2B.  Both are mini suites.  The first is 506 and the 2nd is 213.  

[cruzin4us]

 

After sleeping like a baby in my comfy bed at the Orchard Hotel, I woke up at 5:30 with the excitement I always feel when I know it’s embarkation day! 
 

It’s a beautiful sunny day and I’m all packed up and ready to get this show on the sea.    I still have 2 hours to kill so I was on a mission to find a cup of cappuccino and light breakfast.  So, I headed downstairs to the cafe located inside the hotel.  The cafe opens at 6:30 and there are quite a lot of choices to chose from.  I ended up getting bacon, sourdough toast and 2 poached eggs along with a nice cup of cappuccino.  Might as well start my vacation eating because Lord knows I won’t be eating for the next 20 days 😁.  

 

I walked outside after breakfast and let me tell you, SF isn’t made for the out of shape and overweight.  The hills are insane (thus the cable cars).   You have to be a mountain goat in some areas.   I’m such a flatlander.  I walked about 1/2 block and thought I’ll probably fall and break a leg and ruin my trip so I turned around and headed back to the room and watch some TV before I call for an Uber.   

 

To be continued….

[FrankieJayIII]

cross the bridge just now; here's your boat 

[FrankieJayIII]

one more and correction -*ship

[disneyochem]

Ooh, have fun!  
 

We’ll be joining you on May 17th.  

[fsdorado]

Have a great cruise!!  We'll be on the same cruise in 80 days (not that we're counting or anything).

 

 

Frederick

[ukestrummer]

THank you for this thread

[cruzin4us]

Ruby Princess to Alaska
I was onboard just before 11:00.  Super fast and easy!    Couldn’t drop off my carryon because they finally got smart and blocked off the corridors so no one was allowed into their rooms.   
I took a gander at the casino and the Speakeasy smoking lounge.  Then I went and grabbed a cup of coffee at the International Cafe.  Found out where they serve the specialty desserts.   The cakes are offered at the IC and the ice cream sundae’s are on deck 15.   Did not find out if they have gelato yet.   
I watched the muster video and got hookup to the WiFi.   Still need to check into the muster station D, but I’ll do that in a few minutes.  
The Ruby has added an electronic Texas Hold Em machine that is a lot of fun, but note you DO NOT earn points towards a free cruise while playing this (don’t kill the messenger).   
Also included are a few pics of the current offerings at IC and a picture of Vines (the wine bar)
To be continued….

[Lorabelle]

Thanks for doing this!  We are boarding (also on a casino comp) on May 27 as you disembark.  We also fly into Oakland, we do find it much easier, and typically the price of the airfare is a bit less for us as well.  

 

Thanks for the casino photos, I'm always interested in what games are onboard, it's been awhile since we've sailed on Ruby. 

 

Can't wait to follow along on your journey.  Have a fabulous time and win big!!  

[cruzin4us]

 

Had a nice lunch in DaVinci dining room. Embarkation lunch in the dining room is always so nice, I highly suggest it.    
 

Asked about getting a permanent table for the next 20 days and I was told to ask when I go to dinner.  The Maitre D said to go to Botticelli tonight and he will hook me up.  Fingers crossed 😁

 

First up was the crunchy roll which are what dreams are made of. Princess does them perfectly.  There were crumbs everywhere and I felt right at home.   I had the shrimp & Avocado salad and the salmon.  Both were delicious. 
 

The rooms are now ready so I’m stopping by my muster station which is in the Explorer’s lounge, then I’ll go drop of the carry on and see if my luggage arrived yet

 

Continued later…

[cruzin4us]

 

Went to my room, dropped of my carryon but my luggage hadn’t arrived yet.   

I’m in a mini suite about midship.  The room is nice and has lots of storage.   There was some info in my room regarding what is included in the VIP casino cruise.  

Because I’m elite, there is a mini bar setup (see pics).  

I met my room steward Angelo (not sure I spelled that right).  He brought me a cheap glass of champagne which I downed happily.   

More later…

[FrankieJayIII]

you're doing great! 

[atobols]

When you have a chance, could you please let us know the name of the naturalist? 

 

I'm loving your posts and you're making me look forward to our cruise more than ever.  Please keep these fabulous and informative posts coming!

[cruzin4us]

 

Had a nice lunch in DaVinci dining room. Embarkation lunch in the dining room is always so nice, I highly suggest it.    
 

Asked about getting a permanent table for the next 20 days and I was told to ask when I go to dinner.  The Maitre D said to go to Botticelli tonight and he will hook me up.  Fingers crossed 😁

 

First up was the crunchy roll which are what dreams are made of. Princess does them perfectly.  There were crumbs everywhere and I felt right at home.   I had the shrimp & Avocado salad and the salmon.  Both were delicious. 
 

The rooms are now ready so I’m stopping by my muster station which is in the Explorer’s lounge, then I’ll go drop of the carry on and see if my luggage arrived yet

 

Continued later…

[cruzin4us]

 

When I went to lunch today the Maitre D said to come see him in the Botticelli dining room.  He told me he would get me a nice table for 1.   When I arrived he took me to the worst table in the restaurant.   Don’t get me wrong, I can eat anywhere just about but this table was smack dab in the walkway of everyone that walked through the dining room.   So, I walked back to the Michelangelo dining room which was where my reservation was originally made.   
 

I now have a quiet table in the most awesome location.   I’m very happy and it will be home for the next 20 days.  

 

My waitress is Jing from Thailand and asst waitress is Tyrisha from Barbados. 

 

For dinner tonight it’s:

 

House-made Gravlax of Wild Alaska Salmon - It was good, tasted a bit like lox.  

 

Seared Garlic Prawns - Not so great, the prawns were way overcooked and hard.  

 

Linguine and Clams - was nice and hot and tasty.  It’s a good choice if you like pasta 

 

Roast pork tenderloin medallions - Star of the show tonight.    It was super good and nice and tender!
 

Left dinner with a full tum tum

Edited May 8, 2023 by cruzin4us

[cruzin4us]

 

If you ever have a chance to sail out of SF do it!   Sailing by Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge never gets old.   We were fortunate enough to have beautiful weather.   We are now headed north towards Alaska

[FrankieJayIII]

yummmmmmmy!  glad you stood up for yourself and found a new place to dine.   

 

that pork does look good.

 

can you post  the formerly called patter? (when you have time)

[FrankieJayIII]

i am evaluating what i would have ordered.

 

i narrowed it down to short ribs, cod, Seafood stew?? maybe the princess favorite new york steak-  have you had this before?  

[that]

Is the wifi Starlink on Ruby Princess yet?

[SwimCarrie]

Can you please post the patter from today when you retire for the evening?