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

[lakegirl16]

@cruzin4us thank you for your posts.  I'm on this itinerary in two weeks.  Can't wait.  Enjoying your food posts, the only thing that really concerns me is if the food isn't hot.  If someone else cooks for me for 10 nights, I'm all good!!  And if the entree wasn't great, I will have two desserts.  🙂. 

[Lil Chrissie]

Thank you for your posts! I enjoy reading them everyday.  I will be on the Ruby in two weeks.  Looking forward to seeing Alaska again. Yay!  Do you ever visit the buffet?  Wondering how the food quality and choices available are. 

 

 

[CLE2CRUISE]

You are doing a wonderful job on this review!  I'm thoroughly enjoying your posts and writing style and appreciate all the pics 😄

 

Lisa

[SwimCarrie]

2 hours ago, CruiserN1 said:

That chile rellano is beyond pathetic. I have never seen one that small! It's my husband's favorite Mexican dish so I will be sure to tell him NOT to order it when we're cruising Alaska this summer.

It's like they forgot the entree. Lol. 

[Kauai Kid]

On 5/7/2023 at 11:58 AM, cruzin4us said:

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….

Thanks for sharing, I’ll follow along. We just got off the Ruby on the 7th. We love the staff and ship.

Love the picture of Ariel, in Vines. He’s a great guy and took very good care of us, even finding 2 bottles of Rombauer Chardonnay, which wasn’t available most of the cruise. Please tell Ariel hi from Mark and Gay.

[JerseyShore]

Hope he finds some Rombauer for us when we sail on June

[bartam]

Thank you for all your posts!  We are on in two weeks as well.  In addition to the buffet, would love to hear how the pizza and burgers are, or if Princess is struggling there too.  

 

[cruzin4us]

Chocolate Cake which is part of the Specialty desserts.   I have tried it twice now and both times it was disappointing.   It tastes like the cake has been refrigerated and it’s really dried out. The frosting has No chocolate flavor and tastes really blah.  The Discovery had Amazing chocolate cake…..Ruby’s was meh 

Pic one is Ruby’s, pic two is Discovery

[cruzin4us]

Ruby Princess - Alaska - Glacier Bay

 

Lunch

 

Couldn’t figure out what to order so I just picked some random items.   Nothing looked very inspiring to me.   

 

Lunch was extremely slow today.  It took almost 1 hour to get our first course.   And a totally time of almost 2 hours.  No one’s food arrived hot which all 8 people mentioned at my shared table.  Ruby needs to work on this because lukewarm food is very consistent.  

 

Chinese Egg Drop Soup  -  this soup was not my favorite.  Egg drop soup should have some egg in it.  There was very little.  Tasted like green onion broth.   Had they just added a few more eggs it would have been better. 

 

Egg Fried Monte Cristo Sandwich  - the sandwich and fries were cold.   Didn’t come with sauce. Cheese wasn’t melted   Yuck.   Not impressed 

 

Baked Red Bell Pepper (vegetarian) - Happy to report this was really good.  Could have been hotter, but it was delicious.   Ate the whole thing

[cruzin4us]

Day 6

Dinner:

 

I think part of the problem with the food is they aren't serving the food on hot plates.   This makes the food cold by the time it gets to your table.   Lukewarm food for me is a big turn off.    The food also is hit and miss.   Occasionally, I get something that's really good, but most of the time it's been fair to mediocre.   I know you all think I'm picky and cruising isn't all about the food.   I will eventually get to the buffet and try it out, but I prefer the dining room.  Since I'm traveling alone, I sit by myself at dinner and do my little reviews while I'm eating.   For lunch, I sit with a group of people because usually there is a wait if you want to sit by yourself.

 

It really is amazing how the food can differ from ship to ship.   Since I had such great food on the Diamond in January, I know it can be done.....thus my expectations are set high.    The Ruby thus far has not been up to par.    The last couple of nights, my dinners have arrived hot.   I think this is because the staff see I'm writing and snapping pictures of the food.   It shouldn't take me writing a review to get your food served hot.   I hear this complaint often when talking with others.  The chili relleno dish 

 

Again, I'm not starving (far from it), however the dining experience could be enhanced if a few changes were made (and they need to be if Princess wants people to be happy).

 

One thing Princess does right is their rolls.  Every type are delicious.  

 

Oh, before I forget:   While in Glacier Bay, they do not serve coffee in paper cups.....Coffee is served in plastic cups (like coke/water glasses).   So, if you are headed to Glacier Bay, bring a thermal cup for this particular day.   

 

I did see a whale today, but it was so far out I couldn't get a picture.

 

The weather has been cold all day.  I think it's currently 32 F at the moment.   It's downright chilly outside.  I recommend bringing a nice thick jacket and a pair of gloves if you want to hang outside for a long period of time.

 

Officially done in the casino for this trip.   I know some of you are probably curious (or maybe not) but here are my results:   Money lost $980.   Points earned:  11,395.   Perks given:   50 min Swedish Massage.   I held my own for the first few days, but the last two days I had a black cloud over my head and nothing I played seemed to work, so I'm giving up for the rest of the cruise.    Since I'm doing a B2B cruise, I won't get any free cruise offers until the end of the next cruise.    I get some more free play on the 17th, so I'll wait until then to play.

 

Wild Coho Salmon - this came nicely plated and it was chilled, the salmon tasted fresh.  It was good.  

 

Crab & Corn Chowder - tasted good with more of a tomato flavor but there wasn’t one piece of crab to be found…..oops, I lied I did find a microscopic piece of crab (see pic of spoon) and only 6 kernels of corn.   There was a couple of pieces of bacon however.   Crab & Corn Bisque would have been a more appropriate name.   That being said, it was good.  

 

Classic Caesar salad w/kale, chickpeas, croutons 

 

Fettuccine (I asked to have it with salmon which I had some resistance from my waitress, this is the same thing that happened with the woman that try to order hers with chicken).   I’ve never run into this on Princess before.   Usually they are very accommodating.    I’m the past they would bring you a baked potato or extra veggies if you request it.   Some of you may disagree with me on this, but I didn’t find that a crazy request.    They did accommodate my request but the salmon was overcooked, dry and tasted fishy.  I was hoping it would be the same type of salmon that was served on embarkation day but it wasn’t.   It was sockeye which isn’t my favorite but it’s the cheapest for Princess.  Pasta was hot so they are improving on that (at least for me).    No complaints with the Fettuccine, it was perfect.   It would be really easy for Princesses to add Fettuccini with your choice of chicken, shrimp or salmon.   It was good and please they altered the dish for me.  

 

Indian Vegetable Korma  - Because I liked the Indian last light, I ordered it again -  the dish arrived piping hot.  Indian food is not the most photogenic but score another A for princess on this dish.  The food was amazing.   The only issue is it’s not enough food in my opinion.   (I know I could order more), but one little piece of Naan isn’t enough.  If I see more Indian Food on the menu, I’m ordering it.   Seasoning was spot on.  Score 1 for the Ruby!!

 

Wasn’t going to order dessert but I want to see how it holds up to the Diamond.   
 

Total dining time 1 hour

[FrankieJayIII]

tonight the presentation looked better

[FrankieJayIII]

i might have been confused between the two ships 

[cruzin4us]

Wasn’t going to order dessert but I want to see how the Cherries Jubilee was compared to the Diamond’s     Both were good but different.  The cherries were much smaller in the Ruby’s.  I don’t think they were Bing’s.   Don’t smack me if I got my cherries wrong.  1st pic Ruby’s, 2nd Diamond

[cruzin4us]

The 

• Ruby Princess - Alaska - Day 6 - Ketchikan

 

 

Late Night Snack from International Cafe:   2 Mortadella & Cheese Sandwiches and an Oatmeal Cookie.    The IC will heat your sandwich if you like it warm.    The sandwiches are pretty good.   I usually gravitate to the Mortadella & Cheese and the Salami Sandwiches.   One sandwich they no longer have is the Cuban (ham, turkey cheese, pickle), which is a bummer because that was my favorite.   Tonight I also got an Oatmeal Cookie which I was told had no nuts.   It did however, and I'm glad I wasn't allergic to them.....So, if you have a nut allergy, make sure you double check.   The cookie was moist and good.

 

Sometimes I like to order a pizza when my friends are gathered in my room.......haven't done so yet this trip, because past experiences the delivery time took about an hour (sometimes more). 

 

I think next week I'll skip the MDR when the food doesn't appeal to me.   I'll even make an effort to get to the buffet and also to the Platinum/Elite/Suite Guess Happy Hour.   This girl can only eat so much!

[cruzin4us]

4 hours ago, FrankieJayIII said:

tonight the presentation looked better

It was better!

[roxievegas]

13 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

Chocolate Cake which is part of the Specialty desserts.   I have tried it twice now and both times it was disappointing.   It tastes like the cake has been refrigerated and it’s really dried out. The frosting has No chocolate flavor and tastes really blah.  The Discovery had Amazing chocolate cake…..Ruby’s was meh 

Pic one is Ruby’s, pic two is Discovery

We had the chocolate cake from the Gelato area using the 2 desserts from the plus package.  My cake was hard, no flavor and the frosting we as hard and waxy.   My husband got the red velvet cake and his was better but not by much - This was on the Discovery. 

[FrankieJayIII]

any chance on the schedules?  (patters)?

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

 

Have you gone to any of the Game shows like in Explorers or elsewhere?

 

I recognize the puppy pic with Asst. CD "Angie"

She has a big smile in that pic, but rarely had one on the Wake show.

Cruise director Cole had "Angie" appear Everyday on the Wake show.

In a nutshell, it felt cringe worthy.

It could be so much better.  Like.....invite Other staff on the show.  Angie is Not it.

 

I don't like to come down on Ruby, but when weve been on 4 other ships recently,

Ruby needs to make some entertainment changes.  

Like I mentioned, use OTHER Asst. CD's for Wake show.

They had a couple other Asst. CD's that were quite good at one of the shows, and we wondered,

Where have they been hiding these guys?

 

Mostly Rubys Game shows weren't very funny, and not good fun compared to the others weve seen.

On Ruby we usually left early.

(Don't get me started on the Comedian that was so bad on the first night, much of the audience

left and he didn't appear again like he said he would.  Pretty sure he was dumped off asap)

 

I tried to leave a review for the Cruise director, but couldn't find a drop box anywhere... so dropped off suggestion letter at Cust. Serv desk.  Hoping he got it.

 

When we were on Emerald for 2 weeks, our evenings Always included the 8:30 Game shows,

because they were That GOOD!!   CD and Asst'd CDs were great.

 

Heres hoping its getting better on Ruby.

 

 

[cruzin4us]

• Ruby Princess - Ketchikan - Day 7

 

Chef’s Dinner - 

 

I wish I could have fit in ordering the Goat Cheese Soufflé because that’s one of my favorites.   Maybe next week.  Had I looked at the menu I would have forgone the fish & chips today in Ketchikan.   

 

Drink - Prosecco 

 

Bread - Oatmeal roll.   Just as good as all the Princess rolls

 

Beef Carpaccio - it was good but nothing to write home about.  I know you all get tired of me comparing to the Diamond, but again it fell short in comparison.   It was good but it just lacked the flair.  1st pic Ruby, 2nd Diamond. 

 

Lamb Curry - a few days ago the head waiter approached me and said they would make an Indian Dish for me.   I was tickled because the Indian Food has been so good.   Tonight was going to be a lot of food!

 

Oh my heavens was the Lamb Curry delicious.   It was hot and a massive amount of food.  I thought they were binging me just a side dish of curry.  Wasn’t expecting enough for 4 people.   Never would’ve ordered anything else had I known.   Took most of it back to my room.   I won’t let one bite of this go to waste.   This was the best thing I’ve eaten all week by a mile.   I tried to share with my neighboring table but they said the don’t care for Indian Food (they missed out….lol).  They knocked this dish out of the park.     A++++ 

 

Oven Roasted Cauliflower - I order this because I wanted some roasted veggie if any kind. I was hoping it would be similar to how I eat it at home.   The veggies up til now have been way over cooked.   They added it to my plate of Beef Wellington.   The cauliflower was Al dente and it was a smart decision to do because the asparagus that was served with the Wellington was limp and gross.    The cauliflower was perfect

 

Beef Wellington, Truffle Madeira Demi-Glacé - the meal arrived hot and on a hot plate.   Cooked exactly how I ordered (med rare).  Crust was a bit soft but not too bad.   Came with mashed celeriac which was a nice touch.   It was very good.  

 

I waddled out of the dining room way too stuffed for dessert 

 

Dinner was 1 hr 20 min which was fast considering all that I ordered. 

Edited May 14, 2023 by cruzin4us

[Lil Chrissie]

Beef Wellington looks delicious.  OMG that poor asparagus..........looks like its been through the ringer.  

[FrankieJayIII]

yum for beef wellington and lamb curry! thanks for sharing

[memoak]

On 5/13/2023 at 2:15 AM, cruzin4us said:

The 

• Ruby Princess - Alaska - Day 6 - Ketchikan

 

 

Late Night Snack from International Cafe:   2 Mortadella & Cheese Sandwiches and an Oatmeal Cookie.    The IC will heat your sandwich if you like it warm.    The sandwiches are pretty good.   I usually gravitate to the Mortadella & Cheese and the Salami Sandwiches.   One sandwich they no longer have is the Cuban (ham, turkey cheese, pickle), which is a bummer because that was my favorite.   Tonight I also got an Oatmeal Cookie which I was told had no nuts.   It did however, and I'm glad I wasn't allergic to them.....So, if you have a nut allergy, make sure you double check.   The cookie was moist and good.

 

Sometimes I like to order a pizza when my friends are gathered in my room.......haven't done so yet this trip, because past experiences the delivery time took about an hour (sometimes more). 

 

I think next week I'll skip the MDR when the food doesn't appeal to me.   I'll even make an effort to get to the buffet and also to the Platinum/Elite/Suite Guess Happy Hour.   This girl can only eat so much!

The mortadella sandwich was always been my go to but haven’t seen them for a few cruises

[kelkel2]

I’m really enjoying your review. And you’re making me really want to try an Alaskan cruise. Do you have any excursions booked? I know Alaskan excursions can be $$$ and we’re not big organized tour people. I always wondered if we could have fun in Alaska just wandering around on our own.  

[jack dcruiser]

On 5/12/2023 at 9:11 PM, cruzin4us said:

Ruby Princess - Alaska - Glacier Bay

 

Lunch

 

Couldn’t figure out what to order so I just picked some random items.   Nothing looked very inspiring to me.   

 

Lunch was extremely slow today.  It took almost 1 hour to get our first course.   And a totally time of almost 2 hours.  No one’s food arrived hot which all 8 people mentioned at my shared table.  Ruby needs to work on this because lukewarm food is very consistent.  

 

Chinese Egg Drop Soup  -  this soup was not my favorite.  Egg drop soup should have some egg in it.  There was very little.  Tasted like green onion broth.   Had they just added a few more eggs it would have been better. 

 

Egg Fried Monte Cristo Sandwich  - the sandwich and fries were cold.   Didn’t come with sauce. Cheese wasn’t melted   Yuck.   Not impressed 

 

Baked Red Bell Pepper (vegetarian) - Happy to report this was really good.  Could have been hotter, but it was delicious.   Ate the whole thing

Which dining room

[lakegirl16]

@cruzin4us How's the internet been?  Thanks.