LIVE - Ruby Princess, Nov 6 - 20, 14-day Circle Caribbean

[Ronanc]

2 hours ago, aring75 said:

 

Mark tried the banana dessert. I don’t think the word “crusty” sound like an appetizing descriptor. 
 

He said it was good though. 
 

 

 

I decided to try one of the after-dinner coffees. 
 

 

 

This is a “Nutty Irishman.” Very yummy. 
 

I see there are no prices. Are the drinks covered with Princess Plus?  

[aring75]

The ship is docked in St. George’s, Grenada today. 
 

 

 

We had a tour scheduled for 9:00 am with “Savor the Spice” booked through shore excursions group. We arrived at our designated meeting location about 15 minutes early and waited until 9:35 am. 
 

No one ever showed up. No one called. I tried calling the number on my email confirmation. One of the very kind ladies at the help desk even tried calling for me (multiple times) but no one answered at the number that was provided on my e-ticket. 
 

So we walked around town for a while and headed back to the ship. 

[aring75]

3 minutes ago, Ronanc said:

I see there are no prices. Are the drinks covered with Princess Plus?  

Yes, all the after-dinner coffees are covered by Plus and/or Premier. 

[Ronanc]

14 minutes ago, aring75 said:

Day 8 - Grenada

 

 

Are the listed fitness classes for a fee or complimentary?   Thanks!  I’m enjoying these posts. 

[canadarocks]

15 minutes ago, aring75 said:

The ship is docked in St. George’s, Grenada today. 
 

 

 

We had a tour scheduled for 9:00 am with “Savor the Spice” booked through shore excursions group. We arrived at our designated meeting location about 15 minutes early and waited until 9:35 am. 
 

No one ever showed up. No one called. I tried calling the number on my email confirmation. One of the very kind ladies at the help desk even tried calling for me (multiple times) but no one answered at the number that was provided on my e-ticket. 
 

So we walked around town for a while and headed back to the ship. 

Well that sucks… You’re not having the best luck with your tours. ☹️

[cltnccruisers]

1 hour ago, aring75 said:

The ship is docked in St. George’s, Grenada today. 
 

 

 

We had a tour scheduled for 9:00 am with “Savor the Spice” booked through shore excursions group. We arrived at our designated meeting location about 15 minutes early and waited until 9:35 am. 
 

No one ever showed up. No one called. I tried calling the number on my email confirmation. One of the very kind ladies at the help desk even tried calling for me (multiple times) but no one answered at the number that was provided on my e-ticket. 
 

So we walked around town for a while and headed back to the ship. 

Was there much within walking distance?

[aring75]

1 hour ago, cltnccruisers said:

Was there much within walking distance?

There were a couple of buildings at the port with various shops. (See the building named Esplanade Mall.)

 

 

You exit halfway through this building to grab a taxi or a private tour. However, you can walk all the way through to the end (the diagonal portion on the left as you are looking at the photo) and it lets you out in town. Here, there is a small area where they have several “spice vendors” and you can easily walk a few blocks in either direction to get a feel for the area around town.

 

 

 

Also if you’re interested, there is a podium in the Esplanade to sign up for a water taxi to the beach.

 

[MrSchwump]

2 hours ago, cltnccruisers said:

Was there much within walking distance?

Oh yes! We were there last February and walked up to Ft George. Great views but it is a steep uphill. I’d rate it pretty strenuous. 
We then moseyed around downtown before heading back to the ship. 

[LidoLiz]

Headed over to Grand Anse beach in Grenada this morning for a gorgeous five hours in the sun. It was $10 round trip for the water taxi right near the cruise dock, and a ten-minute ride to the beach.

There were plenty of loungers as it’s a long beach. We paid $15 each for a chair and umbrella, but those arriving after us were charged $10 (they must have seen us coming 😀). The service was good (esp. the cold buckets of Carib beer). 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by LidoLiz

[schnapperin]

Enjoyed a private organized tour via CruiseCritic with Stan (8 people / 75 $ per person including any fees & drinks) from JnJ Tours (apart from the fact I had to remind him of the included rum tasting) 

 

after drop off I headed via the tunnel to the harbor area before rain moved in and I headed straight back to ship

 

prices for spices def had been better up in the mountains and I was able to pay via CC and local currency at the chocolate & rum place

 

 

[aring75]

2 hours ago, LidoLiz said:

 

 

This looks like a very nice way to spend the day!!

[aring75]

MDR Dinner - Day 8 - Grenada

 

[aring75]

Grilled Chicken Satay. (really good)

 

 

BBQ chicken broth (sorry so blurry, I don’t know what my phone camera was trying to focus on)

 

 

 

Tossed Greens with Cucumber and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

 

[aring75]

Mahi Mahi (Mark said this was not bad, but he liked my shrimp stir-fry a lot better.)

 

 

 

Wok-flashed Shrimp 

 

[aring75]

Desserts

 

 

 

We both got the apple pie and we both gave it two thumbs up. 
👍 👍👍👍

 

[aring75]

Comedian in the theater for the 9:30 show. He seemed to be well-received. 
 

We both got a Bailey’s Raspberry. Mark really likes this drink. I think I might go back to my G&T. The Bailey’s is a bit sweet. 
 

[aring75]

Day 9 - Port of Spain, Trinidad

 

 

[aring75]

Invitation for the Captain’s Circle Party tomorrow. 
 

[aring75]

Coffee and a light breakfast at the International Cafe this morning. 
 

Breakfast sandwich and fruit w/granola

 

 

[TracyFromMN]

We're been guessing only about 50% of cruisers will go into Trinidad/Tobago because of the travel warnings. What is your estimate from this cruise? Interested to hear your take on general feeling of safety at this port.

 

Do you recall what the table minimums are for blackjack and craps?

[cltnccruisers]

12 minutes ago, TracyFromMN said:

We're been guessing only about 50% of cruisers will go into Trinidad/Tobago because of the travel warnings. What is your estimate from this cruise? Interested to hear your take on general feeling of safety at this port.

 

Do you recall what the table minimums are for blackjack and craps?

The latest advisory was issued July 17, 2023.  Maybe a quick walkabout around the port area will do it.

[LidoLiz]

The local dignitaries in Port of Spain, including the mayor and head of Tourism Trinidad, just held a formal welcoming ceremony dockside to mark the first cruise ship of the 2023-24 season.

It was announced that there will be 41 cruise stops here between now and April 17, including the Ruby, Emerald and Island Princess. 
Altogether, they said, this season will represent a 51% increase in cruise ship tourism to Port of Spain, and they singled out Princess for being the one cruise line that has always returned to, and supported, this port.

Seems to be a good number of cruisers who are getting off and entering the dockside shops, but it’s hard to see how many are actually venturing beyond the gates into the city, given the U.S. government advisories/warnings that are still in place.

 

 

 

 

 

[aring75]

We opted for a tour through the cruise ship because 1) it’s been 10-12 years since we’ve been to Trinidad and 2) it felt like the safer option since we are very unfamiliar with the area. 
 

Our tour was called Best of Trinidad: Highlights and Scenic Drive. 
 

Our tour tickets said to meet in the theater on deck 7 at 8:10 am. Don’t be late. We arrived at 8:08 and the tour was already headed downstairs to exit the ship. 

 

 

 

We boarded our bus (around 20 people) and made note of the tag number. 
 

 

 

Our guide, Nadine, offered commentary as we drove through Port of Spain. 
 

[aring75]

On the way out of Port of Spain, Nadine pointed out many sights and areas of interest. 
 

 

 

 

[aring75]

Our first stop was a botanical garden. We spent around 30 minutes or so here.