Panama Canal on the Ruby Princess 2023 Christmas cruise-photo/ video journal by Bimmer09

[Bimmer09]

Bed by 10.30 with full tummies. Tomorrow is our last day on the Ruby.  We don't look at 7 day cruises anymore. They were over  and done much too soon. Getting to an embarkation port is always done with at least one day in situ or at least two if in Europe, so our 12 Day to Iceland last summer included 4 days in Amsterdam. We have one day to unwind in Ft Lauderdale when we get there. We like 10 day to 14 day sailings now.

 

We find out this morning at Sabatini's that they will also serve us breakfast when we dock in Port Everglades. Hooray! We've always had to go to the MDR before disembarking.

 

followed by an ominous cloud formation

 

Sabatini's Manager Felix and Joyce, Hostess

 

Dennis was a memorable waiter. All the staff were noteworthy.

 

We always got a seat overlooking the fountains on deck 16

 

 

Tasty treats and fresh OJ and Mimosas and coffee and macchiatos -all offered no need to ask. Service with a smile and a soft ease-into-the-morning voice. Best suite perk there is. Quiet. Calm. Want steak and eggs tomorrow? Tell them today and  it shall be done.

 

Norris loves his cold cuts for breakfast when he goes to Germany. And in Sabatini's.

 

I had one of these every morning to start my day. Granola parfait.

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

The Shops

 

 

 

 

 The 15 year old ship is looking good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

On 1/10/2024 at 9:13 AM, Bimmer09 said:

They've done a nice job of making the dock entrance welcoming

 

Rhapsody of the Seas docked while we were gone

 

We took a free shuttle bus back to the Ruby from this point

 

Back on board I hit the Salty Dog Grill for some of this

 

A hot dog buried in cold help-yourself sauerkraut and ketchup and a suitable beverage

 

The Rhapsody was loading some passengers who may have missed the sailingthat brought the ship to Cartagena. Note all the luggage being loaded.

Norris

Could also be crew signing on.

[Bimmer09]

Guest Services deck 6 Piazza

 

Deck 5 down there, International Cafe/Good Spirits bar and Vines

 

 

 

 

The beautiful hub of the ship

 

 

Elegant elevator lobbies

[mevs904]

Carol and Norris, thanks  so much for your informative and enjoyable review.  We have loved all of your reviews, particularly the ones on the older ships as we prefer those to the Royal class ships that don’t have a full promenade.  Wishing you good health for the remainder of the winter.  Stay warm and well in Chicago!

[Bimmer09]

On the last sea day there is always a Culinary Show where the DRO (Director of Restaurant Operations, formerly known as the Maitre 'd) and the Executive Chef get together on a stage with a stove, some ingredients and overhead camera and cook/clown aided by the CD Natalie. It can be good fun for the many who pack the Princess Theater and there are usually some good cooking tips. Afterwards there's a galley tour which is worth a look. I didn't stay long as I had things to do and the seats we managed to get had a wooden bar that got in the way of photographing hence the following pics which have the people so low down in the frame.

Natalie the CD

 

Chef Jerry Dias from Goa, India

 

The DRO George Drugan from Romania 

 

 

 

As I left I took a shot without obstructions. Carol stayed put.

 

Shrimp (flambe) and pasta are usually the first dishes cooked. It's boxed pasta for expediency sake.

10 a.m in the Princess Theater

 

 

[Bimmer09]

10 hours ago, mevs904 said:

Carol and Norris, thanks  so much for your informative and enjoyable review.  We have loved all of your reviews, particularly the ones on the older ships as we prefer those to the Royal class ships that don’t have a full promenade.  Wishing you good health for the remainder of the winter.  Stay warm and well in Chicago!

Thanks for the compliments and for following along!

I hope "all your reviews" includes the Celebrity and Azamara ones and will include our HAL cruises which will start this Christmas. We have 2 HAL and 1 Celebrity booked out to October 2025. Arctic Circle is one cruise, Spain Portugal and Morocco another. We'll see Amsterdam and Barcelona again, 2 of our favorite cities.

If you are "following" this stay put and you'll get notified here when my first HAL review hits the HAL board January 1 2025. We'll be in a Neptune Suite on the aft of Rotterdam. Christmas Day in Aruba.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

When I stepped out of the theater and onto the Promenade Deck I saw Cuba.

 

 

 

We visited Cuba in January 2019 on our first Azamara cruise and it still ranks as one of our favorites.

Azamara Journey Cuba Intensive January 15 2019

Photo/Video review https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2627809-x-cruiser-sails-azamara-to-cuba-jan-15-to-24-2019/

 

We still talk about it. How colorful it was and how nice the Cuban people we met were. 

It makes no sense that it is out of bounds in a "Free Country".

Vietnam that the USA bombed relentlessly isn't out of bounds. Go figure.

 

[Bimmer09]

Princess Theater

 

2 shows a night. 700 pax capacity. No drinks service. Wheelhouse Bar on 7 is closest.

 

On deck 6 and 7 (Casino bar closest on 6)

 

Great sound/lights/digital screen for scenery

[mevs904]

1 hour ago, Bimmer09 said:

Yes, Norris, we have looked into your reviews of other cruise lines and will continue to do so.  Please continue your great work.  We may be tempted to “jump ship” to another cruise line, however, at this point  lot of our attention (and budget) has been given to European land tours.  We are also actively exploring a 14 night Viking Danube/Rhine cruise for the spring of 2025.

     

  

 

 

[Bimmer09]

21 minutes ago, mevs904 said:

 

 however, at this point  lot of our attention (and budget) has been given to European land tours.>>

European land tours are a favorite thing for us and the reason we only do one or two cruises a year-and some of those start in Europe.

We are off to Germany (Munich)July 31 for 12 days, to attend the Bayreuth Festival (Wagner Opera) and enjoy Munich before and after. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France we lap them up with a big spoon. You saw we have a cruise that focuses on Spain and Portugal lined up and we'll be back in Amsterdam in June 2025 to sail to the Arctic Circle and N. Scotland.

We haven't yet committed to a river cruise in Europe. I like driving alongside the Rhine, Rhone and Danube but eating when and where we please. 

Thanks for the comments!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

SUITE AND ELITE PERKS

Sabatini's breakfast is the one that matters most to us plus the actual cabin itself and big aft balcony. We are only interested in aft. 

The mini bar includes miniatures of Scotch, vodka , rum cognac. I think 10 of those but we change them out for some beers,Coke and seltzer for Carol.

 

There was a list of perks waiting for us among the paperwork

 

We never once used the Elite Lounge perk and didn't set foot in Skywalker's on this trip. Nothing wrong with the perk-there's always some good munchies and some discounted drinks but I have yet to meet an Officer there except after midnight when they were a bit wasted. The time slot of 5-7pm can often find us napping. I didn't go to the Grapevine wine tasting  but would have if I had remembered.

We got an invite to the Captain's circle Party but we never go to those as they don't have value for us.

What surprised me was that we didn't have Afternoon Tea delivered to our room and didn't have it once anywhere on the ship. It's so much food when they deliver it. In the Sanctuary they deliver one sandwich or scone at a time and you can pace yourself. I guarantee we will have it on our next sailing on Princess, whenever that might happen. I used the laundry and it was quick to return to me.

 

We haven't sailed in a Sky Suite on X since 2017 but the X suite prices are now prohibitive although you do get a good private suite restaurant in Luminae and use of the retreat that keeps non suite passengers out and restricts them to not using the front third of the ship. I miss being able to see where the ship is going and being told to keep out of prime deck space. Boo Celebrity even though I understand that $$$ is what floats your boat.

We are keen to experience the Holland America suite life.

 

We have enjoyed Princess Suites on Crown, Caribbean, Ruby, Ocean, Emerald and Diamond. All aft. Other cruises have been in mini-suites or aft balcony cabins.

[partybarbie]

Did you have a chance to see the piano man in Crooner’s or have a martini there? It might not be your thing, just curious if you ever went there.

[PescadoAmarillo]

@Bimmer09, I’ve enjoyed your entire review. Thank you for taking the time to keep notes, write and post pics!

 

Your complaint resolution skills are desperately needed at the Subway I was at today. “Man that blows”. I’m dying here. 🤣

 

[Bimmer09]

2 hours ago, partybarbie said:

Did you have a chance to see the piano man in Crooner’s or have a martini there? It might not be your thing, just curious if you ever went there.

Alas cocktails aren't my thing, however  I love that Princess has Crooner's and Vines and the International Cafe and the ships are the better for having those. You can't go on the Grand Class and say "I wish they had a piano bar" They have! It's a dazzler, design and decor wise and it draws a crowd of devotees.

The decor

 

the art

 

the vibe

 

There was a singing pianist, drawing a crowd nightly- I walked through here often. Great buzz.

I've had one cocktail at sea so far -Celebrity Martini Bar in Norway but as I keep buying beverage packages I will try some more on HAL this Christmas.

 

Thanks for reading!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

@Bimmer09, I’ve enjoyed your entire review. Thank you for taking the time to keep notes, write and post pics!

 

Your complaint resolution skills are desperately needed at the Subway I was at today. “Man that blows”. I’m dying here. 🤣

 

 

I can imagine most complaints in Subway are about the sandwiches and the extreme ratio of chopped lettuce vs the meats. When I was working I occasionally forgot myself and walked into a Subway. Their sandwiches photograph well, but that's true of Burger King too.  Sandwiches best eaten in a car at night with the lights turned off and your previous meal 12 hours ago.

I have a long history of being the Manager the "Irate Lady" (Karen) demands to speak to....

Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.

Thanks for the compliments and for reading along!

Norris

[MisterMet]

On 1/16/2024 at 7:21 PM, Bimmer09 said:

 We ate up in that open air section of the Boathouse Grill. It had a huge indoor area too.

There was a little dog under someone's table who went postal when we walked in to take our table. I think his name was "Little Yappy" and he was all bark and no trousers as they'd say in Yorkshire, where the puddings come from.

 

The view from our table

 

There's only one thing that can make this view pop even more.....

 

some good crusty bread and a baked head of garlic while we wait

 

Food was ok-think Applebee's level. Location and view great. I would return. 

 

My needs are always simple.  Fish and chips

 

and Carol's mahi mahi (sorry for repeating myself) fish tacos

Norris,

 

We ate at that spot on my first cruise back in 2005 on my first cruise ( Carnival).  I don’t know if it’s the same restaurant, but I vividly remember that view. Location, location, location.  Too bad the food wasn’t on par with the view

[MisterMet]

On 1/16/2024 at 8:02 PM, Bimmer09 said:

Back to the ship

 

 

a quaint little town that smells of success

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love downtown Georgetown.  We like to snorkel at Eden Rock Dive Center right in tow.  Great place to snorkel with excellent views of the ships at anchor.   

[Bimmer09]

More rooms on the Ruby 

I mentioned Vines and it's not every ship which has a wine bar. There is just one table by the window alas. Deck 5 opposite the equally unique International Cafe -open 24/7!

 

You can get a nice charcuterie platter if you have the munchies here.

 We didn't book a future cruise as we already have 3 in the pipeline and are in no hurry. Hopefully Rudy Sodamin who has been moved over from HAL as Head of Culinary Arts can upgrade the food experience on Princess.

 

 

Internet Center  also deck 5

 

 

 

Captain's Circle Desk Deck 6 

[KLM3164]

5 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.

My Back Pages by Bob Dylan.

[perfect match]

Norris, I’m sad that this review is drawing to a close. I’ve enjoyed cruising along with you. I believe I still have a day in FLL to look forward to before you’re done here. 
 

I have seen a number of weather reports from Chicago recently. It sounds like you’re getting everything we moved south to Florida to get away from! I hope that you and Carol and your adorable feline family members 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛ stay safe and warm throughout all of the winter weather. 

[wallyj]

@Bimmer09, Norris, just wanted to add an FYI, for those who may not have sailed in the past year or been in the loop since you posted a picture of the Captain Circle desk on the Ruby. I believe the Emerald has the same setup.

 

As of the beginning of 2023, Future cruise and Loyalty were merged and are handled by a third party for Princess by a company called ONE. There is no longer a Captain Circle host/hostess.
 

Usually the ‘lead’ Future cruise consultant will host many of the Captain circle events like the Captain circle party and do Future cruise presentations. I have noticed one or two of the future cruise consultants will attend the Platinum, Elite, Suites happy hour and be available for questions. Any one of the Future cruise consultants should be able to assist with Captain circle issues, opposed to a dedicated crew member, circle host.

 

A review of the Officer’s board will show this crew members title as Future Cruises/Loyalty.

 

The patter/event listing will show hours the Loyalty desk will be manned, for ships with this dedicated space, which will be very limited hours, but you can pop over to future cruises any time they have hours to address any loyalty issues.

Edited January 19 by wallyj

[litholam4]

Any dinner menus avaialble....

[mnocket]

On 1/1/2024 at 6:48 PM, Bimmer09 said:

It's up route A1A also known as FT Lauderdale Beach Boulevard and it's lined with restaurants and bars on the shore side. We pull up at a big cylindrical hotel where a sign says Trulucks and this car says "I'm cool".

No air bags, anti-lock disc brakes, seat belts etc -a stylish deathtrap. But cool.

 

We loved the original Trulucks in a strip mall for its quiet elegance. This one was a hand grenade in a fireworks factory. There was even a DJ woman twiddling knobs that have no audible effect as the music plays from her MacBook Pro. She has to look like it is hard difficult work once the "return" key has been pressed. No one is dancing as there is no dance floor and they are trying to eat. We are led to a requested quiet area. I can hear Carolspeak as long as she is facing me and I can watch her lips move.

 

Carol kept a list of the timings from when we sat down. Her clasped hands say that someone brought us drinks and cutlery. I think it was 47 minutes before our appetizers came.

For me a big shrimp cocktail of very chewy shrimp. Carol had a Caesar salad with white anchovies and graciously gave me one. There would be another half hour before our main courses came.

Meantime I was spoken to by a friendly "bro" at the table next to us about a foot away. Had a nice chat, mainly about Chicago and how cold it can get.

He was with two others who were ordering up a storm when they could get a waiter's attention. I think they were ordering drinks two at a time as they could see waiting in their future. As a result they were rapidly getting wasted, louder and using more swear words than before. The F one that is always nice to hear over dinner. There were some kids at a table 5 feet away.

 

The lights were low and the volume high. I took photos of Carol's big Stone Crab claws and my Branzino with Mediterranean tomatoes and olives. Both were good, great in Carol's case.

Carol's Key Lime Pie and my Sambuca hit the spot but the espresso was weak and bitter.

The photos from my iPhone are not really useable due to the darkness.

 

 

 

This makes me sad.  I haven't been to the Trulucks in Ft Lauderdale for a few years.  I didn't know it moved from the strip mall location.  My wife loved the bar area with the piano player.  Now a DJ???  Is sounds like another restaurant chain that has lost its way.  Such a shame as we really liked Trulucks.

[memoak]

10 hours ago, wallyj said:

@Bimmer09, Norris, just wanted to add an FYI, for those who may not have sailed in the past year or been in the loop since you posted a picture of the Captain Circle desk on the Ruby. I believe the Emerald has the same setup.

 

As of the beginning of 2023, Future cruise and Loyalty were merged and are handled by a third party for Princess by a company called ONE. There is no longer a Captain Circle host/hostess.
 

Usually the ‘lead’ Future cruise consultant will host many of the Captain circle events like the Captain circle party and do Future cruise presentations. I have noticed one or two of the future cruise consultants will attend the Platinum, Elite, Suites happy hour and be available for questions. Any one of the Future cruise consultants should be able to assist with Captain circle issues, opposed to a dedicated crew member, circle host.

 

A review of the Officer’s board will show this crew members title as Future Cruises/Loyalty.

 

The patter/event listing will show hours the Loyalty desk will be manned, for ships with this dedicated space, which will be very limited hours, but you can pop over to future cruises any time they have hours to address any loyalty issues.

On the Crown in October there was still a Loyalty officer with a desk outside the Wheelhouse with both am and pm hours. She was the only one who could tell you where you stand on the list for most traveled lunch and she could book cruises. It was a great way to avoid dealing with the new future cruise people