Nov 2009 Cruise Critic Group Cruise Aboard the Ruby Princess

[Sailfish]

2009 Scuba Cruise Aboard the Ruby Princess

Another Exceptional Cruise Critic Group Cruise

November 4-14, 2009

 

I will be leading a Cruise Critic group cruise next year aboard the Ruby Princess Eastern Caribbean Voyager on November 4, 2009 and thought I would post the information here. This will be Cruise Critic's 4th annual Scuba Cruise, and although we will be offering a dive package for the certified scuba divers in the group, this group cruise is open to non-divers as well.

 

The members aboard the this year's Scuba Cruise (on the Emerald Princess) last month were able to book into the group while on the ship (and take advantage of additional shipboard credit); if you have FCC's (future cruise credits) through Princess, you can use them to book the cruise and reap the additional perks!

 

This group cruise was only recently transferred over to Cruise Critic, so the group forum and member cruise info is still in the works. Johna, our group agent at CruCon will be handling our booking. If you would like a brochure, please email me, the group leader, and I will attach it to my reply. You will have to contact the group agent at CruCon for pricing information.

 

Please scroll through the posts for more group cruise specific information and don't hesitate to email or to post your questions!

 

Thanks.

[Sailfish]

Itinerary

 

 

11-4-09

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

5:00 PM

11-5-09

Princess Cays

9:00AM-4:00PM

11-6-09

At Sea

 

11-7-09

St. Thomas

7:00 AM-6:00 PM

Group Dives

11-8-09

St. Kitts

7:00 AM-4:00 PM

Group Dives

11-9-09

Barbados

9:00 AM-6:00 PM

Group Dives

11-10-09

St. Lucia

8:00 AM-6:00 PM

Group Dives

11-11-09

Antigua

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Group Dives

11-12-09

At Sea

 

11-13-09

At Sea

 

11-14-09

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

7:00 AM

 

 

This group cruise itinerary includes stops at Princess' private island (Princess Cays) and five ports of call: in St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua. There will be a total of three relaxing days at sea.

 

A group dive package will be offered to the certified scuba divers in the group at an additional cost. We will be limiting the number of divers to no more than 16 as the group will be chartering a dive boat in each port of call.

 

 

 

 

[Sailfish]

10 Day Eastern Caribbean Voyager

2009 Scuba Cruise

Are you a certified scuba diver “whose been there done that”? Are you looking for a unique itinerary that will take you to ports of calls seldom visited by ships departing from Fort Lauderdale? If so, we have an awesome itinerary on a brand new ship! The Ruby Princess will be our home for 10 glorious days of fun in the Caribbean sun! An optional dive package limited to only 16 lucky divers will be available to the group’s certified divers in St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua on a first come, first served basis. We welcome both divers and non-divers on the cruise!

Cruise Critic’s 4th annual Scuba Cruise will set sail with Suzi (aka Sailfish) aboard the Ruby Princess on November 4, 2009. The Ruby Princess is a sister ship to Emerald Princess and Crown Princess, and features the same dramatic piazza-style atrium that have become so popular on those ships. Other ship highlights include Princess' signature adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, an Italian trattoria, a seafood and steak house, a "Movies Under the Stars" giant outdoor movie screen and 900 cabins with private balconies!

The Ruby Princess is the newest jewel in the Princess crown and everything you would expect from such a modern, luxurious ship. There are multiple dining options, including Traditional and Anytime Dining and specialty venues like the popular Sabatini's. There is the Lotus Spa with its myriad treatments. You'll enjoy watching Movies Under the Stars, and will have 900 balcony staterooms from which to choose. And then, there are the ports of call….

If you are a certified diver, we offer a custom dive package put together for the group by ShoreTrips that will include two tank dives in St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua. Not a diver? Not a problem; many non-diving group members sail with us every year and enjoy the special group benefits!

It’s not often we can offer a 10 night exotic cruise to ports of call seldom visited from a Florida gateway. You do not have to be a diver to come along! If you enjoy snorkeling, visiting exotic ports, or simply want to experience one of the BEST ships in Princess’ fleet, this cruise is for you!

Suzi is an active certified scuba diver and has logged hundreds of great dives throughout the Caribbean and elsewhere. She is an experienced group leader who can provide practical answers to your questions. For more information, please email Suzi (aka Sailfish) at scubacruise2009@yahoo.com. We also encourage you to visit the group forum (coming soon) at Cruise Critic where up to date and detailed information can be had about the ship, the dive package for our certified scuba divers as well as other great information.

[Sailfish]

Johna at CruCon Cruise Outlet is our group agent and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about pricing and availability. Inside cabins are going for around $900pp; balconies for about $1300pp. Since regional discounts may apply, it’s recommended you shop around to get an idea of pricing, and then contact Johna, our group agent. In most cases she is able to meet or beat competitors pricing, so don’t be too quick to dismiss the rates you see posted at the group’s website at Cruise Critic. Please call CruCon and let them know what pricing you see for your area. And don’t forget, if you are holding Princess FCC’s you can use them to book this group cruise and get the bonus shipboard credit! Our Group agent can be reached at 800-493-6609.

CruCon Cruise Outlet has been in business for eleven years and is a registered and bonded agency with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). They are fully staffed with accredited and master cruise counselors, so you’re not sacrificing any service or expertise for your low price. Johna has managed all my Scuba Cruise bookings; she does an awesome job and comes highly recommended!

Cruise Critic Group Amenities

$50pp ship board credit for first and second passenger only

1 hour cocktail party, drinks only

[Sailfish]

Five million visitors strong, Cruise Critic is a critically acclaimed interactive community comprised of avid and first-time cruisers who enjoy the fun of planning, researching and sharing their passion for cruising. No other single resource covers the world of cruising as thoroughly as CruiseCritic.com. Cruise Critic’s world-renowned editorial staff offers objective cruise reviews, features, ports of call profiles and destination stories not to mention, group cruises. The Cruise Critic message boards are the most active in the world.

 

Since its inception in 1995, Cruise Critic has earned the status of being the most influential cruise site on the Web, and an innovator of consumer-oriented cruise travel news. This particular group cruise is being sponsored by Cruise Critic, and Suzi, the Group Leader was selected by Cruise Critic to lead the group.

Cruise Critic utilizes CruCon Cruise Outlet to handle the cruise booking for this group cruise. CruCon’s agent, Johna, deals directly with a Princess Cruises Group Coordinator to accommodate our group’s booking. If you have any questions related to your booking or payment history, you must contact Johna at CruCon. If you have any group related questions, including those concerning scuba diving and shore excursions, you will need to contact me, Suzi, the Group Leader. Suzi is in Northern California and can easily be contacted by email at scubacruise2009@yahoo.com

All group cruises are open to members of Cruise Critic, their families and friends. You do not have to be a certified scuba diver to book this cruise. Typically, Cruise Critic Scuba Cruises consist of about 30% divers and 70% non-divers. To insure a quality dive experience, we must limited the number of divers in each port of call. People who book a Cruise Critic Group Cruise do so usually for the following reasons:

• Group Amenities - $100 per cabin shipboard credit
  

• “No Hassle” Diving
  

• Competitive Group Pricing
  

All Scuba Cruises tend to be low key and focus on diving, but non-divers are important part of the group. Many of our members have a spouse or significant other who does not dive, so a cruise vacation that offers a group dive package and quality activities for the non-divers is unique.

Members are free to do their own thing – some dive with the group everyday, while others when it suits their schedule. There will be opportunities to get together with group members at dinner and to attend parties and inpromptu gatherings all cruise long.

[Sailfish]

First Impressions from Cruise Critic:

 

Ruby Princess is a sister to Crown Princess and Emerald Princess, so in theory, it should be more of the same, right? Not really; full marks are due to Princess' top executives for recognizing that sometimes the “same old, same old” needs a bit of rejuvenation. And so, they've added a host of new features.

 

Having said that, they should also get kudos for avoiding change for the sake of it. This is still a Princess ship, through and through, from the decor to the service and quality of the food, both of which were generally very good but with a few disappointments.

 

One of the nice things about Ruby Princess is that a lot of the new stuff comes without a charge -- a refreshing change since, these days, so much cruise ship innovation seems to come with a price tag. So, you can enjoy the new pub lunch gratis, as well as free lemonade in the Horizon Court and canapes on trays in the lounges in the evenings -- again, at no charge. Likewise, most of the new enrichment classes are free.

 

There are new misting stewards to help you keep your cool while sunbathing, two new production shows and more audience participation events. Karaoke with a live band anyone? Not everything new is free, with the unique behind-the-scenes tour a prime example. But, it's such a specialist thing that cruise director James Lay's argument -- that, in this case, fees were implemented to keep participant numbers low, rather than to nickel-and-dime passengers -- does actually ring true.

 

Mealtime

 

There are three main dining rooms on Ruby Princess: Botticelli, at the aft end of the ship, for two-sitting fixed dining; Michelangelo and Da Vinci, further forward, for passengers who prefer more relaxed, anytime dining. This allows you to eat when you want and at a table size to suit you. Da Vinci is also open for waiter-service breakfast and lunch each day.

 

The Horizon Court and Cafe Caribe self-service outlets are open 24 hours and serve complimentary lemonade throughout the day. Since you have to ask a waiter for it, ordering two beakers at once might be a good idea. There are also new waffle stations in the Horizon Court.

 

Crown Grill is the ship's alternative restaurant, specializing in steaks, fish and seafood, for an extra $25 per person. Sabatini's Italian multi-course extravaganza consists of appetizers, pizza, soups, salads and desserts and costs $20 per person. On Ruby, Sabatini's becomes a breakfast venue for suite passengers in the mornings.

 

They have done a great job introducing the English-style pub lunch in the Wheelhouse Bar. It sounds the part -- a menu of cottage pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash and a ploughman's lunch (bread, ham, cheese and a pickle). The pub lunch is only served on sea days, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Based on my experience, there will be queues to get in because it is such a novelty -- and it's free -- but the line was well-managed and moved fast.

 

At the International Cafe in the Italian-designed Piazza (that's the atrium on other cruise ships), you can have breakfast, lunch and evening snacks through the day. Some items, like pastries and salads, are free; tapas are available from about 5 p.m. for a $4 charge. In Vines wine and seafood bar, there is a new selection of artisan cheeses on the menu. Twelve varieties will be featured each day; a selection of three costs $3.

 

The Chef's Table, which offers a galley tour during dinner service (followed by a five-course dinner, paired with wine and dessert with the executive chef), and balcony dining (four courses and a bottle of Champagne, served by your personal waiter) have been brought across from other Princess ships. Prices are $75 and $50 per person, respectively.

 

Bedtime

 

This is one area where things have really not changed, as the cabins have stayed classic Princess. Classic means they're comfortable, and plenty of staterooms come with balconies.

 

I was in a mini-suite on Deck 9, which had the advantage of a separate sitting area. (Sofas can be made into double beds, so these make good family rooms.) But, the disadvantage is that your balcony is overlooked by everyone in decks above you, due to the ship's tiered sides -- a design that runs through all Princess ships built after 1998.

 

Below me, there were outside cabins and, above, standard balcony cabins. Tip: Cabins on Deck 10 have double-width balconies, as well as suites and penthouses.

 

All rooms have flat-screen TV's, hairdryers, safes, mini-bars and 24-hour room service. In penthouses, mini-bars are stocked with water, beer, soda and a selection of spirit miniatures, which are all complimentary, but you will pay for refills.

 

Grand Old Favorites

 

For all the new stuff they are keen to shout about on Ruby Princess, final analysis shows this is still a Princess ship -- a particular focus on service and style, rather than shock and wow. Princess regulars will only have to set foot onboard to feel right at home and can be sure there is nothing nasty or offensive lurking in the decor.

 

Service in a couple of places was shaky, but this was the first time many of the crew had had to deal with passengers, and as far as I'm concerned, the few “ouch” moments were more than made up for by the exemplary service and friendliness -- something for which Princess is famous -- encountered elsewhere.

 

Knowing Princess well, I have no doubt service will be back to 100 percent within the first couple of cruises.

 

New & Nifty

 

The Ultimate Ship's Tour is a behind-the-scenes glimpse, taking you to parts of the ship you never knew you wanted to visit, such as the laundry, print room, photo lab and medical centre. They are all places that must exist, if you think about it, but -- the medical centre aside -- quite honestly, I never had.

 

The tour also takes you into the funnel (behind that big grill -- emblazoned with the Princess logo -- at the top of the ship), the galley, backstage at the theatre, to the food store rooms and into the engine control room.

 

It costs a painful $150, but for that, you get Champagne, caviar, canapes and a chef's jacket in the galley; and strawberries and a picture with the captain on the bridge -- not to mention the joy of knowing you are one of only 12 people per cruise to take the tour. (So, if this appeals, you have to book fast.)

 

Ruby is the first Princess ship to have mobile phone access while at sea, and I was really pleased that Wi-Fi, only in public areas on other vessels, has been extended throughout the ship, so you can keep in touch from your cabin.

 

Huh?

 

New enrichment programmes include highbrow topics, such as navigation, astronomy and the history of art. But, how on earth can learning to mix cocktails come under that heading? And, I'm not sure party-planning has a place there, either. The new classes are free, apart from Mixology@Sea, which costs $25 per person, but for that, you get to make -- and drink -- different cocktails.

 

Bottom Line

 

Princess Cruises, as a company, is all about relaxed, casual cruising with an American edge, and Ruby Princess has certainly stayed well within those parameters. It is a big vessel -- 113,000 tons, with room for more than 3,000 passengers -- but the design, with lots of smaller public rooms and venues, gives a small ship feel that will appeal to cruisers of all ages.

 

--by Jane Archer, Cruise Critic U.K. contributor

 

Last Updated: 11/07/08

[Sailfish]

Many of the emails I hve been getting have to do with questions about the diving and the ports of call on the 2009 group cruise, so here is some input. First off, the voyage starts off in Fort Lauderdale and calls on Princess Cay the next day followed by a day at sea. Then we visit five ports of call in a row that include St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua. The cruise ends with two days at sea in a row before returning to Fort Lauderdale.

Although I have been to both Barbados and Antigua, I have never been diving there, so I can’t comment on the quality of the dives. Both St. Kitts and St. Lucia are among the best dive destinations in the Caribbean, and recommend you definitely dive in both of these ports. Divers in the group are not obligated to dive in every port of call. In St. Lucia, the plan is to head south over to the Pitons and dive Superman’s Flight, an awesome drift dive along a wall with views of the abyss. The diving in St. Kitts will also be among the best dives of the week, so I am really looking forward to going back there.

ShoreTrips will again be coordinating our dive package; you can expect to pay around $550pp in addition to the cruise if you dive in each port of call. I have not yet negotiated our dive package, so the cost could be slightly less. The routine onboard the Ruby Princess will be the same as this year's scuba cruise on the Emerald Princess – we’ll meet up in the Piazza in the morning, disembark together and go diving. Our pre-cruise meeting will take place on day three, as that will be our first full day at sea. Group amenities will include $100per cabin in shipboard credit as well as a group cocktail party. If you plan to use FCC’s to book this trip, you’ll get some bonus shipboard credit as well as a reduced deposit.

We will have a group forum up and running soon at Cruise Critic where I will post and update our group and dive information, including the dive boat list.

Please don't hesitate to email us for a brochure.

Suzi

[Sailfish]

The following is information for the certified scuba divers interested in joining us.

The Dives

 

Saturday, November 7, 2009

St. Thomas

St. Thomas will be our first dive port of call and an early one at that! The dive operation will pick up the group at the port (they will either send a bus or the dive boat if there is room to pull in), after everyone in the group has gone through the mandatory US Immigration passport check on the ship. We are scheduled to arrive in St. Thomas at 7am, so the dive group will be among the first groups to walk through with their passports. After putting away travel documents, the group will assemble in the Piazza and disembark the ship – by then it will be close to 8am. After a short visit to the dive shop to take care of some paperwork (if we arrive by bus) at Bolongo Bay, we will go diving. We should be done with our two tank dives around 12:30pm; the dive boat will take us back to the ship afterwards. As we remain in St. Thomas until 6pm, you’ll have time to grab lunch and check out the island for a few hours.

I plan to request that the dive operation take us to French Cap, weather permitting. French Cap (on the south side) is an uninhabited island approximately 6 miles south of St. Thomas. Because it is unprotected waters, the seas must be relatively calm for us to dive there – all the more incentive to get an early start! In 90 feet of water this is one of the few places you will see Black Durgeons & huge schools of Sennet. Lobster are in abundance here, as are any number of the larger game fish, hog fish & permit, just to name a few. Dive operations usually do both dives on French Cap, with a shallower dive to 60 feet on the northwest side of the island. On the second dive we should be treated to a swim-through that has a nice cathedral ceiling you can actually surface into.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

St. Kitts

We will arrive in St. Kitts around 7am, and walk off the ship and over to the dive boat that will be docked in the marina about a block away. The diving in St. Kitts is great no matter where we go. There are a number of wreck dives here that might be worth considering. Another popular dive site is a two square-mile coral atoll known as Monkey Shoals. Situated in the channel between St. Kitts and Nevis, the open water allows for visibility of up to 100 feet. I don’t have a preference, but if you do, please speak up well in advance of the cruise so that I can let the dive operator know.

You can expect to be back on the ship in time for lunch, but as the ship sets sail at 4pm, you’ll probably only have enough time to shop for tee shirts at this port.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Barbados

The ship will dock in Barbados at 9am – finally, a chance to sleep in! By now the debarkation process should be a piece of cake – meet in the Piazza and walk off the ship.

The dive shop in Barbados is walking distance, so we will be heading there as a group and boarding the dive boat around 10am. Most of the dive sites are 10-20 minutes from shore, near the south and west ends of the island. One option will be to dive the SSS Stavronikita, rated as one of the top 10 wrecks in the Caribbean. This is a 365ft Greek freighter that was deliberately sunk to form an artificial reef. The Stavronikita lies in 120ft of water with the stern at 100ft and the bow at 70ft. Here are two dive videos for you to watch to get an idea of what to expect:

SSS Stavronikita Dive Video Part One

http://barbados.org/barbados_videos_view.htm?source=WexmwweOnmU

SSS Stavronikita Dive Video Part Two

http://barbados.org/barbados_videos_view.htm?source=CG8JnQJIagE

I don’t really have a preference as to a dive site, so I would encourage you to surf the web and let me know what you find in advance of the cruise so that I can let the dive operator know. We will probably be done with our dives around 2:30pm so you’ll have a couple of hours to go shopping before having to be back on the ship at 5:30pm. I wouldn’t venture too far, though.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

St. Lucia

We will call on St. Lucia at 8am, walk off the ship and meet up with a dive shop employee who will transport us by dinghy or bus to the dive shop. I have requested that we go south (weather permitting) to the Pitons and dive St. Lucia’s premier dive site. Besides it being a scenic boat ride, you will be amazed when you see the Pitons both above and below the water. Our first dive site will be Superman’s Flight – an awesome drift wall dive – followed by a shallower dive at the Anse Chastanet reef. These by far are going to be the best dives of the week.

Because it will probably take us a little over a half an hour to get to the Pitons after we get to the dive shop, you should plan to devote the day in port to diving and nothing else. The ship sets sail at 6pm so we should have enough time to pick up some Piton’s Beer in the liquor store by the pier and a few knick-knacks.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Antigua

Antigua will be our last dive port, and again the plan is to make an early exit at 8am. We will be picked up at the port and transported to the dive shop which is 30 minutes away. Although it has a well-developed tourism industry, Antigua is not particularly known for its diving. In part, because Antigua is set on a shallow bank so most of the diving is shallow. I am going to request that we head to a site called Sunken Rock, just off the coast where Eric Clapton built his new house for our second dive if we happen to be in the area. Actually, I don’t really have a preference, but I was told its one of the better dive sites in Antigua. It’s a rock pinnacle in about 50 feet of water and makes for an interesting dive. Here is a partial list of dive sites in Antigua, and I’d love to get your input:

http://123scubadive.com/Antigua/index.htm

The ship will be departing Antigua at 5pm. Given we will most likely be diving on the other side of the island, I wouldn’t plan much for the afternoon. We should be back on the ship no later than 2pm.

[Sailfish]

Great News!

 

The Scuba Cruise is ready to book - ahead of schedule. Please feel free to visit the Member Cruise Website here at Cruise Critic for more information. One word of caution about pricing: please call Johna at CruCon!

 

If you have not already heard, travel and cruises in particular have been hit hard by the economy here is in the US. Although prices have now been posted and made public for this group cruise, please make sure you call CruCon, as those reflected on this website do not include regional discounts or promotional offers. If you are a Captain's Circle member, holding FCC's, or have a "member's only" offer, you will want to call to get the best price. Don't forget, CruCon wants you business! Feel free to shop around and find your best price; then call Johna and give her a chance to meet or beat your best offer. Remember, every cabin in the group gets $100 shipboard credit and a one hour open-bar cocktail party - a nice bonus indeed!

 

I strongly urge you to pay attention to pricing these next few months, as it's also possible that rates will go down even more. A simple phone call to Johna, our group agent may mean an even bigger discount if you notice a trend.

 

If you have any questions, let me know.

 

Good Luck!

 

Suzi

[Sailfish]

Additional Information about the dive package:

 

The 2009 Scuba Cruise Dive package consists of five two tank dives in our ports of call. The only port we do not offer group dives is in Princess Cays, the cruise lines private island in the Bahamas**. We work with a company called ShoreTrips based in Wisconsin; our dive coordinator there is Liz. Pricing and details concerning the dive package will be made public by February 1, 2009. Until then, check back here for periodic updates concerning the group dive package.

 

ShoreTrips will be developing a special group page for our divers and will post pricing and instructions on how to go about purchasing the dives at their site. This information will be emailed to the divers signed up to dive and posted at the group forum here at Cruise Critic. Divers must add their names to the dive boat list and then contact the group leader (that's me) - no exceptions. Divers can purchase their dives at any time, however, most tend to wait until closer to our summer dead line.

 

Once the group page at ShoreTrips has been established (By Feb 1, 2009), divers can log onto www.shoretrips.com, establish an account and purchase their dives anytime before the deadline (which is expected to be in late summer '09). Once your payment has been processed (it can take up to three days) you will received a link for a dive voucher (one per port of call) via email; you must print it out and take it with you on the cruise.

 

You can expect to pay an average cost of around $100 per port of call. At this time, I do not have prices, but the cost to dive in some ports will be a little less, while in others, a little more. You do not have to dive with the group in each port of call. We recommend you do some research and determine which ports you want to dive if you have to choose. Then add your name and your buddies (if you have one) to the dive boat list. Instructions are posted there, but if you prefer, feel free to email me, the group leader, and I can do it for you. You also do not have to have a buddy; most years we get other single divers and the odd man out, can always pair up with the dive master.

 

We will have a mandatory pre-dive orientation meeting on the ship the first full day we are at sea, and we will go over disembarkation and other important information as it pertains to diving in each port of call. If you dive with the group, it will mean getting up early! We will post information about every port of call at our group forum, and email all group members a cruise planner prior to the voyage that will outline day by day, all group activities. I'd be happy to share the 2008 Scuba Cruise's group planner with you - please email me and I'll attach it to my reply.

 

If you are not familiar with ShoreTrips, I recommend you visit their website. You are also welcome to contact Liz with any questions you might have (their toll-free number is at the website). As soon as our group web page is ready to go, I will post a link here as well as email the link to the divers on the dive boat list.

 

Please feel free to post any questions about the dive package here. Hope this helps.

 

Suzi

 

**If you would like to make arrangements to dive in Princess Cays, please let Suzi, the group leader know. Though we do not usually get enough people together, it's possible to do a one tank dive through the shore excursion department on the ship; the cost is over $100 and in our opinion, not worth it. But if you're interested, please let us know. __________________

[Sailfish]

Here is some helpful information specific to our non-divers about this Cruise Critic Group Cruise. If at any time you have questions, please do not hesitate to reply to this thread or to email me.

 

This group cruise, as you know, is scheduled for November 4, 2009. It's a unique 10 night Eastern Caribbean itinerary calling on ports that are not often visited by ships departing Fort Lauderdale. You can obtain information about our itinerary and other aspects of this cruise by visiting the group forum. You can also obtain our group brochure by email - simply click on the brochure request hyper link in my signature below and I will attach it to my reply.

 

As you will notice, there is a lot of dive related information at our group forum - please stop by if you have not already done so. Though this group's focus is scuba diving, we get our share of non-divers on the voyage, so you will also find valuable information at the website specially for you!

 

Every effort is made to include the non-divers in the group in all shipboard activities. The non-divers who book into the Scuba Cruise group can usually be put into two categories; those that have significant others diving with the group and those who do not. We get quite a few divers who bring their non-diving family members, friends or spouses on the cruise; they typically do not dive in all the ports of call. Members who don't dive and book only the cruise often do so to take advantage of our group rates and the shipboard credit.

 

All our dive related group activities take place during the day while in the ports of call. All non-diving group activities take place on the ship. We publish and email a group cruise planner in advance of the cruise (which all members get who either are in the dive group or are active members* of Cruise Critic) that will list all scheduled group parties and activities. Our group activities are generally limited to cocktail parties, inpromptu get togethers and group nights at dinner. We do not plan scavenger hunts, contests, or other activities typically associated with group cruising. We keep things low key and respect our member's privacy while on the cruise.

 

The following are some recommendations made by our non-diving members whose spouses or significant others were divers.

 

• If you plan to cruise with a spouse who is looking to dive in all or most of the ports of call, bring another couple along so the divers can buddy-up and the non-divers can enjoy the ports of call together. If that's not possible, make sure to hook up with the other non-divers in the group (you won't be alone) during the Bon Voayge Party on embarkation day, so you can play with them while in port!
  
• If your spouse or friend is not planning to dive in each port of call, have them alternate ports of call where they will. Plan activities for you both in ports where he or she doesn't dive.
  

Because we welcome EVERYONE, there will be quite a few people booked into the group who have no connection to scuba diving. Trust me when I tell you that you will not be alone! We recommend you stop by the Roll Call Forum and meet others from Cruise Critic cruising with you. All group perks associated with the 2009 Scuba Cruise are there for you also - the only catch is you MUST be booked into the Official Cruise Group at CruCon Cruise Outlet. If you'd like to see a copy of the 2008 Scuba Cruise Group Planner (the one for 2009 will be very similar) email me and I will attach it to my reply.

 

Until then, please don't hesitate to post questions here or to email me, the group leader.

 

Thanks.

 

Suzi

 

 

*An active member is anyone registered at Cruise Critic with a screen name.

[Sailfish]

Group Forum Information

 

The 2009 Scuba Cruise Group Forum is an excellent site where you can find more information about this group cruise and save you time searching for specific topics. It is recommended you visit the Group Forum Visitor Information thread first. If you decide to book the cruise, you may want to subscribe to the forum; doing so will notify you of any new postings.

 

I post our bi-monthly newsletters (this hyper link will take you to the Dec/Jan 09 newsletter) and cruise updates at the Group Forum, which can come in handy of you are scheduled to cruise with us. You will also find cruise reviews and articles related to our ports of call and the ship. If you are looking for something specific, make sure you use the forum search function, as it really is a time saver.

 

Finally, don't forget to check out our article on Cruise Critic Groups - it will help answer many questions if you have never been on one of our group cruises.

 

Good luck!

 

Suzi

[Sailfish]

December '08/January '09 Newsletter

 

 

This is the first of our bi-monthly Newsletters that are posted at our group forum here at Cruise Critic. I will briefly go over our booking and give you some feedback concerning our group. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to post a reply.

 

 

Booking Information

 

 

Our group booking is going well. Group members from the 2008 Scuba cruise aboard the Emerald Princess had an opportunity to pre-book the cruise aboard the Ruby Princess while on the ship. Therefore, although we still have lots of room in the cruise group, we already have 9 people signed up to dive in our ports of call. Since we limit each port to no more than 16 divers, if you plan to cruise with us in 2009 and dive with the group in our ports of call, please be sure you add your name to the dive boat list after you deposit the cruise. This will insure your spot on the dive boat.

 

I don't have information about how many cabins have been given to the group, but there is expected to be good availabilty through May 2009. I am regularly receiving email requests for our group cruise and dive package brochures; a good sign that there is a lot of interest out there! If you would like one, simply click on the brochure prompt in my signature and place Scuba Cruise 2009 Brochure and/or Dive Package Request on the subject line and I will attach it to my reply.

 

You can obtain booking information two ways - check out our group forum or request a brochure. Both sources have email addresses, links and phone numbers. Once you have booked this cruise, please make a point to keep in touch. The best wayto do this is to subscribe to this group forum and check back often. New information and updates concerning our cruise are posted there as well as excellent information about the ports of call and our dive package.

 

Itinerary, Ports of Call & Shore Excursions

 

 

Our cruise is scheduled to call on six ports of call; they include Princess Cays, the cruise lines private island in the Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua. We will be diving in a our ports of call, except for Princess Cays. At this time, the Ruby Princess is scheduled to dock in all our ports, and the good news is, the ship is scheduled to remain in the port for most of the day. Princess Cays and St. Kitts are the only stops with a 4pm departure.

 

Because half the people on our Scuba Cruises are non-divers, we will be offering one private shore excursion through the same company that puts together our dive package. Like the diving, it's optional, however we strive to arrange a shore excursion the group would enjoy doing. Your comments are welcome and necessary; please let us know which port and type of shore excursion you would like to do. I will have prices and more information around the time I get the dive package squared away - in February '09.

 

Travel Documents

 

 

You will need a Passport to go on the Scuba Cruise; please don't wait until the summer to get yours. If you know you will be going on this cruise, I urge you to begin the process no later than March 2009. It's an expensive proposition, especially if you are cruising with kids, but necessary. I will have links to more information and will post periodic updates on this topic at our group forum in the weeks to come.

 

Pending Dive Certification & Newly Certified

 

If you are interested in this cruise and would like to dive with us, remember, you must be open water scuba certified - no exceptions! That said, you are welcome to book the cruise, and add your name to the dive boat list as long as you get your certification out of the way before the sail date. In the event you are unable to complete the certification process, you are still welcome to sail with us, but you will not be able to dive with the group. We do not offer group members any discover diving or resort course diving, though the cruise line does.

 

Please be sure to address any certification questions or concerns before the cruise. Feel free to email me, the group leader if you need more information.

 

Thanks.

 

Suzi

[Sailfish]

Our group forum has been updated with more information; here is a sampling:

 

Passport Resources

 

 

Staying Healthy While on the Cruise

 

 

Ruby Princess Cruise Reviews

 

 

Selecting A Stateroom

 

 

Nintendo Wii Fit Game Onboard Princess Cruises

 

 

January 2009 Dive Boat Update

 

 

Scuba Diving Tips: Make That Tank Last Longer

 

 

Caring for Scuba Equipment

 

 

Pre-Cruise Diving in Fort Lauderdale

[Sailfish]

Important Group Dining Information

 

Because Princess offers a variety of dining options, I want to review some of your choices. There is detailed information available at our group forum about all the dining options Princess has to offer; however, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Anytime Dining

 

Say nothing about your dining choice to our booking agent at CruCon, and you will automatically be assigned Anytime Dining. You can make a reservation in any of the dining rooms that offer open seating at dinner or simply show up when you are ready to eat. If you are a couple, there usually isn't much of a wait, especially if you are okay with being seated at large table. If you plan to dine with a party of four or more, the average wait time is about 20 minutes without a reservation.

 

Reserved Dining in the Traditional Dining Room - Early or Late

 

This option must be reserved through Johna at CruCon at the time you book your cruise. Early seating is at 6pm and late seating is at 8pm. You will be assigned a table in the Tradtional Dining Room, where you will be seated with the same people every night of the cruise. The only difference in reserving a table in the Traditional Dining Room and one in an Anytime Dining Room is the occasional evening entertainment and final Baked Alaska Parade in the Traditional Dining Room. Your dining experience will be similar to that on Carnival or Royal Caribbean. If this is your preference, please make sure you ask Johna, our group agent to assign you to a group table, so you can enjoy dinner with your fellow group members. As the group leader, I will also need to know your preference, so please email me at your earliest convenience.

 

Reserved Dining in the Anytime Dining Room - Early or Late

 

Early seating is at 6pm and late seating is at 8pm. If this is your choice, you will be assigned a table in one of three Anytime Dining Rooms, where you will be seated with the same people every night of the cruise in the same dining room - this can be a table for two or a group of up to 10 people. The only difference in reserving a table in the Traditional Dining Room and one in an Anytime Dining Room is the occasional evening entertainment and final Baked Alaska Parade in the Traditional Dining Room. You will enjoy the same wait staff the entire voyage; the menus are identical in ALL Dining Rooms. If this is your preference, please add your name to the Reserved Group Dining List at our group form and email me at your earliest convenience, so I have record of your contact information.

 

Group Nights

 

Group Nights are scheduled during the voyage and members may sign-up in advance of the cruise; this allows group members to dine with the group leader and others in the group on select evenings. Members with Traditional or Anytime Dining Room reservations may also sign-up (simply let your table mates and wait staff know you will be absent the night before). Sign-ups are taken on a first come, first served basis via email in advance of the sail date. The dates are:

• Day 5 St. Kitts - Sunday, November 8, 2009
  
• Day 7 St. Lucia - Tuesday, November 10, 2009
  
• Day 9 Day at Sea - Thursday, November 12, 2009
  

We reserve a table for 8; members may sign-up for one night only in advance of the cruise, however, there is a waiting list, and if a cancellation occurs, you will be notified. Everyone signed up to dine will receive a confirmation the day before, which will be delivered to your stateroom. Group Dining fills up quickly, so if you are interested, please email me, Suzi, your group leader as soon as possible and I will add you to the list. Put Group Dining on the subject line - I will send you a reply confirming you are on the list. If at any point you change your mind, let me know and I will remove you.

 

Because people opt to go to special dinners while on the cruise, such as the Chef's Table, Balcony Dining, or go to one of the Specialty Restaurants, we often get cancellations once on the ship. We know it's hard sometimes to request a certain date, so when the opportunity arises, you go when you can. I still want to encourage you to sign-up if you want to eat with us; if it turns out you can't, simply contact me on the ship and I will remove your name. If you are on the waiting list, I will let you know when space at the table becomes available.

[Sailfish]

Ruby Princess Ports of Call & General Information

What to do when Going Ashore

 

Itinerary

Day 1 - - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Day 2 - - Princess Cays

Day 3 - - At Sea

Day 4 - - St. Thomas

Day 5 - - St. Kitts

Day 6 - - Barbados

Day 7 - - St. Lucia

Day 8 - - Antigua

Day 9 - - At Sea

Day 10 - At Sea

Day 11 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

 

 

Day 2 - - Princess Cays - - 9am-4pm

 

 

 

Princess Cays is the cruise lines private island in Eleuthera, Bahamas. It is home to the private beach party hosted exclusively for Princess guests. A full day of fun in the sun offers something for every member of the family from snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and floating to lingering over drinks and a delicious barbecue.

 

You'll find a including an off-shore coral reef with schools of tropical fish, a special area dedicated to children's activities, water sports equipment, relaxing music, bar facilities, and lunch!

 

Island Activities

 

Hit the beach and clear waters with snorkeling gear or a floating mattress. Join a basketball game or the action around the volleyball court. Check out the seaboards, aqua bikes, Hobie Cat sailboats, Sunfish sailboats, paddle wheelers, Banana Boats or transparent hull kayaks at the water sports pier. Climb the Crow's Nest Tower for panoramic views, or shop for local handicrafts.

 

Beach BBQ

 

Three bars and live music compliment lunch and the authentic Bahamian barbeque on the beach. Feast on hamburgers, chicken, bratwurst, salads, and fresh fruit. Water, tea and lemonade are available at the picnic area for no additional cost, and a full staff of drink servers is on hand to serve cocktails and soda.

 

Day 4 - - St. Thomas - - 7am-6pm

 

Charlotte Amalie, once a favorite port stop of seafarers and pirates, is the capital of St. Thomas. While it can be crowded with shoppers, it’s an energetic commercial center with stores housed in what were once warehouses full of pirate booty. Most cruise ships dock at Havensight. However, we will be in Crown Bay.

 

Diversions

 

Dominating the center of Charlotte Amalie is FortChristian and the site of the Virgin IslandsMuseum, a rather smallish, but free attraction. Leave the city via taxi or tour van and venture to Mountain Top, the highest spot on the island and the place to cool off with a delicious banana daiquiri abd marvel at the breathtaking view. Another dramatic way to enjoy St. Thomas’ panorama is a ride on the Paradise Point Tramway, a short stroll from Havensight. It’s a popular spot to enjoy lunch and a cool drink while admiring the cruise ships and harbor spread out below.

 

A popular family attraction in St. Thomas is Coral World Marine Park. View marine life in the three-story underwater observation tower (without getting wet) and observe everything from playful sea horses to sharks and moray eels in the tanks of the Marine Garden Aquarium. Take advantage of the proximity of Coki Beach to relax until time to return to your ship.

 

Some of the most popular and fun ships’ tours include a boat ride to a secluded beach for snorkeling and swimming. Often included is a lethal rum punch concoction.

 

Shopping

 

Long revered as the Caribbean’s duty-free shopping Mecca, St. Thomas has lost some of its bargain-pricing luster, but you can’t tell from the number of visitors crowding Main Street in Charlotte Amalie or the Havensight Mall. Buyers beware—while low prices still abound on many items, it pays to check local discount stores before leaving home. At best you’ll find just what you want, at worst you’ll save the sales tax.

 

Beaches

 

Aside from world class shopping, St. Thomas is home to Magens Bay, one of the world’s loveliest beaches. There’s a small admission and changing rooms, snorkel equipment, and lounge chairs are available for rent. Other popular beach destinations are CokiBeach, Brewer’s Beach, and Morningstar. It’s a simple matter to hire a taxi to your beach of choice.

 

Sightseeing

 

Hike the heights above picturesque Charlotte Amalie. Start at the Seven Arches Museum, a lovingly restored 19th-century house, then head west on Kongens Gade and take the famed 99 Steps to the summit of Government Hill. Near the top, visit Fort Skytsborg, now known as Blackbeard's Castle, and Haagensen House, an early-19th-century banker's home graced with terraced gardens. Retracing your steps to Kongens Gade, walk east to take in one last panoramic view of the magnificent harbor from the red-roofed Government House.

 

Day 5 - - St. Kitts - - 7am-4pm

 

In the late 18th century, the massive fortress of Brimstone Hill was known as "The Gibraltar of the West Indies." Built of black volcanic rock (then called "brimstone"), it was held at times by both the English and French, but was a neglected, almost forgotten legacy when efforts to restore it began in 1965. Today the fort, with one of grandest views in all the Caribbean, is a national park and the island's historical centerpiece.

 

But you don't have to be a history buff to get caught up in charms of St. Kitts. This is mostly a low-key island, but shoppers can survey duty-free bargains in the capital of Basseterre, while hikers can tackle a variety of mountain and cloud forest trails in the green interior - including a trek to a crater lake in the caldera of Mount Liamuiga volcano. Meanwhile, greens of a more manicured variety can be found at the championship Royal St. Kitts Golf Course (designed by Peter Thompson, five-time winner of the British Open).

 

And like sister island Nevis, just two miles away, sun and sand are never in short supply - at least nowadays. Until recent years, the best beaches (on the southeastern end of St. Kitts) were mostly inaccessible except by boat. Now a new road has paved the way, to coin a phrase, to a series of classic, secluded white-sand strands.

 

Beaches

 

Body surfers can get whomped to their heart's content at North Frigate Bay (on the Atlantic side) and recover at South Frigate Bay (on the Caribbean side), where the water is calm and rum punch is refreshing. But to escape the crowds, keep heading south to nearby South Friar's Bay, where the combination of white-sand beach and fine snorkeling is hard to beat, and Sand Bank Bay, a secluded crescent that just may be the island's best beach.

 

Diving

 

Wreck divers take note: More than 400 shipwrecks lie full fathom five (more or less) in the waters surrounding St. Kitts and neighboring Nevis. One of the most-visited is the River Taw, a 144-foot freighter in just 50 feet of water in 1985. Already home to thriving corals and clouds of reef fish, it's ranked among the top wreck dives in the West Indies.

 

Sightseeing

 

The Circus in Basseterre has nothing to do with tents and clowns. Instead, it's a Victorian roundabout, complete with four-sided clock - a dead ringer for London's Piccadilly Circus when it was built here at town center in the 1860s. Lined with shops and restaurants, it's a good place to begin (and end) a tour of the capital. Walk a block east to Independence Square, once a slave market and now Basseterre's commercial center. Then head south to the colorful public market on Bay Road before making your way to St. George's Anglican Church; first built by Jesuits in 1670, it has been leveled several times, but its Georgian style dates to the 1860s.

 

Web Headings

 

Official government site: St. Kitts & Nevis - Information and Travel Resource

For St. Kitts: Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

For Nevis: NEVISISLAND.COM

For links: StKittsNevis.info - The St. Kitts & Nevis Travel Guide

 

Day 6 - - Barbados - - 9am-6pm

 

Barbados, the easternmost of the West Indies, is sometimes called "Little England" for its resolutely British character. Here you can read the cricket headlines over a breakfast of bangers, enjoy afternoon tea at your hotel, even don a jacket for dinner. But those traditions sometimes take on a Bajan twist. Breakfast can also feature fried flying fish, the rum shops function as local versions of British pubs, and the island "tuk bands" feature both drums and pennywhistles.

 

Beyond the busy streets of Bridgetown, this highly developed island offers all the creature comforts of a longstanding resort destination, from high-quality golf courses to lively nightlife. There are good beaches, too - fine white-coral-sand strands extending for miles - and some of the region's best windsurfing (experts favor Silver Sands, at the southern tip, for wave jumping). While the diving is not spectacular by Caribbean standards, wreck-divers can chalk up a lot of bottom time at Carlisle Bay or at Folkestone Marine Park, where a Greek freighter was deliberately sunk to form a now-burgeoning artificial reef.

 

Surfing

 

Primo surfing waves are rare in the Caribbean, but Barbados has been a standout since the early days of longboarding. The best-known spot is Soup Bowl, on the eastern shore. It's a classic reef break that's ridable almost every day of the year, with solid surf most of the time and waves can reach 15 feet during winter.

 

Golf

 

Set in a mahogany grove overlooking the Caribbean on the wind-swept west coast, the scenic Sandy Lane Golf Club was recently redesigned and rebuilt by master architect Tom Fazio, and is lined with now-mature trees that were planted more than 25 years ago.

 

Sightseeing

 

More than 1,200 miles of hedgerow-lined paved roads await exploration, so get an early start and head north out of Bridgetown and up the west coast. Stop at Holetown, the earliest British settlement here, to see a 19th-century church that could have come straight out of the English countryside. At Speightstown, cross over to the eastern shore; there, along the Bathsheba coast, you'll pass the lush Andromeda Gardens, picturesque seaside villages, and places to stop and watch the waves. Then step into the island's past at one of the fine old "great houses," such as the elegant Georgian-style Sunbury Plantation House.

 

Day 7 - - St. Lucia - - 8am-6pm

 

When you first glimpse St. Lucia, with its lush inland mountains, its misty waterfalls, and its soaring Pitons - the famous pair of volcanic peaks that rise dramatically 2,000 feet from the sea - you'll think you're in the South Pacific. Stretching across the entire island is a 19,000-acre rain forest that is home to orchids, bromeliads, bamboos, ferns, and a variety of bird life that places it among the finest bird-watching destinations in the West Indies.

 

This is the yachting center of the southern Caribbean; so sailors will find top-flight facilities at Rodney Bay and at Marigot Bay, a classic west coast "hurricane hole" where yachts seek protection when big weather hits.The underwater scenery is dazzling, too, especially along the reefs at Anse Cochon and Anse Chastanet. There are fine beaches, the most popular being Reduit and Vegie, both on the sheltered northwest coast.

 

The island, which changed hands between the British and French no less than 14 times, has produced two Nobel prize winners: economist Sir W. Arthur Lewis and author Derek Walcott. And although several upscale resorts have added sophistication, the island's cultural scene remains low-key, and the favorite nighttime happening is still a well-known "jump up" held on Fridays in the otherwise quiet village of Gros Islet.

 

Sailing

 

Drop anchor at picturesque Marigot Bay, which is dotted with coves and fishing villages; it served as the setting for the film Dr. Dolittle. Take time to sail north about 20 miles to Martinique for a taste of French culture and cuisine, or south to the Grenadines, where the waters of the Tobago Cays feature some of the Caribbean's best diving and snorkeling.

 

Nature

 

Bird-watchers may spot some of the island's rare species, including the St. Lucia oriole, the white-breasted thrasher, and the St. Lucia peewee, at the Bois D'Orange Swamp in the north of the island, but hikers have the best chance of seeing the once nearly extinct St. Lucian parrot (known locally as the jacquot) in the Quilesse Forest Reserve. Hire a professional guide - not only is it required, but you'll need one just to find the trailhead.

 

Sightseeing

 

Spread around a century-old red iron building, the lively town market in Castries, is where yachties can stock up on fruits and veggies for their voyages and landlubbers can bargain for straw bags and baskets - or a bottle of homemade hot sauce. For one of the finest panoramas in the Caribbean, visit the summit of Morne Fortune. Head north to Pigeon Point to see both a small museum that touches on the island's history, and the timeless view from the 18th-century British fortifications.

 

 

Day 8 - - Antigua - - 8am-5pm

 

Antigua is an island that has always lived by the wind. In the late 18th century, when Horatio Nelson was still a captain, he made the island Great Britain's most important Caribbean naval center. Today the superbly restored dockyard that bears his name at English Harbour is home base for April's Sailing Week, the Caribbean's premier yachting event - and its most boisterous beach party.

 

As for beaches, Antigua's promoters like to say that the island has 365 of them, one for every day of the year. Certainly there are more beaches than you could ever stroll during a long holiday, and most of them have calm, clear water - so why count?

 

Beaches and historical attractions are the primary reasons Antigua (the better known half of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda) has become one of the more popular (and developed) destinations in the Caribbean. Nevertheless, megaresorts have not established a strong presence here, and even with a handful of casinos, Antiguan nightlife tends to be on the quieter side. But come daybreak, you'll find plenty of activities - including cruises, dive trips, and shopping - to keep you entertained

 

Beaches

 

Several of Antigua's more popular beaches, Dickenson Bay among them, can get crowded, especially when cruise ships are in port. To find new terrain, hail a taxi or rent a car and head to the windward, eastern side for beachcombing and snorkeling at Long Bay or Half Moon Bay, arguably the island's most beautiful stretch of sand. Between those two lies Nonsuch Bay, where you'll undoubtedly find a secluded stretch of beach to call your own.

 

Sailing

 

Cruisers and bareboaters alike will find friendly waters and full marine supplies here, and at most hotels small craft are available for guests. There are also round-the-island day sails and catamaran cocktail cruises for those who don't want to hold the tiller themselves. But these really are racing waters: Competitions are held on Thursdays and Saturdays all year long, and major regattas dot the calendar. Sailing Week, the granddaddy of them all, takes place at the end of April, when hundreds of boats from around the world converge on the island for ten fun-packed days of races and parties.

 

Sightseeing

 

Climb to the gun emplacements of Shirley Heights and survey one of the great historic sites in the West Indies - Nelson's Dockyard and the fortifications of English Harbour, which these days is filled with yachts rather than British warships. The spectacular vista extends to the neighboring isles of Montserrat and Guadeloupe. Down at the waterfront, the displays of antique sextants, compasses, and other nautical gear at the Dockyard Museum evoke the age of wooden ships.

[Sailfish]

I booked the Cruise BEFORE I found out about this Group Cruise! Help!

 

I recently got an email from a family already booked on this cruise who are thinking about joing the group. They booked earlier in the summer, and although they are paying a little less for their stateroom, the $100 (per cabin) of shipboard credit actually brings their total vacation cost down significantly. They are also scuba divers.

 

Before they jump ship, they wanted some answers to a few questions. I thought I would post a copy of my reply as there might be some people out there in the same boat!

 

1. What are the consequences of cancelling and rebooking into the 2009 Scuba Group?

 

Hopefully you take everything into consideration before canceling your existing booking to be sure it is worth your while to do so. Princess Cruises does not charge a cancellation fee to cancel your booking, however there are agencies out there that do have cancellation fees (like ours), so make sure before you cancel you know what they are.

 

I like to use this formula: take the per person cost of what you would be paying in the group and subtract $50. If the total per person group rate is at least $25pp less than what you are already paying, I would recommend rebooking into the group. If you end up having to pay a cancellation penalty, or you end up with $0 savings, I would be inclined to tell you not to bother. It's not worth the hassle to cancel and rebook - remember your time (and aggrivation) is money too!

 

2. I booked directly with Princess Cruises using my Future Cruise Credits. What happens to my Future Cruise Credits if I cancel and rebook into the group?

 

Since there is no penalty to cancel with Princess, when you do, your Future Cruise Credits will be made available to you to use on another Princess Cruise. Before doing so, it's a good idea to contact Johna our group TA at CruCon Cruise Outlet at 1-800-493-6609 to let her know what you plan to do and Princess Cruises by calling 1-800-PRINCESS to cancel and find out how soon your Future Cruise Credits will be available. In most cases, your Future Cruise Credits are available again upon cancelation.

 

If you did not book directly with Princess Cruises, you will need to contact your travel agent to cancel your booking. Then make sure you contact Princess Cruises to verify that your Future Cruise Credits were deposited back into your Past Guest account. This can take a day or two - a lot depends on your travel agent - some are faster than others. When it comes to redepositing Future Cruise Credits, some agents take their sweet time, so it's recommended you stay on top of things. Once Princess Cruises verifies your Future Cruise Credits are available, you are good to go!

 

3. What if my original booking was made not using Future Cruise Credits; how do I go about canceling my original booking and rebooking into the 2009 Scuba Group?

 

If you put down $450pp to deposit this cruise (the standard deposit on all 10 night voyages varies by category) and you do not incur any cancellation penalty from your TA, the total amount will be credited back by Princess Cruises to the credit card used to deposit the cruise. This is the case whether you booked through an independent travel agent or directly through the cruise line.

 

Most agents require you to submit your cancellation request in writing - some are okay with an email, while others may require you to fax over your request along with your signature.

 

It is always a good idea to verify through your card company that the credit has posted. If you booked directly through the cruise line, this can occur within 24 hours. Using a travel agent can take a little longer, but since all transactions take place through the cruise line, once the request to cancel is made by your travel agent, your credit will post soon thereafter.

 

Johna may not able to rebook you into the group until your original booking has been cancelled. If she encounters any problems, she will let you know. 95% of agents honor cancelation requests in a professional manner and expedite the process efficiently; but there are some in the minority that always seem to drag their feet. I can't stress enough that you be certain that it will be worth your while to go to the trouble of canceling your booking and rebooking into the group. To save a few bucks, in my opinion is NOT worth the hassle.

 

Like I said, take the per person cost of what you would be paying in the group and subtract $50. If the total per person group rate is at least $25pp less than what you are already paying, I would recommend rebooking into the group. If you end up having to pay a cancellation penalty, or you end up with $0 savings, I would be inclined to tell you not to bother. It's not worth the hassle to cancel and rebook - remember your time (and aggrivation) is money too!

[Sailfish]

Hi Everyone:

 

We are down to three spots on the dive boat list in four ports, and four spots in St. Thomas. I will be posting a waiting list once the dive boats in the ports fill up, but would encourage you to look into the cruise if you are interested in diving with us, as space is becoming tight.

 

It's still too early to predict how many cancellations we will get - we usually see one or two spots in the ports of call open up closer to the sailing.

 

If you have any questions, please email me.

 

Thanks.

 

Suzi

[Sailfish]

February 2009 Newsletter

 

I hope the February Newsletter finds you well. We have plans to go up to Reno for Super Bowl Sunday, and I will have a week off of school February 16-20, 2009 – our annual “President’s Week” vacation break. As of yet, we don’t have plans to go anywhere, but you never know! This month’s newsletter includes a dive group update, a progress report on the dive package and some important information regarding your dining preference to name a few. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

 

Dive Group Update

 

We are approaching critical mass with regards to dive boat numbers. Though we technically have room for only 1 diver in all ports of call (2 open in St. Thomas), cruise stateroom availability remains good. There is no limit on the number of non-divers in the group.

 

If you are not yet confirmed on the cruise and would like to dive with us, please DO NOT book the cruise unless you can add your name to the dive boat list. Only those on the dive boat list can purchase the dives. It’s still early in the booking, and we frequently see one or two cancellations, so it is recommended you add your name to the waiting list now and email me, the group leader. When space becomes available, I will let you know. I remain in contact with all the divers on the list, and am the first one to know when someone cancels. However, since there is a $50 cruise cancellation penalty imposed by the booking agent at CruCon, it’s best to hold off booking the cruise until you hear from me and know for sure you can dive with the group.

 

Dining Preference Update

 

Please let Johna, the booking agent know your preference for dinner. If you want a set reservation in the Traditional Dining room, you must make your preference known ASAP – it’s always best to do so at the time you book the cruise. Unfortunately, these requests are not always honored, due to the number of passengers requesting a traditional dining seating time. Every effort will be made to confirm your request; the sooner you make it the better your odds.

 

The next best thing to reserving a table every night in the Traditional Dining Room is one in the three or four Anytime Dining Rooms. If you are interested in doing so, please let me know. As the group leader, I will reserve and confirm this for you on the ship, but I need record of your request, so you MUST place your name on the list at the group forum or email me at your earliest convenience.

 

We already have one table for 10 on hold at 8pm; it’s not a problem for me to request additional tables at this seating time or for 6pm. The deadline to sign up for this is around the time the final payment on the cruise comes due.

 

Group Activities

 

If you have not already been by the group forum to check out the Cruise Planner, I’d like to encourage you to do so. Although I try hard to not over-do it when it comes to group activities, we have included a few this year.

 

A one hour group cocktail party with an open bar will be added to the list of group activities, but right now no date or time has been scheduled by the ship. I made note of this in the group cruise planner for Sunday, November 8th – St. Kitts. But it’s not confirmed yet and could change. We are also looking at doing a Poker Crawl; has anyone ever done this before? I have never done this sort of thing, but I am willing to give it a try. If you have any comments, let me know, as I can use all the input I can get.

 

We will also set a side some time for the group to get together to view and download dive photos – we have this tentatively scheduled for the group cocktail party for Tuesday, November 10th – St. Lucia. Traditionally, my husband and I have hosted this in our in our cabin, but during the last Scuba Cruise, it became obvious we need a larger venue. I am thinking of reserving the conference room, but I’d also like to continue the party atmosphere we have grown to love when we do this. Therefore, we are looking to do a wine tasting party in the conference room – so please plan to bring a bottle of wine to share. Unfortunately, our balcony cabin just isn’t big enough any more to comfortably accommodate everyone in the group.

 

Dive Package Update

 

I spoke with Liz Gonzales, our dive group coordinator at ShoreTrips on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 who gave me a brief update on how our dive package was coming along. I had a hunch she was behind schedule; she said ShoreTrips was experiencing higher than normal sales volume, so she’s been swamped. She did, however, assure me that we would have pricing and details ready to post by Monday, February 16, 2009. She told me she though she would have the info before then; we’ll see.

 

That said, I wanted you to be aware of my communication with her and what I told her per our member’s input. Several people in the group came forward to make suggestions, and I included them in an email I sent to her earlier in January. I also included some information I was able to get regarding pricing, so that she is aware of what the cruise line charges and what you could do were you to make arrangements on your own (you’d have to add in cab fare in some ports for a more accurate cost analysis). Here is that email I sent her:

 

Hi Liz:

 

I thought I would find out how things are going with the 2009 Scuba Cruise Dive package - if you recall, our package was going to be set up by Feb 1, 2009 – less than a month away at this point! As you communicate to the individual dive operators, here is some information that might come in handy. You are welcome to either forward this info directly to the dive operation (to save time) or cut and paste the info into your email correspondence. However you decide to communicate this information is up to you.

 

I am in need of prices and how many divers each dive shop will be able to accommodate as soon as possible. The attached dive boat list (which is filling up fast this year) will have the port location, a calendar and a list of people already signed up for the cruise who plan to dive with us. Remember, we wanted to make available the dive package information to the group by the beginning of February.

 

General Group Info

 

The divers signed up to dive with the group are going on the November 4, 2009 Scuba Cruise aboard the Ruby Princess. The vast majority will be diving with their own gear. Nearly all are AOW (advanced open water) certified and all are experienced divers. Quite a few are past scuba cruise alums and most will dive in each port of call.

 

Dive Boat Size & Numbers

 

As you can see, it's only January, and I already have a full list of divers! Though I am trying to limit the number of divers to only 16, I would only have room for one or two more divers, so I need you to find out how many divers we can accommodate in each port of call asap. Most important is the size of the dive boats. We don't have a problem with one large boat or two small ones.

 

Dive Package

 

We would like the dive package to 1) include the cost of diving as well as round trip transportation to and from the dive operation and/or dive boat, when necessary. To save on cost, 2) the dive package should not include a lot of special extras, such as tours, resort time, etc. The ideal dive package will include transfers when needed, two tanks of diving, water or soda - snacks or lunch is okay. People who need rental gear can opt to do so on their own. Our goal is always to be among the first off the ship in the morning and to return within 4 or 5 hours - in time for lunch or some shopping in port before the ship's departure. We'd rather come back to the ship than spend time at a resort afterwards.

 

We realize that in some instances where the dive shops and/or dive sites are further away, the entire day will be devoted to diving. This is fine, as all dive operators seem to understand our situation with the cruise. But it must be made clear (especially in St. Lucia) that all we want is to go diving.

 

Cruise Line Prices vs. ShoreTrips.com vs. On Our Own

 

It's important to understand that group members often will compare the cost to dive on their own, with what the cruise line is charging and what our cost will be through ShoreTrips. Because diving is an expensive sport, the cost to dive in every port can add up quickly. In the past, ShoreTrips has always come in a little less than what the cruise line has been charging, so of course, that is the expectation. Though not always the cheaper choice, when compared to going it on your own, I am able to sell the dives through ShoreTrips thanks to the cancellation policy, your wonderful customer service and the online webpage you set up for the group, making the booking process hassle free for all involved.

 

Here is a run-down on the cost to dive in Feb 2009 with Princess Cruises and what I can do on my own for comparison:

 

St. Thomas $129 (on our own $100)

 

St. Kitts Not Offered by the Cruise Line (on our own $90)

 

Barbados $99 (on our own $97)

 

St. Lucia $159 (on our own $90)

 

Antigua Not Offered by the Cruise Line (on our own $90)

 

The purchase deadline for my group will be August 15, 2009. When you have time, could you send me a copy of the cancellation policy - if it's the same as what is posted on line, that's okay. I am going to assume what prices we are quoted will be locked in.

 

 

Dive Site Requests

 

Saturday, November 7, 2009

St. Thomas

 

St. Thomas will be our first dive port of call and an early one at that - we arrive at 7am, go through US immigration and then we disembark. If we go with the same dive operation as in '08, Andre will do his best to send the dive boat out to get us. Otherwise, we will need a bus.

 

We would like to request that the dive operation take us to French Cap, weather permitting. French Cap (on the south side) is an uninhabited island approximately 6 miles south of St. Thomas . Because it is unprotected waters, the seas must be relatively calm for us to dive there. The group should be experienced enough to dive there, but we will understand if he's concerned, as this will be our first dive of the week. If we aren't able to go there, we would prefer to dive a nice reef and NOT dive any wrecks while in St. Thomas (we did that this year). All the wrecks are beginner dives in shallow water, and although the group was okay with the two dives, this year, we'd like something different. Remember, we will have many of the same members with us.

 

Sunday, November 8, 2009

St. Kitts

 

We will arrive in St. Kitts around 7am, and walk off the ship and over to the dive boat that will be docked in the marina about a block away if it's the same dive operator we dove with in '07. The diving in St. Kitts is great no matter where we go, so we have no preferences here.

 

Monday, November 9, 2009

Barbados

 

The ship will dock in Barbados at 9am. Although we don't have a preference in Barbados, one option will be to dive the SSS Stavronikita, rated as one of the top 10 wrecks in the Caribbean .

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

St. Lucia

 

We will call on St. Lucia at 8am. I would like to request that we go south 30 minutes (weather permitting) to the Pitons and dive St. Lucia ’s premier dive site, Superman’s Flight – an awesome drift wall dive – followed by a shallower dive at the Anse Chastanet reef. In '07, there was an issue with the dive operator wanting to charge the group a very high fee for the dives, which included a special tour and resort visit. Please note that we are interested in diving ONLY. Also let the dive operator know we will have had 6 dives under our belts by then, if they seem a little concerned.

 

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Antigua

 

Antigua will be our last dive port, and again the plan is to make an early exit at 8am. We have no preference as to dive sites here, but would prefer to dive a reef rather than another wreck.

 

Thanks for all you do for my group!

 

Suzi (aka) Sailfish

2009 Ruby Princess Cruise Critic Scuba Cruise

Dive & Group Coordinator

 

 

Information for Non-Divers

 

There is excitement I can sense when I visit Cruise Critic’s Roll Call forum for our November 4, 2009 sailing. Please stop by the Roll Call Forum when you have time to share planning ideas and input on what you plan to do while on vacation. I know they would love to make your acquaintance!

 

As I work with Liz at ShoreTrips to put together our dive package, I am also planning to add a few shore excursions for the non-divers in the group. I’d love to get your input as to your preference. We generally find that the non-divers in the group enjoy exploring the ports together while family and friends who dive with the group are away. If you let me know what you would like to do – shopping or snorkeling for example- I can see if others in the group would like to join you. In the mean time, I will have Liz add a couple of tours to our group page at ShoreTrips. It too should be ready to go later in February.

 

We are seeing more and more cruise line reviews come our way from Ruby Princess past passengers. The vast majority of reviews have been very positive. We will continue to post the most recent reviews, so be sure to stop by the group forum when you have time. Though hyperlinks have been embedded in this Newsletter, if you are unable to access the webpage’s by simply double clicking on them, here is the URL to the group forum that you can cut and past into your address bar:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=547

 

Though much of the information at the group website centers around scuba diving, as more and more port information becomes available, please watch for port specific info to be posted at the group forum. Please do not hesitate to post your questions! If you run across some interesting information, please bring it to our attention by posting it at the group forum.

 

Currently, we have new or updated information posted at the group forum that might be of some interest to you.

 

Ruby Princess Group Cruise Planner

 

Reserved Group Dining in the Anytime Dining Room - Early or Late Sign-Ups

 

Poll: Group Activity: Poker Cabin Crawl - We Want YOUR Input!

 

Group Activity on Princess Cays: Volleyball

 

Specialty Restaurants & Unique Gourmet Activities Aboard the Ruby Princess

 

 

Conclusion

 

That’s it for now. This Newsletter will be posted at the group forum; please be sure to check out our monthly updates for the most recent group information. If at any point you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me at scubacruise2009@yahoo.com.

 

Happy Valentines Day, by the way!

[Sailfish]

We finally got our pricing on the dives squared away. Prices reflect round trip transfers from the ship on a private group charter. In St. Lucia, we are heading down to the Pitons.

 

Saturday, November 7, 2009

St. Thomas SOLD OUT

$117 per diver/ 2 Tank Boat Dives

Free Rental Equipment (BCD, regulator, tanks, weights,)

Dive Boat Maximum: 13

 

Sunday, November 8, 2009

St. Kitts

$106 per diver/ 2 Tank Boat Dives

Equipment Rental Extra

Dive Boat Maximum: 16

 

 

Monday, November 9, 2009

Barbados$126 per diver/ 2 Tank Boat Dives

Free Rental Equipment (BCD, regulator, tanks, weights,)

Dive Boat Maximum: 16

 

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

St. Lucia

$110 per diver/ 2 Tank Boat Dives

Equipment Rental Extra

Dive Boat Maximum: 16

 

 

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Antigua$138 per diver/ 2 Tank Boat Dives (Price Pending might be less)

Free Rental Equipment (BCD, regulator, tanks, weights,)

Dive Boat Maximum: 16