Ive got a girl and Ruby is her name…

Author: rumcokenice
Date of Trip: November 2009

Hi all….back from the Ruby yesterday (it was our tenth cruise: Norway, Mariner, Zenith, Oosterdam, Liberty, Grand, Millennium et al)…and I have to say it was one of the best cruising experiences we’ve ever had.

Embarkation was remarkable – we got to Port Everglades at 1.30pm and were expecting the usual shuffling lines and (im)patiently waiting around, but I kid you not, from stepping out of the cab to stepping into our stateroom took less than 5 minutes!….

Stateroom was lovely – Mini Suite on Dolphin deck (D727) uncovered balcony, which concerned me slightly pre-cruise – but I ended up loving it…enjoyed chatting with folks above me – and lots more sun than i’m used to on a balcony!…would definitely go open again

Food – despite the excellent embarkation lunch buffet in the Horizon (short ribs and creamy mash yum yum yum!) – we were initially disappointed with the meal arrangements – we were anytime dining for the first two nights but the service was poor and the food was bland to average – we switched to the Cafe Carribe for the remainder of the cruise and it was the best decision of the holiday – Cafe Carribe food was delicious, different theme every night and the service / waiters and overall mood of the place was superb….. …elsewhere dont miss the Hot Dogs on the pool deck …and the delights of the International cafe in the Piazza….including the delicious Ice dream ($1,50) three mixed scoops on an ice cold dish – hit the spot every time

Entertainment was an eye opener….to be honest we dont usually bother with the cruise shows, not really our thing …but we loved the entertainment on the Ruby….highlight was the comedy Hypnotist Tim Tripp who did a cracking show in the main theatre and then an hilarious adults only Midnight show in Club Fusion…didnt finish till almost 2.00am and the place was in hysterics at what the volunteers (victims) got up to! …I was going to take part – I’m so glad my wife stopped me ……….the Ventriloquist show was also hugely entertaining…and the Crew Show was a very pleasant surprise – featuring some Benny Hill’esque comedy from the entertainment staff …corny but great fun

Excursions were very expensive (is this the case with all lines now?) but we love the Catamaran trips so took two – Honeymoon Beach at St John …gorgeous…..and half day Champagne snorkelling and Turtle encounter at Barbados…both of which supplied me with memories that will sustain me throughout the damp cold grey UK winter ………..however the Catamaran and and snorkle trip in Antigua was a big let down – there was just too many people on it – should definitely have split the crowd onto two craft – and the snorkle spot was a fish free zone!…..whatever, by my reckoning 2 out of 3 aint bad and I was soon sitting in various shack bars in Antigua swigging cheap cold beer and discussing cricket with the locals

Disembarkation was again a breeze…we’d booked the Fort Lauderdale CarrieB tour to take the sting out of going home and waiting around an airport all day (great move btw..v much recommended) and we were swept off the ship and onto the tour coach at 8.30 without so much as a backward glance

So there you have it – ….add the splendid 3 days pre-cruise stay in Hollywood beach to the mix, together with the almost perfect weather every day for the entire holiday – meeting some lovely fellow cruisers and two hassle free transatlantic flights…..and you can see why Im now sitting here green with envy at anyone who’s currently on – or will shortly be sailing on the beautiful Ruby Princess.

Bon Voyage to all …..

Karl