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Ruby Princess Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

MillaS

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 22

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 29, 2008

Ship: Ruby Princess

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 15 years ago

Review summary

We had a great vacation aboard the Ruby Princess. Were in our mid 30s with two kids ages 4 and 5. Itinerary is good. Jamaica - we had fun climbing Dunn's waterfalls, Mexico - we spent a beautiful day in Chankanaab National Park ($16 per adult, $12 per kid) + taxi. Princess Cays is a beautiful island had a surprisingly good off-shore snorkeling. Unfortunately there was a storm around Cayman Islands, so we skipped that destination. The most wonderful part is the Ruby Princess herself. The ship is absolutely magnificent. Design is gorgeous - muted tones, expensive fabrics, and ingenious design of piazza. There are 4 outdoor pools and MUTS. You should try a whirlpool on level 17 right off kids club. Its the size of a small pool, not many people know about it. Bars are great: Wines has good selection of wine and cheese, plus a great sushi bar. International Caf offers ice cream, chocolate fondue, and my children favorite chocolate-tuxedo covered strawberries. Wheelhouse bar offers fish-and-chips lunch on sea days. Crooners have good music, atmosphere and cocktail selection. There are at least 2 night shows every night at 8:30 and 10:30pm on the ship. Some are better than others. One is absolutely great created especially for Ruby Princess with use of 3-D photography Once upon a Dream - I would highly recommend it. Childrens Club is above every possible compliment. They are simply GREAT!!!! Service is above average. Everyone is very attentive and nice. We never had even the smallest problem with any of the crew personnel. Food is my biggest disappointment of this ship. From day to day there was poor variety and not too tasty dishes. But, as on any other ship you will never go hungry on Ruby Princess. Deserts on the other hand are heavenly, so kudos to the desert chef. Also, my greatest compliments to our waiter Larry from Romania - he made our dinners enjoyable with impeccable service and great attitude. Overall we had a great time aboard Ruby Princess and I would highly recommend this ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

I was surprised how average the food was. It was far bellow my expectations. Deserts on the other hand were great. Also if you're a sushi lover Wines bar is the place to eat. Cost is $1 a sushi - beautiful presentation, always fresh, always tasty.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Great entartainment for any ages.

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Pelican Club is absolutely the best children program in sea! It is simply great! Chancellors are nice and attentive. Every day is a new adventure: a pirate night, a cowboy night, Mexican fiesta, disco night, etc. And every day my kids brought gifts. Small things like a pirate ring, or a plastic snake, but they were so happy to win these prizes. There is an outdoor area with bikes, pretend play house, tables for playing with play dough, etc. Inside there is a huge screen TV, computers, jungle gym, puzzles, coloring. On Captains Nights they offered kids dinners upstairs, so the adults would have a nice sit down dinner. Once again a great secure place for any child .

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everyone was very helpful

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

The most beautiful ship I've ever seen. Absolutelly gorgeous. Clean, never crowded even on sea days, lots of pools and activity areas.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We lived on Plaza deck. It turned out to be a great location. Very close to evening show entertainment, casino, great Piazza with bars and piano music. Walk to the room was through a gallery with beautiful paintings. Corridors are wider then on other floors. Nice room: big closet space, really small bathroom. Tiny shower with a shower curtain - for a new ship they should have install shower cabins with doors.

Ports of call

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

We went to Chankanaab National Park. Not a good place for swimming - rough shore, but good place for snorkeling, swim with dolphins, or spend a day on a beautiful beach. Good souvenir shopping.

Thumbs Up 0

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

1 out of 5

Get a tour - Climb the Dunnes Falls or skip this port - absolutely nothing to do otherwise. People are rude, attitude, drug problem, unsafe.

Thumbs Up 0

Princess Cays (Cruise Line Private Island)

5 out of 5

Nice island. Good snorkeling right off-shore. Lots of fish and corals.

Thumbs Up 0

Pros: Ruby Princess

Cons: food variety

Recommends Ruby Princess? Yes!

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Wonderful cruise on a beautiful ship.