Great time with friends and family in New Zealand/Australia cruise

Item: Ruby Princess
Rating: 3.7
Author: shivelyfnp

Ruby Princess Cruise Review to South Pacific

shivelyfnp

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 11

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5

14 Night Australia & New Zealand (Auckland To Sydney)

Sail date: December 30, 2019

Ship: Ruby Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: C234

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

Enjoyed our ports. Food quality was the lowest we have had. Wonderful time with friends and family. Do not like the newer “tip added” to everything. Didn’t feel some of the time people deserved it. Incorrect orders. Poor service.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Processing was the worst we have experienced

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

MDR food was bland, service was Poor. Orders often wrong

Crooners

3 out of 5

Hit or miss. This has always been one of my favorite places to sit and relax, enjoy a nice drink. This trip was disappointing. Service and attention were poor. Often overcrowded with people playing games and not ordering drinks. Quality of drinks was hit or miss. I enjoy a sparkling wine and at least half the time it was flat. I tried their French 75. Poor. Gave up on this place after asking for a side tray of olives with my martini. Had to ask 4 times and 3 servers later got some. Olives are that difficult?

Vines Wine Bar

5 out of 5

Some of the best food on the boat. Edward our lead server was great. Friendly with everyone that came in. Was prompt and made wonderful recommendations for new wines. Made us feel special

Botticelli Dining Room

3 out of 5

Selection good, presentation great. Quality and taste poor. Service was slow and often brought the wrong food

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Lotus Spa

3 out of 5

They changed both appointment times for massage and facial. Had booked massage for day at sea. Part of their pamper me package. They moved up my time to 0800. Nothing was ready or open prior to this time so couldn’t use steam room or sauna. Massage was hindered by noise, no relaxing music. In fact we had rough seas that day and door and decorate screens we banging on walls. Massage was disrupted so therapist could remove banging screen and toss in the hallways. She struggled for about 5mins to tear it down.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Poor lounge singers. Comedian thought he was a magician and not very funny

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Best service was found at Vines wine bar. Edward was terrific.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Very clean and maintain nicely Often saw crew cleaning the smallest details in public area

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Cabin was fine. Bathrooms are small. Would like to see them do away with shower curtains as other cruise lines have Cabin Stewart cleaned dishes in our bathroom sink.