Victoria

We didn't get back to the cabin until around one am and we crashed.

Around 8 am we start to hear people getting up around us. There is a family group near us.  They have the cabin beside us, and two across the hall, and a few elsewhere. For some reason they congregate outside their cabin doors and carry on their visit.  Even at 8 am!  Not very considerate.

I catch up on the blog as Bernie heads down to get the coffees.

Our arrival into Victoria is not until 10 am.  Since this ship/itinerary feels so crowded most of the time, I don't want to rush out to breakfast at the peak times.  To read more blogs about Victoria click here.

While in the cabin we hear an announcement in the public areas looking for a crew member.  After a few minutes the same announcement is broadcast in the cabins looking for the crew member.  Of course this is not normal and I wonder what has happened.  Hope they are okay, and I really hope they are not in a passenger cabin - that could have very bad results.  We later find out that the crew member was stuck in the elevator for over two hours. Guess he won't get in trouble then - I am glad.

Today we are meeting up with our dear dear friend Alice Schmidt who we have sailed with numerous times.  Alice is sailing on the Westerdam that is docked beside us.  Our other friends Connie and Derek are here from Powell River and they will meet up with Alice, then Bernie will join them when we dock.  I will wait on board until Daniel and Alla finish work and we will go out the five of us to show them the sites of Victoria.

Observation:  Not sure if it is this particular short itinerary (although we have done others and not had this) but entertainment events are very sparse.  The Patter is padded with items like what show is shown on the Mutts, in cabin TV and Spa events.  For example - Victoria day afternoon events in the Patter show the following:  noon to 3:15 World Atlas USA; 1:00 Mrs Doubtfire; 2:00 The Revenant; 3:00 Daddy's Home.  And that is it, no other activities during these times, and this is similar to other days.

We head ashore and decide to walk towards town.  It is an easy walk to town.  Flat and about 20-30 minutes.  We walk along the water to Fisherman's Warf and check that out.

Then to the British Columbia Legislature where we go in and show them the stunning building and where our Provincial matters are dealt with.

For lunch we head to Milestones right on the harbor and sit outside.  It is very very hot out and it feels great but I did get a sunburn.  Should of worn sunscreen.  

just a little Sangria for Alla and I

Cold drinks, good food, and great friends - who could ask for anything more.

Since this is Alla and Alice's first visit to Victoria we have to get them to try some essential Canadian items.  A Beaver Tail!  There is a little restaurant just off Government Street the specializes in Beaver Tails.  We got the regular one that I grew up with.  Just butter with cinnamon and sugar on it. We all shared the one.  Yum, just as I remember it from my childhood. 

Around 3:30 we start making our way back as Alla has to get back to work.  Daniel had to leave earlier as he has to do the Afternoon Tea service.

Bernie and I try to nap but there is a lot of noise coming from the hallways with people coming back from being ashore, and those going up for dinner.

Tonight is the last night with Daniel and Alla.  We are sad, but we are so happy that we got to spend some time with them.

the Curtis Stone Chicken and Leek Pot pie - very good

We are in bed just after 11 pm - we sail at midnight and we are ready to get off tomorrow.

Day At Sea - Ruby Princess Repo

Oh I love these new beds and linens!  What an improvement.  I slept like a baby.  

There is the fitted sheet, a top sheet, then the duvet that has a cover on it and an envelope-type pocket at the top that the duvet goes in to.  It works but the duvet often comes out of the pocket.  It needs something to keep it in place, like ties or buttons.

A Canadian Customs form has been delivered to all the cabins.  Everyone needs to fill out the form before we arrive in Victoria.  We are to leave it in our cabin for our steward to retrieve.

We are up early enough to head to the dining room for breakfast.  Breakfast in the dining room is so much more civilized and we arrive just after 8.  The place fills up soon after we take a seat.  Our waiter gets slammed!  I feel bad for him.

Because of this breakfast took a long time - about an hour. But we are on vacation and enjoyed the time.  We got the fresh squeezed orange juice (including in the all inclusive drink package).

After breakfast we head to the Atrium to read.  The place is busy.  It is still relatively early and many come to the International Cafe for a quick breakfast.

We tried to reserve a future cruise deposit thru the Princess At Sea App but you can only get it in the currency you booked the cruise in.  So since we booked in Canadian Dollar we would have to get the deposit in Canadian.  We prefer to get a US Future Cruise Deposit, so we fill out the paper form and drop it in the box.  An email confirmation arrives the day - very efficient.

So what are our plans today!  Well not much!  But we have been invited to the bridge today.  Always a treat and we have never been on the Ruby's bridge.  

While on the bridge we saw a large pod of dolphins, jumping and playing right below us.  Of course I tried to get a shot but the camera on the phone just won't cut it.

Because we have the drink package we get a drink -- notice the theme.  Moscow Mule for me. 

It is 12:30 so we head for lunch but oh my the line to get into the dining room on deck 6 snakes all the way to the Purser's Desk.  Seems the dining room is full.  So we head to the Horizon Court.  

It is busy but not too bad.  Seems many haven't figure out the buffet yet.  No long lines but many items are running out.  Then to try and find a seat is hard, but we join another couple.

After a nice lunch we find a seat in Crooners to read and relax.  Life is good.

Well since we are so stressed - NOT - a nap is in order.  We crawl into the very comfortable bed and we are out!  We slept for over an hour.  Guess we needed it.

Shower, dress for dinner and drinks in Adagio is just what we need.  It is actually kind of busy up here.  I don't think I have ever seen it this busy - there are around 50 people here!  Share restaurant is right next door and since the large Corporate group is dining at all the specialty restaurants many here are heading that way soon.

I get a Sidecar Martini and of course a plate of olives.  It is perfect.

We make our way to the Atrium.  They are doing a champagne waterfall.  They are pouring the champagne and taking the pictures but there is no Captain's Welcome Aboard presentation though.

It is busy, packed actually - noisy too - and ship feels FULL.

Dinner is back in Daniel and Alla's section.  His section is full and they are busy.

We start with an appetizer.  Bernie gets the pate and loves it.  I had the crab and artichoke dip, which was good but found personally thin and runny.

I really wanted the Parmesan bowl with the Fettucini.  Sadly no parmesan bowl I am told.  Daniel apologizes and says they haven't done a bowl for a few sailings and isn't sure why.

My entree request was the Curtis Stone pork dish.  But I later saw the dish at the table beside us and it is way too fatty and change my request to the Pad Thai entree which was excellent.

No dessert for us.  We order 2 Sicilian Kiss drinks.  But when we get them we see it is not made the the liquerus we usually get.  Guess now with Sabatinis gone - this was a featured drink there - some bartenders don't know it.  But it tastes good so we keep it.   Daniel brings us a lovely cheese plate - not the usual menu cheese plate but a large plate with fruit, cheese, crackers - yummy.

We surprise Daniel with a Chubaka mask - he loves Chubaka! Plus it is May the 4 - aka - May the force.

Oh I forgot to mention we ran into Dana (the F&B Director). She is shocked to see us.  We catch up with her.  We find out she is now married!  How exciting. She looks great and seems very happy.  We make plans for tomorrow to catch up.

Around 10 pm we are both full and we wander the ship. The comedian is on, but we have seen him before. Rootberry is performing but we've seen them many times too. Hmm maybe we need to change lines to see some new acts.

The buffet theme tonight is the German theme.

They are also doing a Chef's Table tonight - might be for the Corporate group.

The Salty Dog Pub is packed too.

My favorite scene today was a family of vie playing Monopoly out by Explorers Lounge.  How often do families get to spend time together like this.

There is no Zumba. In fact there is much fewer daytime activities.

First Evening on Board Ruby

Start with Wine in Vines

After a busy day and afternoon full of many activities we quickly wash up and dress for dinner for 7:45 in Da Vinci dining room.  We know that this dining room has traditional first seating at 5:30 and then it opens up to Anytime Dining at 7:30.  

We pop by the dining room on deck 5 and it is almost a riot type atmosphere.  With a combination of a few large groups (lots of families), some very large groups (the head honchos from Carnival Corp. Including Jan Schwartz - a group of around 300) and a lot of newer cruisers this is the first encounter of unhappy travellers.

The hostess announces that Da Vinci has just opened to Anytime Diners.  And after a few minutes the line dissipates.  

We are directed to our table in Daniel Guevara's section right in the back... I am crouched down behind the Head Waiter leading us and when I appear in front of Daniel he is totally shocked. Totally Shocked!  

He is almost speachless.  We get to meet his wonderful assistant Alla, and right away we embrace her as part of our Princess Family.

It is perfect timing for Daniel as he had a really hard last cruise, he had even posted on Facebook how much he was missing his family too.  So we are glad we were able to be there for him.  We loved that he introduced us to around ten other waiters near him as his Canadian Family.  Even his other two tables who were obviously wondering "who the heck are these people" Daniel told them about us and how many times we have sailed together.

my pork dish

seafood stew

we shared the dessert but only a few bites

For dinner we kept it simple.  I had the pork dish, which was just okay, but Bernie had the Curtis Stone offering of Seafood Stew which Bernie raved about.  Note:  On the Royal there were three Curtis Stone dishes each night.  The same three dishes every day.  On the Ruby it changed nightly and only one dish was offered. 

played a trick on Alla

We gave Daniel a Canadian t-shirt and card and he got all emotional.  Ahhh we love him. 

After dinner we went to bed.  We were tired and it was a long day.

We are number four most travelled passengers on this voyage.  Because of the shorter itinerary we are given a letter stating that in lieu of a Most Travelled Luncheon/Cocktail Party we can have a free dinner for two at either the Crown Grill, Crab Shack or Salty Dog. However when we call the reservation line we are told all the specialty restaurants have been prebooked because of the large Corporate group.  The only time we can take is 9 pm which we decline.  We considered bringing this issue up with the Captain Circle Host and or Customer Service Director but we figured we would just ignore as we are disappointed but we will survive.


My observations so far on the Ruby Princess.

• Crown Grill has gone up in price from $25 to $29
• Crab Shack has gone up for $20 to $29
• The Ruby has the new bedding, and so far I have to say it sure looks comfortable and we no longer have to ask for a top sheet as there is one there already then the duvet duvet then the duvet cover.
• This four day voyage is not offering the buy one get one for a dollar.
• All Captain Circle members got a free drink coupon in lieu of a Captain Circle Party.
• Great demographics on the ship.  Lots of younger couples, families of multi generations, children, and lots of newer cruisers too.
• The Captain is Craig Street.  We have sailed with him a few times and remember when he had gotten moved up to Captain on the Star.  Our friends Bruce and Sharon know him well.
• Maitre D'Hotel is Silvio Zampleri.  We ran into Silvio on deck 5 as we made our way to the dining room.  Hugs, kisses and then taken by the had to our dining room.  Oh what a joy to see him again.  We of course had some Purdy's chocolates for him.  But he is from Abbotsford British Columbia so he knows Purdy's very well.  Trust me he was run off his feet this voyage with all the Corporate Executives on board.
• Dana Ionescu is the Food and Beverage Director.  We hope to catch up with her too.  We originally met her on the Caribbean Princess a few years ago.  She was Customer Services Director then.  I am proud to see she is F&B now and being put in charge of another department.  I am sure her next step will be Hotel General Manager.
• The 4 day is doing the Voice of the Ocean.  I am surprised and not sure if they will do the actual end show or not.
• Production shows this trip are:  Colours of the World, Magic to Do.  Comedian Steve Caouette.
• Team Rootberry, a great duo that I have enjoyed many times and even have a video on my Youtube channel.  Click her to view. 

Well we certainly got our monies worth with the drink package today.  We are not drunk, but we are feeling good. We are trying to drink lots of water too.  Oh and it helped me crash after a long day.