Evening of Second Sea Day

One thing I love about the Royal is the On Demand TV system. It gives us the chance to watch a movie and then stop it and start right back where you left off.  So that is what we did in the afternoon. Watched a movie - I know, I am on a cruise but for us that is relaxing and it is not something we get to do at home very often.

The Princess Cruise Lover's group had a slot tournament that was a $15 buy in and was very well attended. In the end we walked away with $7 each so not too bad and nice to meet up with others.

We got the Enclave for this cruise.  Bernie and I really enjoy the spa atmosphere and the whole experience, it truley relaxes us and it is just what we need to come back new. Bernie went this afternoon and since his shoulder has been acting up he took advantage of the hot jets to ease the tension and the steam rooms to assist with the muscle aches.

We also went to the BOGO event in Crooners from 3 to 4. As I approached the bar they have a cornered off area where passengers can line up and order and pick up drinks. Sort of like at Starbucks but with alchol.  

While I was waiting for my drinks to arrive this older gentleman approaches and looks around and asks the lovely bar steward "is this where they sell the t-shirts"?  He was serious!  The steward looks confused and asks him to repeat himself, yup he thinks they sell t-shirts here. She patiently responds "sir this is a bar" and points him over to the shops so he can get a t-shirt.  Oh my the crew here are so patient.

So after two Captain Bounty's we are feeling good and back to the cabin and rest (cause gee cruising is exhausting) until we dress for dinner.

But we really want to see comedian Robbie Printz who won Entertainer of the Year with Princess this year.  Amazingly I don't think we have ever seen him.  We head to the 6:30 showing and laugh our heads off.  He is very good and I can see why he won.

When we exit the theater the Atrium is hoping and the Captain's Welcome Aboard Party is just starting at 7:15.  They are doing it a bit different here now, before they would do the champagne waterfall first at 7:15 and then around 7:45 they would do the officer introductions. Now they did the introductions first then the champagne waterfall.

We get a coveted seat in Vines (it is busy) and enjoy some wine until MIchael and his family and Dylan come in and we all take seats at the Stammisch table. 

While sitting there this woman approaches and asks "I am curious what is the name of the Captain's Little Brown Dog that he mentions in the Princess Patter?"  Ahhh we don't know we respond.  That was kind of weird and certainly not something I would ask if I was starting up a conversation.  We should of just made up a name.  Spot - yeah that sounds good.

At 8 we make it to Crown Grill for our reservation. Our waiter and assistant there are amazing.  Love that the Crown Grill here actually has assistants, for some reason it is not that common on other ships and it really shows.  But again we find the Royal shines and is really the benchmark of how other ships in the fleet should be run.

I start with the spinach/goat cheese with beet salad.  French onion soup and then the filet mignon for my entree served with potato, mushrooms and asparagus.  All was great but I will say that the steak was not up to the "normal" standard I am use to in the Crown Grill.  But everything else was amazing.

While dining Maitre D' Silvio pops by and we quickly share a glass of champagne with him - poor guy is running all over the ship but he does such a great job on board. He comments that we are doing the Super Tuscan Dinner and we say YES we are excited.

Michael, his wife and son and Dylan stop by and we all toast with a glass of champagne.  

It is now just after ten pm and we are full - but not crazy stuffed -

that we have to undo the top button stuffed - we were good.  We wander around and Bernie says hey I haven't had my Bugsy so off to Crooners and a Bugsy.

We run into Timothy and Chelsea on the way back to the cabin and chat for awhile with them.  So cute how so many recognize Timothy from the Cruise Show and want pictures - bettter get mine in too.

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.