Ruby Princess
A new jewel in
Princess Cruises' Crown
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Ruby Princess
Atrium Staircase |
by
Linda Coffman
Part Two
Where
the Action Is
If you've sailed on Crown
Princess, Emerald Princess, or even earlier Grand-class ships,
you'll find Ruby Princess easy to navigate. That's because the
layouts are identical, or at least similar, and the public rooms
bear many of the same names and function similarly. To make getting
around easy, repeat after me—public
rooms are on Decks 5, 6, and 7 and most outdoor spaces are on deck
14 and above. It's not quite that uncomplicated, but it's a start.
Inside is where the lounges are located and there are a lot of them, which contributes
to the lack of crowding—passengers
fan out to their favorites. Like old friends, you'll find the
traditional Princess Theater where production shows and other
entertainment is scheduled; the Wheelhouse Bar, a cozy and
clubby room with sailing ship models and nautical memorabilia; and Explorers
Lounge, decorated in Far Eastern fashion and the site to enjoy
cabaret and comedy. Nearby, Crooners serves up designer
martinis from a "Tee Many Martoonis" menu accompanied by a pianist
and Rat Pack vibe. The secondary show lounge, Club Fusion
is a high-tech and high-action venue for interactive
entertainment.
There's continuous action...
Speaking
of action, gentlemen, try your luck in Gatsby's Casino and
then relax in the adjacent Speakeasy Cigar Lounge, while your
sweetheart spends your winnings in one of the nearby boutiques.
Or...
Keep
her away from the shops on board by taking her to the Adagio
Lounge on Deck 16, a relaxing spot for pre- or post-dinner
cocktails. Or head all the way up to Deck 18 to Skywalkers Nightclub,
the disco that still overlooks the ship's wake, but is no longer
located in a "spoiler" high in the sky. You did notice
that, didn't you? Ruby Princess has a much sleeker line with the
disco in its new position, a bit lower and forward. Gone is the "Shopping
Cart" appearance.
For passengers interested in the
behind-the-scenes workings of a cruise ship, and who don't mind
paying $150 for the experience, the “Ultimate Ship Tour” offers the
unique opportunity to explore areas normally off limits to
passengers. Participants also receive a variety of themed mementos at many of the stops
along the three-hour route, which takes in the ship’s engine control
room, medical center, print shop, laundry, photo lab, bridge, and
other spaces typically seen only by the ship’s crew.
Where There's More Action & None At All
Veg out or work out? The Lotus
Spa and fitness center goes to both extremes. Those who choose
the latter will find a swim-against-the-current pool, exercise
machines to get the heart pumping, free weights, and an aerobics
room. Some classes are complimentary, while there's a fee for
others such as yoga, spinning, and pilates. Steam rooms and saunas are
located in changing rooms, but for true relaxation after a work out,
give the thermal suite a try—heated
stone loungers, a gentle sauna, aroma steam, and rain and fog
showers are included in the $20 per day fee (packages are currently priced at
$99 for the entire cruise or $115 for a couple). While complimentary
to full-suite passengers, passes for the thermal suite are limited
to forty per day. The Lotus Spa and
Salon offers treatments and services by Steiner Leisure.
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The
Sanctuary |
For
true adults-only indulgence, look no further than one deck above the
spa in the Sanctuary where peace and tranquility are only a
thickly padded lounge chair away. About three-quarters of the deck
is shaded for comfort and passengers needn't lift a finger after
being greeted by Sanctuary Stewards with a chilled towel. Forgot
your iPod? No problem, MP3 players loaded with soothing sounds (as
well as noise canceling headphones) are available for rent. Servers
circulate offering healthy snacks and beverages (a nominal service charge
applies for food). Cabanas are located at the bow where massages
with a view can be booked through the Spa. A $10 per
half day charge is levied for use of the Sanctuary to insure
the serene atmosphere.
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Acrobatics in The
Piazza |
The Piazza
Like her
sisters ships, the
heart of Ruby Princess is the atrium's Piazza. And why not?
Adjacent is the International Cafe and it's a WiFi hot spot. It's
also
the
perfect place for coffee and a danish in the morning, tapas before
dinner, and to people
watch at any time.
Throughout the day and evening you'll often find
passengers lined up along the overhead railings while a 'street
performer' entertains. You never know who or what you'll see during
these serendipitous interludes. My favorites were Spank, a four-member
acappella duo hop group, and Vitalli & Dani, the hand balancing acrobatic pair pictured here.
Fun
Stuff For Families
No one gets
overlooked on Ruby Princess and the youth and teen areas are as
appealing as the programs' names. Remix (ages 13-17), Shockwaves (ages 8-12),
and Princess Pelicans (ages 3-7) offer age-specific spaces and activities.
Indoors and outside, play areas for younger children are extensive
and teens even have their own
private whirlpool spa.
Not
new, but not to be overlooked is MUTS, Movies Under The Stars—the
giant Times Square style movie screen (pictured here at right) where concerts and movies are
featured at the Calypso Reef Pool. After dark it's kind of like
going to a drive-n movie (remember those?), only without the car or
an admission charge.
Becoming
the "Consumate Host"
The launch of Ruby
Princess completes Princess Cruises' new ship building program
for the immediate future. And, while Princess is always in the design
phase for the next generation of ships, at present they are
concentrating becoming the "Consummate Host" at sea with an emphasis
on a level of service that harkens back to more gracious times. That
was obvious even during our short preview cruise with comfortable
new bedding in the accommodations and the offer of beverage service in
the buffet. During regular cruises passengers can expect to be
offered chilled face cloths to cool off on hot days when returning
from shore, "misting stewards" poolside with spray bottles of Evian
water, and complimentary canapés served in the evening.
Even leaving at the
end of a cruise has become a less painful event on Princess ships.
"Silent Disembarkation" is carried out to ensure a smooth
and comfortable transition ashore. Everyone
is assigned a time to proceed to a public lounge to await clearance;
when the gangway is opened, each group departs their assigned lounge
in order. With no crowding or long lines, the system worked
beautifully on our sailing and we left feeling relaxed, pampered,
and hoping to return soon.
Crown
Princess Fast Stats
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113,561 tons
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951 feet long
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118 feet wide
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Speed 22.5 knots
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3,080 guests,
double occupancy
Back to -->
Ruby
Princess Preview - Part One
Cruise Diva's Ruby Princess Blogs:
Princess
Cruise Reviews
Princess
Cruises - Cruise Line Profile
Photos © Linda Coffman
