RUBY PRINCESS - DECEMBER 8TH

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Conniemc

Guest
I'm VERY confused...:(
In your previous post you wrote "I got a bit defensive when you referred to Princess as a step down from Celebrity. I have not found that to be the case for me"....and then you write "If you are looking for a Celebrity experience on Princess you will be very disappointed"

LOL....
 
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Shifra

Guest
You are correct. I suppose the only way to explain myself is the idea of a "step down" is relevant to our own experiences. For example on Celebrity the food was excellent in the dining room but limited on selections and for some reason for me I always felt tables were too close and things would seem a bit hectic. Princess has much more variety in their menus, food not quite as good as Celebrity, roomy dining rooms with more relaxed atmosphere.

I have lunch & dinner sometimes in the buffet. Celebrity had very limited hours and when they were open had long lines. I find Princess buffet area has much better food & desserts available at all hours. Lines are minimal as long as you understand the layout. Food stations are spread out so you can just go right to that station for what you want. You don't have to wait on a line if all you want is a salad or soup etc.

I suppose I am just putting my foot further in my mouth. :help I guess I just don" like the idea of "step down" because I truly believe they all equal out in the end.

What other lines have you tried other than HAL & Celebrity?
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Other than 10-12 HALS and 12-15 Celebrity, I did RCCL (back when they were still okay, 1999 I think) and (hanging my head in shame) when Carnival first started sailing, I went on the Jubilee back in 86 or so...even then, I found it laughable for quality. Also Home Lines (remember them?), Chandris (before they renamed to Celebrity and were the worst buckets on the sea - AMAZING how they turned that around!!!) QE2....think that's it. I've done a great deal of traveling other than cruises, so I really had to rack my aging brain to come up with those...ha.

For me, quality is about of course the food! ha. But also, the level of sophistication in staff and passengers alike. In any case, I look forward to my first Princess experience. At least I know it's a new ship, so shouldn't be able problems on that end.
 
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Shifra

Guest
Well you certainly are an experienced traveler. With all those cruises under your belt I have no qualms you will be looking at Princess in an objective way. With "only" almost 16 cruises I've been on I know I am always learning something new. I have never been out of the country except years ago I lived in Guam for a bit. My cruises have all been only 7 or 10 dys, all leaving from Fl ports. It's hard for me to get away for any longer and I don't want to spend my vacation days traveling to a cruise port. I live in Fl so I can drive to the ports.

I have been to either eastern/western caribbean so often that I often stay on the ship. Love those quiet port days. I like ships that feel like ships, not resorts. I love being out on the water it's soooo relaxing. Thats what I look for in a cruise is total R & R. For now I am not interested in the mega ships in fact I prefer the smaller ships. My favorite Princess ships are the Sun & Coral so far. I enjoyed the Star Princess which is one of the original grand class ships. I was a bit apprehensive when I booked the CB (Caribbean Princess) but I did enjoy the ship and was easily able to find many quiet areas. I suppose that is one reason I like Princess. Other than embarkation day you would never know there were so many pax on board. Very nice flow.

My older brother swears by Carnival along with other lines, but I have no desire to try it. Not for me. I tried NCL once, probably my least favorite cruise experience, I felt NCL was a bit too freestyle for me. Food was horrible but entertainment was some of the best I've experienced. I try to keep an open mind since I've only been on ncl 1x. So far like Carnival I am not eager to book with them.

Aging Brain? I thought you were a kid! :party
 
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Conniemc

Guest
If you consider 47 a kid! I was a kid on my FIRST cruise at 16....many moons ago.
:baby
We actually have a lot in common. During the 13 years in lived in Jupiter, FL - I only took East/West Caribbean 7-10 days and always stayed on the ship. You seen one island, you seen 'em all. But since moving back to the South Jersey shore, I have been sailing out of the West Coast, East Coast, etc. Did a two week Hawaiian Circle cruise on Infinity out of San Diego a little over a year ago. Was my first two weeker...TOTALLY different experience. Then decided I can ONLY cruise a minimum of two weeks. Ha. :)P) So flew back out and took her repositioning cruise 3 months later out of San Fran for 16 days. Then jumped down to FL 3 months after that for a 12 day Constellation. I wouldn't want to be on a ship longer than 2-3 weeks, but those extra days made such a huge difference. I made lifelong friendships, and had many adventures. I'm not keen on flying anymore (it's gotten so riduculous and tiring) and couldn't find any longer cruise out of FLL (I'm only 15 min from the Atlantic City airport and can be at the FLL terminal in 3 hours)....AND now won't do Celebrity anymore....so, I'm on Ruby for only a week. Also much larger than I prefer. Like yourself, I prefer around 2000 passengers. Less is too boring, more is too mega-ship. And like yourself, I just love being out on the open sea and relaxing and being pampered.
 
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Shifra

Guest
Wow I am so glad this week is over. It has been so hectic for me.........the cruise can't come quick enough. This is the first time in awhile I've gone this long without a cruise and I don't know if I can stand it. It seems cruising and my sanity seem to be connected.

I went back and reread your posts and was reminded you are traveling alone. How nice! That is something I definately would be comfortable doing. Isn't it amazing how short a 7 dayer seems after going on longer cruises. My two 10 day cruises were sooooo good. The last one we did was Panama Canal and I really would like to do that one again. Actually I can't wait for even longer cruises.

Jersey shore, nice. I am originally a south shore Long Island girl, been in FL many years now but I am still a New Yorker and always will be. I am more than ready to leave FL but the housing market here is so bad it's not a good time to sell a house. Feeling kind of stuck right now. dh and I have thought about moving to NC but I hesitate because it's not close to any good ports. My dh thinks I am nuts. He may be right. In some ways I would love to move back to the NE but I don't want the really cold weather, that's why western NC came to mind. They have seasons, sometimes small amounts of snow in winter and of course a fall season. Much better than FL. Not sure why I am here to begin with, I am not a beach person, I don't like the heat and I can't stand palm trees. Guess it must be my karma to live in fl and cruise to the caribbean. I suppose I must be nuts. :S

Did you see the pics of the ruby? I sure hope she is ready on time......
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Well, since they moved her first sailing up to November, I'm sure we'll be fine. Hate to tell ya, but global warming has changed the NE. WHAT COLD WEATHER??? A couple months of needing a coat.....that's it. Eight months at least of gorgeous weather. Of course, being on the ocean, means I get less severe weather than Philly would. Quality of life SO much better up here. I got lucky and sold when the getting was good. I hear ya - Now many people are "stuck" there, including my cousin and her family in Port St. Lousy. I don't know why I stayed for so many years either! Just a Jersey Girl at heart, I think. I know a lot of people who regretting the NC thing....stay there for awhile before you move. Kinda hick (no offense to any NC people - it's just that NE people come from a different "country"). ha.

Too early for me to be excited about the cruise. Still working on getting a brand new company off the ground I began in January and am working 7 days a week. One of the reasons I took almost 2 years "off" to travel....so I could hit the ground running.
 
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Shifra

Guest
You are right about the different country comment. Living in fl so long whenever I meet someone from NY or NJ it feels so comfortable, almost like family. I try to explain to FL crackers who are suspicious of NE'rs we are great.....what you see is what you get, no beating around the bush! I wouldn't want to be from anywhere else. I know what you mean about NC. I think it has to do with where in the state you go. We recently visited the charlotte area and it is quite progressive compared to other states. Did you know NC has more colleges than most other states? That should mean something I would think. You gotta agree it is a beautiful state.

My other problem with western NC is being so far away from water. Sounds silly but all my life I have lived near the water, it seems so natural. I am afraid I will feel a bit claustrophobic being inland. People think I am nuts when I tell them that. On the other hand I am kind of tired of living on flat land, the hills would be a really nice change. As you can see I really am not sure where I will move, but it seems I have time to think about it.

Great that you are starting a business. May I ask what type of business it is?
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Yes, exactly! What you see if what you get. We bond immediately with friends, and they are REAL friends, not just acquaintances, which I had mostly in FL. Nothing nuts about wanting to live near the ocean.=huh Many people will only live near the ocean (like me). I'll PM you on my business.
 
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Shifra

Guest
Good Luck in your endeavor. :D It seems we have another interest in common. 4 legged ones. One of the reasons I moved to fl was my love of horses. Couldn't afford acreage on long island so wound up in the boonies of fl near my folks. I have 2 horses, 2 dogs, 4 indoor cats + barn cats. Every time I cruise it's crazy making sure all are taken good care of. Actually I go nuts. :)P) Day before cruise & day after cruise are so hectic.

I always feel so guilty when the suitcases come out & the furry crew start giving me those sad eyes.

I sure hope we start getting more people joining this roll call. I have been monitoring another roll call board and it seems all the singles on this cruise are talking on that board. I just hope they all stay away from the aft pool deck. On the grand class ships that area is always so quiet & relaxing, no kids which I like. If the singles groups start using it I suppose I'll have to find another place to relax. The only hope I have is usually people who don't know the grand class ships don't discover the aft section until well into the cruise. My fingers are crossed.
 
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Shifra

Guest
Good Morning......sorry to hear your observation on the site I sent you didn't work out. If I were you I would keep checking back, who knows maybe some high energy, ne singles will be coming.

Speaking of singles, my light bulb finally went off. ::eek: Traveling with us are 2 friends of ours Denise & Stu. They are single and cruise with us every year. It works out well because they can share a cabin and save some $$$. Denise is a bit on the wild side, :party and widowed at a young age. She is also originally from NY and living in FL. Stu is divorced and from MA. He is a bit more sedate. =sleep

The other couple traveling with us are my brother his dw, also from NY, now living in NC via FL. Of course then there is my dh & me. =COOL I am looking forward to cruising with my bro, it's been awhile since we cruised together. He & dw have a beautiful timeshare in St Maarten and alternate between cruising & going there. Actually he owes me big time! I had originally booked a 10 day cruise on Emerald but switched to the Ruby so we could cruise together. He owes me a martini........or two!
 
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cocktailsanddreams

Guest
Hi,

Just booked this cruise this last friday. Expensive but worth it as this is the only time I have a full week available.
I am on the Baja deck with a balcony B309. I am doing my first cruise as a slo since my divorec. i am looking forwarded to bewing pamered from beginning to end, I am 42 and enjoy a good cigar in the evening. I hope to make a few friends prior to boarding,
Sincerely,
Daniel
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Hey there Danielle,

Sounds like the perfect sailing for you. Sure you'll have a great time! Some of the singles are hooking up the day before sailing at a nearby hotel, can't remember, check previous posts. For me, I'll be looking for the singles groups once I'm settled in. SEE YA SOON!!! :girly
 
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cruiser43

Guest
I am attending the naming ceremony and the 2 day preview cruise!! I will let you know how she is!! I am sure she is beautiful!!!!
 
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Conniemc

Guest
Hey Shifra, still around??? ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS or so....

My mother passed away yesterday morning....which meant taking the first flight down to FL...cancelling all my business bookings and flying back up tonight...rough couple days.

And I'll be doing the same "trip" again on the 6th....it's going to be my last cruise I think, so I'll say goodbye to some of our favorite haunts for her. She always loved a full moon on the cruise, and we're having one....I'll celebrate in her honor. Sure she'll be with me the whole time.
 
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seagarsmoker

Guest
Connie, sorry to read about the passing of your Mother.
I really like how you are going to say goodbye to your 'favorite haunts' for her.
 
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