Cruise Summary

Thinking back at twenty days aboard the Ruby Princess made us just want to stay on. The two new ports of Bonair and Antigua were nice for us and we enjoyed ourselves at both of them. The Ruby Princess is a beautiful ship with exciting new production shows. We especially enjoyed "Once Upon A Dream" that was a multi-media presentation. As usual the food was excellent, of course always liking some dishes more than others. We love the International cafe on Deck 5 with its bakery and coffee shop and street entertainers. As always we met wonderful people. Our experience on the Cruise Connection (the bus that took us to and from the port) was great going down, but because of a bad driver that had to be replaced on the way back that delayed us for almost three hours was not so good. Better safe than sorry. We will probably take the bus again if it is merited. Our next cruise, not booked yet, but will surely book one soon.

Antigua

Finally we got into Antigua, this spring when we were suppose to dock here the wind was too high for us to dock.  This time we got in and now it was easy to see why we couldn’t last spring,  the entrance is extremely narrow and with a cross wind it would be nearly impossible to safely navigate the ship in.  We finally made it and were extremely impressed with the beauty of the island.  We took an island tour that eventually got us the Nelson Dockyard, the oldest dockyard in the world still working.  The harbor was beautiful, the old buildings intriguing, and the rum punch exceptional.  We even talked about using our timeshare here if the air flight was not too high.  Now two days at sea, and both sadly and happy to be home.  Sadly because we love cruising and happy because we will see our friends. 

St Lucia

Today we had a wonderful day in St Lucia.  We took an island tour that gave us a good view of most of the island.  We had a great tour guide that gave us great information on not only St Lucia, but the other islands in the area.  We tried some banana catsup, some rum punch and got some great views from the top of the hills.  The island is real clean and we were impressed.  Our last stop was at a surgeons home which also was a bed and breakfast.  The house which was beautiful overlooked the bay where our ship was docked.  I could spend a few days at the place for sure.   Tomorrow, Antigua and our first time there.

Barbados

Well, today we did something we don’t normally do, we went to Malibu Beach.  Actually it was a very nice beach, with beach chairs, in our case under a big almond tree which kept the sun off of us all day.   The water was deep blue with a wonderful sandy beach,  along with a rum cocktail the day went well.  Of course lots of football, yea Vikings!!  Another milestone was reached tonight aboard the Ruby Princess, Judy finished a book completely on one cruise.  It was a Sue Grafton book and it must have been good.  Usually she starts one on one cruise then finishes it on the next two or three.  Tomorrow, St Lucia where we have an early tour booked.

St Kitts

The landscape in St Kitts is more like a Polynesian Island than the other islands of the Carib.  We had originally thought we would try and catch the ferry to Nevis, but my back was still acting up so Judy went into port by herself and did some shopping.  While she was there, she was told that the ferry was not completely reliable with their schedule, so we were probably better off not going anyway.  Judy won trivia today while I napped. 
We were up by the pool reading today for a couple of hours and we were both amazed at both the men and women that must not look in the mirror before they go out in public.  Tomorrow, Barbados and a trip to the beach.

St Thomas for the second time

Another day in St Thomas within the last ten days,  but this time it was black Friday and we got great deals on liquor, so we have a package coming home and the liquor cabinet will be restocked.  We didn't stay long in town and when we got back to the ship, a little reading, a little nap on the sun deck for both of us, lots of trivia, no wins, but not embarrassing ourselves either.  Tomorrow, St Kitts, where we are going to take a boat ride to Nevis on our own, if we can find the right place.  As always we are enjoying the shipboard life.

Thanksgiving and Football

The ships atrium was all decorated with Thanksgiving carvings and turkeys.  It was actually a good day at sea with trivia, (we haven’t won yet) lots of food and great entertainment and football.  It is always fun to see football on the big screen.   Tonight was another great stage production show, called Broadway Ballroom, with some great songs and fabulous dancing.  The choreography, set and costumes were designed by a choreographer from the TV show, “So you think you can dance.”   Tomorrow, St Thomas and black Friday.  We have a new folder from a liquor store so our cabinet will get stocked tomorrow.

Princess Cays

This was the day we stopped at Princess’s private Island in the Bahamas.  First it was a beautiful day and Judy and I took the tenders in, we took some pictures, had lunch on the island, then back to the Ruby Princess for Trivia's (no wins so far). We finally got a permanent table and met our table mates from Texas.  I might relay a short story that I forgot on our first segment.  We went to play some music trivia and invited a young couple  (early twenties) and we found out they were from a small town in Minnesota (population 3000) called Blue Earth.  It was where I was born.  Tomorrow,  Thanksgiving, and Football.  Judy and I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.

Another Departure

Tonight was another wonderful departure from
Ft Lauderdale.  As many times as we have sailed out of here, we still get the same exhilaration every time, another adventure lies ahead.  We met up with our neighbors and friends, Bruce and Dorothy who had booked this cruise before we had booked ours, but were happy that we would be able to join them on this one.  Tomorrow will be another visit to Princess Cays and the beach,  Not sure what we are going to do there, but will probably go in to get some pictures.  The sunset tonight was outstanding, and of course Judy got her usual wonderful picture of it.

Transition Day

Well, today is a day that will switch us from one room on carib deck to one on baja.  We can leave the stuff on hangers but we need to empty the drawers and at nine o'clock they will come and move us.  The first ten days of our trip were outstanding, we met some great people both at our dinner table and playing cribbage.  Today neighbors of ours will be boarding and we are looking forward to seeing them.   Tomorrow will be a day at Princess Cays and then onto ST Thomas, but after that all the ports will be different.  St Thomas shopping will include some liquor for ourselves and some friends.