Background

On November 6, 2008 in a "ruby red" themed ceremony celebrating romance, Princess Cruises today named its newest ship, Ruby Princess. America's reigning reality couple, Trista and Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette did the honors, breaking the traditional bottle of champagne to mark the ship's launch, and their own fifth anniversary. The new godparents were surrounded by hundreds of guests decked out in ruby red-tie formal attire, and a ruby-haired singer serenaded the crowd. As befitting the most romantic cruise line, and an event celebrating "romantic moments and milestones," the official naming was followed by the ultimate romantic milestone -- a wedding in the midst of the festivities. The California couple joined in matrimony not only had Trista and Ryan as wedding attendants, but the Love Boat captain himself, Gavin MacLeod, gave away the bride. Tonight the ship hosted a "Ruby Red Tie" gala and set sail on a two-night cruise for hundreds of VIP guests to enjoy a special preview of Princess' newest vessel. During the mini sailing, we were provided with an array of romantic activities, including a massive renewal of vows for all couples while the ship is at sea. Ruby Princess will return to Port Everglades for its inaugural seven-day sailing to the Western Caribbean.

Princess Cruises Christened Their  Newest Ship, Ruby Princess Befitting the "Most Romantic Cruise Line," Reigning Reality Couple Trista and Ryan Sutter of "The Bachelorette" Christen Ship to Celebrate Their Fifth Wedding Anniversary.

"It's only fitting that as the most romantic cruise line in the industry, we celebrate the naming of our newest ship with a tribute to romantic milestones,'" said Alan Buckelew, Princess Cruises president and chief executive officer. "It was exciting to have Trista and Ryan Sutter serve as godparents of Ruby Princess and of course the wedding during the ceremony added an appropriate touch to the festivities."

Princess Cruises has long been associated with romance on the high seas, dating back to its days as the setting for the now-iconic TV show The Love Boat. Cementing that connection, Princess was just named the "Best Cruise Line for Romance" and "Best Cruise Line for Weddings" in the 2008 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards. The Ruby Princess naming ceremony continued the line's tradition of romance with godparents Trista and Ryan, who were introduced to America in 2003 on the television hit The Bachelorette.

Trista and Ryan Sutter became America's reigning romantic couple as millions of viewers followed their courtship and witnessed their nationally televised wedding. To this day they are the only couple from the Bachelor or The Bachelorette shows to actually get married. The ceremony fulfilled the dream of yet another couple as Kip Hickman and Danielle Vurpillat tied the knot as part of the ship's naming ceremony. The couple, from Dunsmuir, Calif., met on a blind date and expressed their desire to be married onboard Ruby Princess during a recent contest held with national newspaper, USA Today. The minister who officiated the nuptials, Phil Roberts, is also a member of Princess Cruises' Department of Romance.  

The 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing line-up of street performers. Passengers will also enjoy Princess' other array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini's Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill steak house, plus a relaxing oasis just for adults called The Sanctuary.

The new ship also offers the many other innovations that define the Princess experience, including the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, Personal Choice Dining featuring traditional or Anytime seating, multiple entertainment venues, a relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa with fitness center, an extensive children and teen's center, and a wedding chapel.

During Ruby Princess' inaugural season she will make seven-day weekly sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean. Calls include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico and Princess Cays in the Bahamas. Next spring the ship will move to Europe for 12-day sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek Islands.

First Look

Nice Touches

A number of new service touches were introduced to the delight of passengers. In the Horizon Court buffet, new waffle stations offer fresh cooked-to-order waffles at breakfast and throughout lunchtime, and the buffet served complimentary lemonade as a beverage choice. In the evening, guests found a selection of canapes in several of the ship's public lounges. Passengers arriving back from shore were greeted with chilled face cloths, and by the pool, "misting stewards" will offer a quick refreshing spritz with Evian to cool off. .

Dining

There are three main dining rooms on Ruby Princess: Botticelli, for early and late sitting dining; Michelangelo and Da Vinci for anytime dining. This allows you to dine when you want between 5:30 and 9:30pm and at a table alone or with other guests. Da Vinci is also open for wait service breakfast and lunch each day.

The Horizon Court and Cafe Caribe are self-service outlets. Each is open 24 hours.

Princess' speciality restaurant Crown Grill specialising in steaks, fish and seafood. It will cost you $25 per person to dine there. Sabatini's offers an Italian multi-course dinner featuring appetisers, pizza, soups, salads and desserts and it will cost you $20 per person.

You should sample either restaurant once during your cruise, it should be a great experience.

If you like British pub-style food, visit the Wheelhouse Bar on sea days, when the room is transformed into an authentic English-style pub, serving a selection of traditional fare. A menu of British favorites, including bangers & mash, fish & chips, ploughman's lunch  ( bread, ham, cheese and a pickle )and cottage pie, complement a selection of traditional pub brews such as Stella Artois, Bass Ale or Guinness.

Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing line-up of street performers. At the International Cafe you can have breakfast, lunch and evening snacks.  Pastries and salads, are free; but tapas cost $4.00.

Visit the Vines wine and seafood bar. In addition to serving more than 30 wines by the glass and seafood appetizers that have made Vines a passenger favorite, the atrium-area bar on Ruby Princess features a selection of domestic and imported artisan cheeses. Twelve varieties -- including unique choices such as boschetto al tartufo bianchetto, reblochon, and cambozola -- will be featured each day for a nominal fee. Vines will also host a series of lively events where passengers can meet members of the ship's staff, and will continue to offer wine flights and parings. 3 choices for $3.

For Prices ranging from $50 and $75 per person, you can indulge in some unique "private" dining experiences. The Chef's Table, which takes you on a tour of the ship's galley during dinner service, including a five-course dinner, paired with wine and dessert. All personally looked after by with the executive chef.  

Or for a more intimate affair, try balcony dining featuring a four course meal including Champagne, served by your personal wait staff.

Suite passengers aboard Ruby Princess have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive breakfast in Sabatini's. Beginning with a "Good Morning Mimosa," the menu features a variety of breakfast favorites, plus specialty items such as brioche French toast with apple & cinnamon compote, yogurt and super granola parfait with raspberry swirl, soft-poached egg over potato & vegetables with hollandaise sauce, and freshly made Belgian waffles. Suite passengers can enjoy this new amenity, along with the restaurant's dramatic top-of-ship views, from  7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Accommodations

Princess staterooms are comfortable. Accommodating 3,070 passengers. Nearly 900 staterooms have private balconies (80 percent of all outside cabins) 

Mini-suites have a separate sitting area. Sofas can be made into double beds, so these make good family rooms. The staterooms on Deck 10 have larger balconies, as well as do the suites and penthouses.

There are inside and oceanview staterooms

All rooms have flat-screen TV's, hairdryers, safes, mini-bars and 24-hour room service. In penthouses, mini-bars are stocked with water, beer, soda and a selection of spirits. 

The initial stock is complimentary, restocks cost you.

Let's look at the accommodation choices....

	Suite With Balcony Far more spacious than a mini-suite, a suite includes all the deluxe amenities of a mini-suite, plus these premiums: luxury teak balcony furniture, deluxe canapés, fresh flowers, DVD/CD player, free access to a DVD library, one complimentary mini-bar setup, a roomy walk-in closet, upgraded bathroom amenities, complimentary use of the Lotus Spa Thermal Suite, laundry and dry cleaning services, and web access in the Internet Café. Approximately 461 to 687 square feet, including balcony. Family Suite Each suite is actually two self-contained staterooms interconnecting through a large living room which leads to an oversized private balcony. Each suite sleeps up to eight people.
	Mini-Suite With Balcony A mini-suite with balcony is substantially larger than a balcony stateroom. Accommodations include two twin beds that make up into a queen-size bed. A separate sitting area features a sofa bed and desk for lounging, entertaining or writing. Other amenities include a welcome glass of champagne, two televisions, a refrigerator and a walk-in closet. Full bath includes a combined tub and massage shower head. Approximately 323 square feet, including balcony.
	Oceanview With Balcony* This  stateroom offers the romance of a balcony. It offers all the amenities of a standard oceanview stateroom, plus a spacious closet and desk. Approximately 233 to 285 square feet, including balcony.
	Oceanview Oceanview staterooms includes all the amenities of an interior stateroom plus feature a picture window, providing added ambience and memorable views. (categories E-G have obstructed views). Approximately 158 to 181 square feet of space.
	Interior With Two Lower Beds Interior stateroom offer great value, if you don't mind not having a window. IInterior staterooms features two twin beds that make up into a queen-size bed. Other amenities include a refrigerator, television, closet and bathroom with shower. Approximately 160 square feet of space.

The Sanctuary The Sanctuary offers a relaxing alternative to the myriad outdoor activities and entertainment available elsewhere throughout the ship. Solitude seekers will be able to escape completely to this plush, outdoor spa-inspired setting with signature beverages, light meals, massages, attentive service and relaxing personal entertainment.

There is always a "learning curve" when the crew deal with guests for the very first time. As time goes by the crew of the Ruby Princess will rise to the occasion and provide the exemplary service we know made Princess one of the best cruise lines around. For their first sailing, they were very good, but there is always room for improvement.

Ultimate Ship's Tour

Hi-Tech Features

Expanding on Princess' Internet and phone connectivity, Ruby Princess offers laptop users additional wireless hotspots all around the ship, including staterooms. The ship is also equipped so that guests can use their personal cellular phones, if they have international roaming plans, while onboard.

Kids Love Cruises Too!

Ruby Princess has a huge area devoted for kids and teens. Young guests can enjoy activities and projects from popular arts and crafts company Klutz, or participate in Yoga for Kids, a healthy and fun course designed specifically for children.

Children ages 3 to 7, Princess calls them "Pelicans" have their own room with lots of activity areas, soft beanbag chairs, PlayStations and a large, secure, outdoor deck play space.

8- to 12-year-olds go to Shockwaves, where activities are available all day and into the night, including discos, arts and crafts, Movies under the Stars.( BIG screen on Pool Deck )  

Teenagers have their own room, with table games, computers, makeovers and dating games.

There are also kids yoga classes and the Wizards Academy, an exclusive presentation from the award-winning California Science Center. This enriching new program lets children explore the connection between science and magic in a fun and participative environment.

Sum it up...It's All About Fun and Relaxation.

If you are looking for a relaxed, casual "feel right at home" atmosphere then Ruby Princess is for you. The focus is on service and a glamorous, yet comfortable style. Even though its a large ship, the designers have given the vessel a small ship feel that should appeal to all ages. Families with kids or teens will love it, and couples of all ages should enjoy it. The service and quality of the food, were generally very good.

RUBY PRINCESS

Highlights

Ruby Princess — Princess Cruises newest ship as luminous as her name. You’ll find an array of wonderful onboard attractions — including nearly 900 balcony staterooms, Vines wine and seafood bar, The Sanctuary, Gatsby’s Casino and the Speakeasy cigar lounge. There are enlightening ScholarShip@Sea® classes, four refreshing swimming pools, countless sports and fitness options, and of course, the ever-popular Movies Under the Stars.® And as an added touch, this sparkling new vessel boasts a flat-screen television in every stateroom. Below are some of the features Ruby Princess has to offer:

• Accommodates 3,070 passengers
• Nearly 900 staterooms have private balconies (80 percent of all outside cabins)
• 300 square foot Movies Under the Stars outdoor movie theater
• Dramatic new piazza-style atrium featuring casual dining venues in a street café environment of the atrium -- including an International Café serving a rotating menu throughout the day, and a wine and seafood bar
• Wedding chapel featuring wedding-at-sea program officiated by the ship's captain
• Dedicated conference center/meeting rooms
• World-class art collection, gallery and auctions
• Nine-hole putting course and golf simulator and two digital golf simulators
• Five pools - including a swim-against-the-current lap pool. All pools are fresh-water.
• Sports court and jogging track
• Asian-themed Lotus spa® with ocean-view gym
• Three main dining rooms(one traditional, two anytime)
• Caribbean-themed Café Caribe featuring local specialties
• Two specialty restaurants – an expanded Sabatini’s Italian restaurant and the new Crown Grill (steak & seafood)
• Outdoor hamburger and hot dog grill, pizzeria and ice cream bar
• Extensive buffet and bistro, plus round-the-clock room service
• A wide variety of bars and lounges, including a cigar lounge
• An arcade of duty-free shops
• One of the largest casinos afloat
• Expansive youth and teen centers
• 24-hour Internet Café
• Skywalkers nightclub and observation lounge featuring commanding views over the aft of the ship
• Easy wheelchair access staterooms and most public areas

The Ultimate Ship Tour - Details

The Ultimate Ship Tour lasts approximately three hours, and is offered once or twice per cruise on a sea day. Space is limited for the tour, costs $150 per person, and can be only reserved onboard at the Passenger Services Desk. Following its debut aboard Ruby Princess, the program will be introduced aboard all Princess ships.

The tour features:

Back Stage Area – Passengers start the tour with a glimpse behind the glitz in the Princess Theater, home to Princess’ stage productions. They’ll meet the cast and production staff, who will show them all that goes into making sure the show goes on night after night – including costumes and dressing areas, scenery and technical operations such as lighting and sound.

Galley and Food Production Areas – In the galley, guests will meet the executive chef, learn about the process of providing thousands of passengers meals each day, and see the inner workings of the ship’s kitchen areas while enjoying a glass of French Champagne, caviar and canapés. In addition, passengers will get a peek into some of Ruby Princess’ vast food storage and production areas, each specially equipped and temperature-controlled for a specific type of food. Each guest will also be presented with an official chef’s jacket or cookbook.

Engine Control Room – At the center of the vessel’s mechanical and electrical systems, the engine control room is where the ship’s technical team monitors everything from the operation of the ship’s propellers to the water supply in each stateroom. Participants will meet the chief technical offer and his staff who will explain the numerous functions overseen by the control room, including the vast amount of power generated to operate Ruby Princess.

Print Shop – Passengers will see where their daily Princess Patter, among other things, is produced. The ship’s printer will meet the group and demonstrate the printing equipment and explain which materials passengers see each day are printed right onboard Ruby Princess. To mark their visit, each passenger will receive their own set of personalized stationery.

Photo Laboratory – Princess was the first cruise line to go completely digital, and each ship operates a full photo lab with the latest in digital printing equipment. The group will meet the Ruby Princess photo staff and learn how they manage the thousands of pictures taken and printed each day. Participants might even see their own smiling faces print out during their visit.

Medical Center – The ship’s doctor will meet the group to show them the state-of-the-art medical facilities, including treatment rooms, laboratory facilities, intensive care unit, and digital x-ray system. Participants will learn how the ship’s doctors and nurses – all full-time maritime medicine specialists – keep both passengers and crew healthy and handle medical emergencies. They’ll also learn about the most common reasons passengers visit the medical center.

Main Laundry – Ruby Princess’ onboard laundries operate 24 hours a day to wash tons of passenger and crew linens, towels, and clothing – including more than 20,000 towels a day alone. Here visitors will meet the laundry master and will see this impressive operation in action. Participants will also receive a luxurious bath robe usually reserved for suite passengers.

Funnel – The group will then travel to the upper most deck of the ship to join the staff captain for the opportunity to peek inside the ship’s funnel area high atop Ruby Princess, where they will be treated to spectacular views of the ship and the surrounding ocean.

Bridge – The tour concludes at the ship’s command center, where passengers will meet the captain and his bridge team and learn about the state-of-the-art navigational equipment and safety systems aboard Ruby Princess. Passengers will also take in the dramatic front-of-ship views from the bridge’s wraparound windows, while they enjoy special refreshments and pose with the captain at the ship’s wheel for a complimentary photo. The framed photo and a tour completion certificate signed by the captain will later be delivered to each participant’s stateroom.