Ruby Princess Cruise to Hawaii
Our balcony cabin
We got a last minute surprise upgrade to a balcony cabin. I’m not sure the reason, but perhaps because we are at the Platinum level of their frequent cruisers program (Captain’s Circle). This is cruise number 14 for us with Princess. We need one more to reach the top level. At the Platinum level we get free internet, but at the Elite level we will also get FREE laundry. Tim is very excited about getting that perk 😀.
Departing from San Pedro harbor
After our safety drill and a late departure, we headed off to dinner. We had wanted assigned time dining but got anytime dining. Not wanting to wait in a line to be seated, we chose the Horizon Court buffet. During dinner, over the shipboard intercom we heard an announcement of medical emergency in the DaVinci Dining room. An hour later the Captain let us know we had turned around and headed back to port to meet a coastguard ship to transfer the sick person for urgent medical attention. Thankfully we were still close enough to L.A. I’m certainly hoping they had a good outcome.
Horizon Court buffet
The ship then turned around and once again headed toward Hawaii.
We love meeting new people on our trips. Joining us at breakfast Monday morning, Rod and Alice have been dating for 6 years. She was smartly dressed, full make-up, hair freshly styled and eyebrows penciled neatly. Of course traveling was a natural topic, which lead to favorite destinations, which lead to our bucket lists. Alice had just recently completed her list by going up in the Goodyear blimp last October. She is a very spry 93 and full of spunk. She went skydiving at 89… Oh yeah, she also recently went zip lining in Costa Rica. She was all suited up and ready to go, but they did talk her out of bungie jumping. Wow, she puts most of our much younger friends to shame!
By the way, her boyfriend, Rod is a younger man at only 92. He was the youngest ever Latin aviator admitted into the Navy and enjoyed a long and successful career with Beechcraft out of the Van Nuys airport.
Miles and miles and days and days of open sea
We have nine whole days on this cruise that are AT SEA – four+ between Los Angeles and then another five from Mauai to Encenada, Mexico. That may sound crazy boring to some of you, but for me, I am in heaven. There are many options to entertain you, educate you, pamper you, or feed you. But for me, simply relaxing, reading and catching up on some much needed sleep has been my ticket to happiness.
Here are just some of the on board options you can choose from on the Los Angeles to Hilo portion…
Watch a movie (some examples of what was shown):
Avatar
The Devil Wears Prada
The Intern
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Avengers
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Bridge of Spies
Get healthier:
Take a Zumba class
Acupuncture seminar: Pain management
Fitness seminars: Secrets to a flatter stomach, relieving back pain, walking in comfort, Detox for health and weight loss, Non Surgical Facelift, How to increase your metabolism
Reflexology seminar
Just one of several swimming pools
Get social:
Play bridge
Dr. Bob & Bill W meeting
Bible study
Veterans & military get together
Arts and Crafts:
Knitters and Natters get-together
Origami
Journal Making
Attend an Art auction or future cruise presentation.
Enjoy a freshly prepared pizza
Enrichment lectures:
DNA to solve murder cases
Gentle giants of the Pacific – Humpback whales
Marilyn Monroe
Islands in the sea – Hot Spot Volcanos
Robert Kennedy
Hawaii’s Customs and Traditions
Go to a Port Lecture
Learn how to:
Play the Ukulele
Dance to hula, waltz, Cha Cha, Merengue or line dance
String a lei
Take better photos
Sports at sea:
Table tennis
Pickleball
Paddle tennis
Basketball shootout
Golf putting
Dart Challenge
Find a quiet lounge to relax or have a drink in one of many bars
Get challenged:
Trivia Challenge
Baggo Challenge
Daily quiz and Sudoku
Card & Board games
Horse racing
Name that tune
Shop, shop, shop:
Art auctions
Tanzanite
Diamonds
Pearls
Watches
Clothing
Central Plaza
Listen to musical performances
Wine or Vodka tasting
Play Bingo
Spa treatments:
Facial
Massage
Hair treatments
Mani/pedi
Ionithermie body treatment
Gamble in the casino:
Texas Hold’Em, Black Jack, Craps, Slot machines and more…
Choose from several optional restaurants for dinner
Evening Showtime:
From big productions to comedians to ventriloquists to dancers
Eat, eat, eat and then eat some more
From sit down meals, to gigantic buffets, afternoon tea, pizzeria, ice cream bar, Burger grill, room service, or specialty restaurant.
And of course, wine, beer or cocktails are available at 10 or more bars around the shop.
Gratitude Moment: Today I am grateful to be able to soak up some lovely relaxation time. I’m half way through my second book, have watched some hilarious (and old) Love Boat reruns, and currently glancing at an epic Magnum P.I. episode where Tom Selleck looks to be about 30 years old. I’m glad to be old enough to remember the original versions of both and be able to laugh at how things have changed since then.
A Note From Abroad 
“At Sea” days are our favorite. We love all of the activities!
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Hi Emily, I’m glad I’m not the only one who loves at sea days. Aren’t they relaxing!
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Very much so! Our next one has 3 days at sea. Looking forward to the shows and spa time 🙂
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I like this. You can go from a Vodka tasting to one of Bill W’s meetings. 🙂 You did say something interesting. Are there actually photography instructors on board?
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Ray, you gave me a great laugh imagining one going from Vodka tasting to Bill W meetings, but yes, I bet that does happen. And yes, we have been able to take photography lessons on several cruises. The classes are usually very well attended. The information is fairly basic, but can be a wonderful introduction or refresher. Our last cruise the classes were split up over three days and covered how to use the settings, explanation of photography terms, rule of thirds, shooting scenery, basic composition, lighting, etc. I always enjoy picking up a tidbit or two.
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We try to pick cruises that maximize ‘at sea’ days as they are also our favorite. We’re self-proclaimed cabin hermits and spend most of the time sitting on the balcony reading and sleeping. The main reason we love to cruise – down time and rest.
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Tom, I’m feeling a bit like a slug, but truly enjoying all the relaxing. I like your term “cabin hermit” 🤗
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That’s a Royal Moving Palace on the Sea bed. You guys are rockin’! Have great time guys! 🙂
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No complaints here!
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Sounds like heaven!
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Yep, definitely enjoying being spoiled.
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I love sea days. Sleeping in, coffee and fruit plate delivered to my room, heading to the gym, a lecture, a game of mahjongg or Trivia. It’s all good. Once we establish a routine for sea days, we find that we run into the same groups of people, which makes the day even more fun.
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I agree that having some familiar faces to interact with throughout the trip really does make it more enjoyable. I like your suggestion of having a bit of a daily routine which would increase your odds of seeing the same people.
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That cruise looks just superb and so much to do too! I hope you both enjoy the peace and relaxation you are after.
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Fatima, we are making good use of this time to relax and get rejuvenated. Just what we needed.
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Blimey! You certainly won’t be bored 🙂 I could do with some of those fitness tips like getting a flatter stomach and sorting out my bad back. But how do you just not spend the whole day eating???
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Clara, I am not the one to answer that question, lol! I seem to waddle from meal to meal…
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Heh heh heh, do they still have running tracks round the boat? Incidentally, my mum is shortly due to undertake a 2-3 week sea voyage….as a passenger on a cargo ship! I think it will be a very different experience from yours, she isn’t sure if there will even be a pool (if there is it will be a small one) or wifi, and definitely no buffets….
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No running track on this ship. I am curious to learn more about cargo ship travel. I don’t know anyone who has taken one. It sounds like one could do a lot of reading and relaxing.
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Reading, relaxing, staring out to sea… Don’t think there is much else to do 🙂
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Great pictures….it seemed like no one was around. I always think a cruise will be filled to the rim with people, slowly moving shoulder to shoulder. How did you get such empty pictures?
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