Let me explain my cruise history. I have been cruising since 1981. I have about two dozen cruises under my belt. I am a Platinum member with Princess and my husband just became Platinum after our latest cruise seven day cruise that ended today, December 2, 2012. Therefore, I want to give Princess the benefit of the doubt; after all, I love the perks I have being Platinum. I have eight cruises with Princess and he has five.

We chose to go on the Ruby Princess because it is the newest of the Princess ships. We've been on the same Princess itinerary that goes to the Caribbean on the Emerald Princess before so that was not a consideration. However, the ship was a disappointment. Well, I should say, some of the things that happened on the ship were a disappointment. The ship is like all the other Princess ships so it is beautiful and very elegant, in my opinion. We had a balcony room. Our priorities for the trip were food quality and entertainment, especially dancing. If they were great we would have been happy to just stay on the ship.

My husband and I went to the dining room only three nights out of seven. I never had a waiter take away my tea glass and never ask again about refilling it or not bringing me something I asked for. Meanwhile, the food was mediocre and under seasoned. The waiter didn't come by and ask how the food was. It felt like something was going on behind the scenes. They seemed very stressed which is not a pleasant dining experience. I should add that our dinner assignment was 5:30 pm which we agreed to in order to get a separate table for two. So, you see, we were the very first persons in the dining room in the evening. They should not have been so stressed. Read more