After a disappointing cruise on the Royal Princess, it was great to be on the Grand Class ship again. The Ruby and her sisters, Diamond and Sapphire, are very nice. Showing some age with broken automatic sliding doors and faded wood outside are minor issues. The crew and time on board were excellent. Never understand the complaints about boarding and disembarkation. I have found Princess to be superior to most. Quick, kind and easy. There are always people waiting to help and keep everyone moving. Now the folks that seem to love to drag their giant suitcases and not leave them with the porter…who knows why…are always in the way a bit, but no problems.

The room was excellent, steward very nice, towels and bedding were both great. We “upgraded” to Spa robes after signing up for the Thermal suite. The food was probably the best we’ve experienced recently. Definitely more pasta options which I’m sure are less expensive, but always good. Highly recommend this cruise to see the beautiful UK, Ireland and Scotland. The shows on the ship were excellent. Three new shows and one we’ve seen, but all fun. They are comically disjointed as the creator of the show places pop music and standards into odd storylines. I think they are deliberately satirical, but others tell me they are serious. Never the less I like them. The cruise director, as many do, feel they are the entertainment and tend to droll on and on after a fun show which kind of deflates the enthusiasm. Just sit in an aisle seat and you can leave as he begins to pontificate.

Princess is simply the best and we look forward to our next cruise.