Caribbean – At Sea
A repositioning cruise
It’s spring, and the 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess is being moved from the Caribbean to Alaska as the Northern Hemisphere weather warms up. This means more sea days than usual, but at the same time more distance covered.
R: Sunrise over the Caribbean.
The Hotel Maren
The Hotel Maren is a new property in Fort Lauderdale Beach, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. It is an ideal place to spend that recommended night before cruise departure, to minimize the chances of being sidetracked by a travel delay.
Here is a mural by the pool.
The Nuns
From our rain-streaked window on this misty evening I see two slender shrouded women standing in the rain, staring out to sea by the pool. But no, they’re just folded beach umbrellas waiting for the sun.
Sailaway
Next day, we board the Ruby Princess and steam off.
Through the Harbor
Ft. Lauderdale not only handles a large percentage of the East Coast cruise travel, but hosts a vast fleet of small boats.
Leaving Florida
Looking back at Ft. Lauderdale as we depart. Waterfront homes like these are highly prized but also highly vulnerable in these stormy times.
Days At Sea
The most popular sun spots are around the pools.
The Piazza
Looking down ainto the through-deck central atrium, the Piazza. There is live music and dancing on it, and dining around it.
Steel Drumming
Because this variety of cruise provides more sea days than most, we have an opportunity to pick up new skills.
The Theater
The show goes on here, and it can hold the largest audience.
Special Effects
Just to show off, our theater director syncs a dazzling montage of light and color to ABBA’s Waterloo.
Bars
Plenty of places to imbibe.
The Buffet
Casual dining and all-around views from high on the ship.
After Dark
The promenade deck.
The Big Screen
Movies by the pool at night. Below, the uppermost deck offers exercise by day and the stars by night.
