Princess Cruises unveiled a glut of delicious, ambitious brand new offerings on its Ruby Princess ship at a recent media day extravaganza. Anxious members of the media filed onto the ship just before noon, unsure what to expect—outside of heaps of free food—from the internationally known cruise line.
We had a blast. The day started with drinks in a gorgeous lower deck lobby. The room took my breath away. There was a tall, ornate ceilings, marble pillars and a winding staircase. I damn near gasped.
Top brass at the company addressed us from a glitzy veranda, laying out the day’s itinerary and hyping the innovations the company’s rolling out this year, all of which they’ve billed under the enticing name Come Back New. Get it? Cause you get on the ship, have a great time, then come back home new. I like it.
An absurdly charming, impeccably dressed staff whisked us to the brand new Princess Cruises exclusive restaurant, SHARE. Celebrity Chef—and local restaurateur superhero Curtis Stone—helms the new venture, and he was on hand to share his enthusiasm for both the venture and the multi-course meal we were about to share.
My favorite of the day was the Roast Turbot White Fish Gratine, a scrumptious, textured taste of high-class cuisine. Another highlight was the Beef Cheek Pie, which made
My plus one and I chatted with the other writers at our table and we all agreed: this was the best meal we’d had in a long time. Chef Stone said he hopes the dishes, which are meant to be shared (get itttt?), foster friendships and conversations between strangers and longtime friends alike. It worked!
The next stop was a dreamy test-drive of the Princess Luxury Bed. Sleep Expert Dr. Michael Breus and HGTV design guru Candice Olson teamed up with the cruise line to develop the best bed I’ve ever slept on. It’s soft yet supportive construction was perfect for indulging the Itis I developed after that decadent meal.
The rest of the day featured delectable chocolates from expert Norman Love and a preview of The Voice of the Ocean, the cruise version of NBC’s The Voice , complete with a stirring rendition of “Respect” from the dynamic winner of the cruise’s first competition
It was a stellar day on the whole, and I’d recommend this cruise to any and all friends looking for the best entertainment and food they’ve ever had.
