Joining the Ruby Princess for Passage to Sydney

21^stSeptember 2019

Time to leave Canada and commence our cruise from Vancouver to Sydney. First priority is to get breakfast, and the last time we were in Vancouver we noticed a café only a short walk from the hotel that looked like it was worth a try, so we headed there at around 8.30am.

It was buzzing, so obviously the food is popular. I ordered corn beef hash with 

 2 eggs and ended up with enough potatoes to feed an Irishman for a week. Carole’s omelette also came with a generous serve of spuds.

Back at the hotel we checked out and went about the task of returning our car. Fortunately there is a service station just down the road, so topping up the tank on the way is no problem. I am still amazed at how expensive fuel is in BC.

Returning the car went like clockwork, and by 10.20am, we were taking the short walk to the Cruise Terminal towing our bags. As we approached the terminal, we saw that there were 3 ships at the terminal, police guiding traffic around it, and lots of people with suitcases. It is only 10.30 am, but things are looking ominous.

One thing we have noticed Canadian’s are very good at is minimising signage, too the extent that it is often not clear where you should be going. Such was the case today, as hoards of people wandered backwards and forwards looking for guidance from the many uniformed helpers there to provide such advice. First we discovered we had to go right to the basement to drop off our luggage, then we had to go up two floors to check in with  Ruby Princess, then we had to walk about 400 metres to get to security check, and customs, and after another walk it was US Immigration. Well, this was a nightmare. We completed the process in 1.5 hours, but for one of our fellow passengers who arrive at noon, it took 4 hours. US Immmigration could simply not cope with the influx of 3 shiploads of people.

We were onboard just after noon, and the Wessinks not long after. Irene, who is travelling with us, didn’t get on board till 4 pm, missed the safety drill, along with hundreds of others, which necessitated doing it all again for those who missed out. All 3 ships departures were delayed by approx. 1.5 hours.

Vancouver Cruise Terminal with Ruby Princess Alongside

With everything pushed back in time, we skipped the sailaway party on the pool deck and had a quiet couple of drinks at one of the bars before heading up to the new Curtis Stone Restaurant on level 16 to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant was very quiet, it is the first day of the cruise though. The food was excellent and service equally as good. Maybe the majority of passengers are too tight to fork out US29 per head to have an upmarket dining experience. We are heading back there again tomorrow night to celebrate the Wesslinks’ wedding anniversary.