Ruby Princess Ship Review

Ruby Princess is a direct sister-ship to Crown and Emerald Princess. Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises

What do you get if you take the Grand Princess and add another deck? Why, the Ruby Princess, of course. As the latest, greatest, and most amenity-packed ships in the Princess fleet, the Ruby Princess and her siblings feature everything that makes a Princess ship special. And while not the largest ships in the Princess fleet (that distinction belongs to the Diamond and Sapphire Princess), the Ruby Princess and her sisters are the most feature laden.

Click for deck plans and deals on Ruby Princess.

When the 113,000-gross-ton Ruby Princess came along, it again ushered in new features making their debut on a Princess Cruises ship, thus representing the ongoing evolution of the “Love Boat” experience. Perhaps most appetizing was a new British pub lunch—yet another nod to the line’s British heritage. Add to that all the latest product enhancements that have come to define Princess Cruises—a piazza-style atrium, Caribbean café, international café, wine-and-seafood bar, plus a giant poolside LED screen for “Movies Under the Stars”—and you have 113,000 gross tons of world-class seagoing resort.

Dining aboard Ruby Princess

The Ruby Princess has three main dining rooms that come in handy for the line’s Personal Choice Dining Program, which allows passengers to choose from Traditional Dining with early and late seatings for dinner or Anytime Dining. The ship’s 24-hour casual restaurant, the Horizon Court, offers a buffet alternative for breakfast and lunch; at night it becomes a sit-down bistro. Tuscan-inspired Sabatini’s is the ship’s venue for upscale Italian fare, and has established itself over the years as one of cruising’s more popular alternative restaurant concepts.

Ruby Princess Public Areas & Staterooms

The Explorer's Lounge aboard Ruby Princess. Photo © Aaron Saunders

High above the bridge, the Ruby Princess has a forward-looking ocean-view spa and fitness center. Further aft, the ship offers two outdoor pool areas: One amidships with a sliding canopy, the other a more secluded spot overlooking the stern. The designers of the Ruby Princess wanted private verandahs to be available to virtually everyone, and this ship has nearly 900 cabins with balconies, ranging from standard outside cabins to mini-suites and full suites. An unusual tiered design means the balcony above doesn’t block the sun, but nor does it offer much in the way of privacy. It’s worth noting that except for the handful of mini-suites on Emerald Deck, the majority of staterooms in this category are situated on the completely-uncovered Dolphin Deck. Regular balcony staterooms one deck up on Caribe deck feature balconies that are half covered, half-uncovered.

Ruby Princess boasts over 900 balcony staterooms. Photo © Aaron Saunders

In keeping with the “Big Ship Choice, Small Ship Feel” mantra of Princess Cruises’ ships, there are a number of nooks and crannies for a little peace and quite, including a small library, writing room, and a card room. Kids, on the other hand, will find plenty of spaces just for them.