Ruby Princess Cruise Ship Guide

Ruby Princess Overview

Ruby Princess is a Crown Class ship from Princess Cruises, offering a traditional cruise experience with comfortable public spaces, familiar dining venues, relaxing pools, classic entertainment, and a strong focus on destination-driven travel. It is not one of the newest or largest ships in the Princess fleet, but that is part of its appeal for many cruisers.

This ship works well for travelers who want a balanced cruise without the size and intensity of today’s newest mega ships. Ruby Princess has enough dining, entertainment, lounges, pools, and quiet areas to keep a sailing interesting, but the onboard experience still feels more classic than flashy. It is a good fit for couples, mature travelers, multigenerational families, and cruisers who care more about itinerary and comfort than high-thrill attractions.

Ruby Princess is especially appealing to passengers who enjoy Princess staples such as the Piazza, Movies Under the Stars, the Sanctuary, specialty dining, traditional lounges, and a wide range of balcony cabins. The ship has a familiar Princess layout, making it easier for repeat Princess guests to settle in quickly.

If you are comparing Ruby Princess with other vessels, start with the full cruise ship guide so you can compare ship size, style, age, cabin choices, and onboard atmosphere before choosing the right cruise.

Ruby Princess Quick Facts

What Makes Ruby Princess Different?

Ruby Princess stands out because it offers a more traditional Princess cruise experience. It does not try to compete with the newest ships through roller coasters, massive waterparks, or oversized neighborhoods. Instead, it focuses on dining, service, comfortable cabins, destination-rich itineraries, and familiar Princess venues.

Compared with newer Princess ships like Sun Princess or Discovery Princess, Ruby Princess feels more compact and easier to understand. That can be a major advantage for travelers who prefer a ship that is large enough to offer variety but not so large that every day feels like a long walk from one venue to another.

Compared with smaller or more itinerary-focused ships like Coral Princess, Ruby Princess offers more of the classic resort-style cruise feel. Guests get multiple dining rooms, several lounges, active pool areas, specialty dining, youth spaces, and a broad mix of cabin categories.

Ruby Princess is also a smart comparison point for travelers considering Regal Princess. Regal Princess is newer and larger, while Ruby Princess may feel more familiar, more traditional, and easier to navigate for guests who prefer the older Princess fleet style.

Attractions & Public Spaces

Classic Princess Spaces

Ruby Princess is built around the kind of public spaces Princess guests tend to know well. The ship has a central Piazza, multiple lounges, pool areas, a theater, casino, spa, fitness center, shopping, and quiet adult-focused areas. The experience is not built around one huge headline attraction. It is built around having several places to relax throughout the day.

• The Piazza serves as the ship’s social center with music, drinks, light bites, and people-watching.
• Movies Under the Stars gives guests an open-air movie experience by the pool.
• The Sanctuary offers an adults-only retreat for guests who want a quieter outdoor space.
• The Princess Theater hosts production shows, guest entertainers, and evening performances.
• Skywalkers Nightclub gives the ship a late-night lounge and dancing venue.
• Lotus Spa and the fitness center provide wellness options for sea days and port days.
• Gatsby’s Casino offers gaming for guests who enjoy casino entertainment at sea.

The best way to enjoy Ruby Princess is to treat it as a relaxed, classic cruise ship. It is not trying to overwhelm passengers with constant spectacle. It gives guests enough to do, enough places to sit, and enough familiar cruise atmosphere to make longer sailings comfortable.

Cabins & Best Stateroom Choices

Ruby Princess has a wide mix of inside cabins, oceanview cabins, balcony cabins, mini-suites, and suites. For many travelers, balcony cabins are one of the strongest choices on this ship because Princess itineraries often include scenic sailing, longer port days, and destination-heavy routes where private outdoor space can make the cruise feel more relaxing.

If you are trying to decide between an inside cabin, oceanview cabin, balcony, or suite, review the full inside vs oceanview vs balcony vs suite guide. Ruby Princess has enough cabin variety that the right choice depends heavily on your budget, itinerary, sleep habits, and how much time you expect to spend in the room.

Cabin location matters on Ruby Princess. Midship cabins are often a safer choice for guests worried about motion, while cabins near elevators can be convenient for guests who want shorter walks. Aft balcony cabins can be popular, but they may involve longer walks and different vibration or noise considerations depending on location. Before booking, compare your options with the best cabin location on a cruise ship guide.

Noise is another factor worth checking carefully. Cabins under busy public decks, near lounges, close to elevators, or below pool areas may not be ideal for light sleepers. Use the cruise cabin noise guide before choosing a specific stateroom, especially if you are booking a longer itinerary.

Dining on Ruby Princess

Dining on Ruby Princess follows the familiar Princess model. Guests can expect main dining rooms, buffet options, casual food venues, specialty restaurants, cafés, lounges, and room service. The ship is not built around trendy food halls or massive restaurant districts, but it gives cruisers plenty of dependable choices.

Main dining is a core part of the Ruby Princess experience. The ship includes three main dining rooms, giving guests a traditional sit-down dinner option with rotating menus and classic cruise service. For travelers who enjoy a more structured dining experience, this is one of the reasons Ruby Princess still works well.

Casual options include buffet-style dining, poolside food, café items, pizza, grill selections, coffee, and lighter bites around the ship. Specialty dining gives guests a chance to upgrade a meal for a quieter or more premium experience. If dining is a major part of your cruise decision, start with the full cruise dining guide before choosing your ship and fare.

Drinks and onboard extras can change the real cost of a Ruby Princess cruise. Before buying a beverage package, compare your habits with the cruise drink package guide. If you have onboard credit from a promotion, travel advisor, group offer, or cruise line deal, review how cruise onboard credit works so you know what it can usually cover.

Entertainment & Activities

Ruby Princess offers a traditional Princess entertainment experience centered around live performances, enrichment programs, music venues, lounges, movies, and social activities. Rather than focusing on high-thrill attractions, the ship provides a balanced mix of daytime and evening options designed to appeal to couples, families, and mature travelers.

During the day, guests can relax by the pool, attend lectures, participate in trivia contests, enjoy live music, visit the spa, work out in the fitness center, browse the shops, or simply enjoy ocean views from various lounges throughout the ship. Sea days are often one of the highlights of a Princess cruise because the atmosphere encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the journey.

Evening entertainment includes production shows, comedians, musicians, game shows, themed events, dancing, and casino gaming. Guests looking for a more relaxed night can enjoy cocktails in one of the ship's lounges while listening to live performers.

If entertainment is an important factor in your cruise decision, review the full cruise entertainment guide. Guests sailing Ruby Princess should also take advantage of sea days by using the tips in the cruise sea day guide. New cruisers may find additional value in the first-time cruiser guide before sailing.

Popular Activities on Ruby Princess

• Movies Under the Stars
• Princess Theater productions
• Live music throughout the ship
• Casino gaming
• The Sanctuary adults-only retreat
• Trivia and game shows
• Poolside relaxation
• Lotus Spa treatments
• Fitness center classes and workouts
• Shopping and art events

Itineraries & Destinations

Ruby Princess has operated a wide variety of itineraries throughout its career, including Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, and longer destination-focused voyages. Princess Cruises often deploys Ruby Princess on routes that emphasize scenic cruising, cultural experiences, and destination immersion rather than short party-focused itineraries.

Alaska remains one of the ship's most popular deployments thanks to Princess Cruises' long history in the region. Travelers considering an Alaska sailing should review both the Alaska cruise guide and the more detailed Alaska cruise planning guide.

Caribbean sailings are also common and appeal to travelers looking for warm-weather cruising with a balance of sea days and beach destinations. Before booking, compare options using the Caribbean cruise guide and the Eastern Caribbean cruise guide.

Depending on deployment schedules, Ruby Princess may also operate Panama Canal voyages and other longer itineraries. Travelers interested in those routes should review the Panama Canal cruise guide to understand what makes those sailings unique.

Who Should Sail on Ruby Princess?

• Couples looking for a traditional cruise experience
• Princess Cruises loyalists
• Travelers who value destinations over onboard thrills
• Guests interested in Alaska itineraries
• Cruisers who enjoy sea days and relaxation
• Mature travelers seeking a quieter atmosphere
• Multigenerational families wanting a balanced onboard experience
• First-time Princess guests wanting a classic introduction to the brand

Ruby Princess Pros & Cons

Pros

• Classic Princess Cruises atmosphere
• Strong selection of balcony cabins
• Excellent Alaska and destination-focused itineraries
• Easy-to-navigate ship layout
• Good mix of dining and entertainment options
• Adults-only Sanctuary retreat
• Movies Under the Stars remains a guest favorite
• Generally calmer onboard atmosphere than many contemporary cruise lines

Cons

• Fewer headline attractions than newer ships
• No waterslides or large adventure features
• Older design compared with the newest Princess vessels
• Some public spaces feel smaller than newer ships
• Not ideal for travelers seeking nonstop nightlife
• Can feel less exciting for guests focused on onboard attractions

Ruby Princess Reviews

Guest reviews of Ruby Princess frequently highlight the ship's comfortable atmosphere, friendly service, quality dining, and destination-focused itineraries. Repeat Princess cruisers often appreciate the familiar layout and traditional cruise experience, while first-time guests frequently mention the ship's relaxed pace and easy navigation.

Experiences naturally vary based on itinerary, cabin location, sailing date, and individual expectations. Reading multiple reviews can help prospective passengers better understand what life onboard Ruby Princess is really like before booking.

Ruby Princess Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ruby Princess a good cruise ship?

Yes. Ruby Princess remains one of Princess Cruises' most popular ships thanks to its comfortable design, strong dining program, excellent service, and destination-focused itineraries.

How many passengers does Ruby Princess carry?

Ruby Princess carries approximately 3,080 passengers at double occupancy along with about 1,200 crew members.

What class of ship is Ruby Princess?

Ruby Princess is part of Princess Cruises' Crown Class, which also includes several other popular ships in the fleet.

Does Ruby Princess have balcony cabins?

Yes. Balcony cabins are among the most popular accommodations aboard Ruby Princess and are especially desirable on scenic itineraries such as Alaska.

Does Ruby Princess have an adults-only area?

Yes. The Sanctuary is an adults-only retreat offering a quieter environment away from the main pool areas.

What destinations does Ruby Princess sail to?

Ruby Princess commonly sails to destinations including Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Panama Canal, though deployments can vary by season.

Who is Ruby Princess best suited for?

Ruby Princess is ideal for couples, mature travelers, Princess loyalists, destination-focused cruisers, and guests seeking a more traditional cruise experience.