RUBY PRINCESS
The romantic ideal. A "Super Grand" class vessel that perfectly balances traditional ocean liner charm with modern flexibility.
- Guests
- 3,080
- Tonnage
- 113,561
- Launch
- 2008
- Crew
- 1,200
The Prodigy Verdict
The Classic Experience.
Ruby Princess is the final evolution of the celebrated Grand Class design. It perfects the layout that defined Princess for two decades. Unlike the newer Sphere Class, Ruby maintains a focus on traditional ocean liner aesthetics—teak promenade decks, tiered aft pools, and intimate lounges. While it lacks massive waterslides, it offers a superior connection to the sea. It serves as a dedicated homeport ship for San Francisco, making it a favorite for West Coast travelers seeking longer, destination-heavy voyages to Alaska and Hawaii.
- Couples seeking a romantic, quieter atmosphere.
- Destination collectors (10-day Alaska and 16-day Hawaii routes).
- Travelers who prefer a classic promenade deck for walking.
- Hardware: It is a 2008 ship; expect classic decor rather than modern minimalism.
- Pool Deck: Can feel crowded on sea days compared to newer, larger vessels.
- Tech: While MedallionClass is fully integrated, the ship wasn't originally built for it.
The Zones
Ruby Princess features a layout designed for intimacy, breaking large spaces into smaller, more personal venues.
The Piazza
The three-deck atrium that serves as the ship's town square. It is constantly alive with string quartets, jugglers, and the smell of fresh coffee.
The Sanctuary
An adults-only retreat on the forward top deck. plush loungers, attentive "Serenity Stewards," and spa cuisine make it worth the half-day fee.
Movies Under the Stars
Princess pioneered the poolside cinema. Guests are given fleece blankets and popcorn to watch blockbusters on the massive LED screen.
Skywalkers Nightclub
Located high aft on Deck 18. By day, it's a quiet lounge with panoramic wake views. By night, it transforms into the ship's disco.
Lotus Spa
Features the "Enclave," a thermal suite with a hydro-therapy pool, heated stone beds, and steam rooms. A vital amenity for Alaska sailings.
Gatsby's Casino
A classic casino layout with a speakeasy vibe. Connects directly to the cigar lounge and main theater for pre-show entertainment.
Dining & Provisions
Princess is known for solid complimentary options and excellent value specialty dining.
Crown Grill
Steakhouse
Consistently rated one of the best steakhouses at sea. Dark wood, theater-style kitchen, and premium cuts of beef.
Slice Pizzeria
Poolside
Princess takes pizza seriously. These are thin-crust, Neapolitan-style slices served fresh by the pool. A cut above standard cruise pizza.
Sabatini's
Italian Trattoria
Authentic Italian courses featuring handmade pastas. The burrata and the veal chops are standout dishes here.
International Café
24-Hour Bistro
The best spot for a quick breakfast or late-night snack. The almond croissants and chicken salad sandwiches are legendary.
Salty Dog Gastropub
Prix Fixe
Located inside the Wheelhouse Bar. Famous for the "Ernesto Burger" (ribeye and short rib patty). Great craft beer selection.
Main Dining
3 Venues
Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci dining rooms. Menus are identical; Botticelli (aft) is often the quietest.
Crab Shack
Pop-Up
A periodic pop-up in a section of the buffet. Offers mallets, bibs, and buckets of steamer clams, shrimp, and crab legs.
Cafe Caribe
Buffet Aft
The aft section of the Horizon Court. Often features themed buffets (seafood, curry) that are slightly more upscale than the main line.
Where It Sails
Ruby Princess specializes in round-trip voyages from San Francisco, offering convenient "no-fly" options for Bay Area residents.
- 10-Day Alaska Inside Passage
- 16-Day Hawaiian Islands
- 7-Day Mexican Riviera
The 10-day Alaska itinerary is superior to standard 7-day routes, offering more time in ports like Sitka and Juneau, often with better docking positions.
Check Availability
See current pricing for Ruby Princess sailings.
Check DatesAffiliate disclosure: outbound booking links may earn CruiseProdigy a commission.
Cost Reality
Older ships like Ruby often offer incredible value per day. Using the "Princess Plus" package is generally the smartest financial move.
- Main Dining & Buffet
- International Café (Food)
- Movies Under the Stars
- MedallionService App
- Specialty Dining
- The Sanctuary (Half/Full Day)
- Alcohol & Soda (without package)
- Wi-Fi (without package)
Check "Cafe Caribe" (aft buffet) on seafood nights. They often serve crab legs or lobster claws that aren't advertised in the main newsletter.
The Vibe Check
Is this ship for you? It is relaxed, unhurried, and distinctively "classic."
Quiet confidence. There are no go-karts or laser tag arenas. The focus is on good food, live music in the Piazza, and watching the ocean.
Skews older (50+) on longer itineraries. Expect a loyal following of past guests who appreciate the ship's manageable size.
Ready to explore? Check pricing below.
Cabin Recon
Princess is famous for its open closet design (great for storage, less privacy) and the popular Mini-Suite category.
Obstructed Oceanview
Often priced similarly to an inside cabin, these rooms (mostly on Emerald Deck) have windows blocked by lifeboats but still let in natural light.
Mini-Suite
The sweet spot. Features a sitting area, two TVs, and crucially, a bathtub. It feels significantly larger than a standard balcony.
Reserve Collection
Formerly "Club Class." Booking a Reserve Mini-Suite grants you access to an exclusive section of the dining room with no wait times and extra menu options.