Ruby Princess vs Grand Princess

Ruby Princess

The Ruby Princess, a MedallionClass vessel, cultivates a consistently laid-back and family-friendly atmosphere, carrying 3,080 guests with 1,200 crew across 19 decks. Guests frequently note a feeling of intimacy and personalized service despite its considerable size. While this Crown-class ship shows its age in some areas, it exudes an engaging spirit, making it a versatile choice for both warm and cold-weather itineraries. Its well-planned layout allows for straightforward navigation, contributing to an overall sense of welcoming comfort that invites guests to relax and partake in a diverse array of activities.

Grand Princess

The Grand Princess, a large, traditional cruise ship launched in 1998 and last refurbished in 2016, accommodates 2,594 guests with 1,100 crew across 17 decks. She offers a casual-yet-elegant and sophisticated, unpretentious atmosphere. While some areas reveal her age through dated decor and worn edges, the ship maintains a good balance of activity and relaxation. This makes her particularly appealing to young retirees and multi-generational groups who appreciate an established cruising experience, though popular public spaces can feel crowded at peak times.

Ruby Princess

The atmosphere on Ruby Princess is distinctly laid-back and friendly, fostering a strong sense of community among its 3,080 guests. With a crew of 1,200, the ship maintains an impressive crew-to-guest ratio, contributing to a personalized and intimate service experience. The crowd often includes families and multi-generational groups, drawn to the ship's engaging activities and strong audience participation, particularly in events like "The Voice of the Ocean" and trivia. Despite being a large vessel, it rarely feels overwhelmingly crowded, creating a comfortable environment for socializing and relaxation.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess, accommodating 2,594 guests served by 1,100 crew members, strikes a balance between a sophisticated and unpretentious ambiance. The ship's atmosphere is generally friendly and welcoming, particularly to baby boomers, young retirees, and multi-generational families. While the service is noted as above average, the ship can feel crowded, especially in main corridors and popular areas like the Horizon Court buffet. This older vessel, despite its renovations, retains a well-worn charm that appeals to those seeking a traditional cruise experience rather than a cutting-edge one.

Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess offers a diverse culinary journey, balancing complimentary and specialty options. Guests can enjoy traditional and Anytime dining in the Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci Dining Rooms, or casual buffet fare at Horizon Court, praised for its healthy and international selections. Top-deck venues like Slice Pizzeria, The Salty Dog Grill, and Coffee & Cones provide popular, included choices. For a special evening, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria offers an elegant four-course experience, while Crown Grill is a highly favored steakhouse. The unique "Wild for Alaska Seafood" menu adds a regional touch on specific itineraries.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess delivers an above-average culinary experience, featuring elegant main dining rooms like Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci for traditional and Anytime dining, including breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. The complimentary Alfredo's Pizzeria is a standout for its waiter-served, made-to-order pies, offering a more refined casual option than the often-crowded Horizon Court buffet. Specialty restaurants such as Crown Grill and Sabatini's provide exceptional steakhouse and Italian fare, respectively, with Norman Love chocolate desserts adding a sweet touch. The Salty Dog Grill and Coffee & Cones offer casual top-deck bites.

Ruby Princess

Entertainment on Ruby Princess caters to a broad audience, with the Princess Theatre hosting lavish Broadway-style productions and "The Voice of the Ocean" singing competition, known for its enthusiastic audience participation. Movies Under the Stars, with its enhanced 7.1 surround sound, is a popular spot for films and concerts, day or night. For evening fun, Skywalker's Nightclub offers dancing with panoramic views, while Club Fusion hosts karaoke and themed parties. Lounges like Crooners Bar and Adagio Bar provide live music, ensuring diverse options from lively dancing to quiet cocktails.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess provides a range of entertainment, from Broadway-style shows in the Princess Theater to more intimate performances in the Vista Show Lounge. Movies Under the Stars is a beloved feature, showing recent releases poolside with complimentary popcorn. Nightlife options include the Vegas-style Grand Casino and various bars like Crooner's Bar for piano melodies and martinis, and the Explorer's Lounge for jazz. The One5 nightclub offers late-night dancing, though it can be quiet on some nights. Daily trivia, dance classes, and itinerary-specific celebrations like a Day of the Dead party add to the engaging atmosphere.

Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess offers a range of accommodations, from comfortable Interior staterooms (approx. 158-162 sq ft) to Balcony staterooms (approx. 214-222 sq ft) which offer private outdoor space. The ship boasts nearly 900 balconies. Mini-Suites (approx. 323 sq ft) provide extra luxury with a separate sitting area and sofa bed, while Reserve Collection Mini-Suites add VIP perks like priority services and an exclusive dining area. Full Suites (approx. 460-932 sq ft) are truly spacious, featuring separate living areas and enhanced amenities. Two Bedroom Family Suites cater to larger groups, sleeping up to eight. Guests should be aware that some Oceanview cabins on Decks 8 and 15 have obstructed views.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess cabins, while clean and comfortable, are noted for being smaller than the industry average, with Interior staterooms around 160 sq ft and Balcony staterooms ranging from 214 to 222 sq ft. The decor, a blue and cream palette with honey-colored wood, is somewhat dated. Mini-suites (323 sq ft) offer a sofa bed and a divider, while larger Suites with verandas (468-591 sq ft) and the Grand Suite (730 sq ft) provide more luxury. Family suites connect two standard cabins for up to eight guests. A notable design feature is the tiered balconies, which can reduce privacy for those on lower decks.

Ruby Princess

Service on Ruby Princess is consistently highlighted as personalized and intimate, even on a larger ship, contributing significantly to its friendly and engaging atmosphere. The crew of 1,200 is noted for fostering quick friendships and strong audience participation in activities. The ship's onboard style, while described as showing its age in some areas, is well-maintained and comfortable, offering a traditional cruise experience enhanced by modern conveniences like the MedallionClass technology for seamless room access and purchases. The overall feeling is one of welcoming efficiency, where guest comfort and engagement are priorities.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess offers above-average service, with a crew of 1,100 ensuring a pleasant experience for its guests. The onboard style is described as casual-yet-elegant and sophisticated, though showing its age with some worn decor and creaky doors. The ship’s layout includes a modern Piazza atrium, which serves as a vibrant central hub. While the Wi-Fi connection speeds may not be the fastest, the free Princess@Sea service allows for convenient access to daily schedules and internal messaging without internet minutes. The ship maintains a traditional, unpretentious charm, appealing to those who appreciate classic cruising.

Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess is celebrated for its versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of itineraries. She excels in both warm and cold-weather destinations, with her ample outdoor deck space and adaptable indoor activities. The ship is particularly well-regarded for Alaska sailings, where guests can enjoy daily nature lectures, National Park ranger talks, and unique experiences like "Puppies in the Piazza." For sun-seekers, she also sails to popular destinations like Hawaii and the Caribbean, offering diverse shore excursions. Her design and offerings ensure a comfortable journey regardless of the climate.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess is a popular choice for diverse itineraries, particularly known for its sailings from the U.S. West Coast. The ship frequently visits destinations like the Mexican Riviera, offering itinerary-specific celebrations such as a Day of the Dead party, and a variety of shore excursions from beach breaks to "Salsa and Salsa" tours. While she also sails to Alaska, featuring "Wild for Alaska Seafood" menus and stargazing events, her overall experience leans towards destinations where her casual-yet-elegant charm and varied activity schedule can be fully enjoyed by multi-generational groups and retirees.