Ship Comparison
Majestic Princess vs Ruby Princess
For a classic Princess experience with fresh updates and a relaxed, social atmosphere, choose Majestic Princess; for a laid-back, family-focused journey with deeply personalized service, Ruby Princess is your jewel.
The verdict
Both Majestic Princess and Ruby Princess offer a solid Princess Cruises experience, yet they cater to slightly different preferences. Majestic Princess, a newer Royal-class ship that received significant updates in 2025, provides a blend of modern amenities with classic Princess charm, boasting diverse dining and lively, albeit not late-night, entertainment. Its MedallionClass technology enhances convenience, making it a great fit for couples and adult groups seeking a refined yet social cruise. Ruby Princess, a Crown-class vessel, while showing its age in some aspects, excels in creating a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with genuinely personalized service and engaging activities for all ages. It's particularly well-suited for multi-generational travel to a variety of destinations. Your choice will depend on whether you prioritize newer features and a more streamlined experience, or a strong sense of community and proven, traditional cruise comforts.
Choose Majestic Princess if…
Couples and adult groups seeking a refined, social, and relaxed classic cruise experience with modern technological conveniences and diverse dining, who appreciate early evening entertainment.
Best for
- Couples seeking a refined yet social cruise
- Adult groups desiring diverse dining and entertainment
- Guests who appreciate modern technology enhancing their cruise experience
- Wellness and relaxation seekers valuing dedicated adults-only spaces
- Culinary connoisseurs looking for exceptional specialty dining
Avoid if
- You prefer a vibrant, late-night clubbing scene
- You seek an ultra-modern, 'whizz-bang' ship design
- You are on a strict budget for specialty dining and spa access
Choose Ruby Princess if…
Families and multi-generational groups looking for a laid-back, friendly atmosphere with engaging activities for all ages, and a cruise that offers genuinely personalized service.
Best for
- Multi-generational families seeking a laid-back, engaging experience
- Travelers who value personalized and intimate service
- Social explorers who enjoy audience participation and communal activities
- Destination-driven cruisers, especially to Alaska, Hawaii, or the Caribbean
- Relaxed foodies looking for diverse, quality dining options
Avoid if
- You expect the newest ship decor and cutting-edge amenities
- You prefer an exceptionally quiet and solitary cruise experience
- You are unwilling to pay extra for premium fitness classes or thermal suite access
Overall Vibe
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess, launched in 2017 and recently refurbished in 2025, strikes a balance between the beloved Grand Class features and modern Royal Class design. At 143,700 gross tons and spanning 19 decks, she maintains a classic cruise experience with a fun, relaxed, and social undercurrent. Her recent drydock introduced fresh venues and enhanced existing spaces, ensuring a contemporary feel while retaining the comfortable Princess essence. The ship's ambiance is generally social but not overly boisterous, offering a sophisticated yet accessible environment that appeals to a broad range of guests, particularly those who appreciate attention to detail and a seamless onboard flow.
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess, a 2008-built Crown-class ship with a 2018 refurbishment, carries a more traditional Princess charm. Weighing 113,561 gross tons and also spanning 19 decks, she offers a laid-back, family-friendly vibe that feels welcoming and never overly crowded. Despite being an older vessel, her design focuses on creating intimate spaces and fostering a strong sense of community. The ship is well-regarded for its ability to provide a versatile platform, suitable for both warm and cold-weather itineraries, maintaining a consistent and engaging atmosphere that has matured gracefully over time, appealing to those who favor a classic, comfortable cruising style.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Majestic Princess
With a capacity for 3,560 passengers and a dedicated crew of 1,346, Majestic Princess offers a guest-to-crew ratio of approximately 2.6:1. This allows for attentive service within a relaxed and social environment. The atmosphere is generally lively during the day with various activities in the Piazza and by the pools, but it tends to quiet down before midnight, making it suitable for guests who prefer a more serene evening. The ship attracts a mix of couples and adult groups, fostering a convivial mood that encourages interaction without feeling overwhelming or rambunctious.
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess accommodates 3,080 passengers with a crew of 1,200, resulting in a guest-to-crew ratio of around 2.5:1. This slightly more intimate scale, combined with a well-designed layout, contributes to a friendly and engaging atmosphere that rarely feels crowded. The ship is known for its strong audience participation in activities like trivia and karaoke, creating a vibrant, communal spirit. It's a popular choice for multi-generational families, where the laid-back vibe allows everyone to find their pace, from active pursuits to quiet relaxation, all supported by an engaging and approachable crew.
Dining
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess boasts an outstanding and diverse culinary scene. Complimentary options include the expansive World Fresh Marketplace buffet, the 24-hour International Café, the casual Salty Dog Cafe for gourmet burgers, and the beloved Alfredo’s Slice for pizza. Specialty dining, available for an additional charge, features the highly-rated Crown Grill steakhouse, the refined Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, the unique Chef's Table Lumiere, and the newly installed The Catch by Rudi for seafood enthusiasts. The new O'Malley's Irish Pub also offers pub fare at reasonable prices. Personalized dining is available through Dine My Way℠, allowing guests to customize their meal times and locations.
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess offers a wide array of dining, blending traditional favorites with new concepts. Complimentary venues include the Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci Dining Rooms for traditional and anytime dining, the Horizon Court buffet, International Cafe for snacks, The Salty Dog Grill for poolside burgers, and Slice Pizzeria. Specialty dining, available for an extra charge, features the popular Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria for elegant Italian, and the exclusive Chef's Table Experience. The Salty Dog Gastropub within the Wheelhouse Bar offers a festive pub vibe with chef-created burgers. Unique offerings like the Crab Shack (within Horizon Court) and Ultimate Balcony Dining provide memorable experiences.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Majestic Princess
Entertainment on Majestic Princess is diverse and engaging, though generally calmer than some other ships. The Princess Theatre showcases Broadway-style productions and guest entertainers, while Princess Live! hosts interactive game shows and live concerts. Movies Under the Stars® is a popular feature on the main pool deck, complete with popcorn and blankets. Live music is abundant throughout the ship, from cover bands and piano bar performances to an Irish duo at O’Malley’s. The Grand Casino offers gaming excitement, but the ship tends to be quieter in the late evenings, with a DJ in the Piazza kicking off around 11:30 p.m.
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess offers a robust and participatory entertainment lineup. The Princess Theatre presents big-stage musicals and guest entertainers, while Movies Under the Stars® is a popular feature for all ages. Nightlife is more varied, with Skywalker's Nightclub providing panoramic views and dancing, and Club Fusion hosting karaoke and theme parties. The Explorers Lounge and Wheelhouse Bar offer alternative spots for live music and socializing. The Grand Casino provides gaming options, and popular activities like trivia and 'The Voice of the Ocean' competition foster significant audience engagement, ensuring lively evenings for those who wish to participate.
Cabins & Suites
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess offers a comprehensive range of accommodations, from Interior and Balcony staterooms to Mini-Suites and Suites, totaling 1,780 cabins. All cabins feature the Princess Luxury Bed, flat-screen TVs with on-demand content, mini-fridges, and ample storage. Suites and Reserve Collection Mini-Suites offer enhanced amenities like priority services, extra living space, sofa beds, and larger balconies. Notably, Medallion technology allows for automatic cabin door unlocking. For families, there are 10 interconnecting balcony cabins and 10 interconnecting mini-suite cabins, ideal for accommodating larger groups up to six.
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess features 1,540 cabins, including Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, Mini-Suites, and Suites. While basic cabins are comfortable, they are not overly spacious, with two closets, a desk, and a mini-fridge. Higher categories like Mini-Suites (approx. 323 sq ft) offer separate sitting areas and larger balconies, with Club Class Mini-Suites providing additional VIP perks. Full Suites (460-932 sq ft) include oversized balconies, separate living areas, and a host of benefits. For larger families, Two Bedroom Family Suites are available, accommodating up to eight guests with two bathrooms and an expansive private balcony.
Service & Onboard Style
Majestic Princess
Majestic Princess embodies a classic Princess service style, enhanced by the MedallionClass technology. This Personalized approach allows for seamless experiences like expedited boarding, contactless payments, and even having drinks and food delivered anywhere on the ship. The crew-to-passenger ratio supports attentive service, and the onboard style is one of relaxed elegance. While not overtly formal, there's a sense of refined comfort, and the overall operation feels efficient and modern, catering to guests who appreciate convenience alongside traditional cruise hospitality.
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess is consistently praised for its exceptionally personalized and intimate service, a hallmark of the Princess brand. Despite being a larger ship, the crew fosters a friendly and engaging atmosphere, making guests feel welcomed and remembered. The MedallionClass technology also plays a role in streamlining guest experiences, from room access to ordering services. The onboard style is laid-back and comfortable, encouraging interaction among passengers and crew. This ship particularly shines in creating a warm community feel, where the staff's attentiveness contributes significantly to the overall positive and memorable vacation experience.
Best Itineraries
Majestic Princess
While the payload doesn't specify particular regions for Majestic Princess, her design as a Royal-class ship with an adults-only Hollywood Pool Club and diverse dining options makes her well-suited for a variety of itineraries where guests appreciate a blend of relaxation and engaging activities. The ship's robust entertainment and dining options can comfortably fill sea days across different climates, appealing to guests looking for a comprehensive onboard experience regardless of the destination's specific draw. Her modern amenities and comfortable ambiance translate well to both scenic and port-intensive voyages.
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess is particularly versatile, excelling in a range of itineraries from sunny destinations like Hawaii and the Caribbean to colder climates such as Alaska. Her spacious outdoor decks and diverse indoor activities make her a strong choice for both warm-weather cruising, where pool games and sunbathing are popular, and scenic journeys like Alaska, where onboard lectures by National Park rangers and the ability to view glaciers from ample deck space are highly valued. The ship’s ability to cater to various age groups ensures that families can enjoy diverse destinations together.
What reviewers say
Majestic Princess
4/5Majestic Princess offers a classic cruise experience, with excellent food and service. While it may not have the cutting-edge features of more modern ships, its wide range of venues, entertainment, and outstanding dining ensure a very good voyage.
Ruby Princess
4.5/5Ruby Princess offers a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere with diverse activities and excellent, personalized service. It's a great choice for multi-generational travelers seeking a variety of experiences, despite showing its age in some areas.
Itineraries to compare
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