Ruby Princess is a very popular Grand-Class ship in the Princess fleet, despite being one of the oldest ships the cruise line still operates. She is regularly based on the west coast of the US and around Australia.
Ruby Princess has some excellent features and offers exciting itineraries. She may not be quite as new as the Royal Class flagships in the fleet, but still has plenty for guests to enjoy.
If you’re planning to book a cruise on this ship, you’ll want to find the room that’s right for you. There are a lot of options on Ruby Princess. In this guide, I’m going to break them all down: what options are available, what you should base your decision on, and which are the specific rooms to avoid.
This guide uses the Ruby Princess deck plans, as well as real reviews of the ship on forums, review sites and social media. So, let’s jump in.
Ruby Princess Cabin Types
There are six main types of cabin on Ruby Princess.
| Accommodation | Sleeps | Size (inc balcony) |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | 2 to 4 | 162 to 234* sq ft (15 to 21.7 sq m) |
| Oceanview | 2 to 4 | 158 to 181 sq ft (14.7 to 16.8 sq m) |
| Balcony | 2 to 4 | 231 to 271 sq ft (21.4 to 25.2 sq m) |
| Premium Balcony | 2 to 4 | 231 to 298 sq ft (21.3 to 27.7 sq m) |
| Mini Suite | 2 to 4 | 323 sq ft (30 sq m) |
| Suite | 2 to 4 | 460 to 777 sq ft (42.7 to 72.2 sq m) |
*Wheelchair-accessible interior rooms are significantly larger than standard ones, which range from 162 to 182 square feet (15 to 16.9 square metres).
Not every ship in the Princess fleet has Oceanview rooms, but Ruby Princess does. These include some at the front of the ship that let you look ahead to where you’re sailing. But the majority of rooms on the ship are either Interior, Balcony or Premium Balcony.
However, deciding which room you should book is more than just picking a cabin type. There’s a lot to consider, as within each type there are different categories, some of which are better than others. You also need to think about the location on the ship, and how close you want to be to certain facilities (or how far away, if you want a quieter room).
There’s a lot to think about, so I’ve made a checklist that tells you everything you need to be aware of. And you can get it free here:
Ruby Princess Inside Cabins
On most cruise ships, the most ‘basic’ accommodation you can book is an interior or inside cabin, and Ruby Princess is no different. These rooms are on the inside of the ship, as the name suggests, which means you don’t have any windows for natural light.
They’re normally designed for two people, but there are some that can sleep four. Inside rooms are usually the smallest on a ship, but there are some smaller Oceanview cabins on Ruby Princess – though not by much.
These rooms are ideal for anyone who doesn’t like to be woken up by sunlight, and thinks they may get a better sleep without any windows. They’re also idea for anyone who isn’t bothered by having a nice view. After all, there are plenty of open decks when you do want to see the sea.
Interior cabins are the cheapest available, which frees up more of your budget for onboard activities or even your next cruise. There are some wheelchair-accessible interior cabins on Ruby Princess, and they’re some of the most spacious rooms on the ship that aren’t suites.
Beds are flexible – they’re normally twin beds that can be converted into a double – while the cabins that sleep up to four will have Pullman beds. These are more suited to children, but can support some adults.
Suggested read: What is a Pullman bed?
Pullman beds are either fold-down from the wall or they’re hidden in the ceiling. On Ruby Princess, it’s the fold-down from the wall version. These aren’t as good, because people in the twin beds can bump their heads on the Pullman even when folded up.
Ruby Princess Inside Cabin Grades
Every cabin on Ruby Princess has a two-letter code that tells you the grade. The first letter makes clear the cabin type. The second character (a mix of numbers and letters) tells you where it is on the ship, and what sub-type of room it is.
Inside cabins begin with I, and the second letter runs from A to F. A is considered the best due to the location, while F is the worst. Costs vary, so an IA will cost more than an IF. For the best location, you have to pay a little more.
| Grade | Sleeps up to | Average size |
|---|---|---|
| IA | 2 | 162 sq ft (15 sq m) |
| IB | 4 | 162 to 182 sq ft (15 to 16.9 sq m) Wheelchair accessible: 234 sq ft (21.7 sq m) |
| IC | 2 | 162 to 182 sq ft (15 to 16.9 sq m) |
| ID | 2 | 162 sq ft (15 sq m) |
| IE | 2 | 162 sq ft (15 sq m) |
| IF | 4 | 162 sq ft (15 sq m) |
Ruby Princess Oceanview Cabins
If you want to enjoy a view from your room, or the thought of no natural light leaves you feeling a bit cramped, then an Oceanview is the next step up. Cheaper than a Balcony, you tend to get just a little more space than an Interior cabin, but more importantly some view of the ocean.
Bear in mind that some of the Oceanview cabins on Ruby Princess have an obstructed view, caused by either the lifeboats or the bridge at the front of the ship. These are cheaper, so if you’re not so worried about the view and just want some sunlight, these could be ideal.
Ruby Princess Oceanview Cabin Grades
| Grade | Sleeps up to | Average size |
|---|---|---|
| OB | 4 | 179 sq ft (16.6 sq m) |
| OC | 2 | 179 sq ft (16.6 sq m) |
| OE | 2 | 179 sq ft (16.6 sq m) |
| OF | 2 | 179 sq ft (16.6 sq m) |
| OV – Obstructed | 4 | 179 sq ft (16.6 sq m) |
| OW – Obstructed | 2 | 179 sq ft (16.6 sq m) |
| OY – Obstructed | 2 | 179 sq ft (16.6 sq m) |
| OZ – Obstructed | 2 | 158 to 179 (14.7 to 16.6 sq m) |
Ruby Princess Balcony Cabins
Looking for a little more space, and the chance to soak up some fresh air from the comfort of your own room? You want one of the Ruby Princess balcony rooms. These have sliding doors opening onto your own miniature veranda, where you’ll have a couple of chairs to sit and relax with a view.
Within the Ruby Princess Balcony stateroom category, there are two different options: Balcony and Premium Balcony. Premium Balconies have more space and are in some premium locations, including the aft of the ship overlooking the wake.
Ruby Princess Balcony Cabin Grades
| Grade | Type | Sleeps up to | Average size |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | Premium Balcony | 4 | 271 sq ft (25 sq m) |
| B2 | Premium Balcony | 4 | 271 sq ft (25 sq m) |
| B4 | Premium Balcony | 4 | 231 to 298 (21.5 to 27.7 sq m) |
| BA | Balcony | 4 | 231 sq ft (21.5 sq m) |
| BB | Balcony | 4 | 231 sq ft (21.5 sq m) |
| BC | Balcony | 4 | 231231 sq ft (21.5 sq m) |
| BD | Balcony | 3 | 231 to 271 (21.5 to 25.2 sq m) |
| BE | Balcony | 2 | 231 to 271 (21.5 to 25.2 sq m) |
| BF | Balcony | 2 | 231 sq ft (21.5 sq m) |
Ruby Princess Mini Suites
The Mini Suites on Ruby Princess are a middle step between a Balcony stateroom and a full-size Suite. This has some pros and some cons. You get more space and a few extra benefits, but not as many as a full Suite.
However, you’re also not paying the same price as you would be for a Suite, so there is that to consider as well.
The perks you get in a Mini Suite on Ruby Princess are:
- A separate sitting area in your suite, with a sofa bed and a coffee table.
- A curtain so that you can separate the sofa bed from the main bed area, creating two bedrooms.
- An extra TV – the usual one facing the bed, and a second in the sitting area.
- A better bathroom that has a bathtub and a massage shower.
- An upgraded bed, that has better pillows and a plump mattress topper.
- Additional balcony chairs – up to four (instead of the normal two).
- A glass of sparkling wine as you board the ship.
Ruby Princess Mini Suite Grades
| Grade | Type | Sleeps up to | Average size |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | Club Class Mini Suite | 3 | 323 sq ft (30 sq m) |
| MB | Mini Suite | 4 | 323 sq ft (30 sq m) |
| MD | Mini Suite | 4 | 323 sq ft (30 sq m) |
| ME | Mini Suite | 4 | 323 sq ft (30 sq m) |
Club Class Mini Suites
If Mini Suites are a halfway house between Balcony cabins and Suites, then Club Class are a two-thirds house! They’re a premium subclass of Mini Suites that have some additional perks, despite not being any larger.
Ruby Princess Club Class Mini Suite perks:
- Priority embarkation and disembarkation queues at the start and the end of your cruise.
- An even comfier bed.
- Bathrobes provided for each guest for the duration of the cruise (don’t steal them!).
- A half-bottle of red wine and a half-bottle of white wine in your Mini Suite on embarkation day.
- Evening canapes served in your room (on request).
- Access to an exclusive seating area in the Main Dining Room, with additional menu options to choose from.
If you’re thinking about making the step up to a Mini Suite or a Club Class Mini Suite, it’s worth considering whether these extra benefits are worth it to you. If they are, you might also want to pay a little more for a full-sized Suite.
If the perks aren’t something you want to pay more for, it’s not worth booking a Club Class Mini Suite. Although you may prefer the extra room that a regular Mini Suite gives you, compared to a Balcony cabin.
Ruby Princess Suites
If you want to really live the high life, or just want the most space to relax in the privacy of your own room, then a Suite is the way to go.
Ruby Princess has some fantastic Suite options. These give you all of the perks of a Club Class Mini Suite, as well as a long list of additional extras.
Ruby Princess Suite Perks:
- Priority queues for embarkation and disembarkation, and for shore excursions/tenders.
- Priority lines for booking shore excursions and for guest services desks.
- Priority booking for the speciality dining venues.
- Access to the Club Class Dining area of the Main Dining Room with its extra menu choices.
- Access to the exclusive Lotus Spa Thermal Suite.
- An upgraded room service menu to choose from.
- Your boarding drink is upgraded to Champagne.
- A free mini bar in you room, a fruit bowl (topped up on request) and a fresh vase of orchids in your suite for your arrival.
- A free mimosa served at breakfast every day.
- A twice-daily ice service.
- Tea served in your suite.
- A cruise card wallet.
- Complimentary use of umbrellas as necessary.
- Free laundry, dry cleaning and shoe-shining.
- One free private portrait photograph taken by the ship’s photographer.
Read more: Princess Cruises Suite Perks (Compare the 5 Suite Types)
Ruby Princess Suite Grades
| Grade | Type | Sleeps up to | Average size |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | Owner’s Suite | 3 | 687 to 777 sq ft (63.8 to 72.2 sq m) |
| S3 | Penthouse Suite | 3 | 524 to 531 sq ft (48.7 to 49.3 sq m) |
| S4 | Penthouse Suite | 3 | 533 sq ft (49.5 sq m) |
| S5 | Premium Suite | 3 | 568 sq ft (52.8 sq m) |
| S6 | Vista Suite | 3 | 460 to 495 (42.7 to 46 sq m) |
| S8 | Family Suite | 6 | 606 sq ft (56.3 sq m) |
Suite Types: Owner’s, Penthouse, Premium and Vista
There are five different types of Suite on the Ruby Princess, although one of those is a speciality category aimed at families – more on that below.
When comparing the other suites, the best is the Owner’s Suite. Not only is it the most spacious, but it has a prime location at the aft corners of the ship. This gives you the biggest balcony area, and what many believe to be the best view.
Some of the Penthouse Suites are also situated at the aft in a more central location. The smaller Vista Suites are too, although they are on a lower deck, so the view isn’t quite as expansive.
The S4 Penthouse Suites are situated mid-ship. Although these views aren’t as sought after, it does mean that you’re closer to all of the amenities of the ship. If you want to head to the Lotus Spa, you’re a lot closer than an Owner’s Suite guest.
The Premium Suites are located in a forward position, with balconies at the front of the ship. There may be times that you can’t use these balconies because of the winds as the ship is sailing, so bear that in mind.
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Special Cabin Types
Ruby Princess Aft Rooms
Most people covet an aft room because of the views you can enjoy. Looking out at the wake is pretty exciting, and you’re sheltered from a lot of the winds that stream past the ship. Plus the rooms tend to be larger, so you’re getting more space and a wonderful view every morning.
On the Ruby Princess, the aft-facing rooms include:
- Premium Balcony Cabins – Decks 8 to 14, excluding Deck 12
- Vista Suites – Decks 8 to 10
- Penthouse Suites – Decks 10 to 12
- Owner’s Suites – Deck 12
Ruby Princess Connecting Rooms
Connecting rooms are designed for groups travelling together, that either can’t fit into one cabin or want a little more space. These are two cabins side-by-side that have a door between them.
This door is locked by default, so that any guest can book these rooms without a stranger wandering in. But if you book both rooms, you can have this connecting door unlocked to wander between the two rooms freely.
If you want to check out where the connecting rooms are situated (either because you want one or to avoid them), look at the deck plans for the ship. There’s a check box which will highlight them all.
On Ruby Princess, there are a lot of choices when it comes to connecting rooms:
- Two Interior Cabins
- Two Oceanview Cabins
- Two Balcony Cabins
- Two Premium Balcony Cabins
- Two Mini Suites
Ruby Princess Family Suites
There is another type of connecting room that’s a little more special: the Family Suite. Technically, each of the two Family Suites are just two Balcony cabins at the front of the ship, but they must be booked together – you can’t book these rooms individually.
Despite the fact that they are listed as separate rooms within one suite, they have been converted. So instead of a shared door, they have a shared living space and fully open balcony area.
Plus you get all the benefits of booking a suite too. There are two sofa beds, so the suites sleep up to six guests. If you’re looking for something special for your family, or you’re travelling with a larger group, these could be ideal.
Ruby Princess Accessible Rooms
Although the public areas of the ship are fully accessible for wheelchair users, not every cabin is really suited. There are a selection of dedicated accessible cabins. These have wider doorways, a wet room, and more floorspace around the bed to allow a chair to manoeuvre.
These are really popular and often book up quickly, so try to book in advance if you’re interested. And if you don’t need an accessible cabin, try not to book them so that those who do require the space don’t miss out.
The accessible cabins on Ruby Princess include:
- Interior Cabins – Decks 10, 12, 14 and 15
- Oceanview Cabins – Deck 8
- Balcony Cabins – Decks 11, 12 and 14
- Premium Balcony Cabins – Deck 10
- Mini Suites – Deck 9
- Penthouse Suite – Deck 14
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Ruby Princess Cabins to Avoid
Now that we’ve run through every type of accommodation on Ruby Princess, it’s time to pick out those individual cabins that maybe aren’t the best choice.
I’ve scoured forums and Facebook groups to find the rooms on Ruby Princess that people haven’t been too happy with. But remember that a lot of this is subjective, and some of these might actually be a good choice for you.
None of the recommendations here are down to a ‘bad’ room. These are all tips based on the location of the rooms and what surrounds them.
With that clarified, here are the Ruby Princess cabins you might want to avoid.
1. Cabins That Are Under the Lido Deck
R311 to R525
A common thread you see on forums and Facebook groups about cruise ships is problems with rooms directly underneath the wooden decking of the pools. When guests wake up early to secure a deck chair, they often scrape it along the floor to get it into position. And that sound carries through the floor.
It wasn’t just complaints about the passengers in the morning that I read about, but also about crew working late to clean the Lido, scraping the deck as late as almost midnight.
When the guest in question complained, they did get an apology, as well as a credit to their onboard spend account. That should show that it’s not a super-regular thing. But if you are someone who appreciates a lie-in, definitely consider booking a room that isn’t underneath the scraping deck chairs.
2. Balcony Cabins Near the Front of the Ship
L106 and 107, R201 and 202, A201 and 202, B201 and 202, C101 and 102, D105 and 106
A few cruise lines have balcony cabins situated in a forward position on the ship. They’re rendered completely unusable while the ship is sailing, because of the high winds (barring some that have special reinforced panels in place).
Although Ruby Princess doesn’t have forward-facing balconies (except in two Premium Suites), it does have some situated close to the front of the ship. These balconies may be out of bounds during particularly high winds. Even when you are allowed to use them, I saw a couple of people saying that it wasn’t a pleasant experience – it was too breezy to be able to relax.
If your idea of a balcony is one where things are peaceful, a mid-ship location may be a better choice.
3. Cabins That Can Be Worse for Seasickness
L101 to 311, R201 to 301 and 628 to 751, A201 to 301 and 628 to 751, B201 to 301 and 628 to 757
If you’re worried about getting seasick, you’ll want to avoid cabins where you will feel the motion the most. Those are the cabins on the higher decks, towards the front and aft of the ship.
It’s particularly important on Ruby Princess. A couple of people have mentioned on the Facebook groups that itineraries departing from San Francisco – where the ship is often based – can have some choppy waters.
It’s not a reason to avoid Ruby Princess altogether, but aim for a mid-ship room on a lower deck if you are concerned, as you’ll feel the rocking of the ship less.
4. Cabins Directly Adjacent to the Laundromat
A628, C312, D720, P212
There are a handful of laundry rooms on Ruby Princess, meaning guests don’t have to cart their dirty clothes up many floors in the elevator. However, there are a couple of staterooms directly adjacent to these rooms, and you may want to avoid them.
The first reason is the obvious noise of the machines. This isn’t terrible, but it can also cause vibrations in the room. This is less of an issue for P212 as, while this is next door to the laundromat, it is perpendicular so the machines aren’t sharing a wall with the room – unlike the other cabins I’ve listed above.
The other issue is just traffic. You may have a lot of noise from people coming and going, especially as each of the cabins I’ve listed is between the laundromat and the lift.
5. Cabins at the Front of the Ship Near Crew Stairwells
E101 to 104, D103 to 104, C101 to 102, B201 to 204, A201 to 204, R201 to 204
There are three main staircases on the Ruby Princess, that go from Decks 7 to the higher decks: one at the front of the ship, one mid-ship and one at the aft. The mid-ship and aft staircases are open to passengers, which means they actually get the least use because everyone uses the elevators.
The staircase at the front of the ship is for crew only. Some guests have reported some noise early in the morning when the crew are moving around between floors, to get everything ready for guests waking up.
It’s not a frequent comment, but I did see it a couple of times, so it’s worth being aware of it if you like a lie-in.
6. Obstructed View Rooms if a View is Important to You
Any OV, OW, OY or OZ cabin (Deck 8), L101 to 104 (Deck 14)
There are a number of Oceanview cabins on Deck 8 that have an obstructed view caused by the ship’s lifeboats. In the Oceanview cabins at the front of Deck 14, the bridge causes an obstruction too.
This isn’t a problem if you don’t want a view and only want some natural sunlight – you’ll still get that, and you can save money. But if you want a good view, it’s best to book an unobstructed room, since you don’t know how much you’ll be able to see.
7. Connecting Cabins if You Don’t Need Them
Various
The connecting cabins are great for travelling families, but if you aren’t planning on booking both connecting rooms, it’s a good idea to avoid booking one.
The connecting door will always remain locked, so you don’t have to worry about a stranger wandering in. But that door is not as well insulated for sound as an actual wall. So you may hear your neighbours a lot – and they might hear you too.
If you like privacy, then avoid a connecting room unless you need it.
8. Aft Cabins if You Don’t Want to Risk Soot
R748 to 751, A750 to 753, B748 to 757
Some guests have reported that when they’ve booked an aft balcony room, there have been some soot build-ups coming from the stacks.
It’s not something that you’ll always have to deal with, but it is a risk for cabins that are higher up. You may notice a fine dusting of soot on the deck, and if you leave any clothes out there, they may get a coating too.
Booking a lower balcony will minimise the risk, but will sacrifice some of the view, so it’s something you need to balance.
The Best Cabins on Ruby Princess
1. Family Suites
The two family suites are a great option for any larger groups who want to sail on Ruby Princess. They aren’t necessarily packed with fun activities for the kids, like some family-oriented suites are on other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean. But they’re really spacious, and have a good-sized balcony that everyone can enjoy.
The only real downside is their forward location, which means some amenities on the ship will be a long walk away. But that’s worth it to not be living underneath each other’s noses or having to book multiple cabins.
2. The Cheapest Cabins
The cheapest cabins on Ruby Princess are some of the inside cabins, especially those situated towards the front of the ship. They’re not the biggest, and they’re a decent walk from many of the amenities. But they’re ideal for someone who plans on spending a very small amount of time in their room.
You’ll also save a lot of money, often paying half of what a guest in a Premium Balcony or Mini Suite may be paying. This can go towards all your onboard experiences, or even your next cruise holiday.
3. Staterooms Adjacent to the Terrace Pool
Specifically, the Interior rooms R744 and R745, Balcony cabins R746 and R747 (which have slightly extended balconies too), and the Premium Balcony cabins R748 to R751.
These are right next to the Terrace Pool at the back of the ship, which gives you first dibs on a relaxing deck chair overlooking the wake. Not many people tend to rush here in the morning, so you can literally step out of your room and be by the pool in around ten yards. It’s like your own little private haven.
Other guests will sometimes come this way, so there can be increased traffic. But if you’re awake then you will never miss a deck chair from these rooms.
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To Conclude
There really aren’t any bad cabins on Ruby Princess. But depending on your preferences for noise, location and how prone you are to feeling seasick, some are better than others.
I took a lot of this feedback from Facebook groups and forums, so it’s always a good idea to check those out yourself too. You can even find specific Ruby Princess cabin reviews – someone on the groups will normally be able to tell you about their own experiences.
If you’re ready to book your cruise, have one last look at the Ruby Princess deck plan and make sure you’re happy with the cabin location before you commit.
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Ruby Princess Accommodation FAQs
The Ruby Princess cruise ship underwent her most recent refurbishment in 2018. As well as some basic updates to decor and fixtures, this refurbishment included the addition of the Slice Pizzeria and Coffee & Cones on the top deck.
The lifeboats on Ruby Princess are hanging outside Deck 8, obstructing the view of many of the Oceanview cabins on that deck. Guests who want an uninterrupted view should either book a Balcony on a higher deck, or check the Ruby Princess deck plans to avoid a lifeboat being outside their cabin.
There are 1,542 cabins in total on Ruby Princess. This is broken down to 463 Interior Cabins, 218 Oceanview Cabins, 682 Balcony Cabins, 178 Mini Suites and 28 Suites.
The best deck on Ruby Princess depends on your priority. The best views are on the higher decks, which are also closer to the swimming pools if you like an early-morning dip. Lower decks are better for anyone who may feel seasick, or that wants to be closer to the evening entertainment.
The best cabin position on a cruise ship is subjective, but people make stronger arguments for mid-ship and aft cabins. Aft cabins often have the best views, while mid-ship cabins are closer to both ends of the ship, so you never have to walk as far to the onboard facilities.
Related Posts:
More Princess Cruises Cabin Guides
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
