Ruby Princess
Grand class · refurbished 2023 · Alaska, Hawaii
Launched in 2008, this late Grand-class ship was refurbished in 2023. As a mainstay of the West Coast fleet based in San Francisco, it operates around 10-night Alaska round trips in summer, along with 16-night Hawaii voyages and short itineraries along the California coast. Its facilities are modest compared with newer ships, but its pricing is realistic, making it an option for travelers seeking a more affordable Alaska cruise. Departures from San Francisco, close to the city center, also make embarkation convenient.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9378462)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
Japanese food at extra cost
Some Japanese language support
Payment in yen not accepted
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholExtra charge
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiExtra charge
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
The base fare (Princess Standard) includes meals such as main dining and buffet only. Princess Plus (around $65 per person per day) adds a beverage package (up to $15 per drink), one-device Wi-Fi, gratuities, and casual dining benefits. Princess Premier (around $100 per person per day) further adds four-device Wi-Fi, unlimited specialty restaurant dining, priority access, and other benefits (the plan is shared across the company, and no Ruby Princess-specific price difference could be confirmed).
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)$7-$7.50 (+18% service charge)
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and water$3–$4 (+18% service charge)
- Extra chargeDrink packagePrincess Plus ($65/person/day, approximately) includes drinks up to $15 per drink, including beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks, and similar beverages, plus Wi-Fi for 1 device and gratuities. Princess Premier ($100/person/day, approximately) adds a $20 limit, unlimited specialty restaurant dining, Wi-Fi for 4 devices, and more (fleet-wide plan).
- Extra chargeWi‑FiAround $175 for about 7 nights when purchased on its own.
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$18/day for standard cabins; $19/day for mini-suites and Club Class; $20/day for suites
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)$149+; 50-minute massage guide price
- Extra chargeLaundrySelf-service coin laundry (about $2-$3 each for washing and drying). Professional cleaning and pressing cost extra. Captain's Circle Elite members receive some services free.
- Shore excursionsShore excursions cost extra depending on the content and port. Additional purchases can be made through the advance booking website or onboard desk.
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: San Francisco (United States; a major home port for the 2026-2027 Alaska season), Fort Lauderdale (United States; a hub for winter Caribbean and round-trip cruises during some periods)
- Departure ports: San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale
- All ages
- The last ship of the Grand class, built by Fincantieri (Italy) in 2008 (an improved version also described as the Crown class in design terms). A mid-to-large mainstream cruise ship equipped with all the classic Princess elements such as The Sanctuary, Movies Under the Stars and Lotus Spa, its atmosphere centers on a traditional, calm ocean resort rather than flashy gimmicks. In 2020, it was widely reported as being linked, through a cluster of the novel coronavirus on board, to more than 10% of Australia's early infections.
- As of 2026, it mainly operates Alaska and Pacific Coast cruises based in San Francisco, with primarily Western guests from North America, especially the United States and Canada. No record of sailings from and back to Japan or Japanese-language support could be confirmed, and consideration for Japanese passengers is thought to be limited compared with other Japan-based ships.
A member of the Grand/Crown class using diesel-electric propulsion. Unlike the environmental modifications seen on sister ship Diamond Princess, such as LNG conversion or a large-scale air-lubrication retrofit, no ship-specific environmental retrofit has been confirmed for this ship. Cabins and entertainment facilities were refreshed during a 2018 dry dock.
Ship character
- • Budget-conscious Alaska cruises
- • Round-trip Hawaii cruises
- • Convenient West Coast departures
- • Travelers prioritizing the newest facilities
- • Families seeking large kids' facilities
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogJapanesePR / hosted trip disclosedtakemachelin.com
takemachelin.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishRuby Princess CRUISE Ship TOUR & TIPS
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- ArticleEnglishPR / hosted trip disclosedRuby Princess West Coast USA Review
cruise.co.uk · Sailed Sep 10, 2026 · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishPR / hosted trip disclosedCalifornia Coast Cruise, Part 1: Boarding the Ruby Princess
cindyderosier.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishDay 1: Embarkation on the Ruby Princess
pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com · Sailed Sep 24, 2019 · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
English text in preparation.
Sources
- Officialprincess.com
- Secondary sourceseatrade-cruise.com
- Officialprincess.com (2)
- Officialprincess.com (3)
- Officialprincess.com (4)
- Officialprincess.com (5)
- Officialprincess.com (6)
- Secondary sourcecruisedeckplans.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Secondary sourceprincesscruisesblog.com
- Officialprincess.com (7)
- Officialprincess.com (8)
- Officialprincess.com (9)
- Officialprincess.com (10)
- Secondary sourcecruisebooking.com
- Secondary sourceshinecruise.com
- Secondary sourceeatsleepcruise.com
- Secondary sourcedeeparrival.com
- Secondary sourcespapriceslist.com
- Secondary sourcecruiseweb.com
- Secondary sourcetravelmarketreport.com
Source: Wikipedia “Ruby Princess” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interior Stateroom One of the ship's largest categories (about 160 square feet, 436 cabins). There is no window or balcony, but basic amenities such as a bathroom with shower, refrigerator, flat-screen TV, and digital safe are shared with other categories. Princess Luxury Beds were installed in all cabins during the 2018 dry dock. Some wheelchair-accessible cabins are included in this category. 436 cabins | 14.9 m² (160 ft²) | 2-4 people Princess Luxury Bed (queen-size/twin-size available). | Accessible | Check cabin location on the official deck plan |
Oceanview Stateroom A category with fixed windows (some with portholes, and some with obstructed views), about 160–190 sq ft, with 218 rooms. No balcony, but more natural light comes in than in inside cabins. 218 cabins | 14.9–17.7 m² (160–191 ft²) | 2-4 people Princess Luxury Bed (queen-size/twin-size available). | WindowAccessible | Check cabin location on the official deck plan |
Balcony / Deluxe Balcony Stateroom The largest cabin category onboard (about 170 square feet plus a balcony of about 4-8 square meters, 680 rooms). About 882 of all 1,106 outside cabins, or roughly 80%, have balconies. In 2017, some balcony categories were introduced with priority dining benefits similar to Club Class mini-suites. 680 cabins | 15.8 m² (170 ft²) | 2-4 people Princess Luxury Bed (queen-size/twin-size available). | BalconyConnectingAccessible | Check cabin location on the official deck plan |
Mini-Suite / Club Class Mini-Suite Mini-suites of about 275 sq ft (including the balcony) with a living area, 168 rooms in total. Since 2017, some have become Club Class and come with benefits such as priority dining, but standard mini-suites without the Club Class designation do not include them. 168 cabins | 25.5 m² (274 ft²) | 2-4 people Princess Luxury Bed (queen-size/twin-size available) plus a sofa bed. | Balcony | Check cabin location on the official deck plan |
Balcony Suite / Owner's Suite Categories range from balcony suites of about 305–330 square feet to S3 (about 380 square feet) and Owners Suites in S2 (about 410 square feet), covering S2–S6 (28 rooms total). One Family Suite with two bedrooms (S8, about 340 square feet plus balcony, sleeps 6) is also available. All rooms qualify for Reserve-class priority boarding and disembarkation and priority dining benefits. 28 cabins | 28.3–38.1 m² (305–410 ft²) | 2-6 guests (the 2-bedroom Family Suite accommodates up to 6) King/queen bed (convertible to twins). Higher-level suites have a separate living area. | BalconyConciergeConnectingAccessible | Check cabin location on the official deck plan |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Princess Pelicans / Shockwaves / Remix Youth Centers — An age-grouped kids and teen center: Princess Pelicans for ages 3 to 7, Shockwaves for ages 8 to 12, and Remix for ages 13 to 17. It offers free video games, movies, crafts, foosball, and more. A dedicated nursery for infants could not be confirmed.
- • The Sanctuary — An outdoor relaxation deck restricted to guests aged 18 and over. It offers dedicated lounge chairs and private cabanas, while a dedicated Serenity Steward provides signature drinks, light snacks, and outdoor massages (for a fee).
- • Gatsby's Casino & Bar — A casino on Deck 6 with slots, blackjack, American roulette, and dice tables. It operates only in international waters and also offers gaming lessons.
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- Charged automatically to your onboard account for each day under the name "Crew Appreciation." Prepayment is also possible. Guests on Standard fares are charged automatically every day, but the amount can be adjusted at Guest Services (it cannot be abolished, but you can ask to increase or reduce it). If you have purchased the Princess Plus or Princess Premier package, this Crew Appreciation is included in the package price and is not billed separately. Also, from March 2026 the service charge on food and beverage purchases was raised from 18% to 20%.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- 110V/60Hz (North American specification is standard; on some ships, 220V European sockets are also provided)
- Formal nights
- They are scheduled according to cruise length, at roughly 1 for every 4 to 6 nights. Short cruises of 1 to 4 days have none; typically there is 1 for 5 to 6 days and about 2 for 7 to 13 days.
- Medical facilities
- Doctors and nurses are on board 24 hours a day, but the doctors are independent contractors and consultations are charged. As a guide, a consultation during regular hours is said to cost around $100, after-hours visits more ($165 or so), and cabin visits more still (about $205) in some cases. Travel insurance cannot be used directly on board; the charge is first billed to your onboard account, and after disembarking you submit the receipt to your own insurer to claim a refund.
- Bringing items onboard
- Each passenger aged 21 or over (the legal drinking age) may bring only 1 bottle (750 ml) of wine or champagne on board, and no corkage fee is charged for drinking it in your cabin. Bringing beer and spirits is prohibited, and they are confiscated if found. A corkage fee of $20 per bottle applies for additional bottles brought on board or for bottles opened in public areas such as restaurants, regardless of the number of bottles. Alcohol purchased at ports of call or in duty-free shops is held by the ship until the day of disembarkation.
- Mobile and connectivity
- With "Cellular at Sea," which uses satellite communication (via Wireless Maritime Services), regular mobile phone use is possible at sea if your carrier has a roaming agreement. However, maritime roaming tends to be expensive at about $2 to $6 per MB, so it is advisable to check in advance whether your carrier offers a package for sea cruises. If you subscribe to MedallionNet Wi-Fi, you can use data-based calling apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio and Wi-Fi calling, and going through Wi-Fi is a realistic alternative if you want to keep communication costs down.
- Japanese support
- Staff PartialMenus PartialAnnouncements Partial
Dining
One of the main dining rooms on Deck 6. Offers the same rotating menu as Michelangelo Dining Room, combining fixed seating with a reservation and walk-in system similar to Anytime Dining.
Hours: Breakfast: 7:30-9:30 (approx.); dinner has two seatings, early and late, or reservation-based flexible dining (between 17:00 and 22:00).
Main dining room on Deck 5. Uses the same rotating menu as Da Vinci.
Hours: Dinner 17:00-22:00, approximate
Complimentary buffet at the aft of Deck 15. Features multiple stations, including carving, salad, international cuisine, and desserts.
Hours: Breakfast 6:30-11:30, lunch 11:30-15:30, light snacks 15:30-17:30, and dinner also available all day
24-hour cafe in the Piazza. Light snacks are included in the fare, but specialty coffees such as lattes and cappuccinos cost extra without a beverage package.
Hours: Open 24 hours
Seated pizzeria. Serves authentic oven-baked Naples-style pizza at no extra charge.
Hours: 11:30-22:00, approximate
Complimentary fast-food stand on the pool deck. Serves burgers, hot dogs, fries, and tacos, with vegetarian options available.
Hours: 11:00-22:00, approximate
A wine bar in the Atrium (Piazza) offering an extensive wine and champagne list by the glass, with antipasti- and tapas-style light bites. The food itself consists of light snacks from the menu, and drinks are charged per glass.
- Antipasto assortment
- Cheese plate
Sushi bar in the Atrium. Offers nigiri, sashimi, cold sake, cocktails, and wine by the glass for a la carte ordering.
- Assorted nigiri sushi and sashimi
- Sushi rolls
Princess's traditional steakhouse. The menu centers on premium beef cuts and seafood.
- Crab cake
- Premium beef chop
- Seafood platter
Princess's traditional Italian trattoria. Serves antipasto, handmade pasta, and meat or fish mains as a course meal.
- Antipasto assortment
- Handmade pasta
- Tiramisu
An exclusive, limited-capacity course experience hosted by the executive chef, who shares behind-the-scenes stories from the kitchen. Advance registration required.
- Executive Chef-supervised multi-course tasting menu (with wine pairing)Included with the course
Facilities and activities
A spa recognized by Spafinder Wellness 365 as Best Spa on a Cruise Ship. In addition to treatments such as massages, facials, aroma stone therapy, and sea-mud detox wraps, it offers aromatherapy and a thermal suite.
An outdoor relaxation deck restricted to guests aged 18 and over. It offers dedicated lounge chairs and private cabanas, while a dedicated Serenity Steward provides signature drinks, light snacks, and outdoor massages (for a fee).
The largest theater on the ship, presenting free original production shows, comedians, singers, and other performances.
A casino on Deck 6 with slots, blackjack, American roulette, and dice tables. It operates only in international waters and also offers gaming lessons.
An observation-style nightclub with a Grand-class tradition. It is beside the ship's funnel, in a different position from the original Grand-class stern overhang, and offers dancing and live music with a full-service bar.
A lounge with live music and nightclub-style decor. It becomes a social and dancing hub at night.
A bar with calm decor where guests can enjoy card games and board games. Live music may also be offered at night.
A free outdoor theater on the pool deck's large LED screen, showing movies and concert broadcasts with blanket rentals and popcorn service.
An age-grouped kids and teen center: Princess Pelicans for ages 3 to 7, Shockwaves for ages 8 to 12, and Remix for ages 13 to 17. It offers free video games, movies, crafts, foosball, and more. A dedicated nursery for infants could not be confirmed.
Four pools throughout the ship, centered on the main pool on Deck 14, plus 7 outdoor whirlpools. The arrangement includes a pool with a retractable roof for use in bad weather.
A gym with cardio machines and weights. Some group lessons and personal training are paid.
An outdoor promenade that can be circled once. It is used for walking and jogging.
A shopping area around the Piazza selling branded goods, cosmetics, souvenirs, and duty-free items. Browsing and entry are free.
An open-plan, multipurpose atrium. International Café, Vines, Ocean Terrace, and other venues line the surrounding area, making it a social hub and a venue for live music and events.