Caribbean or Ruby Princess?

[fourkittys]

We have never been on Princess and have an oppportunity to sail either on the Caribbean or Ruby princess this fall. We are in our 60's and are not high maintenace people. Itinerary is fine for either, more interested in the difference in the ships. Thanks so much!

Another thing, we have always had a balcony room on other lines and a sofa but only the minisuites have them are higher than we really want to spend. The regular balcony rooms with only a chair seem awfully small. What experience to you have and was it satisfactory. Thanks adain!:D

[Canusa02]

We have never been on Princess and have an oppportunity to sail either on the Caribbean or Ruby princess this fall. We are in our 60's and are not high maintenace people. Itinerary is fine for either, more interested in the difference in the ships. Thanks so much!

Another thing, we have always had a balcony room on other lines and a sofa but only the minisuites have them are higher than we really want to spend. The regular balcony rooms with only a chair seem awfully small. What experience to you have and was it satisfactory. Thanks adain!:D

 

We have sailed on RCI twice and the Ruby once. We had the same balcony class on each, and Princess has the bigger rooms. I'm not sure if there is a difference in suite size, but we had two chairs and a small table on Ruby. There were four of us on the balcony for sailaway, and eight of us squeezed on to sip wine before dinner one evening.

[Megalon]

We have sailed the Caribbean Princess and the Ruby Princess within a six month period. We also sailed Golden Princess two years ago. We have also sailed Holland America and RCI. Our 62 and 61 year-old model bodies enjoy the basic Princess layout, and we have very much enjoyed the Princess cruises. Now, about the ships. The layout is similar, but we found the Ruby had a refinement of spaces (Adagio lounge, repositioned Wheelhouse Bar, slightly more isolation of Crooners) that made for a more enjoyable experience for us. There was a definite "newness" to public spaces on Ruby that was noticeable.

 

And we are in the same dilemma as you. Our next Princess cruise will either be Ruby or Caribbean. Caribbean would be the southern itinerary we have not done; Ruby would be the repeat of a very nice itinerary we have just done. That we are thinking of repeating the same itinerary after only one year just to sail Ruby again tells you what we think of the ship. This is not to say Caribbean Princess was not a great cruise; Ruby was just a bit nicer.

 

About the room. We had a mini-suite on Golden - wonderful layout. Had a large interior on Lido deck on Caribbean. Fine for a coolish New England/Canada itinerary. When we chose Ruby, we had your identical dilemma. The four balcony cabins we had on other lines were all larger in square feet and had a couch or love seat. We were hesitant because of the missing couch on Princess balcony cabins. We chose a Caribe deck balcony cabin on Ruby and it was fine. What it lacked in size it made up for in logical layout. We did not miss the couch. We came to realize that on other cruises it only became a clothes depository for my wife. The balcony size was fabulous, especially if you want sun.

 

However, as logical as the room is designed, the bathroom will not compare with a mini. Small shower and less sink counter space. We would and will book this level room again.

 

So, since it is your first Princess cruise, you would not even know what refinements are missing and thoroughly enjoy a Caribbean Princess cruise. And their pizza was even better than Ruby. You can't miss with either.

[royalcruz]

I prefered Sabatini's on the Caribbean, as it was smaller and more intimate. Otherwise, the Ruby is newer and nicer and the piazza was nicer on Ruby.

[highflyingrealtor]

And let's not forget that the Caribbean lacks the gelato in the international cafe. We've missed this treat and will more than make up for it on the Ruby in 28 more days! :D

[Carolyn R]

I would not hesitate to book either ship. I have been on the Ruby twice and the CB five times so far. There are very few differences.

[highheel girl]

The Ruby! Sabatinis at the rear of the ship offers fantastic views.

Adagio lounge right next door is a must too. ;)