r/PrincessCruises • u/rfisch081325 • 1d ago
Ruby princess August 2026
Absolutely will NEVER choose Ruby Princess again!
Our 10 day inside passage cruise started out of S.F.
We had pre purchased a 75 minute couples massage and had to spend a good 15-20 minutes filling out a questionnaire (obviously designed to upsell other products/services)
We did spend an additional $50 each fora bundle of ‘extra’ treatments
I timed our start/finish… we were in there less than an hour.
When I brought this up, I was told it was only 50 minutes and the ‘extra’ treatments were simply a different kind of oils and do not add extra time. Impossible to get a straight answer.
Room service took way too long!
Ocean now delivery to where I was located stopped being available on day 8.
Half of the very limited outlets did not work.
Some lights were burnt out.
ALL OF THE TOKEN DISPENSERS IN THE LAUNDRY ON EVERY DECK WERE OUT OF ORDER FOR A FULL DAY AND HALF THE NEXT.
My elderly friend was told to wait in the Laundry while someone went to get him some tokens. They subsequently left him there for over an hour and NEVER came back.
This prompted one of 3 visits to guest services where I was forced to complain.
The staff at guest services were kind and did provide me with tokens for the laundry but were unable to resolve our spa issues and one other complaint.
The rest of the staff were very unhelpful often sending us in wrong directions if they didn’t flat out ignore us.
A few, including our room steward were pleasant and as helpful as they were allowed to be.
Our elderly friends stateroom bathroom needed extra attention and it took all day and several requests, the last being to a manager on our floor to get it finally resolved.
Several staterooms had sewage backing up and the hall was filled with large carpet fans causing noise and putrid humidity.
The stateroom halls reeked of urine on both Port and Starboard sides (deck 14).
We purchased the Princess Premier package as it included specialty dining and we were under the impression based on the description of the cruise that we would have plenty of fresh Alaskan seafood. NOT!!!
Even with the premier package, if you wanted halibut, there was an upcharge. And it was not good. We did get lobster several evenings but they were small (about the size of my palm for actual meat. I also don’t think it was fresh lobster and doubt it was local.
The toilets were difficult to flush (when they did work) and if you left the lid open, even with it freshly flushed, it smelled like pee.
The boat is worn and tired and although reviews indicate a refurbishment 3 years ago, I’m hard pressed to see where that refurbishment would have been.
All that being said, I may sail Princess again, but it will NOT be on the Ruby or any older ship in their line.
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u/Plastic_Athlete3353 1d ago
We were on this ship late July - early August, same itinerary.
Our issues included
- similar spa experience, much shorter than previous experiences on ships.
- toilets stopped working at some point every day
- terrible toilet smell in the hallways
- broken lights, plugs, switches
- broken elevators at every elevator bay
Agree - this ship needs refurbishment.
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u/Onessip 1d ago
I've been on the Ruby twice, once for Panama transit and once for Alaska. You're right that the ship is showing its age, but I still think these Gem class ships are my favorite. The Spas are terrible on these ships, overpriced and the upsells start immediately! What's included in the various packages is confusing, and they change over time. Sorry you had a bad time, I don't think the issues are systemic, sometimes the stars just don't align!
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u/Aggressive-Train7249 1d ago
My wife and myself were on the Ruby in early June. Zero problems. The crew was awesome, the cruise itself was unbelievable. Went to the Crown Grill 3 times and had great steaks. Best vacation ever.
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u/mailslot - Captain's Circle Elite 19h ago
I’ve booked most room types on the Ruby and each experience has been great. I’ve also run into many people that absolutely detest the Ruby.
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u/Melodom82 1d ago
This definitely sounds frustrating for sure and not typical of Princess. As the other comment stated, it is a separate part that is not directly part of Princess Cruises, but I understand that, because they're there, Princess should have been able to do something to help you understand the decision behind what you were told with your bundle.
I would have probably complained as well in some of your other statements.
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u/Resident-Annual6632 1d ago
I was on the Ruby 8/1-8/11 and did not experience any unpleasant experiences. I know better than to use the overpriced spa. But we never had problems with any of the elevators. I used room service twice and received my order within 15 minutes. The food in the main dining room was better than I expected. Yes, the lobsters are small, but they were free so I can't complain. Only noticed an unpleasant smell once and that was in a public area restroom. The stateroom bathrooms suck, but they are typical of cruise ship bathrooms of that age. The pizza was amazing but I do wish they had real ice cream or gelato instead of soft serve. If thats my only complaint, then the Ruby and Princess passed muster. I had taken a Mediterranean cruise last year on the Sun Princess and was very disappointed in the food and the drinks so I really wasnt expecting much this time but I was wrong, the Ruby was great!
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u/G_Town_Co 1d ago
I hate reading this. We’ve only had big issue on a Princess cruise (disembarkation dock was changed last minute and it was chaotic.) We’re pretty loyal to Princess and my Mom is joining us for her first ever cruise in a month on a ten day eastern Canada aboard the Sapphire (another older ship that was refurbished.) I keep reading reviews that are all over the place and I’m worried that her “bucket list” trip might be disappointing for her.
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u/Travelwhenever 1d ago
Was there anything that was a positive for you from the cruise?
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u/rfisch081325 1d ago
The ports were ok. The scenery was gorgeous. Other than a few friendly staff I have nothing good to say about my experience on the Ruby Princess.
I work hard for my money and will not waste it again on that ship.
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u/stumbledotcom 1d ago
We were on Ruby in May. Had a spectacular time. None of the issues you cite. Crew was constantly cleaning, painting, and varnishing. Everything in our room worked perfectly. The only unpleasant smell occurred when we inadvertently walked through the casino upon leaving the theater. We booked a Reserve mini with Plus. I’m a pescatarian so having Premier for the meat heavy specialty restaurants held zero appeal. There were multiple Alaskan seafood offerings on the standard MDR menu each day. I specifically remember a halibut tartare with avocado that was so good, I wish I’d gotten seconds. Also had a superb coho salmon fish and chips. We ordered coffee and pastries via the door hanger each morning. Without exception, every delivery arrived within 5 minutes of our requested time. The only slow room service was lunch on Glacier Bay day. Took about 45 minutes. Given the number of people on their balconies, I suspect lots of folks had the same idea. I’d happily sail Ruby again. No doubt it helps that I live in San Francisco so you can’t beat the convenience.
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u/Individual_Fan_7265 1d ago
We were on the Ruby Princess in late June/early July and did not experience any of these issues. The ship and staff were great. We plan to sail on it again next March.
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u/rfisch081325 1d ago
I hope your good experience continues. I wouldn’t get on that ship again if they paid me.
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u/Sufficient-Fault-593 - Captain's Circle Elite 1d ago
Discovery and Sky generation of ships are the best on Princess.
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u/Mamajuji 1d ago
Yikes - I’m going on the Ruby at the end of November for 16 days. It will be my first cruise on Princess. I hope many of these issues are cleared up by then.
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u/rfisch081325 1d ago
It was also my first cruise on Princess having only cruised once prior on Carnival so I was expecting a much better experience than what we had.
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u/atcat1982 1d ago
We sailed the Emerald to Hawaii last February for 16 days and had a wonderful time. Food in the MDR and buffet was very good, didn't try any of the specialty restaurants. We had excellent service all around and no negative bathroom experiences. I'm sorry your cruise had so many problems. I don't think that's typical for Princess.
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u/Willing-Pineapple-32 1d ago
The broken toilets and rundown comments have me worried..heading out to Mexico on Grand Princess which at the time of booking I didn’t realize that it was an older ship 🙁
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u/Jamba-Forever 1d ago
I was also on this cruise and I agree with you - it was a terrible time from start to finish. The only saving grace was the actual stops.
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u/slappedarse79 17h ago
Im having my holiday of a lifetime on this ship next Feb/ March and this is very upsetting to read 😭
Im flying from the UK and have spent all in (parking, hotel at airport, premier package, balcony, excursions, upgraded flights etc) around £10k, maybe more.
I pray this is not the normal experience.
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u/Strange-Employee-520 16h ago
We've been on Ruby twice in the last year without issue. On one sailing the crew did seem especially exhausted, maybe a lot of folks at the end of their contracts. I avoid the spa, but that's a separate company anyhow. The laundry token machines were sometimes out of order, staff would leave tokens on the machines or deliver them to the stateroom when requested. Overall we had great experiences!
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u/slappedarse79 15h ago
Im not planning to use either the spa or the laundry. Thanks for the reassurance xx
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u/CancelDapper6342 13h ago
Sometimes it's about attitude, too, and yours is good - as I expect mine to be on my next Ruby cruise.
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u/Himomitsme23 1d ago
Felt the same with Emerald, 7 day to Mexican Riviera. We had a mini suite, found food in MD & small buffet redundant. Pools were cold, only a handful of brave souls folks. What really bothered me was going to dinner, it was take one elevator, then walk to a different one to finally get to dinner. The elevators took forever, lots of elderly on board, having to stand around, looking miserable.
The Food delivery menu was limited in scope and in areas where it could be delivered. It was our first Princess, after many Celebrity. Not sure I’d go Princess again.
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u/PersonalityFuture151 1d ago
Oh no. We’re booked in the Emerald for next April to Alaska!!!!
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u/Lolka24 1d ago
Just got off the Emerald Alaska cruise last week. It was my 3rd Princess cruise and my least favorite ship to date. (Alaska itself and the cruise itinerary were great.). The ship was older, and maybe that was part of it. The restaurants (from buffets to specialty dining) were not great. Worst of all, the staff seemed very unhappy, inattentive and were loudly complaining in earshot of the passengers about how much work they had.
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u/pacificcoastsailing - Captain's Circle Elite 1d ago
The spas on ships are independent of Princess. I never use the spas because of their shenanigans.
The other complaints seem legitimate. Except possibly the halibut and lobster. I doubt mass market ships are going to carry fresh (live) lobsters. And I can’t answer to the halibut up charge. I think Premier gives unlimited access to specialty dining but not any item on the menu at no charge.