Ruby Princess Royal Voyage

Discovering the Charms of the Ruby Princess: A Culinary Journey with Princess Cruises

Embarking on a Princess Cruise is always an exciting prospect, and my recent 5-day Culinary Cruise aboard the magnificent Ruby Princess was no exception. Having previously sailed on the impressive Regal Princess earlier this year, I eagerly seized the opportunity to experience another one of Princess Cruises’ renowned ships. This voyage, a unique blend of luxury, relaxation, and an unforgettable gastronomic adventure, proved to be an irresistible invitation for any travel and food enthusiast. You can follow my journey on Instagram and Snapchat (@tasteandtell) for more behind-the-scenes glimpses.

What set this particular cruise apart was its dedicated culinary theme, a truly immersive experience designed to delight the senses. We were incredibly fortunate to have two celebrated culinary figures on board: Chef Cat Cora, an iconic Iron Chef known for her innovative cuisine, and Chef Suzanne Tracht, the esteemed owner of Jar restaurant in Los Angeles. Their presence elevated the cruise to an extraordinary level, featuring captivating cooking demonstrations, exclusive special recipes incorporated into our dining experiences, and even leading bespoke culinary excursions at our ports of call. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere was Jill Whelan, famously known as Captain Stubing’s daughter from The Love Boat, who served as Princess’s “Celebrations Ambassador,” orchestrating many of the festive events throughout our journey. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a wealth of details about our activities and the incredible food we enjoyed, but for now, let’s focus on the star of the show: the Ruby Princess herself.

Contents

An Overview of the Ruby Princess: Elegance on the High Seas

While the Regal Princess boasts a more contemporary grandeur and larger scale, the Ruby Princess, a slightly older and more intimate vessel, exudes a classic charm and unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction that defines the Princess experience. My sister, who accompanied me on this trip, was on her very first cruise, and witnessing her awe and excitement as she discovered all the ship had to offer was a joy in itself. The Ruby Princess, despite its age, maintains the same impeccable standards of care, detail, and luxurious comfort that I’ve come to expect from Princess Cruises. It offers a sophisticated yet welcoming environment, perfect for both seasoned cruisers and first-timers alike. The thoughtful design and friendly crew ensure every guest feels truly pampered from the moment they step aboard.

Comfort and Convenience in Your Stateroom

Our stateroom provided a wonderfully comfortable sanctuary during our journey. It was thoughtfully appointed with two twin beds, a practical desk area perfect for catching up on emails or journaling, a generously sized closet offering ample storage for our belongings, and a well-maintained private bathroom. The highlight, however, was undoubtedly our balcony. I wholeheartedly recommend splurging on a balcony stateroom; the ability to step outside, breathe in the fresh sea air, and watch the ocean glide by is an unparalleled luxury that truly enhances the cruise experience. We were particularly fortunate to secure a stateroom on a lower deck where our balcony was approximately twice the size of standard balconies. This expansive private outdoor space became my personal haven, where I spent countless serene hours reading, sipping coffee, and simply soaking in the magnificent ocean views. It offered a quiet escape from the bustling decks, providing a perfect balance of privacy and connection to the sea. While cruise ship cabins are known for being compact, our room never felt cramped, and the layout was efficient, ensuring we always had enough space to move around comfortably. The shower, though indeed on the smaller side and requiring a bit of maneuvering for tasks like shaving legs, was perfectly functional and certainly didn’t detract from our overall comfort. Given the plethora of activities and entertainment onboard, we found ourselves spending very little time in our cabin beyond sleeping and preparing for the day’s adventures, yet it was always a welcoming retreat.

Unrivaled Onboard Amenities: A Floating Resort

The Ruby Princess truly functions as a vibrant, self-contained city at sea, offering an astonishing array of facilities and entertainment options designed to cater to every taste and preference. It’s impossible to be bored with so much to explore and experience across its multiple decks.

Pools, Hot Tubs, and Relaxation Decks

The ship features an impressive selection of four sparkling pools and seven inviting hot tubs, strategically located across various decks to provide different atmospheres. You’ll find everything from bustling family-friendly pools to more tranquil, adults-only sanctuaries, perfect for a peaceful dip or lounging with a good book. While our California coastline cruise in late autumn meant the weather wasn’t quite warm enough for me to take a dip, the cooler temperatures certainly didn’t deter many other enthusiastic passengers from enjoying the refreshing waters. The expansive deck areas surrounding the pools were always bustling, offering plenty of comfortable loungers, shaded spots for those seeking respite from the sun, and vibrant energy for sunbathing or simply enjoying the sea breeze and stunning ocean vistas.

Dining Experiences: A Culinary Paradise

Food is undeniably a cornerstone of any cruise experience, and the Ruby Princess excels in this department, especially given our culinary theme. From elegant main dining rooms serving multi-course gourmet meals in a sophisticated setting to casual buffet options offering a global array of dishes, and specialty restaurants providing unique culinary adventures for a surcharge, the choices are abundant and varied. I’ll delve deeper into the specific culinary delights and memorable dishes we savored in future posts, detailing the exquisite creations from our celebrity chefs. But suffice it to say, every palate is well-catered for, ensuring a delightful gastronomic journey throughout the cruise, whether you prefer classic cuisine or innovative flavors.

Entertainment and Leisure for Every Guest

Beyond dining, the Ruby Princess offers a rich tapestry of entertainment and leisure facilities, ensuring there’s always something exciting to do, day or night:

Lounges and Bars: Multiple lounges and bars, each with its own distinct ambiance, provide perfect settings for pre-dinner cocktails, engaging conversations, vibrant live music, or simply unwinding with a refreshing drink. From elegant piano bars to lively sports pubs, there’s a spot for every mood.
Casino: For those feeling lucky, a lively casino offers a variety of games, from slot machines to blackjack and poker tables, promising thrilling evenings of chance and excitement. The atmosphere is always buzzing with energy.
Fitness Center & Spa: A generously sized, well-equipped gym allows guests to maintain their fitness routines while at sea, complete with state-of-the-art machines and fitness classes. This is complemented by a luxurious Lotus Spa offering a range of rejuvenating treatments, soothing massages, and relaxation therapies for ultimate pampering and wellness.
The Theatre: The ship’s grand theatre hosts spectacular production shows nightly, featuring talented singers, dancers, and performers, delivering Broadway-caliber entertainment that captivates audiences of all ages.
Art Gallery & Library: Culture enthusiasts can explore diverse collections in the onboard art gallery, often featuring auctions and talks, or find a quiet corner in the well-stocked library to delve into a good book, play a board game, or simply enjoy a moment of tranquility.
Shopping: A selection of duty-free boutique shops offers everything from designer apparel and fine jewelry to souvenirs, gifts, and cruise essentials, perfect for a leisurely browse or picking up a special treat for yourself or loved ones.

Movies Under the Stars: An Unforgettable Evening

One of my absolute favorite features, and a highlight of this cruise, was the iconic “Movies Under the Stars” experience. Having regretfully missed it on my previous cruise, I made it an absolute priority this time, and it truly exceeded my expectations. Imagine snuggling under a cozy blanket on a comfortable deck chair, enjoying freshly popped popcorn and other snacks, and watching a blockbuster movie on a giant outdoor LED screen, all while sailing under a canopy of stars with the gentle sea breeze as your companion. It was a truly magical evening when we decided to have a casual dinner of delicious burgers and pizza, all enjoyed al fresco while the film played. The ambiance was simply wonderful, creating a cherished memory of relaxation and shared enjoyment that perfectly encapsulates the magic of cruising.

Navigating the Ruby Princess: A Helpful Tip

Cruising on a large ship like the Ruby Princess can sometimes feel a bit like navigating a maze, especially in the initial days when you’re still getting your bearings. A clever tip I picked up on this cruise, which I highly recommend, is to pay attention to the carpet patterns or colors on each side of the ship’s corridors. Our particular corridor, for instance, featured distinct carpet colors on opposing sides – ours, specifically, was characterized by a rich red hue. This simple yet effective visual cue became an invaluable aid in quickly orienting ourselves and easily finding our stateroom, saving us from countless moments of delightful but sometimes disorienting exploration and ensuring we always knew which way was home!

We had such an incredible time on the Ruby Princess, immersing ourselves in the culinary adventures, enjoying the luxurious amenities, and making wonderful memories. The unparalleled service and attention to detail that Princess Cruises is known for truly shone through every aspect of this voyage, making it a truly exceptional experience. I’m already eagerly dreaming of my next cruise adventure, confident that Princess Cruises will deliver another unforgettable journey!

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This post has been sponsored by Princess Cruises. I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with companies and organizations whose values and offerings I genuinely admire and believe in. Your continued support of them is truly appreciated.