Cafe Caribe vs Horizon Court on Ruby

[Cruise Arizona]

I am only familiar specifically with the Grand Princess.

 

I have been studying the deck plan of the Ruby and notice the buffet area has two names Cafe Caribe and Horizon Ct. Are the spaces utilized differently?

 

Also any other tips on difference between the two ship designs, in terms of how they are used for functionality would be much appreciated.

[Colo Cruiser]

I am only familiar specifically with the Grand Princess.

 

I have been studying the deck plan of the Ruby and notice the buffet area has two names Cafe Caribe and Horizon Ct. Are the spaces utilized differently?

 

Also any other tips on difference between the two ship designs, in terms of how they are used for functionality would be much appreciated.

 

They alternate the use for the 2 buffets. In Cafe Caribe they will have themed dinners (Barvarian etc). Cafe Craibe we have found when used for brreakfast is very limited.

[Cruise Arizona]

I didn't spot a pizzaria in the piazza, I'm assuming there is none on Ruby, just the one up on deck by the pool?

 

Also, guests wants to know where the designated smoking areas are? I'm assuming promenade deck and on back by the terrace ?

[Times Prince]

I am only familiar specifically with the Grand Princess.

 

I have been studying the deck plan of the Ruby and notice the buffet area has two names Cafe Caribe and Horizon Ct. Are the spaces utilized differently?

 

Also any other tips on difference between the two ship designs, in terms of how they are used for functionality would be much appreciated.

We've sailed on the Ruby's sister ships. In the past the Café Caribe was used for evening dining and the Horizon Court for dining during the day. Café Caribe has things like premade salads, and up to three cutting stations for the meat/fish entrées. Desserts are cut and given to you. It is a more upscale setting and Ship's Officers and entertainers are often seen dining there. The tables are in a more intimate setting, and the service is great.

 

As mentioned, Café Caribe has themed nights, however recently this venue has been used for the Crab Shack pay extra dining on some nights.

 

On our last cruise we found that Café Caribe was often closed for dinner, and the theme nights, like Bavarian, were served in the Horizon Court. Not sure why this change was made, other than the new profit center Crab Shack.

 

The only pizza is up by the pool on this class of ship design.

[skynight]

I didn't spot a pizzaria in the piazza, I'm assuming there is none on Ruby, just the one up on deck by the pool?

 

Also, guests wants to know where the designated smoking areas are? I'm assuming promenade deck and on back by the terrace ?

 

I haven't been on the Ruby, but have been on the sister ships Emerald and Crown. Cafe Carib and Horizon Ct. are both buffets that share a common seating area. There are 2 serving sides in Cafe Caribe and two in Horizon Ct. Basically one to four lines are open depending on the time of day and the meal.The Cafe Caribe area is usually open for dinner, with the Horizon Ct. lines closed, but you can seat yourself anywhere.

 

Smoking,

On the Emerald the smoking areas were

Outside:

A small area (not the entire promenade) of the promenade outside of Club Fusion Starboard aft.

An area on the port side next to Tradewinds Bar on deck 16

The port side of the Horizon Terrace on Deck 15 aft.

The port side of the terrace outside of Sabatini's on Deck 16 aft.

I believe there was also a smoking area on deck 16 as far back as you can walk on the port side

Inside;

Casino

Speakeasy Cigar Bar, cigar and pipes limited to this area

A section of Skywalker's in the late evening. It is smoke free during the day.

No smoking on cabins or on balconies.

[Homosassa]

The Cafe Caribe will often have a themed lunch buffet and will have food different from the other serving lines. I have seen Mexican, Italian, Japanese and other themed foods offered. The specifics for the Cafe Caribe will be listed each day in the Princess Patters under the schedules for meals.

 

Breakfast in Cafe Caribe is often just a continental breakfast.

[san diego sue]

Recently on the Ruby. Only ate in Caribe one time, a themed Mexican Buffet for lunch. Couldn't believe the huge lines. We got there when it opened so not bad but in minutes, line was awful.

On previous cruises ate in Caribe on some of the themed dinners.

[Colo Cruiser]

Recently on the Ruby. Only ate in Caribe one time, a themed Mexican Buffet for lunch. Couldn't believe the huge lines. We got there when it opened so not bad but in minutes, line was awful.

On previous cruises ate in Caribe on some of the themed dinners.

 

It (Cafe Caribe) is very poorly designed. :(

[OCruisers]

Also, guests wants to know where the designated smoking areas are?

 

We were on Ruby in January. Same as sknight described on Emerald & Crown:

 

~ Speakeasy , the Cigar Bar, is inside on Deck 6 beside the Casino and the only place cigars are allowed. Cigarettes are smoked in there as well.

~ On Deck 16 (Sun Deck) there is a half covered smoking area port side sort of forward beside the bar up there.

~ On Deck 16 Aft there is also a smoking area just outside of the Adagio Bar.

~ The only place on the Promenade Deck (7) is a tiny "smoke station" box with a bench aft/starboard side the last door outside before entering Club Fusion.

~ A section of the Casino is smoking ... but some nights are non-smoking.

~ Sometimes, smoking is allowed in a small section of Skywalkers Nightclub after 10 PM.

 

LuLu

[MSMcDuffy]

It was a while ago ('09) that I was on the Ruby but the desserts were so much better in Cafe Caribe than the Horizon Buffet. I always enjoyed going there when they opened in the evening.

[cubfan63]

I didn't spot a pizzaria in the piazza, I'm assuming there is none on Ruby, just the one up on deck by the pool?

 

Also, guests wants to know where the designated smoking areas are? I'm assuming promenade deck and on back by the terrace ?

 

 

Alfredo's (the Pizzaria in the Piazza) is only on the Regal, Royal, Grand and Sapphire.

[joeyancho]

Recently on the Ruby. Only ate in Caribe one time, a themed Mexican Buffet for lunch. Couldn't believe the huge lines. We got there when it opened so not bad but in minutes, line was awful.

On previous cruises ate in Caribe on some of the themed dinners.

 

Huge lines for Chinese lunch also.

[Times Prince]

It (Cafe Caribe) is very poorly designed. :(

For dinner in the evening when many passengers are in the Main Dining Rooms, Café Caribe is perfectly designed.

 

In those times there are two sections with the cutting stations in the middle, salads, soups, pastas at one end, and veggies, fruits, desserts at the other.

 

It may be not as well designed when attempts to use it like Horizon Court are made.

[Colo Cruiser]

For dinner in the evening when many passengers are in the Main Dining Rooms, Café Caribe is perfectly designed.

 

In those times there are two sections with the cutting stations in the middle, salads, soups, pastas at one end, and veggies, fruits, desserts at the other.

 

It may be not as well designed when attempts to use it like Horizon Court are made.

 

Normal use that I have seen is a long line out both sides and a congested area.

:(

[BarbinMich]

I have always found the serving area in Cafe Caribe bordering on claustrophobic, even when there aren't many pax there. Also, fewer choices at dinner time. Much prefer the somewhat more open serving areas in Horizon. We often sit back there for breakfast because it usually has more available seats, including a lot more tables for 2, but we always stop to get our food in Horizon. ;)

Edited April 16, 2015 by BarbinMich

[OCruisers]

On Ruby the Pizza station is on Lido (Deck 15) mid-ship port side. :)

LuLu

[ncsongbird]

I have always found the serving area in Cafe Caribe bordering on claustrophobic, even when there aren't many pax there. Also, fewer choices at dinner time. Much prefer the somewhat more open serving areas in Horizon. We often sit back there for breakfast because it usually has more available seats, including a lot more tables for 2, but we always stop to get our food in Horizon. ;)

 

We do the same thing for breakfast We pick a table in the Caribe, get our water and juice and then walk next door to the Horizon for the bigger, better buffet and bring our tray back to Caribe. It's easier to find a table in Caribe and we also find it much quieter.

[shredie]

We do the same thing for breakfast We pick a table in the Caribe, get our water and juice and then walk next door to the Horizon for the bigger, better buffet and bring our tray back to Caribe. It's easier to find a table in Caribe and we also find it much quieter.

 

Yes, this. Not everyone knows the seating is back there, so it is often easier to find a place.

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes, this. Not everyone knows the seating is back there, so it is often easier to find a place.

 

I think we always head to the back. Yes it is more quiet.