Dreamer115 Posted September 13, 2018 #1 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Star, Ruby or Royal Which would you suggest for a Pacific Coastal and why? I've never had so much trouble deciding before, I seem to change my mind every day or so. Other than San Francisco, which they all go to, the ports aren't too important. 2 are spring one is fall, 2 are 7 days 1 is 6. We do have a 12 and 13 year old with us so that is important. Maybe an inside pool in case the weather isn't great as they love to swim. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I love the sale that's on now, you Princess people out there, is it the best or should I wait for a different sale to book. Oh yea this will be 2020. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted September 13, 2018 #2 Share Posted September 13, 2018 I'd go for the Royal simply because it's a spiffier ship. Some of its drawbacks - the lack of a real promenade deck, the relative paucity of pools considering the number of pax, the inward-facing design - would be more of a negative on tropical cruises, but for the Pacific Coastals they wouldn't be a big factor. No covered pool, though. The 3-for-Free might be a great deal or might not. Some people are reporting major savings. I'd already booked three cruises that are now covered by 3FF. I actually would have made out worse had I rebooked two of those cruises under the present sale. The third I did rebook, but only netted savings of a couple hundred bucks. Book now with a discount TA who won't charge a change or cancellation fee should things change. (Especially if you have Future Cruise Deposits or if tying up the deposit for that long isn't a big deal for you.) You'll get the best cabin selection, and 3FF has refundable deposits. As far as fare changes go, one thing is certain: the prices will go up, or go down, or stay about the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted September 13, 2018 #3 Share Posted September 13, 2018 You will have a great time on any of them. Personally I enjoy the grand class ships better than the Royal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted September 13, 2018 #4 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Royal=excellent buffet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky61 Posted September 13, 2018 #5 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Royal=excellent buffet. A good example of how our tastes differ. I wouldn't choose a ship based on the buffet because I don't eat in a buffet.:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukesubsailor Posted September 13, 2018 #6 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Take the cruise on the Star. She will be leaving the Princess fleet in a couple of years along with the rest of her class. You will have plenty of opportunities to experience the newer ships like the Ruby and the Royal in the future. Each class of ships has features that some like and others dislike. Everyone should experience all ship classes and make their own judgement about the features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare patrickmoran Posted September 13, 2018 #7 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Ruby Princess The ship has my favorite layout/size. Pool layout is better - 2 pools without MUTS (don't care for MUTS during the day and it is loud). Balconies are good size compared to Royal. Buffet is much better on Royal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memoak Posted September 13, 2018 #8 Share Posted September 13, 2018 The Ruby is one of my favorite ships in the fleet - Crooners is a great bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperdo Posted September 13, 2018 #9 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Of those 3 ships listed, only the Star has an indoor pool. A Pacific Coastal cruise can be on the cool side. That might be something to consider if you like hanging around the pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamer115 Posted September 13, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Is the covered pool an adult pool or open to all? So many questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satxdiver Posted September 13, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Is the covered pool an adult pool or open to all? So many questions. The covered pool is on the Star and adult only. Ruby and Royal both have only open air pools. In answer to the OP my choices in order would be Royal, Ruby and then Star. Keep the questions coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamer115 Posted September 13, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted September 13, 2018 The covered pool is on the Star and adult only. Ruby and Royal both have only open air pools. In answer to the OP my choices in order would be Royal, Ruby and then Star. Keep the questions coming. I was afraid of that, if the weather is bad do they let kids in like they do on Royal Caribbean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srpilo Posted September 13, 2018 #13 Share Posted September 13, 2018 The covered pool is on the Star and adult only. Ruby and Royal both have only open air pools. In answer to the OP my choices in order would be Royal, Ruby and then Star. Keep the questions coming. Sorry to disagree The only adult only pool on the Star and all the Grand class and Super Grand class is the aft pool on the Horizon Terrace, mid indoor pool and the outside fwd pool are for all passengers, including children Srpilo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted September 13, 2018 #14 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Sorry to disagreeThe only adult only pool on the Star and all the Grand class and Super Grand class is the aft pool on the Horizon Terrace, mid indoor pool and the outside fwd pool are for all passengers, including children Indeed. The indoor pool admits kids, and if there are a bunch playing (and if there's a ping-pong game going, then that too) can make it less a peaceful retreat than an echo-y mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperdo Posted September 14, 2018 #15 Share Posted September 14, 2018 I've seen kids in the indoor pool on the Star as well. I don't recall seeing any signs that say otherwise. Here's a photo I took a few years ago that show some kids enjoying the pool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZJerry Posted September 14, 2018 #16 Share Posted September 14, 2018 The forward pool surrounded by the Lotus spa/exercise area is adult only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieS Posted September 14, 2018 #17 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Love the Royal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted September 14, 2018 #18 Share Posted September 14, 2018 The covered pool allows kids and I would go with Star. This is a good promo. Book with someone that doesn't charge cancellation fees so that if a better promo comes around, you can switch. I also don't like buffets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliair Posted September 14, 2018 #19 Share Posted September 14, 2018 I would pick the Royal. Nice ship and we're looking forward to cruising on her again. Doesn't matter if you cruise Spring or fall, the California coastal cruise will not be a warm cruise. If you want a warm cruise, go to Mexico. San Francisco is cold no matter when you go, so if your heart is set on the CA coastal cruise, take warm clothing. I'm not fond of the Star Princess, I call her the sausage ship. Ruby is okay, and both the Star and Ruby are a step below Royal. JMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted September 14, 2018 #20 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Royal then Ruby and forget the Star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tioalmsp Posted September 14, 2018 #21 Share Posted September 14, 2018 The Ruby is one of my favorite ships in the fleet - Crooners is a great bar Agree. We love the Ruby for its consistent service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamer115 Posted September 14, 2018 Author #22 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Are any of them better for kids than the others. 12 and 14 year old grandkids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tioalmsp Posted September 14, 2018 #23 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Are any of them better for kids than the others. 12 and 14 year old grandkids. I would go with the royal with teens. Great ship. Larger pool area and just more modern. Either way all are great ships for the family. Enjoy your family cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Woobstr112G Posted September 14, 2018 #24 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Ruby would be my pick.....:):):) Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybenny Posted September 14, 2018 #25 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Any ship is fine. I love the Ruby and Royal, Star is fine. I would do whatever is cheapest. The weather during a California coastal cruise is too cold for me to enjoy the retreat pool on the Royal. I Love Bellini’s bar on the Royal and the casino is nice and big. I love SHARE on the Ruby, in fact we did a California coastal this year just to do SHARE. We had a club class mini so we only did 1 night of specialty dining. Did the Star on a Hawaii cruise and thought it was a fine ship. You can’t go wrong with any .... in my opinion Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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