Golden vs Ruby

[Duffysmom]

We are looking at a Pacific Crossing in September to celebrate an end to my chemo.  It appears the Golden and the Ruby are currently doing this route and when checking into the Golden we found lots of complaints about maintenance of the ship.  Both these ships are unfamiliar to us so would like to know which you would choose.  We are looking at a mini suite cabin E728 so if anyone can enlighten us it would be appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[deultgen]

Personally, we like Ruby, it has recently been refurbished and has Share by Curtis Stone which is a favorite of mine.

[JimmyVWine]

The differences are subtle.  But Crooners is a favorite venue of ours and Ruby has one but Golden doesn't.  Also, I like the positioning of the Adagio Bar and Specialty restaurant up top on Ruby as opposed to having all such restaurants on decks 6 and 7 as they are on Golden.  Ruby has Club Fusion and Golden has a Vista Lounge.  I think I am in the minority on this, but I prefer CF.  All in all, I think that Princess did a decent job of transforming and improving on the Grand Class ship design when they built Crown, Ruby and Emerald.  Bigger ships with more passengers, sure.  But I think they improved on some venues as well.  But don't take this as a "negative" vote for Golden.  Just a more positive vote for Ruby. 

Edited April 15, 2019 by JimmyVWine

[Coral]

I would go Golden. There are 500 more passengers (one extra deck) on the Ruby and not much extra space for the people (they added a few lounges and that is it). Their is a covered pool on the Golden but not the Ruby. If it is cold - the Ruby is going to seem more crowded because more people are going to be inside (remember, more people). I also prefer Vista Lounge compared to Club (Con)Fusion.

 

Congrats on end of chemo!

Edited April 15, 2019 by Coral

[seacruise9]

Hi, 

 

I have cruised on the Golden Princess and the Ruby Princess and like both ships. As noted above, the ships are similar. The Ruby Princess accommodates more passengers, but the ship is newer and (in my opinion) has more attractive public areas. Also, the Ruby Princess has been recently refurbished. Unlike the Ruby, the Golden has an enclosed swimming pool. I personally would choose the Ruby Princess.

 

Chuck

[skynight]

For this cruise, mostly tropic, I would select the Ruby mainly because it is a larger ship with more venues. Lido deck food outlets have been upgraded to include an expanded menus at the grill and slices (pizza). There was also the addition of Coffee & Cones where you can now get your espresso fix by the main pool. The Adaigo Lounge is a nice quiet place to sit and read, and has some music in the evening. By the way the Promenade Lounge & Bar on the Golden is in the same location as Crooner's on other first generation Grand Class ships. It is basically the same thing with a piano for evening songs and entertainment.

[john_galt]

Excellent choice on the mini. I've sailed in E730 which would be E728 on the Golden. Extended balcony and covered by the mini's above. 

 

[ukestrummer]

been on BOTH 2-4 times, I like the Ruby

[OCruisers]

9 hours ago, Duffysmom said:

We are looking at a Pacific Crossing in September to celebrate an end to my chemo.

 

 

What wonderful news!  Yes, time to celebrate!  

Ruby would be our choice .... most places to go and things to do.  

 

 

[Casey12]

Going to the say Golden. The Ruby is much more crowded. You can't put 500 more people on a ship and not feel the crowds. I think people forget what it is like to go to shows and not show up 45 minutes early or not have to wait for dinner for anytime dining. Plus -- if voyage is cold -- you have the covered pool.

[CaribbeanIsland]

Hands down -- GOLDEN Princess.

 

We also don't like the crowds on the Ruby. I did a Transatlantic where the weather rained the entire time and the ship was super crowded. The Golden has the covered pool and the Vista Lounge. Both pluses. We really don't like the waits in the dining room on the Ruby and also the crowds at entertainment venues.

[mafw]

I cruised Alaska last year and was not at all happy with the condition of the ship.

 

I would definitely NOT  go on the ALOHA deck.  Many complaints of mold and mildew...I had occasion to walk across that deck and was appalled with the odors and the fans in the hallways.. When I got back I confronted Princess with facts and pictures and was told they were going to sell her in 2020.  When I asked how they could sell cabins in this condition???they informed me ???

 

I have not sailed on the Ruby since its inagural run....But my experience on the GOLDEN???i would not go back

[BCCRUSINGCOUPLE]

Golden for sure and they do have crooners


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[Brisbane41]

On 4/16/2019 at 4:18 AM, skynight said:

For this cruise, mostly tropic, I would select the Ruby mainly because it is a larger ship with more venues. Lido deck food outlets have been upgraded to include an expanded menus at the grill and slices (pizza). There was also the addition of Coffee & Cones where you can now get your espresso fix by the main pool. The Adaigo Lounge is a nice quiet place to sit and read, and has some music in the evening. By the way the Promenade Lounge & Bar on the Golden is in the same location as Crooner's on other first generation Grand Class ships. It is basically the same thing with a piano for evening songs and entertainment.

The information you present is factually incorrect.

 

Ruby Princess is not a "larger ship" than Golden Princess. Both ships share the same hull design and are the same length and width and have exactly the same number of public rooms. 

 

The mistake you are making is that Ruby Princess has stacked an extra deck on top (with no additional public space) and added another 500 to 700 passengers for a ships frame only designed to cater to around 2,600. As a result Ruby Princess has a higher gross tonnage despite the fact that the frame is exactly the same except for that additional deck.

 

As a result of this I would choose Golden Princess as it would have a much better passenger space ratio and feel more comfortable with less passengers on a ship opposed to Ruby Princess feeling extremely congested compared to the original Grand Class.

[BuckGood]

I believe the Golden is going over to P&O in 2020! We are sailing on her next week and have booked E722!

Edited April 25, 2019 by BuckGood

[BCCRUSINGCOUPLE]

The information you present is factually incorrect.
 
Ruby Princess is not a "larger ship" than Golden Princess. Both ships share the same hull design and are the same length and width and have exactly the same number of public rooms. 
 
The mistake you are making is that Ruby Princess has stacked an extra deck on top (with no additional public space) and added another 500 to 700 passengers for a ships frame only designed to cater to around 2,600. As a result Ruby Princess has a higher gross tonnage despite the fact that the frame is exactly the same except for that additional deck.
 
As a result of this I would choose Golden Princess as it would have a much better passenger space ratio and feel more comfortable with less passengers on a ship opposed to Ruby Princess feeling extremely congested compared to the original Grand Class.

Princess is just making more $$$


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[GUT2407]

Hate when they have a good design and then decide the next build will have an extra 500 passengers but no extra public space.

[BCCRUSINGCOUPLE]

Hate when they have a good design and then decide the next build will have an extra 500 passengers but no extra public space.

I agree the Star and the golden is the perfect size however the lines are getting sneaky charging more and giving less.


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[jeromep]

On 4/15/2019 at 9:26 AM, Duffysmom said:

We are looking at a Pacific Crossing in September to celebrate an end to my chemo.  It appears the Golden and the Ruby are currently doing this route and when checking into the Golden we found lots of complaints about maintenance of the ship.  Both these ships are unfamiliar to us so would like to know which you would choose.  We are looking at a mini suite cabin E728 so if anyone can enlighten us it would be appreciated.

 

A similar question was asked about an Alaska cruise and was asking which to sail on, the Ruby or the Star.  The Star is nearly identical to the Golden, just a year younger a some slight differences.

 

Anyway, we've been on the Golden, Star, and Ruby.  The Ruby is beautiful, really the pinnacle of the Grand Class design, especially as the last ship built in the class, but the extra deck of passenger cabins does make the ship feel more crowded.  It also lacks the "shopping cart handle" Skywalkers.  Skywalkers on the Ruby is located aft of the funnel and lower down.  Views are still excellent, but you don't get quite as much of the 360º views that you get on the Skywalkers that is located above the Terrace Pool at the very rear of the ship, such as on Golden and Star.

 

Golden also has a covered pool in a retractable top solarium.  Having a couple of pools to choose from and having one that is "weatherproof" is a huge plus, especially if the weather could get a little cool while in transit.

 

The Golden is scheduled to leave the fleet in 2020 and be transferred to P&O Australia.  I don't expect Princess to do any significant upgrades to her between now and the transfer.  She will be kept seaworthy and reasonably clean, but I would be surprised if Medallion was installed or any other signature Princess features added, and soft surfaces, like seating and carpet, will be maintained, but not replaced unless absolutely necessary (horrible staining, water damage, excessive wear).

 

However, just being on a cruise is a blessing and treat.  Pick whatever one will take you to the ports you want to visit and fits your schedule and budget.

[Coral]

7 hours ago, jeromep said:

 

 

The Golden is scheduled to leave the fleet in 2020 and be transferred to P&O Australia.  I don't expect Princess to do any significant upgrades to her between now and the transfer.  She will be kept seaworthy and reasonably clean, but I would be surprised if Medallion was installed or any other signature Princess features added, and soft surfaces, like seating and carpet, will be maintained, but not replaced unless absolutely necessary (horrible staining, water damage, excessive wear).

 

The Golden was in dry dock last spring.

Edited April 26, 2019 by Coral

[jeromep]

15 hours ago, Coral said:

The Golden was in dry dock last spring.

Of course, you are correct.

 

I started poking around Princess's site and it appears that the Golden is doing 14 day RT L.A. Alaskan cruises in July and August of 2020.  So, I don't know when the transfer is going to occur.  Those two cruises are not listed as Medallion, so if Medallion hardware was installed during last year's dry dock, I'm not sure when they are going to activate it.

 

I had read someplace that Golden's transfer to P&O Australia was supposed to happen in 2020.  I was under the impression it was going to be in the spring, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Coral]

7 hours ago, jeromep said:

Of course, you are correct.

 

I started poking around Princess's site and it appears that the Golden is doing 14 day RT L.A. Alaskan cruises in July and August of 2020.  So, I don't know when the transfer is going to occur.  Those two cruises are not listed as Medallion, so if Medallion hardware was installed during last year's dry dock, I'm not sure when they are going to activate it.

 

The Sapphire Princess went to dry dock around the same time and I sailed after that. We were told they had installed the wiring necessary for Medallion but it wasn't and isn't Medallion yet. Though they were still having problems last year with it on other ships. So at least when they do want to take it to the next level, they can.

Edited April 27, 2019 by Coral

[Thrak]

On 4/25/2019 at 1:46 PM, BuckGood said:

I believe the Golden is going over to P&O in 2020! We are sailing on her next week and have booked E722!

 

Where did you get this info? I know the ship was built in 2001 but the web site says it was "refurbished in 2018". We have our first sailing on Golden in May so have no real info on the condition of the ship. I know there are some unusual cabin locations on that ship. This is a snip of the deck plan for Sun Deck where there are normally no cabins. 2 Premium Ocean View, 8 Premium Suites, and 2 Owner's Suites.

 

[BuckGood]

3 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

Where did you get this info? I know the ship was built in 2001 but the web site says it was "refurbished in 2018". We have our first sailing on Golden in May so have no real info on the condition of the ship. I know there are some unusual cabin locations on that ship. This is a snip of the deck plan for Sun Deck where there are normally no cabins. 2 Premium Ocean View, 8 Premium Suites, and 2 Owner's Suites.

 

Google Golden princess to p&o!

[Colo Cruiser]

3 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

Where did you get this info? I know the ship was built in 2001 but the web site says it was "refurbished in 2018". We have our first sailing on Golden in May so have no real info on the condition of the ship. I know there are some unusual cabin locations on that ship. This is a snip of the deck plan for Sun Deck where there are normally no cabins. 2 Premium Ocean View, 8 Premium Suites, and 2 Owner's Suites.

 

Those cabins along with window suites/Crown Grill/moving the casino/CC Host office/Furure Cruse host office/shore excursion desk were all added in a major dry dock in 2009.