Ruby Princess Review

4.5 / 5.0
1,976 reviews

Buffet food "ain't what it used to be" YUK

Review for Pacific Coastal Cruise on Ruby Princess
User Avatar
BC-er
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Entertainment
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Apr 2017

We chose this cruise as an easy get away with friends. We'd last been on the Ruby Princess 2 or 3 years ago and I have beautiful photos of the food then. I'd told everyone one that although we enjoyed Celebrity with it's wonderful service and food, that the Princess Food was just as good or even better especially with all the wonderful desserts and extra special Sea Days lunch buffets! BUT we were shocked at the changes to the Lido deck buffet. Lunch choices were smaller, only a few choices for dessert where as there had be lots of choices beautifully presented on our last cruise. Also the lunch buffet repeated the exact foods served over a two and sometimes 3 day period, which is the new rotation. I have NEVER seen that before on a cruise ship. The first day it was the usual gigantic roast of beef and after that it was a lot of pork belly, a bit of turkey, Ox tongue ...yes tongue and one evening a small stuffed piglet....YUCK... what the hey.... are they thinking.

Dinner buffet used to be the same things that were served in the dinning room and gave a great choice, almost better because you could have a little of each and always yummy desserts. Now it was a 'theme night'. One night was all Indian food, almost none of which I had heard of. I did have a bit and it was really tasty but spicy, but I personally enjoy Indian food. No 'American Food' in sight other than salads, cold meats and cheese. The people with me, 3 out of 4 of us, would not eat it. Same with the unusual Asian food night, a poor Italian night with pasta of sorts and thin sliced meats, over cooked and dried out. Before they served American food along with some ethnic for those that enjoy trying ethnic foods. Lunch buffet wasn't up to their usual standards and the dinner buffet was awful. Don't plan on getting back late to the ship and eating your meal at the buffet... which leaves the option of a burger, pizza or sandwich from the various little places that serve small amounts of specific foods. Make those dining room reservations.

Service was usual, lido deck waiters often hard to flag down for a coffee or juice, don't seem to have a really organized system. Dinner was really good, but 2 out of 5 nights were not offered coffee at our table. Crab Shack was very good and the server was wonderful.

Cabin Review

6 Helpful Votes
previous reviewnext review

Find a Ruby Princess Cruise from $158

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.