As the title states we've just returned from the first Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Ruby Princess of the Fall 2011 season. The quick summary is that this cruise really exceeded my expectations in many ways. For those interested in more details, read on, for those who just want the quick and dirty, there you go.

Some background on us, we are a 40's couple and this was our first cruise as Elite CC passengers and our first on the Ruby. We have been on her sister ships so were very familiar with her layout. We were cruising with another couple also in their 40's who we have vacationed with several times before. They had been on the Ruby 2 yrs ago and last year sailed on the Celebrity Silhouette.

The Ruby Princess celebrated her third birthday during our cruise and she is really in tip top shape. We found nothing to complain about in terms of her finishings. Her Piazza is beautiful and there are more details that add to her beauty in the Piazza than on her sister ships. Most people would say that she is identical to the Crown and Emerald, but to those with an eye to detail, there are some differences in decorations that I appreciated. Read more