Last Updated on 04/05/26 by Rose Palmer
I’ve been fortunate to cruise on the Ruby Princess twice. The first time was a full transit through the Panama Canal, which was an amazing experience. The second time was a recent three-week cruise to Alaska, which was equally amazing.
I can honestly say I enjoyed all the food on the Ruby Princess on both cruises, and I took advantage of just about all of the dining options that were available to me.
I describe the Ruby Princess in detail in my review Living Like Royalty on a Princess Cruise – A Complete Ruby Princess Review With Photos.
Here, I will focus on the many dining options and experiences available on this ship. I think there were certainly enough choices for all tastes. At each location, the service was always fantastic and delivered with courtesy and efficiency, and always with a smile. I found all the wait staff to be extremely personable and eager to please.
The Ruby Princess dining options – complimentary dining
All of these complimentary dining options were part of my standard cruise fare. If I did not want to pay extra for a meal or purchase a Plus or Premier package, I had plenty of food choices to keep me full and satisfied.
The Main Dining Rooms – Decks 5 and 6
All three main dining rooms (Da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo) served the same menu each night for dinner. I could choose to make a reservation for the same time and the same restaurant each day, or I could eat at a different restaurant at any time I chose.
The menu clearly identified vegetarian options. In addition, Princess has recently also developed a vegan dinner menu for those who follow such a diet.
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Michelangelo dining room – traditional dining
The Michelangelo dining room offered traditional dinner seating with two fixed seating options per night at 5 PM and 7:30 PM. This was ideal for guests who liked to eat at the same time each evening, at the same table, and with the same wait staff.
Botticelli dining room – reservable, flexible anytime dining
The Botticelli dining room offered reservable anytime dining. Dinner reservations could be made in 20-minute increments beginning at 5 PM.
Da Vinci dining room – walk in any time
The Da Vinci dining room was the “walk-in any time” dining room, where dinner reservations were not necessary. Breakfast and lunch were served only in the Da Vinci dining room. This is also where Reserved dining was offered.
While I did not eat in the main dining room every day because there were so many other options throughout the ship, I did eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner several times throughout the cruises.
The menus always had something that appealed to me, especially when I wanted something on the lighter side. I liked that the portions were not huge, which meant I could try a few items on the menu without getting overly full.
Afternoon Tea
On sea days, afternoon tea was also offered each day at 3 PM in the DaVinci dining room. Waiters came around with trays of bite-sized sandwiches, mini desserts, and scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. And of course, tea. The Princess Patter or the Journeyview on the app showed the times and the location.
I love afternoon tea, so I made sure to give this a try a few times during the cruise. But then it was a light dinner that evening since I was quite full after tea time.
If I didn’t want to go to the dining room, afternoon tea goodies were also offered in the buffet. Sometimes I would just make up a plate of scones, jam, and clotted cream and enjoy it on my balcony with a cup of tea.
International Café – Deck 5
This was definitely one of my favorite food spots on the ship. I am a late riser and don’t like big breakfasts, so their options were ideal for me. I got into the habit of picking up breakfast here in the late morning and taking it back to my balcony.
My usual morning choice was a yogurt parfait and an almond croissant (though the pound cakes were also quite good). Afternoons or evenings, I indulged in a dessert or two, or a few of their really good cookies.
The café also made very good specialty coffees and tea drinks (at an extra cost). I enjoyed a few morning cappuccinos and iced coffees from here during my cruise.
The International Café also offered light food fare like small sandwiches and quiches, which were a great option for a quick snack or a light meal.
World Fresh Marketplace Buffet at Horizons Court – Deck 15
I didn’t eat my main meals here that often, but the buffet was my choice for a snack, a fast meal, or if I did not feel like changing clothes for the main dining room after an excursion. International theme nights with dishes from a specific country were quite popular, with choices such as Italy, India, Mexico, or Germany.
The buffet always offered a lot of choices, but I especially liked the salad bar and the fresh fruit stations. The morning pastry section and the daily desserts were also fun to try.
Hot coffee, tea, water, iced tea, and lemonade were always available and were included in the standard fare. I also went up to Horizon Court to refill my water bottle during the day with ice water or iced tea, and to get hot tea (or coffee for those that drink it).
On the last sea day, the chefs put on a huge and very impressive cake and dessert extravaganza in the buffet. This was definitely an event that should not be missed. and was also listed in the Princess Patter.
Slice Pizza and Coffee and Cones – Deck 15
I must confess that I really like pizza – a lot. This was often my go-to spot for lunch (along with a small salad from the buffet) and a cup of chocolate ice cream, since both the pizza and the ice cream were served at the same location.
I usually tried the daily specialty pizza (Mexican, Hawaiian, and others) and liked them all.
Salty Dog Grill – Deck 15
This grill was quite busy at lunchtime as poolgoers waited in line for their orders. At dinner time, however, I never had to wait. If I was watching Movie Under The Stars, this was my go-to dinner choice. The burgers were very good, as were the hot dogs and the chicken strips.
Room service on the Ruby Princess
Getting breakfast delivered to my cabin and enjoying a cup of tea and a croissant on the balcony on a sea day is one of my absolute favorite cruising activities.
For breakfast, I fill out one of the special breakfast cards and hang it outside my door the night before. Then, the next morning, at my chosen time, my food and drinks are delivered, and I can relax and enjoy. Breakfast delivery via the card is part of the standard fare.
Travel tip: There was no additional charge for ordering a room service breakfast via the breakfast card. However, without one of the Princess Packages, ordering room service or any type of delivery via the app or by phone incurred an extra charge.
Other included dining opportunities
Platinum and Elite loyalty guests, as well as suite guests, also had other dining options.
Reserve dining
Suite guests and guests booked in a Reserve class mini suite could eat in the Reserve section of the Da Vinci dining room. No reservations were necessary. Dining here included an expanded menu and a dedicated wait staff.
I had Reserve class dining with my mini-suite on my first RubyPrincess cruise and enjoyed the experience. I got to know my waiters quite well, as well as a few of the other guests in the Reserve dining section.
Captain’s Circle cocktail hour
Each afternoon, platinum and elite loyalty members were offered a cocktail party with a variety of finger foods, snacks, and discounted drinks. I took advantage of this a few times on my Alaska cruise after a day of excursions.
Breakfast at Sabatini’s
On my cruise, guests staying in suites were offered breakfast at one of the specialty restaurants with a dedicated, made-to-order menu.
Casual dining on the Ruby Princess
The casual dining venues on the Ruby were a minimal extra charge for me because I did not purchase any of the Princess packages. However, they were included in both the Plus and Premier fare packages.
Salty Dog Gastro Pub
I thought this would be a light meal, but it ended up being a lot of food, which I found surprisingly tasty. I chose the Emmenthal and Gruyere Grilled Cheese with Creamed White Tomato Soup and the Lobster Mac and Cheese with Sweet Potato Fries. For dessert, I really liked the Bourbon Chocolate Pot de Creme.
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Vines
This bar is known for its diverse wine selection. But I also liked it for the wonderful charcuterie board that I chose as a light supper one night.
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Specialty dining on the Ruby Princess
The specialty restaurants were an additional charge for me, but I thought they were well worth the cost. They were included in the Premier fare package.
Crown Grill – Deck 7
I chose to eat here the first night of my Panama Canal cruise – it felt like a good way to celebrate the beginning of a special trip. Since I am not a big steak eater, I chose the French onion soup and the lobster – it was definitely a good decision.
I noticed that on my Alaska cruise, the menu also offered some Alaskan-inspired items.
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Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria – Deck 16
I really liked the Italian dishes I tried at this specialty restaurant and ate here on both cruises. I could pick one item from five different categories – soup or salad, antipasti, fresh pasta first course, main entrée second course, and a dessert. This was way too much food, so my first time, I only chose three items: a burrata appetizer, veal marsala, and a delicious chocolate dessert. On my second visit, I gave in and tried one item from each category.
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Special Experiential Dining on the Ruby Princess
The Crab Shack Pop Up
I ate at the Crab Shack pop-up on my Alaska cruise, and enjoyed it as much as I had on previous Princess ships. This meal was an extra charge that was not covered by any of the packages, but the seafood pot with its huge king crab legs, shrimp, and mussels was a feast for the eyes and the taste buds and was well worth the cost.
I noticed that the Alaskan Crab Shack cruise menu was somewhat Alaskan-themed. The meal started with chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, followed by a large pot of seafood that had crab legs, shrimp, mussels, and clams. For dessert, I chose the Key Lime Pie in a Jar, but had to take it back to my room to eat later because I was full.
Chef’s Table
I did not have the chance to try the special Chef’s Table dinner when I cruised on the Ruby Princess the first time, but I did enjoy it on my second Ruby Princess cruise in Alaska.
Offered to only 10-12 guests per sitting, the Chef’s Table was a multicourse specialty dinner that was held only a few times during each cruise. The meal could be purchased with or without a wine pairing. As I discovered, this event was a foodie’s delight and was a lot of food.
The event started with a quick tour of one of the ship’s kitchens as the head chef explained some of the processes used to feed so many people on the ship.
This was my Chef’s Table menu. It may be different with each executive chef on board.
Amuse bouche
Starter
Salmon Gravalax and Caviar with wasabi crystal, “fish bone” tuile, and dill sprig
Second starter
Foie Gras on toasted Brioche with caramelized Calvados apple tourne, demi glace, and crisp tortilla threads
Soup
Seafood bisque with brandy cream served with oysters Rockefeller and mussels in white wine on a bed of Himalayan salt, lavender, and pink peppercorns
Entremet
Lemon Sorbet and Champagne
Main entree
Roast Salmon Fillet with red wine reduction, shingled crisp potato confit, mushrooms, and steamed romanesco
OR,
Veal Oscar with crab meat, béarnaise sauce, asparagus, and caviar
Dessert
Lemon mousse with citrus hazelnut financier, lime cremeux, and hazelnut crumble
Homemade gourmandises, coffee, or tea
Caymus winemaker dinner
Princess has partnered with Caymus Vintners for a special food and wine pairing, which is offered across the fleet. I’ve enjoyed this experience on the Discovery Princess and the Majestic Princess and loved both the food and the wine. This is definitely a good choice for those who value a unique food and wine pairing combo.
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Balcony dining
I didn’t have a chance to experience balcony dining on the Ruby Princess, but I did do balcony breakfast dining on other Princess ships and loved starting a sea day with this truly indulgent experience. It was especially nice on a deeper balcony with a larger table so that there was room for all the food and drink – and it was a lot of food.
Balcony dining can be either a breakfast or dinner experience, and I think it is a great way to celebrate a special event.
Frescobaldi Grand Tuscan Dinner
This special Italian menu and wine pairing served at Sabatini’s takes the flavors of the Frescobaldi restaurant in Florence and brings them to the Sapphire Princess. Six dishes are perfectly paired with classic Frescobaldi vintages.
This is a new offering from Princess that has recently been introduced throughout the fleet.
When I tried the Frescobaldi dinner on the Star Princess, I tried the following dishes:
Carpaccio Di Mare Mediterraneo – delicate tuna and scallop carpaccio topped with sturgeon caviar, salmon caviar, black truffle, and a vibrant citrus dressing.
Polpo Grigltato con Pesto Rosso e Gnochi di Spinact – tender grilled octopus with zesty red pesto, served over spinach gnochi.
Branzino Con Caponata alla Siciliana – seared sea bass served atop tangy Sicilian caponata, drizzled with fresh basil oil. I had this dish on the Star Princess and really liked it.
Pinolata Senese – light and airy Tuscan pine nut cake with rich custard cream.
Cantucci Biscotti Con Grappa di Vino Luce – crunchy almond biscotti served with Grappa di Vino Luce for the perfect Tuscan dip.
The Sanctuary – deck 17
I always look forward to an afternoon in the adults-only Sanctuary retreat when I can book it. I make it a point to go up to the Sanctuary as soon as I board the ship to reserve an afternoon on one of the sea days.
A reservation in the Sanctuary came with its own menus for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, all of which were served at my lounge chair.
Note that on my 3-week Alaskan cruise, which was in June, I booked the Sanctuary a few times but ended up cancelling because it was too cold.
Wine tasting experiences
Princess also offers a variety of wine-tasting experiences throughout the cruise, paired with appropriate nibbles. The cost of these programs is extra and is not covered by the Plus or Premier packages.
There is usually a Grapevine Wine Tasting, which is an introduction to wine tasting. Most cruises also offer an International Wine Tasting experience, where guests can try many different vintages from around the globe.
Depending on the length of the cruise, additional wine-tasting opportunities may also be offered. Details were listed in the Princess Patter and in the Journeyview section on the app. The events were also advertised and promoted on the ship.
Ordering via the Ocean Now app
A convenient feature of the Princess app is the Ocean Now function. This allowed me to order food or drinks to be delivered to my location. I could get room service for dinner or a late-night snack or have a drink brought to me as I was lounging by the pool or in a hot tub. Extra charges applied without a package.
My first Ruby Princess cruise through the Panama Canal was 16 days. My second cruise on the Ruby Princess in Alaska was 21 days. During all that time, I had no trouble finding something to eat that I liked, especially since I didn’t have to prepare it or clean up the dishes afterward.
Links to all my cruising content, including all my other Princess cruises, can be found on my Experience – Cruising page.
I like to look for cruise deals and book all my cruises directly with the cruise line on the Princess website.
Other Princess cruises stories:
All about my 360 dining experience: The Princess 360 Experience – A Performance for all the Senses
Dining on the Sky Princess: Discovering the Sky Princess Dining Options and the Chef’s Table Experience
Dining on the Sun Princess: All the Sun Princess Dining Options – So Many Choices, So Little Time
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
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