Ruby Princess Cabins to Avoid: 8 Problem Areas and Smarter Alternatives for 2026

If you’re already thinking about Ruby Princess cabins to avoid, you’re exactly the kind of cruiser I like planning with. Ruby is a classic Princess workhorse: older, well loved, and laid out in that very “Princess” way where a few smart cabin choices can buy you a much quieter, more relaxing cruise without spending a penny more. My goal here is to help you think like someone who’s walked these decks for years.

Ruby Princess carries a mix of Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, Premium Balcony, Mini Suite and full Suite cabins, plus a good spread of accessible rooms. Most people focus on cabin type first, but on Ruby it’s often the location that makes or breaks your week: under the Lido, up in the windy bow, tucked by a laundromat, or right in that sweet midship “bubble” where things stay calm and convenient.

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Overview of the Ship & Cabins

Ruby Princess is a Crown-class ship, which means a very predictable vertical layout once you learn her rhythm. Most of the busy action sits on the lower public decks, with stacks of cabins running up from around Deck 8 (Emerald) through Riviera and Lido. Up top you’ve got the pools and buffet, with that classic Princess wooden pool deck that can be wonderfully peaceful at night and surprisingly clattery in the early morning.

Cabins themselves range roughly from the mid-160s square feet for standard interiors up to well over 700 square feet for the biggest Owner’s Suites. Inside, Oceanview and standard Balcony cabins are the bulk of inventory, while Premium Balconies, Mini Suites and full Suites are sprinkled in the best “view” locations at the aft, forward and midship. Wheelchair-accessible interiors and balconies are significantly larger than their standard counterparts, which is great if you genuinely need them.

At a high level, here’s how Ruby’s accommodation “ladder” shakes out:

• Interior: Cheapest, darkest, surprisingly sleep-friendly, especially for late risers
• Oceanview: Modest step up, similar footprint to interiors but with natural light
• Balcony / Premium Balcony: Big lifestyle jump; fresh air, private outdoor space
• Mini Suite / Club Class Mini Suite: Real sitting area, better bathroom, small perk bump
• Suites: Serious square footage, best locations, and a long list of extra perks

What makes Ruby interesting from a cabin-strategy standpoint is how Princess layered the public spaces. You’ve got:

• Lido and pool deck up top, directly above a run of cabins
• Theater and lounges lower down, under or over more cabins
• Self-service laundromats dotted around the cabin decks
• Crew stairwells and service corridors tucked into the forward zones

Once you understand that stacking, the “mystery” around which cabins to dodge disappears. No room is structurally bad, but some spots are much more exposed to chair scraping, late-night music, galley or laundry traffic, wind, or soot from the funnels.

In the next section, we’ll walk deck by deck through the specific Ruby Princess cabins to avoid, using those real-world ranges you shared like under the Lido deck, windy forward balconies, laundromat neighbors, seasick-magnifier decks, and soot-prone aft balconies, and then I’ll give you the smarter alternatives nearby that I’d personally book instead.

For a visual layout of Ruby Princess deck plans, including cabin positioning and public areas, check out Royal Caribbean’s official Ruby Princess deck plans page.

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Cabins Under the Lido Deck (R311 to R525)

Why it is a problem:
These cabins sit immediately beneath the busiest outdoor surface on the ship. Picture early risers scraping loungers into position, kids running to the pool, and crew resetting furniture late at night. On Princess’s classic wooden pool decks, that scraping and banging translates into sharp impact noises in the ceiling. It is not a gentle hum; it is the kind of thud that can jolt you awake at 6.30 a.m. just as you were enjoying that dark, cruise-quality sleep.

During sea days the problem stretches into the daytime too. Every time someone drags a lounger instead of lifting it, you can get a sudden scrape or bang above, and heavy footsteps from wet flip-flops can add to the soundtrack. If you are a deep sleeper who wakes up early anyway, you might shrug it off. But if you love slow mornings, afternoon naps or early nights, this is a structurally risky zone.

Extra considerations:

• Chair scraping and cleaning noise tends to peak at:
  • Early mornings when chair hogs claim loungers.
  • Late evenings when crew are hosing and resetting the deck.
• On sunny sea days you will notice a steady pattern of random bangs rather than constant roar.
• Weather affects traffic; colder, windy itineraries often mean less chair movement overhead.
• Noise is most noticeable if you like to sleep with no white noise, since there is nothing to mask those sharp sounds.

Better alternatives:
If you want to be close to the pool but not under it, think in terms of “drop down a level and move slightly inboard”:

• Choose midship cabins one or two decks lower where there are cabins both above and below you.
• Prioritize Riviera-adjacent decks like A and B that are under cabin-only zones, not under open deck.
• If buffet access is important, aim for A or B deck midship near the elevator banks for quick runs to the Horizon Court, but far enough forward or aft that you are no longer under the Lido pool footprint.
• When in doubt, zoom in on the deck plan and make sure there is another cabin deck above you, not the striped texture that denotes open deck.

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Windy Forward Balcony Cabins Near the Bow

Why it is a problem:
These balcony cabins are technically side-facing, but they’re so close to the bow that they behave more like forward balconies in real life. When Ruby Princess is moving at speed, apparent wind is no joke up there. You can encounter:

• Strong wind across the balcony that makes it hard to sit comfortably.
• Occasional temporary restrictions on balcony use in rough or very windy conditions.
• A balcony that feels too exposed for relaxed reading or room-service breakfast.

Guests in these cabins often report that they use the balcony less than they expected, which means you are paying for a feature you cannot fully enjoy. Inside the cabin you may also notice a bit more movement and occasional whistling, especially in bad weather, simply because you are so far forward.

Extra considerations:

• The wind issue is amplified on cooler or shoulder-season sailings, where the breeze already has a bite.
• On hot itineraries you might appreciate some breeze, but it can still be too strong to keep loose items out.
• If you like to stand and watch sail-away, you might love the drama, but lounging out there with a book is a different story.
• Winds are usually worst on sea days and on stretches between ports where the ship is running closer to full speed.

Better alternatives:
If you want a balcony you can actually live on:

• Target midship balconies on A, B or C decks, where wind and motion are both more moderate.
• If you prefer a slightly calmer ride, lean a little aft of midship without going all the way to the stern.
• Consider non-obstructed Oceanview cabins forward for dramatic views but no wind exposure if budget is tight.
• If you specifically love watching the bow cut through the water, use forward public decks for that shot and keep your cabin in a more comfortable zone.

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High, Forward & Aft Cabins That Magnify Seasickness

Why it is a problem:
On any ship, but particularly on a classic design like Ruby Princess, motion is amplified the higher and further from midship you go. Those forward and aft cabins on Lido, Riviera, A and B decks are essentially perched at the ends of a long lever arm. When the ocean chops up, you feel:

• More pitching (up-and-down motion) at the bow.
• More vibration and see-saw motion at the stern.
• A combination of motion and noise when seas are rough and items shift around.

People have specifically pointed out that itineraries from San Francisco and along the West Coast can see choppier seas, which makes these locations less forgiving. If you are already nervous about motion, booking high and far out can turn that nervousness into a constant background stress.

Extra considerations:

• Seasickness medications help, but they do not remove the motion that wakes you at night.
• If one person in the cabin is sensitive, it often dictates the whole cruising rhythm.
• Long, rough sea days are where these locations feel at their worst.
• The combination of motion + wind noise + balcony restrictions can make forward and high feel like a triple hit.

Better alternatives:
If minimizing motion is a top priority, think “low and central” before anything else:

• Focus on midship cabins on lower decks, especially the classic cabin decks beneath the main public areas.
• Interior or Oceanview cabins in this zone will usually feel more stable than higher balconies.
• If you want a balcony but also worry about motion, choose a midship balcony on a lower balcony deck, rather than one of the high Lido or very forward options.
• When comparing two prices, remember that a slightly cheaper high-forward cabin can cost you comfort, while a midship, lower cabin quietly pays you back every rough sea night.

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Cabins Right Next to Laundromats

Why it is a problem:
Laundry rooms seem harmless on a deck plan, but in practice they can be surprisingly busy hotspots. On Ruby Princess, cabins such as A628, C312, D720 and P212 sit uncomfortably close to these facilities. Expect:

• Washer and dryer vibration humming through the wall or floor.
• Doors opening and closing, sometimes into the late evening.
• People chatting in the corridor while they wait for loads.
• The occasional “laundry bottleneck” where several guests queue or move around with bags.

P212 is slightly better positioned since the machines are not directly on the shared wall, but you still get the corridor traffic and door noise. For some cruisers this is background, for others it is the kind of meaningless noise that becomes highly irritating once you notice it.

Extra considerations:

• Sea days and the last couple of days of the cruise are the noisiest; that is when most people do laundry.
• The hum of multiple machines can feel stronger late at night when everything else is quiet.
• Some guests will prop the door open for airflow, sending machine noise straight into the corridor.
• If you are an afternoon napper, this can be a particularly poor pairing.

Better alternatives:
If you want laundry convenience without the side effects:

• Pick cabins a few doors down from the laundromat on the same deck, so you can duck in easily but do not share a wall.
• Look for mid-corridor cabins that sit between stairwells and laundromats, not directly beside either.
• If you do not plan to do laundry at all, you can safely prioritize areas where there is no laundry icon on the deck plan and forget about it entirely.

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Cabins Beside Crew Stairwells & Service Areas Forward

Why it is a problem:
These cabins are close to busy internal routes used by crew to reach venues and housekeeping zones. While those crew stairwells are not passenger spaces, sound still travels:

• Early-morning footsteps as teams move into position to prep public areas.
• Service carts, vacuum cleaners and supply runs going up and down.
• Doors opening and closing repeatedly at times when guests would prefer quiet.

It is rarely a “loud” area in the sense of music or party noise, but the frequency and timing of sounds (especially early in the morning) can be problematic if you enjoy late nights or long lie-ins.

Extra considerations:

• Turnaround days and port-intensive itineraries can mean earlier crew activity, since there is more to set up.
• Pair this with the natural extra motion at the bow, and you get a cabin that moves more and wakes earlier.
• Some cabins in this zone are also close to the forward mooring / anchor equipment, where very early arrivals can mean thumps and mechanical noise.
• Light sleepers who notice every sound will be the most affected here.

Better alternatives:
If you like forward but not the crew-traffic element:

• Move a little back from the very front cluster, staying on the same deck but putting some cabins between you and the service area.
• Or shift to midship cabins on the same deck, where traffic is more balanced between guests and crew and less concentrated in one hot spot.
• If you are sensitive both to noise and motion, go for a midship, lower-deck cabin with cabins above and below for maximum insulation.

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Obstructed View Oceanview Cabins & Forward Obstructed Rooms

Why it is a problem:
On Ruby Princess, the OV / OW / OY / OZ grades on Deck 8 sit behind lifeboats and related equipment. Up front on Deck 14, the Oceanviews L101–104 have their view interrupted by the ship’s bridge and forward structure. In all of these, you absolutely get daylight, but instead of waking up to a full sea panorama you wake up to:

• Lifeboats framing or blocking much of the window.
• Metalwork, beams or bridge overhangs cutting into your line of sight.
• A view that can feel more “industrial” than “oceanic.”

If you booked an Oceanview mainly for sunlight and orientation, these cabins can be terrific value. If you booked it dreaming of scenic fjords or open Pacific views, you might feel let down once you see how much steel sits between you and the horizon.

Extra considerations:

• The exact degree of obstruction varies, but you generally cannot pre-select the least obstructed one within the grade.
• Obstructed grades are usually priced lower than clear-view Oceans, but still higher than interiors.
• You will still enjoy natural daylight, which many people find helps with waking naturally and avoiding that “inside cabin cave” feel.
• Photography from these windows is trickier; you might be framing around lifeboats or beams.

Better alternatives:
For guests who care about the actual view as well as the light:

• Choose unobstructed Oceanview grades instead of OV/OW/OY/OZ when the price gap is reasonable.
• If you are already stretching budget, either go down to a cheaper Interior and accept darkness, or up to a Balcony that gives you full sea views and fresh air.
• For forward views specifically, consider higher-category Suites or public vantage points rather than these partially blocked cabins.

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Connecting Cabins When You Are Not Booking Both Sides

Why it is a problem:
Connecting rooms are brilliant when you are travelling with family or a group, but they come with an unavoidable compromise: the internal connecting door is never as soundproof as a solid wall. Even when securely locked, it can let through:

• Normal speaking voices and laughter from next door.
• TV sound, kids’ bedtime tantrums, or late-night balcony chats.
• Your own noise, which can make you feel less relaxed if you are conscious of it.

If you prize privacy and quiet, a connecting cabin can end up feeling like you are sharing with strangers on the other side of a thin door. Sometimes you get lucky and your neighbors are quiet. Other times you get a family with small children, or a group who keeps different hours than you.

Extra considerations:

• Connecting doors typically sit right where both people might naturally place furniture, slightly altering layout.
• You cannot control who Princess assigns to the other half, especially on a busy sailing.
• Sound tends to be more noticeable at night, when ambient corridor noise drops and only the neighbor’s TV remains.
• If you are traveling as a couple, this layout often provides no benefit at all, only risk.

Better alternatives:
If you do not specifically need the connecting feature:

• Pick non-connecting cabins a few doors away on the same deck and in the same category.
• On the deck plan, actively avoid cabins showing a small door icon between two rooms.
• If you are travelling with friends, consider adjacent non-connecting rooms and plan to meet up in common areas or on the balcony of one cabin instead.

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Soot-Prone Aft Balconies on Upper Decks

Why it is a problem:
Aft cabins are some of the most sought-after on Ruby, with that spectacular wake view and sheltered position. However, the uppermost aft balconies can sometimes collect fine soot and exhaust particles drifting down from the ship’s funnels. When conditions line up just wrong, you may notice:

• A light dusting of dark residue on the balcony floor and railings.
• Chairs and tables that feel slightly gritty before the next cleaning.
• Clothing, towels or swimsuits left over the chairs picking up spots or smudges.

It is not something that happens every day, and not every guest in these cabins complains, but when it does, it can feel like your prized balcony is fighting you. You either keep asking for extra cleaning or you start using the space less, especially if you like to sit barefoot or in light-colored clothing.

Extra considerations:

• The higher and more directly aft you are, the more likely you are to see this effect.
• Wind direction, speed and engine load all shape how noticeable it is on any given cruise.
• Crew will clean, but fresh soot can settle again after a few hours of sailing.
• If you have kids who like to crawl or sit on the deck, this can be especially annoying.

Better alternatives:
To enjoy that wake view while reducing soot risk:

• Look for aft cabins on lower balcony decks, where you are still oriented to the wake but a bit more sheltered from soot drift.
• Consider aft-facing Mini Suites or Suites on lower aft decks, which often combine space, view and slightly better positioning relative to the exhaust.
• If you prefer to avoid the issue entirely, choose a midship or slightly aft-of-midship balcony and plan to visit the public aft terraces when you want that classic wake photo.

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Cabins Directly Over or Under Busy Late-Night Venues

(General zones over the theater, lounges and bars – deck-plan logic, not specific cabin numbers)

Why it is a problem:
On Ruby Princess, like most ships of her era, the main theater and several lounges are stacked in the lower and midship public decks, with cabins layered directly above or below in places. If your cabin shares footprint with one of these venues, you can sometimes hear:

• Bass thumps during evening production shows and live music.
• Applause, crowd noise and occasional microphone feedback.
• Post-show cleanup and rearranging of chairs after midnight.

The most common complaint is not that it is loud all day, but that noise runs later than you want to sleep, especially on big show or theme nights. Even when the volume drops, bass can travel as a low rumble that is harder to ignore.

Extra considerations:

• Production shows and live music typically run into late evening, sometimes brushing past 11 p.m. or later.
• If you go to bed after midnight, you may never notice this. If you sleep at 10 p.m., it can be a deal-breaker.
• Some cabins under lounges get morning setup noise as well, as staff prep for the day.
• It is harder to predict exact noise patterns without studying which room is above which venue, so planning ahead matters.

Better alternatives:
To keep public-venue noise at bay:

• Aim for cabins that are sandwiched between other cabin decks, with no major public venues immediately above or below.
• Use the deck plan vertically: find your preferred cabin, then check one deck up and one deck down. If you see large blocks of color (indicating lounges, restaurants or theater), move up or down a deck to where it is cabins only.
• If you like nightlife and sleep, choose a mid-corridor cabin so the noisiest areas are buffered by a ring of other rooms.

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Quick Reference Chart: Ruby Princess Cabins to Avoid

Here’s a fast “at a glance” snapshot of the main trouble zones we just walked through. Use this alongside the Ruby Princess deck plan when you are checking specific cabins.

Category	Cabins to Avoid
Under pool & Lido deck noise	Riviera Deck cabins R311 to R525 directly beneath the Lido pool and sunbathing areas
Windy forward balcony zones	Forward and near-forward balconies such as L106, L107, R201, R202, A201, A202, B201, B202, C101, C102, D105, D106 if you want a relaxing, usable balcony
High-motion, seasickness-prone locations	High forward and aft cabins including L101–311, R201–301 & 628–751, A201–301 & 628–751, B201–301 & 628–757 for anyone prone to motion sickness
Next to self-service laundromats	Cabins A628, C312, D720, P212 that sit beside or wrapped around laundry rooms, with extra machine noise and corridor traffic
Near forward crew stairwells & service routes	Forward cabins E101–104, D103–104, C101–102, B201–204, A201–204, R201–204 by crew stairwells and service areas
Obstructed Oceanview & forward obstructions	Any OV, OW, OY, OZ Oceanviews on Deck 8 plus L101–104 on Deck 14 if a clear view is important to you
Single connecting cabins	Any Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, Premium Balcony or Mini Suite that has a connecting door when you are only booking one side
Aft balconies with potential soot	Upper aft cabins R748–751, A750–753, B748–757 where fine soot can sometimes settle on balcony surfaces
Over or under late-night venues	Any cabin that sits directly above or below the theater, lounges or busy bars instead of being sandwiched between cabin decks

A quick rule of thumb: if a cabin touches Lido, laundromats, crew stairwells, lifeboats, extreme bow or extreme stern, slow down and double check it. The best Ruby Princess cabins are usually the quiet, boring rectangles hidden between other rectangles.

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Best Cabins on Ruby Princess

Picking the best cabin on Ruby Princess is not about chasing the fanciest category. It is about lining up how you actually cruise with the layout of the ship. The same balcony that feels perfect for a couple who loves late nights in the theater might be a disaster for a family with two kids who need early bedtimes. On this ship, small shifts in position can turn a “fine” cabin into one you rave about later.

Ruby’s layout rewards people who think vertically. If you can get yourself between cabin decks, away from the Lido footprint up top and the loudest venues down low, you get a bubble of quiet that makes the whole ship feel more relaxing. From there, you decide if you want the sleep cave of an Interior, the light of an Oceanview, or the fresh air of a Balcony or better.

The Ruby Princess cabins to avoid we just covered give you the negative map. Now we flip it. Best cabins are usually:

• Midship or gently aft of midship, on the classic cabin decks.
• With cabins above and below, no major venues touching the ceiling or floor.
• Away from laundromats, crew stairwells and heavy “through” corridors.
• Positioned so you can reach the spaces you will use most without constant hiking.

Get that foundation right and the finer details become bonuses: larger balconies on Caribe, Mini Suites with real sitting space, Family Suites that absorb a group, and those well-placed interiors that save you thousands while still giving you an easy, quiet base.

What I have done below is group the best cabin picks by how people actually cruise. That means we are looking at:

• Best Cabins for Families
• Best Cabins for Couples
• Best Budget-Friendly Cabins
• Best Suites

Across each group, I will keep us out of the main Ruby Princess cabins to avoid zones we talked about, while still highlighting some truly special spots that feel like little secrets when you find them.

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Best Cabins for Families

Families on Ruby Princess usually need three things: smart space, decent privacy and solid sleep. You do not necessarily need the fanciest cabin if you can get kids into bed, have somewhere to sit, and avoid noise from Lido or late-night venues. Ruby helps with this by offering both dedicated Family Suites and a good mix of connecting layouts.

The stars of the show for families are the Family Suites at the front, which are essentially two converted balcony cabins that share a living space and a fully open balcony area. They sleep up to six, include sofa beds and give everyone room to spread out without tripping over luggage. You also get suite-level perks, which makes hectic family mornings a little smoother.

Beyond that, smart family picks are often: midship connecting balconies, Mini Suites with the curtain divider between the bed and sofa, and those “hidden gem” interiors clustered near but not next to the kids’ club or pool stairwells. The trick is to give kids easy access to fun while keeping your cabin itself in a quiet zone.

Why these cabins work well for families:

• Extra real-world space for luggage, strollers and bedtime chaos.
• Layouts that let adults stay up a bit later without blasting light into sleeping kids’ eyes.
• Convenient location relative to pools, buffet and kids’ clubs, without sitting under Lido.
• Stronger sound buffering by using cabin-only decks and avoiding laundromats and crew stairs.

What makes these cabins ideal for families:

• Family Suites at the bow with two sleeping areas and expanded balcony space.
• Midship Mini Suites on the classic cabin decks with a curtain between bed and sofa.
• Connecting Balcony or Premium Balcony pairs midship, booked together, for older kids or multi-generation groups.
• Larger accessible Interiors or Oceanviews only if you genuinely need the accessibility, as these are precious inventory.

Specific family-friendly cabin picks (by type and zone, not exact numbers):

• Family Suites: The two forward Family Suites on Ruby, located at the front of the ship, are perfect for a family of 5 or 6 that wants a shared living space and balcony while enjoying full suite perks.
• Mini Suites for a family of 3–4: Midship Mini Suites on Dolphin Deck, one or two “rows” back from the glass elevators, with cabins above and below. You get a larger room, tub, and the sofa bed separated by a curtain.
• Connecting Balconies: Midship Balcony or Premium Balcony cabins on Caribe and Baja decks that form a connecting pair, giving teens or grandparents their own space while keeping the group together.
• Interior + Balcony combo: On the classic cabin decks, one midship Balcony with an Interior directly across the hallway, for families who want kids in their own dark sleep cave while adults keep the balcony cabin.
• Terrace Pool adjacent cabins: Those famous aft cabins by the Terrace Pool, including Interior R744 and R745, Balcony R746 and R747, plus Premium Balcony R748 to R751. These give older kids and teens almost “private” access to a quiet pool area right outside the door, which families often love.

Jim’s Take

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Best Cabins for Couples

Couples tend to want a very different mix: quiet, privacy, a usable balcony and easy access to the spaces they actually enjoy. On Ruby Princess that often means being close to certain lounges, the theater, or the adults’ sunning areas, but not directly above or below them.

For many couples, a midship Balcony or Premium Balcony on one of the main cabin decks is the sweet spot. You get that private outdoor space for morning coffee and sunset drinks, but you are sheltered from the worst of the wind and motion. From there you can pick whether you want to be a little closer to the atrium action or slightly aft toward the more relaxed Terrace Pool zone.

If budget allows, Mini Suites and Suites become extremely attractive for couples who enjoy in-cabin time. The extra sitting area, larger bathroom and added perks make sea days feel indulgent rather than slow. Just keep them positioned in the quieter sweet spots rather than right under Lido or over a lounge.

Why these cabins work well for couples:

• Better balcony usage thanks to calmer midship positioning instead of windy forward.
• Enough privacy so you do not feel like you are sharing every whisper with your neighbors.
• Easy walking routes to preferred venues like the theater, specialty dining and the adults’ sun decks.
• Layouts that feel like a small hotel room instead of purely utilitarian sleeping boxes.

What makes these cabins ideal for couples:

• Midship standard or Premium Balconies on Caribe, Baja and Aloha decks.
• Mini Suites in midship and slightly aft zones that avoid high-motion and heavy venue stacking.
• Aft-facing balconies on lower aft decks, for couples who love wake views without upper-deck soot risk.
• Quiet Interior cabins on cabin-only decks for couples who prefer to spend on dining and experiences instead of the cabin itself.

Specific couple-friendly cabin picks (by type and zone, not exact numbers):

• Caribe Deck midship Balcony: Balconies here are known on similar Princess ships for having a bit more depth, which couples love for loungers and private breakfasts. Pick ones that are mid-corridor, with cabins above and below.
• Baja and Aloha midship Balconies: Slightly smaller balconies than Caribe but in an extremely comfortable zone that balances motion and convenience.
• Aft-facing balconies on lower decks: Vista or Premium Balcony cabins on the lower aft decks are ideal for couples who want a romantic wake view and are okay with a slightly longer walk. Aim lower aft rather than the soot-prone upper aft.
• Mini Suites midship on Dolphin Deck: These give couples a full sitting area, better bathroom and more separation of spaces, perfect for longer itineraries.
• Calm midship Interiors: If you are a couple that is rarely in the room, a midship Interior on a cabin-only deck is a fantastic value play that keeps things quiet and dark for sleeping.

Jim’s Take

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Best Budget-Friendly Cabins

Budget-friendly does not have to mean “worst cabins on the ship.” On Ruby, you can do very smart cheap by using the same logic as the rest of this guide: avoid the Ruby Princess cabins to avoid, but stay in lower categories. That usually means well-positioned Interior or Oceanview cabins in the most stable, quiet parts of the ship.

The cheapest cabins are often forward Interiors on lower decks, and many of those are perfectly fine if you are not motion-sensitive. You get into the same restaurants and shows as everyone else, you just sleep in a simpler box. For many cruisers, this is the most efficient way to get multiple cruises in a year rather than one big blowout.

You also have the option of obstructed Oceanviews, which can be an excellent compromise if you only care about sunlight, not the picture-postcard view. Just remember that you are paying for light rather than scenery and book with eyes open.

Why these cabins work well for budget travelers:

• Lowest base price while still avoiding most of the noise and motion traps.
• Dense core of cabins around you helps buffer sound from public areas.
• Interiors create a dark sleep cocoon, which many people find essential on port-heavy runs.
• Oceanviews give you some light without the balcony price tag.

What makes these cabins ideal for budget-minded cruisers:

• Midship Interiors on the classic cabin decks, away from laundromats and crew stairwells.
• Lower-deck forward Interiors for those who are not motion-sensitive and just want the lowest price.
• Carefully selected obstructed Oceanviews if you only want natural light and are willing to sacrifice the view itself.
• Occasional “pricing opportunity” cabins in less popular zones that still avoid the worst noise.

Specific budget-friendly cabin picks (by type and zone, not exact numbers):

• Interior midship on Emerald or Dolphin Deck: Cabins surrounded above and below by other cabins, roughly mid-corridor, away from the Lido footprint. These are usually some of the quietest spots dollar for dollar.
• Forward Interior on lower decks: If you are not motion-sensitive, the cheaper forward Interiors on Plaza or Fiesta level can be a steal, especially on calmer itineraries.
• Obstructed Oceanviews on Deck 8: If you understand and accept the lifeboat obstruction, these give you daylight and a lower price, which many budget cruisers find more pleasant than a pure Interior.
• Terrace Pool adjacent Interiors R744 and R745: For budget travelers who want a “secret” perk, these interiors are cheap compared with suites but step out almost directly to the Terrace Pool, which is a huge lifestyle upgrade.

Jim’s Take

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Best Suites

Suites on Ruby Princess are where you stop thinking in terms of “rooms” and start thinking about spaces and perks. The combination of square footage, balcony depth and all the little priority touches makes sea days and port mornings feel far more relaxed. The key is again to match location and suite type to your personality and itinerary.

At the top you have the Owner’s Suites, perched at the aft corners with huge balconies and sweeping wake views. Then come the Penthouse Suites, split between aft and midship locations, followed by Premium Suites at the forward part of the ship and Vista Suites on the lower aft levels. Each has its own character: aft for drama and space, forward for long views ahead, midship for balance and convenience.

For many cruisers, the real sweet spot is a Penthouse or Vista Suite on the lower aft decks, where you get that magical wake view and space to host friends without taking on the soot risk that can appear on the very highest aft balconies.

Why these cabins work well for suite guests:

• Extra living space that feels like a small apartment rather than a big cabin.
• Oversized balconies that let you dine, lounge and entertain outdoors comfortably.
• Priority embarkation, dining and tender perks that simplify the whole cruise.
• Bathrooms and storage that make longer itineraries much more comfortable.

What makes these suites especially good on Ruby:

• Owner’s Suites at the aft corners with the largest balconies and panoramic wake views.
• Aft Penthouse and Vista Suites on lower aft decks, which soften motion and reduce soot risk.
• Midship S4 Penthouse Suites that give a central location for anyone who values quick access over dramatic views.
• Forward Premium Suites for guests who love watching the bow and do not mind occasional wind-related balcony limitations.

Specific suite-friendly picks (by type and zone, not exact numbers):

• Owner’s Suite aft corner: Ideal for guests who want maximum space, the biggest balcony, and do not mind a little extra walking for that fully panoramic wake view.
• Aft Penthouse Suite on a lower aft deck: Slightly smaller than the Owner’s, but still very generous, these are some of the most comfortable “home base” cabins on the ship.
• Vista Suites on lower aft decks: Great choice if you want suite perks, real space and an aft view, without paying for the very largest category.
• S4 midship Penthouse Suites: A fantastic option for guests who value central, stable positioning, easy access to the spa and dining, and still want the full-service suite experience.

Jim’s Take

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Tips for Choosing the Right Cabin on Ruby Princess

Start with how you actually cruise

Before you even touch deck plans, decide what matters most to you on this sailing. Are you going to live on your balcony, or will you be off the ship every port day and out in the bars every night? Do you need perfect sleep, or are you fine with a bit of ambient noise if it saves money?

When you’re clear on your priorities, you stop chasing “best” in a generic sense and start chasing best for you. On Ruby Princess that can mean anything from a midship Interior sleep cave to a lower aft suite with a big balcony. The same cabin can be a dream for one cruiser and a miss for another, purely based on how they use it.

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Learn the basic Ruby deck-plan “rules”

Ruby Princess follows a classic pattern that will help you dodge most of the Ruby Princess cabins to avoid without overthinking it. Think of these as your baseline rules before you even look at individual cabin numbers.

• Cabin-only sandwich: Aim for cabins with other cabins above and below you instead of public spaces.
• Avoid open deck overhead: If the deck above shows pools or that wooden Lido texture, think carefully.
• Watch the ends: Far forward and far aft mean more motion and wind, even before you think about noise.
• Side beats center for quiet: Mid-corridor cabins often get less through-traffic than those near stairs and lifts.

Once you know these patterns, scanning a deck plan becomes less about “Is 521 good?” and more about “What zone is 521 sitting in?”

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Use a vertical scan: what’s above and below?

Whenever you find a cabin that looks tempting, take 30 seconds to do a vertical check:

1. Look at your chosen deck.
2. Flip one deck up.
3. Flip one deck down.

If you see theaters, lounges, main restaurants, the Lido, or big grey service blocks directly above or below, that is a red flag. You want:

• Cabins over cabins = ideal.
• Cabins over public venues = potential late-night noise.
• Cabins under Lido = potential scraping and stomping.

This one habit saves more people from noisy locations than anything else.

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Think in “zones” instead of chasing exact numbers

You already have some specific problem ranges like R311–R525 under Lido or R748–757 in the soot-prone aft upper zone. Those are helpful, but you do not want to get stuck on “Is cabin X123 on the bad list?” What you really want is zone awareness.

Break the ship into mental zones like this:

• Forward high: More motion, more wind, sometimes crew/stair noise.
• Forward low: Stable but can be close to mooring/anchor gear and crew activity.
• Midship low to mid: The sweet spot for most people; most stable and quiet.
• Aft low: Good wake views, some vibration, usually less soot.
• Aft high: Great views but more motion and possible soot on balconies.

If your candidate cabin lives in a “high-risk” zone, ask what you’re getting in return for that risk. If the answer is “nothing special,” move on.

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Ruby Princess Cabin Strategy by Deck

Ruby’s decks each have their own personality. Thinking deck by deck helps you avoid the classic Ruby Princess cabins to avoid without memorising every single cabin number.

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Lower decks (Plaza / Fiesta / Emerald)

These are your stability kings. Motion is reduced, and you’re further away from Lido noise and late-night pool activity. On these levels, a lot of the trouble spots are:

• Far forward, close to mooring / anchor equipment and crew areas.
• Cabins tight to service spaces or crew stairwells.

For most people, the sweet spot down here is:

• Midship or just-a-bit-aft cabins, with cabins above and below.
• Interior or Oceanview if you’re budget-focused and want minimal motion.

If someone in your party is seasick-prone or noise-sensitive, this is where I’d start looking first.

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Dolphin Deck

Dolphin is home to a lot of Mini Suites and is a really nice “comfort deck” for longer itineraries. You do need to think about:

• Avoiding being directly over or under big public spaces below or above.
• Watching for connecting Mini Suites if you don’t actually want a connector.

Best zones on Dolphin:

• Midship Mini Suites with cabins above and below for noise buffering.
• Slightly aft Mini Suites if you like being closer to the Terrace Pool but not right next to it.

If you’re stepping up from a Balcony, Dolphin midship Mini Suites are a strong “value luxury” pick.

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Caribe Deck

Caribe is often the sweet-spot balcony deck on ships of this class, thanks to generally larger balconies and a nice balance between height and stability. Here’s how to use it smartly:

• Stay midship or gently aft, where motion is comfortable and noise is low.
• Avoid going all the way to the forward extremes if you dislike movement.
• Be aware of any laundromat or service icons near your chosen cabin.

Caribe is where I’d send couples who want a seriously usable balcony without spending suite money, especially if they’re not hyper-sensitive to tiny amounts of motion.

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Baja Deck

Baja is another solid balcony-heavy cabin deck, a touch higher than Caribe but still generally comfortable. It’s excellent if you:

• Want to be a little closer to Lido and the pools,
• But still prefer to avoid directly under the pool footprint and heavy scraping.

Good Baja zones:

• Midship balconies with cabins above and below.
• Slightly aft-of-midship for a calm ride and good access to the Terrace Pool area.

On Baja I’d be extra careful to avoid any cabins sitting directly under the noisiest Lido areas, by checking what’s one deck above.

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Aloha Deck

Aloha starts creeping closer to those Lido-adjacent issues. It can still be great, but you want to be deliberate:

• Avoid cabins that sit under high-traffic Lido zones or right under the main pool area.
• Steer clear of anything tight to laundromats or crew stairwells if you’re noise-sensitive.

Best strategies on Aloha:

• Treat midship cabins under cabin-only zones as prime real estate.
• If you need to be closer to Lido for convenience, try to sit under quieter Lido sections, not under pools and sun-lounger grids.

Think of Aloha as a “convenience deck” where you trade a little potential noise risk for shorter walks.

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Riviera Deck

Riviera is a mixed bag: you’re very close to Lido and the buffet, which some people adore, but it also includes one of Ruby’s biggest danger zones.

Key points on Riviera:

• Cabins R311 to R525 sit directly under the Lido pool and loungers and are at high risk for chair-scraping and deck-thudding.
• Forward Riviera cabins close to the bow lean more into motion and wind for balconies.

Best Riviera approaches:

• If you want Riviera, aim for midship or slightly aft cabins that are not under the pool footprint, ideally where Lido above is restaurant/indoor space, not sundeck.
• Be especially cautious with R311–R525, which we’ve already flagged as a key Ruby Princess cabins to avoid zone.

Riviera is all about honesty: if you treasure long lie-ins, move to a lower deck. If you’re a dawn-at-the-buffet person, you might accept some noise.

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Lido Deck

Lido cabins look appealing on paper because you’re right where the action is, but this is the noisiest vertical neighborhood on the ship. You’re sharing a deck with:

• Pools and hot tubs.
• Buffet traffic.
• Early-morning chair shuffling and late-night cleaning.

You also have more motion and wind exposure due to the height.

Lido cabins make sense only when:

• You are very motion-tolerant,
• You are usually awake during pool hours anyway,
• And you strongly value being just seconds away from the pool and buffet.

If any part of you is thinking “I really want quiet,” treat Lido cabins as the last resort rather than the first pick.

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Putting it all together by deck

If you want a simple hierarchy to guide your first pass at the deck plan:

• For maximum stability and quiet: lower, midship decks like Emerald / Dolphin.
• For balcony lifestyle with comfort: Caribe and Baja, midship to gently aft.
• For convenience over quiet: carefully chosen Aloha or Riviera that are not under the worst Lido zones.
• For “in the action” plus higher risk: Lido, only if you’re noise- and motion-tolerant and know exactly what you’re signing up for.

Use that ladder first, then apply everything from your Ruby Princess cabins to avoid list to weed out the specific trouble pockets on each deck.

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Balance motion vs convenience

One of the biggest trade-offs on Ruby Princess is motion comfort vs walking distance. Stable cabins tend to be midship and lower, but lots of people genuinely like the convenience of being near the pool deck, buffet, or theater.

If you are sensitive to motion or worried about seasickness:

• Stay low and central, even if it means a bit more elevator time.
• Pick Interior, Oceanview or midship Balcony on the classic cabin decks.

If motion does not bother you at all:

• You can get away with higher, slightly forward or aft cabins.
• Just be deliberate about avoiding clear noise traps like Lido-overhead or theater-underfoot.

The key is not to accidentally put someone who is nervous about motion into a high, forward, seasickness-magnifying zone just because the fare was a little cheaper.

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Match your cabin type to your personality, not Instagram

A lot of people feel pressured to book a balcony because “that’s what cruisers do,” but I have seen plenty of guests barely use their balcony at all. Ask yourself honestly:

• Are you going to sit on it every day for coffee and sunset?
• Or is it just a place to hang swimwear and step outside twice?

If the balcony is central to your experience, then choose a midship or lower aft balcony in a quiet zone and really enjoy it. If you know you will spend the week at trivia, in the casino and ashore, a good Interior or Oceanview might be a smarter choice, and you can put the savings into dining and excursions.

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Be strategic with obstructed Oceanviews

Obstructed Oceanviews are one of those products where people are either thrilled or annoyed. The difference is expectation. If you book them thinking “cheap room with some light,” they’re usually a win. If you expect “discount balcony-level views,” you will be disappointed.

Use them when:

• You want daylight, not a view, at a lower price.
• You are a heavy sleeper who does not care about looking out.
• You treat the room as a place to sleep and shower, not to sightsee.

Do not use them if:

• You are paying extra mainly for scenic cruising from your cabin.
• You are prone to cabin fever and want to gaze at the horizon from bed.

In those cases, either go for a clear Oceanview or drop all the way down to a well-placed Interior instead of sitting in the middle.

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Understand connecting rooms before you accept one

Connecting cabins are powerful tools when used properly and a nuisance when they are not. On Ruby, you can string together Interiors, Oceanviews, Balconies, Premium Balconies and even Mini Suites.

Book a connecting cabin on purpose when:

• You have kids or teens and want a shared space but separate doors.
• You are a multigenerational group who likes to pop in and out of each other’s cabins.

Avoid connecting cabins when:

• You are just a couple and do not need the door at all.
• You value sound privacy and do not want to hear neighbors as much.

If you ever book a guarantee and get assigned a connecting cabin you do not want, call and see if they can move you into a non-connecting option in the same category. It is not always possible, but it is always worth asking.

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Treat laundromats, crew doors and service areas as “soft red flags”

Little icons on deck plans matter. On Ruby Princess, that means:

• Laundromats: Extra human traffic, machine hums, door slams, chatty neighbors.
• Crew stairwells and service points: Early-morning movement, carts, doors.
• Big blank grey areas: Often storage or service zones that can generate thumps.

None of these automatically make a cabin bad, but they stack risk. If you are torn between two cabins and one shares a wall with a laundry room or crew area, choose the other one.

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Know your Lido tolerance

Some people love being one quick flight of stairs from the pool and buffet. Others discover that the chair scraping, band sound-checks and DJ bass drive them nuts. The magic with Ruby is to figure out which camp you are in before you book.

Good reasons to be near Lido:

• You are up early claiming loungers and hitting the buffet.
• You are not bothered by ambient daytime noise and don’t nap much.

Good reasons to stay away from Lido:

• You treasure sleeping in, especially on sea days.
• You love quiet afternoons in your cabin or on your balcony.

If you like the idea of being close but not directly under the party, aim for one or two decks below with cabins above and below you, roughly under the cabin areas rather than under the pools themselves.

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Decide how much you care about the view direction

On Ruby Princess, side balconies give you coastline views on one side and open ocean on the other depending on itinerary, while aft gives you the wake and forward gives you a more dramatic “heading into the horizon” feel in public spaces.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to see where we’ve been (aft) or where we’re going (forward/public decks)?
• Am I okay trading a bit more vibration or walking for that wake?

For many people the best compromise is a side-facing midship balcony: less drama, more reliability. You can always visit the open decks for the forward and wake views when you want them, then retreat to your quieter cabin.

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Use Mini Suites and Suites as “lifestyle upgrades,” not just bigger rooms

On Ruby, Mini Suites and Suites are not just about square footage. They change how you use the ship:

• A Mini Suite lets one person nap while another reads or watches TV on the sofa.
• A Suite gives you full dining and priority perks that change your whole day.

They make the biggest difference when:

• You are on a longer itinerary with lots of sea days.
• You have more than two people in the cabin and need separation.
• You know you will spend a good chunk of each day in your room.

If you are on a short, port-heavy cruise and will barely see your cabin, you are often better served by a well-placed Balcony plus higher spend on experiences than by the cheapest Suite in a mediocre location.

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Be realistic about your noise sensitivity

Everyone says they want a quiet cabin, but people’s actual tolerance is wildly different. Think about your normal life:

• Can you sleep with a TV on in the next room, or does a ticking clock bother you?
• Do you live above a bar and shrug it off, or do you need earplugs in a hotel?

If you are highly noise-sensitive:

• Avoid under-Lido, laundry-adjacent, crew-service-adjacent and over-lounge cabins.
• Stay midship, mid-corridor, and sandwiched between cabins on all sides.

If you are noise-tolerant:

• You can open up more “value” cabins and worry more about convenience and price.
• Just steer clear of the absolute worst offenders in the Ruby Princess cabins to avoid list, because even heavy sleepers have limits when someone is dragging loungers over their head at dawn.

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Use guarantees carefully (they’re not evil, but they are a gamble)

Guarantee cabins are attractive because they are usually cheaper and sometimes upgrade nicely, but they hand cabin placement to the cruise line. On Ruby, that means you are more likely to end up in:

• Forward or aft high-motion zones.
• Connecting rooms where others did not want the door.
• Edge-case cabins close to laundromats or service areas.

Guarantees are fine when:

• You are not picky about location and are okay with some risk.
• You understand you may end up in one of the Ruby Princess cabins to avoid zones and will roll with it.

They are a bad idea when:

• You are seasick-prone, noise-sensitive, or traveling with a baby.
• You already know very clearly where you want to be on the ship.

For those cases, pay the bit extra to lock in a specific cabin in a good zone.

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Double-check everything before you hit “confirm”

Before you finally book, do a simple pre-flight check on your chosen cabin:

• Is it under Lido or over a theater/lounge?
• Is it next to a laundromat, crew area or big blank space on the deck plan?
• Is it far forward or far aft if you are worried about motion?
• Is it connecting when you do not need it to be?

If the answer to any of those questions makes you hesitate, this is your chance to click one deck up or down and slide a few doors along the corridor. It is much easier to fix on the booking screen than at guest services once you’re already aboard.

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Jim’s Take

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Jim’s Take