California Coasting: Inside An Unforgettable US West Coast Voyage Aboard Ruby Princess

• Princess Premier Package: Complete value including unlimited speciality dining, premium drinks, Wi-Fi, tips, reserved show seating, and photo downloads.

• Unforgettable Ports: Stops in Catalina Island, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ensenada, featuring Universal Studios and the San Diego SEAL tour.

• World-Class Entertainment: Original production shows created by Stephen Schwartz alongside lively comedy acts and poolside movies under the stars.

From the iconic silhouette of the Golden Gate Bridge and Hollywood thrill rides to dolphin-watching in San Diego bay and world-class dining at sea, a West Coast USA voyage combines legendary Pacific landmarks with effortless ocean cruising.

In September 2026, Cruise.co.uk’s Commercial & Trading Executive, Holly Giles, flew to San Francisco for a week-long Pacific adventure aboard the elegant Ruby Princess. Packed with Stephen Schwartz production shows, unlimited speciality steakhouse feasts, and autonomous driverless taxis, here is her firsthand review of life on board and ashore along the West Coast.

First Impressions & Stepping On Board

Well, where do I begin? I had the most amazing time onboard Ruby Princess sailing down the West Coast of the USA. I flew out to San Francisco on 9th September 2026 and embarked the beautiful ship on 10th September for a week-long voyage.

As soon as you step onboard, you are welcomed by a traditional cruise atmosphere. It is not just present in the decor; there is a true sense of classic cruise charm where you can immediately relax and look forward to your days ahead.

My first stop onboard was straight to the lovely pool deck to take in some of the goodies available at the Salty Dog Grill.

The menu includes everything from hot dogs and burgers to loaded fries and my personal favourite: the chicken basket. While up on the pool deck, I enjoyed a cheeky cocktail to kick off the trip in the best possible way, providing the perfect photo opportunity to start the holiday.

The Princess Premier Package: Is It Worth It?

For this trip, we were lucky enough to receive the Princess Premier Package (£75 per person, per night), and it certainly did not disappoint!

The Premier Package includes:

• All beverages up to $20 per drink

• Wi-Fi access for your devices

• All daily crew gratuities and tips

• Unlimited speciality dining options

• A photo package allowing you to select three favourite printed photos onboard, plus digital downloads via the app

• Free room service delivery on selected food and drink items

• Reserved seating for main theatrical productions in the Princess Theatre

Being able to order complimentary room service meant I could enjoy a peaceful evening watching a film with food and drinks in the comfort of my cabin, which was thoroughly enjoyable after a hectic day in port.

If you are a show lover like me, the reserved theatre seating is a huge bonus, giving you extra time to enjoy other areas of the ship before a performance starts.

Exceptional Dining: Main Dining, Crown Grill, Sabatini's & More

The food onboard was second to none, featuring a wide choice of dining venues ranging from main dining rooms to spectacular speciality restaurants.

Main Dining in Botticelli

For the first two evenings, I dined in the main dining room, Botticelli. It offered an extensive array of options to suit every personal taste, including seafood, chicken, pork, vegetarian, and vegan dishes.

Crown Grill

On night three, it was time for the showstoppers! I visited Crown Grill, which normally carries a $55 cover charge for guests without a Princess package. The service was top tier, with warm, attentive servers catering to our every need.

To start, fresh garlic and cheese bread was brought to the table, and it was an absolute dream. For my starter, I chose the chilled jumbo shrimp, followed by a mouthwatering lobster tail served with luscious pepper butter.

To finish, I opted for the layered blueberry cheesecake, served with blueberry jelly, whipped cream, fresh blueberry sauce, and buttery crumbles.

I was fortunate enough to revisit Crown Grill later in the week to try their famous steaks, which were cooked to absolute perfection.

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria

On the fourth evening, I dined at Sabatini's Italian Trattoria (also normally a $55 cover charge without a package). Again, the service was amazing, and nothing was too much trouble.

We were brought complimentary arancini with a tomato dipping sauce as an appetiser, which was delicious. My starter was Ribollita, a classic Tuscan soup, followed by Chicken Parmigiana made with fresh buffalo mozzarella and tomato. For dessert, I selected the traditional Sicilian Cannoli.

Thanks to the Premier Package, I was able to book Sabatini's again for our final night onboard. This time I sampled the mushroom risotto and the lasagne, which was easily the single best lasagne I have ever eaten!

Salty Dog Gastropub

On another evening, I visited the Salty Dog Gastropub. Normally charging a $14.99 cover fee (which includes two small plates and one dessert), I opted for the wild mushroom sauté and the beef short rib poutine, followed by strawberries and cream. Everything was of great quality and represented fantastic value.

West End-Quality Shows & Onboard Entertainment

As a huge lover of cruise ship entertainment, Ruby Princess exceeded all my expectations. The ship presented three full production shows featuring the Princess singers and dancers, who are an exceptionally talented group.

The main production shows included:

• Magic To Do: An interactive, illusion-filled musical revue created in partnership with Oscar, Grammy, and Tony-winning composer Stephen Schwartz (famous for Wicked). It brilliantly blends magic tricks with iconic tunes and original songs.

• Colours of the World: A vibrant musical journey celebrating diverse global cultures, music, and dance traditions.

• Stardust: A classic, big-stage musical production featuring elaborate costumes, stunning vocalists, and impressive choreography.

In addition to the production shows, the Princess Theatre hosted guest vocalists, comedians, and illusionists. Over in Club Fusion, comedians from across the US comedy scene drew lively crowds.

For late-night dancing with panoramic ocean views, Skywalkers Nightclub was the place to be, while the Explorers Lounge hosted daytime and evening quizzes, interactive games, and a guest-favourite karaoke session.

Pool Decks, Relaxation & Formal Night Traditions

Around the pool deck, there were always plenty of sunbeds available whether you wanted a full sea day of sunbathing or a place to unwind after exploring a port.

There was constant activity around the pool, from live sets by in-house bands to screenings on the giant Movies Under the Stars screen.

Nearby, the complimentary ice cream parlour served delicious soft-serve ice cream with topping sauces, perfect for a sunny day at sea.

On our first formal evening, I headed down to the Piazza Atrium where ship officers were introduced to guests, sharing details about our itinerary and ship operations.

The absolute highlight was the Captain's Champagne Pour, where I was invited to help pour champagne over the iconic champagne waterfall. It was a treasured memory that will stay with me forever.

Balcony Cabin Review

I was fortunate to stay in a spacious balcony cabin that provided breathtaking ocean views throughout the voyage.

Upon entering, there was a full-length mirror on the right and a large walk-in closet on the left with generous storage space for clothing.

This led into a well-proportioned bathroom stocked with complimentary shampoo, shower gel, hand wash, and body lotion.

The main cabin area featured a queen-sized bed, a mini-fridge, a writing desk, a hair dryer, and a large TV loaded with recent movie releases and series.

Outside, the private balcony was impressively large, comfortably accommodating two chairs with room to spare.

Behind-the-Scenes Galley & Bridge Tours

During our sailing, we were granted behind-the-scenes access to the ship's galley to discover the massive logistical effort required to prepare thousands of meals daily.

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, having worked with Princess Cruises for over three decades!

We were also invited to visit the ship's bridge, offering a rare insight into the daily operations of the Captain and nautical team.

Port Highlights: Catalina Island, LA, San Diego & Ensenada

Our West Coast itinerary delivered an incredible mix of iconic cities and coastal gems.

Catalina Island

Catalina Island was our only tender port, and the transfer operation was exceptionally well organised with minimal wait times.

The town resembles a picture-perfect postcard with pastel buildings lining the beach, boat-filled harbours, and hillside homes.

I booked a one-hour glass-bottom boat tour, which provided great views of local marine life and fantastic photo angles of Ruby Princess anchored in the bay.

Los Angeles (Universal Studios)

In Los Angeles, I chose the excursion to Universal Studios Hollywood, fulfilling a lifelong dream. We were even able to ride the brand-new Fast & Furious rollercoaster a few days before its official grand opening. If you love high-speed thrill rides, this one goes upside down four times!

Other highlights included Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, and Revenge of the Mummy.

My absolute favourite was Jurassic World – The Ride, featuring a Mosasaurus feeding, a baby Stegosaurus, an Indominus rex escape sequence, and a very splashy drop!

San Diego

In San Diego, I boarded the San Diego SEAL tour, an amphibious land-and-sea vehicle that drives through the city before splashing into the bay.

We spotted plenty of local wildlife, including a fantastic view of US Navy dolphins training in the harbour!

After the tour, I visited the 25-foot Unconditional Surrender sculpture (the famous kissing sailor statue) located on the waterfront next to the USS Midway Museum.

Ensenada, Mexico

In Ensenada, I enjoyed a relaxing day exploring local shops via the terminal shuttle bus. I browsed handmade souvenirs, picked up a sombrero magnet, and sampled delicious local mango-flavoured tequila.

San Francisco & Final Thoughts

On disembarkation morning, we had a few hours to explore San Francisco before heading home. We took Waymo driverless taxis to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which was spellbinding to watch as the vehicle navigated city traffic autonomously.

After sightseeing and shopping at Pier 39, we boarded our coach transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK.

It was a fantastic trip aboard a brilliant ship with wonderful company. I am missing it already!