elycelynne Posted August 22, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I'm contemplating the 15-day Hawaii cruise for 2019 (to celebrate my retirement, if all goes as planned). Anyway, I see that there are sailings on both of these ships (as well as on Grand, but I'd probably choose Emerald or Ruby). What I was wondering is if there are any major differences between the two that would give one an advantage over the other or if they were pretty much interchangeable. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-mattox Posted August 22, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 22, 2017 They are virtually the same ship; flip a coin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runnerodb83 Posted August 22, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 22, 2017 If you really want to get down to the nitty gritty, there are a few more rooms on the emerald. I think on Caribe deck, inside cabins. Other than that, like others have mentioned, the ships are nearly identical in the public areas. In fact, these 2 sisters are probably the most alike in the entire fleet as far as sister ships go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indygirl99 Posted August 22, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I'm contemplating the 15-day Hawaii cruise for 2019 (to celebrate my retirement, if all goes as planned). Anyway, I see that there are sailings on both of these ships (as well as on Grand, but I'd probably choose Emerald or Ruby). What I was wondering is if there are any major differences between the two that would give one an advantage over the other or if they were pretty much interchangeable. Thoughts? Just sailed the Emerald to Alaska. Loved the ship, crew and itinerary. Also looking at a cruise to Hawaii but looking at the Grand. The reason is it sails from San Francisco and we have never been to SF so this would give us some nice pre/post cruise time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted August 22, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Sailed the Emerald last year and had no complants on the ship and service. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted August 22, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Sister ships. Ruby has 4 aft facing balcony cabins on Riviera deck. Those 4 cabins on the Emerald are OV cabins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seacruise9 Posted August 22, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Hi, I have cruised aboard both ships and didn't notice much difference. The Ruby is one year newer, but I don't think this really matters. Both ships are a good choice. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted August 22, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Sister ships. They are the same. It comes down to where and how long you wish to cruise. Emerald is doing 15 day Hawaii and a few other cruises plus the Vancouver to Ft. Lauderdale via the Panama Canal new locks in April 2019. The Ruby has a variety of Mexico, & Hawaii. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2cruisesoon Posted August 22, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Sister ships. They are the same. It comes down to where and how long you wish to cruise. Emerald is doing 15 day Hawaii and a few other cruises plus the Vancouver to Ft. Lauderdale via the Panama Canal new locks in April 2019. The Ruby has a variety of Mexico, & Hawaii. Another option and is not what you asked but I'll throw out anyway. Fly to Honolulu and do the POA 7 days (Maui, Hawaii, Kauai) then the second week on/at Waikiki hotel. We did this a couple months ago and really enjoyed, plus you'll see more stuff rather than 10 days of water. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootinRN Posted August 22, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I'm contemplating the 15-day Hawaii cruise for 2019 (to celebrate my retirement, if all goes as planned). Anyway, I see that there are sailings on both of these ships (as well as on Grand, but I'd probably choose Emerald or Ruby). What I was wondering is if there are any major differences between the two that would give one an advantage over the other or if they were pretty much interchangeable. Thoughts? Happy Retirement! Been on Ruby twice. Service good the first time, bad the second. Same went for food. Did Grand to Hawaii--great service and food. Have not been on Emerald. Of course it's all in the crew. So I guess it depends on which itinerary start city you want. And hope for a great crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casandbliz Posted August 22, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 22, 2017 We originally booked our Hawaii 2019 cruise on the Ruby. Then we received an email saying we would be on the Emerald. Same cabin assignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1emerald1 Posted August 23, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I'm contemplating the 15-day Hawaii cruise for 2019 (to celebrate my retirement, if all goes as planned). Anyway, I see that there are sailings on both of these ships (as well as on Grand, but I'd probably choose Emerald or Ruby). What I was wondering is if there are any major differences between the two that would give one an advantage over the other or if they were pretty much interchangeable. Thoughts?I am having the same dilemna, so have booked both cruises and will decide later. I like the Emerald better as I like the art on the ship better. But I think I will wait to find out who the Captain, Executive Chef and Maitre D will be and then finalize my decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Working 2 Cruise Posted August 23, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Another option and is not what you asked but I'll throw out anyway. Fly to Honolulu and do the POA 7 days (Maui, Hawaii, Kauai) then the second week on/at Waikiki hotel. We did this a couple months ago and really enjoyed, plus you'll see more stuff rather than 10 days of water. Sent from my iPad using Forums Not again! You must own stock in NCL! It's a fantastic cruise! I wish I could go again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted August 23, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 23, 2017 We've been on both Emerald & Ruby. Sister ships... almost exactly the same. Would be very happy to cruise on either of them again. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted August 23, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 23, 2017 They are virtually the same ship; flip a coin. I agree and call heads for the Emerald Princess. :) Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRS/NC Posted August 23, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I've sailed twice on each the Emerald & the Ruby -- "twins" and very enjoyable. For Hawaii -- I'd choose the ship that leaves from San Francisco! (I was on the Star for that.) SFO is great & sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge is a "bucket list" experience! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knittertwitter Posted August 23, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I'm contemplating the 15-day Hawaii cruise for 2019 (to celebrate my retirement, if all goes as planned). Anyway, I see that there are sailings on both of these ships (as well as on Grand, but I'd probably choose Emerald or Ruby). What I was wondering is if there are any major differences between the two that would give one an advantage over the other or if they were pretty much interchangeable. Thoughts? I have sailed on both and they are identical in all respects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted August 23, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Yes I agree. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Woobstr112G Posted August 23, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Another option and is not what you asked but I'll throw out anyway. Fly to Honolulu and do the POA 7 days (Maui, Hawaii, Kauai) then the second week on/at Waikiki hotel. We did this a couple months ago and really enjoyed, plus you'll see more stuff rather than 10 days of water. Sent from my iPad using Forums 10 days of water is a good thing.....:):):) Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted August 23, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 23, 2017 10 days of water is a good thing.....:):):) Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satxdiver Posted August 23, 2017 #21 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I was on the Emerald earlier this year and just got off the Ruby. They are for the most part identical. Our next cruise later this year is on the Ruby because it happens to be going where we wanted to sail. Next spring we are on the Emerald again. I would however pick either of these ships over the Grand which is their oldest design ship with Skywalker's removed several years ago due to structural defects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeCee59 Posted August 23, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 23, 2017 We originally booked our Hawaii 2019 cruise on the Ruby. Then we received an email saying we would be on the Emerald. Same cabin assignment. I'm booked on the April 2019 cruise on the Ruby - the only thing they changed was that they moved it up by two days so now leaving on April 8th out of LA. They will also have the medallion on the Ruby - not sure about the Emerald. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted August 23, 2017 #23 Share Posted August 23, 2017 For a brief moment I thought there might be a difference because I know Emerald replaced Sabatini's with Share but then I realized that Ruby did the same thing. Bummer. While I'm not a wild fan of Sabatini's if Ruby had still had that venue instead of Share I could have recommended the ship over Emerald. Sadly, I was mistaken. The good news is that both still have Adagio. :hearteyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukesubsailor Posted August 23, 2017 #24 Share Posted August 23, 2017 10 days of water is a good thing.....:):):) Bob I agree. I would take 10 days at sea on a Princess cruise ship over spending all those hours on a plane getting to and from Hawaii. Also would not have to pack and unpack so many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elycelynne Posted August 23, 2017 Author #25 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I've sailed twice on each the Emerald & the Ruby -- "twins" and very enjoyable. For Hawaii -- I'd choose the ship that leaves from San Francisco! (I was on the Star for that.) SFO is great & sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge is a "bucket list" experience! Enjoy! I'm actually going to be sailing out of San Francisco on my 10-day Mexican Riviera cruise on the Grand coming up in January. I assume that all cruises that leave out of San Francisco sail under the Golden Gate Bridge -- Correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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