Recent Sovereign cruisers...

... has anyone talked to the crew about the refurb? There hasnt been any new word about it since the press release a few months ago. Im curious about the "dining option in development" and if there is any news on whats going to happen...

is that the whole ship will be refirbished while in dry dock mid-November. What I was told was that all the staterooms would be re-decorated (including new bath rooms) and that a specialty resturant would be added.

We're on the same cruise with you... January 3 - 7... We're taking my in-laws to celebrate their anniversary. My hubby and I will have the Royal Suite and his parents will have the Owner's Suite next door! Hope to see you on board!

Royal AND Owners suite, nicely done! We have an outside deck 8. As of now its myself and two other friends, there are 5-10 others thinking about going, I just need to convince them! A few of us met on the Majesty sept 6-10, so its going to be a reunion as well! We range in age from 20 to 35 but all of us are outgoing and always having a good time. Look forward to seeing you on board! Anyone else out there on our trip.... :D

The head waiter told us last night they are ripping out the windjammer and redoing the whole thing. Adding a Johnny Rockets, and what sounded like a specialty dinning room. sounded like Johnny Rockets will be up on deck 12, the mast bar. They are also redoing the mess. They expect to be in dry dock for one week and as he called it wet dock for two.

It was a great cruise we had a blast!

burnsie

if the fitness center and spa is moving to another deck, any idea on what is going to replace it?

Royal Caribbean Announces Extensive Onboard Enhancements To Sovereign Of The Seas

Third Ship in Fleet to Undergo Major Renovations to Receive New Dining and Entertainment Venues, Expanded Fitness Facilities and Dedicated Teen Areas

Miami - May 7, 2004 - Royal Caribbean International is kicking the onboard experience into overdrive for Bahamas-bound guests on Sovereign of the Seas. The company today announced that the 73,192-ton ship is slated for an extreme makeover this November, including the addition of the line's hot Latin lounge, Boleros, a sit-down coffee and ice cream scoop shop, and three teen-only areas.

Sovereign of the Seas, which will go into drydock this November, will be the third Royal Caribbean ship to undergo extensive renovations. Monarch of the Seas, which cruises year-round from Los Angeles, was renovated in June 2003, and the newly revitalized Empress of the Seas makes her debut this weekend at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J.

"Royal Caribbean has led the industry in introducing innovative and exciting features on our newest ships in the past few years," said Adam Goldstein, executive vice president, Brand Operations, for Royal Caribbean International. "Now we are bringing many those same outstanding experiences to guests sailing on ships that debuted before a rock wall at sea was even imagined. We are particularly pleased to expand and enhance the onboard experience for guests on our popular short Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral on Sovereign of the Seas."

Renovations will touch nearly every square foot of Sovereign, with the most visible addition being new balconies for 62 suites on Deck 10, creating the first balcony staterooms for the ship. In addition, each stateroom and suite onboard the ship will be refurbished, including entirely new bathrooms.

On the dining scene, Sovereign will be serving up several new options including a pizza parlor, Sorrento's, as well as another new restaurant concept still under development. The Windjammer Café will be updated, as will the two main dining rooms, which will be completely refurbished and renamed. In between meals, guests can enjoy specialty espresso drinks from Seattle's Best Coffee®, as well as their favorite flavors from Ben & Jerry's® at the new sit-down Latte'tudes coffee shop and ice cream parlor.

Each night, Sovereign will offer entertainment options from bow to stern, with the main attraction being the mid-ship Boleros Latin lounge. Boleros bar menu includes favorites from Brazil, Cuba and Central America, such as caipirinhas, mojitos and specialty tequilas. Dueling piano players and live Latin jazz performances will offer high-octane evenings. The main showroom, the disco, the Viking Crown Lounge and Casino Royale also will be renovated and refurbished.

Teen guests out for the evening will have a choice of three exclusive areas designed just for them - the ultra-hip Fuel nightclub; a cool hangout lounge called The Living Room; and The Back Deck, a sun deck with an outdoor dance floor.

During the day, fitness-focused guests will find everything they need for a full workout at the relocated and expanded ShipShape Fitness Center and Sovereign Day Spa. Moving to Deck 9, the new facilities will feature a bigger gym with additional cardio equipment. The full-service spa will have a hair and nails salon, as well as 11 treatment rooms, including a two-person room for couples.

Finally, for guests interested in combining work and play, Royal Caribbean is expanding the ship's conference capabilities. The former card room, library and champagne bar on Deck 7 are being converted into an expansive, sophisticated business facility, with a large, multi-purpose Conference Center and a Business Services office to meet any organization's meeting or communications needs.

Sovereign of the Seas offers three- and four-night Bahamas itineraries year-round from Port Canaveral, calling at Nassau and CocoCay. Through Royal Caribbean's Explorations! shore excursions program, guests can spend their time ashore snorkeling with stingrays or following in the footsteps of pirates in Nassau, or participating in one of many watersports in CocoCay - from parasailing, kayaking and snorkeling to a sun-filled day at Caylana's Castle Cove Aqua Park.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand currently with 19 ships in service and one more under construction. The company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe.

Will Ben & Jerry's cost extra?

If they are converting the library to more conference space, will they put the library elsewhere or just get rid of it?

Maggie

i still wonder whats going where the gym/spa use to be.... might make a neat place for alternative dining...

Will Ben & Jerry's cost extra?

 

Yes. They already have them on several ships and it is extra.

i still wonder whats going where the gym/spa use to be.... might make a neat place for alternative dining...

Where did you see that this was going to move?

During the day, fitness-focused guests will find everything they need for a full workout at the relocated and expanded ShipShape Fitness Center and Sovereign Day Spa. Moving to Deck 9, the new facilities will feature a bigger gym with additional cardio equipment.

DUH, I totally missed that line.

Would you and your friends like to join us prior to the life boat drill... for a little party in the Royal Suite prior to sailing??? We usually host a party prior to sailing on longer cruises, where we have met people on the CC Board... but if you and your fellow cruisers would like to join us I'll plan something for this trip.... Just let me know!

I Have Heard Rumors From An Inside Source That Next Year The Sos Is Leaving Port Canaveral. Since The 3-4 Day Cruises Have Shifted Sailing Dates On Sos They Have Become Very Very Popular. Sold Out Pretty Much Every Sailing. Rccl Is Interested In Bringing In A Bigger Ship For The 3-4 Day Sailings.

Tim

LindaO -

Sure we would love to get together before the boat drill. Just let us know what time is best for you. Look forward to meeting you on the trip!

srq2003... a couple hours prior to the life boat drill... just look at the time of the drill on the schedule (when you board)... it is usually about 4:30 or so... just subtact 2 hours and come on up!! Cabin 1010. Bring your friends!! It is fun just to see the Royal Suite!! If you have any questions... send me an email at llw@intrepidcorp.com

LindaO -

Thank you! we will be there around 2.30... is it time to go yet :D

anyone know who the CD is right now?

Chris Laine was the cruise director last week... Kind of a slick, oily fellow. My husband kept calling him "Mr. Alrighty-Then" and the assistant CD was on his last cruise with the Sovereign. He was disembarking with us...I don't remember his name, but we kept calling him "Attitude".

I was just recently on the SOS and actually really enjoyed the Asst. CD and we thought he was funny...thought he was actually better than the CD.I was just curious as to why you called him "Mr. Attitude"- was this term meant in a bad way?

Because during the Sailaway party he was doing this little song and dance and making fun of the people on the upper decks that thought they were too cool to come down and party. He would clap his hands, point to them and say, "ATTITUDE!" It was too cute...not that he had a bad attitude. We liked him much better than the CD.

is anyone on sovereign oct 18?

The assistant CD was named Errol. We loved him and thought he was soooo very much better than Chris. Chris was a bit "dorky" for lack of a better word. Errol was cool and seemed like someone you would actually want to hang out with. We also really liked Chris "Red" on the cd staff. He was such a nice guy!

We just got off yesterday and were told that the salon would also be part of the spa after the refurb.

Yes, his name is Errol- I too thought Chris "red" was hysterical.

I now know why you called him "Attitude"- I totally forgot about the Sailaway dance! The cruise staff were just amazing and really made the activities enjoyable.

MMoore1851 & GAPaige- where are you from and who did you travel with on this cruise?

Chicamcutie there is a group of us on the oct 18 cruise. Go to the the roll call section and post a message. We are all meeting by the pool bar on the ship. We have about 25 people right now.