Sovereign Of The Seas Review (12/16)

[coachk34]

I know there are a lot of reviews out there on this ship so Ill try to keep it to some new stuff.

 

1. Arrived at the port real early on Friday morning, about 9:15. Was able to go ahead and park and get a quick nap befor starting to board. Price to park for a 3 day cruise was 30.00 and they take visa/mastercard. At about 10:30 we walked over our check in luggage and started the check in process.

 

2. We did the check in online and used the sea pass, it seemed to help some. Our biggest surprise was when they went to get our room. We were suppose to be inside on the second deck and ended up on the outside of the 8th deck. That was a real shocker!! Being there that early we had to wait as they slowly started the boarding process. By 11:30 we were on the ship.

 

3. Our first stop was at the dining room where we requested and were able to receive a table for 2. You cannot get in your rooms until 1:00, but you can drop off your carry on bags on deck 4 and they will take them to your room for you. The windjammer was crowded but not unbearable.

 

4. Arrived in Nassau on Saturday about 12:00. Since we had been here befor we chose to spend this day around the pool. A very nice change with most people being on shore, very peaceful. Best buy on the boat is the bucket of Beer, 5 beers for $15. We did Johnny Rockets for lunch, using our coupons. The burgers were above average and we reallly enjoyed the experience. We did talk to some people that went over to Atlantis and were able to get in the Dig for free at 3:00 in the afternoon. Not sure if that is normal, but they were able to.

 

5. Coco Cay is an amazing little island. I will always cruise RC if Coco Cay is one of the stops I have to choose between. This is our 3rd RC trip and we have made all 3 stops at Coco Cay. The water was cold so we just stayed on the beach and in the hammocks. We went right off the ship and walked toward the end, right across from Coconut Willies Bar. Not many people at all down there and we were not the first off the ship.

 

6. We really took our time getting off the ship on Monday Morning. They want you out of your room by 8:00, so thats when we left. They stop breakfast in the Windjammer at 8:30. We were one of the first colors called while we were eating breakfast. We had to wait about 15 minutes in the line around the centrum to get off the ship and then took about another 30 minutes to get through customs, get our luggage, and back to the car. Not bad at all.

 

7. Just some final comments: 3 days is just not long enough for a couple that loves cruising, by the time you get in the groove its time to get off. But if you are combining your cruise with Disney World, like we did, it really works well. The rooms are not that small for a short cruise, we spent a lot of time in ours resting and never felt crowded, the closets are laid out great. Being able to put your tips on the seapass card is very convenient and easy, I loved it. I cashed in $150 onboard credit from my MBNA visa card and it was super easy, we got a card the first night saying the money was there. If you want to earn some easy points go to the casino and withdraw cash and it will be added to your card and you get double points. You can get upto $2000 per day. The slots are very tight, had some good luck playing $5 blackjack winning $70. They do have 1 table for $5 blackjack, but it is usually crowded.

 

Another great cruise. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Ill be more than glad to answer them!!

[jillybabes]

Great review, we are going 5/1 on 4 nt Sovereign and are looking forward to it. How was the food in the dining room and Windjammer? Thanks for any info...Jill:cool:

[coachk34]

We thought the food was very good in both places. The Top Sirlon with Butter is one of the alternative choices and was the best steak we had, we had filet of beef one night and NY Strip the last night. The first night we spent almost 2 hours in the dining room as they had some troulbe in the kitchen. The other two nights was just over 1 hour. We really only ate lunch in the winjammer the first day and it was very good, we did eat all our breakfast there and it was excellent too. You can really tell they have increased its size. Hope that helps, let me know if you want some more specifics.

[Cruisin Amy]

We too are thinking of the same next October with Disney....The 3 day seems kind of hard for school....with the day it leaves on...

Thinking of doing the 4 day with 2 days before and 2 after at Disney...

Our kids will be 11 and 7

 

Do they do a midnight buffet?

 

Did your kids do the adventure ocean?

 

Any not to miss items on the dinner menu?

 

Did you save your compass's...

 

sorry so many questions!!

 

thanks again!!

[Cruising89143]

Thanks for the review. The SOS is a great ship and have become my favorite for the quick trips.

[Merion_Mom]

coachk34: (I KNOW that you're not Mike Krzyzewski :D)

 

Please tell me about the CD. Who was it, how was s/he, how visible outside of the shows?

 

Did you go to The Quest? Did you play?

 

How was the entertainment? Any "don't miss" or "YOU MUST miss" recommendations?

 

Whether you tried them or not, were there any spa specials while you stayed onboard in Nassau?

 

Many thanks. We leave Monday morning!

[wolfcathorse]

Who was the captain? They should have rotated by now.

[mchlhaystead]

hi,

 

my travel agent told me when she sailed recently on the sos the lower two floors smelled of SEWER! has anyone noticed this is the problem been mended?

 

thanks, michele

[glentally]

hi,

 

my travel agent told me when she sailed recently on the sos the lower two floors smelled of SEWER! has anyone noticed this is the problem been mended?

 

thanks, michele

 

we were on the 2nd floor and had no problems

 

Glen

[coachk34]

Sorry for taking a long time to respond.

 

They had a midnight buffet on Sat. Night, but we did not go. Thats the only thing I dont like about the late dinner time is your too full for the late food.

 

Dont have kids so dont know anything about the adventure ocean program.

 

The escargot and shrimp cocktail were outstanding in the dining room.

 

We did save our cruise compass but wife put them into a scrap book.

 

The CD was "Johnny O" from Englang and he was very funny wearing some really bright outfits when he was on stage. The only other time I remember seeing him was when we were getting off the tenders from Coco Cay he was there welcoming people.

 

We did go to the shows each night and they were above average. Bart Rocket did a magic/vantrilaquest show that was very good. The last night the RC singers/dancers did dancing through the movies and it was great. Very high intensity. The first night they just let each do a small part and the comedian was the best, but he did not perform again. I would assume he performs on the 4 day cruise.

 

Did not do Quest but have in the past, always fun. Did not go to the spa either. Sorry.

 

They do have a new captain, cant remember his name but was kind of surprised at how young he was. Mid 30's I think.

 

Do as many days at Disney World as you can. We did 2 and could have easily done 2 more.

 

 

No Bad Smells on floors 2 and 3.

[Cruisin Amy]

thanks for the great information!!

 

Do you remember what time you got off the ship? Just wondering for airport departures....what time we would be better with...

 

I wish it left on a Thursday....we are thinking of doing the 3 day and more days at Disney....We were on Carnival a few months ago and didn't care for the days at sea!!

 

thanks

[alphakitty]

we were on the 2nd floor and had no problems

 

Glen

 

I'm so happy to hear you say that Glen..thanks! We sail on SoS 1/23 on deck 2. I was a little worried after hearing many comments to the contrary....at least we have hope now.

[mullet]

thanks for the review! Good Job.

[coachk34]

What time you get off the ship really depends on where your room is. We were 8th deck and could have been off by 9:00 but took our time and had breakfast in the Windjammer and were off by 10:00. There were still some colors left to be called when we were leaving. Im pretty sure if you have an earlier flight that you can go to the pursers desk and they can give you a color to be called sooner. I would suggest taking your time and not be rushed.