Would like some good Sovereign info

[plh]

We are thinking of doing the Sovereign 4 day Bahama cruise this July with some friends. We sailed RC on our honeymoon 22 yrs ago and have been on larger ships like the Caribbean, Grand, and Golden Princess since. Haven't been on a RC cruise since we were married. A couple of questions from those who have been on the sovereign. I have read and found that the facelift was very nice, cabins are fairly small, but the crew and staff are great. Our perspective over the past several years of cruising a bit more often has been from being on big ships. For those who have done big and smaller ones, what might we like better or worse on a smaller ship?

 

Also, my friends and I aren't smokers, but occassionally enjoy a cigar. Officially, I was told by a rep from RC that there is no cigar lounge but she was not sure where you could enjoy one. Are there any cigar smokers who have been on this ship and have any info?

 

We are bringing our kids on this one. Twin girls are 20, boy is 16, youngest girl is 11. Will they have things they can enjoy at these ages on this ship?

Thanks,

Paul

[Sirknight]

Paul--We've been on the Sovereign 4 times since 2003-we love the ship, especially the crew! She is small enough so that you never feel lost. IMHO, the crew always seems to go out of their way to make everyone feel as though they are the biggest VIP on the ship.

The Viking Crown lounge is open nightly for cigar afficionados-enjoy the cigar and the view!

As for your kids-our 19 y/o daughter has never lacked for something to do aboard- I've also heard that the teen area (new since the refurb) is great as well.

The 4-night cruise fits well into our schedules, and Coco Cay alone wi worth the trip!

While Sovereign doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" as her bigger sisters, she's a great trip and value! Enjoy!!!!

[dave&micki]

We (6) of us sailed her back in August of '04 and we are doing it again in 26 days-- what a great time-- there was myself and my wife and 4 young adults -- ages 23--20--19--and17-- we all had a great time and were never bored -- the first nigt I asked that we all go to dinner in the dinning room together and after that each night every one could eat where they wanted to--WELL----- we had the greatest waiters who made us laugh all night and after that nobody wanted to go anywhere but to the dinng room each night -- cocoa-cay is great what a day just to chill out on an island float in the water --enjoy the BBQ--lay in hammocks-- and just CHILL!!-- ! we had a great time and that is why we are all doing it again!!!HAPPY CRUISING:D :D

[Cruizin72]

I will be going on the Sovereign in about a week, I will have some info for you,I have kids and I will most def know about where to smoke your cigar. If there is a place I will find it for you. I have young children as well as a teen.So I should get some good feed back on the activities for them as well. Never been on this ship before, but I'm sure that we will have alot of fun, there are about 20 of us in all going. GET THE DRINKS READY, I'M READY TO GET THE PARTY STARTED !!!!!

[zen182]

I have been on the Sovereign once (last labor day) and Explorer of the Seas once. Both ships are great. I was supprised at how much fun we had on Sovereign. My expectations weren't real high due to the age and size of the ship and also the price of the four night cruise. We found ourselves making it from one end of the ship to the other quite often. This didn't happen too much on the larger EOS. Sovereign cabins were smaller, but we easily made due. I highly recomend it. I went to the "Ask the captain" program. Don't remember what they called it for sure. It was really interesting. We got to meet many of the officers you usually don't get to see. It was good to talk to the Captain mainly because we were trying to avoid hurricane Ophelia at the time.

Also, Coco Cay was a great day.

 

You won't be dissapointed.

[plh]

Wow, we're pumped now. I haven't heard a bad thing about this ship yet. Thanks alot for the info guys. And Cruizin72, I'd love to hear your input after you go.

And Sirknight, that is great news about the Viking Crown lounge allowing cigars. Wonder why the RC phone rep didn't know that? :confused: Was this a place where there is a great deal of cigarette smoke going on as well, or more of a cigar place?

 

Paul

[zen182]

It's a pretty big place with windows all around. Great view. There is enough space that it's not all smokey in there. Me personally, can't stand the smell, but we went there several times. One particular night had a one man band setup that played just about any request you had. It's a nice relaxing lounge.

[ladylawyer]

Oh Carol!!! We know you're out there with all the good info! :D

[whit53]

Does anyone know if this ship has Cingular service? I know, this is a hot issue. My brother will be sailing on her in the next week and will be leaving their 2 small children at home and would like to be able to check on them daily.

[Merion_Mom]

I know nothing about Cingular - I wouldn't be caught dead using a cell phone on vacation.

 

We, too, were hesitant about sailing the "old" Sovereign after sailing only Voyager class, then the stretched Enchantment. I can reassure you that there will be NO letdown, NO disappointment.

 

The Sovereign has the most INCREDIBLE crew. They are ALL deeply caring, dedicated, hard-working individuals, and each one wants you to have a great cruise. If ONE "headliner" isn't so hot, laugh it off. (even if HE isn't funny). The captain's reception is GREAT, with LOTS of champagne.........who could be down after that? (don't go near the stupid FRUIT PUNCH. who wants non-alcoholic sugar water???)

 

The ship is in beautiful condition, and the refurbished casino and Centrum area and theatre and Boleros Lounge are wonderful, and quite comparable to a Voyager class' amenities.

 

The cabins ARE smaller than their category counterparts on newer ships, but the square footage is clearly stated on RC's website, so plan and choose accordingly, if size matters to you. :D :D :D ;)

 

The itinerary is made for relaxation. Who cares about Nassau? Take a group cab over to Atlantis, ogle it for a while for free, or spend $29 a person to see the AMAZING aquarium/dig stuff. The rays alone are worth the price of admission - and I am notoriously "fatally frugal." Shop a bit, get fed up, and go back to the ship. Getting antsy? It's a short walk; go back on shore for a bit if you want. You're anchored there for quite a while.

 

CoCoCay - what can I say? It will turn the most dedicated adventurer and marathoner and otherwise anally exercise-addicted into a relaxation guru. Just find a hammock and VEG. Go play beach volleyball for a while, eat, then VEG. Go on a waverunner, get the adrenaline pumping, then eat, and then VEG. Take a walk around almost the entire perimeter of the island, then get something to drink and something to eat, and then VEG.

 

Get my drift?

 

Another good thing - the cruise terminal at Port Canaveral is SO nice, and airy, and the people are kind, friendly and efficient. It's never crowded, since the Sovereign is the only ship cruising on her departure days.

 

Just Do It.

 

For more info, click on the links in my signature. ;)

[cruisin granny]

I was on her last week. I posted a review a couple days ago. Make sure you don't book a cabin on Deck 2. I heard of 3 cabins that had water problems there.

About the cigar smoking, My husband is a huge cigar smoker and enjoyed the cigars he purchased in Nassau. Nassau was very clean for us becuase it was the Inaugration Day of the governor. Your teens will enjoy Senor Frogs. Also, we had the best time on the "smoking" side of the ship. It filled up first on the day at sea. A couple came over and joined us because the "smoking side" was having the most fun.

I feel the cruise is great for a short one if you don't expect the same amenities you get from a newer ship or longer cruise. The price is certainly right!

[Soleil Loca]

Also, we had the best time on the "smoking" side of the ship. It filled up first on the day at sea. A couple came over and joined us because the "smoking side" was having the most fun.

I feel the cruise is great for a short one if you don't expect the same amenities you get from a newer ship or longer cruise. The price is certainly right!

 

 

Hi...can you elaborate a little? what do you mean by "smoking side" ? I'm new to this...booked on sovereign in oct...reading everything i can..:D

[bnsilly]

I was on her last week. I posted a review a couple days ago. Make sure you don't book a cabin on Deck 2. I heard of 3 cabins that had water problems there.

About the cigar smoking, My husband is a huge cigar smoker and enjoyed the cigars he purchased in Nassau. Nassau was very clean for us becuase it was the Inaugration Day of the governor. Your teens will enjoy Senor Frogs. Also, we had the best time on the "smoking" side of the ship. It filled up first on the day at sea. A couple came over and joined us because the "smoking side" was having the most fun.

I feel the cruise is great for a short one if you don't expect the same amenities you get from a newer ship or longer cruise. The price is certainly right!

Ooppsy...cruisin' less than a week, and yes we are on deck 2...Oh well, I'm sure it will be fine...Will let you all know...LOL

[Michuck]

On the open decks, port side (left facing the front [bow] of the ship) is usually the smoking side.

 

You'll love the Sovereign. Personally, DH and I prefer the smaller ships (Sovereign, Majesty, Empress) to the megaships....

 

Michele

[cruisin granny]

YES, on the pool deck you can only smoke on the port side (left). I think that was also true in the Viking Crown Lounge- not sure. You will recognize it because of all the ashtrays. Sorry bnsilly. I do know that the problems did get fixed so hopefully they stay that way plus it can happen on amy ship anytime. Have fun-I am ready to go back-just finished the laundry. YUK!

[plh]

Another question came to mind. We have been mostly on Princess lately, and they do something probably most ships do, offer the "pay one price and get all the soda you want" thing. They really went up in price last time to the point it was not worth it for us. What does RC do and what do they charge for this on a 4 day cruise? We were thinking about bringing on Cokes and putting them in the frig in the room but didn't really see one in the photo they show of the rooms online. I know these rooms are smaller than most, but do any of them have the little refrigerators?

Paul

[kbt2]

Another question came to mind. We have been mostly on Princess lately, and they do something probably most ships do, offer the "pay one price and get all the soda you want" thing. They really went up in price last time to the point it was not worth it for us. What does RC do and what do they charge for this on a 4 day cruise? We were thinking about bringing on Cokes and putting them in the frig in the room but didn't really see one in the photo they show of the rooms online. I know these rooms are smaller than most, but do any of them have the little refrigerators?

Paul

 

Paul. I am not sure of the coke prices for the all u can drink...which are the fountain drinks. But they do have that type of program on RCI. When we were on Sovereign just before "facelift" there were no refrigerators in the Outside cabins.

And one thing I will have to say we noticed to be a big problem when we were on Sovereign as opposed to the larger ships we had, believe it or not we had soooooo much trouble on Sovereign getting on elevators. They would take FOREVER and then when they'd open they'd be full. This was very annoying, so we often just took stairs. Only time we didn't have a problem was at 3am coming from casino/disco. :) And on larger ships, I guess since you're so spread out and there are many elevators, it was NO problem.

Have a nice cruise.

[cruisin granny]

Because of a stupid fall a few days before the cruise, I had to take the elevators if going more than 1 or 2 floors. The only day that there was a huge problem was on embarkation & disembarkation days.

Paul, there are drink cards and no refrig. Don't know how much because I only drink tea or pinia coladas.

Make sure you have an over the door soft side shoe holder. Never used one before and almost did not buy it but"won't leave home without it now". It was invaluable!Thank you cruise critics.

[Merion_Mom]

Paul, if you have Superior Ocean View or higher category, there will be a refrigerator in your cabin. If you thought that Princess was overcharging for the soda card, you won't like RC's pricing. It's higher.

 

4 days x $6 = $24 + 15% gratuity = $27.60

[cruisin granny]

Hey, I got robbed. I had superior ocean view & did not have a refrigerator.

[zen182]

We had superior ocean view and I'm pretty sure we had one. We didn't use it. I think it was already stocked for us. ( at inflated prices)

I never drink Coke straight.

 

lol

[plh]

Ouch, the coke card on Princess for a week was $27.00 and I thought that was getting too high. The same price for 4 days on RC? :eek: I just need coke with lunch or pizza usually so no big deal. But keeping certain wine cold???? We will bring some of that aboard. We'll just make the best of it.

Paul

[Merion_Mom]

Paul, just buy a can of soda when you want one. That's $1.50 plus 15% gratuity, for a grand total of $1.73.

 

Enjoy.

[Cruizin72]

What is the best bar/club on the SOS ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caribbean Travel & Hotel Guide

[Merion_Mom]

How old are you?

 

The basic answer is: Boleros. (Deck 7)

 

The "disco" is Voltage. (Deck 8)