Give me your thoughts on Sovereign of the Seas

[Cpsjis]

Me and my wife have been on a one week cruise aboard the Mariner in 2004 and are going on her again in August. We are also considering booking a 4 day cruise on the Sovereign in May. Can anyone hear give me their thoughts on if we will be disappointed by the Sovereign. I don't expect it to be as good at the Mariner, but we would like for it to be a very good vacation. Thanks in advance for your help.

[bambam2972]

I love Sovereign! When we went I felt I was comparing her to the Mariner too much, though. My boyfriend felt a little disappointed and after a while I had to remind him that Sov. is in a different family.

 

Sovereign is a great ship for a quick getaway. Just be careful because if you go too late in May you might run into high school graduates as we did.

[crusinmama06]

I loved Sovereign so much that we went back twice and took our extended family. She is a great ship. The cabins are dated that's for sure. But for a quick trip, I think you will really like her.

[UCF_Cruiser]

I sailed on the Sovereign last year (March) for a 4 night cruise, and I will be sailing this Aug on the Mariner for my first 7 nighter.....

 

Although I haven't been on the Mariner yet, from all the pictures and reviews I've seen, it seems much nicer than the Sovereign.... but I did enjoy the Sovereign a lot.... remember its a shorter cruise so you don't get as new or as nice of a ship.... i think there is less to do on the Sovereign (seems like there is a LOT to do on the Mariner)....

 

but I will say that when I was on the Sovereign there was a dueling pianos duo (in the Schooner bar i think) every night, we would go there right after dinner and stay until 1am! It was the most fun I have ever had and it really "made" the trip for us! I am a little "bummed" that they don't have this on the Mariner, but I hear they do have sing alongs with a single piano player, so maybe that will be just as much fun...

 

I don't know if they still have the dueling pianos, but if they do then you will definitely have a blast (if you like Billy Joel type songs and sing alongs)....

[caviargal]

My experience and opinion is quite different.

 

I have been on SOS a dozen times, the first in 1989 and the most recent on May 25, 2006.

 

The refurb was well done in terms of the dining room, Boleros and the layout in WJammer.

 

They totally eliminated the Champagne Bar and the beautiful library, two venues I used often and appreciated.

 

There were 2700 pax on my sailing. It was packed and felt that way.

 

I had a JS. It was just OK. The bedding is being replaced which is a very good thing! We had a random sewage smell in the bathroom and a lot of noise from the deck above.

 

Food was just ok. Service in the bars was excellent, but our DR staff had way too many folks to provide good service.

 

If you are looking for a quick and easy getaway, I think it is ok, just make sure you sail with realistic expectations.

 

I liked her better pre refurb and could care less about Johnny Rockets, SBC coffee and Ben and Jerry's. I think they took what used to a classy lady and made it less appealing than before.

 

JMHO.

[Cruising89143]

I was just recently came back from the SOS and my review can be found in this link.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=373631

 

Overall I had a good time and would go again. During her last revitalization she was made over to appeal to the shorter cruises and she fits that mold just fine. She is now the oldest ship in the RCI fleet but still looks good IMHO. Her standard cabins are much smaller than the newer ships but ok for a short cruise. She is well taken care of. If you look at her as a ship for a quick get away then you will be fine. I have some photos of the ship in my link below.

[Gracie115]

HI-

We were on Sovereign in early 2005 after the refurbishment and we really enjoyed it. Have been on several other RCCL ships and Celebrity too but we booked the Soveriegn realizing it was an older ship and would not stand up to a comparison with the newer ships like Jewel, Navigator or Summit. BUT we still had a wonderful time. We were in a Junior Suite, which we thought was very nice. I don't know if we would have liked it as much without the balcony. We also liked the "Dueling Piano's" show. We would(will) go on Sovereign again when we want a short trip to just relax. If you don't go onboard looking for an experience like you had on Mariner you'll probably have a good time. And....just for the record...we thought Johnny Rocket's was great.:)

[magicnelly]

We just got back from a family vacation aboard the SOS and I was pleasantly surprised by the food and service onboard. DH and I have cruised quite a few times, but the 22 people we took with us (children,grandchildren,etc) had not and they were all quite impressed with the shipboard living.

 

We had the Royal Suite #1010 and DID notice a strong sewage smell for most of the trip....ALL of the other people traveling with us noticed the smell randomly in the hallways and in their cabins. The toilets were difficult to flush and the ones in public areas were often blocked up from previous users. At one point, I went into the restroom by the casino and the floor was covered with water....I slipped (even though I was being careful) and fell. I reported it, and it was cleaned up right away. They definately seem to be having a problem with their septic system.

 

But, the food was good (loved the salads in the buffet), the service was friendly and professional in the dining room (the headwaiter was awesome), and everyone had a great time!

 

BTW, there are no Butlers for suites on RCCL (this was our first RCCL cruise), and our steward was just okay. We moved two chairs and an ottoman in front of the balcony door (out from a dark corner), so we could relax and watch the view. Every day when we got back to our room, the chairs were back in the corner! I finally left him a note and asked him not to move them back.

 

I don't think I'd cruise on this ship again, at least not until their plumbing gets an overhaul. I didn't like having to run up to my room each time I needed a restroom. Other than that, it's a fine ship for a short cruise.

[raftrider]

.......In August I will sail on the Sovereign for the 3rd time this year. All 4 night cruises...I live only 20 minutes from the port, and it makes for a very inexpensive quick get-away.....I have also cruised the Mariner in 04. I have enjoyed all the trips on the sovereign. No issues with food, service, things to do. As with any cruise/ ship...Its all about how picky you are...It is the oldest ship in the fleet, but I believe it makes for a very nice 4 night get-away.

Rhonda

[cruisegirl1]

CPS –

 

I’ve been on the Mariner as well as the Sovereign. There is really no comparison between the two ships. We've sailed the Sovereign many times and, in fact, are sailing her in August and October.

 

The ship is older and does not have the bells and whistles of the newer ships. No alternative fine dining, no multi level dining rooms, no ice rink. You get the picture. With that said – it is a great ship for a quick get away.

 

The cabins are painfully small - note the size of a standard OV cabin - 122 sq. ft. with a strange configuration that makes you climb on the bed to look out the window (unless the beds are apart) The suites are nice but high priced in my opinion. The cruise is short - and generally you might not spend as much time in the room. The variety of accommodations is one of the great things about cruising – you get the accommodations that suit your needs and your pocketbook.

 

We find the Sovereign service to be excellent, and there is plenty to do.

 

If you understand what you are getting, it will be a good trip.

 

Generally - we find the Sovereign less expensive and more enjoyable than 3 nights in Charleston, Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach

 

Marci ( also from Cola)