1st Cruise, 1st Review, here goes........

[crsrock]

Glad to hear your car is OK; my engine light came on for the same reason. You would think there would be a "this isn't a 'check engine' issue" light. Would make things less stressful!

Chris IS the tall one with blond curly hair. He will be on Sovereign until 7 Dec, and then going to Monarch. I'll tell him you enjoyed the cruise!

[EggDropErin]

Thank you so much for you review. So glad to hear you enjoyed your first cruise.

[petesweet]

Great review!

Sovereign was our first cruise also way back in '92.....I think Delores worked there then too, I remember a cranky lady at check in. :eek: :)

I couldn't agree more about how fast the cruise is over before you know it. Once you try the 7 day you will be hooked...and then the 10 day...and then the B2B....it will never end! :D :D

 

Enjoy planning your next cruise!!

 

***

 

That's exactly what I'm finding out.:) Now I don't want anything less than 12 nights. Good thing we're retired. Our B2B (like you predicted!!) is 13 nights Alaska and 15 nights Hawaii. :D

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

That's exactly what I'm finding out.:) Now I don't want anything less than 12 nights. Good thing we're retired. Our B2B (like you predicted!!) is 13 nights Alaska and 15 nights Hawaii. :D

 

It happens to the best of us! :D :D I am jealous of your B2B!!!! A dream cruise,the Serenade is just beautiful with a great crew. You will be forever spoiled!!! :)

 

***

[sagiv666]

Not only do we prefer longer cruises, we also are hooked on balconies. Prior to our cruise to Alaska on the Radiance, we were satisfied with ocean view cabins (with windows or portholes) -- no inside. Now, it will be hard being in anything less than a cabin with a balcony.:)

[pinkaboo]

GReat Review, it's nice to hear that you enjoyed your first cruise. I also love the shorter cruises, they make for great quick getaways. How much did the taxi cost to and from Atlantis and where did you get the taxi from, was it in town or were they lined up ourside the ship? Also did you have to pay to walk around the Atlantis? It's nice to now that all drinks were free as long as you were playing? Once again , great review, thanks...

[Merion_Mom]

Maybe I have The Chad confused with the Cruise Director. I thought they were the same person. The person I referred to must be the cruise director but not The Chad. He is young, balding, and curly blondish hair.

 

As mentioned earlier, once my Wife got behind the wheel of her own car, no more check engine light, so as for now, nothing wrong. :p

 

As far as thye next cruise and the ship, not sure yet. We will probably wait until close to cruise time next summer and buy a last minute deal to save some bucks or do you think I'll get a better deal ahead of time? I wantto go in teh summer when school is out since I have a 5yr old, but that is also when rates are the highest, so who knows. I figured when we got close to booking something, I would ask folks here their thoughts on the ship & itinerary.

 

FM

 

No one else has answered your question, so I'll try. :)

 

You are better off booking a summer cruise as early as possible. There are rarely last-minute bargains, because they are popular, as you noted, with people who use summer vacation time to cruise.

 

Remember, if there is a price drop, you can get it. (unless it's a special "fior new bookings only")

[FMCowboy]

Taxi to Atlantis was $4 each person, except going there, there wasn't anyone waiting to join our cab so it cost us $11 for teh two of us, but better than waiting around I guess. The taxis are lined up outside when you egt off teh ship & through the "welcome to Nassau" area/market. There are a few guys asking if you want a ride.

 

There was no fee for us to walk around Atlantis. If we went on any attractions there I am sure there woudl have been. Most of our time was at the casino.

 

FM

[sea-cruise]

We are panning for a 7 day cruise next Summer, June, July, or August. I'd like to sail out of Tampa and want to go to Belize. Everything I have seen on TV about Belize just looks so beautiful, is it?

FM

 

First, I'd like to thank you for posting such an interesting review. Regarding Belize, the snorkeling is wonderful there, but I would recommend booking an excursion through the ship.

 

 

I might get flamed for this :eek: but..... although Belize is beautiful in photos; the ships tender in the bay where the town is located and it is not overly pretty; there is a big fenced in compound around the pier area with security guards and guard dogs patrolling. I did get up the nerve to walk around the town but only after I hired one of the female cab drivers to walk with me.

 

Don't worry about being flamed for posting the truth and helping someone out.

[bubbie617]

Glad you had such a great first cruise. Addictive, isn't it?

 

I like that the pool bartenders are so available, but I never feel pressured to buy a drink. When they ask, I smile at them and say, "no thank you". No one forces anyone to drink. The choice is yours. It's preferable to have them ask than to have to do a run yourself if you are comfy in your chaise.

 

By the way, I agree that you should book a summer cruise as early as possible. Chances are that it will sell out and in that case there will be no last minute price drops. In fact, last minute price drops are sometimes still higher than prices when the bookings first open up because of incremental price increases along the way.

[FMCowboy]

So is a cruise out of tampa to the west better than one out of port canaveral to the east? Which ports of call are best on a 7 day cruise?

 

Fm

[FMCowboy]

anyone? Wondering if anyone has a preference of sailing from Tampa or Port Canaveral. Mainly if the ports of call in the Western Carribean are any better than the eastern carribean.

 

thx

[crsrock]

Hi FM: on the western trip, you can visit Belize (cave tubing is fun) and Costa Maya (great ruins excursions) and Cozumel (horse back riding). Each place has a variety of excursions, so there is plenty to do. I have not been on the eastern caribbean in a long time. Hope you had a good holiday weekend!

I happen to like Tampa because I'm there in 20 minutes!

[FMCowboy]

yeah, I live in New Port Richey, FL and can be at the port in aroun d 30 minuts or so

[thecruisers723]

What were your port times in Nassau? We're going next month and the Sovereign's 3 day itinerary says we arrive at 11:00 AM. But I've read some reviews of people who say they didn't arrive until 1:00 PM on the Sovereign 3 day cruise. Any info would be helpful since we're trying to book an independent tour that leaves at 1:00.