Sovereign is back!

[srq2003]

Check out these miami webcam shots... you can make out the new balconies on deck 10 and it looks like the windjammer has been expanded in the front (notice where the paint changes from green to white) cant wait to see it in person! :D

[dexter727]

We'll be on her 1/17/05. Can't wait to see the upgrades.

[WendyinOC]

What was changed? I did not know this went into drydock. What's the new features?

[Camahr]

We are sailing on the redone Sovereign on 1/24. Anyone out there before us, please post reviews and pictures. How much of the ship was refurbed?

[srq2003]

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.

[sueb]

Do the Jr. Suites have balconys too? Haven't been on this ship for Many years, but loved it at the time.

[JOANNAHOLTON]

We will sail her in two weeks on Christmas Eve.Happy to hear she is all finished .

[srq2003]

be sure to take lots of pictures!!! We will be on board the week after you, cant wait to go!!!

[RDeagazio]

Hey Adam-

 

I'll be on the 2 night preview cruise this Staurday and Sunday and will post a review from the ship as well as pics of all the cabin cats and public rooms.

 

Have a great time.

[srq2003]

Bob, I'm curious to know about the expanded dining options... Where they put Johnny Rockets, where (if there is) a new specialty restaurant, so keep an eye out for those when your onboard!

 

Thanks!

[PH8]

No Johnny Rockets added(as far as I know).......

[lisard]

Yes, there is a Johnny Rockets.

[medic123]

I don't know the location of it, but saw the press release on the Johnny Rockets web site.

[eroller]

It would be really nice if RCI would just update their website with new deck plans showing the changes. I don't think that would be too much to ask? :mad: Same goes for ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEAS and all her changes. They expect people to book cabins although people have no idea where they are since there are no updated deck plans. Just plain silly.

 

Ernie

[PH8]

Hi OC~~see you on here..............are you interested in the SOS?????? Hmmmmmm--didnt know that..:rolleyes:

[srq2003]

I agree, updated plans would be nice. It took a month or so to get the updated Empress plan... maybe one will be up before the end of the year! :D

[7880812]

With the Empress and Sovereign refurbs, there are no changes that affect the layout of teh ship from a stateroom standpoint, so it is hardly important to know the location of Johnny Rockets prior to boarding! (It is in the upper level of the new Windjammer by the way), and with Enchantment, as with the Freedom of the Seas, I think that they are trying to keep things secret for as long as possible.......

[srq2003]

Actually with the Sovereign, when they added balconies to all the deck 10 staterooms, that completely changed each room on that deck. The website and brochures do not have that noted so if someone doesnt know about the renovation they would have no idea there are balconies on that ship.... on one hand it would be a pleasant suprise to find a balcony not knowing you had paid for one, on the other hand someone wanting to book a balcony would move on to another ship or line not knowing they are available!

 

Then there are people like me who simply like to keep ahead of the game and know the latest changes/updates! (and I know im not the only person out there who gets excited and likes to know everything about a ship by looking at deck plans over and over in anticipation for an upcoming cruise! guess this one will have to be a suprise :D)

[Bellalago Breeze]

Hi PH! Of course I'm interested in the Sovereign. It's been 9 months since we were last on her!:eek: I need a Sovereign fix!!!:D

[eroller]

With the Empress and Sovereign refurbs, there are no changes that affect the layout of teh ship from a stateroom standpoint, so it is hardly important to know the location of Johnny Rockets prior to boarding!

 

 

Maybe not to you, but there are many of us who like to study the plans and get a feel of the ship before we board. Based on your rationale, why even print the decks that don't have cabins since they are not important?

 

If RCI (or any cruise line) is going to print deck plans, at least print the right ones!

 

Ernie

[srq2003]

eroller-

 

My thoughts exactly!

[Gabbiegirl]

Anyone booked on the 12/13 SOS-- please give us a review as soon as possible!!!!

[PH8]

Just read they put Johnny Rockets in the upper part of the Windjammer.........

[snorklr]

We will be sailing in June!:p

 

Anyone sailing over the next

few weeks, please post a review

with pictures!

Thank you!

[flaboy]

hello to all the sovereign junkies out there.

 

we'll be on her again in june 13,2005

 

can't wait!!