Four Day Sovereign of The Seas Review

[dizliz]

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It is so well written...I sorry it's only going to be 4 days long!

 

We are getting off the Mariner and onto the Sovereign in October. We have heard so many good things about the SOS that we just couldn't resist giving her a try while we were in FL. Your review is underscoring that we made the right decision to book. I can't wait to see our itty, bitty room! Think that's going to be part of the fun. We've always had a balcony....so we're gonna give the "no going back" a try!:)

 

Thank you again for taking the time to post about your trip. It is greatly appreciated.

[alwalaska]

Thanks for the great review. I can't wait to read about your sea day.

 

Can you please point me to the post from last week that had the menus?

[sea-cruise]

SOS that we just couldn't resist giving her a try while we were in FL. Your review is underscoring that we made the right decision to book. I can't wait to see our itty, bitty room! Think that's going to be part of the fun. We've always had a balcony....so we're gonna give the "no going back" a try!:)

Everything you wrote is a ditto for me! I'll be trying out the super short Sovereign cruise with an inside cabin as well! 2 months later I have adjoining balconies booked for our family. One extreme to another...haha.:)

[Tanker4]

Day Three- Wednesday:

 

After a really good lunch at the Fish Fry we caught the # 10 Jitney back to town. The one we took going out didn't have any AC but the one going back to town was nice and cool. A real bargin at $1.00 per passenger each way, particularly when the taxi drivers started out wanting $8.00 for the same trip and finally only came down to $4.00. Just tell the Jitney driver where you want to get off as you board and he'll stop for you.

 

After we got back to town it was time to do ritual Nassau thing (at least according to my DW). Visit the straw market.:eek: I have nothing against the straw market, but it is crowded and really hot, especially in July. Having learned from past experiance, I told DW that I would be at my usual waiting place and bid her "good shopping." A couple of minutes later, I was settled in on a stool at the bar at Senor Frogs with a cold

Margarita, along with other DH's who had adopted the same program. :D One by one, our DW's showed up loaded with bags of "stuff" and when it was my turn, we headed back to the ship. Before you can gain access to the pier you must provide a photo ID to Bahamian Security so don't forget to carry one with you when you leave the ship.

 

Back onboard, we ditched the "stuff" in our cabin then went up to Adventure Ocean to check on DGS. His face was made up like a Pirate and he was sporting a neat headscarf on his head. Seems like the whole group got decorated up then went up to the bridge and took over the ship. Guess that's one way to get a bridge tour!:) Don't know what it is about that AO Group but we couldn't pry him away so we left it to his parent's to pick him up later.

 

After the big lunch, we weren't hungry at dinner time so we decided not to go to the dining room. The Casino opened at 7:00pm so we dropped by to make our usual contribution to RCCL, then did something we've never done on a cruise before. Had dinner in the Windjammer. It was nice. At that time of night there were no crowds and they had turned down the lights. The tables all had tablecloths and the waiters brought your drinks to you. We found out later that quite a bit of the food on the buffet was the same as what was being served in the dining room.

 

The ship sailed at midnight and at 11:45pm they had a "Get Out There" Buffet at poolside. We didn't make it as we were trying out the new bed linen in our cabin by then but our DD told us the next day that the food was pretty good, including a whole roasted pig.

 

 

Day Four - Thursday:

 

This was a sea day with great weather for sunbathers around the pool except for a couple of brief showers in the afternoon.

 

Since the Windjammer can get crowded on sea days especially around meal times, we had breakfast in the dining room (great Eggs Benedict). After that, we went down to the photo gallery and picked up a few pictures that we wanted then stopped by Guest Relations and had our tips put onto our S&S card. From there, we pretty much just roamed around on the ship looking at areas we hadn't had the chance to visit since our last cruise on her. The old gal still looks pretty good. Sure, there's a few scrapes and scratches here and there, and a couple of patches of frayed carpet but overall she was clean and well kept. Later on, we went to a cooking demonstration hosted by the Executive Chef Nestor Guevara.

 

Had a late lunch with my DW at Johnny Rockets. There is a $3.95 cover charge per person (includes gratuitys) unless you are a C&A member and have the coupon from your booklet. Either way, it's all you can eat off of the menu except for sodas and milkshakes which are extra. As soon as you sit down, they bring a platter of onion rings and french fries. We found the burgers to be really good, and the onion rings and chili cheese fries outstanding.:)

 

After gaining another pound, we headed back to the cabin. DW took a long nap and I spent the rest of the afternoon on our balcony with a good book.

 

Continued............ More later

 

Tanker 4

[cruiserbryce]

thank you for sharing...we have not been on Sov, but love Monarch...the ship's layout is great...hopefully we'll get a chance to try Sov someday soon

[Tanker4]

Thanks for such a detailed review Tanker. We are booked on the Mariner (again) for Nov. 2008, but I've been thinking about doing a shorter cruise before then. Sovereign is the natural choice because Port Canaveral is so convenient, but I've been hesitant because it is an older ship. Size doesn't concern me because we love HAL's ships which at 1,200 passengers, are considerably smaller. After reading your review I think I just may go ahead and plan another trip. :D

She is older but IMHO, she's in great shape.

 

Tanker 4

[Tanker4]

Tanker: I'm lovin your story. My DH and I and our sons 17, 14, and 13 are sailing on the 20th of Aug. Realy appreciate all the info. Was it really hot in the Bahamas?:confused:

Guess hot is kind of relative depending on what you're used to. We live in Florida so to us, it wasn't really much different in Nassau than it was at home. Mid 90's or so.

 

Tanker 4

[Tanker4]

Tanker.......great review! Counting the days until we leave. We are going into Cape Canaveral and are also staying at the Radisson. Any suggestions for some good places to get good seafood? We are renting a car at the airport and driving to the hotel so we will have transportation the 2 days we are there prior to the cruise. Any must see shows?

Fish Lips and a couple of other seafood restaurants are just up the street from the Radisson going back towards the piers. South of the hotel you get into Cocoa Beach and there's lot's of restaurants all along the beach area.

 

Happy Cruisin.........

 

Tanker 4

[Tanker4]

I was so happy to read your review, my parents are going on the same cruise next month. I will tell my dad not to bring his tux so he doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. You didn't happen to bring back the Daily Compass that you can share with us?

As I said, we were at first seating and I didn't see any tux's. Don't know if there were any at second seating or not. It's been our experiance that because of the short cruises that Sovereign does, many folks don't do much for formal night. Longer cruises are a different story. If your Dad wants to wear one, he'll be just fine. If not, he'll be fine also.

 

Tanker 4

[Tanker4]

** dontpanik pops up some popcorn, puts on her pj's, and jumps into her beanbag**

OK Uncle Tanker...tell us about your day at sea!!

 

I can't wait! We live about 1/2 hour south of the port and I go out most mondays to Jetty Park to watch "our" ship depart.

I love it! Hope the popcorn was good............

 

"Uncle Tanker"

[Tanker4]

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It is so well written...I sorry it's only going to be 4 days long!

 

We are getting off the Mariner and onto the Sovereign in October. We have heard so many good things about the SOS that we just couldn't resist giving her a try while we were in FL. Your review is underscoring that we made the right decision to book. I can't wait to see our itty, bitty room! Think that's going to be part of the fun. We've always had a balcony....so we're gonna give the "no going back" a try!:)

 

Thank you again for taking the time to post about your trip. It is greatly appreciated.

Wow, you really are putting both me and Sovereign on the spot!! "Getting off of the Mariner and getting onto the Sovereign." Sure you don't want to do that the other way around?

 

Tanker 4

[Tanker4]

Thanks for the great review. I can't wait to read about your sea day.

 

Can you please point me to the post from last week that had the menus?

You may have to go back a few pages. I believe it was titled "Here are the menus for the 4 day Sovereign" or something to that effect. It was posted by the "HH Family" from Georgia.

 

Tanker 4

[alwalaska]

You may have to go back a few pages. I believe it was titled "Here are the menus for the 4 day Sovereign" or something to that effect. It was posted by the "HH Family" from Georgia.

 

Tanker 4

 

Thanks. I thought I had really researched this cruise, but I have already learned a few things from your review. Thanks again for taking the time to write it. I think I won't come back until tomorrow, so I can read your next installment right before we get ready to leave. :)

[justloud]

TANKER: Do you think jackets are needed for the evening up on deck or in the showroms and bars because of AC? Thanks for being a source of info.

[karena1]

Three weeks from today we should be boarding the Sovereign and heading up to the pool to lay in the sun and have our first "cool one" of the afternoon. Can't wait. Love the SOS for our little weekend getaways!

[kittymom65]

Outstanding review Tanker!

We love that old girl!;)

[Shanafan]

One week from today.....at this time....11:45 am I hope to be heading up to the Windjammer with my drink of the day in hand to grab a quick bite to eat before heading to the pool!

[house7]

Day Three- Wednesday:

 

Before you can gain access to the pier you must provide a photo ID to Bahamian Security so don't forget to carry one with you when you leave the ship.

 

Back onboard, we ditched the "stuff" in our cabin then went up to Adventure Ocean to check on DGS. His face was made up like a Pirate and he was sporting a neat headscarf on his head. Seems like the whole group got decorated up then went up to the bridge and took over the ship. Guess that's one way to get a bridge tour!:) Don't know what it is about that AO Group but we couldn't pry him away so we left it to his parent's to pick him up later.

 

The ship sailed at midnight and at 11:45pm they had a "Get Out There" Buffet at poolside. We didn't make it as we were trying out the new bed linen in our cabin by then but our DD told us the next day that the food was pretty good, including a whole roasted pig.

 

 

Had a late lunch with my DW at Johnny Rockets. There is a $3.95 cover charge per person (includes gratuitys) unless you are a C&A member and have the coupon from your booklet. Either way, it's all you can eat off of the menu except for sodas and milkshakes which are extra. Tanker 4

 

Hi! Sailing this ship in September and found your inforamtion very informative:D Couple of questions though...

 

1. When you say you need to show photo id is the sea pass not enough (worked in mexico last year)? The ship holds our passports and I don't have any other photo id for the kids.

 

2. It the pirate dress up in the after noon with AO? What age group was your DGS in our youngsters are 7 & 8?

 

3. May be a dumb question but....there is only a cover charge and a charge for sodas and milkshakes in Johnny Rockets? (I assume anything stronger too:rolleyes: ) never been in there, are kids allowed?

 

Thanks .

 

PS. Does your DW recommend any thing spacific in the Straw Market;) ? I'll let my DH know about the frog place:D

[Tanker4]

TANKER: Do you think jackets are needed for the evening up on deck or in the showroms and bars because of AC? Thanks for being a source of info.

Certainly no jackets needed topside on deck even in the evenings. In fact, my uniform of the day/night unless we were in the dining room was shorts and tee shirts or golf shirts. We've had a few evenings on cruises during the winter when a jacket or sweater came in handy on deck but not in the summer time.

 

Tanker 4

[Tanker4]

Outstanding review Tanker!

We love that old girl!;)

We love her also and I've run across a lot of folks who feel the same way. Must be something in the water!! (No pun intended)

[Tanker4]

Hi! Sailing this ship in September and found your inforamtion very informative:D Couple of questions though...

 

1. When you say you need to show photo id is the sea pass not enough (worked in mexico last year)? The ship holds our passports and I don't have any other photo id for the kids.

 

2. It the pirate dress up in the after noon with AO? What age group was your DGS in our youngsters are 7 & 8?

 

3. May be a dumb question but....there is only a cover charge and a charge for sodas and milkshakes in Johnny Rockets? (I assume anything stronger too:rolleyes: ) never been in there, are kids allowed?

 

Thanks .

 

PS. Does your DW recommend any thing spacific in the Straw Market;) ? I'll let my DH know about the frog place:D

Hi Guys,

 

Bahamian officials require a photo ID to clear you onto the dock area for all persons 16 years and older. Children under 16 do not have to have one. Your S&S card will not suffice as it does not have a picture on it.

 

As for the Adventure Ocean pirate dress up, I believe this took place in the morning as our DGS said that they got costumed up then were taken to a special area of the Windjammer for lunch and after that, went on a tour of the ship culminating in meeting the Captain on the bridge and taking over the ship from him. Also, AO has different age groups. Our DGS is 7 so he was in the Explorers age group which is from 6-8.

 

I'll stand corrected, but don't think they allow alcoholic beverages in Johhny Rockets. At least I didn't see any and yes, children are allowed in JR's.

 

Tanker 4

[Tanker4]

I stand corrected. :o They have draft beer on the menu in Johnny Rockets!

 

Tanker 4

[PH8]

Whatta super review.........I've been on the Sovereign a dozen times and it is one of my favorite ships.......love the crew and staff.......

 

Never have been to the Fish Fry area....passed it,but never went.......think we might have to give it a try next time........

 

I would have to say to that poster who asked........Yes,it is very hot there in the summer.....:)

[Cruising89143]

Whatta super review.........I've been on the Sovereign a dozen times and it is one of my favorite ships.......love the crew and staff.......

 

Never have been to the Fish Fry area....passed it,but never went.......think we might have to give it a try next time........

 

I would have to say to that poster who asked........Yes,it is very hot there in the summer.....:)

 

I agree with Kathy(PH8). First thanks for a great review. I too love the SOS. She is a gem. Yes she is older but compared to the other cruise line that cruises out of Pt. Canaveral on the three and four day cruises, there is no comparison. It will be a sad day when the Sovereign leaves the RCI fleet.

 

Also as Kathy stated, it is hot during the summer in Nassau. VERY HOT!!!!!! Of course we are putting up with 100 degree heat right now in Atlanta so I would take Nassau right now in a heartbeat!!!! :)

[Tanker4]

Day Four - Thursday: (continued)

 

Our cabin attendant had left the gratuity vouchers which had been charged at our request to our S&S account along with envelopes in our cabin earlier in the afternoon along with US Customs forms and the instructions for same.

 

Tipping is a personal preference and there have been many threads on this forum discussing it so I won't beat a dead horse about it here. For us, we've always tipped our cabin attendant, waiter and asst. waiter and, sometimes our head waiter depending on the circumstances. All have always received the recommended amount as a minimum, and most have been tipped more due to the service we've received. If we see our cabin attendant before we go to dinner, we give them their envelope and thank them for the courtesy they've extended us. If not, we leave it in the cabin. After dinner on the last night and before leaving the dining room, we do the same thing with the wait staff.

 

Dinner on the last night of a cruise is always a little special as the dining room and kitchen staff are recognized and the waiters put on a little show. Also there are sometimes tablemates to bid goodbye, and the same with your immediate waiters.

 

The after dinner main entertainment was a production show "Dancin' Thru The Movies" by the RC Singers&Dancers with a Special Finale with the Officers, Staff and Crew.

 

Following a stroll through the onboard shops for last minute purchases, it was back to the cabin to reluctantly pack. Our cabin attendant had made her nightly turn down of the bed leaving another towel animal to guard it, and had left our departure luggage tags along with a letter from the Crown & Anchor Society inviting Diamond and Platinum members to utilize Priority Departure the next morning. All luggage (other than hand carried) needs to be placed outside your cabin prior to retiring for the evening.

 

 

Day Five - Friday:

 

We had left a 6:00am wake up call due to our Early Priority Departure. It was just after daylight when we received the call and the ship was pulling along side the pier. The priority departure lounge opened at 6:45 in the Mirage Dining Room on deck # 4 and we got there about 7:00. They had coffee, juices and pastries available and at 7:15 a staff member escorted us off of the ship. Our luggage was waiting downstairs and we breezed through Customs. A luggage porter took our bags to the car and we were on the road before 7:30am.

 

 

A Few General Comments:

 

We've sailed the Sovereign quite a few times over the years. The first time being when she was only a year old so she has a lot of special memories for us. Also, she's only about 2 hours from our front door so she's handy for short quick getaways. We've found her crew to be friendly and helpful and they've always given us the feeling that they enjoy their jobs. Possibly because Sovereign is RCCL's smallest ship, the crew seem to be more like family. She isn't flashy. She isn't new, and she doesn't have all of the latest ammenities that RCCL's mega ships have but to us there will always be something special about her. We love the Old Gal and we'll be back aboard her again one day.:)

 

For those of you who have taken the time to share our cruise with us, thanks for doing so and thank you for the kind comments. If anyone has questions, I'll try to answer them.

 

Happy Cruising:D

 

Tanker 4