Sovereign of the Seas Review 8/27/07-8/31/07

[enchic21]

Just got back last night!

 

Pre- Cruise

We flew into Orlando on Saturday, 8/25/07 and stayed at the Studio City Sheraton for two nights (Priceline deal for $40/night) and rented a car at Thrifty on International Drive. Hotel was OK for the price, nothing fancy, which was perfect for a short stay. Didn't go to any of the parks since we were only there for two days. We did check out Gatorland and got to feed some mean looking gators!

 

Monday

Went to Downtown Disney on Monday morning before the drive to Port Canaveral for some last minute souveniers for the family back home. The drive to the Cape Canaveral was about 45 minutes or so and we didn't hit any traffic. Got to Thrifty to return the car at around 11:15am, shuttle to the port by 11:45am, and on the ship by 12pm. We went straight to the Windjammer for lunch. There was seafood paella, baked chicken, pasta, carving station, make your own salads, soups, desserts, and other hot foods (can't remember). Lemonade and iced tea was available for free. We didn't get a coke card because we aren't big soda drinkers and the kids can survive a couple days on lemonade. We also brought a couple of those "singles to go" packets to add to water if they got tired of lemonade.

 

The rooms were ready by the time we got done eating so we went to drop off our carry ons and changed for the pool. We packed our swimsuits in our carry ons (thanks to cruisecritic). There are two pools, one for adults only and one for everyone. The pools were saltwater and they are about 6 feet deep. There were plenty of chairs when we got there.

 

The cruise director was Casey and the welcome aboard show was a comedian (can't remember the name, I'll have to look later at the compasses). Show was funny and the kids enjoyed it.

 

Went to dinner right after the show and Roderick was our waiter and Piotr was our assistant waiter. Service was exceptional and they paid extra attention to the two kids. I've only been on one other cruise prior to this on Princess, and I'd have to say the service on Royal Caribbean was better. Dinner was good. I had the prime rib that night, asked for medium well, and got well done, but that's ok.

 

Tuesday

We were in a forward inside cabin so we did hear the anchor when we arrived in Coco Cay. Weather was HOT and SUNNY. Got up around 9:30am and out the cabin a little before 10:30am. Saw that the line was still quite long for the tenders, so we decided to go up to Windjammer for some breakfast. By the time we got done eating (around 11:30am), there were no lines for the tender. We got to Coco Cay and got chairs. There were plenty so no need to rush off on the first tender to get a chair. We rented the floating mats for $10. The BBQ lunch was ok. Lots of food, but there were flies all over. Some may be disgusted by this... We only stayed on Coco Cay for about 2 hours because it was just too hot. It is a beautiful island and a relaxing time to just lay on the chairs or the mats in the water.

 

Back on board, we took advantage of the empty pool until dinner time. We went to the rock climbing wall, and the kids enjoyed that a lot. My DS made it to the top and was very proud. The instructor was very encouraging and paid close attention to everyone that climbed. You do need to bring your own socks and they provide the shoes.

 

Dinner was good. We didn't watch any shows today. Instead, after dinner, we decided to hit the arcade and donate some money to the casino.

 

Chocolate buffet was at 11:45pm in one of the dining rooms. We got there around 11:40pm and the line was out the door to the elevator! Imagine over 2,000 people trying to fit into one dining room! We waited and was in amazement at all the ice sculptures and all the chocolate! The chocolate eclair cake was the best. I wish I had gotten more.

 

Wednesday

Again the weather was hot and sunny on Nassau. We got up at 9:30am, went to breakfast and off the ship by 12pm. Shopping is all within walking distance of the ship. We walked down to Bay Street and did some souvenier shopping. Got a couple rum cakes and t-shirts for friends and family. I wanted to get a wallet from the Gucci store but the sales people in there were quite rude and didn't seem to want the sale, so I left. Went to a couple jewelry stores to check out prices for watches, but the prices were better when we were in St. Maarten. We didn't go into the straw market so I don't know if the people in there are as pushy as I have heard. Right when you get off the ship, you do get people asking if you want your hair braided and if you want tours of the island. Headed back to the ship around 2pm to have lunch and hang out in the air conditioning for a little bit before heading back out to Atlantis at 4:00pm. We saw some brochures on the ship for free gifts at Del Sol and $5 tanzanite earrings, so we went back out to Bay Street to get those items before heading to Atlantis. The cab to Atlantis was $4 per person. Got there around 5pm and was able to walk through the DIGS for free. There were many people walking around so I'm not sure what time the guards left. DIGS was amazing. Atlantis is a beautiful resort and I will have to plan a vacation there soon. We left Atlantis shortly after DIGS. Got back to ship around 7pm and looked at the compass and saw that the show for the night was at 7:45pm for everyone and it was the magician. Rushed to get ready to make it there in time and I am glad we did. The show was great. We bought his CD and he even autographed it for my DS.

 

Dinner was good again. Didn't eat as much because there was another midnight buffet out on deck that night.

 

Even though I didn't stuff myself during dinner, I was not hungry at midnight but wanted to check out the buffet anyway. Got there and there was a line for food, so I walked up to see what there was. I remember seeing fajitas, fried chicken, and a carving station. I can't remember what else there was. Oh, a dessert table as well with cakes, cookies, pies, ice cream, and fruit.

 

Thursday

Day at sea and our last day. So sad that the week went by so quickly. We were lazy and didn't get up til around 11am. The pool decks were packed and only one pool was open since they were cleaning the one. We should have gotten up earlier to get a chair. We went back in to the casino and arcade since no chairs were available. Hung out there for a little bit and went back out and was able to find a couple chairs. Had lunch (burgers and hot dogs) out on the deck while the kids played in the pool.

 

I had the indian curry for dinner and it was pretty good, not too spicy. Dessert was key lime pie, which was great. After dinner, we went back to the casino and the kids went to the arcade. Got back to the room in time to put our bags out in the hall and get ready for disembarking the next day.

 

Overall, the cruise was OK for a short cruise. The ship is old, but still able to retain its beauty. The sewer smell people talked about was very apparent on Deck 7 after the muster drill. We were on Deck 2, and only noticed the smell on first day. Here and there, you will smell the "smell."

 

The iced tea and lemonade on the pool deck was always packed. The soft serve machine was up by Sorrento's and was only open til 10pm. Oh, and Sorrento's was great for snacks. Kids loved the hawaiian pizza. We did not go to Johnny Rockets.

 

Cabins on this ship is extremely tiny, but you will rarely spend any time in there. We decided to do an interior quad, and it was really cramped, but we survived since we spent most of the time on the pool deck or in the casino or somewhere on the ship. The cabin was just a place to sleep and shower.

 

I enjoyed this trip very much. Anywhere beats having to be at work, right? Also, I booked this cruise knowing and expecting the small cabins, the small ship, the sewer smell, etc... I still had a wonderful time and probably packed on a few pounds with the non-stop food that was available.

[medfordgirl]

thanks for the review, I will let my parents read it tomorrow, they will be on the same trip in a few weeks. they may have some questions. I have one now. about the smell??? I was on Soveriegn a couple years ago on deck 10 and I never once smelled anything anywhere? But you mentioned deck 7 which worries me as that is the deck my parents will be on. Do you smell the "smell" on the entire deck or just certain areas of it?

[chicagojayhawk]

I was just about to ask about the smell as well!! Inquiring minds want to know.

[lunyma]

thanks for the review, I will let my parents read it tomorrow, they will be on the same trip in a few weeks. they may have some questions. I have one now. about the smell??? I was on Soveriegn a couple years ago on deck 10 and I never once smelled anything anywhere? But you mentioned deck 7 which worries me as that is the deck my parents will be on. Do you smell the "smell" on the entire deck or just certain areas of it?

 

Not the original poster, but I was on deck 7 on the 8/20 sailing. The sewer smell was horrible from the elevator to our cabin (7044). The cabin itself didn't smell, but the hallways were horrible. Not sure about the rest of the deck. I also smelled it a lot on deck 2 and 1 when we were anchored at coco cay...

[medfordgirl]

Not the original poster, but I was on deck 7 on the 8/20 sailing. The sewer smell was horrible from the elevator to our cabin (7044). The cabin itself didn't smell, but the hallways were horrible. Not sure about the rest of the deck. I also smelled it a lot on deck 2 and 1 when we were anchored at coco cay...

 

did the "smell" last for the entire cruise? Do you know if the smell went all the way to the front of the ship on deck 7. My parents are in room 7005. Is this a new smell? As I said before, when I went a couple years ago there was never a smell anywhere.

[Frankiesmom]

I have been on the Sovereign 3 times and you do smell the "smell" here and there;but it isn't always in the same spots.? I love that ship! That's where I found my cruise bug! LOL:)

[Candue]

Where is it? What caused it and what can be done about it if anything? I am on six forward so not too keen on wafting smells. Poor seven folks...

[lunyma]

did the "smell" last for the entire cruise? Do you know if the smell went all the way to the front of the ship on deck 7. My parents are in room 7005. Is this a new smell? As I said before, when I went a couple years ago there was never a smell anywhere.

 

I only went from the elevator to our cabin, which was close (6 cabins away). Like I said before... No real odor in the cabin, but the hallway was horrible. We did however, have a black moldy water coming up through the tile in our bathroom... At least that didn't smell! Our cabin steward put a blue rag on it every morning @@

[enchic21]

I smelled the "smell" in the hallways of Deck 7. After the muster drill, we went back inside to get on an elevator to go down to our cabin, and while waiting in the hallways for the crowd to clear, the smell was extremely apparent. But the "smell" is really here and there and nowhere specific. Sometimes its in the halls of Deck 2 and sometimes it is near the drinks area on the pool deck. But the "smell" did not put a damper on my cruise! :)

[lunyma]

I smelled the "smell" in the hallways of Deck 7. After the muster drill, we went back inside to get on an elevator to go down to our cabin, and while waiting in the hallways for the crowd to clear, the smell was extremely apparent. But the "smell" is really here and there and nowhere specific. Sometimes its in the halls of Deck 2 and sometimes it is near the drinks area on the pool deck. But the "smell" did not put a damper on my cruise! :)

 

The smell didn't effect my cruise either. It was more of a *noticable annoyance*. If it had been in my cabin, I would have asked for a move...

[slickproductions]

Thanks for the review. I'll be sailing on the 17th on Deck 5. Any idea if the smell was noticeable on that deck? Maybe it's like something from The Sixth Sense..."I smell dead people", but it's actually the girl in the well from The Ring, hence, the sewer smell.:eek:

[sea-cruise]

I'll be boarding Sovereign in less than 2 weeks. Maybe they'll be distributing clothespins with the RCI logo engraved (for our noses). ;):D

[Merion_Mom]

Where is it? What caused it and what can be done about it if anything? I am on six forward so not too keen on wafting smells. Poor seven folks...

 

Information from crew: The smell is caused by stoppages, blockages and backups in the sewage system. These are almost always caused by passengers putting things in the toilets that do not belong there. The smell does "travel", i.e., it is not always in the same place on every cruise, because it depends on WHERE the passengers have been flushing junk down their toilets!

 

On my three Sovereign cruises, I only sniffed it once. That was on the aft stairs, around Decks 9 and 10.

 

I smelled it outside the spa on the pool deck of the brand new Crown Princess, so it really does happen anywhere and any time.

[lin712]

We were on the July 23rd cruise and had "the smell" in our cabin. We were on deck 5. When we first went in no smell. Went out to explore the ship(our first cruise) got back and it was pretty strong in our cabin, We had a adjoining cabin with my nephew, no smell in his we were in 5050 and 5052. Called about the smell, it seemed to be coming from the drain in the shower, they ran hot water down the drain and it went away, was ok untill the last day, came in and smelled it a little so just let some hot water go down the drain and it was fine, one day did smell it in the hallway. but not in our cabin.

Did not let it ruin our trip.

[Candue]

I am fine with adjusting. My sis in law type (brothers gf) is rather difficult to deal with when anything isn't up to her standards. Cheap cruise, small boat, I'm not expecting 5 star as they say, but she will. Argh. Maybe she will be so busy having a wonderful time she'll let it go. I appreciate the feedback