10/29 Sovereign – had a blast!

[tekmnky]

Normally, there would be several threads on the board about how upset the passengers were that their cruise didn’t go where they thought it was going:mad: . Looks like one for the Majesty sailing has already been posted and pulled. Just wanted to put my slant on this outing;) .

 

I had a blast! The most fun was watching the people scurry from their lounge chairs around the pool every time we passed through a squall. A few minutes later the rain would clear and the devoted would venture back onto the open decks, only to scurry away again when another squall appeared. And you couldn’t tell WHEN it was going to happen by watching the clouds. It would look like we were headed for a real dumper only to have it pass by the ship on one side or the other!

 

The ship was rockin’ and rollin’ most of the cruise. I'm sure it’s unpleasant for many folks and I’m sorry that it affects them, but I love it :D when the boat is bobbing and weaving. The entire cruise was spent basically in the Florida Straits running through the Gulf Stream and that’s normally pretty choppy water, anyway. Add the wind blowing against the current and it kept us up and down most of the time!

 

The worst part of the experience for me was the fact that deck 11 was roped off for the majority of the cruise. A couple of times during the two sea days the captain was able to slow the ship enough that the wind across the open deck wasn’t outrageous and the crew would open deck 11 and untie all the lounge chairs. I’m sure it was a real pain in the a$$ for the deck crew - tying things down and then opening them up and then tying them down again.

 

I know that missing Nassau and Coco Cay was a letdown for folks that were really looking forward to them. But in my case, it was a benefit! I’ve been to both a few times, but had never been to Key West (I’d been looking at itineraries that included KW), so when the Captain announced that he had secured a berth at Key West for Wednesday, I felt like I’d hit the jackpot! :D Two sea days and Key West on a four night cruise out of Port Canaveral. Fortune was smiling on me (sadly, that kind of luck didn’t accompany me to the casino!!).

 

As for the normal cruise review stuff: the ship was beautiful, the crew was friendly and professional, the food in the Windjammer was, well, the food in the Windjammer. Can’t speak about the food in the dining room as I never went in there, preferring a totally casual (shorts and t-shirt) cruise this time. My stateroom attendant (Fitz) was efficient, present and affable. Overall, a great cruise (never had a bad one)!

[knots4crewzing]

I like your attitude:) Can't wait to sail on her in March.

 

 

Liz

[fungirl28]

Love your attitude. I'll on the Majesty 8 days and I'm looking forward to the cruise. Not really interested in the ports, I just want to be on that cruise ship:D

[Sue L]

I love hearing the flip side. You sound like you had a great time and were in a great mood. How was the mood on board? From a couple of other posts things were iffy. I am like you and love it rocking and rolling!!

[tekmnky]

I love hearing the flip side. You sound like you had a great time and were in a great mood. How was the mood on board? From a couple of other posts things were iffy. I am like you and love it rocking and rolling!!

 

Sue L: The mood of most folks I encountered was good to great. Most everyone seemed to be having a good time (some were having a REAL :D good time!). I did hear a few grumbles, but I normally don't pay much attention to folks on a cruise ship that are grumbling about it. I've even been known to grumble on a few occassions, but I know how insignificant my peeves were in relation to what I was doing - CRUISING!!!:)

[tekmnky]

Love your attitude. I'll on the Majesty 8 days and I'm looking forward to the cruise. Not really interested in the ports, I just want to be on that cruise ship:D

 

Hi fungirl28! I was on the Explorer cruise with you back in April of this year! Have a great cruise on Majesty!

[tekmnky]

I like your attitude:) Can't wait to sail on her in March.

 

 

Liz

 

Thanks knots4crewzing! Have a great cruise! The Sovereign is a good ship and you'll have a fun time.

[Sue L]

Sue L: The mood of most folks I encountered was good to great. Most everyone seemed to be having a good time (some were having a REAL :D good time!). I did hear a few grumbles, but I normally don't pay much attention to folks on a cruise ship that are grumbling about it. I've even been known to grumble on a few occassions, but I know how insignificant my peeves were in relation to what I was doing - CRUISING!!!:)

 

 

Glad you had a great time!!

[Cruising89143]

Glad that you were able to have a good time. As stated above, it's good to hear the other side too.

[Tranquil Waters]

I don't know. I am thinking that if the most fun was "watching the people scurry from their lounge chairs around the pool every time we passed through a squall" perhaps there wasn't much in the way of entertainment......:D :D :D .

[raytownlady]

Great attitude, thanks for sharing your cruise experience with the rest of us!

[Coralc]

I don't know. I am thinking that if the most fun was "watching the people scurry from their lounge chairs around the pool every time we passed through a squall" perhaps there wasn't much in the way of entertainment......:D :D :D .

 

It's fun to watch people do that from up in the Viking Crown. It is frequently our afternoon entertainment. :D :D

 

Glad you had a nice cruise in spite of the weather and port changes. :D

[Tranquil Waters]

It's fun to watch people do that from up in the Viking Crown. It is frequently our afternoon entertainment. :D :D

 

 

OK, now I am seriously worried about you people. ;) :D

[Jsme]

I love your attitude. We have the same kind of attitude. Any cruise is a good cruise. When life gives you lemons make lemonade;)

[tekmnky]

OK, now I am seriously worried about you people. ;) :D

 

No need to worry. Haven't you discovered yet how easily entertained some folks can be?!? :eek: Also, it might depend on the people doing the scurrying and what they might be wearing at the time!

[Tranquil Waters]

No need to worry. Haven't you discovered yet how easily entertained some folks can be?!? :eek: Also, it might depend on the people doing the scurrying and what they might be wearing at the time!

 

:D :D :D

[tekmnky]

I love your attitude. We have the same kind of attitude. Any cruise is a good cruise. When life gives you lemons make lemonade;)

 

You're right, Jsme. It's all about the attitude...either make lemonade or prepare to pucker up a little!

[fungirl28]

You're right, Jsme. It's all about the attitude...either make lemonade or prepare to pucker up a little!

 

LOL:D :D

 

Hey Tekmnky, how have you been?

[sdear]

Glad you had a great time ! Can't wait to get on her in a few weeks !

 

Sooooo now that you primed up the slots for me...which machine do I need to go to , to collect what you put in ??? :D :rolleyes:

[tekmnky]

Glad you had a great time ! Can't wait to get on her in a few weeks !

 

Sooooo now that you primed up the slots for me...which machine do I need to go to , to collect what you put in ??? :D :rolleyes:

 

Have fun, sdear!

 

As for the slots - I only wasted $4 on one of the video poker machines, blew $20 on blackjack (don't use those match bet coupons in the C&A books - they are guaranteed bad hand generators!). It didn't take much to figure out that the casino was not a place for me on that cruise. Either it works or it don't and this time it wasn't workin'!;)

[Merion_Mom]

Normally, there would be several threads on the board about how upset the passengers were that their cruise didn’t go where they thought it was going:mad: . Looks like one for the Majesty sailing has already been posted and pulled. Just wanted to put my slant on this outing;) .

 

I had a blast! The most fun was watching the people scurry from their lounge chairs around the pool every time we passed through a squall. A few minutes later the rain would clear and the devoted would venture back onto the open decks, only to scurry away again when another squall appeared. And you couldn’t tell WHEN it was going to happen by watching the clouds. It would look like we were headed for a real dumper only to have it pass by the ship on one side or the other!

 

The ship was rockin’ and rollin’ most of the cruise. I'm sure it’s unpleasant for many folks and I’m sorry that it affects them, but I love it :D when the boat is bobbing and weaving. The entire cruise was spent basically in the Florida Straits running through the Gulf Stream and that’s normally pretty choppy water, anyway. Add the wind blowing against the current and it kept us up and down most of the time!

 

The worst part of the experience for me was the fact that deck 11 was roped off for the majority of the cruise. A couple of times during the two sea days the captain was able to slow the ship enough that the wind across the open deck wasn’t outrageous and the crew would open deck 11 and untie all the lounge chairs. I’m sure it was a real pain in the a$$ for the deck crew - tying things down and then opening them up and then tying them down again.

 

I know that missing Nassau and Coco Cay was a letdown for folks that were really looking forward to them. But in my case, it was a benefit! I’ve been to both a few times, but had never been to Key West (I’d been looking at itineraries that included KW), so when the Captain announced that he had secured a berth at Key West for Wednesday, I felt like I’d hit the jackpot! :D Two sea days and Key West on a four night cruise out of Port Canaveral. Fortune was smiling on me (sadly, that kind of luck didn’t accompany me to the casino!!).

 

As for the normal cruise review stuff: the ship was beautiful, the crew was friendly and professional, the food in the Windjammer was, well, the food in the Windjammer. Can’t speak about the food in the dining room as I never went in there, preferring a totally casual (shorts and t-shirt) cruise this time. My stateroom attendant (Fitz) was efficient, present and affable. Overall, a great cruise (never had a bad one)!

Tekmnky: I doubt that they told you on the ship, but maybe you overheard something............

 

I am curious about how they handled the fact that you did not visit a foreign port, which is a violation of the PSA. Perhaps there is an exemption for weather or other Acts of God?

[tekmnky]

Tekmnky: I doubt that they told you on the ship, but maybe you overheard something............

 

I am curious about how they handled the fact that you did not visit a foreign port, which is a violation of the PSA. Perhaps there is an exemption for weather or other Acts of God?

 

Merion_Mom: You're right that it was not mentioned onboard, but I read something on another thread that mentioned that they (RCI) may have had to pay a "per person" fine for that violation. I don't know if that's true or not.

 

I DO know that when we disembarked at PC we were told to have our passports and Immigration cards in hand, but there was no Customs check in place at all. I saw one Customs officer sitting on a stool just to the side of the exit from the luggage carousels, but no one collecting cards or looking at passports. When I got to the outer doors of the building I asked one of the Port Security guards where we were supposed to clear Customs and he said, "Don't worry about it. If you made it this far you can go on out." One other person asked another guard the same thing within my earshot and was told, "Never mind. Go ahead and leave."

 

Even though we didn't visit any foreign territory I was still suprised that there was no Customs check of passports (maybe foreign passengers were handled differently, but I never heard any announcements concerning the subject).

[why2klisa]

Glad to hear that you had fun. We will be back on Sovereign in just over a month and are really looking foward to it. Which Cruise Director did you have?

[smalltimecruiser100]

We're on the Sovereign Mar 17 and have my patch that I'll be using so keep those rockin rolling(with or without the music) waves coming. I'm ready for it. Hope to see both ports, though.

Mike

[cruisinggram]

While getting off the ship, being told to have Passports available, at which I did,lol, I told the lady you know we never made it to the Bahamas, she said I know, that is why Customs is letting you go on through.:)