| The best vacation I ever have taken was on Royal | | | | activities. Our stateroom attendant also left us a cruise |
| Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas. I went with my | | | | compass everyday. We also watched Channel 27 |
| two best friends. We chose the 4 day cruise that | | | | which I highly recommend doing. |
| went from Monday to Friday morning. I admit I was | | | | Throughout the day we were often greeted by Royal |
| slightly intimidated when I began reading and viewing | | | | Caribbean staff. Anytime we encountered the staff |
| pictures of the cruise ship. | | | | they were always smiling. It felt good to be |
| I just took my very first cruise before Christmas 2007. | | | | acknowledged. |
| I went with very little expectations and have to say | | | | I did have some complications with using internet which |
| Wow and I am definitely going again very soon! | | | | is quite pricey at .50 a minute. They did offer a few |
| Honestly I felt like I might get lost on a big ship. | | | | packages in which I had purchased the $25 one for 60 |
| Granted, I had figured cruises were for mostly the fru, | | | | minutes worth of access. However, access on the |
| fru's and stuck ups. I was totally wrong. Along with | | | | desktops on deck 4 was very, very slow and the |
| myself, my best friend and his wife went with me and | | | | minutes were quickly getting used up. Because of |
| we were all first time cruisers. We drove 10 hours to | | | | issues with me signing up I did receive a credit. I went |
| get to Port Canaveral. | | | | to the guest relations desk and was taken care of |
| First off, when we arrived to Port Canaveral (Orlando) | | | | quickly no questions asked. |
| Florida to board the ship, we thought for sure we were | | | | Even though I was told I wouldn't have access to the |
| going to be waiting a long time having to unload our | | | | internet using my laptop in my stateroom my best |
| luggage, park, go through security and checking in. | | | | friend and I tried it out anyways since our room was |
| Wrong! | | | | so close to the Voltage night club which is a hot spot |
| From the time we arrived at the terminal to the time | | | | for Wi Fi. It worked so much better ! |
| we boarded the ship was a little over 45 minutes. The | | | | The music was so much better than I expected. |
| lines looked long, however, they moved efficiently and | | | | Modern music, classics, latin music among various |
| quickly. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. We had | | | | types were played. You can expect to hear music |
| our Set Sail Passes signed as well as our boarding | | | | throughout the day on the cruise ship or the island. |
| pass information and health declaration (while in line). | | | | I did a little shopping on board and the stores are okay. |
| By the time we were on the ship and to the deck | | | | I do wish they offered more t shirts for the younger |
| where our Oceanview stateroom was located (deck | | | | children. It was disappointing to leave without t-shirts for |
| 8) our luggage was sitting waiting on us. | | | | my three kids. They are pricey though for the shirts |
| Yes, the room was small. It was very clean though. | | | | offered even though I got two for $30 (on sale). Even |
| Our stateroom attendant did not take long to show up | | | | though the shop was crowded I didn't have to wait |
| and introduce himself. | | | | very long to checkout. |
| Just before we left the port we had to have a safety | | | | I wanted to check on my onboard credit so I went to |
| drill. Of course I knew that over 2,000+ guests were | | | | guest relations and didn't wait long. The attendant was |
| on board and I did dread this part because well, not | | | | very friendly, smiling and helpful. Anytime I had any |
| everyone usually cooperates and I figured this was | | | | concerns or questions they were very polite and |
| going to delay our departure. | | | | eager to answer them. |
| I was so wrong. It was done and over with in about 30 | | | | From the first day I had made up my mind I am |
| minutes. We left port on time (5pm). | | | | cruising again very soon. I loved the atmosphere of the |
| I came to this website to read reviews before going | | | | Sovereign. The next time though I want to take my |
| and yes, around the second day there was that musty | | | | family as well. |
| smell from wet carpet. It did not take long for it to | | | | The last day though I was saddened to know that the |
| subside though. And, everyday I seen housekeeping | | | | Sovereign will only be cruising through the end of |
| vacuuming as well as using a carpet cleaner. | | | | October 2008 and then she heads to Europe. Monarch |
| Everyday that we used the make up room card (left | | | | of the Seas will be taking her place when it departs |
| in our door), our beds were made up and the carpet | | | | Los Angeles on a 16-night Panama Canal cruise to |
| vacuumed. And yes, we received animal shaped | | | | Miami. The ship will then undergo a scheduled, |
| towels on one of the beds every evening. | | | | weeklong dry-dock before it takes the first Port |
| Yes, the bathroom is also small, but it was always | | | | Canaveral guests for three and four-night Bahamas |
| clean as well. | | | | sailings after the first week of November 2008. |
| Let me say this much about the room and bathroom: It | | | | I want them as well as others preparing or considering |
| may be small, but they made it as comfortable as they | | | | taking a cruise with Royal Caribbean to experience |
| can. Besides, there are plenty of things to do on the | | | | what I did. It was truly the vacation of a lifetime. It was |
| ship so majority of the time you are not in the room | | | | the best one ever for me and the service was |
| anyways! | | | | awesome. |
| Eating is not a problem. We ate at the Windjammer | | | | Here are some words of advice and tips: |
| for lunch once we got settled in. The food was great | | | | -Parking for the 4 night cruise cost us $48 (2007) |
| and the service was awesome. I got Chinese food | | | | -Have all of your paperwork ready before you step in |
| along with some chop sticks. It did not take long for | | | | line in the terminal |
| one of the Asian waiters to come over and patiently | | | | -Take an extra change of clothes in a carry on bag |
| work with me teaching me how to use the chop | | | | when boarding |
| sticks! | | | | -Be prepared for the security as your carry on items |
| Our assigned Dining room was the Mirage, late seating | | | | go through the x ray machine |
| (8:30). While that time seems late it really wasn't. In | | | | -You will do a lot of walking, going up escalators, |
| fact, it was perfect timing. You don't go hungry on the | | | | standing in line but it doesn't take too long. |
| ship. The food was great every single night. | | | | -Lunch is offered onboard the ship the day of arrival! |
| And if for some reason you are not happy, they'll | | | | -Rooms are small, but luggage can be stored under |
| quickly get something else for you ( I never asked for | | | | the beds and closet space has shelves, desk has a |
| something different). | | | | few drawers |
| Our waiter and his assistant were incredible. They | | | | -There is an outlet by the desk and in the bathroom |
| quickly remembered our names. There were six of us | | | | -If you get drinks other than the drink package offered, |
| at one table. Our glasses were often refilled, our food | | | | be prepared for paying a gratuity on top of the price |
| quickly arrived to us as well as rolls served while | | | | of the drink unless you get it at the pool bar, dining |
| waiting. | | | | room or one of the lounges! Gratuity was 15% for |
| Breakfast was also awesome. The buffet offers | | | | each drink we purchased from one of the guys |
| something for pretty much everyone. Biscuits, Gravy, | | | | walking around at CocoCay or around the pool |
| Sausage, Bacon, Eggs, Hashbrowns, French toast, | | | | Windjammer Café. |
| Waffles, Pancakes, Cereal, you name it they have it. | | | | -Sovereign of the Seas offers the gratuity package |
| My best friend mentioned the last day of the cruise he | | | | which ended up being $39 per person in our |
| doesn't care for hashbrowns, but the ones on the ship | | | | stateroom. Tipping is customary whether on the ship, |
| he absolutely loved! | | | | CocoCay or in Nassau. Make sure you save money |
| Tables are quickly cleaned so seating is usually right | | | | for this! |
| away. | | | | -I recommend purchasing gift certificates ahead of |
| I had the opportunity to attend a Welcome aboard | | | | time whether for yourself or another guest cruising |
| show that included the Royal Caribbean Singers & | | | | with you or just as a gift for someone. You can |
| Dancers which was a great show. I also attended a | | | | redeem them for onboard credits on your SeaPass |
| show in the Follies theater with comedian Steve Smith | | | | card. (The three of us spent approximately $515 in |
| as the headliner. He was hilarious. I also went to his late | | | | four days on souvenirs, gratuity package ($120), |
| night show for adults which was just as good as the | | | | internet as well as drinks with cups we kept. |
| first one. I attended the Captains welcome aboard | | | | -Be prepared to use the stairs much of the time. The |
| party where free drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic) | | | | elevators can be slow and at times crowded! Majority |
| were offered. | | | | of the time people on the elevators are generous to |
| We spent a little time in Casino Royale. It took a little | | | | make room. |
| time for us to understand how the machines work as | | | | Remember to keep out a change of clothes the night |
| the .25 slots only took cash not coins. When you win | | | | before disembarking! They will tell you to have your |
| any amount you have the choice of continuing with a | | | | luggage tagged and out in the hall before midnight. We |
| credit or printing out a coupon to redeem. | | | | ate breakfast early and then prepared to disembark. |
| The second day on board we were out to CocoCay. | | | | The line was long but it went very fast. Everyone had |
| The weather was sunny, cool and very breezy. By | | | | various color coded luggage tags (red, tan, blue, etc) . |
| the late afternoon they had to limit the times for the | | | | Another suggestion is to somehow make your |
| tenders traveling back and forth from the ship to the | | | | luggage unique in some fashion. We borrowed my |
| island and vice versa because the water was | | | | parents luggage that was solid black. We had to sort |
| becoming extremely choppy. We had to wait quite | | | | through similar ones and wait for 10 minutes for all of |
| awhile to board the ship because the gang plank kept | | | | our luggage. |
| getting pushed up. Two of the crew were very patient | | | | From the time we got in line to disembark until we |
| and helpful making sure everyone got back on the | | | | loaded up our vehicle, once again it took us |
| Sovereign safely. | | | | approximately 45 minutes. |
| Checking in and out (going from CocoCay and back) | | | | If you are looking into taking a cruise with children, this |
| was quick and painless. All of the crew were | | | | is the best one. I had the opportunity to meet other |
| organized, helpful and friendly. It was crowded yet it | | | | parents and kids. They have plenty of activities for the |
| was moving at a reasonable pace. You were not | | | | kids to do while the adults get to have some fun time. |
| standing in one place for very long. | | | | The staff who take care of the kids are highly |
| Throughout the day we were informed over the | | | | qualified. As a mom to three kids, I am definitely looking |
| intercom (mostly by Casey, our cruise director) of | | | | in to taking mine on a cruise soon. |