The Sovereign of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship I sailed on back in the early 90's, when she was new and running a seven night Western Caribbean itinerary. Her design was very contemporary then and continues to fare well, when compared to many ships the same age. At present, she calls Port Canaveral home, and sails three and four night itineraries to the Bahamas, making stops in Nassau, and Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean's private island.

I have since returned twice to this ship, and each time had a great cruising experience. Most people who sail on the Sovereign of the Seas say they would cruise on the ship again. However, the short itinerary, party atmosphere and older ship are not right for everyone. Reading several reviews, both positive AND negative, is a must if you are considering a trip aboard the Sovereign of the Seas. Just as many people find they have a great time, as those that would never cruise on the ship again. Lots of people book this cruise because of the price (are you one of them?). Yes, there are great deals to be had out there. But knowing what you are in for can improve your experience or avoid a major disaster. And don't forget the old saying, "you get what you pay for."

In general, Royal Caribbean does an above average job in pleasing it's customers. Compared to Carnival and NCL, they provide a high level of service, good food, and the best entertainment and sports programs afloat. All three cruise lines compete for your business at the same level, and thus, price their products very much the same. What sets Royal Caribbean apart is their commitment to service and quality. The truth is you can't expect to please everyone. However, Royal Caribbean has more return business than NCL or even Carnival (or so they say).

The Sovereign of the Seas is an older ship, and not without it's critics. The public areas show signs of age, as do the staterooms. However, I found the ship to be clean and tidy at all times. The staterooms are small; we booked a lower category outside stateroom, which was adequate, but nothing special. One has to go pretty high up in category to notice a difference in size, therefore, I recommend booking the least expensive inside or outside category you can live with. With the exception of rooms with bunkbeds, nearly all inside and outside rooms are the same; tiny!

Three and four night cruises in general attract a younger clientele; many honeymooners, people cruising for the first time, younger couples, and singles book the three night itinerary. You'll find a few more older adults and families on four night cruises, but the Bahamas itinerary is one that generally attracts a younger crowd. In the summer and during holiday periods you'll find lots and lots of families, who combine trips to Orlando. It's a great introduction to cruising, and prices (generally under $100pp per day) make this an economical vacation as well.

The food in the main dining rooms is very good. However, the overall quality of the meals has gone down some, since my first cruise aboard the Sovereign of the Seas. But that can be said about Carnival and NCL also. Most people come away very happy; however, the meals are not made to order; they are all prepared in advance. Special requests are accommodated to a degree; you must be specific in order to get what you want. However, I have found the commitment to service in the main dining room to be ever-present, and I have yet to be told that I cannot be accommodated. I can't say that about Carnival or NCL. I would give the food in the dining room three and a half stars. The casual dining area (the Windjammer), a generous two stars. The food quality compares to that you would find at trendy, mid-priced restaurants in the city, where the average price for a dinner and desert (without wine) would run you about $30pp. Obviously, you get more courses, and smaller portions on a cruise; but you get the picture. If you are accustomed to five star restaurants and service, you will be disappointed. However, most people, including me, find the food, the variety and quality quite good.

The ports of call are enjoyable. Both cruise itineraries remain in Nassau late into the night, allowing passengers to get a taste of Bahamian night life; namely casinos and night clubs. Coco Cay gives passengers a day at the beach. Both port stops have snorkeling, and in Nassau, several excellent tours. The shopping is enjoyable, but prices tend to be high on jewelry. If you are in the market for collectables, there are several excellent shops in Nassau worth checking out. Although the prices may not be any less than what you might find back home, they stock hard to find items from Europe.

There are a few points to ponder when considering a vacation aboard the Sovereign of the Seas:

1. Will you be happy aboard an older ship? As a smaller vessel, the workout facilities, kid's program and public areas are not as impressive as what you would find on a newer ship. The staterooms are smaller and tend to have more complaints about bathroom fixtures, tile cleanliness, and linens. Our room was spotless, but the bathroom tiles were a mess. The water pressure in the bathroom was poor, and regulating the air conditioner was a nightmare.

2. What kind of dining experience are you looking forward to? You won't find five star quality or service here (or on any Royal Caribbean, Carnival or NCL ship for that matter). But you will get excellent meals and a different menu every day. You'll find a large selection of mid-priced wines, and drink prices that are typical of land based hotels. Yes, you will pay close to $6 for a drink in a souvenir glass. however, drink prices at most hotels and resorts are about the same.

3. Are you looking for a quiet, relaxing weekend getaway? If the answer is yes, don't take a three or four night cruise! You'll encounter the occasional rowdy group having a great time by the pool, a party atmosphere, with lots of activities and drinking. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more active, beach getaway vacation and night life, you've come to the right place.

4. Are you on a limited budget, and need a serious vacation? Then this just might be the ticket. But don't be fooled into thinking that a cruise is the least expensive way to go. Yes, your accommodations, meals and entertainment are included in the price. However, include the gratuities, alcoholic beverages and other personal expenses, such as shore excursions, and your $300 weekend vacation has just gone up to $600! There are things you can do to reduce the overall cost, by packing your own alcohol, and touring Nassau on your own. However, even the most frugal travelers admit spending more than they anticipated on most cruises.

Final Thoughts

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the Sovereign of the Seas to anyone looking to take a short vacation, despite the fact that there were a few short comings on our voyage. I try not to let little things bother me. I realize that you may not consider poor water pressure a minor issue. But it was something we could live with. That's why it's so important to get input BEFORE you pay for a trip. I believe Royal Caribbean offers the cruising public a great product at a fair price. I recommend that everyone looking to book a cruise aboard an older ship do a little research. But take what you read with a grain of salt, and remember, you can't please everyone. Make note of the things that would bother you, and if you have any questions, discuss them with a cruise-only travel agent who is familiar with Royal Caribbean.






Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Couples