Anyone sailed Sovereign of the Seas?

[Pugdog007]

My parents have decided to take the grandkids on a Sovereign 4-night... much to my dismay as I really tried to get them to choose DCL. For 8 people RCCL was more than $1300 less

Are they going to hate it? I feel bad as it was me who tried to get them to try cruising and now I'm afraid they'll hate this ship. Are the rooms and common areas smokey? Is smoking allowed inside? Are the shows broadway style or Vegas style? Does the ship rock more than DCL?

Are there kids activities? Do I need to offer to pay the difference and take them on DCL? Help!!!

 

[cathyrob]

We sailed SOS a couple of years ago. I am very happy with RCCL service. I think their food is much better than DCL. I am not a smoker and hate smoke, and I never found it to be smokey. This is one of their smaller ships. It obviously does not have everything that their bigger/newer ships have, but it is nice. They do have camps for the kids. I didn't have children at the time, but when I saw the camps, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

 

[kjcolv]

You'll see the thread comapring RCCL and DCL http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=394634 the concensus seems to be the RCCL Voyager mega ships are great, I've only done SOS and was very dissapointed, I didn't think it compared at all to DCL. I'm not a gambler so I got bored. My children weren't with me so I can't comment about the children's programs but I did recall thinking there weren't many children on board, it was during the school year so that may have been why. The shows I saw were Vegas style I suppose, a good comic, a singer etc. I didn't see anything Broadway style like the Disney Shows. Based on the other post I would say if they won't do DCL see if they will do one of the newer megaships with the rock climbing wall and all that good stuff. Good Luck!!

 

[Windermere]

We did SOS a few years back as well. Did not think the food was as good as DCL. Also found the lounges and casino to be VERY smokey. Cannot get from one end of the ship to the other without going through the casino. Did not do the lounges because we couldn't bear the smoke. The buffet restaurant had burgers EVERYDAY!. And they were not good either.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

My BF and I are cruising SOS of the Seas 8/21 for a quick Mommies only cruise. I could care less what happens as long as I don't have to clean up toys or change diapers

On a serious note, I have heard really good feedback from everyone about SOS and the short 3 & 4 days so I think you all will have a good time. RCCL just added new areas to their private island.

Have a good time.

 

[Bbethparsons]

Hello, I believe we cruised with you last May 25th, if I am correct. My husband I just cruised on the SOS on June 1, 2003 WITHOUT kids. I thought it was a wonderful boat. Well kept up for an older ship. I thought it was beautiful. I hate smoke and I didn't have ANY problems with it. We have cruised on the Magic 3 times and I thought for the price we paid (we did 4 night), it was a great cruise. Don't know anything about the kids programs; however, my kids were burnt out on Disney kids programs (9 and 12 years old). The food was very good, didn't get lobster night
, no Palos, the staff wasn't on their toes the way Disney was. But we loved the boat and would go again in a heartbeat. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! One more thing, we were on 6th floor mid-ship, we opted for inside room, so we would SLEEP and we felt absolutely NO moving the whole trip.

 

[dclwdwlover]

There is a thread on the next page started by 'Sfed' called 'Not the same' & it is about SOS.

 

[Dean]

We were on SOS earlier this year. It's getting to be an older ship but still nice in many ways. We enjoyed it and I don't regret we went but wish we could have been on DCL. The kids area is quite small by comparison to newer RCCL ships and I'm sure to DCL. The only real problem we had with SOS was that on one deck, you couldn't get from the front to the back indoors without walking through a smoking area. On SOS the port side is smoking and the starboard side none smoking (I think I have it right). The casino is on the side that should be non smoking and the bar that you would walk through to avoid the casino is on the smoking side. Unfortunately this is a busy area as it's also in the area of the main entrance to the show lounge, deck 5 if I recall correctly.

 

[thatmom]

Hi,
My first cruise was on the SOS. Had great time and would go back on her in a minute.
thatmom

 

[smjj]

We have sailed DCL twice and the SOS once(last year). I prefer DCL but can't really complain about SOS. It was nice and well maintained. I thought the food and entertainment was good. You have got to remember, this ship is not Disney and it really is not a fair comparision when people who are big Disney fans try and compare the two. Having said that, I wish Royal Caribbean would adopt the disembartation routine that DCL used, it is MUCH quicker..smjj

 

[TimonTracy]

My husband and I did SOS last August for 3 days. We needed to get away. It was cheap, we had an outside porthole room (Cat. D). The only thing was we compared it to the DCL every moment and we pulled up to the Wonder in the bahamas and were right next to her at Port Canaveral.

If your family has never been on the Wonder, I think they will be satisfied with Royal Caribbean. I like the fact that they had a formal night even on the 3 day.

 

[Pugdog007]

Thank you for all the replies. TimonTracy: Do the windows open in the outside rooms? Always having had a balcony on the Wonder & Magic, I can't imagine not being able to get the ocean breeze.

How does the dining work? Do they have rotation with the same waiters? Are there different dining rooms?

Thanks again.

 

[TimonTracy]

Our porthole did not open.

For dining you are assigned to first or second seating and they assign you to one of two dining rooms. Your server is the same each night and the menu changes.

From what I can tell the only difference in the dining rooms is the decor, but they really don't look too different.