Need advice: Non-Disney cruise

[skoi]

Dh and I are planning a cruise by ourselves-- leaving the kids with grandparents. We're not cruising Disney, because we'd get kicked out of the family if we did, and it's way too expensive on such short notice.

Here's my question: Has anyone cruised either (or both) of these ships: Carnival Fantasy or RCCL Sovereign of the Seas? What's your opinion? Will we hate it after the Magic? We're NOT expecting Disney, but want to get an idea of how different it'll be. I read reviews on other cruise sites, but I trust the experts here at dis much more. Being Disney people, we all know quality, so your opinions will be much more relevant to us.

Thanks!

 

[3redheads]

Our next two cruises are booked with RCCL. Check out the ship reviews at:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/index.cfm

Hope this helps!
Kim

 

[AspiringCindy]

I have cruised on both of those ships! Plus we have been on DCL! I liked Sovereign alot! It is an elegant ship...a little older to todays standard, but a nice ship! The Fantasy is just aweful! DH got "unconfirmed" food poisoning on the ship! We had booked a junior suite on the Fantasy, and found out 2 weeks before that we had been upgraded to the largest stateroom on board! Now I know why! Talk about cheapskates...our suite didn't even have simple amenities like lotion or shampoo!...just soap! Sovereign on the other hand was really nice! The food was good, the shows were good, the kids program was fine and the ship was well kept! We had cruised on 2 other RCCL ships before we cruised on Sovereign of the Seas...so we knew what to expext and we weren't disappointed! Sure it's not Disney, but for the adults it was great! Any questions, just let me know!

 

[yazee1]

We're also considering a short cruise for just dh and myself and I know there have been threads about this. Would anyone care to link the curious to the previous discussions about cruising non-Disney in the "in between times".

I would love to do a short DC more than try another cruise line but since our only experience is this last DC, we'd like to see what it's like on another line. Research, you know?

 

[jtjcwise]

My wife and I cruised on Sovereign of the Sea 2 years ago without our kids. Had a great time. the ship was very nice, and the staff was great. It was a lot cheaper than Disney and a great time!!! We actually got an upgrade to a larger cabin with port hole. Very big room with a tub.

 

[mmouse37]

We have sailed DCL 13 times, Princess once, RCCL once, Carnival twice. We have sailed the Carnival Ecstasy and Victory and will be on the Legend this June. Carnival's new ships are much nicer than older ships like the Fantasy and Ecstasy.....I can't say about the Soverign. I like Carnival (not as much as Disney) but only their newer ships...

 

[tvguy]

I have cruised on both of those ships! Plus we have been on DCL! I liked Sovereign alot! It is an elegant ship...a little older to todays standard, but a nice ship! The Fantasy is just aweful! DH got "unconfirmed" food poisoning on the ship! We had booked a junior suite on the Fantasy, and found out 2 weeks before that we had been upgraded to the largest stateroom on board! Now I know why! Talk about cheapskates...our suite didn't even have simple amenities like lotion or shampoo!...just soap! Sovereign on the other hand was really nice! The food was good, the shows were good, the kids program was fine and the ship was well kept! We had cruised on 2 other RCCL ships before we cruised on Sovereign of the Seas...so we knew what to expext and we weren't disappointed! Sure it's not Disney, but for the adults it was great! Any questions, just let me know!

We sailed on the Sovereign 2 months after it went into service in 1988, back when it did 7 day Caribbean cruises. Great ship. It was a HUGE difference from our cruises before that on the Norway......I didn't notice such a big difference in ship design when we later cruised on the Amsterdam and the Magic. It was the biggest ship sailing when it was launched.

 

[skoi]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I knew I could count on people on this board to come through with info. The other boards get kind of snarky, and the people seem to flame each other an awful lot.

We'll probably go with the Sovereign. Any idea on how the spa is? Is it as good, and in the same price ranges as DCL's?

Now I'm starting to look forward to this. It will be our first trip without the kids.

I just have to remind myself, it's not Disney.

Julie

 

[ksjayhawks]

DS and I were on the rccl Mariner of the Seas for spring break this year and we reallyliked it. He is 12 and their tween/teen program is fantastic. Our cabin was about the same size as dcl but with more storage and our suitcases fit easily under the beds. Food was good and there was plenty to do. We will definitely do rccl again.