Wonder vs. Sovereign of the Seas

[bryan&natesmom]

I had the unique opportunity to cruise both the Disney Wonder and Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas in May. Since both ships sail from Port Canaveral and have the short itineraries, I thought some people may be interested in a comparison. Sorry in advance for the length of this post!

When, who, what kind and how much:
Sailed the Wonder on May 8th-12th; me, DH, DS–7, DS-4, mom, and MIL; connecting cat 9 (ocean view) on deck 2, $200/ day per adult, $100/day per child
Sailed SoS on May 27th-30th; 18 women for Grandma’s 80th birthday, inside cabins on deck 2; $167/day per adult

Embarking:
We arrived at the port at ~ noon for both cruises. We experienced very little wait on either line.

Cabins:
The rooms on the Wonder were nearly twice the size as SoS (214 sq ft vs. 119 sq ft). Disney puts the extra space to good use with an additional (split) bathroom, couch and ample storage. Also missing on the SoS were an in room safe and refrigerator. The SoS has 4 small desk type drawers for all of your folded items. Wonder has a chest of drawers, steamer trunk and at least 8 desk type drawers. We had one small complaint on Wonder – one of the refrigerators was not working. It was fixed within the hour. We had several complaints on SoS. One room had flooded prior to us getting on the ship. The room was assigned anyway. It was nearly dinner before they were given a new room. Also, the AC in one of the rooms was not working. They complained daily, but it was never fixed and no compensation was given. Also, the rooms on SoS looked a bit shabby…..dust ruffles all messed up, no bed spreads, blankets wadded in the top of the closet. Nothing major, just not pristine like Disney.

Food:
I give a slight edge to SoS, but my MIL disagrees. She says Wonder was better hands down. The food on both was very good. SoS got my vote on the sauces and real vs. instant mashed potatoes.

Pool Area:
There were several areas on SoS that were in disrepair, but the pool deck looked awful. It had many things that I would consider trip hazards (some at the top of stairways). The pool areas on the Wonder were great. Kids loved the Mickey pool! I didn’t care for the look of the Goofy pool. We did, however, have a blast dancing on the pool during pirate night!

Entertainment:
We did vastly different things on both ships, so it would be hard to compare. The disco on SoS was (as my college SIL says) bumpin’! The shows on the Wonder were unbelievable! The worst show on Wonder was better than the best show that I have seen on any of my 4 other cruises.

Crew Members:
I have two examples, both of which were in line with the attitude of the other cast members. On Wonder, a cast member offered to take my family’s photo with Donald and Daisy on formal night after the photographer was finished. On SoS, the photographer actually threatened to “close down the line” if I did not put my camera in my purse on formal night.

Debarking:
All I can say is 15 minutes on Disney; 3 hours on SoS. Talk about painful!!

Okay, so I love the Mouse and I’m biased! I did have a great time on SoS and the vacation was priceless (picture your 80 year old grandma parasailing for the first time!). It just wasn’t magical. Next time, you’ll see me on a Disney ship!

 

[gatour]

I have also had the opportunity to sail on a Disney ship and the Sovereign. I am curious about your thoughts on the overall design comparisons. How would you compare the ability to find your way about the ships and how soon you felt comfortable for each.

 

[bryan&natesmom]

I thought both were pretty easy to find your way around. I do spend a lot of time looking at deck plans ahead of time though! The door signs that I made for Wonder were nice, but they saved us a lot of confusion on SoS. With 9 rooms, it would have been very hard to remember who was where!

 

[AspiringCindy]

I too have sailed on SOS and DCL! I find your comparisons to be pretty accurate. I thought SOS's food was better as well! But, their staterooms are like a closet! I vaguely remember having trouble finding my way on Sovereign...whereas, The Magic was easier to maneuver! If money was a real issue, I wouldn't hesitate to travel aboard another RCCL ship(we have sailed on 2 other ships on RCCL)!...But Disney is definitely the prefered mode in this family!

 

[tvguy]

DW and I have cruised both the Magic and the Sovereign.
We cruised the Sovereign in 1988, 2 months after she went into service and when she was doing 7 day Caribbean cruises. She was the biggest, fanciest ship going then. We had previously cruised on the Norway(twice) and the Nordic Prince.
The Sovereign was light years ahead of the Norway and the Nordic Prince. And I'd have to say the Magic and Wonder are light years ahead of the Sovereign today.
Sounds like the Sovereign needs to get caught up on repairs. But she is now, an older ship, so the cabins are smaller.
The shows when we cruised the Sovereign were a step down from say the shows on the Norway. They were great, Broadway shows, but the Norway featured celebrity entertainers from the Las Vegas casinos for all it's shows. Jack Jones, Norm Crosby, Shields and Yarnell, the Fifth Dimension were the entertainers.
The Disney shows are better than the Sovereign, but face it, Disney's celebrities are all cartoon characters. Just like the design of the ships have changed over the years, so have the shows. Celebrity entertainment seems gone on ships, in favor of very well produced Broadway style shows with unknown actors.

 

[deelam]

I've only sailed once, on the Disney Wonder. Because of high Disney prices I had considered cruising on a cheaper cruise line. But I've have been afraid that I would really be disappointed. I just loved the Disney Cruise. Your review really helped me make up my mind. I'm sticking with Disney for my next cruise. I do have two children (a 2 year and a 9yea old) and my 9 year old LOVED the clubs on the Wonder. I can't settle for anything less while the kids are young enough to really enjoy the whole "Disney Thing". Thanks for the great review.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

My wife and I also sailed on the Sovereign in 1988! We went for our first wedding anniversary! We were in our mid-twenties, and were seated with a group of eight senior citizens who were travelling together. About the second or third night of the cruise we found out that they all lived in a clothing optional resort in Florida! This was our first and most memorable cruise. As TVGuy said, the Sovereign was it in 1988! Our entertainers on this cruise were Rita Moreno and an old time singer named Jerry Vale. The old folks (and that was the majority of the passengers) loved it. I will never forget the service on that ship-it was outstanding. We have since sailed on the Sovereign two other times for three night cruises, and I will agree that it is showing its age. Back when it was new, though, it was the nicest ship that anyone had ever seen. Fast forward to 2004, and my Wife and I, now 40-ish took our three children on the Wonder. Is the Wonder a nicer ship? Absolutely! Especially compared to a ship that is almost 20 years old. Was the experience better than our very first cruise? I wouldn't say so. In my opinion, since there are now so many ships to choose from, the quality of service over all has declined, as has the type of entertainment options. One thing that is for sure, though, is that the age of cruisers has come down-it is no longer an activity primarily for the old folks.

 

[BuncoHappens]

We have also sailed on the Wonder and the SOS. There is no comparison....especially the disembarkation!!

 

[FreeTime]

We too, have only sailed once on the Wonder and I have been shopping in the weeks since. I keep telling myself to stick with Disney so the kids and adults won't be disappointed. Has anyone been on any other ships that they think are superiour to Disney?