Cruise Talk: 25 years ago today

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Topic: 25 years ago today

sea4me
First Class Passenger
Member # 4564

posted 01-16-2013 08:49 AM

The Sovereign of the Seas sailed from Miami on her maiden voyage 25 years ago today. I was lucky enough to be aboard. There was a media frenzy leading up to her inaugural sailing; in those days the debut of a ship was still a big deal and she was, at that that time, the largest cruise ship ever built. In 47 cruises that is still one of my favorite. It's hard to believe she is no longer a Royal Caribbean ship.

Posts: 22 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 01-16-2013 11:15 AM

She certainly upstaged the SS Norway. My understanding is the SOS has tiny cabins. I have a video of the mid 2000's extensive renovation. Unlike Carnival Corp which just adds cabins, ugly deckhouses, and clip on balconies. The Soveriegn became a better ship as did the Enhantment OS [not sure of exact one] after her stretch.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 01-16-2013 12:01 PM

I still remember the first time I ever saw the Sovereign of the Seas. She had only been in service a few months and it was in San Juan and I was downtown getting ready to head for the airport during my transfer from the USS Biddle to Naples, Italy. She was HUGE and I had to tilt my camera sideway to get the whole ship in the picture.

My brother and I did back-to-back 3-night weekend cruises on the Carnival Ecstasy and Sovereign of the Seas (his first cruises ever) in the mid-90's and he loved Royal Caribbean but hated CoCo Cay being as he lived in Fort Walton Beach at that time, and they apparently have better beaches there. And yes, the cabins are TINY. We had an ocean view stateroom with a tiny porthole near the bow end.

[ 01-16-2013: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

sea4me
First Class Passenger
Member # 4564

posted 01-16-2013 05:05 PM

Great shot of the Sovereign. They just don't make them as beautiful as that anymore. When on her inaugural 3 of us split the cost of a deluxe cabin. It had a bedroom area with twin beds and a separate living area with a sofa bed so we had enough space. No balcony though. When she went into service there were no balconies for any accommodation. They were added to the deluxe cabins and suites during a refurb after the Monarch and Majesty went into service with balconies.

Posts: 22 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

jeremya
First Class Passenger
Member # 5699

posted 01-16-2013 09:18 PM

Back in the 90's I worked for RCI during the Sovereign class roll out. Ernie and I attended the preview parties aboard the Majesty and Monarch. Sovereign was already out when I started there.

We used to lunch aboard the ship every weekend from the port offices across the island from the port. I eventually got on board Majesty doing the western Caribbean route.

The sovereign class vessels were really nice. I haven't sailed aboard the larger class vessels.

Posts: 377 | From: montreal | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

Atlcruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 4586

posted 01-17-2013 06:47 PM

She was a great ship. I cruised on this ship three times.

Posts: 916 | From: Atlanta | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

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