HELP!! If not Disney, who should I choose for a cheap thrill???

[nursegardener]

My hubby and I are in need of a 3 or 4-day "cheap" getaway from Port Canaveral - question is - who has sailed either Carnival's Fantasy or RC's Sovereign of the Seas?? And which would anyone recommend?? And why?? We are in our late 40's and sailing without children. We plan to do Disney again next year but we need a cheaper one this year. Please help!!

THANKS!!!

 

[MelissaE1]

My best friend and I are sailing on Sovereign of the Seas on March 30th ($750 for both of us combined for a 4-day cruise!). I do not have experience on either RCCL or Carnival, but I have heard to avoid Carnival's older ships.

If you go to the cruise critic boards http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic you can find a ton of info. Go to the Royal Caribbean board and run a search for "Sovereign" and you will find a lot of info on this ship. She is older, but apparently still a classy lady with a nice crew. I have heard very little bad about her. I know this ship in no way compares with the Magic, but for the price it would have to be pretty bad to make me feel bad about it!

Would be happy to report back as someone who is also between Disney cruises if you haven't decided by then.

 

[sandee]

I was on the Monarch of the Seas recently which is like the Sovereign. It was great. Older then the DCL ships, but well maintained, food was better then DCL and waitstaff were wonderful. I also felt like I was "cheating" on Mickey and Co. but couldn't resist the cost. It was less then $700 for 2 and it was 5 nites out of Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale. Shows at night were similar to DCL and I also won $900 at the casino. Rooms are very small, but hey, you don't go on a cruise to sit in your room. I say go for it!

 

[dis4me]

My paents recently went on Sovereign of the seas. Although they had never been on DCL so they couldn't compare for you. They loved it though and said the food and entertainment was fabulous.

 

[iloverags2]

I have been on both of those ships, and can say without a doubt, sail on RCCL's Sovereign of the Seas. It is much classier, and an overall better experience. Although the ship is a bit older, it still has RCCL's wonderful service, and they do keep the ship in great shape.

 

[nursegardener]

Thanks to all of you for the responses! I'd say that RCCL's Sovereign of the Seas is the clear winner. We priced a Dec. 2003 4-night cruise for 2 for $498.00 on the net (doesn't include insurance.)

I think that sounds like a GREAT price!!

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Michelle at DU hooked me up for a August 2003 SOS cruise larger ocean view room for my best friend and I on our first annual "Mommy's Away Trip". I researched it a lot and everyone said to steer clear of the Carnival's older ships which do their 3 and 4 day cruises out of Florida. They also said they are older and "patry ships". The SOS is older and has small cabins but for such a short trip who cares. The service and food and suppose to very, very good.

After I go in August 2003 I will post how it was and those of you going first please post and let us know.

Have a great time!

 

[tecdavidt]

I have sailed on the Fantasy twice before it was redone. It was an OK ship, nothing fancy but I was on a cruise so I was happy. I do know it was completely redone about one year ago, they enlarged the children's area by removing the bar in the aft portion of the ship. RCCL is a great line I have heard. Kathy

 

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I were on the 1/12 sailing of the Carnival Fantasy and we had a surprisingly fantastic time. I had heard conflicting reports about the ship's condition, and we were pleasantly surprised. It was very clean, and showed no signs of wear-and-tear anywhere (yes, I looked!!). We had an inside room and for 4 nights it was just fine. The food was very good (service could have been better in the dining room, but still was not a huge complaint) and the entertainment was wonderful. Would not hesitate to sail on that ship again, or any other of Carnival's "older" ships. Oh, one poster said to avoid Carnival ships because they are "party ships", and I have to disagree with that. We are not big party-goers but we did stay up late for the adult shows in the theater and we never saw any drunkenness or obnoxiously loud people. Had a great time! Give it a try, you might be surprised!!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

we have also been on FANTASY and we loved it, we could not have been happier,except for the weather ,july was way to hot and january was way to cold.other than that cruise was wonderful and the food was great.i would definetly go on this cruise ship again and again