Which ship? Sovereign or Sensation

[pgayle]

I need advice.....we are taking our first cruise and are going on a 3 night and have a choice between Royal's Sovereign of the Seas or Carnival Sensation. I am so confused on which one. Please help. Thanks in advance!

[Dave]

Welcome to cruise-chat!

No need for confusion, there is no bad choice with those two ships. Sovereign is older but was recently refurbished and had new venues installed, including a Johnny Rockets diner and a Ben&Jerry's ice cream stand. Of course, these cost extra. Rockets has a small cover charge ($4) but you can eat all you want. The Sensation doesn't have these features.

The Sensation has larger standard cabins - 185 square feet versus 119 for the Sovereign. But you don't spend much time in the cabin and it is for just 3 days.

The Sovereign stops at Coco Cay, which is a private island. This is a beach day with a barbecue, water sports, etc. It is a lot of fun. The Sensation doesn't stop at a private island and instead has a day at sea.

I like both cruise lines. I am going on the Sovereign in three weeks.

If you don't care about the private island then it really comes down to price. Carnival usually wins in the pricing war.

[countrymoon]

Hi,
I was on the Sovereign in 2005. It was my first cruise. I absolutely loved the ship.
I had been told before I went that the Sovereign was a good ship to start with.
The staff was friendly, food was great and
room attendants were wonderful. I used room service several times, late at night.
They had a Sterling Silver sale in one of the shops during the cruise. I enjoyed that, the casino, shows and just sitting on the deck
early mornings drinking coffee and watching the sun rise. Go on the Sovereign.

[Cruise Fanatic]

The Sovereign was refurbished in 2004, the Sensation in 2006. I like them both.

[Dave]

Hard to believe it has been 4 years since the Sovereign refurb. Time sure flies.

[pgayle]

Ok, thanks to all who have responded. Please keep your opinions coming.....I can't wait because this will be our first cruise. I just want to make sure it is going to be all I am hoping for. How about this question?

Food? Who has the best?
Shows? Who has the best?
Also, I have read several reviews on the toilets and showers not working well on the ships. Anyone had this happen to them?

Thanks,
Pam

[Dave]

Nobody can say who is "best" at anything. It is too subjective. What is best to me may not hold true for you.

Food on Carnival and RCI is mostly equal in quality and variety. Carnival's pizza is better than RCI's but I think RCI has more interesting buffet choices at lunch. The dining room food is tied in my opinion. Both lines offer excellent service.

Shows are also of the same caliber on either line. Bands can be hit-or-miss on any line. I've seen mediocre bands on both Carnival and RCI, but on my past two cruises - one on RCI and one on Carnival - the rock bands were all excellent.

The only ship where I've had minor issues with water pressure is Carnival's Holiday. It is their oldest ship and has always had plumbing problems. Otherwise my shower and sink has always worked fine. I've never had a problem with toilets on any ship, regardless of the cruise line.

[jr.]

we have been on the sovereign twice and loved it.Sorry to hear its going to asia soon.

[Dave]

Sorry to hear its going to asia soon.

The ship is moving to Pullmantur Cruises in Europe.

[Hank]

Interesting comparisons. We have been on both ships and also liked them both. At one time I would have told you that RCI is simply a better cruise line, but that is no longer the case. Carnival has continued to improve, while we think RCI has regressed in the past 3 or 4 years. As to the ships, my only complaint about the SOS are the small cabins (but they are well designed and functional). You should like either ship, so in the end, price and itinerary should be the major factors. These are both older (but well maintained ships) that have been moved to the shorter cruise market because they no longer meet the standards many want on longer cruises....which is lots of balcony cabins.

Hank