We got to take our first cruise in April 2002 and it was awesome. (We've taken two more since then.) I had expected more of a crowd problem and a bit of a schedule nightmare with meals and activities.  It was just the opposite:  everything went incredibly smooth, and the only time things seemed crowded were when we first got on, last got off, and catching the shuttle to the private island.  The food was great, the cruise was relaxing and entertaining at all the right moments, and the price was CHEAP!

Our Secret?  Royal Caribbean was the best price we found in a four-day Bahama cruise out of Port Canaveral, FL on the Sovereign of the Seas in the April-May season. Less crowds and security hassles at Port Canaveral and Orlando airport, and a reserved shuttle takes you to and from the ship for a nominal fee.  Main deck in the area of Oceanview cabins 4090 (port) or 4590 (starboard) puts you right off the main lobby by the elevators, and gets you the larger window and closest to dining rooms at the lowest cost.  (We used Pavlus Travel  who was 10% below everyone else.)  Don't get the Promenade or 'Tween deck because they're set back from the side of the ship with views blocked by people, lifeboats, etc.  Cabins are small on a ship unless you pay the big bucks, but they're comfortable for a floating RV and you spend most of the time out and about anyway.  So based on the quantity and quality of the cuisine alone in local restaurants, I calculated that our under $400/ea tickets would have barely covered the food if that.  That means the cruise, entertainment, and exotic destinations were free!

It was also a time for bringing back some memories.  I vaguely remember traveling to Germany at the age of five with my mom and sister to join Dad stationed in the army near Weisbaden.  We were on the SS America going and coming, the sister ship to the SS United States, and I recalled the fancy dining room, the bunk beds in our modest stateroom, and the large rolling waves outside the porthole.  Indeed, the cruise brought back a little piece of that unique experience for me.

The Sovereign of the Seas recently had a major overhaul and renovation which was filmed and produced as a documentary and shown on many cable stations. I didn't take the still camera during the cruise prior to renovation, but got the following shots on our second cruise:

Sovereign is RC's oldest, but still a beautiful ship.   The Centrum main lobby is open through four deck levels. 

A 4th-level view looking down on a piano stage.            This is the Promenade deck which circles the ship.

Cococay is RC's beautiful private island with clear blue water, plenty of room and activities, diving and snorkeling
 to enjoy the tropical marine life (I even had some large stingrays pass by), and a big free cookout for everyone.

Parasailing is a must!                                                     Got a good shot of Cococay while at max elevation.

The Viking Lounge looking like the Starship Enterprise.   The governor's residence at Nassau.

A couple of Bahamian natives.                                      Another Nassau must: Ardastra Gardens & Zoo.

You can get incredibly close to the flamingos...               and they'll even dance with your wife!

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