A busy big ship for casual, Spanish-speaking family cruising
Overview. This ship is best suited to Spanish-speaking families, young couples, and singles seeking a first cruise at an all-inclusive price that even includes drinks. The high-density ship is well-run, highly programmed, and is geared to families with children.
The Ship. Sovereign has a smart profile and nicely rounded lines. The ship, whose hull is painted a deep blue, sports a lounge and bar that is wrapped around the blue funnel and provides a stunning view. Open deck space isn’t generous, but there’s a wide walk-around polished wood promenade deck. The interior layout is unusual in that most of the public rooms are located aft in a cake-layer stacking, with the accommodation located forward.
There’s an array of spacious public rooms, including a conference room, library, and card players’ room, plus a Monte Carlo Casino. The decor is accented with wood paneling, and some bright color splashes. Children and teens are well catered for, and there’s a whole team of youth activity staff, together with a range of rooms for children and teens. The dress code is very casual. All gratuities and port taxes are included in the cruise fare.
Accommodation. There are 16 cabin price grades. Some cabins have interconnecting doors – useful for families.
Suites. Thirteen suites on Bridge Deck, the largest of which is the Royal Suite, are reasonably large and nicely furnished, with separate living and sleeping spaces.
Standard cabins. The standard outside-view and interior cabins are very small, although an arched window treatment and colorful soft furnishings give the illusion of more space. Almost all cabins have twin beds that convert to a queen-size or double-bed configuration. There is little closet and drawer space. All cabins have a private bathroom, with shower, toilet, and washbasin.
Dining. El Guardiana and El Duero, two dining rooms off the Centrum (lobby), have tables for four, six, or eight persons but none for two. Both have two seatings, with table wines included in the fare. An à-la-carte restaurant offers better menus at an extra cost. For casual meals and snacks, the two-level Buffet Panorama is open almost 24 hours a day, although it is usually congested at peak times.
Entertainment. The Broadway Showlounge has both main and balcony levels, with banquette seating. On the stage is a video wall with 50 screens. A smaller venue for late-night dancing or chilling out is the Disco Zoom.
Spa/Fitness. In the Spa del Mar, you’ll find a gym with fine ocean views, full of cardiovascular equipment. There’s also an aerobics studio, a salon, and sauna, as well as 11 treatment rooms, including one for couples’ massages. An outdoor rock-climbing wall, located on the aft of the ship’s blue funnel, has several climbing tracks.