The Sovereign Family Among the very first megaships in the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Sovereign trio, set a standard that pushed everyone else to meet it, because they surpassed everything afloat and still lead the way in service and amenities. The Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas, are both 73,941 tons, with passenger capacities of 2,744; while the Sovereign of the Seas weighs in at 73,192 and 2,852 passengers. All three provide a level of excellence in service and value that continues to set the pace for the cruise world, today.

The range of accommodations aboard the Sovereign Family, starts with inside staterooms which include the basics of twin beds that convert to a queen size, a private bathroom, vanity area, and such amenities as a hair dryer, television, phone, 110/220 electrical outlets, and an extendible vanity table who opens to make a work station. Some decks may have interior rooms that allow for Pullmans, for accommodating 3-4 people.

The next level Oceanview staterooms include all the same basics, plus a window, with some decks having an obstructed view. A Junior Suite will give you more floor space, plus a private balcony, as well as a fridge and sofa bed for sleeping 3-4 people. Some decks have full baths and some, shower/bathrooms.

Grand Suites are even more spacious, and include a full bath with shower, while an Owner’s Suite adds a whirlpool tub and walk-in closet, with even more square footage. For those with the desire to enjoy the most deluxe cruise possible, a Royal Suite will deliver nearly 700sq. ft. of room, plus a private balcony, separate living room with a wet bar and entertainment center.

The Royal Family Suite is ideal for couples traveling together, or larger families, having two bedrooms, one with a queen size bed, and one with twin beds plus a Pullman. The living room is spacious and comfortable, and opens onto a roomy private balcony.

As with all their ships, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Sovereign Family offers a diverse range of shore excursions for everything from swimming with dolphins, to trekking across the majestic glaciers of Alaska. Even more attention is devoted to your day and nighttime activities aboard their trio of Sovereign ships.

For the sports buff or athletically minded, there are swimming pools, basketball courts, and a running track to keep you fit for long walks around your ports of call. If you prefer group activities, there’s the Fitness Center, which features the most up to date exercise equipment available, with personal trainers to provide individual consultations.

Or, you can join a yoga or martial arts exercise class to keep yourself as flexible as the availability of choices for what to do next. Don’t forget one of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ most spectacular attractions, the onboard rock climbing face, with levels for all skills and incredible views while you enjoy the exercise.

As on any cruise ship, the Spa is a favorite place to spend an hour, or an entire morning, enjoying oxygenating facials; lip, eye and hand treatments; as well as full body wraps to indulge yourself from head to foot with rejuvenating therapies from some of the world’s premier manufacturers of spa products. Massages are also part of treating the body and mind, through such relaxing techniques as warmed basalt stones, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and reflexology. Your hair and nails are also treated to scalp massages and manicures with special oils and lotions to enhance your naturally healthy glow. Even teenagers accompanying their parents, can partake of their own specialized treatments for skin and skin conditions at GenerationYSPA, where they also offer mother/daughter and father/son massages.

Rested and relaxed, you can go on to enjoy such activities as ice-carving lessons, card game instruction, wine-tastings, and even tournaments for your favorite board games. Dive into the pool within an ocean, and splash your way through water balloon tosses, and bellyflop contests. If you’ve left something behind, you’ll find plenty of onboard duty-free shops in which to pick up what you need, and shop for leading designer name gifts at up to 25% off American retail prices. Or if you’d rather broaden your horizons, take a tour of the ship’s fabulous art collection, and attend an auction where you can acquire your own personal masterpiece.

Because Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines plays host to families of all ages, they have ensured that children will enjoy the cruise experience as well, with the Adventure Ocean Youth Program® for ages 3-17. This exciting and fun-filled program is staffed by crew with degrees in a variety of educational areas, who provide a full range of activities, experiments and experiences for age appropriate groups. Youngsters aren’t left out either, with tots from six months to three years of age, invited with their parents, to partake in the Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots programs, designed specifically for RCL by Fisher-Price.

Dining aboard the Sovereign Family of ships is almost worth the trip itself, with a variety of gourmet menus and dishes that will make selecting just one for each meal, a real dilemma. For the health conscious, all ships serve the Shipshape Day Spa menus, kids menus, and kosher menus, if notified in advance.

The fun starts with room service, for those times when your shore excursions have tired you out, and continues with the special drink packages which cover fountain drinks for adults and kids anywhere on the ship, and even wine packages for dining.

The Windjammer Café is the perfect place to enjoy endless buffets, meals and snacks available almost around the clock. The menu covers all kinds of family favorites from hot entrées to burgers, sandwiches, and sumptuous desserts for lunch or dinner. Dress is casual, although tank tops and bare feet are not permitted for the dinner hours. Between meals there are plenty of snack bars to grab a bite from, as well as Ben & Jerry’s delightful flavor varieties in ice cream, sundaes and smoothies to help cool down after an afternoon in the sun.

The Monarch of the Seas offers Jade, an new dining experience available only for the dinner hour, when they serve both traditional and innovative Asian cuisine, in a casual atmosphere, while the Sovereign of the Seas hosts Johnny Rockets, a retro 50s diner experience for burgers and shakes. The number and décor of the Main Dining Rooms on all three ships varies, with all of them being elegant and exciting venues for your meals. Breakfast and lunch are open sittings, however you will be assigned a table and dinner sitting for the duration of the cruise, where you can enjoy multiple selections at each course of the meal, while listening to live music. Dress is smart casual, with formal wear required on designated evenings.

Evenings are yours to fill with the entertainment that appeals to you most, whether that is a full-scale Broadway performance with guest stars, or a live floor show in one of the many lounges. Music is available throughout the ship in its bars, lounges and nightclubs, with just the right kind of tunes to get you dancing, or to sit and relax to with a drink. Watch for the theme night parties that include 50s, 60s, pirate, and toga costumes and decorations.

Other parties are offered for specific groups of passengers, including singles and honeymooners. Join in the fun with karaoke contests, talent shows, trivia games and more. The dance classes you took during the day, will pay off at night when you mamba into the early morning! And if you’re feeling lucky, why not visit the casino for a roll of the dice, or a game of Blackjack? Then take your winnings and celebrate with a nightcap in the nautically decorated Schooner Bar, or the top of the world Viking Crown, with its vast expanses of glass, and the feeling of sailing under the night sky.

There may be some slight variations in such things as room layouts, or specific services in different areas, but you’ll still get the full Royal Caribbean treatment on any of the Sovereign class ships your cruise is booked with.

• Monarch of the Seas®
• Majesty of the Seas®
• Sovereign of the Seas®

Look to the left hand column for a detailed review of all the ships in the Royal Caribbean Fleet