I just returned from a great cruise on Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas out of Port Canaveral.  This girl is leaving RCCL's fleet in October, 2009.  Her last sailing is October 31st.  I thought she was beautiful. I heard some people say she looked tired.  And why not!  She has been ferrying thousands if not millions of people for years!  She was updated a few years ago but some areas still looked worn.  I liked her because she wasn't flashy like the newer ships.  I do not need gold leafed walkways or fancy lighted corridors. 

If you stay indoors it is like being in a hotel after a few drinks  I get a woozy feeling on every ship.  My dad, who spent 32 years in the Navy onboard aircraft carriers, would be ashamed at my less than solid sea legs!  It is when I venture outside to her open deck areas that I feel that I am on a glorious ship.  I really enjoyed watching the captains prowess when he turned us about in Nassau.  I realized I was on more than a floating hotel. The other ships in dock pulled right in.  We did a 180!  

I do have one issue that almost messed up our first night at sea.  It was not an issue with the cruise ship.  It was an issue of me relying on modern conveniences.  I am sure that many of you, like me, don't wear a watch anymore because it is a hindrance.  Why should you when you wear your cell phone on your hip?  It doubles as a watch.  However, it can really mess you up onboard ship when you get out to sea. 

Here's what happened:  After perusing the ship for a while after boarding, I went back to my cabin to change for dinner.  I looked at my cell phone and it said it was 750pm.  Not a problem.  I had another 40 minutes before dinner.  We dressed and met some friends in the Bolero Lounge to wait until they opened the doors to dinner.  At 825pm we went to the Mirage dining room and were shocked to see people eating their dessert!  Being obtuse, i thought the first group was just lazy and hadn't left yet!  I was quickly corrected by the head waiter who informed me it was 930pm!!!  It seems that this is a common occurance with the cell phones. 

I haven't done any research as of yet, but I think that once you leave the cell phone tower areas phones that automatically change during day light savings time CHANGE BACK!  It didn't happen to everyone, but it did to about half our group. 

The crew was great and brought out our food anyway.  It is a good thing that we had the later seating!!!