forThose That Went on the Cruise - Rc Sovereign

[hmolah]

Hello all-

I know that PC had an incentive trip for last year and it was the RC Sovereign Bahama trip if I remember correctly. I was wanting some input from those that went to the Bahamas and that cruised with PC. DH and I are planning our honeymoon (5 years after being married) and wanted to go on a cruise. Now he had several years in the Navy, and is used to "cruising" but not leisurely. I was wondering how the Bahamas was? We're set to sail on Oct. 6th to Coco Cay and Nassau. I've never been to either and I've never been on a cruise. We didn't want to spend the $$ for the 7-day, but wanted a nice get-away. We'll be extending our vacation by 2 days at a resort in Cape Canaveral either before or after the cruise, so the vacation itself will be longer than the 4 night cruise. I'm sure PC really spruced some things up, but on a cruise website I was getting a few negative comments on shorter cruises.

We priced the 7 day and it was going to be $1000 more! That wasn't including excursions... and that is just not in our budget. I know I'll have more questions, but I just wondered if anyone could pipe in about their experience cruising and visiting those 2 places. Also, if anyone has ever cruised that particular one before on RC, I'd greatly appreciate the input!

Thanks so much!

 

[DebbieJ]

the Sovereign is a great ship--you'll get to experience a piece of cruising history as the ship is leaving RC in October.If you like Mojitos, see Carlos at the forward pool bar.Don't miss the Love & Marriage game and Quest game.CocoCay is FANTASTIC!!! I hope you guys make it there. Sometimes rough seas prevent the tenders from running so you get a day at sea instead.I would research things to do in Nassau before you get there--it's not a nice city outside of the resorts.HAVE FUN!

 

[chefkugler]

I agree with Debbie. It is a great ship and will be leaving soon. Great time to check it out, before it is gone.
Also have a plan for Nassau. We waisted time trying to decide what to do.

 

[amy07]

CoCo Cay was the best part in my book. It was everything you think of when spending a day on an island.

As for the excursions. All boats lead to the same place. DH & I laughed that we actually debated which snorkeling trip to take, when the "other" boat pulled right beside the one we were on!

It was a nice trip and I'm thankful that PC offers Consultants such great incentives!

 

[chefheidi2003]

Heather, I did not go on the PC trip but I have been to Nassau and I agree, have a plan, I was not impressed with it at all. Also make sure that you check with your cruise line about military discount. I was in the AF for 4 years and I get a huge discount on every cruise that we go on. And the military discount is for me and 1 guest. Now we went through Carnival but I would still check with who ever you cruise with. All I had to do was fax them my DD 214.

 

[Kodeysmom]

Heather, I did not go on the PC trip but I have been to Nassau and I agree, have a plan, I was not impressed with it at all. Also make sure that you check with your cruise line about military discount. I was in the AF for 4 years and I get a huge discount on every cruise that we go on. And the military discount is for me and 1 guest. Now we went through Carnival but I would still check with who ever you cruise with. All I had to do was fax them my DD 214.

As far as I know Carnival is the only cruise line that offers military discount to prior military. All others are active duty. We also got a nice discount on our first cruise we just took through Carnival in April.

 

[PampMomof3]

the Sovereign is a great ship--you'll get to experience a piece of cruising history as the ship is leaving RC in October.

If you like Mojitos, see Carlos at the forward pool bar.

Don't miss the Love & Marriage game and Quest game.

CocoCay is FANTASTIC!!! I hope you guys make it there. Sometimes rough seas prevent the tenders from running so you get a day at sea instead.

I would research things to do in Nassau before you get there--it's not a nice city outside of the resorts.

HAVE FUN!

I couldn't have said it any better.

I've cruised with PC and on my own to Nassau and it was the same BUT the time on the cruise ship was WAY better with PC!

 

[peichef]

I've been to Nassau on 2 cruises. If I go back, we'll venture over to Paradise Island. It's only a few minutes away & has lots to do.My best advice in Nassau is to read through your book that details the excursions, then try to book the one you like on your own. Cruisecritic.com is a great site & has a forum where lots of experienced cruisers can advise you on how to book your own excursions (& can often give you the name of a driver /etc that they have used)Cruising is the best!! Have fun

 

[hmolah]

Heather, I did not go on the PC trip but I have been to Nassau and I agree, have a plan, I was not impressed with it at all. Also make sure that you check with your cruise line about military discount. I was in the AF for 4 years and I get a huge discount on every cruise that we go on. And the military discount is for me and 1 guest. Now we went through Carnival but I would still check with who ever you cruise with. All I had to do was fax them my DD 214.

Yes, we are using the military discount. And to the poster that mentioned that Carnival was the only one, that is incorrect. RC does offer military rates - but they are very far and few between. We just happened to get lucky that the particular cruise and dates we were looking at offered a military rate. We're getting and F1 room for the price of a lower deck/inside room.

Thanks for the tips on Nassau. I have found cruise critic, but I wanted a perspective from here as well! I'm addicted to cruise critic! lol I saw a poster did a walking tour and for me that would be fun. DH always did walking tours when he ported up at various parts of the world. We don't like crowds and touristy areas, so I'm sure we'll venture off on our own.

We also plan to visit Paradise Island. I want to see the Atlantis, but I don't know if we'll pay the $$$ to have a day pass. It seems a bit steep just to get to play in their pools, etc. I'm hoping that PC does another Atlantis trip in the upcoming years and I'd rather experience Atlantis that way!

We've not left yet and we're already thinking that cruising is the way to see the world! Airfares are so expensive and our next cruise hopefully will be either to the Caribbean or Hawaii. There is so much to see and the airfare to each and every one of the stops on a 7 day is many times what the cruise to take you there is! It's the best way we think! Of course, we still have a few months before we know for sure. I'm confident we'll love it! Thanks for the tips! Keep them coming!

 

[pamperedbecky]

I loved it and also recommend going to the Love and Marriage Game and Quest. O-M-G is that hilarious. I thought the ship was nice and am loving cruising.

As for Atlantis, it IS amazing, but you're also able to go and walk the grounds without paying anything except for a cab ride there (I forget...it was something like $5-$8). I'm sure the day pass is awesome (we went last year on the incentive trip and has a blast on all the water slides), BUT it's incredibly expensive. If you're not wanting to spend a fortune over there, just do the cab ride and walk around to the areas that are open to everybody.

 

[smspamperedchef]

I went on the Magesty and it was AWESOME! Definitely do the "Quest" game. Our team WON 2nd place! It was SO MUCH FUN! I think they do the same games on both ships! Nassau was nice but it got kinda chilly because it was pretty windy when we arrived. Our ship never made it to CoCo Cay though as it couldn't get into it also because of the wind and how choppy it was.

 

[DebbieJ]

As for the Atlantis, you can book a room at the Comfort Inn or Comfort Suites right next door and get full access to Atlantis. If I end up in Nassau on another cruise that is DEFINITELY what I will do.

 

[cathyskitchen]

"We don't like crowds and touristy areas, so I'm sure we'll venture off on our own." - Don't do this in Nassau! Trust me - it's not a good idea to "venture off on your own" in Nassau to avoid the crowds. There are some really nasty parts of Nassau, and you DO NOT want to be in those areas on your Honeymoon!! I don't know if I can stresst that point enough. I've been a lot of places and have never seen a more depressed area than the backstreets of Nassau.

 

[Shawnna]

I think you will love the cruise. My husband and I just returned from a trip to Key West and Cozumel. We had a wonderful time. I was really worried because my husband and I do not drink or gamble and I heard that that was the biggest part of the trip. But, we had a wonderful time. We went to a show each night...missed the Love and Marriage Game but it sounded like it would be fun. We were on the RC Enchantment of the Seas. But, while we loved the cruise, we wanted more time in each port. So, we are flying to Cozumel and taking our kids. You just can't see all you want to see in 10 hours. I don't know how much cruises cost because we "won" our cruise from the grocery company that we buy our restaurant supplies from.

My sister and I are thinking about sending our parents on a cruise as their Christmas present.

 

[DebbieJ]

"We don't like crowds and touristy areas, so I'm sure we'll venture off on our own." - Don't do this in Nassau! Trust me - it's not a good idea to "venture off on your own" in Nassau to avoid the crowds. There are some really nasty parts of Nassau, and you DO NOT want to be in those areas on your Honeymoon!! I don't know if I can stresst that point enough. I've been a lot of places and have never seen a more depressed area than the backstreets of Nassau.

I agree with this 100%. We did the walking tour from cruise critic that you spoke of. We did okay, but were a bit uncomfortable in some spots. Like I said, if I go back, I'll definitely do a day pass at one of the resorts or do the Comfort Inn/Atlantis deal.