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The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line had been operating their 37,584-ton Song of America out of Miami from 1982 with great success. When their next cruise ship Sovereign of the Seas entered service in 1988, they set a new standard in purpose built cruise ships. Sovereign was far larger than any other purpose built cruise ship at that time and even larger than the great trans Atlantic liners still in service, the 65,863 ton QE2 and 66,348 ton France (Norway). The only passenger liners built that were larger had been Normandie, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, all built in the late 1930s.

Sovereign has two sister ships, Monarch of the Seas that entered service in 1991 and Majesty of the Seas in 1992. These ships have 11 passenger decks, 2 pools, 9 bars, theatre, fitness center, 1,050 seat show lounge, 722 outside cabins, 418 inside cabins, can carry over 2,280 passengers and a crew of 800.

Sovereign is mainly operated on 3&4 night cruises from Port Canaveral - Bahamas.

Monarch operates on 3&4 night cruises from Los Angeles - Mexico and West Coast.

Majesty’s main routes are 3&4 night cruises from Miami - Bahamas and Florida.

Websites US: www.royalcaribbean.com. UK: www.royalcaribbean.co.uk.