Monarch of the Seas 9/28/09 from a non-RCCL cheerleader.

[mamasue]

This was our first RCCL cruise.
We arrived at Port Canaveral at around 10am. We didn't plan to get there so early....we expected a long wait.
We checked our bags, and proceeded up the escalator..... surprise surprise.... we weren't the first there!! There were probably another 100 or so already seated and waiting to check in!!
We were pleasantly surprised when we first saw the Monarch....After some comments made on CC, we were expecting a much smaller and outdated ship.... she actually looks very modern and stylish from the outside!! Not huge.... but definitely not tiny!
We were checked in and boarded by 11.30am..... and had our first look at the ship from the inside....
Again... we were expecting her to be old-fashioned and claustrophobic........ not the case at all!
She's the smallest and oldest cruise ship we've sailed on.... but she doesn't seem small or old at all from inside.... in fact the decor is very low-key and pleasant!
We went for some lunch in the Windjammer buffet.... it wasn't crowded yet. We were surprised to see there was no 'on tap' soft ice cream.
We had booked an OV GTY..... and we were lucky. We were upgraded to a "Superior OV"' When we checked online, our cabin was on the deck above the lifeboats, the very front of the ship.... we were informed we may have a partially obstructed view.
We actually had a great view.... no lifeboats at all... and we could see where the ship was actually going!
We were expecting the cabin to be tiny and dated.... but again we were pleasantly surprised.... it was at least as big as any cabin we've had on other cruise lines.... and refurbished very nicely!!
There was more storage space than any other cruiseline... one wall was totally mirrored, giving an illusion of even more space, and a modern flat-screen TV.
Dinner in the evening was in the Claude dining room.... we had booked My Time Dining.... we requested a table for 2.... and we got one.... no problem!
The food was good.... and the wait-staff were super-friendly!!
The evening show was a 'welcome show'.... and really not worth the bother!
We were tired after a long day.... we went to bed fairly early!!
DAY 2.... Coco Cay.
We had breakfast in the Claude dining room..... no hurry to get out this morning! Breakfast was good.... a lot of options!
The weather was really poopy.... grey and rainy, and the sea was fairly rough. The tenders had to stop for a while in the morning, so we wandered around the ship.... and eventually, when the rain stopped for a short while, around 12.30.... we took a tender to the island.
Coco Cay is a very pretty island, with a lot to do on a sunny day, unfortunately not a snorkelling day (which was our plan!) but we had a nice lunch of barbecue, fresh fruit, corn-on-the-cob, and dessert.
We went for a walk around the island.... got caught in a downpour... and came back to the ship.
Tonight is formal night. Most people made the effort to dress up.... no t-shirts or jeans in the dining room at all!!
The show was "Signed Sealed and Delivered".... a typical cruise show..... singers and dancers. Not bad but not wonderful!
DAY 3... Nassau.
Nassau..... cruisers either love it or hate it..... we love it!!
The weather again wasn't great.... grey and overcast, but hot.
We wandered around the Straw Market..... to the usual calls of "Buy something from me, pretty lady!!"
We bought some souvenirs and a couple of wallets and purses....I love bartering..... it's part of the vacation experience for me!!
We then wandered around Nassau... photographed some buildings, and looked in the jewelry shops.... didn't see any great bargains to be had there!! Anyway.... I've got my eye on a nice watch on the ship.... might be tempted!
We retired to Senor Frogs for a drink....they were doing a 'name that tune' for free shots.... decided not to take part.... was just thinking of the germs being spread as they put the shot bottle directly into people's mouths!!
We decided to pass onthe evening show.... it was a 'comedy juggler'.
We went to the casino instead after dinner, then we went to Boleros bar, and watched the Stingrays play some good Rock and Roll music.
DAY 4.... Sea day.
This was the day we planned to spend chillin' in the sun.... again the weather was poopy! Scattered showers and lots of black clouds..... no pool today!
A leisurely breakfast in the dining room again..then looked at the t-shirt sale in the shops.... nothing great there.... but I did find a nice "Cruise Diva" tank-top reduced to $10.
After lunch in the dining-room... we went to see a movie in the theater... then some time in the casino.
DH was $40 up in the casino.... I've about broken even on the 2c slots.
The smoke in the casino stings my eyes if we stay too long!
Still having trouble understanding the tipping system on RCCL.... it's different from Carnival and NCL.
Normally we just pay the auto-tips and give a little extra to some.
Because we were on My-Time dining, we paid the auto-tips at the time of booking.... no problem.
But.... they delivered some vouchers and envelopes to our stateroom... with vouchers saying the auto gratuities had been paid.... and we were expected to distribute the envelopes with vouchers to the DR staff and cabin steward.
I didn't really understand... I enquired at customer service... and was told that the vouchers didn't really have to be distributed as we were on my-time dining..... totally confusing!!!
Sadly packed our bags.... tomorrow is "going-home-day!"
The evening meal was good.....despite having to wait because the table bookings were messed up..... no big problem... after abject apologies, we were shown to our table.
The evening show in the theater was very good..... Singers and dancers again.
The female African-American singer is totally wasted on a cruise ship..... she's got one of the best female voices I've heard!! Her rendition of "I will always love you" got a well-deserved standing ovation!
We had a short 'casino fix' after the show, and went to the Spinnaker Lounge, to listen to some entertainment from the piano guy...I think his name was Phil something.... not sure!! But.... he was very entertaining, and had a great rapport with the audience.
To sum up the cruise....
Compared to other cruise-lines.... the food was about the same standard as Carnival.... but better than NCL.... but the dining-room staff were the friendliest and nicest we've ever encountered..... every meal was a pleasure!
The cabin steward, Ezekiel, was working alone, with no assistant. He was efficient, and very friendly... the room was always clean, with nice towel animals every evening.
The entertainment, and cruise director were good... not wonderful.
Disembarking was very smooth and easy..... everyone was off by 9.15.
This was a last-minute cruise we booked just 10 days before we sailed at just $114 pp for an OV.... so our expectations were not high. However, our expectations were definitely exceeded.... we had a great cruise!!
If anyone's got any questions about the Monarch of the Seas, I'll happily try my best to answer them!

[lry229]

Originally Posted by mamasue

We went to the casino instead after dinner, then we went to Boleros bar, and watched the Stingrays play some good Rock and Roll music.

The evening show in the theater was very good..... Singers and dancers again.
The female African-American singer is totally wasted on a cruise ship..... she's got one of the best female voices I've heard!! Her rendition of "I will always love you" got a well-deserved standing ovation!

We were pleasantly surprised by the Stringrays. They were really good - just happened to catch one night.

And I totally agree about the female singer in the show - she also received a well deserved standing ovation 2 weeks ago when we were on the Monarch. I can't wait to see her again.

I've been on the Monarch 3 times since March and can't wait to go again. The service we received was outstanding. The FL resident rates have been great the last few months.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[dolfandude]

Thanks for your review! Glad you enjoyed the 'ole Gal! We sailed on her last January and I totally agree with you. Thinking of doing it again soon.
I've got tooooooo much time between last July's cruise and our November 2010 Oasis cruise!!! LOL
Steve

[BrendaInToronto]

Thank you for your review. DH and I are sailing on the Monarch for the first time in 51 days (but who's counting) and we can't wait! Glad to see you had such a great time.

[Barbiegator]

Casino question, coins or ticket in and out?

[rageous]

We were on Monarch this week too. Ship is in great shape. Had a wonderful time!

Casino is coin.

[RevSmith]

What a nice review...very fair and informative.
Thank you

[Barbiegator]

Thanks , I have asked this many times so glad to finally get an answer.

[bahrain_not_dubai!]

Its great you had a great cruise! My method of crusing is this... if I dont like something, its a problem. And as the Captain says before every cruise 'leave all your problems in the port of departure'. Well I tend to do that and not think of it on the cruise just have FUN! Afterwords, when the cruise is over, I then think about all the cons+pro's and if I will cruise the line again. I try not to think about it during the cruise.. okay that was totaly random

[Philip_M_Nagel]

You got upgraded to a Superior Oceanview on Deck 9, after only paying $114 for a GTY stateroom?

Geez, you were lucky!


Now it's time for you to explore some other great RCI ships. I am sure they will continue to exceed your expectations. Thank you for the fair review.

[CulverCityCruisers]

Originally Posted by BrendaInToronto

Thank you for your review. DH and I are sailing on the Monarch for the first time in 51 days (but who's counting) and we can't wait! Glad to see you had such a great time.

We love Monarch and were sad to see her leave Los Angeles.
Remember if you have an inside or standard outside there VERY SMALL, about 119 sq ft! But it is the ship and the people who work on her that you will love. Remember you ar not in the cabin much. Enjoy

[BrendaInToronto]

Originally Posted by CulverCityCruisers

We love Monarch and were sad to see her leave Los Angeles.
Remember if you have an inside or standard outside there VERY SMALL, about 119 sq ft! But it is the ship and the people who work on her that you will love. Remember you ar not in the cabin much. Enjoy

Oh don't worry, we will definitely enjoy! We're not the least bit worried about cabin size. As you say, we know we won't be in the cabin much, it's not an issue for us.

Did I mention only 51 days to go?

[Philip_M_Nagel]

Originally Posted by BrendaInToronto

Oh don't worry, we will definitely enjoy! We're not the least bit worried about cabin size. As you say, we know we won't be in the cabin much, it's not an issue for us.

Did I mention only 51 days to go?

You will love the Monarch, she's a classic.
Here is a video that I recently produced on her Culinary Operations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHadB6nfFds&fmt=22

Im almost done with the next video which will be on Coco Cay.
Hope it helps to get you into the mood even more.

[TinaandBob]

So glad to read your review. We sail on her the 19th of Oct. 16 days! We are counting!! Is there any tips or must sees? We've done Carnival and Ncl as well and absolutely love Carnival but got a great price on the monarch. Can't wait I am so excited!

[micro yaya]

Cruising on monday, we have cruised many times before but our first 4 day, it's a tween cruise for us, but so happy it a good one, may not be our last thanks for the great review

[mamasue]

Originally Posted by Barbiegator

Casino question, coins or ticket in and out?

Quarters and dollar bills...... no cards.

[John Henry on CC]

Originally Posted by mamasue

We were expecting the cabin to be tiny and dated.... but again we were pleasantly surprised.... it was at least as big as any cabin we've had on other cruise lines.... and refurbished very nicely!!
There was more storage space than any other cruiseline... one wall was totally mirrored, giving an illusion of even more space, and a modern flat-screen TV.

Trust me, if you had gotten a regular OV stateroom, you still would have had a good cruise, but would have understood better the comments you had read before your cruise. Those thirty five extra square feet make a BIG difference.

Still having trouble understanding the tipping system on RCCL.... it's different from Carnival and NCL.
Normally we just pay the auto-tips and give a little extra to some.
Because we were on My-Time dining, we paid the auto-tips at the time of booking.... no problem.
But.... they delivered some vouchers and envelopes to our stateroom... with vouchers saying the auto gratuities had been paid.... and we were expected to distribute the envelopes with vouchers to the DR staff and cabin steward.
I didn't really understand... I enquired at customer service... and was told that the vouchers didn't really have to be distributed as we were on my-time dining..... totally confusing!!!

It's really simple - like your other cruises, the appropriate people get your gratuities. RC provides vouchers and envelopes IF you want to hand them to the staff personally and IF you want to add extra cash to the pre-paid amounts. They are not required to submit the vouchers in order to be paid.

We had a short 'casino fix' after the show, and went to the Spinnaker Lounge, to listen to some entertainment from the piano guy...I think his name was Phil something.... not sure!! But.... he was very entertaining, and had a great rapport with the audience.

I think that you mean the Schooner Bar.

This was a last-minute cruise we booked just 10 days before we sailed at just $114 pp for an OV.... so our expectations were not high. However, our expectations were definitely exceeded.... we had a great cruise!!
If anyone's got any questions about the Monarch of the Seas, I'll happily try my best to answer them!

What a fantastic bargain! I am glad that you enjoyed the Monarch! Most people do see her good qualities and not her tiny flaws.

[mamasue]

John Henry.... yes I think you're right about the Schooner Bar.... I've got a lousy memory for names!!

And... even if we'd got a smaller cabin we would have enjoyed the cruise just as much..... I considered us to be lucky to get such a great cabin!

Yes... the cruise was a great bargain.... and well exceeded our expectations!!!

[BrendaInToronto]

Originally Posted by Philip_M_Nagel

You will love the Monarch, she's a classic.
Here is a video that I recently produced on her Culinary Operations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHadB6nfFds&fmt=22

Im almost done with the next video which will be on Coco Cay.
Hope it helps to get you into the mood even more.

Wow, great video Philip, thank you!! Now hurry with the Coco Cay one!

[Nano]

Originally Posted by mamasue

This was our first RCCL cruise.
We had a short 'casino fix' after the show, and went to the Spinnaker Lounge, to listen to some entertainment from the piano guy...I think his name was Phil something.... not sure!! But.... he was very entertaining, and had a great rapport with the audience.

The piano guy's name is Phil Anderson, and he really is terrific! We saw him on the Voyager last year and on the Monarch earlier this summer. Here's a video of him performing on the Monarch that's posted on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsNEy0-epJw