LBFLEX

HI guys,

My husband and I are doing this cruise as well. My second time on the Bliss, incredible ship, and it will be Victor's first. So looking forward to a getaway. Not sure what to do in Jamaica, if anything off the ship it will be a ship tour. We are a laid back couple from Bogota, Colombia and look forward to meeting every one at the LGBT happy hours.

Lawrence/Victor

HI to everyone,

I will start this out by saying that I am frustrated that CC does not have the Pullmantur Monarch on its automatic cruise review page so this will have to be done by hand. There is very little out there on the web as far as reviews of this cruise line.

Pullmantur. Monarch May 11, Cartagena to LIsbon

Room 1578, Junior suite

Second cruise on this ship in the last five years

I will go through things step by step but I want to start with the fact that this cruise line is probably the best value for the money on the open seas, but you must go in with your eyes open. It is a 3.5 to 4 star ship that is a little older. It is a Spanish owned company, that serves the Latin American and Spanish market. It is a primarily Spanish speaking cruise. The entertainment will be in Spanish, but that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the voices or dance. Almost all crew can speak a minimum of three languages and if you ever have a problem you can get it resolved, just have a little patience.

The boarding process has always been a problem for Pullmantur and I am not sure why. It is chaotic and somewhat frustrating but you can work your way through it. First have your printed off confirmation in hand, filled out, and signed. In Cartagena where I boarded, you must then go to the line, one for foreigners the other for Colombians, to have your passport checked and to pay the exit fee. They will stamp the passport, but this is not immigration, that will come later. For those in Junior Suites or above, you will then need to find a Pullmantur employee to direct you to the area where you will be shown to immigration without having to wait in the line. For everyone else, just get in the immigration line. After immigration and security, you will be given your room key and they will collect your passport. You can then take a shuttle or walk to the ship.

On my first cruise on the Monarch, I was a little surprised at how small the rooms where, but it had everything you needed. On this trip I was in a Junior Suite with balcony and it was a very nice surprise to see the size of the room. The room was in very good shape and appeared to be recently remodeled. The bathroom was a nice size with full tub. The balcony was really large, but be prepared that there was an overhang of about two meters from the pool deck above. Only mild complaint, the satellite connection for TV stations did not work the whole trip, but I was on vacation who had time for TV, the movie channels worked.

As part of purchasing a Junior Suite you are given free access to the Waves Yacht Club which is a lounge area on deck twelve above the buffet area. It had great views, very nice seating and was a quiet place to get away. There were appetizers through out the day, as well as a bar. The Waves Club program had just gone through a major revamp and there was some confusion on the part of the staff as well as the passengers for the first few days. While it is an all inclusive cruise, if you wanted to upgrade the brands of liquor you could pay a small fee. Free wi fi was included for all those with in the club. The outside deck area within the Waves Yacht Club was reserved for those that had purchased the Royal Suites.

The nightly shows are not my thing so I can't tell you much other than they are primarily in Spanish, but some of the singing is in English. The bands all sing in Spanish and be ready for some latin beats. I have to say watching the crowds sing along was just as fun as the preformance. There is also a lot of dancing. If you don't know how to Salsa there are lessons by the pool every afternoon.

Food, on our first trip we did not eat in the formal dining room. This trip I ate there nearly every night. There is breakfast in the formal dining room everyday, but it is a buffet style just like upstairs. I always ate lunch in the buffet and it was always good. Unlike many other cruises you do need to watch the time for meals. Breakfast is from 7:30 to 10:30 or 11 and then things close down until lunch about an hour later. The lunch buffet is closed at about 3:30 but there is a place upstairs where you can get pizza until dinner time. The dinner seatings are late by American standards. 7:15 and 9:30 while in the Carribean, later when in Europe. I never had a bad meal and I had a different main course every night.

Bars, each one has its own atmosphere and you will find something you like. Remember the alcohol is free. However, I have never seen so much coffee being ordered on a ship before. The disco opens up at 11 pm and goes until 3:30 am and there is a wide variety of pop/latin music. There were several nights where there parties out by the pool that started around 11pm with the bands playing and everyone dancing. Going back to the free alcohol thing. I never, in 15 days, saw one person drunk or out of control even with the liquor being free.

The gym has everything you need even if you need to be a little creative for certain exercises. There is a small sauna in the mens and the women changing room. The spa was excellent and very well priced for a cruise ship. Internet was average, better to find a place in port to chat and up and download. The tour packages looked like they were well priced as well, but I never used them, just got off the boat and walked or took a cab.

Disembarkation, simple.

Overall, Pullmantur is really an incredible value for what you pay. Just have your expectations in check when you book. This is a 3.5 or 4 star older ship but has been well maintained. It is primarily Spanish speaking but if you are openminded and a little adventurous, you can have a great time.

Hi guys,

I booked this cruise a while back but just getting around to look at the boards. This will be my third trip on the Epic Transatlantic. I am traveling by myself this time as my husband doesn't have near the amount vacation time that I do. Still looking for a good deal on flights from Bogota to Barcelona, but once I found that it is confirmed. The Friends of Dorthy LGBT group on the Transatlantic are huge, 300-400 people, are real mix of people. Hope to see you all on board.

Larry

Bogota, Colombia

I have signed up for this cruise and really looking forward to it. What is the site that can not be mentioned?

Larry

Nice to see there are some others on this cruise. Everyone have safe travels and see you soon.

Larry

This should be an incredible experience. Are you traveling with someone or by yourself?

Larry

Hi, is there anyone else out there on this cruise out of Singapore on March 1st which goes through the Indonesian islands especially for the Solar Eclipse on March 9th? I will be on the leg before this as well.

Larry

Anyone onboard? I am staying on for the next leg of the Indonesain Solar Eclipse tour starting on March 1st as well.

Larry

I have purchased the Ultimate Dinning Package and I am looking for people to eat dinner with since I am traveling alone. Please let me know.

Larry

Anyone saying in Ft Lauderdale before or after the cruise?

HI Everyone,

Booked this trip at the last minute. Looks like mostly families with children, but hoping that there are some other gay people on the cruise.

Larry

Bogota, Colombia

Hi,

My partner and I have booked this trip and wondering if there is anyone else booked on this trip.

Larry

has anyone used this previously. Is it worthwhile downloading, especially since none of the entertainment is being posted ahead of time. Thoughts?

Larry

Hi guys,

Is anyone staying at the Sofitel airport in Miami the night before the cruise?

Larry

I am leaving the partner behind on this trip as well. Like your partner he doesn't have any vacation time left. Looking forward to it anyway. I love traveling. Look forward to meeting you.

Larry

Definitely ready for the trip. It will be in to get out of our rainy season. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Larry

Bogota, Colombia

I see your guys are out of Tampa. My partner and I were there just after Christmas to catch a HAL cruise to the Mexican Riviera over New Years. We really liked Tampa and Ybor City. This time I am traveling on my own and after Sitges, heading to Germany. Look forward to meeting you.

Lawrence

Bogota, Colombia

I have no problem with paying extra for the other restaurants, just didn't think I would go to them if I was eating solo. I'd be interested in getting together with others for dinner. Thanks for the info, I will check out the entertainment page when they put it up. Does anyone have an opinion on the drink package? Sounds fairly expensive, $50/day, depending on what drink prices are.

Thanks,

Lawrence

Bogota, Colombia

I am glad to see some other traveler on here, especially with experience on NCL Epic. I have cruised a lot but mostly on HAL. For the Epic what is important to do or schedule before you get onboard (entertainment, meals, etc.)? I decided not to by the UDP plan because I am traveling solo. I am also heading to Sitges for the weekend when we arrive then on to Germany. Look forward to meeting you guys.

Larry

Bogota, Colombia

Hi everyone, anyone else on this cruise with me?

Lawrence

Bogota Colombia

Hi everyone. Any one else on this transatlantic trip?

Lawrence

Bogota Colombia

I am looking forward to going to Istanbul even with the current unrest. From what I have been able to find out, in Istanbul, it is isolated to Taksim square and the adjacent Gezi park. While the Grand Hyatt hotel faces Gezi park, I have talked to them and they say there have been no problems.

I hope the cruise line will continue on with the planned cruise. I am really excited about this trip.

Larry