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Monarch was disappointing


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I am not all that hard to satisfy in terms of cruises. However, I was disappointed with. Monarch of the Seas. I have been on 8 RCI cruises and this was the worst of my 20 cruises.

The staff was rude. Our stateroom attendant had B.O. and became angry when we did not open our cabin door for him. The food was below RCI standards. I have had better food on their other ships. I do not understand why---- food is usually consistant throughout the line. The ship is still showing its age, even after the renovations. Carpets are worn, walls are stained, elevators looked horible, decoration is outdated. In general, it is a very poor example of the RCI fleet.

I do not mean to offend anyone on this board, but I found the people onboard to be of a lower-class than on other RCI ships. Many were rude, smoked, and drank heavily. Some just had no manners.

If you want to good example of RCI, don't choose Monarch of the Seas. She is a fine lady of the seas and I have much respect for her because she has brought the company to what it is today. However, I will never step foot on her again.

APF

Celebrity Galaxy- 7/98
Celebrity Zenith- 7/99
Rhapsody of the Seas- 12/99
Voyager of the Seas- 8/00
Celebrity Millennium- 6/01
Radiance of the Seas- 10/01
Explorer of the Seas- 12/01
Celebrity Millennium- 4/02
Celebrity Constellation- 6/02
Celebrity Summit- 8/02
Radiance of the Seas- 8/02
Norwegian Star- 11/02
Norwegian Dawn- 12/02
Celebrity Infinity- 4/03
Radisson Seven Seas Voyager- 6/03
Crystal Serenity- 8/03
Monarch of the Seas- 10/03
Serenade of the Seas- 10/03
Mariner of the Seas- 12/03
Queen Mary II (Queen's Grill)- 03/04
Westerdam- 06/04

Miscellaneous ship visits:
The World- 12/02
Legend of the Seas- 11/03
Seven Seas Voyager- 01/03
Caronia- 04/04
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When did you take this cruise. According to your sig. you took this trip in Oct. 2003. Why the wait 7 months to post your feelings of this trip?

<marquee>[B]Joycelyn[/B]</marquee>

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Until we try The Monarch of the Seas

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;1;23;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until the Mariner of the Seas


[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&s=927093444&a=tpc&m=8623054967&f=1683059817"]Mariner of the Seas - January 23, 2005 Roll Call...Please Join Us[/url]
Tss Festivale 1984
Carnival Tropical 1993
Voyager of the Seas 2001
Carnival Ecstasy 2002
Vision of the Seas 2002
Radiance of the Seas 2004

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Well, everyone has their opinion. It's always good to read reports both positive as well as negative. For the most part, reviews of Monorach have been reasonably positive.

I suppose one has to take into account that this ship does the shorter cruises which will tend to attract more of the party crowd rather than the "seasoned" cruiser. I suppose that's why I've heard it refered to as the "booze Cruise."

We have a 3 night weekend cruise scheduled on the Monarch for January of next year. I don't expect it to be similar to our two 7 night cruises to Alaska. I don't expect our caribbean cruise to have the same crowd you'll find on an Alaskan cruise either.

So, I guess a person should keep in mind what type of cruise they've booked and plan on the crowd being similar to the cost and length of the cruise.

Now, as for the condition of the ship or the attitude of the crew, that's a concern. No matter what type of crowd the ship should be kept nicely and the crew should be polite. I would always expect the quality of food to be reasonably consistant through out the fleet as well. So, these concern me also.

However, I'm always one who likes to see for myself. If, after cruising Monarch, I note the same poor levels of quality as you, then I doubt that I would be willing to book a 3 or 4 night cruise again as a short little getaway.

Sorry things didn't work out for you on this cruise. Thank goodness you've cruised with RCI before and realize this isn't their typical level of service.

Future cruises
Explorer OTS - Easter Caribbean 11/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=CD20CD&cdt=2004;11;14;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Monarch OTS - Mexico Baja 1/05
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=CD20CD&cdt=2005;01;14;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Brilliance OTS - Mediteranian 10/05
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=CD20CD&cdt=2005;10;15;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]


Past cruises
Vision OTS - Alaska 7/03
Legend OTS - Alaska 7/02
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Becuase I have forgotten about this site and just came back. I just felt like sharing my opinions to warn everyone. And, my secretary took this cruise two weeks ago. She had very simalar opinions... even worse in some ways.
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Asking and curious cause we're going on it in Sept.

However, we've already done a 3 day on Royal did the Vision, so we know that it won't be like the 7 dayers and we're okay with that. We are very easy to please so unless the food is just plain nasty, we will enjoy that too. The food doen't make the cruise for us. We're mostly going to get away and earn more C&A points before our Mariner cruise. Will be platinum by then. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

<marquee>[B]Joycelyn[/B]</marquee>

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Until we try The Monarch of the Seas

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;1;23;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until the Mariner of the Seas


[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&s=927093444&a=tpc&m=8623054967&f=1683059817"]Mariner of the Seas - January 23, 2005 Roll Call...Please Join Us[/url]
Tss Festivale 1984
Carnival Tropical 1993
Voyager of the Seas 2001
Carnival Ecstasy 2002
Vision of the Seas 2002
Radiance of the Seas 2004

<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
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It is really interesting to note that this review is VERY out of date. I have taken the Monarch twice since this cruiser took their cruise, and found the crew to be very courteous, the food to be about average to good, and the service fantastic.

I took both the 3 and 4 night cruise. Once in December, and again in February. Are there some "decor" issues? I think it could have seen a little more updating.....did it bother me that the elevators were a little slow.......not really. I enjoyed the entertainment, the service and the ambiance of this particular cruise ship and would never have given it such a bad review. It could be that RCCL has "fixed" the problems since this cruiser's review. Maybe this shows why we should all post a review in a timely manner. Time does make a difference, and in this case, it really did.

[img]http://beta.hometown.aol.com/micknminy/myhomepage/animtink.gif[/img]
Celia

"Jewel OTS " 06/04 # 11 & 12
"Brilliance OTS" 04/05 # 13 & 14
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tinkerme1....

I agree with you, I think thats what I was tyring to say too. Just not as well.

<marquee>[B]Joycelyn[/B]</marquee>

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Until we try The Monarch of the Seas

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;1;23;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until the Mariner of the Seas


[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&s=927093444&a=tpc&m=8623054967&f=1683059817"]Mariner of the Seas - January 23, 2005 Roll Call...Please Join Us[/url]
Tss Festivale 1984
Carnival Tropical 1993
Voyager of the Seas 2001
Carnival Ecstasy 2002
Vision of the Seas 2002
Radiance of the Seas 2004

<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif[/img]</center>



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May I ask if it's possible the itnerary on the Monarch was a disappointment? I for one found the mexican baja cruise to be the least favorite one I've been on. I sailed back in the mid 1990's when the Viking Sernade took this route. It wasn't so much the ship, but other things such as the demographics of the passengers. The majority were Californian's on a weekend get-away. Didn't find many people on board who were midwestener's (please CA residents don't take offense, but I was expecting more of a diverse crowd like the carribean cruises). Also I didn't care for Catalina Island or Enscenada. For the airfare and cruise price, I could have enjoyed the tropical weather of the carribean. I've written off this cruise and a Mexican Rivera as a result. As far as the Monarch.. I haven't been on this ship since the inagural sailing. But they tend to put the old ships out there for that particular sailing.

Maureen

Princess Sun 2/27/2005
Mariner of the Seas 10/16/2005
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Well, if anything, I think it has gotten worse. It's a fine cruise to have a nice and quick getaway. The outdated ship really did bother me and my room was worse than Motel 6! The bathroom was gross and the room was tiny. Some of the staff was EXCELLENT (like the dining room), however, some were rude. The ship was new in some areas, but old in others. If you want to go on a quick weekened cruise to "party" and don't care about good food and service, go on Monarch, it's the best in this market!

I love RCI BTW, I just think Monarch is a bad example of the Vision, Radiance, or Voyager class ships which make up most of the fleet now!
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hmmm, registered user as of today, only 4 posts 3 of which are on this thread. Not your typical seasoned CC member at least. I'll still take the review at face value. There's got to be at least one or two people that are going to dislike any cruise ship afloat.

Still, everyone has an opinion and not everyone will be pleased with every ship. 8 months is a long time ago as well. How long after the refurb/refit was this? I remember serveral less than glowing reviews after she hit the water again. I saw a poor report similar to what I read after the Monarch came back from her refubishment. Could be it just takes everyone a while to get back in the grove and the ship some time to shake out all the bugs.

Room like a Motel 6? You must not have to stay at many Motel 6's then. Last year I had the displeasure of having to spend a few nights in those rooms. While the standard cabins on almost any cruise line will be smaller than a Motel 6 room, I find it hard to believe the quality would fall that far. Motel 6 isn't anything more than a bed, shower (sometimes a tub) and a TV. In short, they suck.

Future cruises
Explorer OTS - Easter Caribbean 11/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=CD20CD&cdt=2004;11;14;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Monarch OTS - Mexico Baja 1/05
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=CD20CD&cdt=2005;01;14;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Brilliance OTS - Mediteranian 10/05
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=CD20CD&cdt=2005;10;15;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]


Past cruises
Vision OTS - Alaska 7/03
Legend OTS - Alaska 7/02
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We sailed on the Monarch in June 2003. I must say after cruising the same itinerary the year before on Carnival Ecstacy and the year before that on Carnival Holiday, the Monarch was somewhat of a letdown and we were disappointed as well. The crew just didn't seem to put forth the effort and enthusiasm that we'd enjoyed on the two Carnival cruises. But the worst part was the food. It was really bad.
Hopefully they've improved since then.
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Abosuletly Barefooter. Yes, I just came back. I have forgotten about this board! I don't know, it's just my opinion. You can take it or leave it. If you are accustomed to nicer things and decent hotels, Monarch will be a let down. The rooms and bathrooms on Monarch were smaller and just as basic as any cheap motel. The only advantage is the room service and housekeeping.

Adam
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Gee, another post from someone that has the same opinion, and almost the same number of posts! The new poster is recently registered also! Coincidence? I think not! What's wrong you two? Are the Carnival boards too dull for you tonight?
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I really don't see what the number of posts anyone has made has anything to do with his/her experience on a cruise. Seems kind of irrelevant. I joined this board recently to get information that might help us for our upcoming Bahamas cruise on the Majesty. I don't post on any other cruise board, so I don't understand your reference to a Carnival board. When I saw Apfra's comments, I was reminded that we had the same disappointing experience. I'm hoping it was just a fluke and they've improved since then.
I guess I don't see the point of your sarcastic and condescending remarks, just because you don't happen to agree, or perhaps your experience on the Monarch was different.
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Guest OBAYbee
From what I've been told, on all the RCCL cruises I've taken is that they turn around the staff every 6 months. Perhaps that's the reason you had the positive experience this year and the original poster's experience in October was totally different yet accurate?


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Guest OBAYbee
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ilionite65:
Gee, another post from someone that has the same opinion, and almost the same number of posts! The new poster is recently registered also! Coincidence? I think not! What's wrong you two? Are the Carnival boards too dull for you tonight?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Goodness!


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The staff is not all turned around at once. Each staff member has a different contract and his/her starting date.

I was really excited about my cruise. When I got on and walked through the hallways, I knew right then and there that it would not be the same as my experience was on other RCI ships. The walls were stained, the carpets were torn, the elevators were scratched, the cabin was pathetic... there was just something about it missing that does not make it an RCI ship I am accustomed to. Maybe it was the smell, maybe it was the colors, maybe the ship was just not as modern as the other RCI ships. I think that that if you were to take the Monarch of the Seas and compare it to the Song of America, you would see more similarities than if you compared it to Serenade of the Seas. There is no excuse for just OK service on an RCI cruise. I expect "Gold Anchor Service"--- friendly, professional, but not refined.

I felt like crying (tears of joy) when I went on a 4-night cruise on Serenade of the Seas two weeks later and saw how outstandingly beautiful RCI ships are once again. As I walked by the Centrum, my euphoria and love for RCI returned immediately even though I was let down on Monarch. If you go on Monarch, you will appreciate the beauty of the Radiance-class!

Monarch is a "party" ship... and the best one on the west-coast! That is really what it is. Families can go on it, as well as retirees, but the many are younger, eat excessively with no restraint, poorly mannered, and drink a lot.

I again to not see an outstanding connection between the number of posts and the posters legitimacy. Sure, people have reputations here. I am not big on these boards and will just come occasionally to various cruise sites and see what is going on.

Why am I being attacked for posting a legitimate comment? If anything, it is you OBAYbee that is being rude. What happened to the days when people respected each others opinions, trusted each other, and got along!

APF

Celebrity Galaxy- 7/98
Celebrity Zenith- 7/99
Rhapsody of the Seas- 12/99
Voyager of the Seas- 8/00
Celebrity Millennium- 6/01
Radiance of the Seas- 10/01
Explorer of the Seas- 12/01
Celebrity Millennium- 4/02
Celebrity Constellation- 6/02
Celebrity Summit- 8/02
Radiance of the Seas- 8/02
Norwegian Star- 11/02
Norwegian Dawn- 12/02
Celebrity Infinity- 4/03
Radisson Seven Seas Voyager- 6/03
Crystal Serenity- 8/03
Monarch of the Seas- 10/03
Serenade of the Seas- 10/03
Mariner of the Seas- 12/03
Queen Mary II (Queen's Grill)- 03/04
Westerdam- 06/04
Jewel of the Seas 11/04

Miscellaneous ship visits:
The World- 12/02
Legend of the Seas- 11/03
Seven Seas Voyager- 01/03
Caronia- 04/04
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My sis and her co-workers are looking for a cruise(they live in Sacto, CA), and I have been looking at the Monarch and Paradise for them. I was leaning towards the Monarch because of the extra port of San Diego, but I think I feel much safer recommending the Carnival Paradise now.

Has anyone been on both recently and can add their views? Thanks.

Marie

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)
RCI - Rhapsody of the Seas
October 2004


RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005
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I believe that several things conspired here to give apfra a cruise that did not meet expectations:
1 - as we all know RCI HAS been tinkering with their menu. The cost cutting has left many people looking for the "special" menu items they enjoyed on former cruises.
2 - The staff has also been getting stressed by cost-cutting staff reductions. They work 7 days a week and now are being expected to do even more.
3 - Monarch is an older ship. Perhaps it didn't have some of the bells and whistles of the ships taken earlier. Certainly, the cabins are tiny and the decorations are of a different decade.
4 - "Lower class" people may be a result of the bargain prices available on RCI at the time, or it may be a result of it being a shorter cruise. It's probably both.

Work like a dog. Live like a pauper. Save all your money. Then Cruise!
My gif kitties have gone to cyber heaven so that dial up cruisers don't have a problem getting their posts read.
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I am disappointed to read your experience on Monarch. That's too bad that RCCL is letting her slip. I sailed on her back in the early-mid 90's (before all the new mega-ships) and she was breathtaking! Those glass elevators in the lobby were awesome! I know now all the bigger, newer ships have put Monarch and Majesty in the shadows and that's too bad.
And yes, I remember those tiny cabins!

(26 prior cruises & 2 flights on Concorde)

It has been said that angels, while on Earth,
aren't allowed to show their wings,
but nothing was ever said
about not showing their whiskers. <^..^>

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I took this cruise 12/03 and my only complaint was that my oceanview room was completely blocked by a lifeboat. Now I know how to check for these things. Other than that we had a blast.

JB
Sun Viking 8/83,Premier 8/86
Disney 8/01, Rhapsody 8/03, Monarch 12/03, Splendour 4/04,

UPCOMING CRUISES:
Enchantment of the Seas 9/04
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Rhapsody of the Seas 11/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;11;21;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Radiance of the Seas 5/05 - Alaska
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Mariner of the Seas 10/05
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The ship was redone a short time ago. Yes the cabins are small because it is an older ship. We stayed in a balcony and there are very few of them. RCCL increased the number of cabins with out increasing the size of the kitchen so secound seating can take a while. Party ship-yes. I loved the way the shops were set up. I would take it again. Ity is a great cruise to people watch.
Low number of posts and ones that are complaints point to the person being a troll. A Troll is a person on the net that looks for sites like this so they can post nagitive things to start arguments. All their posts will be just to cause trouble and as long as people respond to them they keep going.

Rick R.
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Looking at APFRA's list of past cruises makes me think she/he is probably a cruise snob.

To think that a $300 weekend cruise on any line is going to be comparable to the Crystal Serenty is an exercise in disappointment.

We took the Monarch 3-day cruise Labor Day weekend, just one month before the OP. The ship was clean, had just come out of a refit, and the staff was wonderful.

The food was not 5 star but it was still really good. The Windjammer food was great for a buffet.

The passengers were all very nice, not a bunch of drunks, and the overall experience was wonderful.

For those posters thinking about the Mexican Riviera. You can't compare the 3/4 day Baja cruise to the M.R. The Legend and the Vision are beautiful ships and the Mexican Riviera is one of the "funnest" cruises you can take.

Bill & Jane Lynch


Serenade of the Seas - 8/22/2004
Monarch of the Seas - 8/29/2003 - voyage #660
Vision of the Seas - 5/4/2003 - voyage #225
Explorer of the Seas - 7/20/2002
Monarch of the Seas - 10/17/1999


------------------------------

"Ya best start believin' in ghost stories, Miss Turner, yer in one ! "
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hmmmmmmmmmm, [B]wblynch[/B], let's take a look. He (Adam) has listed 21 cruises of which 7 have been on RCI and only 3 (counting QM2) on lines not considered Mass Market. Just how does this qualify him for cruise "snobhood". I personally don't see it.

He seems to have a well rounded cruising background and based on that should be able to make legitimate comparisons.

On the other hand, you show as having been on 5 cruises, all on RCI. IMO, you have no basis for comparison.

I also have a number of cruises, but only 1 on RCI. I can speak to cruising in general and can offer my opinions on those lines and ships I have cruised on.

Unfortunately on these boards one is attacked for [B]opinions[/B] that are [B]not in keeping[/B] with a particular board(s). Apfra was expressing his [B]opinions[/B] and the last I checked this was perfectly permissable. Whether he has 7, 450 or 10,000 postings on c/c has absolutely no bearing on his right to express those opinions when he posts here on the RCI board. (The only problem I had with his post was the length of time between cruise and post - but his response as to why satisfied me.

I believe you owe him an apology.

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Until we sail on SUMMIT for 10 nights


[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=9243096327&m=2343080557"]Roll Call Summit 11/05/2004 click here [/url]

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Until MOAGC's on Explorer of the Seas


[img]http://goatlocker.org/cposalute.gif[/img]

Seven Cruises last Century, then:

Norwegian Sky 2000 GGC2000
Volendam 2001 GGC2001
Paradise 2001
Sensation 2002 GGC2002
Millenium 2003 (Nov 16)
Mariner OTS 2004 (Feb 29)
Summit 2004 (Nov 05)
Explorer OTS 2005 (Jan 09)
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