Monarch of the Seas - last minute questions

Hello –

 

I am going on my first RCL cruise on Friday on the Monarch of the Seas (my other 2 cruises have both been on Disney). I have a couple of last minute random questions (some of which are stupid, I know!):

 

1. When you board the ship what deck are you on?

2. When you get off the ship at Nassau what deck are you on? What about Coco Cay?

3. If we want to be one of the first people on Coco Cay, what time should we plan on lining up?

4. Any recommendations for the best place out on deck to take a nap?

5. How exactly does the towel situation work? I need to check a towel out? Do I get a receipt when I turn it back in?

6. If I plan on doing the regular disembarkation (not carry my luggage off), what time should I plan on being picked up at the port?

7. Do I use my seapass or cash at the slots in the casino?

8. We might want to rent a cabanetta on Coco Cay. What is on the “enhanced” buffet?

 

Thanks in advance! I tried to find the answers these, but wasn’t completely successful.

 

Meredith

Don't have all the answers, enjoy your cruise.

 

1. When you board the ship what deck are you on?...Deck 4

2. When you get off the ship at Nassau what deck are you on? What about Coco Cay?...Both ports are deck 1

3. If we want to be one of the first people on Coco Cay, what time should we plan on lining up?...As soon as the ship clears local customs.

4. Any recommendations for the best place out on deck to take a nap?...We like Deck 8 aft, quiet back there.

5. How exactly does the towel situation work? I need to check a towel out? Do I get a receipt when I turn it back in?...The pool staff will scan your seapass, when you return your towel, they will scan your seapass

6. If I plan on doing the regular disembarkation (not carry my luggage off), what time should I plan on being picked up at the port?...We use self-disembark. Suites and Diamonds have tag #1, could be late as 7:30 am for the ship to clear customs.

7. Do I use my seapass or cash at the slots in the casino?...Cash, but you can insert your seapass for casino "points".

8. We might want to rent a cabanetta on Coco Cay. What is on the “enhanced” buffet?...don't know.

1. When you board the ship what deck are you on? 4

 

3. If we want to be one of the first people on Coco Cay, what time should we plan on lining up? Can't help you with this as our cruise last week CoCo Cay was canceled because of the high winds. Although I would go EARLY. We found the disembarking process to be awful both in Nassau and back in port.

4. Any recommendations for the best place out on deck to take a nap? As the above poster said, there is a little place with about 8 chairs on deck 8. There were hardly any people there...it can get windy though, so you'll probably need a long sleeve something.

5. How exactly does the towel situation work? I need to check a towel out? Do I get a receipt when I turn it back in? On the pool deck there is a towel check out/in area. Uses your seapass card. If you don't return the towel you are charged $25.

6. If I plan on doing the regular disembarkation (not carry my luggage off), what time should I plan on being picked up at the port? We did this and it was CRAZY! We were told to go to the dining room between 730-830...along with about 500 other people! We couldn't even GET to the dining room because people were lined up. We were stuck on deck 5, in LINE. To be fair, however, once they started letting people off the ship it didn't take TOO long. I would say 830 or 9 to be safe probably.

Hope those answers helped a little bit!

3. If we want to be one of the first people on Coco Cay, what time should we plan on lining up?...As soon as the ship clears local customs.

 

Heh. Clarification. Coco Cay is Royal Caribbean's private island, and as such has no "local customs". You'll watch to check the Cruise Compass the evening before you arrive at Coco Cay, to get an idea of when tenders begin. It's not a guarantee, as we've had tenders start late before, but that'll give you an idea of when to get lined up. Don't forget the sunscreen and have a blast! :D

Seems like tendering at Coco Cay begins in the neighborhood of 8:30.

 

Good luck

M

We are ALWAYS on the first tender off to CocoCay and that is around 8 am. Then we also try to be the last tender back. Love CocoCay.

Not sure where your cabin is but unless you're on deck 6 I recommend taking the aft elevators if possible. They don't go to all decks but much much less busy. You will have to walk the pool deck to get to the winjammer but better than waiting for an elevator. I believe it only goes to deck 5 so if you are on 4 or lower (or the half deck 6) you will need to go up to 5 then across. The ship is great not too big and wonderfull service. As mentioned exPress departure is a zoo on Monday mornings (hey some of us have to get to work). If you can wait then 830 - 9 is an average time to disembark.

 

Unless things changed since Jan the casino doesn't track your play on slots like the other ships.

 

She's great for a short trip! Have a great time!

Heh. Clarification. Coco Cay is Royal Caribbean's private island, and as such has no "local customs". :D

 

 

Correction - Coco Cay is a Bahamas Island, called Little Stirrup Cay, leased/owned by RCCI who calls their operation Coco Cay; {Disney's Castaway Cay is legally Gorda Cay; NCL Great Stirrup Cay; Labadee is a peninsula of Haiti} Customs and Immigration clearance IS required. However since Coco is visited AFTER a call at Nassau with no there stop between by Monarch, the Bahamas clearance rec'd by the ship in Nassau carries over. (IF Coco is the first Bahamas stop, IME officials will be brought over....)

 

What does delay things is that many of the services on Coco actually come from the ship including the food and bar service so on arrival the first few boatloads are all 'logistical'. Next certain excursions are given priority, for example the SCUBA dive is scheduled very early in order to have it complete b4 many snorkelers are around. That excursion goes on the first tender . . . as does the early watercycle, first boat snorkel etc etc.

After 15 cruises I have never been to CocoCay thanks to rough seas but the enhanced buffet in Labadee included some kebabs with shrimp and scallops, as well as ribs, hot dogs and hamburgers, cold salads, desserts, etc. Mostly buffet-type picnic fare. I didn't check out the non-enhanced buffet but I was told by another passenger the big difference was the kebabs.

Also with the cabana's, they're not beachfront, more like rock front! You have to leave the area to get to swim. There are just tons of loungers all over the place and shade or sun, whatever you like. I hope you actually get there. Like most others reported, it's hit or miss getting there. We do love it though and it's a great beach day. Enjoy!

According to someone on the boards who recently went to CoCoCay, the extras you get with the rentals include: fruit plate, cooked to order steak, chicken or shrimp brochettes and bruschetta.

 

When you return, would you PLEASE please please :) let us know the deal with the cabana/cabanettes? I want to know how/when you can reserve them and are they available to suite passengers first. Also, curious what the capacities are for each - like can 2 adults and 2 kids reserve one cabanette?

 

Thanks...and have a great trip!

I believe the cabanas are available first to reserve by suite guests so i would call ASAP once you are in your cabin.

>>RETNAVY1996 FREO, What did you do on the USS Midway, was on her from 89-91?<<

 

Member of deck department.

Thanks everyone for your replies! I am so excited! Today is my last day at work before the cruise; I don't know how I am going to get through the day! :)

 

Meredith

Just back from Coco Cay on the Monarch.. here is what I remember:

1. We got onto the ship around 12pm.. went to the excursions desk and reserved the cabanette... we were the first to reserve.... however, all were taken on the CC day. $50 to your seapass... no mention of suite pax having priority or our C&A status-- were not asked -- may be different on larger ships, but this is how it was on Monarch. We were shown a little "map" of the area and allowed to choose which one we wanted. We were given a reciept that we brought to the check in hut that day.

 

2. We took the second tender over.. when we heard the announcement that tenders were running, we just walked down... literally WALKED onto it.. NO waiting.. I think there were maybe 10 ppl on this tender.

 

3. When we got to the island, we were the first to check into the Oasis area (where the cabanettes are)... we had #1.. on the front end, next to the "lighthouse". The supplies from the ship hadn't arrived.. we waited about an hour for our Towels (you get 2), Water (2 large Evian like what are in your cabins) in a plastic bucket with ice and plastic cups, and fruit plate (watermelon, cantelope, honeydew & grapes). The bar opened around that time too.

 

4. The cabanette consisted of a clamshell that is secured to the ground, and secured open. two loungers (same as all the other ones on the island), and a small table that fit between the two loungers.

 

5. Winds were VERY STRONG and we were grateful for the clamshell... the loungers are the exact same as everywhere else, but we could sit protected from the wind in the clamshell.. even took a little nap under the towels... passing rain & wind made it a little chilly on Sunday.

 

6.There is a more "private" restroom behind the bar area that was nice. This is also where the rooms are for massage. WE did the couples massage, and it was nice. But you have to wash of the oil b4 you get back in the sun or you will burn.

 

7. Lunch was from 11:30-1:30 and the above description is accurate. Hamburgers, hotdogs (and fixings: lettuce, tomato, onion, etc), ribs, grilled NY strip (thin) and was not "cooked to order" that I saw.. it was grilled and placed onto the buffet. There was also kabobs: chicken w/peppers & onion and shrimp, scallop & some kind of fish. Pasta salad, green salad & dressing, corn on the cob & baked potato (however-- there was NO butter-- and the potatos were COOKED COOKED (hard).. not sure why no butter for them.. but they did have sour cream. umm.. cpl of desserts: bread pudding & cookies I think. and fresh fruit. several tables under umbrellas that seat 4 available, and it was nice and uncrowded.

 

8. you will get a coated paper wristband when you check into the oasis area to identify you as you come/go.

 

9. There was a stack of floating mats at the check in desk.. I assume you just asked for one if you wanted it... we didn't.. the water was chilly (for us-- lots of ppl were in it) and the wind was brisk.

 

All in all, we loved the experience, and it was well worth the $50.. even if just for the 1st half of the day at CC... after lunch, we prefer to go to the other side of the island where the water is calmer (warmer), and there are nice sandy beaches to explore.

 

oh! one thing too.. the cabanettes look OUT towards the ocean & the boat.. however, the SUN comes from the back.. so, if you want to get some sun, you have to "flip" your clamshell to the other side to get it.. (easy to do).. but you are now looking directly at your neighbor (there are two rows of clamshells) and the building.. not a great view... kinda missed laying out in the sun and looking out over the water....

 

if you have any more questions.. feel free to ask!

Just back from Coco Cay on the Monarch.. here is what I remember:

 

 

if you have any more questions.. feel free to ask!

 

Thanks so much for posting! That was very helpful, especially since info about the rentals has been pretty scarce!

 

Quick question: the buffet you talked about, is that the "regular" buffet or is that just for cabana renters? Is it in a different place than the main buffet?

 

Thanks again :)

I believe the cabanas are available first to reserve by suite guests so i would call ASAP once you are in your cabin.

Believe that is only on Labadee, these cabanas & cabenettes are WAY different. If your on CocoCay for the beach the cabanas are really not in an ideal location since you have to walk to a beach area which is outside of the Cabanna area to even get into the water.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

Thanks so much for posting! That was very helpful, especially since info about the rentals has been pretty scarce!

 

Quick question: the buffet you talked about, is that the "regular" buffet or is that just for cabana renters? Is it in a different place than the main buffet?

 

Thanks again :)

Everyone on the island gets a buffet, the Oasis includes steak & shrimp kabobs which are not on the normal buffet. Everyone gets hamburgers, hotdogs & Ribs (something in my head is screaming chicken too? but not sure on that). :D

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

Here is a post with photos.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1361338

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

Hi Meredith,

 

I'm on the same sailing as you. Looks like we should have nice weather. At least that's what the forecast calls for. You might be interested in our roll call.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1558290&page=3

 

Also, here is a great review by DarthGrady of the Monarch and Coco Cay with lots of photos.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439969&highlight=nassau

 

In regards to renting a cabana, it is actually listed with excursions sheet available when you get onboard. Go right to guest relations if you are interested.

 

See you onboard!

Everyone on the island gets a buffet, the Oasis includes steak & shrimp kabobs which are not on the normal buffet. Everyone gets hamburgers, hotdogs & Ribs (something in my head is screaming chicken too? but not sure on that). :D

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

 

So how do the Oasis people get the "extra" food, like the steak and shrimp? Are they at the main buffet and you show your bracelet or do they deliver them to you in the cabanas or is there a completely separate buffet for Oasis peeps?

 

Thanks!

So how do the Oasis people get the "extra" food, like the steak and shrimp? Are they at the main buffet and you show your bracelet or do they deliver them to you in the cabanas or is there a completely separate buffet for Oasis peeps?

 

Thanks!

You have your own buffet in the Oasis area. :D They have a grill and are cooking the steaks & kabobs right there.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

Although we did not make it to Coco Cay--we did have the experience on the Monarch in the Owners Suite this month. There is a welcome letter to Suite Guests and the info on the cabanas.