All things Monarch of the Seas

[monami7]

As much as I would love to go with some members from here we got the cabin for $169 pp...really hard to pass up:rolleyes:

 

We just booked for Jan. 28th on Monarch. We have never cruised the west coast at all. We took he sister ship SOS for part of our honeymoon (almost 5 years ago!)

We have an OV on deck 5. I am hoping that is a good location. We had originally booked cabin 7004 but I was afraid of the promonade.

Heidi

[rubrrick]

One of the new suite perks is a french press coffeemaker. I don't know if Monarch has them yet, though.

 

 

Hi Jean,

 

On our Cruise Critic group trip late last spring, we were given the first french press coffeemaker on day 2. So, I would say that the Monarch has the new coffee makers in Grand suites and above.

 

Rick

[hillslife]

We just booked a 'family cruise' on Monarch Of The Sea for over Easter weekend - just the 3 night to Baja but we are giving to the kids as a Christmas gift. We usually book a mini suite, but this time went with 5 inside cabins to keep the price manageable.

 

How are the new upgrades on the ship? I was on her a couple years ago but hear she was renovated since then.

 

Thanks

[scopewest]

We're hoping to go in April with a group but are waiting to find out about the transportation there (we want to drive to the port this time). Looking forward to reading even more info on this ship so thanks, everyone, for sharing!

[SacGeorges]

DH & I just got off the Monarch on Friday. It was our second cruise on her... the first was in 2005. We enjoyed the peace and quiet of not having to fix Thanksgiving dinner at home, even tho there were plenty of children on this cruise. Yes, this elegant lady is showing her age; but she is still a wonderful ship. The first person we ran into was Danney League (he didn't get chocolate this time... instead I gave him a blinkee turkey:D ). He also got us to book another cruise on the Monarch. This will happen next October 17th and will be the repositioning cruise to Miami. It is 16 days and ports of call will be Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Guatamala City, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Crystobal Pier (Panama), and Cartegena (Columbia), and finally into Miami on Nov 2nd. There is a day at sea between each port which is really good for us.

[SacGeorges]

We're hoping to go in April with a group but are waiting to find out about the transportation there (we want to drive to the port this time). Looking forward to reading even more info on this ship so thanks, everyone, for sharing!

 

We drove down from Sacramento and stayed one night at the Crown Plaza (we could see the ship from our room's window). We could also leave our car in their garage while we were cruising. The package was a bit costly but CP provided transportation to and from the ship. I believe the cost at the pier is at least $12 per day. I am not a fan of BIG city freeway driving, but we didn't have much trouble getting in or out of San Pedro at all.

[Merion_Mom]

We just booked a 'family cruise' on Monarch Of The Sea for over Easter weekend - just the 3 night to Baja but we are giving to the kids as a Christmas gift. We usually book a mini suite, but this time went with 5 inside cabins to keep the price manageable.

 

How are the new upgrades on the ship? I was on her a couple years ago but hear she was renovated since then.

 

Thanks

Hey, Dolores, how are you guys??? Long time, no "see"!

 

I'm going to miss you on the Monarch by a month - sailing on April 21st. (this is one of those rare years when Easter and Passover are far apart)

 

Carol

[MissKise]

Also - has any one ever gone down to Puerto Nuevo while docked in Ensenada??? Any ideas on the best way to get there and back??

 

Puerto Nuevo is above Ensenada, and you will pass it if you take the Fox tour. I don't know of any tour that goes to Puerto Nuevo, and I would guess that you could possibly find a taxi to hire to take you there. If you take the tour bus into town ($1 into town, $2 back to the ship = $3 round trip) they may know of some one that they could recommend. The tour guides are very knowledgable and helpful. La Bufadora is very similar to the Puerto Nuevo area but without the Lobsters.....they have the same kind of open air market stalls.

[stacyeb]

Wow!! I was so happy to find this thread. My husband and I will be cruising on the Monarch in January as our Christmas gift to one another. we have taken two other cruise with Royal - the Soveriegn and the Enchantment. Both were in the carribean and warm. But it was a deal we couldn't pass up. I couldn't believe we could get flights to LA cheaper than to Florida. Did I mention we are from OHIO!!

 

We have loved our past cruises. The first was with are best friends and the 2nd was with our children. I was so excited to see how the kids liked the cruise I followed them with the video camera the entire time. This time we will be cruising alone and the goal is to relax. I may not even take my camera - ok lets not get crazy!! Any advice for this adventure is greatly appreciated!! Especially on what to wear and whats needed for the weather.

 

Any great advice on Catalina Island, Ensenda, San Diego? I haven't traveled too far west of Ohio - so I am very excited!!

[seetosea]

We were on the Thanksgiving Monarch cruise.

 

A suggestion for Catalina - be the first to sign up for Parasailing. Instead of paying $75, our group of four paid $50/person. They kept us up in the air longer than we anticipated and we certainly got our money's worth. We signed up about an hour after the first tender arrived at Catalina. Head to the right, just past the first golf cart rentals and you'll see the rental place on your left.

 

As far as golf carts, many of the roads that we had previously traveled are no longer open due to "rock slides". (we've been to Catalina several times before). The cost is $40/hour and with the road closures, we didn't feel it was worth it IMHO.

[UltimateDevotion]

[/color]

 

We like to get a massage in town and then have lunch at El Pueblo, which is around the corner from Papas & Beer, where the heavy drinking party crowd goes. Some people like the ship's tour to the Fox Studios and others like to go to La Bufadora, a large blowhole attraction. I haven't been to either, so can't comment.

 

 

 

Hello Jean,

 

Can you please give more information on the massages in Ensenada? What is the name and where are they located?

Thanks!

Janeane

[ringmaster]

OK Monarch fans I need a little help. Thinking of taking my children on a 4 day during summer. My concern is that my son will just be 12 and on NCL he is still in the supervised category, however on the Monarch my understanding is that he will be in a cat. where he is free to come and go; why the line would allow 12-14 year olds to roam the ship is beyond me. My question is, is there enough supervised activities for this age group that I can feel confident he will not be bored, and alone in the teen club, where he will be told to stay!

 

Thanks for the help!

[dirtgirl]

Hello Jean,

 

Can you please give more information on the massages in Ensenada? What is the name and where are they located?

Thanks!

Janeane

 

 

Jean is away on the Vision right now, so it may be a while till she can answer you.;)

[eroller]

Great thread!

 

I'm sailing on MONARCH for the first time in February and I have two questions.

 

1. Anyone ever stay in cabin 6506? It's an outside cabin all the way forward with a window overlooking the bow. The shape is very different from all the other cabins and it looks larger. Just curious if anyone has stayed in this cabin. It will be my home for 4-days!

 

2. I sailed on SOVEREIGN earlier this month and really enjoyed it. I know MONARCH is a sister ship with some differences. SOVEREIGN had a decent gym but no steam and sauna. I notice on MONARCH the gym and spa are a deck lower then on SOVEREIGN in what appears to a be a much larger area. On SOVEREIGN the gym/spa are where Adventure Ocean is on MONARCH. Anyway, is there a steam room and sauna on MONARCH?

 

Thanks!

 

Ernie

[tiki23]

Hi!

 

Newbie here, getting my first taste of cruising aboard the Monarch of The Seas on her 3-Day Baja cruise in February.

 

I've been reading here on the board, trying to figure out the do's, don'ts and why-fors.;)

 

Here's my little sum-up so far:

~Fly into LGB on a non-stop, arriving by 10AM

~No checked baggage

~Shuttle (maybe taxi) to San Pedro

~Boarding starts at about 11:30?

~My carry-on will be taken to my stateroom?

~Will there be lunch or snacks available after boarding/before dinner?

~Staterooms are ready by about 1:00?

~I have an OV on Deck 3, by the art gallery - will that be noisy late at night?

TIA for any help on my questions. I'm really looking forward to my little getaway. The Monarch sounds like the perfect ship with a great crew for my first cruise.:)

[janabelle61]

Tiki23 - Congrats on your first cruise! As a fellow Seattle-ite I agree this is the perfect mid-winter break to go visit the sun for a few days :)

 

I'm sailing the Monarch for the first time on 1/25, but have sailed RCL several times. There are lots of Monarch experts on these boards that will be able to answer your specific questions, (they've been very helpful to me!) but I wanted to jump in with some general Royal info...

 

The Windjammer will be open about noon for a welcome aboard buffet lunch. Trust me - you'll have no difficulty finding food!

 

Boarding at about 11:30 with staterooms ready around 1:00 is usually correct, but can be affected by several factors. For example, they can't begin boarding the ship until it's been cleared from the previous sailing. If this is delayed for any reasion, it might be a little after 11:30 and they'll have you wait in the boarding area.

 

When you get to the pier, there will be porters available to take your luggage (be sure to tip them!). It will then appear in your stateroom later in the afternoon.

 

Happy Sailing!

Janabelle

[critterchick]

And Jean is back from Vision - had our usual fabulous time!

 

Janeane, if the massage place has an actual name, I don't know what it is, LOL. It's located on Avenida Lopez Mateo (a/k/a First Street or Calle Primero), and I think the number is 743. It's on the north side of the street, down a half flight of stairs behind a white iron fence. Try emailing spatherapy@hotmail dot com (put a . where it says "dot") to make a reservation. They can also give you the precise location.

 

Tiki, if you carry your bag onboard, you will be responsible for getting it to your cabin yourself. If you check it curbside the porters will get it to the ship and it will be delivered to your cabin some time in the afternoon.

 

Ernie, the gym and spa were added to Monarch in a refurbishment in (I think) 2003 or so. There used to be a lounge there. The gym is very well appointed with about 8 treadmills, 4 ellipticals and some other cardio equipment (that I don't use, so I can't tell you what they are, although I recall some rowing machines & bikes). I recall seeing a steam & sauna in the ladies' locker room, but haven't been in there in a couple of years, so I don't know if I'm recalling the correct ship.

[maitaiguy]

We just got off Monarch's New Years cruise. Boarding began promptly at 11:30. We were on board by 11:45 and went up to the Windjammer which was already open. We had to hang on to our carry on luggage until the cabins were available at 1.

 

The food was great, entertainment good and the staff was pleasant. It was a great cruise.

 

Good luck on yours!

[katstoy]

Hi!

 

Newbie here, getting my first taste of cruising aboard the Monarch of The Seas on her 3-Day Baja cruise in February.

 

I've been reading here on the board, trying to figure out the do's, don'ts and why-fors.;)

 

Here's my little sum-up so far:

~Fly into LGB on a non-stop, arriving by 10AM

~No checked baggage

~Shuttle (maybe taxi) to San Pedro

~Boarding starts at about 11:30?

Usually, however once we did not board until after 1:00 as a pipe burst in the Windjammer and they had to replace the carpet before we all got on board.

~My carry-on will be taken to my stateroom?

Only if you bring it there:D . Your checked luggage will be delivered, you keep your carry on with you.

~Will there be lunch or snacks available after boarding/before dinner?

Yes, the Windjammer is open and serving lunch right up to the muster drill.

~Staterooms are ready by about 1:00?

Usually, I have seen them ready before 1:00 and sometimes just a hair after.

~I have an OV on Deck 3, by the art gallery - will that be noisy late at night?

No, it shouldn't. The photo gallery is separated from the rooms by a large elevator lobby. The rooms are set back from this lobby. We had rooms on deck four, right behind the elevators. Heard no noise at all. I have only heard concerns with noise from those who had cabins under the centrum dance floor or those too near Boleros or the Circuit Lounge.

 

TIA for any help on my questions. I'm really looking forward to my little getaway. The Monarch sounds like the perfect ship with a great crew for my first cruise.:)

 

 

Just got off her today - miss her already:o ! Have fun!

[Lelena]

Whoa. I've been reading this forum for awhile but this might be my first post. Can't remember.

 

The Monarch certainly has her fans! Great thread. We'll be cruising on the M. on January 21. We used to cruise a lot back in the 80's and 90's but nothing in the past 14 years. Guess things have changed.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the information. My main questions are how "informal" we can get away with on formal night as we want to travel light AND how easy is it to pick up a golf cart right off the ship in Catalina.

 

Thanks!

[goodml]

Welcome to CC Lelena!:)

[maitaiguy]

We did not dock at the green pier which is right in the middle of town.The dock for our large tender was over by the Catalina Express dock. (I think our big red and white "tender" was the same ship that I took from Long Beach to Catalina in the 70"s). The Monarch was much nicer, thank you!!!

 

We had a quarter mile walk to where the golf cars are rented which is slightly on the casino side of the green pier. I think it was $40 per hour for a four seater and $60 per hour for a six seater.

 

Have fun!

[katstoy]

Thanks to everyone for all the information. My main questions are how "informal" we can get away with on formal night as we want to travel light AND how easy is it to pick up a golf cart right off the ship in Catalina.

 

Thanks!

 

 

You can go fairly informal on formal night and still eat in the dining room. Last weekend I saw very few all dolled up. In fact the folks at the table next to us didn't even bother, showed up to dinner in regular casual attire. From what I noticed most ladies had on either nice slacks and a top or a dress; gentlemen with shirts and ties. Didn't see too many suits and only a few sparkly coctail dresses on the ladies.

[rclcruzer]

reading all these posts are getting excited about my cruise the 25th! We love Monarch! Hey Jean (critter) and Janabelle! Getting an outfit today for the cruise, that means it's getting closer!

Were any of you guy's on this past weekends cruise??? How was the weather?

Were there rough seas? I was worried about all of you ;)

Can't wait til' my cruise on my ol' friend, going to book with another couple while on board for an August trip, one last sailing before she leaves for FL!

BOOOOO!!:(

[tiki23]

Thanks janabelle, critterchick, maitaiguy and katstoy for answering my questions.:)

 

I'm getting excited!:D