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All things Monarch of the Seas

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DrivesLikeMario

DrivesLikeMario

Posted
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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!!:(

 

I was on the Monarch (for the third time) last weekend (Jan. 4th). Yes, the seas were rough - roughest we've had in the past 6 cruises off California & the Mex. Riv. The wind was almost non-existent, so there were no white caps, but the swells were HUGE. Our tablemates were wearing the Patch and still got seasick.

 

The weather was cloudy the entire weekend and it rained off and on. We actually saw the sun for about 90 mins. on Sunday. Just happened to be an 'off' weekend. If we were on the ship this week, it would've been sunny the whole time. The swells are still really big though.

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RedFam

RedFam

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Hello everyone! Thank you for this thread. Gave me a lot of information.

 

Can anyone tell me if you have done the Rosarita Beach????

 

I am trying to book it but since my kids are 12 and 10 I won't be able to book it through RCCL. My kids just want to go to the beach and it seems like Rosarita is the closest? and maybe not a bad place to just hang out. Is there a way to get there? Maybe a bus? taxi? and is it worth it?

 

We are sailing on February 25... can't wait.

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DEBCAT65

DEBCAT65

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I was on the Monarch (for the third time) last weekend (Jan. 4th). Yes, the seas were rough - roughest we've had in the past 6 cruises off California & the Mex. Riv. The wind was almost non-existent, so there were no white caps, but the swells were HUGE. Our tablemates were wearing the Patch and still got seasick.

 

The weather was cloudy the entire weekend and it rained off and on. We actually saw the sun for about 90 mins. on Sunday. Just happened to be an 'off' weekend. If we were on the ship this week, it would've been sunny the whole time. The swells are still really big though.

We were on that cruise as well. We were on deck 10 - all the way forward. This was my 4th cruise, 3rd on Monarch. This is the only time I have ever been sick on a ship. Not even in Alaska!

 

I think a lot of it was my own fault. I did take Bonine, but being on the ship and walking all around, you loose perspective of where you are. I do not think I stepped outside more than once or twice the whole weekend. We would go to different bars, shows, windjammer, casino, etc, but we never stepped outside because it was cold and raining. I really believe that if I had gone outside and got fresh air from time to time, I would not have been so sick.

 

Deb

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SuzyQ 51

SuzyQ 51

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Hi everyone! I'm so excited - just booked a last minute 4 day trip on the Monarch today. Sailed once before on the Monarch but it was a long time ago & have forgotten most everything! I notice there are a lot of new excursions. Has anyone done the Foxploration in Ensenada? Is it worth it? Thinking about Whale watching or Seal tours in SD. Any suggestions? We were assigned cabin 9544 (were hoping to be upgraded to Jr Suite-oh well). Assigned 2nd seating for dinner - will that interfere w/shows? Any tips/info will be very much appreciated. Thanks to all in advance! :D

SuzyQ 51

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DrivesLikeMario

DrivesLikeMario

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Debcat - That's interesting. We were also on Deck 10, but midship. We took a total of 2 Bonine the entire weekend and never felt sick, but I did feel sorry for our tablemates. The dining room was pretty empty 2 of the 3 nights, so there may have been a lot of other people who were sick too. :o

 

SuzyQ51-I've never done the Foxploration, but I've heard it's a "waste of time" from a couple different people. They said that it's very brief and that there isn't much to see. Maybe you can get a first-hand account though, as I'm just going off what I've heard.

 

I can tell you the winery trip was interesting! We both really enjoyed it. We come from So. Cal.'s wine country & have 25 wineries around us, but we've never done an actual winery tour. The second stop on this tour has caves which were kinda neat & the tastings were fun (& I don't normally drink, but I just had to try these wines!).

 

RedFam-If your kids want to go to the beach & actually go IN the water, bring thick wetsuits. The water is freezing cold at this time of year, even all the way down to Puerto Vallarta. Rosarita is north of Ensenada. Can you say, "COLD!!!!" :eek: ? The sand is nice if they're just interested in playing in it, but otherwise, this is not beach season anywhere along the Baja Coast.

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katstoy

katstoy

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Redfam - I am not a fan of the beaches on the Mexican Pacific Coast. The water is always too cold with too much of an undertow. The only west cost Mexican beaches that I love are in Cabo on the Bay of Cortez side. That being said, my DD is 12 and enjoyed the Foxplorations tour (however, see below), and the Bufadora tour. She was bored out of her mind on the winery tour, at least that's what she said. However, she seemed to enjoy the tour of the wine caves. On our next trip we are doing the Rhino tour - that I know she'll love!

 

SuzyQ51 - As I said above, my DD (who was 10 when we went) loved the Fox studio. For adults it's pretty much a waste of time. It is nowhere near the standards we are used to for US parks. The Titanic exhibit is a scaled down mock up of some sets. You did not get to see any real sets. There is a short movie that shows you how and why the studio was built, that was interesting. There is also a special effects building (again, lower your expectations) that was somewhat amusing. My DD had a good time there. If you are traveling with children it is a fun place to go as the other excursions are not really geared towards kids.

 

Hey I was on that Jan 4th sailing too, deck 9 aft. Pretty rough but not the worst seas I've been in. I kind of like the rocking and rolling at night!

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angbaby

angbaby

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I am going on a girls get away on May 5th with some friends from work. A couple of them are first time cruisers. The Monarch was my first cruise 7 years ago, haven't been on the lovely lady since. However, she hooked me on cruising. How does her make-over look. Also, anyone with any recent Compasses (say anything in 08), I would really appreciate receiving copies of them. Also, since we depart on 5/5, anyone been onboard on Cinco de Mayo, do they do anything special?

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Harleysmom

Harleysmom

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I am looking to book this cruise in a few months - travelling with my mother and are travelling from FL. Can anyone tell me of a nice hotel in the area?

Can anyone advise how much a cab will cost to get to the pier or if there is free shuttles from any of the hotels?

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njs

njs

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I am looking to book this cruise in a few months - travelling with my mother and are travelling from FL. Can anyone tell me of a nice hotel in the area?

Can anyone advise how much a cab will cost to get to the pier or if there is free shuttles from any of the hotels?

 

We are going on May 19th and I have booked the Crowne Plaza San Pedro hotel. It has a free shuttle to the port

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dirtgirl

dirtgirl

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I am looking to book this cruise in a few months - travelling with my mother and are travelling from FL. Can anyone tell me of a nice hotel in the area?

Can anyone advise how much a cab will cost to get to the pier or if there is free shuttles from any of the hotels?

 

 

Many people stay at the Crowne Plaza or the Doubletree in San Pedro. It is about a $60 cab fare from LAX to San Pedro, or $17 pp shuttle fare. They both have free shuttles to the pier.

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ladytea

ladytea

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Hi, we are going on the monarch 3/31/ I am concerned about the weather as well as the swells. Do you think it will be a tough time of year? We booked a JS, do you think there is anyway to get an upgrade? We are not real experienced cruisers so I am not sure what to expect. After reading all your posts I am so excited. I hope the same captain and crew are sailing with us. Thanks for all the good read.

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driftychick

driftychick

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We leave on 4-7-08 for the 4 day. I think you will be ok with the weather and the Sea conditions. You will also like the Junior Suite. Deck 10 is very nice, the JS is a comfortable size and you will be able to enjoy the balcony. It will be a touch chilly when we are at sea but still very enjoyable!

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katstoy

katstoy

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Just got off the Monarch this morning and I miss her already :(

 

Borrowing from another thread, and from what I can remember here's the menu. It hasn't changed in at least three years.

 

However, I have found that on the last two times on the Monarch, if you make a reasonable request, it can be granted. In January, when the waiter asked the usual "everything ok? any complaints?" I kiddingly said I was upset as there is not creme brulee on the menu. Well, he called over the head waiter, I made my request and tada! The next night there was creme brulee for the table:D ! I asked our head waiter this past weekend, and yet again - creme brulee for the table! Next time I need to ask on the first night!

 

Day 1 (Friday night of the 3 day cruise)

Appetizers

Caprese Salad (Tomato/mozzerella/basil)

Antipasti

Scallop Risotto

Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup

Minestrone

Chilled Strawberry Bisque

 

Salad

Insalata Mista

Traditional Caesar Salad

 

Entrees

Rigatoni Pasta

Garlic Tiger Shrimp

Chicken Marsala

Vegetarian Chili

Lamb Shank with Rosemary

 

Deserts

Warm Chocolate Cake

Raspberry Panna Cotta

Tiramisu

Low Fat Angel Food Cake

Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Cake

 

Day 2 (Saturday night)

Appetizers

Orange Carpaccio

Shrimp Cocktail

Escargots Bourguignonne

Lobster Bisque

Oxtail Broth

Chilled pear

 

Salad

Caesar salad

 

Entrees

Truffled Wild Mushroom Linguini Alfredo

Golden Sea Bass

Roasted Duck

Eggplant Mozzarella Tower

Filet of Beef

 

Deserts

Grand Marnier Soufflé

Double Strawberry Cheesecake

Cherries Jubilee

Low Fat Double strawberry Cheesecake

Sugar Free Coconut Vanilla Layer Cake

 

Day 3 (Sunday night) (and this is from my memory so stuff is certainly missing)

Appetizers

Fire roasted red pepepr hummus

Mushroom tart

Soup

Clam chowder

Salad

spinach salad for the table

Entrees

NY strip steak

Turkey

Mahi mahi tempura

Curry

Desserts:

Key lime pie

Baked Alaska

Brownie madness

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ladytea

ladytea

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I know this is the hot topic of RCCL but I was curious what everyones thoughts are on bringing a few minis of alcohol in your luggage? Do you think because it is still spring break time they will be checking the monarch extra good? I in no means want to lug a lot but we love having a drink on our balcony every night

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ladytea

ladytea

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I just read a review about the Monarch and they said it did not have a stabalizer? I thought during the renovations it did get one? I am prone to get a wee sea sick, does anyone know if this is a problem? We are going on a 4 night coming up?

 

Thanks

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