Monarch of the Seas

[gills hols]

Hi,

Has anyone been on the Monarch of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral to Nassau, 4 nights, we will be going the end of April, and would appreciate any comments, i.e. dress code, dinning, cabins etc,

many thanks

[newbiecruiser09]

We did this cruise last year end of April. Dress was casual to very casual. For formal night I wore a nice cocktail dress & heels and hubby wore khakis, shirt & tie and jacket. We saw every type of dress from more casual than us to more (and much more) formal. We has JS 1088 and loved it-had the back stairs/elevators mostly to ourselves. MDR food was good, service was very good (we did MTD). Really enjoyed the ports and day at sea. Ship was not so big we felt lost but still had many many things to do. If you have any specific questions ,please ask away (I'm snowed in with lots of time on my hands! :) )

[duncanmaria]

Sailed the 4-night Monarch itinerary this summer. It was my first time sailing solo and stayed in a superior oceanview cabin, which is about 30 sq. ft. larger than a regular oceanview and at the time was cheaper to book.

 

I loved this ship! After sailing a few times on the Mariner and the Grandeur, I was afraid the ship would be too small but found much to like about the ship and its size. The staff was attentive and friendly. I ended up eating most meals in the Windjammer because I was definitely on my own schedule, traveling alone.

 

Don't know if you have ever sailed on any of RCCL's bigger ships, but there were several things I liked about the Monarch that were missing on some of the bigger ships. One of them was the abundance of live music on the Monarch. Each night, Bolero's was the home to a rock band (they played a country night, as well) followed by Karaoke. These days, it's not that common to find live rock and roll on a cruise ship so this was welcome. Bolero's was the center for much evening entertainment for me, while on the Mariner and Freedom, it was mostly just a Latin-themed bar with Mariachi played at night.

 

The food in the Windjammer is usually fairly mediocre to my tastes; however, on the Monarch, there was a different theme each night. One night that stands out was night of the Mongolian barbeque, which featured a made-to-order stir fries that were compared to anything I've had at land-based Asian restaurants.

 

I could go on and on but suffice it to say that I had a great time on the Monarch and think you will too. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer.

[vbgivens]

We took this same cruise last April and loved it. The ship is in great shape! My 7 year old LOVED the kids club. The food was great and there was plenty to do for everyone. 1 child, 2 -30's adults and 2 retired grandparents..... everyone found stuff they loved about the ship.

Have fun!

[gills hols]

Thank you all for your views, we are now really looking forward to going.

we will be part of a large group, because there is a wedding 2 days before at cocoa beach, and bride, groom, family and friends are all going on the cruise !!!

we have cabin 9050 on deck 9 booked, because of the size, and position, but the whole ship looks fab, and after reading all the comments, sounds like we will have a great time.:)

[JustUs275]

So glad to read the positive remarks about the Monarch. DH & I are going on our first cruise aboard the Monarch this May, celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary! We have a 9th deck SOV cabin booked...we also

thought the extra 30 sf might be nice. The description says the view is 50% obstructed, my understanding is that the lifeboats hang below the windows and do obscure the view directly below, but that we'll still be able to view the sea.

 

Gills Hols - sounds like your cabin will be similar to ours (9520) - I hope you write a review after you return from your cruise!

 

I haven't seen any price drops on this, probably because it's a short cruise? I keep looking though...LOL :)

[jlocole]

The Mongolian BBQ sounds fantastic! Is it offered on each Monarch cruise?

[duncanmaria]

Don't know. It was offered on the first night of my 4-night but I'm not sure if it's a regular feature on every sailing.

[stazerd]

Hi,

Has anyone been on the Monarch of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral to Nassau, 4 nights, we will be going the end of April, and would appreciate any comments, i.e. dress code, dinning, cabins etc,

many thanks

 

Been on the Monarch twice! Nice small ship! When in the Windjammer, make sure to go all the way to the back...not eveyone finds the food back there, some good Asian food choices!

[freedom1]

We're checking out the same cruise--end of April. Can anyone tell me the best "inexpensive" hotel to stay in pre-cruise. Also, how early would you dare make a flight post-cruise out of Orlando?

[AtlantaCruiser72]

So funny to see the Monarch called a "small" ship as when she and her twin (Majesty) were launched in the early 1990's they were the largest most amenity laden ships in the world! My how our perceptions have changed since then!!!!!!!!!!!

[RayB1940]

Just got off a four night cruise on the Monarch. I think it is my favorite because it is not as huge as the Freedom and other RCCL ships. Nicely taken care of. Less crowds and crew is very very hospitable. I did not think the entertainment was as good as we have experienced on other RCCL ships. Coco Cay was great. Food in main dinning room was good but not outstanding. A survey of prices indicates Monarch out of Port Canaveral is best bargain I can find for a ocean view room. I plan to search for another bargain on the Monarch and repeat cruise again. We live only a hour drive from Port Canaveral and can take off as soon as I find a good price.

[JustUs275]

We're checking out the same cruise--end of April. Can anyone tell me the best "inexpensive" hotel to stay in pre-cruise. Also, how early would you dare make a flight post-cruise out of Orlando?

 

 

freedom1 - I booked a pre-cruise hotel through Priceline and got Country Inn & Suites for $50, with taxes/fees it's $63. Breakfast is included, we can park the car there during the cruise and get to/from the port on the hotel shuttle - I think there's a fee for the shuttle though.

[gills hols]

pre- cruise we are staying in a fab little bed and breakfast, called Parrish grove inn, in historic cocoa village, http://www.parrishgroveinn.com/ don't think its cheap but its different and near to the wedding we are attending , and as the ship docks at 7 am we have a 8.30pm flight out of Orlando. we are sooooo looking forward to this hol,;)

[gills hols]

We're checking out the same cruise--end of April. Can anyone tell me the best "inexpensive" hotel to stay in pre-cruise. Also, how early would you dare make a flight post-cruise out of Orlando?

 

 

we are flying out the same evening that we dock, the port is only about an hour or so from orlando airport,

[gills hols]

So glad to read the positive remarks about the Monarch. DH & I are going on our first cruise aboard the Monarch this May, celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary! We have a 9th deck SOV cabin booked...we also

thought the extra 30 sf might be nice. The description says the view is 50% obstructed, my understanding is that the lifeboats hang below the windows and do obscure the view directly below, but that we'll still be able to view the sea.

 

Gills Hols - sounds like your cabin will be similar to ours (9520) - I hope you write a review after you return from your cruise!

 

I haven't seen any price drops on this, probably because it's a short cruise? I keep looking though...LOL :)

 

 

 

we have now been on Monarch and it was ok, the cabin 9050 was clean, and the view was not spoilt by the lifeboat, as you look over the top of it,

the food was edible, we eat in the resturant every night and breakfast in windjammer, go right to the back of windjammer its a lot less busy and the food is the same.

hope you have a good hol :)

[gills hols]

we have now returned from Monarch,

cabin was clean

food edible, not to impressed, we ate in the restaurant at night, the portions were small, we had breakfast in windjammer, if you go right to the back its less busy and the food is the same,

There was a delay getting one of our cases, when my husband rang to find out where it was, we were told security had it on deck 1 because i had packed a travel iron, we had to collect the case, open it and they confiscated the iron,!! i got it back when we left the ship.

DO NOT get hair braiding done at the port in Nassau, my friends daughter had it done and when finished they told her the price was not the $30 they had quoted but was $110 about 10 of them surrounded her until she paid up !!!

We went to Atlantis in Nassau, The ship charges $149 for the day, but you can get a taxi from the port for$4 each and entrance is $110, take a credit card as Atlantis is card only.

We were in a party of 22 and 8 of them had the norovirus on the last night, some ending up in sick bay on a drip!! they had all ate on the island of coco cay, we did not, and did not get sick.

all in all the hol was just ok, I have had better, x

[shabadoo25]

we have now returned from Monarch,

cabin was clean

food edible, not to impressed, we ate in the restaurant at night, the portions were small, we had breakfast in windjammer, if you go right to the back its less busy and the food is the same,

There was a delay getting one of our cases, when my husband rang to find out where it was, we were told security had it on deck 1 because i had packed a travel iron, we had to collect the case, open it and they confiscated the iron,!! i got it back when we left the ship.

DO NOT get hair braiding done at the port in Nassau, my friends daughter had it done and when finished they told her the price was not the $30 they had quoted but was $110 about 10 of them surrounded her until she paid up !!!

We went to Atlantis in Nassau, The ship charges $149 for the day, but you can get a taxi from the port for$4 each and entrance is $110, take a credit card as Atlantis is card only.

We were in a party of 22 and 8 of them had the norovirus on the last night, some ending up in sick bay on a drip!! they had all ate on the island of coco cay, we did not, and did not get sick.

all in all the hol was just ok, I have had better, x

 

Are you saying that it costs $110 just to visit Atlantis?

 

My wife and I got married on the 3-day Monarch cruise. It was one of the best times of our life.

 

We are doing the 4-day next summer with who will be our new 1-year-old. We can't wait to board again.

 

Also, the Radisson at the port is very nice and you can store your car there, too. However, the rooms start at about $100.

[CruisinCrow]

Are you saying that it costs $110 just to visit Atlantis?

 

It costs $110 to purchase the Aquaventure Passes at Atlantis. That includes the use of all the pools and water park.

 

You can see parts of Atlantis for free - you can walk through the lobby and casino and some of the aquarium. But you can't get out to the pools or beach without purchasing some kind of pass.

[PH8]

It costs $110 to purchase the Aquaventure Passes at Atlantis. That includes the use of all the pools and water park.

 

You can see parts of Atlantis for free - you can walk through the lobby and casino and some of the aquarium. But you can't get out to the pools or beach without purchasing some kind of pass.

Unless you wait till after 5pm..;)

[CruisinCrow]

Unless you wait till after 5pm..;)

 

Oh yeah, I've heard you can see the Digs for free in the evenings. I wonder if it looks as beautiful without the sunlight on the water. We'll be in Nassau until midnight next month so maybe we'll head over there and check it out. Can you walk out to the beach and pools too?

[PH8]

Oh yeah, I've heard you can see the Digs for free in the evenings. I wonder if it looks as beautiful without the sunlight on the water. We'll be in Nassau until midnight next month so maybe we'll head over there and check it out. Can you walk out to the beach and pools too?

Yes, we did.........we walked all over..........that was in August so the sun was out longer..........

 

No body stopped us..even one of the roving photographers took a pic of my group of friends........:)

[gills hols]

Are you saying that it costs $110 just to visit Atlantis?

 

My wife and I got married on the 3-day Monarch cruise. It was one of the best times of our life.

 

We are doing the 4-day next summer with who will be our new 1-year-old. We can't wait to board again.

 

Also, the Radisson at the port is very nice and you can store your car there, too. However, the rooms start at about $100.

 

Hi, I'm glad you both had a good time on Monarch, That's important when its your wedding, it was a shame that we have a different view, and Atlantis was $110 for the pass to use the water park, and $10 for a locker, which are first come first served. hope you enjoy your next trip.

[Scotty G]

Don't know if you have ever sailed on any of RCCL's bigger ships, but there were several things I liked about the Monarch that were missing on some of the bigger ships. One of them was the abundance of live music on the Monarch. Each night, Bolero's was the home to a rock band (they played a country night, as well) followed by Karaoke. These days, it's not that common to find live rock and roll on a cruise ship so this was welcome. Bolero's was the center for much evening entertainment for me, while on the Mariner and Freedom, it was mostly just a Latin-themed bar with Mariachi played at night.

 

Two reasons for the great music on Monarch; a wonderful CD; Drew Divine and Tony, the Music Director. Boleros has a Salsa lesson night at which a large ensemble led by Tony provide excellent music. Two dancers from the singers and dancers troupe provide the salsa instruction. We were on board the first night early last year when Tony took over the music for the lessons and it was good. In April, I complimented him on how great it had become since last year. This is only one of the features of the CD Staff for the cruise! It is the music that keeps me coming back. Thanks Drew!!!:D:D:D

[frednsb]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=638129