Monarch - buyers remorse

[cj'smom]

Booked a 4 night on the Monarch for Spring Break recently at travel agent's recommendation. I've been excited about booking this trip as it is to be a surprise girl's getaway with my 3 daughters. We have sailed other cruise lines before but never RC but booked this because it was the best overall price for the week we can go. I looked at the RC site before booking so was aware that the ship is older and that the interior rooms are very small.

 

The last few days I've been reading many reviews on various sites about the Monarch - often negative. I can deal with the ship being older and the cabins small but am reading accounts of broken toilets, sewage smell in the hall, sewage backing up into the showers, moldy bathrooms, ac not working in the cabin, lack of overall cleanliness on the ship, poor cabin and wait staff service and unresponsive customer service. Many people say that the food is not very good, the shows are mediocre and that there are not many activities for tweens/teens. Also have seen several people comment that many activities center around trying to sell you something and many shows/activities are full of bawdy more "adult" style humor. These comments had me in tears wondering what if I made a bad decision choosing this ship.

 

Called the TA and found out I would lose a lot of $$ if I cancelled since we are within 60 days of sailing. So, we will go and make the best of it. We are not overly hard to please but I do hope there will be shows we can go to and enjoy as a family. Also, if there are issues with a room such as broken AC or especially a health hazard like mold or sewage, I expect it to be taken care of right away. I also expect good service from my cabin steward and wait staff (and will then tip appropriately).

 

We are not big shoppers and I obviously won't be taking my tween/teens to the casino or to shows that feature adult humor.. We like dressing up and enjoying a nice meal together. One of our favorite parts of cruising is going to the shows or maybe to listen to music or to "clean comedy". I know my kids (tween/teen ages) will enjoy the pools and the rock wall. What else will there be for them to do?

 

Please help me be excited about this vacation again. I'm truly hoping the Monarch isn't as bad as others have made it sound. Would love to hear what you love about the Monarch. Also any suggestions on what we might enjoy that is "family friendly" and what to avoid that may be more bawdy (I've already figured out not to take them to Quest, lol!) Just want to have a fun, relaxing mom/daughters vacation.

 

Thanks in advance!

[jennmaybe]

I hate this, BUT you should have read the reviews here on CC before you booked and NOT booked it based on a travel agent's recommendation......:(

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I've been on the Monarch many times, she used to be my home ship in LA. While she's not the Allure, she's great!! As far as the stories about broken toilets and such, you can pretty much hear that about any ship on any given day. Stories go around. I never had any toilet or smell issues on Monarch.

 

You and your girls will have a great time, there's tons to do, don't worry.

[Cruiser 4 Life 66]

Don't worry, all the things you said you wanted to do you will be able to do. A cruise is what you make it. Go in with a good attitude, don't let the little things bug you, and have fun!

[PattyG12]

Just read the many good reviews as well. When we're planning we always knock out the ones with one star just like we knock out the ones with 5 stars. They will fix any problems and I've never had a problem finding something fun to do on board. Please enjoy your trip!!

[tahqa]

I wouldn't worry too much... here's a recent review of the Monarch 4 nighter and they seemed to enjoy themselves.

 

I've done Monarch 5 times and have never had a bad cruise. It's true that the rooms are small and the ship lacks the amenities that the newer and bigger ones have but she's still a great little ship with a great crew. The cruise director will warn you when an activity is adult oriented so there shouldn't be an issue there.

 

Just relax and enjoy yourself! :)

[Cruzface]

Relax!!! I have never been on Monarch, but on every other cruise I have been on I have read reviews about a litany of "problems." Have I encountered some issues on my cruises? Of course. But never enough to stop me and my family from having an awesome time each time. Your cruise will be what you make of it. If you stress about every little problem, then I am afraid you will not have a good time. Just have fun. You are on vacation.

 

Have I smelled the sewage smell, yes. Big deal? No. Have I had food that wasn't gourmet? Yes. But I didn't have to cook it or clean up after it and there is ALWAYS something to eat. Have I seen stained carpets and had a flooded bathroom? Sure. Not the end of the world. Don't like the shows or inappropriate? Do something else. Always something to do. As for the teens, if they are anything like my teens they will make friends on day 1 with a bunch of teens their age and will wander the ship in packs just "hanging out." This drives the older people on the ship crazy. I usually don't see my teens until dinner, they need somthing, or it is time to go to bed.

 

They and you will have an awesome time if you don't let the little stuff bother you and adjust your expectations.

[suezyq50]

I have enjoyed the Monarch and her sister ships. Yes the cabins are small. I never experienced a sewer smell. Enjoy it. Especially being with your daughters.

[MyNameIsGermy]

My first trip on RCI was on the Sovereign of the Seas, which Monarch is the sister ship to. I read a lot of the same reviews about Sovereign and was quite worried about what type of trip we were going to have.

 

All the worry led to nothing - the ship was in great condition (albeit much smaller than the rest of the ships in the fleet) and we had a blast. No complaints, other than them forcing us to get off at the end.

 

You're going to have a great time - go in to it with a positive attitude and expecting nothing but fun and I'm sure the Monarch and her crew will be more than happy to deliver!

 

-germ

[myhusbandmademecruiseit]

CJ'sMom - I have never sailed on Monarch before, but just because someone else has had a bad experience doesn't mean that you will - and vice versa. And please, please, please don't let someone else's bad experience tarnish or diminish your appreciation for Royal Caribbean. Every cruise line will have it's problems, but I guarantee you that RCCL is a wonderful cruise line. I'm about to head for my 4th RCCL cruise next month, and it will be my husband's 5th cruise onboard. We actually got married onboard Liberty of the Seas and everyone who sailed with us had a great time (including my sister-in-law and her husband who were loyal to Carnival and are seriously considering switching over).

 

Enjoy your cruise - while Monarch might not be a Carnival or Disney Party ship, I promise that it'll be as great as you make it!

[mlmc424]

The Monarch is one of our favorite ships and we have always found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. True that the cabins are small, but how much time do you really spend in them? The public areas are beautiful, clean and spacious. The food has always been fine. And as another poster has said, you can encounter the same problems you read about on the Monarch on any other ship in the fleet at one time or another. We're going on the Monarch again this November and we can't wait :D

[SECdawg]

You really have to take the reviews for what they are...other peoples opinions. We have been on the Monarch several times with our son (15 now) and there is plenty to do. The only thing that is adult only is the late night comedy show. All other shows are family friendly. The food may not be 5 star but it is better that what I cook most nights. And the best part is I don't have to cook or do the dishes. Rooms are small but adequate. We have never experienced any sewage smells. Relax and enjoy your vacation!

[Lindy Sue]

We sailed Monarch in October and had a wonderful time! The staff were friendly and helpful, the service was excellent, the food was just as good as we had received on Mariner OS and there was plenty to do... loved the Karoke! (SP?) The weather when we sailed was not the best (hurricanes here and there), so the crew members scrambled to make sure we had plenty to keep us busy! I agree, go with a positive attitude and KNOW that you and your girls will have a great time! :)

[G&TQ]

My family (DH,DS(6) and myself) will be on the April 4 sailing. Which sailing will you be on?

 

I read some of those same review but like stated above you can find bad reviews on each ship. And you can find 2 people on the same cruise have totaly different reviews. We are also laidback and it would take a lot to make us not enjoy a cruise.

 

I hope you have a great time.

[Cruisenouvelle]

Don't let a few negative reviews scare you. Remember, when someone has a bad cruise, they shout it to the world...and 5x as many that have a great cruise, don't. We've read negative reviews for every cruise we've taken-and still had fun on every one.

Re: things to do- perhaps a spa trip,mani/pedi? There'll also be specials that the spa offers. Have a great cruise.

[CruisingBunny]

Don't cancel your cruise! You have to take the reviews on here with a grain of salt. You can find negative reviews on just about any ship. Have been on Monarch once before and going again later this month. Never had any of the problems you listed before on any RC ship. There are plenty of family oriented activities for you and your daughters to do! You will have a great time!! Come back and post a review for us :)

[Scotty G]

As you can see from our previous sailings we have been on Monarch many times (As well as the Sovereign itself). We are not alone in that. There are many who return to Monarch because it is such a great experience. She and her crew were rated number 1 in the RCL fleet late last year based on customer surveys completed at the end of their cruise experience. You did not make a mistake in listening to your TA. We will be on board the 4th of April for a mini family reunion. Hope you and the family have a wonderful cruise!!!

[jackinav]

We were on Monarch a while ago and had no complaints. We'd done our homework and expected to be in a small cabin (inside on the 2nd deck) so we weren't shocked to enter what some would consider a closet. Everything else was more than what we expected. We loved the food and found the ship to be well-maintained. The crew was always friendly and helpful. We only had one small problem with billing and it was fixed quickly and beyond what was called for. We also had to miss a port because the weather was bad but the crew made up for it by adding extra activities. It's been a while since we've sailed MOS but it stands out as one of our favourite holidays. I don't recall any shows that were too "bawdy" but if there's anything that's adult-themed (like "Quest"), you'll be warned. There will always be some negative reviews because everyone has different expectations and occasionally, something will go wrong with a vacation. Expect an older ship and small cabins but also look forward to being treated like special guests, enjoying fun activities (or finding somewhere quiet if that's what you need), eating a LOT and leaving the housework to someone else for a few days!!!

[erbunny]

Hi==Let me join in on Monarch. We have been on 2 curises on her, enjoyed them both very much. If the weather lets you, there will be one full day at Coco Cay: lots of activities there for you and your girls. The day in Nassau is what you make of of it. If only Monsrch would go someplace eles, we'd be back in heartbeat. We are also from the Atlanta area and this cruise is an ideal getaway. The crew will have lots of activities scheduled for you and the girls. Stay away from the late night activities and I think you'll find the only thing wrong is that you'll wish you had more time. PS-If you don't know what Quest is--we didn't--it is adults only)

[Puffinater]

It may not be the newest with all the bells and whistles but we have enjoyed our trips on her. Go and enjoy.

[Trainman-2]

Things break in our cars, our homes, and on our cruise ships.

 

RCI is well known for excellent maintenance and quick repairs.

 

The best thing about the Monarch is the crew. They will go out of their way to make sure you have a good time.

 

You will enjoy the cruise!

 

Be sure to come back here afterwards and tell us how much you liked it.

[Mickeylee]

As others have said, please take reviews with a grain of salt - you don't the people who are writing them, so you don't know that their expectations are or what they like/dislike.

 

We were on a cruise in December and I happened to read a review from someone who was on the same week. Their review was so unlike what we had experienced that it was hard to believe that we were on the same ship at the same time.

 

Go and enjoy!

[madra2112]

Before we sailed on Vision OTS last August, there were several negative reviews posted, we chose to disregard them, and thoroughly enjoyed it. To my mind, there are two responses to pre-cruise jitters prompted by bad reviews.

 

1. Board the ship expecting to be disappointed. You probably will be.

2. Board the ship expecting to have a ball. You probably will.

 

I've not been on Monarch, but I've participated in Quest on Vision with my son and daughter (16 and 17), and while there were a few risque moments, they were by no means "dirty" IMO.

 

Also, my understanding is that comedians often do two shows - A family oriented show in the theatre at normal showtime, and a more adult oriented one at 12 midnight or so.

 

The kids clubs are excellent in our experience, and thankfully, we've never had a bad experience with a staff member on any ship. I concur with a previous poster, I always advise friends to disregard the really gushing reviews and also the really negative ones. Most importantly, it's your holiday, you set the tone, you set the pace and you decide what to do.

 

Enjoy!!!!

[uksimonusa]

Was on Monarch over New Years and also last September, the Spetember was a birthday treat for our daughter and 3 of her friends, shey are all 15 and have a great time. I find the food on Monarch to be better than the other RC ships I have sailed on and the staff is great, always say good morning, good evening etc when passing you in the hallway.

 

Don't worry, I think you;ll have a great cruise

[orville99]

Other than the small rooms (which you're rarely in except to sleep), we found the food, service, cleanliness on a par with any of the larger RCI ships. We try to do the Monarch at least once a year. It's the best week-end getaway in Florida. Some of the elevators in the centrum (like some of my relatives) don't go all the way to the top;)