Gate 1 Monarch Princess Engine Problem

[SeaYouThere]

We’re currently onboard Gate 1’s Monarch Princess On Day 3 of our 7-day Danube cruise from Budapest to Regensburg.  Our departure from Bratislava last night didn’t occur due to an engine problem.  Gate 1 brought a technician onboard this morning while we were touring Vienna with an 1 1/2 bus ride in each direction but he could not resolve the issue.  

We just received an update from cruise director to let us know a repair team is on the way and will arrive sometime tomorrow.  Our tours have been modified to still allow us to see Melk Abby tomorrow afternoon but we’ll have a 2 hour bus ride in each direction and shortened time in Melk.  

We now have a 16-hour boat ride and passage through locks to get caught up with our schedule after/if the technicians complete the repairs so it’s looking doubtful.

This is our third river cruise but first time with Gate 1.  We are enjoying the crew and passengers but aren’t sure if this company is the one for us in future.  We understand issues can occur but are disappointed right now as are others.

Hopefully anyone scheduled to board the ship in Regensburg  on June 16 will have smooth sailing.

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

Monarch Princess is 10 years old.  That could have something to do with it.

[dogs4fun]

I am sorry to hear about the engine issues aboard the Monarch Princess. We cruised the Danube on the Monarch Baroness last Oct/Nov and had a nice time. Last year there were issues with Danube water levels and this impacted all cruise lines. I think that Gate 1 does not have the large fleet that say, Viking does, and thus ship swaps are not a possibility. Can't beat the prices that Gate 1 offers - hope that you have a better experience in the future regardless of with which company you cruise.

[joecleveland]

I saw somewhere else that they've now had you disembark and offered you either a refund or continue the trip by bus and hotels.  What option did you choose and did they give you any idea when the ship would be fixed (We're on the June 23rd sailing out of Budapest)

[brandybit]

We’re on the June 30 sailing. I hope things are resolved by then! This is our first river cruise...

[SeaYouThere]

On 6/13/2019 at 6:30 PM, joecleveland said:

I saw somewhere else that they've now had you disembark and offered you either a refund or continue the trip by bus and hotels.  What option did you choose and did they give you any idea when the ship would be fixed (We're on the June 23rd sailing out of Budapest)

 

We’ve been told by Gate 1 that the ship is now in dry dock to receive a new engine.  We and at least 14 others opted to leave the group.  The proposed land/bus tour was a different itinerary than we’d see on the ship and no reimbursement was mentioned for any who decided to stay with the group.

[dogs4fun]

6 hours ago, SeaYouThere said:

 

We’ve been told by Gate 1 that the ship is now in dry dock to receive a new engine.  We and at least 14 others opted to leave the group.  The proposed land/bus tour was a different itinerary than we’d see on the ship and no reimbursement was mentioned for any who decided to stay with the group.

Sorry to hear this. Was your money refunded? Can you rebook the same itinerary on a different Gate 1 ship for a different date? 

[brandybit]

When is it due to be completed and back to sailing? We are on June 30

[SeaYouThere]

Brandybit,

We weren’t told when the ship would be repaired.  I read on another site that Gate 1 had also cancelled the sailing after ours.  

 

I hope you have a better experience than we did.

[MVTcher]

We are currently checked into our cabin on the Monarch Princess departing Budapest, June 23rd at 10pm. Crossing our fingers for a successful river cruise up the Danube. 

[SeaYouThere]

2 hours ago, MVTcher said:

We are currently checked into our cabin on the Monarch Princess departing Budapest, June 23rd at 10pm. Crossing our fingers for a successful river cruise up the Danube. 

 

Good news!  I’m glad your sailing is looking promising.

[Wingman2010]

Guess I was worried about our 8/4/19 cruise for nothing!!   Glad the ship was repaired so quickly.  Hope they used the ace mechanics... 😀

[MVTcher]

UPDATE- being bused to Bratislava in the morning. Engine is over heating. Engineer is coming on Monday to fix it due to it being Sunday. We will see what happens. I’ll try to update status as to what happens. 

[pcvtmom]

Thanks for keeping us up to date on what's happening!  We are supposed to be on the same cruise July 20th.  Getting nervous, at this point.  I know we have a month, but it's still concerning.

[SeaYouThere]

I’m so sorry to hear the ship is still having engine problems.   I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

 

 

[MVTcher]

The boat has left Budapest. Our schedule has been modified somewhat to accommodate the unforeseen engine problem. Gate 1 has been working hard to make things as best as possible for its passengers. Although not ideal, it’s been ok. As the saying goes, when traveling, make sure to pack your patience. 

[Wingman2010]

Glad to hear your cruise has finally begun!!  Thanks for the updates....

[dancentx]

We are supposed to be on the Monarch Princess on July 21 as part of a tour that begins in Warsaw on July 13.   Sorry to read about two different cruises that had engine problems, but we remain hopeful that our trip will go smoothly.  Thanks for sharing!

 

Becky & Jerry

[MVTcher]

As of yesterday, We are 100% back on schedule sailing the Wachau Valley and visiting Melk. We arrive today in Linz. All should be good for those traveling the Monarch Princess in the upcoming weeks. 

[pcvtmom]

Great news!  Thanks for keeping us informed.

[SC Cruizers]

Yes!!!  That is great news. We board September 1st. 🤗🤗🤗

If anyone on upcoming cruises can post a picture of the daily program that would be great. Trying to fill our free time in ports and it would be great to know what time to get back on ship. 

[gnome12]

40 minutes ago, Georgia Cruizers said:

Yes!!!  That is great news. We board September 1st. 🤗🤗🤗

If anyone on upcoming cruises can post a picture of the daily program that would be great. Trying to fill our free time in ports and it would be great to know what time to get back on ship. 

Don't count on the timing being the same on your cruise as on another.

 

My suggestion is to do your research, know what you would like to get to, know their opening hours, and then wing it based on the schedule you receive the night before. (And sometimes the schedule changes while you are off the ship on an excursion; this is river cruising.) 

[2morrow]

Does anyone know where the ship shuttles you to in  and out if the port for Vienna