Thinking about Monarch-Baja cruise can you help??

[sanditoes4]

I am thinking about this cruise for Jan 08. What can you tell me, good and bad....need it all!!!!

 

I have heard both good and bad about Catalina Island and that Esc.MX is kind of dumpy??? Do you agree???

 

How about the ship, I know she's old but what is your opinion???

 

I have read the reviews, but they are so balanced-one good the next not so good??? It's hard to get a feel for the idea of going??

 

Thanks everyone,

[JJ2sail]

Actually there is a big Monarch fan club on these threads, we will be going for the first time on 11/13, but the overall consensus I think, that it is a good short cruise, and a good value for the price.

[zuscruiserz]

I love the Monarch - she's great for a short cruise (4 day, have never done a 3-dayer), she's been kept in very good condition, the chefs are top-notch, everyone is sooooooo friendly (absolutely loved our waiters/asst waiters!) and I would do her again in a heartbeat. In fact we are looking into our 3rd cruise on her this Dec, but we live in CA. BUT, she doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the larger ships, her cabins are SMALL (we don't spend any time in them, so it's ok for us), and when you've done Ensenada a couple of times...........well, let's just say you're ok in staying onboard for that port. We love Catalina (do the golfcarts!), and San Diego - never get tired of them :p .

 

Since you're coming from so far away (you'll fly, I assume?), why don't you try the Vision Mexican Riviera cruise. This was such a great cruise (I've done it twice, and want to go again!!!), and the Mexican ports are much more interesting than Ensenada, and so much more to do.

 

Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll have a great time. Just research, research, research so you know the different aspects of the ship you'll cruise on. Enjoy!

[sanditoes4]

I really appreciate your help, I am thinking about this cruise because it is 4 day, some of our party want to only be gone from home that long??

 

How long is the Vision??? Maybe I will look into that too......I might be able to talk them into longer????

 

Thanks again,

[capnlars]

I really appreciate your help, I am thinking about this cruise because it is 4 day, some of our party want to only be gone from home that long??

 

How long is the Vision??? Maybe I will look into that too......I might be able to talk them into longer????

 

Thanks again,

 

We've been on both Vision and Monarch. The Monarch is a great weekend getaway, and the crew is first-rate.

 

However, the Vision is WONDERFUL. As far as scheduling goes, instead of Mon-Fri, it's Sun-Sun. We went last year beginning of January. Weather was warm farther south than Ensenada. The ports are a blast (can't recommend Randi's Happy Horses in Mazatlan enough!), the ship is similar in size to the Monarch - but nicer, and the crew is great. There's a huge difference between the 3-4 day cruises and the 7 day cruises, which seem much more luxurious.

[FitzLA]

Vision is a 7 day cruise that goes to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo san Lucas.

 

Ensenada is somewhat dumpy, but I have been to many places in Mexico, and they are all the same....kinda dumpy. It depends on where you go. If you get out of the city center and do excursions, then it can be beautiful. Just most cities in mexico are dumpy.

[sanditoes4]

Thanks everyone!!!! I am taking notes!!!

 

Have great weekend all,

[spotcat]

Twelve of us went on the Monarch last weekend. We all loved it! I was getting rather concerned because of the negative posts. The ship is well maintained and the staff was superb.

 

Catalina is fun to putter around, especially if you rent a golf cart. There are some good places for lunch.

 

Ensenada is not too special. I like it anyway. I found some beautiful Oaxacan pottery for DIL. DH and the boys had a good time hanging out at Hussong's and reliving their college years. Some of our group just stayed on the ship. They loved having the pool to themselves.

[SandyToes1978]

From one SandyToes to another:

 

I loved the Monarch!! I went with a group of girls and we had a blast! DH and I are trying to plan another, 4 dayer this time, again in September for our anniversary. Like other posters said, the crew is FABULOUS and so is the food. Yes, the rooms are tiny, but who cares? No one spends too much time in them anyways.

 

I would love to try Vision too, but our next cruise is the same itinerary on Carnival Pride instead. My MIL booked it for our family reunion, so not my say. Good luck with your decision!

[ddicks2]

My daughter (12) and I went on a 4 day cruise and we loved it. Good size ship, I liked the spa and work out room. My daughter liked the Kids center and I felt very comfortable with the size of the ship. Note to big, not too small. We had a late table sitting so we would always go swimming before dinner when the pool was empty of people, then take a shower and go to dinner. It was so easy to get on board, and disembarking was great.

 

It's a wonderful weekend trip.

[ElvisandTracey]

I will be on the Monarch for the 5th time in Dec.-Catalina is great, San Diego is great, I stay on the ship in Ensenada cuz I have seen it all before. The port day in Ensenada is the best day to stay at the pool-you have the whole thing to yourself!!

 

I like Vision too-I am going in 30 days!!!

 

Mexico is fun, but I don't consider Ensenada to be the real Mexico-it's a tourist place. PV, Mazatlan and the outer parts of Cabo are great, with culture and wonderful people, Ensenada is a bit of a tourist slum. If you like to drink and get wild, Cabo is the place for you. PV is really pretty, and Mazatlan has lots of activities.

 

Have fun!!

[rubrrick]

Love the Monarch!! My DW and I have done it 5 times and are going again next May.

Actually in Ensenada..........I get a massage (1 hour) for $35.00 and it's excellent. Also the ship recommends one restaurant for lunch, and again the food is good and prices reasonable. We love to walk and get our excercise in town.

 

Rick

[dougp26364]

If you're within driving distance then it's not a bad cruise. However, if you have to fly in, it's pretty expensive for just a 4 night cruise IMO.

 

We did the 3 night on Monarch and found the ship enjoyable but Ensenada completely underwhelming. We did the Foxplorations tour which was nice but nothing special if you've been to any of the studio parks in the U.S.

 

If you're limited to a 4 night cruise because of traveling companions, Monarch's 4 night wouldn't be a bad choice. For us though we'd be looking at the Enchantment's 4 or 5 nighter out of FLL instead. I like the Vision class ship better, Enchantment as been "stretched" with some nice additions. Enchantment has a solarium indoor pool not found on Monarch or other Soveriegn class ships. Enchantment has a Chops restaurant on it were Vision and Monarch do not. Plus, I like Enchantment's iteneraries better but, that's just a personal choice. Keep in mind that the cost to fly to either LAX or FLL is about the same and, we do have to fly to take either cruise. That makes a big difference when making a decision on a short cruise. We generally tack on a 7 night vacation at one of our timeshare's we own in FL so, it just works out better for us.

 

I do have pictures of the Monarch in my signature below. There are also recent pictures of the Vision when we were in Alaska last month and Enchantment from last December if that helps you make a decision.

[Happy ks]

We've been on both the 3 night and the 4 night Monarch and while it is great for a short getaway, it's not something I would fly a long distance for. Perhaps to tack it onto another few days in LA, or to visit Disneyland, but not on its own.

 

We're also locals, we live within an hour of the port, so it makes more sense for people already on the west coast, within a reasonable driving distance, or a short flight.

 

So, I'll agree that it's a fun cruise, San Diego and Catalina are great, Ensenada not so much that we like to stay aboard the ship. I'd continue talking with your friends and try to convince them to go another 3 or 4 days and make it a week.

[telesaps]

I call it the "Booze Cruise". It attracts a more partying crowd. Personally, I would not fly in to go on that cruise, as the ship is not great, the food just so-so, and the ports (at least Ensenada) leave alot to be desired. However, I did do alot of shopping in Ensenada, buying a leather coat and some aluminum serveware that I love. My husband won BIG time in the casino, and he also won several hundred dollars playing bingo! All in all, it was a fun trip, but it does not compare to a 7-day cruise.