LIVE from the Monarch....a cruise in progress

[Merion_Mom]

Here we are on the beautiful Monarch of the Seas.

 

This is an amazing bunch of CC members. We are having a fabulous time.

 

This will be in a series of short posts, because you know how bad the internet connection is from on board, and I don't want to lose any long posts.

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

Then let me be the first to say . . . welcome "back," we miss you, thanks for taking the time to do this, and enjoy your cruise!! :)

[Merion_Mom]

We departed right on time on Monday afternoon. We all spent some time checking out our cabins and negotiating the ship. We met for sailaway at Boleros lounge, after partaking of the various free offerings in the Centrum.

 

Ok, they were giving out free samples of booze, all right?!?!?!?!?

 

The ship is beautiful and in excellent condition. What a marvelous staff. Our cabin attendant Ismael is a wonder - friendly, attentive and efficient. What more could you ask?

 

I'm in an OV on Deck 8, and tinkerme (Celia) is right next door. It's like being back in the dorm!

 

The cabin is compact but well-designed, and I almost don't miss the safe and refrigerator. The closet is enormous, with lots of hanging space, hangers and shelves. There are eight drawers in the vanity, and the standard hair dryer, with the button that works by itself and does NOT have to be held down to function.

 

I love the new bedding, and it makes a world of difference in the comfort level.

 

Our wonderful TA has sent a fruit plate, a cheese plate, a bottle of champagne and a bottle of wine.

 

C & A has sent chocolate covered strawberries, which we shared at trivia this afternoon with Jeff, the Activities Director. Some may have considered it a bribe, but we won the contest on our own merits. We won the lovely RC visors. They were out of everything else but keychains, and we mutinied when he offered those.

 

The meals have been delicious and efficiently and happily served. Let's just say that we've attracted a bit of attention in the dining room.

 

For those who wonder the truth of the matter, you CAN get other drinks at the Captain's Welcome Back Party in the Theatre. We had such special delights as 7 & 7 and chocolate martinis. YUM.

[Monsieur_La_Croisiere]

Then let me be the first to say . . . welcome "back' date='" we miss you, thanks for taking the time to do this, and enjoy your cruise!! :)[/font']

 

To La': Baby...? Why are we not on this cruise? It's memorial day and we are land locked! I am jealous!!

[Merion_Mom]

Sand DIego was fun - we went shopping. Celia is a native and acted as our Sherpa. Lorna and I just followed behind. Not quite accurate - Lorna knows SD well, too. I trailed along.

 

Rick hosted a sailaway party in the Royal Suite this afternoon. The RS' balcony is a front row seat to the bridge, and Captain Teo guided us out of San Diego while we watched. Later in the party, I had my picture taken with him twice, while he assured me that he remembered me from my big wave and thanks from the balcony.

 

Casino slots were loose last night, tight tonight.

 

Excellent flan in the WJ at lunchtime today.

 

Mr. Sexy Legs contest was breath-taking, and absolutely hilarious. No one in our group participated, but it was still fun to watch. :)

 

Let's see..........dirtgirl (other Carol) dropped her purse in the toilet, and lost the strap to her formal gown.

 

I keep hitting the off button on my new digital camera instead of the shutter, missing out on some amazing blackmail opportunities.

 

Well, time for Dueling Pianos, and you all know what that means.

 

:D

[Murphy]

Sounds like you are having a blast! Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[VernRDH]

Carol-

 

Sounds like you are having a great time. If you see Jen (LepHysteria) tell her I said hi and will talk to her soon to review her B2B on Monarch for the podcast!!!

 

Try not to become the subject of any of those blackmail photos.:D

[mohavemommy]

Thinking of you all! Hope Catalina is great today! ... don't forget to visit Cold Stone Creamery while you are there.

[isujim]

Carol hope you are having a great time and it sounds like you are........thanks for taking the time to post.

[PH8]

Thanks for checking in carol..............I forgot you were going to be away.I mailed your package the other day......so it should be waiting for you when you get home...

 

Have fun!

[mommabean]

Funny stuff.

 

The camera bit with the off button is my specialty. Why some of these digital camera makers put the on/off button directly beside the shutter button is beyond my understanding. It's not your fault. :)

 

Gina

[Happy ks]

Ha! Tell dirtgirl I can picture it all, she's too funny :D

 

It's great to hear you're all having such a good time. Women sure can have a lot of laughs when they're let loose!

 

Wish I was with Ya'll :)

[lawsoncd3]

 

The ship is beautiful and in excellent condition. What a marvelous staff. Our cabin attendant Ismael is a wonder - friendly, attentive and efficient. What more could you ask?

 

 

OMG - I had Ismael on our surprise cruise last week! Merion Mom, if you get a chance, and you read this, please tell him Chad and Dona say hello! He was a gem. I miss him!!! Always helpful.

 

Also, if any of you read this while you're on board, please stop by the Schooner Bar in the evenings (check your compass for times) for Eric. He plays the piano there and is fantastic. He and I still e-mail each other! Tell him Dona said hello!!! (Please).

 

 

 

D :)

[nlcentralchmps03]

 

Well, time for Dueling Pianos, and you all know what that means.

 

:D

 

ROFL! :p

[wolfcathorse]

Capt Teo remembers you from your big wave? Is that the name those Croatians use for "bosom"? Go Carol, Go Carol, Go Carol!

[ckrobyn]

Hi Carol,

 

Have fun on your cruise! Sounds like you are already having a blast :D

[PhoenixCruiser]

Glad to hear you are having a great time Carol :D :D

 

###

[Cruising89143]

Thanks for the updates Carol. Sounds like you're having a great time.

[Shaden1982]

Sounds like a wonderful time....wish I was there!!! Tell Celia hello from Sharon (shaden1982)!!

CHEERS!!!

[jillybabes]

Carol: Glad to hear that you are having a wonderful time...I could just picture dirtgirl losing her purse...Tell her Jill says hi:D ...Look forward to pictures upon your return...Later, Jill:cool:

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Hi Carol just dropping by to say hello and glad you are having a great time!

 

I can so relate to the camera and hitting the wrong button!!!

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!!

 

***

[Merion_Mom]

Karen: I have some amazing pictures of Captain Teo. Some are of him;some are of him and me. :D Tomorrow, I will be helping him take the ship out of Ensenada. He told me that I can touch anything I want. :D

 

Dueling Pianos are great. MAJOR NEWS BREAK:

 

Dueling Pianos are gone, gone, gone. As of Monday, May 28, there are no more Dueling Pianos on Royal Caribbean. If this bothers you, write to Royal Caribbean NOW. This is a budget-cutting move. Steve has been offered a position at the Schooner Bar on the Explorer beginning in July. Check signature.

 

Catalina was beautiful. Gorgeous, fun, delicious, rip-off internet rates.

 

Major SNAFU there. They were using two tenders; one broke down; Celia says that this has happened before. Turnaround time for one tender run is an hour. There was a line HOURS LONG at the pier. We were in line TWO HOURS before getting back on board. Departure delayed; many activities missed; no compensation offered. There were people in line behind us who probably didn't get on board until TWO HOURS LATER than we did, and they had been in line as long as we were!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[takeavacation]

No more dueling pianos???? That was our favorite part of our last Monarch cruise -- they were so good and funny! I do not think that is a good move - hate budget cutting decisions!:(

[jillybabes]

Carol: So I gather that Steve is on the Monarch right now???

I think he will do very well in the Schooner Bar...Later, Jill:cool:

[lawsoncd3]

Carol: So I gather that Steve is on the Monarch right now???

I think he will do very well in the Schooner Bar...Later, Jill:cool:

 

Jill: Steve was on board last week too. We went to DP then. I actually had a chance to sit at the piano bar with Steve and we were all singing along with Eric (the piano player). It was sooo much fun!

 

D :)