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

[Merion_Mom]

Some quick hits:

 

Cruise Compass for Tuesday night, formal night said: EXPECTED attire: formal.

 

Internet: No offer of packages of minutes for less than 50 cents per minute.

 

We had special "Captain's Dinner" last night up in the WJ - AMAZING. Danney arranged it, and it was fabulous.

 

Ensenada is everything people said it was. :rolleyes: ;)

 

Slots a little looser last night than night before, but not as good as first night.

 

The bedding really is great.

 

I have to try to remember to say "hi" to all the people you all asked me to say "hi" to!!!

 

Getting better with my camera.

 

Wine tour fun. Wine marginal.

 

QUEST tonight. CC will rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Gotta get back to my drinking buddies here in Ensenada.

 

AIEEEEEEEEEEEEE! arriba, arriba!

[PH8]

NO DUELING PIANOS???????????

 

Thats just plain wrong....:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Shaden1982]

Gotta get back to my drinking buddies here in Ensenada. AIEEEEEEEEEEEEE! arriba, arriba!

 

LOL!!!! CHEERS!!!! :D

 

Good luck to CC with Quest tonite!!

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

I agree....... no DP. :eek: :eek: We loved them!!!

 

***

[DiamondPlusCruiser]

Hey Carol,

 

I'm counting on Jean having pics of Dirtgirl's misadventures!!

 

I'm sure she dropped her purse in the toilet on purpose to get rid of the tray of champagne that she spilled all over herself on the Liberty!!

 

I heard the Dueling Piano Man is "the" infamous one from SOS-- LOL

 

Not only is RCI getting rid of the Dueling Piano's they're also getting rid of the secondary show bands on all ships beginning in June. The only live music will be the Pool Band, Orchestra, Piano singer in Schooner and of course the ever out of tune Rosario Strings--- I personally think this is a bad call.

[Merion_Mom]

Two quick amendations before I go to my final <sniff, sniff> dinner on board the Monarch:

 

1. When I signed on just now, I *was* given the usual options of minute packages.

 

2. DP *is* ending, but the last day is June 4. Steve's last day is Monday.

 

You may now resume your previous activities.

 

:D :D :D

[PhoenixCruiser]

Two quick amendations before I go to my final <sniff, sniff> dinner on board the Monarch:

 

1. When I signed on just now, I *was* given the usual options of minute packages.

 

2. DP *is* ending, but the last day is June 4. Steve's last day is Monday.

 

You may now resume your previous activities.

 

:D :D :D

 

Carol, I hope you really enjoy your last 12 hours on the Monarch!! Have a safe trip home :)

 

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[Cruising89143]

Carol, I hope you really enjoy your last 12 hours on the Monarch!! Have a safe trip home :)

 

###

 

My bet is Carol will stay up all night and sleep on the plane. :)

[PH8]

of course the ever out of tune Rosario Strings---.

Hey!! I like them....I think they are pretty good.........

 

Safe trip home,Carol:)

[jillybabes]

Hey Carol,

 

 

 

Not only is RCI getting rid of the Dueling Piano's they're also getting rid of the secondary show bands on all ships beginning in June. The only live music will be the Pool Band, Orchestra, Piano singer in Schooner and of course the ever out of tune Rosario Strings--- I personally think this is a bad call.

 

Don't forget the Latin Band in Boleros, I'm sure they will be on board! Later, Jill:cool:

[mommabean]

Every time I turn around Carol is going on a cruise again. And in a flash, she's back again. It's like she's got a revolving door to the ships. On, off, on, off. My head spins watching her.

 

Gina

[piercetc4]

thanks for this great live thread! it helps us dealing with the " wish i were on a cruise right now" blues......

so sad to hear we won't get to experience the dueling pianos in sept on sov! was really really looking forward to that! :(

thanks again for sharing your shipboard entertainment with us :)

[Ula]

Merion Mom,

Besides the bad tendering in Catalina. Did you see any evidence of the fire they had? I have not been back to Catalina since we lived on the boat and think 20 years ago, a favorite spot for us.

But my folks and I were thinking of doing the four day Monarch where I get my sisters boys. The folks are getting older and my sister could not get into cruising. Her boys love it. They are older but do need an adult.

I am more strict with the kids since I view them from a parental point and not a grandparent point. That just means you are in AO or with me, no running around loose because I remember I was young once also.

Win/Win my sister is thrilled and my folks are thrilled. I just told the boys I get up at six in the morning. So if you are in AO till one and I have to get you, I get coffee delivered at 6 so I hope you sleep sound.

[critterchick]

Ula, we walked up to the Wrigley Botanical Garden and you could see where the fire had come right down to the road leading up there - very scary! Avalon was spared completely, thank goodness, and there were lots of signs in the store windows thanking everybody who fought the fire.

 

Disembarkation was pretty slow this morning. Those of us doing a B2B waited until 10:30 and then were escorted past the rest of the line through customs. As we had Dirtgirl and Annie, both Canadians, with us, we went to the foreigners' line. We went through quickly. I'm at home dropping of laundry, walking the dogs and letting DG and Annie nap on the balcony until they have to leave for the airport - their tour of LA was cancelled so they were at loose ends.

 

It's ironic that RCI is canning the DPs when I FINALLY get what people see in them. The prior pair was awful, IMHO, and I never lasted more than a few minutes with them, but I sat through one entire show and most of a second one!

 

Rosarios Strings.... <<shudder>>

[Ula]

Jean,

I know the Wriggley. Nice walk past the golf course and bird sanctuary. I am so happy it did not burn further down.

I am surprised they are getting rid of DP, it gets such positive reviews. Every review I read on Monarch says it is a must see. I think RCI really needs to re think this. You start pulling the live entertainment, people are going to start looking at it as a cheap hotel. I do not think they want that.

My mom who was on RCI I think Vision a couple weeks ago commented their live entertainment for people in her age group was lame. She was not happy, and they cruise all the lines and about six times a year.

Getting off the ship in LA can be a pain.

[wolfcathorse]

OK, Carol, you have a holiday weekend to post your pictures and give us the lowdown on who was naughtiest!

[rubrrick]

If all went well for Carol................she should be headed home from Atlanta. She had 40 minutes to change planes.........and terminals.

 

I'm sure that others will be posting.............but I have to say that RCCL pulled out all stops for our 4 day cruise..................and I'm talking about the entire CC group that was aboard.

 

There were several highlights.........but the best in my book was the Hotel Director throwing a private dinner for the 40 plus of us.........that included the captain and all of the senior officers.:) :)

 

Rick

[Cruising89143]

If all went well for Carol................she should be headed home from Atlanta. She had 40 minutes to change planes.........and terminals.

 

I'm sure that others will be posting.............but I have to say that RCCL pulled out all stops for our 4 day cruise..................and I'm talking about the entire CC group that was aboard.

 

There were several highlights.........but the best in my book was the Hotel Director throwing a private dinner for the 40 plus of us.........that included the captain and all of the senior officers.:) :)

 

Rick

 

Sounds very nice Rick. RCI continues to shine...:)

[suziehmkr]

I am so glad to hear that everyone had a great time! I am looking forward to booking Monarch - everyone seems to really enjoy her!

[dirtgirl]

Hi everyone,

 

Yes, dirtgirl in the flesh.:o The purse did fall in the toilet (OK, I had had some champagne at the Captain's gala, and then was drinking wine at dinner). Oh well. It made it easy to get people to smile for pics after that - I just said, "Say stinky purse"! The strap on my brand new formal than just 'popped' at the dinner table, and Anne was trying to reattach it with bobby pins and a paper clip. There are pictures of that.:rolleyes: Anne and I then attempted to sew it back together in the cabin. Try to picture 2 intoxicated, giggling women trying to thread a needle...:o The final part of my "Susan Meyer" cruise was a seagull crapping on me as I was sunbathing in Ensenada.:D

 

I had a FANTASTIC time, and Anne is now hooked (first time cruiser). Such a great group of people! The only downer is that Anne's checked bag got lost, and all the gifts to her family were in there. She has filed a report, and hopefully it will be returned.

[Merion_Mom]

Jean,

I know the Wriggley. Nice walk past the golf course and bird sanctuary. I am so happy it did not burn further down.

I am surprised they are getting rid of DP, it gets such positive reviews. Every review I read on Monarch says it is a must see. I think RCI really needs to re think this. You start pulling the live entertainment, people are going to start looking at it as a cheap hotel. I do not think they want that.

My mom who was on RCI I think Vision a couple weeks ago commented their live entertainment for people in her age group was lame. She was not happy, and they cruise all the lines and about six times a year.

Getting off the ship in LA can be a pain.

Ula, this one is a pure budget cut. Two live dueling piano players cost way more than one Schooner bar player. The plan is to make Boleros more Latin, more salsa, all the time. Somehow I suspect, since this is for budgetary reasons, that they'll be using canned music, not live musicians.

 

My travel home was FROM HELL. I seem to be having great luck with cruises, but horrid luck with transit.

 

Die, AirTran, DIE! (more later; need sleep soon)

[PhoenixCruiser]

Ula, this one is a pure budget cut. Two live dueling piano players cost way more than one Schooner bar player. The plan is to make Boleros more Latin, more salsa, all the time. Somehow I suspect, since this is for budgetary reasons, that they'll be using canned music, not live musicians.

 

My travel home was FROM HELL. I seem to be having great luck with cruises, but horrid luck with transit.

 

Die, AirTran, DIE! (more later; need sleep soon)

 

Glad you made it home safely Carol :D Sorry to read about AirTran. :mad:

 

My checked bag with American Airlines has been missing since the 16th....UGH!!! It took me over 10 hours to get from Indiana to Arizona, sans luggage.

 

Over the past two days I spent over $1,000 to replace some of my items, and probably have about $1,200 to spend in order to replace everything. Once I GET the forms to submit my claim, AA has 12 weeks to review and approve or deny my claim :mad:

 

Since this was a business trip and I had to book with a TA, I hope I can get some help from them.

 

After you get the much needed sleep, please come back and tell us all about your vacation :D

 

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[rubrrick]

Ula, this one is a pure budget cut. Two live dueling piano players cost way more than one Schooner bar player. The plan is to make Boleros more Latin, more salsa, all the time. Somehow I suspect, since this is for budgetary reasons, that they'll be using canned music, not live musicians.

 

My travel home was FROM HELL. I seem to be having great luck with cruises, but horrid luck with transit.

 

Die, AirTran, DIE! (more later; need sleep soon)

 

We shared a cab with Carol to LAX..............so we know that that part went well..............then I talked to her just as she was starting to board, and told me that she had to switch planes in Atlanta..........and to do that, she had to switch terminals.

 

Seeing her posting early this morning, I knew that she made it home.....what looked to be a couple of hours later than she planned.

 

Carol.........I need to head out to work..........but will start working on how to upload pictured this evening.:D

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Sorry to hear your flight home was a bad experience, can't wait to read the details.

 

Hope you got some good rest......can't wait to see your pictures!!!

 

***

[Ula]

Carol,

My comment on flying is this, it is a great way to erase a relaxing cruise.

All the cruise lines are making budget cuts, it is just sad to see something go that is so highly talked about leave. Personally I am no fan of Salsa Music.

You get some rest.