All things Monarch of the Seas

[critterchick]

You can also just request a table for two near a window without knowing the table number.

 

You probably won't get one, though. The only tables that are actually set up for 2 are in a crappy part of the dining room - as you walk in, they are against a wall in the center, and one person sits with his/her back to the rest of the dining room. The other person sits on a bench seat. The tables are squished in between two tables for 4, so you don't have any privacy at all. There are similar tables for 2 next to the kitchen, too, also undesireable IMHO.

 

I recommend that you go to the dining room when you board and ask if the headwaiter on duty can set aside a table for 4 for just the two of you (they're available for that between 1 and 4, I think). If your dining time isn't full (usually main seating is, but late is not) they may be able to accomodate you.

[tinkerme1]

Jean, on our last Monarch cruise with Marilyn, we had a great table that was converted to a two-top or a four-top. We really enjoyed sitting there. It is the first table as you enter the dining room up on the raised part of the dining room, right-hand side. Our waiters were terrific!:D

 

When you board the ship, just ask Christopher if they can do anything for you. I bet he can! :)

[H20 Lover]

OK, we just booked the Monarch today. We were on her in May (hi ladies!) and knew we wanted to do it again and of course before she leaves. Rooms are booking up fast as I couldn't find much on the last sailing you guys are doing, so 10/6 it is! That was such a fun 4 dayer and the best of course is driving, parking, walking on. It will also be our first time boarding as Plat. Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 

Anyone going on the 10/6, come on over to the roll call, it's SO QUIET!

[mohavemommy]

My cruise two weeks ago I had requested a table for 9 of us... and we were placed on the upper area in a table for 10 (one open chair). I wished they had placed us near the window, but all was well.

[TITISSA]

We just came back from our cruise with the Monarch of the Seas. It is a very nice small ship. It was clean. Staff was extremely nice. We had a Grand Suite which was a decent size. Food in the dinning room was pretty bad but we ended up eating at the Windjammer which was really good. The cruise director is a riot. Very funny guy. Even though it was a sold out cruise it never seem packed. Shows were really good. I was surprised. The commedien was excellent and the singers and dancers very good. Be aware that disembarkation is very very very slow. I've been to over 20 cruises and have never seen such thing. If you have an early flight forget it... It was a good cruise and very good itinerary.

[mohavemommy]

We just came back from our cruise with the Monarch of the Seas. It is a very nice small ship. It was clean. Staff was extremely nice. ......

Be aware that disembarkation is very very very slow. I've been to over 20 cruises and have never seen such thing. If you have an early flight forget it... It was a good cruise and very good itinerary.

 

I am wondering if you had Priority Disembarkation... are you a Diamond member with RCI? We are and two weeks ago we were in our car and on our way home from the Monarch by 7:30.

[JJ2sail]

I agree, we had no problem getting off the ship by 7:30 and on the road by 8:00 am. I think if you wait till later it does get pretty hectic.

[TITISSA]

Yes, we had priority disembarkation but since our flight back to NY was only at 1:45 PM we decided to wait on board and that was a mistake. It took forever. There were only 3 immigration booths. But then again it's better to wait on the ship than at LAX.

[H20 Lover]

When we were on the MOS in May, it was the fastest disembarkation we have ever had. Every time we cruise, it's different. I try to keep my expectations super duper low.

 

Also, we thought the food in the dining room was AWESOME!!! Buffet was good too, but we live for those dining room dinners. Our wait staff was incredible too. All part of the reason we are going again. I've never had such a friendly crew. Not that other ones have stunk, but you know, some just go that extra mile.

 

Looking forward to seeing Miss MOS again...

[moakes]

We just came back as well from the 3 day on July 11 and we had a really good time.

 

My impressions (and comparing my Jan 2007 MOTS vs July 2008 cruise):

 

Food in Dining Room - improved. Liked the new menus including the Indian options. Had the biryani on the first night and it was great.

Service in Dining Room - tried hard and was friendly but was a little slow. Water glass sat empty for quite a while.

 

Food in windjammer - huge improvement - fresh/hot good selection. We typicaly ate breakfast here every day, and one lunch (Friday). We also skipped formal night in the DR and ate dinner in the WJ and it was an eye opener. We had a gorgeous view looking over the bow as we sailed out of Ensenada and into the sunset with dolphins below us riding the bow wake. One of the most romantic views for a meal. The setting was further enhanced with table cloths and candles (albeit the faux kind). The food was similar the DR offerings and was very good and the best part was you ate at your pace.

 

Cabin - small but efficient. We had an oceanview on Deck 6. Heard a couple of inconsiderate joggers who ignored the no jogging rule in the am - but wasn't too bad.

 

Shows - really didn't stay too long in any one to offer a fair review.

 

Casino - fun, but man they have the luckiest dealers who can pull 21 out of 5 cards 4 times in a row....

 

Activities - we did several trivia contests etc... and they were fun... I think the CD staff was on the weaker side in creating excitement. The Karoake was fun, but the CD staff member's schtick (real or exaggerated) leading it got old fast.

 

Pool - many chair hogs... but that's old news - no staff enforcement. The Sunday poolside BBQ also took up too large an area and therefore a lot of space in the sun was lost. Note the BBQ was pretty good and tasty.

 

Ship Condition - pretty darn good. Carpet looked worn here and there but there were many a crew member carrying their cleaning bag and keeping the ship clean and tidy.

 

Crew - probably one of the friendliest I've encountered. From our stateroom attendant, Roy to even the guest services deck we encountered smiles and helpful people everywhere.

 

Guests - your typical 3 day weekend cruiseers - many first timers... some really obnoxious and condescending to the staff... There were a few escorted off the ship by police yesterday morning.

 

Ensenada - it's Ensenada. Though I do reccommend the taco place next door to Hussongs (also reccomended).

 

Adventure Ocean - Kids had a blast. The facilities are great. But what really seperates this program from Carnival is the AO staff. They are simply great.

 

Overall - we had a great time and are going to miss the MotS when it moves to Port Canaveral. When you fill out your guest survey, include a note about not abandoning the 3/4 day market in LA. Maybe someone will listen.

[Mach1]

A couple quick questions:

Do the rooms have fridges?

Has any one had 4 people in a cabin?

[moakes]

A couple quick questions:

Do the rooms have fridges?

Has any one had 4 people in a cabin?

 

Can't comment on suites but our oceanview did not have a fridge or a safe.

 

We had 4 in our room. Two adults and two kids. It was tight but for 3 nights manageable. The kids slept on pullmans above the main bed. But it is kind of like sleeping in a small RV or trailer.

[JJ2sail]

Superior Ocean view cabins and suites have the mini frig.

[mohavemommy]

Can't comment on suites but our oceanview did not have a fridge or a safe.

 

We had 4 in our room. Two adults and two kids. It was tight but for 3 nights manageable. The kids slept on pullmans above the main bed. But it is kind of like sleeping in a small RV or trailer.

 

This is accurate. There is just enough room to walk between the beds... no more than that. For the time spent in the cabin it is fine.

[moakes]

This is accurate. There is just enough room to walk between the beds... no more than that. For the time spent in the cabin it is fine.

 

It's actually quite comical at times getting around the cabin.

[onthewaves]

There were 4 of us in an oceanview cabin. DH, myself, and our 2 grown sons, one is 6'2" and the other an even 6'. We had plenty of closet and drawer space and didn't feel crowded, but we're pretty active and didn't spend much time in the cabin.

[mohavemommy]

It's actually quite comical at times getting around the cabin.

 

... and getting ready for dinner! :D

[moakes]

... and getting ready for dinner! :D

 

We worked up our apetite by playing leapfrog to the bathroom... of course one leap and you are there!

[mohavemommy]

I think we were more like a race to the bathroom when it opened up... but of course it was not a long race at a maximum of 3 steps. It was more of who had longer arms to reach the door handle first. :D

[tahoemc]

Ditto on the cabin leap frog gig. We had three in a Deck 6 OV (6542) and it was cozy. The pullman in our cabin was not very sturdy and must have been attached to the one in the adjoining cabin, as the whole wall and bed shook everytime the neighbor moved in his pullman bed. After the first night, we took the mattress off the pullman and placed it on the floor for my daughter to sleep on the other two nights. This made it only one GIANT leap for either my DW or I to get to the bathroom from our bed LOL. Ok for a 3-night trip, but nothing longer, as we spend most of our time outside the cabin anyways.

[Mach1]

I was wondering how sturdy the Pullman beds are!

We’ll have 3 adults and 1 child. Yicks – I hope no one falls off and they can hold an adult.

Might have to take turns getting ready – send the guy out for drinks while the girls get ready ;)

Does the spa have showers that can be used?

[mohavemommy]

The pullman beds could hold up to 300 lb. if I remember right.

[Piepkorn]

I was wondering how sturdy the Pullman beds are!

We’ll have 3 adults and 1 child. Yicks – I hope no one falls off and they can hold an adult.

Might have to take turns getting ready – send the guy out for drinks while the girls get ready ;)

 

Does the spa have showers that can be used?

 

I have slept in an upper berth once on Monarch, and it was very secure.

[Merion_Mom]

It's actually quite comical at times getting around the cabin.

It's so crowded that you have to go out into the hall to change your mind.

 

:D :D :D :D

[Merion_Mom]

We just came back as well from the 3 day on July 11 and we had a really good time.

 

My impressions (and comparing my Jan 2007 MOTS vs July 2008 cruise):

 

Food in Dining Room - improved. Liked the new menus including the Indian options. Had the biryani on the first night and it was great.

Service in Dining Room - tried hard and was friendly but was a little slow. Water glass sat empty for quite a while.

 

Food in windjammer - huge improvement - fresh/hot good selection. We typicaly ate breakfast here every day, and one lunch (Friday). We also skipped formal night in the DR and ate dinner in the WJ and it was an eye opener. We had a gorgeous view looking over the bow as we sailed out of Ensenada and into the sunset with dolphins below us riding the bow wake. One of the most romantic views for a meal. The setting was further enhanced with table cloths and candles (albeit the faux kind). The food was similar the DR offerings and was very good and the best part was you ate at your pace.

 

Cabin - small but efficient. We had an oceanview on Deck 6. Heard a couple of inconsiderate joggers who ignored the no jogging rule in the am - but wasn't too bad.

 

Shows - really didn't stay too long in any one to offer a fair review.

 

Casino - fun, but man they have the luckiest dealers who can pull 21 out of 5 cards 4 times in a row....

 

Activities - we did several trivia contests etc... and they were fun... I think the CD staff was on the weaker side in creating excitement. The Karoake was fun, but the CD staff member's schtick (real or exaggerated) leading it got old fast.

 

Pool - many chair hogs... but that's old news - no staff enforcement. The Sunday poolside BBQ also took up too large an area and therefore a lot of space in the sun was lost. Note the BBQ was pretty good and tasty.

 

Ship Condition - pretty darn good. Carpet looked worn here and there but there were many a crew member carrying their cleaning bag and keeping the ship clean and tidy.

 

Crew - probably one of the friendliest I've encountered. From our stateroom attendant, Roy to even the guest services deck we encountered smiles and helpful people everywhere.

 

Guests - your typical 3 day weekend cruiseers - many first timers... some really obnoxious and condescending to the staff... There were a few escorted off the ship by police yesterday morning.

 

Ensenada - it's Ensenada. Though I do reccommend the taco place next door to Hussongs (also reccomended).

 

Adventure Ocean - Kids had a blast. The facilities are great. But what really seperates this program from Carnival is the AO staff. They are simply great.

 

Overall - we had a great time and are going to miss the MotS when it moves to Port Canaveral. When you fill out your guest survey, include a note about not abandoning the 3/4 day market in LA. Maybe someone will listen.

 

:) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=810471 :)