All things Monarch of the Seas

[aaklang]

Thanks for the info on the sewer problem with deck 2. We'll keep our inside deck 5 room!

[gail campbell]

we will be on the monarch in dec celebrating our 40th anniversary, havent been on a smaller ship sounds like this one is nice.

[Mach1]

I would stay where you are as it is more convenient to everything (but then, I won't take elevators). The 'window' on deck 2 is just a dinky porthole, and I hear that deck 2 has had sewer problems on occasion. I would go for an obstructed OV on deck 8 way before an OV on deck 2.

 

All of you are scaring me...I have a OV on deck 2...#2040.

I don't want sewer problems or smells. :eek: There will be 4 of us in the room.

[critterchick]

For those of you who consider the Monarch your second home, can you recommend a favorite bar and a favorite bartender? Someone who likes to talk and mixes a nice drink.

 

Also, are there any crew members that you feel are the type of people you just HAVE to meet because of how nice they are or for the stories they tell, or for whatever reason? If so, where can they usually be found?

 

 

The bartenders rotate every two weeks. Mo (who I agree is terrific) was in the Pool Bar, which isn't my favorite place - way to crowded.

 

Alok, who was in Bolero's last week, makes great drinks and loves to talk. Same with the aptly-named Gaby (Casino), Mo, Charlie Dean and Duane (I'm not sure where he was).

 

Desmond Lalchan, who was just promoted from bar server to the Cruise Director's staff, is always great to talk to. His new job makes it harder to find him, though. And his cohort Darryl is also a lot of fun.

 

Captain Rick is one of the most personable we've seen - he's often out and about and talking with the passengers.

 

Honestly, just about any crewmember has a story that's exotic, to me, anyway. And most of them love to talk to somebody who takes the time to try to get to know them a little better.

 

There are occasional sewage issues on all decks. We've noticed a whiff on Deck 10 and a stronger odor in Bolero's on Deck 7. I don't know if Deck 2 is more prone to it. But I wouldn't worry about it too much or you'll convince yourself that it's there even if it isn't.:) I would rather stay on another deck for the convenience and a full window, even if there's a lifeboat right outside.

[Mach1]

.........

 

There are occasional sewage issues on all decks. We've noticed a whiff on Deck 10 and a stronger odor in Bolero's on Deck 7. I don't know if Deck 2 is more prone to it. But I wouldn't worry about it too much or you'll convince yourself that it's there even if it isn't.:) I would rather stay on another deck for the convenience and a full window, even if there's a lifeboat right outside.

 

Your right - I won't worry about it. And if all goes well, we'll be out and about having a good time. I don't think any of us plan to spend to much time in our little shoe box ;) :p

[tinkerme1]

I know it sounds strange, but we happen to love the inside, corner cabins on Deck 4, 5, and 6. BTW, Deck 5 and 6, if you are in the middle of the ship, you'll get a loud THUD in the early morning hours due to the anchor chain moving when docking. It only lasts for a short while, so don't worry about it.

 

We like the inside Deck 4 cabins a lot. We can easily get off the ship when the cruise is over. Since my husband has to go back to work on Monday mornings, it sure makes it a breeze to get off.

 

For such short cruises on the Monarch, you're more often out and about and not in your cabin. Just look at it as a place to sleep and you'll be fine!:D

[rubrrick]

I also would not worry about any sewer smell. It's happens only on occasion.........even on deck 10!!

 

If everyone just put in the toilet.......what is supposed to go there.......there would be no sewage problem at all!!

 

Enjoy your cruise!! :)

 

Rick

[Suburbanette]

Hi Monarch "Pros"!

If anyone has any suggestions or input on this I'd be grateful...

 

I'm booked on the 10/6 - 10/10 4-nighter, sailing with girlfriends, which we booked through an agent back in January. Our cabins are together on the deck and location that we prefer. All is well there.

 

Just a couple of days ago hubby and I decided (on a whim) to take the 10/10 - 10/13 3-nighter just for the heck of it, since he's never done the Ensenada run before and this is our last chance for him to try out the old girl (the Monarch, I mean!;)). I booked it through the RCCL website right then and there. My preference would have been to keep the same cabin but it isn't available. I was lucky to get one just a few doors away on the same deck.

After I booked, I wondered if there was a way to coordinate the 2 bookings, so I called RCCL. Turns out, since this isn't an "officially linked" back-to-back and they apparently can't link it now, I might have to pack up completely and disembark with my luggage and then reboard as normal. However, the rep also said that I should talk to someone (I'm not sure who would be best) about making arrangements to keep my things onboard. Maybe move them to the new cabin, maybe something else. Again, not sure what could be worked out.

Obviously, I'm happy to pack and disembark, etc. if that's what needs to be done. But...I'm still holding out hope that I can work something else out.

 

Anyone had this situation? Any suggestions on whom to talk to or how they might handle it? Any input would be great. Thanks oodles!

 

Boy, I will miss this ship. My girlfriends and I have done this annually for 3 years now. I don't know what we'll do next year...maybe the Carnal, uh I mean Carnival ;) but that's not really our cup of tea, all of us being married 50-and-60-somethings!

[critterchick]

Hi Monarch "Pros"!

If anyone has any suggestions or input on this I'd be grateful...

 

I'm booked on the 10/6 - 10/10 4-nighter, sailing with girlfriends, which we booked through an agent back in January. Our cabins are together on the deck and location that we prefer. All is well there.

 

Just a couple of days ago hubby and I decided (on a whim) to take the 10/10 - 10/13 3-nighter just for the heck of it, since he's never done the Ensenada run before and this is our last chance for him to try out the old girl (the Monarch, I mean!;)). I booked it through the RCCL website right then and there. My preference would have been to keep the same cabin but it isn't available. I was lucky to get one just a few doors away on the same deck.

After I booked, I wondered if there was a way to coordinate the 2 bookings, so I called RCCL. Turns out, since this isn't an "officially linked" back-to-back and they apparently can't link it now, I might have to pack up completely and disembark with my luggage and then reboard as normal. However, the rep also said that I should talk to someone (I'm not sure who would be best) about making arrangements to keep my things onboard. Maybe move them to the new cabin, maybe something else. Again, not sure what could be worked out.

Obviously, I'm happy to pack and disembark, etc. if that's what needs to be done. But...I'm still holding out hope that I can work something else out.

 

Anyone had this situation? Any suggestions on whom to talk to or how they might handle it? Any input would be great. Thanks oodles!

 

Boy, I will miss this ship. My girlfriends and I have done this annually for 3 years now. I don't know what we'll do next year...maybe the Carnal, uh I mean Carnival ;) but that's not really our cup of tea, all of us being married 50-and-60-somethings!

 

Don't worry about it. On Monarch you have to disembark in between cruises anyway, but you shouldn't have to take your luggage with you even if you aren't officially linked as a B2B cruiser. I've had that happen to me, even booking with the same agency, although I wasn't changing cabins, so I just left my stuff behind (took the valuables, though).

 

We have this issue coming up next weekend, where we are changing cabins and have booked with 2 different agencies. I plan to go to Guest Services during the first cruise and let them know that, even though we won't be on the official B2B list, we are indeed B2B cruisers. They should be able to include us in the group.

 

But since we have to disembark anyway and live close to the port, we'll probably go home to pet the dogs and pick up some clean clothes.:)

[Suburbanette]

Don't worry about it. On Monarch you have to disembark in between cruises anyway, but you shouldn't have to take your luggage with you even if you aren't officially linked as a B2B cruiser. I've had that happen to me, even booking with the same agency, although I wasn't changing cabins, so I just left my stuff behind (took the valuables, though).

 

We have this issue coming up next weekend, where we are changing cabins and have booked with 2 different agencies. I plan to go to Guest Services during the first cruise and let them know that, even though we won't be on the official B2B list, we are indeed B2B cruisers. They should be able to include us in the group.

 

But since we have to disembark anyway and live close to the port, we'll probably go home to pet the dogs and pick up some clean clothes.:)

 

Thanks for the info Jean. If you wouldn't mind, when you return from your B2B I'd love to hear how it worked out for you.

And thanks for your mention of clean clothes. I was going to pack enough stuff for both cruises, but instead I think I'll have hubby bring me a couple of extra things when he joins me.:)

Happy cruising!

[timetravellers]

We are from the UK and have booked a 3 night cruise on Monarch of the Seas out of Port Canaveral in November. This is in the middle of our 2 week trip to Florida.

 

We have booked a Junior Suite on Deck 10. Can anyone tell us what these cabins are like?

 

We are really looking forward to it and this will be our first cruise on RCI.

 

We can see that this is a well loved ship after reading all the comments. Thanks for a very informative thread.

 

Gail

[awinner]

We are from the UK and have booked a 3 night cruise on Monarch of the Seas out of Port Canaveral in November. This is in the middle of our 2 week trip to Florida.

 

We have booked a Junior Suite on Deck 10. Can anyone tell us what these cabins are like?

 

We are really looking forward to it and this will be our first cruise on RCI.

 

We can see that this is a well loved ship after reading all the comments. Thanks for a very informative thread.

 

Gail

 

Here is a link from the internet with some good pics of a JS cabin:

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/563693520IptMFX?start=12

[timetravellers]

Here is a link from the internet with some good pics of a JS cabin:

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/563693520IptMFX?start=12

 

 

Thank you for the link to the pictures. It certainly looks nice.

 

Gail

[suezyq50]

What kinds perfumes are offered? Thinking the selection is smaller than other ships, Thanks

[awinner]

actually the selection on board is quite large. they have a whole store dedicated to perfume/cologne.

[Stvandon]

Sooooo....is there a $14.95 charge for the optional steak on the Monarch now?

[dirtgirl]

Sooooo....is there a $14.95 charge for the optional steak on the Monarch now?

 

 

I did not see that last week. Nor would I pay for it!

[rclcruzer]

I did not see that last week. Nor would I pay for it!

Hey DirtGirl.......have you checked out the thread on that?? YIKES!! It is busy over their! And I agree with you......if I am going to pay $15.00 in the dining room for a piece of meat, I will go eat at Chops for $10.00 more :p

[Mach1]

Hey DirtGirl.......have you checked out the thread on that?? YIKES!! It is busy over their! And I agree with you......if I am going to pay $15.00 in the dining room for a piece of meat, I will go eat at Chops for $10.00 more :p

 

There isn't a Chops on the Monarch is there? :confused:

[newbiecruiser09]

Hey DirtGirl.......have you checked out the thread on that?? YIKES!! It is busy over their! And I agree with you......if I am going to pay $15.00 in the dining room for a piece of meat, I will go eat at Chops for $10.00 more :p

 

Is Chops on Monarch? I thought there was no specialty restaurant. We are sailing her in April and would love to know. Thanks!

[dirtgirl]

There is no specialty restaurant on the Monarch, unless you count Jade Sushi, which is at an extra cost.

[rclcruzer]

OOPS! Sorry folks! I was just making a general comment about Chops. I guess I got some of your hopes up huh??

But now that I think of it, that would be great if they implemented Chops on the Monarch :) Although, I guess they would have to build on to the ship to make it fit......:p

[Iluvboatrides]

I have missed some posts, and perhaps I missed a discussion about optional steak in the dining room. I was on the Monarch the weekend of August 22. The menu has changed since I sailed on the Monarch in January. The optional daily choices are no longer on the menu....but there definitely is NOT a charge for "optional steak". There was a steak offered every night. Perhaps there were not enough people who requested items from that list and it was discontinued.

 

Our first night on the three day, one lady in our group of seven noticed that one steak dinners offered sauted zucchini, and she requested that with the "other" steak she ordered. She was told sorry that the chef would need some additional time to do it, and there was not time that evening to make the special request. As it turned out there was NOT sauted zucchini with the steak as shown on the menu....but the last two nights of the cruise, the head waiter arrived at our table with a plate of freshly done sauted zucchini. Another lady in our group always ordered the same thing, one of the selections of fish on the menu to come with a baked potato and steamed vegetables. After the first night, the waiter knew what she wanted. The steamed vegetables were not on the menu, but she had them every night. This makes me think you could tell your waiter every night that you would like a grilled sirloin steak instead of the other selections, and you would probably receive it. Needless to say, we were all impressed with the personalized service, especially the zucchini delivery every evening. It was her first cruise, and this added to the fun of the good service we all anticipate on a cruise.

 

We will be on the last four day of the Monarch on October 13. We are really going to miss a RCCL ship doing the three and four day boat rides out of San Pedro. :( We have already booked a four day on the Carnival Paradise for late spring 2009 so our tradition of at least one of these a year will continue.

[traveljen1027]

They do indeed BEGIN boarding between 11:30 and noon (and sometimes earlier)... but don't expect to be in that first group unless you have Priority boarding.

 

Since this is our first RCCL cruise, I doubt we have priority boarding...so what time should we get there in order to have the least amount of wait time?

[newf1982]

We are looking at the Monarch 4-day Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral in May 2009. This will be our second cruise, the first was a 7 day aboard the Carnival Glory.

 

I am curious to hear any pointers, tips, etc from past guests of this ship. We are going to book an ocean view room - where would be the best deck to book?

 

Any information is greatly appreciated.