All things Monarch of the Seas

[Harleysmom]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the answer is no. When I was on a few weeks ago is was quite a bit rockier than I am used to.

 

Was it "bad"? I have been on two other cruises and was okay with stabilizers but a couple months ago we went on a gambling casino boat without stabilizers and was surprised to find myself sea sick - something I never expected so am concerned. I am going to be mid ship deck 5 so maybe that will help?

[goodml]

Was it "bad"? I have been on two other cruises and was okay with stabilizers but a couple months ago we went on a gambling casino boat without stabilizers and was surprised to find myself sea sick - something I never expected so am concerned. I am going to be mid ship deck 5 so maybe that will help?

 

I was on board March 10-14 and the seas were like a sheet of glass. Calm and beautiful. One great thing about Monarch's current itinerary is she doesn't go very far and she doesn't have to go fast so unless weather is a factor you're likely to not feel too much motion.

[Harleysmom]

I was on board March 10-14 and the seas were like a sheet of glass. Calm and beautiful. One great thing about Monarch's current itinerary is she doesn't go very far and she doesn't have to go fast so unless weather is a factor you're likely to not feel too much motion.

 

Thank you for this response- it REALLY put me at ease! I am going very soon (April 14) and cannot wait!! Thank you again for this response!!

[PaddleAddict]

Was it "bad"? I have been on two other cruises and was okay with stabilizers but a couple months ago we went on a gambling casino boat without stabilizers and was surprised to find myself sea sick - something I never expected so am concerned. I am going to be mid ship deck 5 so maybe that will help?

 

It didn't bother me (I don't really get sea sick), but my friend had to take Bonine the entire weekend (she easily gets sea sick though).

 

The only day I really noticed the motion was the sea day because the ship is just parked out in the ocean, so we felt all the swells.

 

I wouldn't worry about it unless you are really sensitive.

[Tahoestarr]

If you are doing the 4 day, you will feel the most motion heading back to LA on the last night....but it's never "bad". It's a great little cruise!

[lephysteria]

Even if the ship cruises during bad weather or a storm hitting california, the seas are never too bad. I hope you have a great cruise.

[berwyn]

I've browsed through many different threads before deciding to ask the "experts" ... does Monarch have stabilizers or not? Some people on other threads say yes and some have said no...just wondering :)

All RCI ships have stabilizers. Even the Song of Norway had them.

[Enigma007]

I'll be on the Monarch on May 12th. This will be my second on the Monarch. I'm so excited! I've read a few posts about a massage parlor at Ensenada is it good? Where is it at? Is it a good place to book, or should I just book some massages on the ship?

[critterchick]

All RCI ships have stabilizers. Even the Song of Norway had them.

 

Monarch has 4 of them. The Captain (Rick Sullivan, from Capetown, via Toronto and Vancouver) referred to them in his talk on Saturday night.:) He did warn that we were going to have some rocky seas, but I think it was for the benefit of the 2300+ first time cruisers (half of which were spring breakers, it appeared), as it really wasn't anything to write home about.

 

We didn't have any pool chair hogs out (it was pretty chilly on our sea day), but I did encounter some gym equipment hogs - a couple of women had put their Seapasses on elliptical machines while they took a yoga class first:mad: . So I hopped on one, looked around to see if somebody was getting water or a towel, and started working out. Two minutes later the Seapass owner came up and said, "I was using that machine." She had been lying on her back with her eyes closed, so I think she was only using it virtually, LOL.

[Rivercat]

We didn't have any pool chair hogs out (it was pretty chilly on our sea day), but I did encounter some gym equipment hogs - a couple of women had put their Seapasses on elliptical machines while they took a yoga class first:mad: . So I hopped on one, looked around to see if somebody was getting water or a towel, and started working out. Two minutes later the Seapass owner came up and said, "I was using that machine." She had been lying on her back with her eyes closed, so I think she was only using it virtually, LOL.

 

Wow! People never cease to amaze me.

 

If only envisioning myself on the elliptical worked anywhere near as well as actually getting on it! :D

[pmfan]

I have never sailed on the Monarch, but I plan to correct that once she ports in Port Canaveral.:D

[sxc_taz]

I'm sailing May 16th for a birthday cruise. There's a handful of us with birthdays in May so we figured this is the way to go. I always do my research before sailing and this thread has helped a lot. Thanks everyone for all your info and pics! The menu looks so good! :p

[Merion_Mom]

Monarch has 4 of them. The Captain (Rick Sullivan, from Capetown, via Toronto and Vancouver) referred to them in his talk on Saturday night.:) He did warn that we were going to have some rocky seas, but I think it was for the benefit of the 2300+ first time cruisers (half of which were spring breakers, it appeared), as it really wasn't anything to write home about.

 

We didn't have any pool chair hogs out (it was pretty chilly on our sea day), but I did encounter some gym equipment hogs - a couple of women had put their Seapasses on elliptical machines while they took a yoga class first:mad: . So I hopped on one, looked around to see if somebody was getting water or a towel, and started working out. Two minutes later the Seapass owner came up and said, "I was using that machine." She had been lying on her back with her eyes closed, so I think she was only using it virtually, LOL.

Just *how bad* were the spring breakers?

[realent]

Monarch has 4 of them. The Captain (Rick Sullivan, from Capetown, via Toronto and Vancouver) referred to them in his talk on Saturday night.:) He did warn that we were going to have some rocky seas, but I think it was for the benefit of the 2300+ first time cruisers (half of which were spring breakers, it appeared), as it really wasn't anything to write home about.

 

We didn't have any pool chair hogs out (it was pretty chilly on our sea day), but I did encounter some gym equipment hogs - a couple of women had put their Seapasses on elliptical machines while they took a yoga class first:mad: . So I hopped on one, looked around to see if somebody was getting water or a towel, and started working out. Two minutes later the Seapass owner came up and said, "I was using that machine." She had been lying on her back with her eyes closed, so I think she was only using it virtually, LOL.

 

Hi Jean,

 

I thought about you during the weekend. It was awful chilly here. I hope you had a good time. How did you like Capt. Sullivan? Have you sailed with him before? Any sign of new menu's or rumors?

 

Hugs,

Nancy

[Harleysmom]

I am flying into LAX for my cruise on the 14th. I fly in the night before. Can anyone recommend a shuttle service to the hotel which is located close to the pier?

[dirtgirl]

I am flying into LAX for my cruise on the 14th. I fly in the night before. Can anyone recommend a shuttle service to the hotel which is located close to the pier?

 

 

Supershuttle or Primetime Shuttle for ~$17 pp.;)

[critterchick]

Just *how bad* were the spring breakers?

 

They weren't so bad, given the usual boisterous time on the 3-nighters. They mainly partied by the pool and in the Circuit, although they did take over the Schooner Bar for awhile on the sea day, which was cool and breezy. I did see one man/boy being dragged out of Bolero's by security, unable to hold himself upright, but for the most part the volume was just a little louder than usual.

 

And the guy who cut in on Don while we were dancing at the Captain's party (he did it on a dare) was at least cute even though he was wearing a flannel shirt and hadn't a scrap of rhythm in his body. BTW if people weren't at least moderately dressed up, they weren't allowed to enter on the side where the Captain was having pictures taken. I don't know if that's SOP on Monarch, but I did see two guys turned away.

 

I thought about you during the weekend. It was awful chilly here. I hope you had a good time. How did you like Capt. Sullivan? Have you sailed with him before? Any sign of new menu's or rumors?

 

We had a ball, thanks! Captain Sullivan is a very nice guy - I hadn't sailed with him before. He's much more into being around the passengers than Captain Karin is so that was a nice change. I didn't see any new menus, other than no more cranberry juice on the breakfast menu, and a new wine list. But then again, we ate in the WJ all three nights, so I didn't look closely.

 

The executive chef on the Jewel told us in 2006 that they were coming up with new menus "soon", so I'm glad I didn't hold my breath!:rolleyes:

[BonMom3Kids]

Hi! Newbie Here...

I have really enjoyed reading this thread, getting a glimpse into life on the Monarch of the Seas. I have read 100's of posts...and on a few have mentioned bringing along these items, but they did not say for what reason? Can you fill me in?

 

1. Duct Tape

2. Bungee Cords

 

I will be traveling with my dh and 3 kids this summer. We will be flying so any extra stuff I am leaving at home. And hope not to check any luggage on the plane. We are doing a 4 day on Monarch then staying at a resort for a week in Cali. Want to pack little but enough.

 

Also:

My kids want to use pool toys such as blow up rings and their warter wings, and maybe some toys to throw or dive for. Are there any rules against them using them in the pool? Or does the cruise ship have those things to use already there?

 

Another?

Door Signs? Why and what do you put on them? Is this just a CC thing to do or do alot of seasoned cruisers display a door sign?

 

And one crazy one?

How do you get the wet bathing suits to dry if your in a cabin(s) with no balcony. I thought of letting the kids dry off good before going back to the cabin...but wondering if anyone has a secret?

 

 

And the last ?

In San Diego we were interested in seeing the famous San Diego Zoo. I am worried with docking at 8am (it will be 9 before we can get off I am sure!) and having to be back for 5 pm...Will we have enough time to really do the Zoo? \ And if you had done the Zoo..is it better pricing to go through the cruise ship or to buy tickets on your own. And how/ what do we do for transpo between the ship and Zoo?

 

Thanks everyone! This is a wonderful, informative board and glad I found you all!

Bon

[sxc_taz]

Is it true that there is only one show in the evenings? They don't have two shows for the people eating at different times? :confused:

[Niwel]

Is it true that there is only one show in the evenings? They don't have two shows for the people eating at different times? :confused:

 

I think the first night there was one show and the other nights there were two (but I might have that wrong)

[critterchick]

Last weekend there was one show for all guests on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday they had one show for each seating. That was the production show, which Johnny O is still calling "brand new for Monarch" even though it's been there since last summer.:rolleyes:

 

I thought of something new today - you no longer get Ship Shape dollars for the various activities - they now had Vitality points. Instead of those yellow slips of paper you get a round bit of cardboard. I have SS dollars dating back to 2004 - since the gym doesn't qualify, I've been hoarding them in hopes of someday getting the backpack - I have all the other logo stuff, LOL. Now I have to start over!

[H20 Lover]

Just booked today.. our first MOS. Never done a 4 dayer so looking forward to experiencing that.

 

What a wonderful thread, I still have a million posts to read. :D

[Merion_Mom]

Hi! Newbie Here...

I have really enjoyed reading this thread, getting a glimpse into life on the Monarch of the Seas. I have read 100's of posts...and on a few have mentioned bringing along these items, but they did not say for what reason? Can you fill me in?

 

1. Duct Tape

2. Bungee Cords

I have never met anyone who has admitted to having bungee cords. I believe that on Carnival ships, the balcony door is a swinging door, not a sliding door, and one uses the bungee cord to hold the balcony door open so that all the airconditioned air can go out and all the bugs can come in. :rolleyes:

 

The duct tape is "just in case". It is useful for SO MANY things, although I have never used mine. :D Just picture the zipper on your suitcase breaking...........duct tape! Your hem falls down. duct tape! Lint all over your navy blazer. duct tape! See? ;)

 

Also:

My kids want to use pool toys such as blow up rings and their warter wings, and maybe some toys to throw or dive for. Are there any rules against them using them in the pool? Or does the cruise ship have those things to use already there?

The pool is small. That would be very annoying. Take them, but save them for the beach, if you go to one in Mexico or Catalina.

 

Another?

Door Signs? Why and what do you put on them? Is this just a CC thing to do or do alot of seasoned cruisers display a door sign?

Just for fun. :)

 

And one crazy one?

How do you get the wet bathing suits to dry if your in a cabin(s) with no balcony. I thought of letting the kids dry off good before going back to the cabin...but wondering if anyone has a secret?

Wash the suit out in the sink. Wring out as much moisture as you can with your hands. Lay a towel flat, and lay the suit on top. Roll up the towel, pressing down on the towel, forcing it to absorb as much moisture as possible. Unroll, and hang up the suit on a hanger in the cabin or bathroom.

 

Also, take at least two suits. :D

 

 

And the last ?

In San Diego we were interested in seeing the famous San Diego Zoo. I am worried with docking at 8am (it will be 9 before we can get off I am sure!) and having to be back for 5 pm...Will we have enough time to really do the Zoo? \ And if you had done the Zoo..is it better pricing to go through the cruise ship or to buy tickets on your own. And how/ what do we do for transpo between the ship and Zoo?

Plenty of time. Do it on your own. Take a cab to and from. Maybe local people know a website or other secret to getting discount admission.

[Merion_Mom]

Just booked today.. our first MOS. Never done a 4 dayer so looking forward to experiencing that.

 

What a wonderful thread, I still have a million posts to read. :D

 

Be sure to read Jen's full report. (lephysteria). Here's mine: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=559494

[scubapro48]

Hi Carol, I'm fairly computer challenged; how do you go about posting one thread with so many different quotes and answers?

sorry to hijack the thread...

Mariana