Monarch Review 2/2/09-2/6/09

[andyjo0930]

We just returned home from our 4 night Monarch cruise. Here is a quick review.

We arrived at the pier at approximately 11:00. We got right in line and there was nobody in front of us. It took us about 2 minutes to check in. We are platnium so we had priority embarktion. There was about 30 people in front of us and at exactly 11:30 we were allowed to board. We did have friends with us and there were three in a cabin, and one of them was going to meet us later in the day. She had her own set sail and the other two were able to check in without her.

 

The ship was nice and clean and our rooms were ready at just after 1. The food was the usual stuff we have had on our previous cruises. There is no lobster, or fisherman's platter on the 4 nighters. Also, no flourless chocolate cake either:(.

 

Because of the weather, we were not able to make our stop at Coco Cay. The captain was able to get a berth earlier in Nassau so we arrived aroun 7:30 on Tuesday night instead of 8:00 on Wednesday morning. Our scheduled sea day was Thursday and the captain again tried to get into Coco Cay, but again, the waves were just too high and again, we had a sea day.

 

The four nighters are a nice quick get-a-way... BUT not many people on board in our age range (mid-30's). The casino is jammed packed with elderly people (no offense, just stating a fact)... probably who live right there in Florida. And there is no nightlife at all... most bars and even the disco were completely dead by midnight.

 

All in all, we still had a great time and enjoyed ourselves tremendously... and even won Majority Rules!!! and placed first in the QUEST!!!

 

If anybody has any specific questions, I'd be glad to try to answer them!!

[seminolepharmd]

We are sailing on this ship on February 13th. I couldn't find any where on our Set Sail or on the RC website about what time is the earliest that they allow guests to board the ship. All I could find on the website is that you must be on the ship 90 minutes prior to deparature.

 

I see from your post though that 11:30 am is the earliest time to board?

 

I'm so excited for the trip!! :D

[andyjo0930]

As long as the ship is on time from the previous cruise, you should be able to get on board about 11:30. Probably not any earlier than that. Plan to get there around 11, the crowds are light, you can check in, wait to board and start your vacation!!

[WNcruiser]

I was also on this cruise and agree with the OP. RCI cant control the weather (which was cold, windy), the crew was mostly nice but had a few that were not. I agree there was no night life, very disappointed with the entertainment and live music. They only had 1 string quartet and the usual show band. No where to listen to live music before dinner like on Carnival.

 

Windjammer was the usual stuff however I thought the dinners were very good. If I would have paid more than $179 I would have really upset with what I got, but I guess you get what you pay for.

 

Seminole- They start boarding at 11:30.

[KeywestK]

We are doing a 4-nt sailing on the Monarch in April. We want to do express walk off at the end of the cruise so we can be off early to pick up our car rental. Do most people do the express walk off because it's a shorter cruise? Will we be able to be off the ship by 8:00 or 8:30?

 

Karen

[WNcruiser]

Do most people do the express walk off because it's a shorter cruise? Will we be able to be off the ship by 8:00 or 8:30? Karen

 

The last group off yesterday was scheduled for 8:45 AM. They started the express walk off at about 7:00. We are Diamond so walked off about 730 after a quick snack and there was no line at all. The last 2 times we have cruised out of PC there was no line to board or to disembark, no complaints there!

[wolfcathorse]

was the captain still Capt Rick?

[JSQ01]

LOL...does CocoCay really exist??? I went on Monarch and we didn't get to go to CocoCay either...weather was horrible the whole trip. First time I've been seasick. BUT...I am going on RCI again, so it didn't deter me too much. :D QUEST was awesome! Hadn't laughed that hard in a long time.

[WNcruiser]

was the captain still Capt Rick?

 

Yes, Captain Rick Sullivan was in charge. I really liked him, very personable and continually updated us on the weather and Coco Cay. He tried twice to get us there but the seas and wind were just too much.

[jmom5]

We were on this cruise and had a wonderful time, even though the weather didn't cooperate too well!

 

This is actually the first time we have missed Coco Cay. I know everyone always talks about missing it, but this is the first time this has happened to us and we have been there 3 other times.

[HRHPrinceJim]

The casino is jammed packed with elderly people (no offense, just stating a fact)... probably who live right there in Florida. And there is no nightlife at all... most bars and even the disco were completely dead by midnight.

 

I agree there was no night life, very disappointed with the entertainment and live music. They only had 1 string quartet and the usual show band. No where to listen to live music before dinner like on Carnival.

 

:eek:

 

Perhaps the loss of bar revenue will finally make RCI realize how dumb they were to move the Monarch from the West Coast. The disco and Boleros, as well as the other bars, were always full into the wee hours of the morning whenever I was onboard.

 

I am glad to hear you had a good time on your cruise. The crew is fantastic, and those of us who were West Coast regulars miss them very much!

[molldoll44]

Did you get off in Nassau? Should we do the atlantis beach day? We are cruz virgins;), with 2 kids in tow...Any advice?

[WNcruiser]

Did you get off in Nassau? Should we do the atlantis beach day? We are cruz virgins;), with 2 kids in tow...Any advice?

 

If you just want a nice beach go to Blue lagoon island (lots of info on Bahamas board under "Ports"). Atlantis is nice to see but takes less than an hour. I think what they charge is WAY to high for their activities.

 

If you want to see the island I highly recommend finding "Otis". He was the most professional, informative and genuinly nicest tour guide we have ever had. He gets to the port about 915, just ask for him. He charges $20 for about a 3 hour tour, best deal in the Bahamas!

[birdylady]

:eek:

 

Perhaps the loss of bar revenue will finally make RCI realize how dumb they were to move the Monarch from the West Coast. The disco and Boleros, as well as the other bars, were always full into the wee hours of the morning whenever I was onboard.

 

I think it's only fair. The East coast lost our beloved Mariner to the West coast, so at least we got a good ship (so I hear and look forward to) in return.

 

Erika

[RM]

Not only did we lose Mariner we lost our beloved Sovereign as well.

 

I know Monarch is the same ship but the Sovereign was the original!

[CTCruiser76]

Who is the Cruise Director on the Monarch ?

 

And do you think they will still be there in October ?

[JHA65]

I will be on the Monarch in Juy, Im assuming the seas will be calmer that time of the year and we will be able to stop in Cococay?

 

JHA

[dolfandude]

Wow! A month ago, when we were on the Monarch, the nightlife was awesome! Partied until 2:30 am the last night! Listened to a pretty good 60's/70's band all four nights in Boleros. Coco Cay was calm. Sorry your cruise didn't have this. Bummer!:(

[missbogota]

Whewwww! So happy to hear this!

[karena1]

Just got back this morning. First time in a REALLY long time that we could not make CocoCay. NCL also did not go into their private island next to CocoCay. Seas were just to rough. So we had a sea day. Captain Rick found a nice area where he got us into some sunshine, so we just laid out by the pool all day.

 

Cruise Director was Chris Nortley (Sp??). He was very funny. Quest and Love/Marriage were hilarious as always.

 

Saw some of the same staff from the Sovereign so at least recognized a few faces. Weather wasn't great - but we still had a great time just getting away on the little 3 nighter. Really, really windy in Nassau. We went out for a couple of hours shopping, but then just came back on the ship. Since we could not get to the beach, wasn't really anything that interested us in Nassau to stay out longer than that.

 

We thought the food was very good, overall condition of the ship was good. Had lots of fun and can't wait to go back on her again in May. Weather hopefully, will be lots better!

 

We thought there was a good mix of people. Very few kids which is what we like, but some Bachelorette parties, quite a few younger (25-35), mix of middle age, and older. We are in the 50-60 age group, but did not think one age group dominated.

 

There was a 70's street party (to many drinks so we did not make that:p) the first night, and other stuff going on all the time. Love and Marriage was the 2nd night and Quest was last night in the lounge at the back of Dect 8 (name escapes me right now - I am tired!!!). Platinum/Diamond party was at 10:45 on Sat morning up in the Viking Crown Lounge and the Captain's party was Sat night, but we passed on that.

[birdylady]

We thought the food was very good, overall condition of the ship was good. Had lots of fun and can't wait to go back on her again in May. Weather hopefully, will be lots better!

 

Darn.... I came to see when you are scheduled for in May hoping you might be on our sailing. But alas, you'll be getting on when we're getting off. Would you believe I have yet to find anyone from CC yet saying/showing they are on the 5/18 sailing??? Their loss. I know I can't wait.

 

Erika

[HRHPrinceJim]

Love and Marriage was the 2nd night and Quest was last night in the lounge at the back of Dect 8 (name escapes me right now - I am tired!!!).

 

The Circuit Lounge