Any info on 3 night Monarch wanted.....

[Clarkk W Griswald]

We (me & 2 girlfriends) just booked the Monarch of the Seas for our girls only, no husbands weekend! I've never been on a cruise less than 7 days. Since there are no sea days, do they still have many of the same activities/shows as on longer cruises? Is there a formal night? And if so, how formal? Do people dress up as much on the shorter cruises? I'm trying to pack a carry-on only since we have to fly.

 

Who is the cruise director? How's the food? Any info from recent Monarch cruisers would be much appreciated!!

[karena1]

We (me & 2 girlfriends) just booked the Monarch of the Seas for our girls only, no husbands weekend! I've never been on a cruise less than 7 days. Since there are no sea days, do they still have many of the same activities/shows as on longer cruises? Is there a formal night? And if so, how formal? Do people dress up as much on the shorter cruises? I'm trying to pack a carry-on only since we have to fly.

 

Who is the cruise director? How's the food? Any info from recent Monarch cruisers would be much appreciated!!

 

We are leaving for our 4th Monarch this year on Friday for the 4th of July weekend. So, I will try to answer the majority of your questions

 

1. Yes, you will still see Quest, Love & Marriage, 70's street party in the Centrium, shows each night, bellyflop contest, etc. Lots and lots of things going on. The Rosario Strings that play in the Centrium are exceptional. We were so glad they stayed from the Sovereign when she left.

 

2. yes there is a formal night (Nassua on Sat). That being said, I never dress overly formal for a 3 nighther. DH and I dress to the 9's for a 7 nighter, but for a 3 nighter I typically wear a halter dress.

 

3. Monarch, though older is in great ship. And the staff is very good. We think the food is very good, but we also do not go to 5* restaurants at home. We typically hit a sports bar on the weekends. There is the Windjammer buffet, Sorrento's pizza and Jade Sushi Bar. There will also be a BBQ at the pool the morning we come into Nassau and a Pool party with tons of food Sat night while in Nassau. HINT - the Fajita's are to DIE for. They bring out a huge flat grill and cook them fresh - both beef and chicken. I leave room that night just for them. Smells heavenly and taste fabulous

 

We love this little cruise. You should have tons of fun. And of course CocoCay is a wonderful beach day and the BBQ on the island is good.

 

My favorite - the Sugar Free Peanut Butter cookies - YUMMMMM

 

Right now Jimmy Rhodes until 9/28 then Drew Devine is the cruise director. I think Jimmy was the one we had over Memorial Day. He was okay, but we have had way better. I don't know Drew, never had him before.

 

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[mjldvlks]

We did the three day on Monarch twice on the west coast. The three day in June, and the three day B2B with the four day in October. Yes there is a formal night, but you will see less formality. Maybe a few tuxes, but not many. I wore a suit and tie, fair number of those, I felt like I fit in. Women should be fine in about any kind of dress or nicer pants.

 

They do have shows and most of the typical games. Not a bad way to spend a couple of days. The three day weekend cruises tend to be more of a party atmosphere -- saw a guy coming to muster drill sloppy drunk.

 

Monarch's crew were great last year, from what I have heard, despite turn over, they continue to be top notch. The food was typical of other cruises. I have never thought cruise food is spectacular, but it was decent. No lobster, but you'll see many of the same dishes you see on other RCI cruises. The Windjammer is about the same as every other Windjammer I have seen. If you blindfolded me and put me in one, I don't think I could tell which ship I was on.

 

The biggest draw back to Monarch in my opinion is cabin size. We did a JS on the first three day to get the extra point -- it was 177 sq ft, about the same as an E Balcony on most other ships. On the B2B we did an outside on 2 [porthole instead of large window]. It was 122 sq ft. If I turned sideways, I could stand between the bed and the wall on my side -- on my wife's side, the bed was flush against the wall. Insides are 119 sq ft. The cabins are tiny even by cruise ship standards -- BUT perfectly adequate. The beds were comfortable -- no complaints. Monarch and Majesty are perfectly suited for short three/four day cruise -- enough to stave off withdrawal between major cruises.

 

By the way, that is Monarch [anchored off Catalina, Oct. '08] over my wife's left shoulder in our avatar.

[lknight27]

We (me & 2 girlfriends) just booked the Monarch of the Seas for our girls only, no husbands weekend! I've never been on a cruise less than 7 days. Since there are no sea days, do they still have many of the same activities/shows as on longer cruises? Is there a formal night? And if so, how formal? Do people dress up as much on the shorter cruises? I'm trying to pack a carry-on only since we have to fly.

 

Who is the cruise director? How's the food? Any info from recent Monarch cruisers would be much appreciated!!

 

Wow looks like your cruise weekend is right before mine. We are having a "divas on the high seas" weekend as well. 4 ladies, no hubbies or kids. This is my first sailing on Monarch, but I've done the 3 nighter on Majesty and it was tons of fun! Didn't get overly dressed up for formal night, but lots of activities going on and we had a blast! Enjoy your trip!

[Lady_Gamecock]

We are leaving for our 4th Monarch this year on Friday for the 4th of July weekend. So, I will try to answer the majority of your questions

 

1. Yes, you will still see Quest, Love & Marriage, 70's street party in the Centrium, shows each night, bellyflop contest, etc. Lots and lots of things going on. The Rosario Strings that play in the Centrium are exceptional. We were so glad they stayed from the Sovereign when she left.

 

2. yes there is a formal night (Nassua on Sat). That being said, I never dress overly formal for a 3 nighther. DH and I dress to the 9's for a 7 nighter, but for a 3 nighter I typically wear a halter dress.

 

3. Monarch, though older is in great ship. And the staff is very good. We think the food is very good, but we also do not go to 5* restaurants at home. We typically hit a sports bar on the weekends. There is the Windjammer buffet, Sorrento's pizza and Jade Sushi Bar. There will also be a BBQ at the pool the morning we come into Nassau and a Pool party with tons of food Sat night while in Nassau. HINT - the Fajita's are to DIE for. They bring out a huge flat grill and cook them fresh - both beef and chicken. I leave room that night just for them. Smells heavenly and taste fabulous

 

We love this little cruise. You should have tons of fun. And of course CocoCay is a wonderful beach day and the BBQ on the island is good.

 

My favorite - the Sugar Free Peanut Butter cookies - YUMMMMM

 

Right now Jimmy Rhodes until 9/28 then Drew Devine is the cruise director. I think Jimmy was the one we had over Memorial Day. He was okay, but we have had way better. I don't know Drew, never had him before.

 

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

ME TOO! ME TOO! We're driving down Friday AM!

 

Lady_G

[nlcentralchmps03]

Im on July 3rd as well.

 

Drew Devine was a wonderful CD, when we had him on MR. I've heard quite a few negative things about Jimmy Rhodes.

[wayne_trisha]

My wife and I have done a 3 nighter on Sovereign and Monarch. Fun times for sure. Crew is fantastic. Dining room food was very good. We did my time dining last time and enjoyed a nice table for two. My only complaint is the price of drinks. WOW!!! Strawberry daiquiri was $10. That didn’t stop us from drinking them though. Next time I’ll bring a little bit of my own to prime before an evening out. Out of two cruises we saw one show and it was a comedian. He was hilarious. Nassau is okay. Enjoyed a horse drawn carriage ride last cruise and it was very nice. We love coco cay and always add to our cups from coco locos!

We didn’t have a great opinion of the cruise director from our May cruise. Don’t know his name if that tells you how much he matters. We go to lay in the sun, drink, and spend time together.

You’ll have a great cruise if you don’t spend every minute comparing the Monarch to newer ships. I’ve been on the Mariner and Liberty so the difference is obvious but to me, didn’t stop us from having a great time. Our Sovereign cruise is our favorite cruise out of 7 cruises.

We are going again in September. Great weekend getaway!

[JanineM]

We were on Monarch about 3 weeks ago. It's a great getaway, and it is in better shape than Sovereign IMO.

 

We only ate in the MDR for the first night. On formal night, which is the night you are in Nassau until 11:30 pm, there were lots of cocktail and fun dresses --- few gowns or super dressed people. There is also a party on the deck that night, so just something to keep in mind.

 

We ate in the Windjammer on Saturday & Sunday nights. It was very busy both nights. There were some good food options, especially if you're into Indian food because there is a full section just for that.

 

Supposedly there is frozen soft-serve in the back of the Windjammer, but we couldn't find it. However they were scooping ice cream and sherbet in the afternoon at the back buffet station.

 

C&A party was great. Casino is okay ... actually it's better than okay. I finally walked away with more money than I arrived with! Love those slots! :D

 

The CD was Jimmie Rhodes and he was okay - not impressive, not unimpressive. I didn't like the entertainers ( a juggler on Saturday night - not my thing), but the comedian on Friday night was okay.

 

Hope you enjoy your girls' weekend! I wish I could get my girlfriends to fly down & join me on a cruise!!!

[CruisinDawn]

Im on July 3rd as well.

 

Drew Devine was a wonderful CD, when we had him on MR. I've heard quite a few negative things about Jimmy Rhodes.

:confused: Had him on MR? Looks like he will be our cruise director for our "Second Annual Girl's Only" Cruise. Seems like this is the ship girls like. :D

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

[Cruzin RN]

We have sailed many times on SOS before it left PC, and once on the Monarch, which is very similar to Sovereign. Great ship, friendly crew, great for a long weekend. We do the 3 day trips as often as possible since they are not too expense and gives us our "cruise fix"!!!

Coco Cay is worth the trip!!!

[cassidya]

We'll be on the cruise this Friday, too! Myself, sister, mom, and grandma!

[nlcentralchmps03]

:confused: Had him on MR? Looks like he will be our cruise director for our "Second Annual Girl's Only" Cruise. Seems like this is the ship girls like. :D

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

Yes, Mariner. He is canadian. You'll enjoy him.

[derrick22]

Enjoy, did the Monarch "girls only" in Jan.

Didn't even get off the ship in Nassau.

 

I did miss the longer cruise.

 

Denise

[Ms.Wooddog]

We (me & 2 girlfriends) just booked the Monarch of the Seas for our girls only, no husbands weekend! I've never been on a cruise less than 7 days. Since there are no sea days, do they still have many of the same activities/shows as on longer cruises? Is there a formal night? And if so, how formal? Do people dress up as much on the shorter cruises? I'm trying to pack a carry-on only since we have to fly.

 

Who is the cruise director? How's the food? Any info from recent Monarch cruisers would be much appreciated!!

Sounds like alot of fun. I want to come along with you...oh wait...I am..can't wait to go. It will be alot of fun. I think you need to enter in the belly flop contest. :D:D:D

[Clarkk W Griswald]

Sounds like alot of fun. I want to come along with you...oh wait...I am..can't wait to go. It will be alot of fun. I think you need to enter in the belly flop contest. :D:D:D

 

Only if you join me!!

[money lady]

We were on Monarch about 3 weeks ago. It's a great getaway, and it is in better shape than Sovereign IMO.

 

We only ate in the MDR for the first night. On formal night, which is the night you are in Nassau until 11:30 pm, there were lots of cocktail and fun dresses --- few gowns or super dressed people. There is also a party on the deck that night, so just something to keep in mind.

 

We ate in the Windjammer on Saturday & Sunday nights. It was very busy both nights. There were some good food options, especially if you're into Indian food because there is a full section just for that.

 

Supposedly there is frozen soft-serve in the back of the Windjammer, but we couldn't find it. However they were scooping ice cream and sherbet in the afternoon at the back buffet station.

 

C&A party was great. Casino is okay ... actually it's better than okay. I finally walked away with more money than I arrived with! Love those slots! :D

 

The CD was Jimmie Rhodes and he was okay - not impressive, not unimpressive. I didn't like the entertainers ( a juggler on Saturday night - not my thing), but the comedian on Friday night was okay.

 

Hope you enjoy your girls' weekend! I wish I could get my girlfriends to fly down & join me on a cruise!!!

 

 

Janine, AKA Water Baby: I was not sure that there would be a C&A party on a 3 nighter (we just got to diamond). Do you recall what night it was and what types of drinks there were? We are thinking of doing either the Majesty or Monarch for our 10th anniversary August 28th & leaving our 18mos old at home. Yikes, still not sure about that ..will miss the little darling like crazy, but really need time together! Thanks, Anna

[ksuds]

Janine, AKA Water Baby: I was not sure that there would be a C&A party on a 3 nighter (we just got to diamond). Do you recall what night it was and what types of drinks there were? We are thinking of doing either the Majesty or Monarch for our 10th anniversary August 28th & leaving our 18mos old at home. Yikes, still not sure about that ..will miss the little darling like crazy, but really need time together! Thanks, Anna

 

We were on the Monarch a couple weeks ago. The C & A party was at 11:15am before we pulled into Nassau. Normal drinks....bloody mary, mamossa, or order what you like. The snacks were pretty good, they had sushi.

Did not like Jimmy Rhoads. Never saw him around on ship. Didn't even show for the Quest. Others who cruise often commented to me that they noticed he wasn't around very much.

[cruisegirl1]

The C&A party (now held the morning just prior to arriving in Nassau) is for Plat. and D only, It is not a full C&A repeaters party. On the Sovereign it was held late in the afternoon while leaving Coco Cay. We liked that timing better.

 

We find that the passengers generally are very nicely dressed. Some folks can only take this short sailing and want to dress up. It seems that those who sail the ship every month take a less formal approach.

 

Have fun

 

M