Seven Palms

Thanks, PBfromDC!  We have booked an ocean voyage (repositioning), so no ports/itinerary, and we are looking

forward to it immensely!  Appreciate your reply!  I did see on this board you also took an ocean voyage, it was

very informative, thank you for that!  Kind regards.

Hello, we are considering a voyage on Le Champlain,  but it is difficult to find on the website

current info on an open bar.  An online search produces cached results, which when one clicks

through, goes to the home page.  If anyone could let us know, it would be greatly appreciated.

With thanks, and kind regards!

We were on the Lisbon to Rostock cruise and absolutely loved it. The difference in pricing between an ocean view or suite, whether it is a Junior Suite, Grand Suite, Deluxe Suite or the one Royal Suite, is marginal compared to any other cruise line/brand.

There are not many Grand or Deluxe Suites on the Monarch, and they do sell out quickly we learned. We opted for a Grand Suite which included the newly launched Black Waves amenities. The actual Waves Club space is bright, peaceful and large, offering multiple sofas and chairs. It has it's own bar and sideboards with different hot and cold food items throughout the day/night. The new Black Waves program for Grand, Deluxe or the Royal suite includes the upgraded beverage program, access to the Waves Club lounge and also access to the deck outside with Balinese loungers, tables/chairs etc. Junior Suites get Waves White amenities, which includes access to the oasis of the Waves Club. For both Black and White there are multiple other amenities included. There is not a mainstream cruise brand who can touch this wide range of amenities the Black and White program offers. Or indeed the value of all drinks included for any cabin category. The huge Waves Club space makes Holland's Neptune Lounge pale in comparison, for instance. We loved the entire Spanish vibe throughout the ship. I have read reviews that complain about the lack of English, we did not find this to be true. Every crew member or officer spoke multiple languages, English included. The menu at dinner each night granted was not as large, or as "American" as menus offered as Princess, Holland or Celebrity, but every course, at every meal we had was lovely. We were very happy with every dinner we had. As this cruise was so port intensive, we did not eat many lunches on board, but we did enjoy the breakfast selection, lunch items and canapes which varied daily in the Waves Club. With Pullmantur's pricing so low for any category of cabin, with all drinks included and interesting itineraries, we feel they offer hands-down the best value in the cruise market. The reviews we have read elsewhere, with the exception of the one above, more often than not do not have a lot of good to say about Pullmantur. We can't fathom why, it was a most wonderful experience for us and others in our large group. In closing, we just booked our second Pullmantur Monarch cruise for 2018 based on the outstanding experience we had in May/June.

Good grief, what a horrid thread. Courtesy of one disagreeable poster! Philip, I responded earnestly to something you posted, hope you caught my reply! Blondie, I laughed when I read your post that your next cruise was the Epic! I was pulling whatshisnames leg when I suggested he chug over to NCL and the Epic.

We have cruised NCL and loved it. It was not a knock at all. I wish you so much a fabulous cruise. As I wish all here wonderful cruises, wherever they may take you, regardless of the cruise line you purchase.

Oh, my friends. Oh, my friends...

That is what I expected.

 

If we assess food we have to assess it.

It's a myth that food is subjective. There are a lot of objective criteria to indicate what is what food-wise before we reach the subjective part.

If we cannot assess it - a better way is to say "I like it".

 

Yes, food on NeoRomantica is definitely an improvement in comparison with current Costa "standards", but to say it's equal to cruise industry leaders is a big exaggeration.

However, NeoRomantica has an excuse: too small to house what resort ships have to offer.

 

Another note of incomparable things: open decks on HAL Eurodam & Nieuw Amsterdam cannot be compared to anything else. It's like entertainment options on the RCI Oasis class - just the best. Why? Because the ships have been designed this way. Other ships are designed different way.

 

 

I am glad you enjoyed your cruise on the NeoRomantica.

I have seen that ship as I can see your post right now.

It's not my cup of tea.

This small 20-years old ship with endless portholes is not ispiring.

I cannot imagine myself cofined to the space like this on a cruise.

This is not a resort ship.

I would rather cruise on the Luminosa than on the NeoRomantica.

I will have to manipulate with miserable dining options to get somethig accaptable.

Important: I will be able to manipulate with food on Luminosa.

But I won't be able to manipulate with ship design on NeoRomantica.

For me it's suffocating.

 

Once I cancelled a cruise on one of so-called "premium cruise lines" and took a cruise on... the Favolosa.:D

Do I regret?

No!

Why?

Because, apart of the miserable dining concept, the Favolosa is a modern resort ship. The "so-called" (despite premium food service) is a floating sink in comparison.

 

Enjoy your cruises.

I gather you are pulling everyone's legs with your contentious posts!

Tastes (design) and palate (cuisine) are very individual. No need to debate either. One Favolosa Cruise and you know the entire Costa line? You clearly like the "resort" style ships, so the Neo Romantica would not be your speed. I have to say that it sure seems up our alley. And a massive thank you to the Scots lass who posted. Glad you had a wonderful time on this ship. So, Cruisetrail, if you do not have a further Costa cruise, move onto the NCL board for Epic discussions, I think they are calling for you!

Phil, I think Costa does get a bad rap on these boards. Living in the US, it is my experience that Costa does not discount Western Med - unless it is 30 days or so, or less out from sailing. We booked a Western Med for next Spring, choosing Costa so my Father-In-Law, who resides in Europe can speak any of the three languages he speaks onboard easily - English not being one of them. Trust me, no discounts. I was also very put off by the large volume of negative posts on CC, but as an Englishwoman, I like foreign differences. Heck, I live in America! :) Perhaps many of these negative posts are from Americans and they prefer the more American cruise brand experience? Which is not Costa. Just my two cents. I totally hear you that Costa is not cheap in price. While being owned by Carnival, complete with gaudy design on some vessels, perhaps that is where the similarity ends? I call it being Carnavalized, the Costa Favosa, which we are booked on, has been thoroughly Carnavalized in design terms. Happily and hopefully, not so much in other areas!

Apologies, I intended to write, Philip, not Phil.

Phil, I think Costa does get a bad rap on these boards. Living in the US, it is my experience that Costa does not discount Western Med - unless it is 30 days or so, or less out from sailing. We booked a Western Med for next Spring, choosing Costa so my Father-In-Law, who resides in Europe can speak any of the three languages he speaks onboard easily - English not being one of them. Trust me, no discounts. I was also very put off by the large volume of negative posts on CC, but as an Englishwoman, I like foreign differences. Heck, I live in America! :) Perhaps many of these negative posts are from Americans and they prefer the more American cruise brand experience? Which is not Costa. Just my two cents. I totally hear you that Costa is not cheap in price. While being owned by Carnival, complete with gaudy design on some vessels, perhaps that is where the similarity ends? I call it being Carnavalized, the Costa Favosa, which we are booked on, has been thoroughly Carnavalized in design terms. Happily and hopefully, not so much in other areas!