new and a few questions

[moodme]

We are going on one of the weekend cruises on the Monarch down to the Bahamas. I have a few questions if you could help me out

1. What are the cell phone charges on the ship?

2. What would you recommend to do in Nassau?

3. Do you recommend the My time dining? Do you usually have to wait a while to be seated?

4. What is the charge for the gold wine package?

5. When are the casinos open?

This is our first cruise, so any advice would also be appreciated!

TIA!

[Desert Cruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic, the Casinos will be open during Sea Days and closed while your in Port. Although we prefer MDR and a set time with same couples at our table, many like the anytime, as it offers them more flexibility. For your Cruise, check the RCL Web site and look under the itnerary, then you can select for each Port you will be visiting, the differant Tours being offered. If you go on your own, you need to know what time you need to return to the ship, and be on board 30 min before or the ship will leave. I will allow others to inform you on your otehr questions.

Check the Roll Call Section and look under the Monarch for your cruise and join the Roll Call, there you can begin getting acquainted with your fellow cruisers from CC.

[cb at sea]

Nassau isn't our favorite port...we will sometimes just walk around the "straw market" area, then head back to the ship (that will be virtually empty) and use that which we've paid for---the ship!

[rummenroman]

We are going on one of the weekend cruises on the Monarch down to the Bahamas. I have a few questions if you could help me out

1. What are the cell phone charges on the ship? EXPENSIVE!!! You get hit with the ship charge, as well as rooming from your provider. Call your provider and see about an international package.

2. What would you recommend to do in Nassau? We went to Cable Beach. Its easy to get there using public transit. Take a right out of the terminal, the road will turn left at Senor Frogs. Walk another 3=400 feet and you will be able to turn left. Then its the first right. Take bus 10 and ask to get off at Cable. The ride was $1 or so. There are several hotels you can choose to walk through, but the Wyndham requires you to buy a day use. We went to the Sheraton and rented chairs for $5. Beautiful beach and lots of amenities to use. Jet Skis and para sailing are also available, but be sure to talk them down from their initial price!

3. Do you recommend the My time dining? Do you usually have to wait a while to be seated? You can choose to make reservations and there is no wait. The most we saw waiting were 3 couples, and it was a matter of the head waiter to get them seated. I never saw them wait more then that!

4. What is the charge for the gold wine package? Don't drink wine, so i can't help you there!

5. When are the casinos open? Usually about 30 minutes out of port. I'm sure its open while at Coco Cay, but i'm not sure.

This is our first cruise, so any advice would also be appreciated!

TIA!

 

Enjoy your Cruise!

[whyrlygig]

Nassau isn't our favorite port...we will sometimes just walk around the "straw market" area, then head back to the ship (that will be virtually empty) and use that which we've paid for---the ship!

 

 

Ditto! I love a quiet ship.... feels like you have it all to yourself!

[Colorado Kat]

Cell phone charges - you would pay your own provider whatever they charge for "international", but then also have to pay at least $2.49 per minute for use of the ship's cell tower.

 

If you want to use your phone in port, make sure you are off your ship, and far enough away to recognize the name of the service provider on your cell phone screen.

[JanineM]

Just to add to other comments.

 

We've done My Time Dining on Monarch twice and loved it. We made a standing reservation for 7 pm and had no problem getting a table for 2 with the same excellent servers each time.

 

In Nassau we generally take a taxi over to Atlantis and walk around the shops, the hotel and the casino there. (Hint - land taxis are the same price as water taxis and take less time.) There are some beautiful yachts over there and the shopping is just okay so I rarely do much shopping. If you like casinos then that's a great place to go. I like to gamble but don't like to lose much so generally stick to the penny and 2 cent machines - there are plenty of choices there. I usually walk away with more money than I arrived with!

 

The casino opens about half an hour after leaving port EXCEPT it is open in the evening when you are in Nassau (I think it opens at 7 pm). So it opens about 5:30 pm on Friday (til late), then at 9 am Saturday until about 10:30 am, then again at around 7 pm on Saturday and at 9 am on Sunday.

 

Hope you enjoy your first cruise!