Monarch OTS review from experienced cruisers!

[Kristi Williamson]

We drove down late Thursday night and stayed at our usual Cape favorite, Country Inn and Suites. We've tried the Radisson and while we love their pool, we're not overly impressed with the rest of the hotel, so we converted to CI&S about 7 cruises ago and have loved it every time! They have a pool, hot tub and a smashing buffet breakfast that includes waffles, sausage, bacon, bagels, gravy, fruit, cereal, etc... And it really is included in the price of the hotel...no "vouchers". I'll try to upload some photos at the end of the review...but, that works sometimes and sometimes not for me! :p

 

Friday morning we had our breakfast and grabbed the 10:30am shuttle to the port. As usual, it went very smoothly and all the personnel there are just awesome. It's our fav terminal, by far. We were on the ship by 11:15. We changed into our bathing suits (from the carry on!) and had our first DOD. LOVELY! The weather was perfect, and we basically hung out there reading and sipping drinks until muster drill.

 

The drill went smoothly, and we LOVE that you no longer have to lug those cumbersome vests along with you. It lasted approximately 10 minutes and we headed to the room, where our luggage was already waiting to be upacked. Can't beat that... We showered, and headed out again.

 

We tried the "My Time Dining" for the first time and really loved it. A quick call each day lines up your dining time and when we arrived, we never waited more than 3 minutes or so. Much more efficient than our last cruise on the Monarch. The service was great and it was the best food we've had on RCCI in years. Sorry to you loyal Royals, but Carnival typically beats RC down in the food wars of the cruise lines. This time, I'd say that they were on par with some of the better food we've had cruising. I think we can all agree that the food isn't exactly 5 star on any line (perhaps Oceania or SilverSea...but, we've never been there so we wouldn't know!), but some cruises actually do hit a 3 star sometimes and this was one of them. Good eats all around.

 

As a side note: They had some kind of brownie as the dessert at the pizza station (upstairs in the Windjammer for any newbies reading this) this time that was absolutely scrumptious!!! Only saw it one day at lunch and then it disappeared, but it was almost as good as the Chocolate Melting Cake that Carnival has made famous on these boards. A great chocolate dessert that I would LOVE to see more of on RCI!

 

The first night we basically hit the casino, where we won almost 300 bucks, then grabbed some coffee and just hung out together. Very relaxing and enjoyable first day to our "weekend getaway".

 

Day 2: Nassau. What else is there to say. If you've been there, you've done it. If not, then why spoil what could be a potentially wonderful time for others, right? ;) Honestly, we just don't get Nassau, but we do typically give our obligatory 3 bucks and grab the water taxi to Atlantis. We stroll around, give the casino 50 bucks or so and then just wander around looking at all the opulence that we find humorous, but lovely to look at just the same. We stroll back to the ferry, where we always tip our "guide" (used loosely there) and then stroll right on back to the ship, with smiles on our faces. We're in the Bahamas, the sun was shining, we had drinks, we've bathing suits, and work was almost 1000 miles away. Life was quite delicious...Nassau included. More to come later...

[Kristi Williamson]

Port Canaveral's parking garage. We always use the park and cruise, but the garage is very close if you'd rather park there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atlantis and yachts that accompany her:

 

 

[Yvonne]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review of the Monarch, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest as we will be on the Monarch ourselves in January. :) We are doing MTD and really looking forward to that experience. So nice to know you don't have to take the life vests with you to the drill. *jumping up and down with joy*

 

I understand what you're saying about Nassau, we've been there a few times and last time did not even get off the ship and that's what we plan to do this time as well. Just stay onboard and hopefully enjoy a less-crowded ship for the day. :)

[Kristi Williamson]

The pool area around 11:30am. She was virtually empty! We sat in THAT spot for hours the first day. :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Two: Coco Cay

 

This day was lovely, as well. The weather was a bit rough, but we still managed to tender over to the island. We missed the wave runners because the water was too choppy and there's just no way I'm paying 75 bucks for 6 minutes of parasailing. So, we piled onto a lounge chair, pulled out our books and had a blast! We didn't partake of the BBQ this time, but we've had it many times before and I'll assume that it was just as good this time. It's simple, and can get a little nasty if you're not close to the front of the line (flies and all...) but, it's tasty as far as ribs, burgers and hotdogs go. We had another relaxing day and headed back around 2:30 or so. After a quick shower, we just spent the remainder of the night eating, gambling, dancing and watching shows.

 

As a side note for this day: We LOVED the comedian! I was shocked. I'm typically not a big show person after all these years of seeing them on cruises (let's be for real here....cruise shows are NOT broadway material!) but we sort of wandered in and found ourselves watching. He was hilarious if you don't take yourself too seriously. Definitely worth a go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We disembarked around 9:30am, but only because we felt like it. We'd checked our luggage the night before and could have left by 8:15am if we'd been inclined to do so. We had a great breakfast, lounged around on deck and left when we felt like it. Disembarkation was one of the smoothest we've ever had....and considering that the last time we were on Monarch, it was the worst one we'd ever had, they've come a long way in 18 months. I'm not sure if that's luck, the cruise director, or the Capt...but, something certainly made the process easier and we were very appreciative of that. Customs was a breeze.

 

Love these short weekend getaways, and we'll be back! Happy cruising, everyone... ;)

[Kristi Williamson]

 

 

 

One last Coco Cay shot....sigh....I miss it already! :)

[island lady]

Thanks for the review, Kristy! :)

 

We were on the 4 nighter in October, and will be on the 3 nighter in less than 2 weeks that I booked a couple of days ago.

 

This time we will get to enjoy our humble newly attained Platinum Status....and coupled with that, snagged a very last minute Senior deal. Got a killer deal on a JS, which was the last one left available on the ship....whoo-hoo...got my balcony back again! :)

[tright]

Thanks so much for the review loved reading it. Can't wait to go. The pictures are great.

[Lisakey25]

thanks for the review, me and my hubby will be on this cruise this comming friday, and although we have never been to Nassau, we will probably only go off the ship there breifly to look around.

[CHAMPDDS]

Kristi-

 

Thank you for the review...couple of questions, if you don't mind, since we leave in 4 weeks ourselves for a 4 nighter (Dec 27-31):

 

1) Who is the Cruise Director right now ?

2) Assume formal night was the 2nd night ?

3) What is the water temperature like now in Cococay ?

4) How did you arrange with the CI & S regarding the shuttle to the port..is it first come first served ?

 

 

Thanks

 

David:D

[Scotty G]

Kristi-

 

Thank you for the review...couple of questions, if you don't mind, since we leave in 4 weeks ourselves for a 4 nighter (Dec 27-31):

Thanks

 

David:D

 

Let me jump in as I have been on two 4 nights recently:

 

1) Who is the Cruise Director right now ?

 

Drew Divine

 

2) Assume formal night was the 2nd night ?

 

Correct

 

3) What is the water temperature like now in Cococay ?

 

Much like Key West

 

4) How did you arrange with the CI & S regarding the shuttle to the port..is it first come first served ?

 

I'll leave this for the OP

[bionicman97]

Thanks for the review :)

[kuddles14]

Thanks for the review. DH and I will be on her for a 4 night this coming March. Looking forward for a little R & R .

[GAHart]

We have stayed at CI &S the last 3 cruises and all you do is sign up the day before for the shuttle. If you use the stay and cruise package it's free and a great service. We will be down theer in less then a month for our Freedom cruise and will be staying with them again we LOVE it there.

[LBumb]

nice photos

[davesarn]

Thanks for the detailed review! I'm going on 12/10 and can't wait!

[duncanmaria]

Great review! It brings back fond memories of sailing the Monarch a little over a year ago.

 

Coco Cay is so much more relaxing and fun when sailing the Monarch compared to the Freedom. Half as many passengers on the island adds to the laid-back feel of an island getaway. Would love do have that experience again soon.

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[CHAMPDDS]

Let me jump in as I have been on two 4 nights recently:

 

1) Who is the Cruise Director right now ?

 

Drew Divine

 

 

Interesting- Drew was the same CD when we took our kids on their last (and only so far) cruise when we were on the Mariner in October 2007....Small world I guess...

[Scotty G]

Interesting- Drew was the same CD when we took our kids on their last (and only so far) cruise when we were on the Mariner in October 2007....Small world I guess...

Drew just came back from vacation on November 1st. We are looking forward to seeing him and his really great staff in two weeks:D:D:D!!!

[wtrcruise]

My husband and I will be going on our first cruise in Feb on the Monarch on a chartered cruise. Any idea how much an Atlantis pass is for the day?

[The Flying Pirate]

Great Review, thanks for sharing. Sounds like the food on the Monarch is some of the best in the fleet. That is not shocking as many of the long time employees prefer working on the smaller ships, maybe Monarch got lucky with a good chef.

[island lady]

Thanks for the detailed review! I'm going on 12/10 and can't wait!

 

Hey, davesarn....!! :)

Pat and Bucky from Merritt Island....will see you on board!!

[Kristi Williamson]

Kristi-

 

Thank you for the review...couple of questions, if you don't mind, since we leave in 4 weeks ourselves for a 4 nighter (Dec 27-31):

 

1) Who is the Cruise Director right now ?

2) Assume formal night was the 2nd night ?

3) What is the water temperature like now in Cococay ?

4) How did you arrange with the CI & S regarding the shuttle to the port..is it first come first served ?

 

 

Thanks

 

David:D

 

 

Someone else answered the first three correctly, so I'll just answer #4. When you check in, tell them you want to have your name on the shuttle list. They have them running every 30 minutes from 10:30 until 12:30 (I think).

 

We always get the 10:30 one if it's not already full. You'll arrive around 10:45 and by the time you check in it's almost time to board. We were sitting down with a drink by 11:30am. Very smooth. Please be advised that the shuttle guy likes to be tipped and he carries a 5 dollar bill in his hand the entire time he's driving....which is all of 5 minutes. We always tip him a few bucks because he's very nice. Something in me really dislikes that he holds a 5 up for the world to see, though. Seems a little classless to me when there's already a big sign up that says they like tips. Just sayin...

[Kristi Williamson]

My husband and I will be going on our first cruise in Feb on the Monarch on a chartered cruise. Any idea how much an Atlantis pass is for the day?

 

 

I'm pretty sure the Atlantis passes are 100.00 dollars per person. They're much more expensive if you go through the ships. I know they only have so many, but we've found on the 4 dayers that you almost always are able to get one. It's when you're on those bohemoth ships that there's some problems. Try to get there early, though. They have a set number that they give out each day and once they're gone, they don't give out anymore.