A Monarch review from 1992!!!!

[Buffettphan1]

I have been reading some of the cruise and ship reviews and i have to say they are very good. Love looking at them.

 

We have been on many cruises so i thought i should post some myself.

 

I will start off with a belated reveiw, our first cruise on the Monarch back in April of 1992. The monarch was still in its inaugural sailing out of San Juan.

We went Southern Carib and had the time of our lives for seven nights on our honeymoon.

 

I will post some pics. It might take a few times to get them all in. Some more i will need to scan from the album. This was pre digital time so i have to get them on the computer the hard way.

 

Anyway, we got married on April 4th, 1992. The next morning we had a non stop flight to San Juan. April in New England and April in San Juan, well you know where I'm going. It was hot. RCCL did a great job of meeting us at the airport and shuttling us to the pier. At that time the terminal was just a building next to the ship, nothing fancy and wide open. I'm foggy as to how we even got on the ship. Not sure what the arraignment is today.

 

The ship, for me at that time as a first time cruiser was HUGE to say the least, she was new and i just could not believe how big it was. My new bride had sailed on the Carnival Festival, which we believe was docked next to the Monarch but with a different name and cruise line. The Monarch made it look like a life boat.

 

Here is a pic just prior to boarding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to say, she is my favorite ship, regardless of her size!!

 

 

[alexkrn46]

Thank you this is a very interesting read.

[Buffettphan1]

We are just about to board. I'm not sure how long it took us to get on the ship. I do remember we were hot, and maybe a bit hung over from our big day the day before. All i know is we wanted to get on that big ole boat.

When we finally boarded we were met by porters that took our bags and escorted us to our inside, inside stateroom! Limited budget.

This ship was something else, clean bright and full of life. Someday i will get back on.

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[kruzerci]

This is great! Fun to see her when she was in her glory.

 

We sailed on her in December, oldest in the fleet and looking tired.

 

It's crazy to think at one time she was the biggest and best!

[sail2sea]

I have a feeling this is going to be an awesome review!

[Buffettphan1]

As we took everything that the Monarch had to show us, my eyes were big and taking her all in. It was a dream come true for me. Our room was in the middle of the ship, meaning, it was a inside stateroom but on a inside hallway. All i remember is it was real dark when we turned off the lights. But i loved it!!!!!

The atrium on the Monarch is a simple one but it was beautiful. Here are a couple pics of the atrium and some of the musicians playing at some point in the cruise. Not sure what the barber smocks are for, but they were good. I'm foggy on some of the time line for the trip as it was 20 years ago and a lot has happened for us in 20 years. Hope you all enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

[PH8]

Loving this nostalgia review..........tell,me why,after all these years??:confused:

[Buffettphan1]

This is great! Fun to see her when she was in her glory.

 

We sailed on her in December, oldest in the fleet and looking tired.

 

It's crazy to think at one time she was the biggest and best!

 

I hope that i can sail on her before it is to late. Im sure the ship is tired, hell iam too!!!!! I have read some real poor threads on her and it troubles me so much. This cruise on the Monarch was the start of a new life for my wife and I. we talk about it all the time like it was yesterday. I just wish everyone would take her age into consideration.

Hard to beleive she is the oldest now and i had the honor of being on her when she was the youngest. Thanks for reading

[F27TW]

Wow -- Buffetphan1 .... thanks for this thread -- Monarch is a special ship for us ... love to see more pics from ur cruise ... I hope you keep em coming !!!

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

This is so awesome, what a great idea!! Really enjoying your pictures, would love to do the same for some of my old Majesty cruises. Brings back a lot of great memories! Thanks again...

[Buffettphan1]

Kathy,

Its a long winter here in New Hampshire.

I have been going through all our old photos. We are selling our house and i decided to start collecting all the pictures we have ever taken, i dont recomend this!!!

Anyway, i came across our honeymoon on the Monarch and scanned them and then started reading all the reviews of the new ships but not many on the older. Besides the Monarch is something very near and dear to me and i thought i would share it with CC.

I hope you all enoy.

I took this pic while we were exploring the ship. I think, but cannot be sure that that is a old Carnival ship.

Im trying to maintain some sort of ordor but i think i will lose track. I have many more to scan so keep checking it.

 

[PH8]

I have been on the MN maybe 20 times.........she may be older,but she still has a lot to offer!:D

[Buffettphan1]

This is so awesome, what a great idea!! Really enjoying your pictures, would love to do the same for some of my old Majesty cruises. Brings back a lot of great memories! Thanks again...

 

I have Majesty too.

 

This is so fun and a great winter distraction!!!!!

[Buffettphan1]

This picture has us on our day at sea. I think it was the first day. We are in the very very right hand corner on lounge chairs. All you can see is our craniums, right next to the lady with the white cover up and very stylish fanny pack! What a ship. Simple!

 

[justmeinflorida]

Having just come off the Monarch for our first cruise, she will always have a special place in our heart, no doubt.

 

Seeing your pictures from her earlier years is amazing. The little details that I notice...some the same, others have changed. For example, I would have never known that the spas were in a different location on the pool deck than they are today.

 

Fun! Thanks for sharing.

[volunteer cruiser]

Loving the memories My first cruise was on the Monarch in May 1994. We (mom, dad, and husband) were in awe of this beautiful ship. We were so spoiled by the service. Thank you for posting.

[jmf123]

I took this pic while we were exploring the ship. I think, but cannot be sure that that is a old Carnival ship.

 

 

I'm going to say it may be the Premier Majestic... I love this review and your wonderful photos! Our first cruise was on the NCL Windward, before being stretched and changed to NCL Wind. We were docked right next to the beautiful Monarch and felt perhaps we'd made the wrong choice. :o We based our decision on itinerary and loved going to St. Thomas (St. John), Aruba, Curacao, etc. and had an amazing cruise. I believe the NCL ship is currently sailing out of Hong Kong as StarShip Aquarius. Can't wait to read more of your review and see more photos! p.s. I have Cruise Travel mags going back to 1990 something and they are really fun to browse through.

[Buffettphan1]

This is another of the first day, somewhere in the southern carib. I loved the view of the islands.

We didnot do our lifeboat muster until this day. How things have changed

 

 

[Buffettphan1]

Here is Miss Monarch skillfully docked in what i think is Antigua.

 

We had a great time here, shopping and maybe a boat drink!!

 

[Buffettphan1]

I think this picture was taken in Barbados and i do believe we might have had a few Banks!!!

 

We went horse back riding here, (pics to follow) and met up with a great couple who shared a cab with us. We went to a local bar, way out in the middle of sugar Cain country, and drank with the locals. My wife bought a case of Banks beer and I was able to bring it right on the ship. Not sure you would do that today.

 

What a day we had here, sight seeing and horse back riding on the beach followed by some good times with he locals.

 

Like the socks??????

 

[Madsofa]

Love it! Thanks for sharing. The Monarch was our first cruise in 1998 and it was our honeymoon as well. We sailed out of San Juan after spending a week in Antigua - my favourite island. :)

[Buffettphan1]

Not sure when, where or why, but it was on the Monarch!!!!!

 

[Buffettphan1]

Here is the last one for tonight. I will have to scan some more pictures of our cabin and interior of the ship.

 

Glad to see so many of you still appreciate the Monarch as much as i do!!!

 

I was so impressed with this picture. The ship is huge even by todays standards!!!

 

 

 

 

[PH8]

I think this picture was taken in Barbados and i do believe we might have had a few Banks!!!

 

We went horse back riding here, (pics to follow) and met up with a great couple who shared a cab with us. We went to a local bar, way out in the middle of sugar Cain country, and drank with the locals. My wife bought a case of Banks beer and I was able to bring it right on the ship. Not sure you would do that today.

 

What a day we had here, sight seeing and horse back riding on the beach followed by some good times with he locals.

 

Like the socks??????

 

hehe.....love the fannypacks.:p

[Buffettphan1]

Fanny packs!!

Yes i have taken some grief from the kids in my household.

But they worked.

Here is dinner on one of the formal nights. We sat with two othe couples that were newly weds as well. Although they were much younger than us, we still had a great time with them.. I will have pics of them after i scan them.

There was even a country western dress up night. WOW!!!! Made my fanny pack look good!