Monarch review May 14-18; caution food porn included.

[dacsmom]

Thanks for the review and photos--I'll be on Majesty in October and the stops will be similar. Not sure why it was necessary to use the word "porn" in your review title....

 

Sorry, I did not mean to offend. Typically when there are a lot of food pictures in a review it is called food porn.

[justmeinflorida]

Thanks for the review and photos--I'll be on Majesty in October and the stops will be similar. Not sure why it was necessary to use the word "porn" in your review title....

 

Sorry, I did not mean to offend. Typically when there are a lot of food pictures in a review it is called food porn.

 

Just to sort of clarify and give dacsmom some backup here. It's a common practice in many forums.

 

For example, a 4 wheel drive/off-road type of forum might see a member use "jeep porn" to label or describe a series of pictures of his vehicle. A forum dedicated to artisans might see artists use the word to label a series of pictures showcasing their craft. I've even seen the word used on a forum frequented by lawyers when describing pictures that might interest their fellow members.

 

An equestrian forum I frequent uses the term frequently in picture threads of horses, leather gear, or even horse shows. For example, I just uploaded some "horse show porn" myself highlighting the events of a show I attended last weekend.

 

It's extremely common and meant in a spoofing way, never to offend. Just part of the "forum culture".

 

I can, however, easily see how someone who isn't familiar with the practice or new to forums might be bothered by the word though.

[Lost_in_BC]

Yes, we talk a lot about tomato porn in the garden industry. It's just part of the lingo :)

 

Thanks for the review dacsmom, I love food porn. That strawberry bisque looked to die for. Yum!

[jmorgania]

Mmmm, I LOVE food porn!!!!!!!!

 

BTW your prime rib looked great. I prefer mine actually cooked also, LOL.

[parrotfeathers]

NOW I understand the "porn" comment. I just could not imagine why someone would use that word when talking about food! I do nest box videos of some of my parrot pairs during breeding season and when we refer to "birdie porn" in the bird world it means exactly that.

 

I really appreciate the clarification and didn't mean to sound like a prude.

[klingoncruiser]

Nice review. Glad you liked the cruise.

[justmeinflorida]

NOW I understand the "porn" comment. I just could not imagine why someone would use that word when talking about food! I do nest box videos of some of my parrot pairs during breeding season and when we refer to "birdie porn" in the bird world it means exactly that.

 

I really appreciate the clarification and didn't mean to sound like a prude.

 

 

I didn't see it as being a "prude". It was an honest question. There is so much I've learned here it's unreal, just in a few months at that. Some of it, I'd never know if I hadn't asked.

 

As to this Monarch review, Monarch was our "first". She'll always be special to us. We really do love these reviews, it's like being back aboard her again. We're really trying to get our schedules to synchronize enough that we may be able to sneak in an extra cruise this year in Oct. aboard Monarch, just to experience the ship one more time before she leaves the Royal fleet.

[dacsmom]

Day 5: Debarkation

 

I went up to the dining room for breakfast and unfortunately they did not have my eggs benedict so I got fried eggs, hash browns, and toast. It was very good. My departure time was not until 8:40 and it was only 7am so I had plenty of time. I found it curious that people would bring their luggage to breakfast. We were not even back to Port Canaveral yet and had not been cleared by customs so why would you not leave your luggage in your stateroom? It was not just one or two people; there was a pile of luggage by the door. After breakfast I went up to Deck 11 and watched us pull into port. My assigned embarkation station was the Sound of Music Theater on Deck 5 so I went there about 8:30. They made an announcement that we would be called shortly and sure enough we were called at 8:50. I walked down the stairs and off the ship. I flashed my passport at a very nice customs agent ant out the door I went. It was the easiest, most well organized debarkation ever. As I was walking out through the terminal I saw a couple and the customs agents were going through their luggage one garment at a time. I had to wonder what was up. I followed the signs to the shuttles and easily found my shuttle to the hotel. My vacation was over and I still had a seven hour drive home.

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

The Monarch was an older ship but kept in immaculate condition. It showed some wear but the crew took pride in her appearance. The crew was, by far, the friendliest most helpful group of people I have sailed with. This was my first Royal Caribbean cruise, I wanted to try something different and I am glad I did. I am already planning next year’s cruise on RCL. The food was wonderful and there was a variety to please almost everyone. I always say a vacation is what you make it. If you seek perfection you will always be disappointed. There were only a few minor things that I wish were better. I wish I had a nightstand in my stateroom and I wish they had one trivia game that was an individual not a team event. I loved that guest services was open 24 hours, if the line was long at one time I just went back later. To have an enjoyable vacation, don’t sweat the small stuff and just enjoy being pampered. I hope you have enjoyed this review and will be happy to answer any questions.

[dacsmom]

Here is a link to the Cruise Compasses. I am sorry I do not have the menus

 

http://photobucket.com/compasses

[just4kixx]

Great review! Thanks again!

 

Annette~