Just back from 3 day Monarch of the seas cruise

[woodley]

Just returned from the 3 day Bahamas cruise on the monarch and although I did have a good time there were some observations I thought I would share. Firstly I will say the crew were great and service was very good.

 

My observations.

 

1. the sewage smell is really strong at times in the hallways and in certain places was a constant smell, they even made reference to the ageing sewer system at the muster drill.

 

2. there was a large Broken window in navigator bar area that was kept hidden by a blind.

 

3. Broken seats that had exposed metal in the theater which in the dark cannot be seen and my friend sat on it and nearly fell.

 

4. the ship has been sold and it seems to me they have decided not to do routine maintenence any longer.

 

5. Cabins are small, easily the smallest I have ever sailed in.

 

I have done other 3/4 day cruises with other cruise lines and I have to say without reservation those ships have all been in far better condition and were much better value for money.

 

Had this been the only Royal Caribbean cruise I had ever been on I would not choose this cruise line again. I think they should either reduce the price to recognize the poor quality of accomadation and repair of the ship or start to maintain the ship so you get what you have paid for.

[PH8]

Understandable that they are not going to sink too much more money into it for repairs since there are just 5 more sailings left(not counting today's)......

 

BTW--did you mean Schooner Bar?? There is no Navigator Bar on the MN..

[Pumbaamd]

Originally Posted by woodley

Just returned from the 3 day Bahamas cruise on the monarch and although I did have a good time there were some observations I thought I would share. Firstly I will say the crew were great and service was very good.

 

My observations.

 

Our reply to his comments:

 

1. the sewage smell is really strong at times in the hallways and in certain places was a constant smell, they even made reference to the ageing sewer system at the muster drill.

 

***{The reference at the drill is made to the guests as to "don't put unncessary items, trash, large objects, including children, in to the toilet". And it does refer to the age of the ship's system. This should be updated at the upcoming drydock.}***

 

2. there was a large Broken window in navigator bar area that was kept hidden by a blind.

 

***{It's in the Schooner Bar and has been there for several months. Saw the same window break on MJ and they had a new one installed in hours. Can only guess that this window style is not currently available and the ship yard has placed orders for the same. Other windows in that area are showing signs of age. Would hope that they are ordering many more window replacements.}***

 

3. Broken seats that had exposed metal in the theater which in the dark cannot be seen and my friend sat on it and nearly fell.

 

***{This is not good. Should be fixed or seats cordoned off.}***

 

4. the ship has been sold and it seems to me they have decided not to do routine maintenence any longer.

 

***{Looks as if they have a fine line as to what to repair now, and what to have the shipyard do later.}***

 

5. Cabins are small, easily the smallest I have ever sailed in.

 

***{The MN's cabins have always been small, that's not an issue. When planning your cruise, that (and ship's age) is something you must check out. Remember, she's a much older ship. When she was launched, she was the world's largest cruise ship!}***

 

I have done other 3/4 day cruises with other cruise lines and I have to say without reservation those ships have all been in far better condition and were much better value for money.

 

***{And, how old were those ships?}***

 

Had this been the only Royal Caribbean cruise I had ever been on I would not choose this cruise line again. I think they should either reduce the price to recognize the poor quality of accomadation and repair of the ship or start to maintain the ship so you get what you have paid for.

 

***{With only a few cruises remaining, that ain't gonna happen. Actually, prices have gone up in the last few days for the final cruise.}***

 

We will enjoy our last cruise on her on March 29.

 

Rick and Deirdra

[nautica1580]

I was also on this sailing. We were very disappointed with the condition of this ship. We sailed last Sept for a weekend one as well and it was in much better shape. Can't believe RC hasn't kept up with it like they should. The casino had many slots out of order, sewerage smell was through the ship and very strong, I have been on 5 other cruises(all RC) and this ship was dirty and nasty. The public restrooms were a disgrace as well. The sound of music theatre had at least 2-3 broken chairs on the right and left side(stadium chair back seating) while middle section seemed to be fine. The entertainment was very lacking, a lot of high school performances-literally. We are glad this ship is retiring as we live close to port and glad a newer ship will be shortly on the horizon for us. The staff was trying there best as a lot of them were sick and they were short staffed, the cruise director himself didn't make any appearances this cruise as he didn't have a voice and was battling the flu himself. My advice, sail another ship and pass on the Monarch.

[Scotty G]

Totally discounting this post since there are few issues with Monarch from our recent observations. She is going to have a full 2 week drydock funded by RCCL the parent corporation of RCI and Pullmantur (RCCL's Spanish subsidiary) where she will cruise next. There have been Pullmantur officials on Monarch during several of our cruises determining all that must be done prior to her entering service with them. We will totally enjoy our time on Monarch during her last week with RCI :)

[wolfcathorse]

The CD has posted on his Facebook page that he has tonsillitis, not the flu, but a second tonsillitis bout in 5 weeks time.

 

But I'm just nitpicking at OP's original observations....fortunately he won't have to worry about not sailing on Monarch anymore.

 

Hey, OP, don't book on Majesty...she's the same class ship as Monarch. Oh, and she's leaving RCI for Pullmantur too

[Scotty G]

The CD has posted on his Facebook page that he has tonsillitis, not the flu, but a second tonsillitis bout in 5 weeks time.

 

But I'm just nitpicking at OP's original observations....fortunately he won't have to worry about not sailing on Monarch anymore.

 

Hey, OP, don't book on Majesty...she's the same class ship as Monarch. Oh, and she's leaving RCI for Pullmantur too

 

LOL -- I almost said something about Marc's poor condition as well. I did talk to Erky yesterday and Marc had him do the Love and Marriage game show. Can't wait!!!

[mpoole3]

LOL -- I almost said something about Marc's poor condition as well. I did talk to Erky yesterday and Marc had him do the Love and Marriage game show. Can't wait!!!

 

Erky from Turkey! He uploaded a ringtone on iTunes of his laugh for purchase.

 

Marc & Erky make the best team I've seen on a cruise.

[DanTheCruisingMan]

The CD has posted on his Facebook page that he has tonsillitis, not the flu, but a second tonsillitis bout in 5 weeks time.

 

But I'm just nitpicking at OP's original observations....fortunately he won't have to worry about not sailing on Monarch anymore.

 

Hey, OP, don't book on Majesty...she's the same class ship as Monarch. Oh, and she's leaving RCI for Pullmantur too

 

Not til 2015 from the latest news.

[Pumbaamd]

Not til 2015 from the latest news.

Can you tell more?

R&D

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

We sailed the Monarch in February, our first RCI cruise since 2005. Overall we found the ship in good condition, although the casino was the worst one we have ever been in on a ship. Old, old slot machines and none of them paid. We had an oceanview stateroom, it was on the small size, but we knew that when we booked. We found service and food in the MDR was excellent, buffet not so.

For the $169 we paid for the cruise, it was a good value.

[ksuds]

We love the Monarch and all its staff. However, last time we were on it we noticed the overall decline in the ship. We were booked on its last sailing, which we thought would have been a blast. But when we looked at the price we paid we decided to cancel it a couple weeks ago. We can go on the Jewel which is a half hour away from our house for less.

 

Sorry Monarch........at least I can count on seeing the staff on other ships.

[Aquahound]

Of the cruise lines I have sailed, I find RCI to be the best at maintaining their ships. So, it is a little disappointing to hear they are not keeping up their usual high standards on Monarch, even if it is their oldest ship that's on its way out. When those windows break, or the maintenance issues occur that cause the sewage smell, it can take some time to repair, but broken theater seats can be fixed more quickly.....that is, as long as it was brought to their attention. OP, I would hope you did that.

[PH8]

We love the Monarch and all its staff. However, last time we were on it we noticed the overall decline in the ship. We were booked on its last sailing, which we thought would have been a blast. But when we looked at the price we paid we decided to cancel it a couple weeks ago. We can go on the Jewel which is a half hour away from our house for less.

 

Sorry Monarch........at least I can count on seeing the staff on other ships.

Smart move Karen and now you have the concierge and Portofinos!!;)

[alfaeric]

Had this been the only Royal Caribbean cruise I had ever been on I would not choose this cruise line again. I think they should either reduce the price to recognize the poor quality of accomadation and repair of the ship or start to maintain the ship so you get what you have paid for.

 

How much did you pay? I've seen prices as low as $120 regularly.... By far, it seems like the cheapest cruise per night out there in the RCI line.

 

It was not until recently that the demand has spiked due to her leaving the fleet. And it's that demand that has the prices high....

 

And the final cruise- I think it's close to sold out, since the prices are pretty close to $120/night.

 

Since the option of sailing on her is limited to the next few weeks, the choice of this ship, or more correctly not choosing this ship, is kind of moot.

[PH8]

The prices for the last sailing are really high too,due to the fact it is Easter weekend..

[Dharma517]

Im really sorry to hear about your cruise. Regardless of price or drydock or whatever the ship to be up to RCI standards. Certainly sounds like it was not. Perhaps try a newer ship? I am sailing on the Grandeur in May which is older but recently refurbed. Hopefully it will be up to snuff!

[ryano]

A co worker and her husband just got off of her a few months ago and LOVED it!

 

It was their first cruise. No complaints whatsoever so the ship must have really went downhill in a short time. I know for sure she would have mentioned a sewage smell.

 

FWIW, they booked a deck 9 SOV for 169.00 pp for a 4 night cruise. They are hooked on cruising and Royal Caribbean in general now and are looking at a 7 night Freedom of the Seas cruise.

 

All because of the Monarch :)

[cruisegirl1]

I can’t confirm or deny any of the OP’s observations because I was not on that sailing, EXCEPT to comment about complaint on the cabin size. Most know that the Sovereigns class has some of the smallest RCCL cabins. The size should not be a surprise to anyone as the sq.ft. are clearly noted on the cabin description not only on the RCCL site, but on many other sites as well. Can you imagine those who sailed her original 7 night itinerary in those cabins. Yikes!

 

 

We sailed Feb 15 and found the ship to be in fine shape. We know she is an older ship and getting ready to leave the fleet. Surprisingly it seemed like our shower stall was new. ( maybe it was just VERY clean).

 

Funny about reducing fees for the remaining upcoming sailings - – those last few sailed prices have gone through the roof.

 

 

 

As for the Monarch vs the Jewel – no comparison, Jewel wins hands down!

M

[poncho1973]

It's funny how the Dump of the Seas has such rabid fans. I made the same comment as above... if my Monarch cruise had been my first cruise, I would've never gone again.

 

The crew was great. The ship was awful. There was nothing about the ship that I liked. Bad rooms, bad layout, tons and tons of wear & tear, bad amenities, no solarium, everything is cramped, everything is old, etc. etc. etc. etc.

 

People can be completely irrational about this ship. "Yeah, it's a dump, but it's OUR dump. It's our favorite ship in the fleet! We love it. Best ship ever! Don't knock it. Yeah, we know everything stinks (literally) and stuff, but she's old, so it's ok."

[Eriksgarden]

Never been on Monarch, but I can understand people vigorously defending her; even her apparent cesspool smell. Majesty was the first cruise I was on, and I want to go back. Some are talking like Majesty is being dumped like Monarch into the cruise ship abyss. It is sad!

[LBumb]

i have great memories on the Monarch and the Majesty

[ryano]

It's funny how the Dump of the Seas has such rabid fans. I made the same comment as above... if my Monarch cruise had been my first cruise, I would've never gone again.

 

The crew was great. The ship was awful. There was nothing about the ship that I liked. Bad rooms, bad layout, tons and tons of wear & tear, bad amenities, no solarium, everything is cramped, everything is old, etc. etc. etc. etc.

 

People can be completely irrational about this ship. "Yeah, it's a dump, but it's OUR dump. It's our favorite ship in the fleet! We love it. Best ship ever! Don't knock it. Yeah, we know everything stinks (literally) and stuff, but she's old, so it's ok."

 

And you arent being irrational in the least are you?

 

I was on the Monarch three years ago and honestly, it wasnt much different than my cruise on Freedom. Sure, there was no Royal Promenade and "bells and whistles" but I never smelled a thing. I never noticed the tons and tons of wear and tear and as a fulltime wheelchair user, not once did I ever feel cramped. I had an accessible deck 9 SOV and its been my largest cabin to date and a wonderful cabin it was.

 

Of course I also realized going in that the ship was 20 years old so of course I wasnt expecting 5 star accomodations.

 

Im not a "rabid fan" of Monarch but I do wonder why people cant have pleasant memories of Monarch without you pissing all over those feelings with your bashing and name calling?

 

I still love the Holiday. WHY? Because she was my first cruise..........Needless to say, Monarch looks like Oasis and Allure compared to that old gal.

 

There is no way to prove it but I would be willing to wager money that Monarch has turned more people ON to Royal Caribbean than she has turned off. At least she did for me anyway.

[Tagsalong]

How much did you pay? I've seen prices as low as $120 regularly.... By far, it seems like the cheapest cruise per night out there in the RCI line.

 

It was not until recently that the demand has spiked due to her leaving the fleet. And it's that demand that has the prices high....

 

And the final cruise- I think it's close to sold out, since the prices are pretty close to $120/night.

 

Since the option of sailing on her is limited to the next few weeks, the choice of this ship, or more correctly not choosing this ship, is kind of moot.

 

 

Actually the final 3 nighter still has over 100 cabins available (insides & ovs). We have sailed on her for as little as $99 pp last year. This month the prices have remained high and the upcoming 3 nighter (March 15) sold their last 30 cabins this past week for $400 plus pp. Much beyond our price point! Spring Break, I guess, is contributing. This has kept us from celebrating her farewell passage. The last sailing might yet go down, but I doubt it since they are getting people to buy in at these higher fares.

[poncho1973]

And you arent being irrational in the least are you?

 

I was on the Monarch three years ago and honestly, it wasnt much different than my cruise on Freedom. Sure, there was no Royal Promenade and "bells and whistles" but I never smelled a thing. I never noticed the tons and tons of wear and tear and as a fulltime wheelchair user, not once did I ever feel cramped. I had an accessible deck 9 SOV and its been my largest cabin to date and a wonderful cabin it was.

 

Of course I also realized going in that the ship was 20 years old so of course I wasnt expecting 5 star accomodations.

 

Im not a "rabid fan" of Monarch but I do wonder why people cant have pleasant memories of Monarch without you pissing all over those feelings with your bashing and name calling?

 

I still love the Holiday. WHY? Because she was my first cruise..........Needless to say, Monarch looks like Oasis and Allure compared to that old gal.

 

There is no way to prove it but I would be willing to wager money that Monarch has turned more people ON to Royal Caribbean than she has turned off. At least she did for me anyway.

 

People randomly like things that are sentimental to them, regardless of their actual experiences. I am not one of those people. I like things based on my current or most recent experience with that item.

 

You love the Holiday because it is sentimental to you, not because it is still a good ship.

 

I had a friend buy a late 70s Chevy Nova because he had one growing up. He was in love with the idea of getting that Nova. He raved about it. It sits in his garage because it really isn't a good car. It isn't even a good Nova. It's the awful one they made right before they made it AN EVEN MORE AWFUL version of that car.

 

I liked eating ketchup on my fingers as a kid, that doesn't make it a delicious meal today.