Monarch Of The Seas Experience

[louanne93]

Wow, that seems pretty frightening. Question on the Golf Carts. Where exactly do you rent them?

 

As soon as you get off the peir, down the street on the left is the golf cart place. Make sure you get there early, as I hear they run out. We got there around 10:00 and was still ok.

[louanne93]

Great post! I'm really glad you and your family had a wounderful time. I also enjoy sailing Monarch. I think she's a great little ship. But, if you liked her, your gonna LOVE Vision. You made a great decision when you booked her for your next cruise.

 

Thank you so much...We would do the Monarch again anyday.

 

I can't wait to go on Vision!!!

[Mildred]

If the golf cart place is out of carts walk downtown to the other side and there are 2 more golf cart places there.

[beachdude395]

is there anyway of getting them in advance, I am in a part of 12.

 

Also, how many people can u stick on a golf cart?

[louanne93]

is there anyway of getting them in advance, I am in a part of 12.

 

Also, how many people can u stick on a golf cart?

 

The first place only seats 4 but the place further down the street seats 6. So you could get 2 or 3 depending on where you go. But definetly get a golf cart. They are worth their weight in gold.

[louanne93]

is there anyway of getting them in advance, I am in a part of 12.

 

Also, how many people can u stick on a golf cart?

 

Double post sorry

[ladylawyer]

Louanne,

 

How much was it to rent the golf carts? Did you stay around town or go up in the hills? Were there any places you visited that were especially nice? I'm from So Cal and have been to Catalina, so I'm looking for "out of the way" places. Thanks, in advance! ~ Lorna

[mohavemommy]

Great post! I'm really glad you and your family had a wounderful time. I also enjoy sailing Monarch. I think she's a great little ship. But, if you liked her, your gonna LOVE Vision. You made a great decision when you booked her for your next cruise.

 

I will be sailing on both this year. Haven't done the Vision yet and can't wait! :D

[ADeputy4U]

I will be sailing on both this year. Haven't done the Vision yet and can't wait! :D

Twice a year, my wife and I sail Monarch. We save Vision for the end of the year, when our kids can travel with us. Being in Northern California, sailing both ship's during the year is cheep and easy. PS; Mohave, are you in Mohave or some other spot down there? Cal City, Langcaster, Barstow??

[cjankowski]

How much are the golf carts? Can you get one in advanced? How far is it to walk? My husband has MS and cant walk very far without getting tired fast. Jsut want to make sure we can enjoy the island as much as possible.

[louanne93]

Louanne,

 

How much was it to rent the golf carts? Did you stay around town or go up in the hills? Were there any places you visited that were especially nice? I'm from So Cal and have been to Catalina, so I'm looking for "out of the way" places. Thanks, in advance! ~ Lorna

 

It was $120 for three hours. We also had two golf carts (for $120). We went up to Wrigley's place, and the Botanical Gardens. It was nice to do the scenic drive, but nothing special as far as hidden spots. The best part was the view and I think you can only get that from the golf cart up high.

[louanne93]

How much are the golf carts? Can you get one in advanced? How far is it to walk? My husband has MS and cant walk very far without getting tired fast. Jsut want to make sure we can enjoy the island as much as possible.

 

The golf cart is $60 an hour with a $60 deposit. The third hour is free. It takes two hours to do the whole island. I would have your husband wait at the pier and you can then pick him up when you've rented the golf cart. I believe there is bench's at the pier.

[sashanicole]

The golf cart is $60 an hour with a $60 deposit. The third hour is free. It takes two hours to do the whole island. I would have your husband wait at the pier and you can then pick him up when you've rented the golf cart. I believe there is bench's at the pier.

 

where did you go? we went to the 1st place on the left and it was only $35 an hour with a $30 deposit (which we got back).....also, for anyone wondering...you can do the whole scenic tour on the carts in an hour, so you don't have to pay for extra because they start pro-rating it. Something we found helpful was to set the alarm on our phone for about 10 min. til the hour and we made it back in time! :D

[jrsmith1279]

My husband and I just returned from the cruise on the Monarch of The Seas - Feb 13 thru 17. RCCL left us (1300+ passengers) stranded on Catalina for over 4 hours. It was cold and windy and we had no idea why they weren't sending a tender boat to get us (one broke down). Once a boat was sent, they overloaded it and didn't control the situation. People were upset and scared as the boat slammed into the side of the ship out in the ocean. The ramp we were supposed to cross to get from the boat to the ship was slamming up and down violently. I was afraid for my life for the first time in my life. I know that no one can control weather or the sea, but RCCL could have sent a tender to get us sooner before the weather changed. The could have chartered/ordered another tender boat to help pick us up. Or better yet - warned us new cruisers of the risks of going out to Catalina! Thank god I didn't have my son or elderly grandfather.

 

I don't usually "flame" but this post got my attention and I have to add my two cents.. I was on the 2/13 - 2/17 cruise and I went to Catalina... Nobody was stranded for over 4 hours, there was a boat going back and forth nonstop all day. I was at the end of the last line (very end, very last ride back to the ship) and I only stood in line for an hour and a half. Each trip was taking about 45 mins and the tender holds around 600 people so the claim of 4 hours is just ludicris. If you were there for 4 hours then you weren't in line for the tender all of that time, it's not possible. Yes RCCL could have done something different and they should have a backup plan incase the tenders fail but lets tell the truth about the situation and not over dramatize what happened. If you were scared for your life then I highly doubt that you've never been scared for your life before, the rough sea and slamming against the ship were not anything life threatening. The slamming was very predictable if you just paid attention to the movement of the tender, when the boat goes up high it will slam when it comes down because the ropes holding the tender to the ship are drawn taught. I do agree that there should have been some plan in place because if the single tender had broken down then they would have to be prepared. You really can't knock them for taking a long time and for overloading the tender, it doesn't make sense because if they didn't overload the tender then it would have taken longer.

 

There's my two cents, take it however you like.

-Jack

[Merion_Mom]

Jack, watch that use of the word "flame". You were in NO WAY flaming that poster. Flaming involves malicious intent to insult or stir the pot. You were just "setting the recond straight" and telling your actual experience. Just because what you say contradicts what she said does not make your post a FLAME, just a different viewpoint/opinion.

 

Stick to your eyewitness guns. :) :) :)

[louanne93]

where did you go? we went to the 1st place on the left and it was only $35 an hour with a $30 deposit (which we got back).....also, for anyone wondering...you can do the whole scenic tour on the carts in an hour, so you don't have to pay for extra because they start pro-rating it. Something we found helpful was to set the alarm on our phone for about 10 min. til the hour and we made it back in time! :D

 

You are right... I forgot we had two golf carts.

 

We stopped a lot so it took us some more time.

[louanne93]

I don't usually "flame" but this post got my attention and I have to add my two cents.. I was on the 2/13 - 2/17 cruise and I went to Catalina... Nobody was stranded for over 4 hours, there was a boat going back and forth nonstop all day. I was at the end of the last line (very end, very last ride back to the ship) and I only stood in line for an hour and a half. Each trip was taking about 45 mins and the tender holds around 600 people so the claim of 4 hours is just ludicris. If you were there for 4 hours then you weren't in line for the tender all of that time, it's not possible. Yes RCCL could have done something different and they should have a backup plan incase the tenders fail but lets tell the truth about the situation and not over dramatize what happened. If you were scared for your life then I highly doubt that you've never been scared for your life before, the rough sea and slamming against the ship were not anything life threatening. The slamming was very predictable if you just paid attention to the movement of the tender, when the boat goes up high it will slam when it comes down because the ropes holding the tender to the ship are drawn taught. I do agree that there should have been some plan in place because if the single tender had broken down then they would have to be prepared. You really can't knock them for taking a long time and for overloading the tender, it doesn't make sense because if they didn't overload the tender then it would have taken longer.

 

There's my two cents, take it however you like.

-Jack

 

Thanks Jack!

[ladylawyer]

You are right... I forgot we had two golf carts.

 

We stopped a lot so it took us some more time.

 

Whew! I was thinking that $60/hr was a little steep. I get that gasoline is more expensive on the Island ... and the whole "gouge the tourist" thing but ... WOW! Thanks, Sashanicole, for jumping in. Thanks, also Louanne, for your recommendations. You did say that you rented 2 golfcarts, so it sounds like you got a deal for getting 2. :rolleyes:

 

When I was on Catalina in Dec, we took the botanical gardens tour, and got some pretty good views. Our driver was nice to stop at the top, near the old Wrigley Mansion (now a B&B called Mt. Ada Inn), to let us get out and take pix. Plus you get a guided tour of the part of the Island and Avalon. As I recall, the tour was about $29, booked through the ship, and is a pretty good deal if you don't want to be the driver. Unfortunately, it didn't go to the Casino or the north side of Avalon. I think we'll probably do some walking, in May.

 

BTW, we were on Balboa Island, after the cruise, and looked at the housing prices, which included houses on Avalon. :eek: All I can say is :eek: !!!

 

Thanks, again, for the info!

[tennislvr]

the carts can be rented from any one of the little rental shacks right near the port. Be sure to mention RC for your $5.00 discount. The island thrives on the cruise ship tourism in the winter so you can get some great deals. But like I said before, study the map before...there are a few streets with no signs which makes it very difficult to figure out where you are suppose to go!

[lsauer]

I don't usually "flame" but this post got my attention and I have to add my two cents.. I was on the 2/13 - 2/17 cruise and I went to Catalina... Nobody was stranded for over 4 hours, there was a boat going back and forth nonstop all day. I was at the end of the last line (very end, very last ride back to the ship) and I only stood in line for an hour and a half. Each trip was taking about 45 mins and the tender holds around 600 people so the claim of 4 hours is just ludicris. If you were there for 4 hours then you weren't in line for the tender all of that time, it's not possible. Yes RCCL could have done something different and they should have a backup plan incase the tenders fail but lets tell the truth about the situation and not over dramatize what happened. If you were scared for your life then I highly doubt that you've never been scared for your life before, the rough sea and slamming against the ship were not anything life threatening. The slamming was very predictable if you just paid attention to the movement of the tender, when the boat goes up high it will slam when it comes down because the ropes holding the tender to the ship are drawn taught. I do agree that there should have been some plan in place because if the single tender had broken down then they would have to be prepared. You really can't knock them for taking a long time and for overloading the tender, it doesn't make sense because if they didn't overload the tender then it would have taken longer.

 

There's my two cents, take it however you like.

-Jack

 

You are inncorrect, Jack. There were no tender boats sent from 12:30 to 4:40pm. I know, I was there as were hundreds of others. You are correct that my wait could have been shorter if I could have taken the cold wind waiting in line, but my husband and I tried and couldn't take it. We had to find shelter from the wind to wait for the boat. Because we didn't stand in line (I know this was our choice), the line got longer and longer. No boats came. We were all shocked it took so long to send it. We were stupid to wait, but we kept thinking they had to send a boat soon. Plus we were so cold we could bare to walk anywhere. We waited in a little alleyway in between the deli and the office. We waited with another couple (Bob & Diane) that showed up at about 4:15 and waited with us for over an hour. We didn't get back on the ship until a little after 6pm. I had never been on a tender in my life, so I guess the common sense you speak about wouldn't work without some knowledge. We were smashed in that boat and people were pushing and angry. I was not the only one scared - fear was very visable on many faces. I had never had a panic attack before in my life and had one during (and after) this incident. I am still having nightmares about it and have trouble getting into crowded areas. If that makes me dramatic, so be it. I didn't ask for anything or expect anything other than to warn people of the risks. I would not have wanted to have my 5 year old son or elderly grandfather to experience that. My mother couldn't have made it, so I don't know what they would have done. I know that one disabled large woman that was on the tender before mine was slightly injured and shocked how they treated her. She was surprized she made it. I know things happen, but I should have been allowed to make an informed decision. If they decided to call the tender a "lifeboat" to justify overcrowding it, I should have had the option to pass. I hade no idea it was going to be overcrowded and slam up against the ship (like being rear-ended in a car accident) when I got on that boat. They need to communicate to passengers, period.

[pcur]

I have yet to be on a tender boat that DOESN'T rock around and slam into either the dock or the ship. Tendering is getting down in the water, for sure!

 

We've been to Catalina before, and I've heard others say the water is usually rough there almost all the time. My son lived in Santa Barabar while attending school, and he said the weather might be fabulous all the time, but the seas are always rough, too. It's a Pacific Ocean thing. All up and down the coast. That's why surfing has been popular all along the CA coast for decades: lots of waves!

 

I am sorry the "4-hour wait" poster was scared. However, the tenders are a bumpy ride.

[louanne93]

You are inncorrect, Jack. There were no tender boats sent from 12:30 to 4:40pm. I know, I was there as were hundreds of others. You are correct that my wait could have been shorter if I could have taken the cold wind waiting in line, but my husband and I tried and couldn't take it. We had to find shelter from the wind to wait for the boat. Because we didn't stand in line (I know this was our choice), the line got longer and longer. No boats came. We were all shocked it took so long to send it. We were stupid to wait, but we kept thinking they had to send a boat soon. Plus we were so cold we could bare to walk anywhere. We waited in a little alleyway in between the deli and the office. We waited with another couple (Bob & Diane) that showed up at about 4:15 and waited with us for over an hour. We didn't get back on the ship until a little after 6pm. I had never been on a tender in my life, so I guess the common sense you speak about wouldn't work without some knowledge. We were smashed in that boat and people were pushing and angry. I was not the only one scared - fear was very visable on many faces. I had never had a panic attack before in my life and had one during (and after) this incident. I am still having nightmares about it and have trouble getting into crowded areas. If that makes me dramatic, so be it. I didn't ask for anything or expect anything other than to warn people of the risks. I would not have wanted to have my 5 year old son or elderly grandfather to experience that. My mother couldn't have made it, so I don't know what they would have done. I know that one disabled large woman that was on the tender before mine was slightly injured and shocked how they treated her. She was surprized she made it. I know things happen, but I should have been allowed to make an informed decision. If they decided to call the tender a "lifeboat" to justify overcrowding it, I should have had the option to pass. I hade no idea it was going to be overcrowded and slam up against the ship (like being rear-ended in a car accident) when I got on that boat. They need to communicate to passengers, period.

 

I was there also. The third to last tender boat left at 2:15. I have a picture of the tender leaving at 2:15 (my kids were playing on the beach and the tender is in the background). My husband and I joked when we looked at the picture stating that we should have taken the 2:15 tender cause the next one didn't come until 3:45.

[lsauer]

I have yet to be on a tender boat that DOESN'T rock around and slam into either the dock or the ship. Tendering is getting down in the water, for sure!

 

We've been to Catalina before, and I've heard others say the water is usually rough there almost all the time. My son lived in Santa Barabar while attending school, and he said the weather might be fabulous all the time, but the seas are always rough, too. It's a Pacific Ocean thing. All up and down the coast. That's why surfing has been popular all along the CA coast for decades: lots of waves!

 

I am sorry the "4-hour wait" poster was scared. However, the tenders are a bumpy ride.

 

They classified our tender boat as a "lifeboat" to justify over-filling it. There were approx. 750 people on that boat, the only communication we received (once we were already out to sea) is that we were over capacity and he announced the number of people (I can't remember the exact number he said). When the boat was slamming into the ship, before we were even tied down, there was talk that we could flip. People wanted off and were pushing to line up to get off all on one side of the boat. There was an opening that was just closed by a single rope and people were pushing. It wouldn't have taken much for someone to fall out. We had nothing to hold on to except each other and the ceiling if you were tall enough. I have no idea what the people on the top level did. Unfortunately, I started to panic (I had no control over it- believe me it is embarrassing but it just happened). It makes me mad that RCCL didn't know better. I know many cruisers that have had the stop at Catalina cancelled because of weather, so IF this was a weather issue as we were told at one point, why didn't they cancel or warn us?? Is that really to much to ask?

[louanne93]

I have yet to be on a tender boat that DOESN'T rock around and slam into either the dock or the ship. Tendering is getting down in the water, for sure!

 

We've been to Catalina before, and I've heard others say the water is usually rough there almost all the time. My son lived in Santa Barabar while attending school, and he said the weather might be fabulous all the time, but the seas are always rough, too. It's a Pacific Ocean thing. All up and down the coast. That's why surfing has been popular all along the CA coast for decades: lots of waves!

 

I am sorry the "4-hour wait" poster was scared. However, the tenders are a bumpy ride.

 

It was not 4 hours. I was there and so was another person on this board.

[louanne93]

I was there also. The third to last tender boat left at 2:15. I have a picture of the tender leaving at 2:15 (my kids were playing on the beach and the tender is in the background). My husband and I joked when we looked at the picture stating that we should have taken the 2:15 tender cause the next one didn't come until 3:45.

 

Here is the link to the picture of Catalina Beach at 2:15. Remember, in the middle of Feb. you should always be prepared for a change of weather.

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=548082240&photoID=2640475990086600162&security=hEWBJs

if you can't click on the link, try to copy and paste.