Monarch and Baja Mexico forever gone???

[pinkie1]

Monarch of the Seas has been doing the Baja Mexico (3 or 4 night cruises) from port of L.A. for years and the itinerary will be removed, it seems, as of Oct 2008. Does anyone know if RCI will be replacing the itinerary with another ship??? (It appears the Monarch will be moved to do Caribbean cruises some time later this year.) This is the cruise I take most often (quick, and cheap and still a lot of fun), I'm really concerned that I'll have to go with Carnival (who does the same itinerary- to Ensenada Mexico), which I don't really care for.

[MissKise]

I wrote to RCCL about the same kinds of feelings, thoughts and concerns. We LOVE the four day cruise and have taken it often to relax and get away.

 

I was informed that "at this time" there are no plans to replace the Monarch or that option (3/4 day schedule). I really wish we could express to RCCL just how many of us enjoy this type of trip and don't always have the money, time or desire to do a 7 day cruise.

[kruzerci]

As far as I know it has not been replaced. I heard a rumor when it was first released that Monarch would be taking over Sovereigns Bahamas cruises that Vision would take over the 3 and 4 day Baja cruises. That may not be true, I just remember hearing speculation about that a few months ago. Maybe somebody else can help you out, I'm sure others are wondering.

[critterchick]

So far there are no plans to replace Monarch, and Vision is also leaving to do the Southern Caribbean out of Santo Domingo (replacing Legend). As for "forever," it took about 18 months for RCI to replace the Viking Serenade with Monarch, so I'm hoping they'll also replace Monarch within that time frame. As you can see from my signature, she's my favorite way to spend a long weekend!

[rubrrick]

So far there are no plans to replace Monarch, and Vision is also leaving to do the Southern Caribbean out of Santo Domingo (replacing Legend). As for "forever," it took about 18 months for RCI to replace the Viking Serenade with Monarch, so I'm hoping they'll also replace Monarch within that time frame. As you can see from my signature, she's my favorite way to spend a long weekend!

 

 

My sentiments go along with Jean. Although she is........I believe......the Queen of the Monarch........we too will miss her (that is..the Monarch!!):D :D

 

We also missed you Jean............on your annual sojourn last week!!

 

Rick

[BabyDntGotBack]

I live in So Cal and was hoping to take the 4 night cruise early next year, but it looks like I'll either have to go with Carnival or not go at all. BOO!

[Merion_Mom]

I live in So Cal and was hoping to take the 4 night cruise early next year, but it looks like I'll either have to go with Carnival or not go at all. BOO!

 

Sail with us during her final week in October!

[PhoenixCruiser]

We have sailed on the Monarch three times...it really wasn't cheap but we like the balcony's and the casino :D With that said, I'm glad that RCCL is bringing a newer ship to CA for the 7-nighters!

 

Would love to see a Vision Class ship replacing the Monarch however I don't see that happening. It appears that most of the passengers on the Monarch didn't spend $$$. Perhaps that is why the casino and bars were empty :eek:

 

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[FL_Cruiser64]

We have sailed on the Monarch three times...it really wasn't cheap but we like the balcony's and the casino :D With that said, I'm glad that RCCL is bringing a newer ship to CA for the 7-nighters!

 

Would love to see a Vision Class ship replacing the Monarch however I don't see that happening. It appears that most of the passengers on the Monarch didn't spend $$$. Perhaps that is why the casino and bars were empty :eek:

 

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They are empty on the Monarch?

More room for me on July 4th.

:D

[BabyDntGotBack]

Sail with us during her final week in October!

 

I wish I could, but my boyfriend is still in college so I was thinking of possibly going in early January in between semesters. I don't have to worrry about that though since they aren't having that cruise anymore. Maybe Vegas will be more fun...

[Merion_Mom]

I wish I could, but my boyfriend is still in college so I was thinking of possibly going in early January in between semesters. I don't have to worrry about that though since they aren't having that cruise anymore. Maybe Vegas will be more fun...

 

Go without him! We are a FUN bunch! ;)

[critterchick]

Would love to see a Vision Class ship replacing the Monarch however I don't see that happening. It appears that most of the passengers on the Monarch didn't spend $$$. Perhaps that is why the casino and bars were empty :eek:

 

Not on any of our cruises!:D

[llund]

From the looks of our bar bills, they get a lot of money from us too! We have traded off between RCCL and Carnival for this cruise but would usually do the 3 day cruise about once a year. When we first started our Baja cruises, RCCL had the Viking Serenade. Critterchick was right when she said that it took them awhile to replace that ship with the Monarch. We had to take a Carnival cruise that year.

[cyscopup]

Not on any of our cruises!:D

By the looks and actions of our cruisemates this past weekend I think RCCL made a killing in the bars. Plus the casino was packed each night. I know both places got a lot of our $$$$$$.

 

Speaking of making a killing in the bars I have never seen so many "young" drunks. The rowdiest bunch we have ever encountered on a RCCL ship.

[ElvisandTracey]

All I can say about this is :mad: :mad: :mad: .

 

However, always the optimist, I can say that this will force me to now book more 7 night cruises on Mariner!!!!:p I do wish she had an Adventure Beach though!

[katstoy]

Here's the rumors I've heard:

 

#1 Monarch to be replaced at some point with another Voyage class ship.

 

#2 No replacement at all.

 

#3 Done at this time to get more people to book the 7 night itinerary on the Mariner.

 

All three were heard from RCI folks on board both the Monarch (at two separate times) and the Vision.

 

My prediction: once Genesis appears, a Vision or Radiance class ship will come out here for the 3/4 day runs. Heck, my guess is as good as any one of the foregoing;) !

[AZScooter]

My DW and I were on Monarch last October and we were told then that Monarch was being sent in for refit at the end of the next season and that 4 day Baja was being replaced with the 7 day mexican riviera through LA/San Diego to cabo and on from there. Not sure when this will take place. But they had some problems with our cruise. Several of the seats in the theater including the one that my DW was sitting in had broken clear through to the floor. as well as problems with some rooms. so it is time to remodel and bring it up to strength. It was a good ship just tired in some places.

[maitaiguy]

Here's the rumors I've heard:

 

#1 Monarch to be replaced at some point with another Voyage class ship.

 

#2 No replacement at all.

 

#3 Done at this time to get more people to book the 7 night itinerary on the Mariner.

 

All three were heard from RCI folks on board both the Monarch (at two separate times) and the Vision.

 

My prediction: once Genesis appears, a Vision or Radiance class ship will come out here for the 3/4 day runs. Heck, my guess is as good as any one of the foregoing;) !

 

 

 

What I heard on Monarch's New Years cruise was that RCI would not leave the 3/4 day market to Carnival for very long. The Southern California market was too important to them to introduce newbies to cruising and get them exposed to Royal Caribbean's fine product. As most may agree, a short cruise is a great intro to cruising and making that larger investment of time and money on longer cruises.

 

As Vegas continues to get more expensive, a cruise weekend seems like such a bargain! This is a great alternative for those of us in SoCal.

[critterchick]

My DW and I were on Monarch last October and we were told then that Monarch was being sent in for refit at the end of the next season and that 4 day Baja was being replaced with the 7 day mexican riviera through LA/San Diego to cabo and on from there. Not sure when this will take place. But they had some problems with our cruise. Several of the seats in the theater including the one that my DW was sitting in had broken clear through to the floor. as well as problems with some rooms. so it is time to remodel and bring it up to strength. It was a good ship just tired in some places.

 

Monarch is leaving LA for good in October. She'll have a drydock before she starts sailing from Port Canaveral in November.

 

The Vision, which already sails the 7-night Mexican Riviera, is also leaving LA, going through the Panama Canal to Santo Domingo. Mariner will replace her on that run for the 7 night cruise.

 

So the 4-nighter is being replaced with...nothing, at least for the time being.

 

I've heard that Enchnantment will replace Monarch, then I heard that Adventure will sail 4/5 nighters the way Navigator does now on the East Coast. So far none of that has surfaced in the schedules, either.

[IBookHePays]

I can't stand to know the Monarch is leaving...I may have to book one MORE cruise on her after our quick getaway in a month (docs today...yay!!!) but in the absense of the MOS, I am aiming my sights on a Mariner cruise for next June...it's going to be great to have a Voyager class on the left coast!

[GoodAsGold]

Yep, I remember the Viking Serenade. We sailed on the Carnival Holiday in 2000 and remembered seeing her. We've since sailed on the Ecstasy and Paradise, all oldersCarnival ships, for our 4 day cruises. It just worked out where those were the ships we cruised on. They were a little larger than the RCI ships.

 

From the looks of our bar bills, they get a lot of money from us too! We have traded off between RCCL and Carnival for this cruise but would usually do the 3 day cruise about once a year. When we first started our Baja cruises, RCCL had the Viking Serenade. Critterchick was right when she said that it took them awhile to replace that ship with the Monarch. We had to take a Carnival cruise that year.

[pinkie1]

Well since it seems like RCI won't be replacing the ship for now, went ahead and booked my last cruise to Baja.

 

I can't imagine RCI giving all the business to Carnival, you'd think they would replace the ship soon.