Monarch of the Seas - 6/20/05

[Celmar]

We are sailing on the Monarch on June 20, 2005 and have booked 5 Junior Suites. Can anyone tell me what they are like? We have 1046, 1048, 1550, 1552, and 1554. We are really looking forward to this trip and really want everything to be nice and special.

 

Thanks for your help

[KStevens79]

They're nice, much bigger than the outside staterooms.

I've never stayed in one, but I have been in one! I was kicking myself for not getting a JS. The balcony was so nice to sit on after a long day in Ensenada. I've never had a balcony cabin, but I will in January!!

You won't regret it!

 

 

Have fun!!

Karen

[mohavemommy]

have you tried to search out pics on webshots?

[Celmar]

Thanks for the encouragement. I have not tried pics on Webshots. I have on Google and on the RCI web page. I was just wanting to know from a first hand experience. I've been reading a lot of posts and hearing both positive and negative. This will be a first time cruise for everyone else going with us and the last time my DH and I went was for our 10 year anniversary in 95 ont he Viking Sarenade. So I guess I'm just looking for a little reassurance. Especially because it was our idea to have this big celebration.

[Celmar]

Thanks for the idea about webshots! There are quite a few great pics on there. We're going to be surprising our daughter and our friends daughter for their 18th birthdays and high school graduation. So we wanted to put together a little scrapbook to give this when we tell them. You've relly helped. Thanks. Can you tell me anything else about the Monarch? Like I said I've read some negative posts and I am a little nervous.

[baseballmom]

Good morning, Celmar -- I think you picked a perfect ship for such a wonderful celebration. My son and I took our first cruise in June on Monarch and celebrated his graduation from jr. high and my 50th birthday. We were in JS 1056 and I thought it was lovely. The stateroom was immaculate and our cabin steward kept it that way. I loved having a balcony, and would end each evening sitting outside as we cruised to the next port. It was also very nice in the morning.

 

I had no major complaints about the Monarch, but again, this was my first cruise and I had no point of reference. We had great tablemates. We thought the food overall was good. It's not high-end gourmet (whatever THAT means), but we enjoyed it because we loved being catered to, the crew was great, and I loved all of the "ceremony." It was a great escape from the "real world."

 

My son enjoyed himself, but there weren't a lot of kids his age (14). I know your daughter and her friends will have an absolute blast. I saw lots and lots of kids that looked to be around 17 - 25. I believe that they can be served alcohol at 18 on board, so if that's an issue for you, here's a heads up (you might want to check that out, because I could be wrong -- not the first time :) ). The shows were OK -- I'd heard that the Quest was very funny, and we did see the Love & Marriage Game because one couple at our table decided to participate. There were lots of places to just hang out, dance, or listen to music. I wish I had done more of that, but since I was single, I felt a little uncomfortable -- I'm not making that same mistake next June on our Alaska cruise!

 

For us, it was an excellent introduction to cruising, and I hope you and your family have a fantastic time.

 

Laurie

[Celmar]

Thanks soooo much baseballmom! You're the first one who has responded that has actually stayed on the Monarch in one of the suites. I've heard that they have robes in them and all of that good stuff. Can you tell me what was included in yours?

[baseballmom]

Hi again Celmar -- Yes, we had robes in our suite. I didn't wear mine, but it did look comfy. In the bathroom we had a bath puff, lip balm, shower cap. We had larger bottles of shampoo, bath gel, and lotion. When I say "larger," I mean larger than the regular little bottles you get in hotels. I'd say that these were around 3 oz. Now, I didn't use any of those, because I had heard that the products were not very good. However, I did take them home because...well, because I'm one of those that loves those little bottles) :) From what I heard, only people in suites get those types of toiletries. Our ice bucket was always kept full. I think there was bottled water, but I had brought our own, so we didn't need it (they do charge for it).

 

Our tablemates were all in jr. suites and they checked in at the "suite" line, and boarded ahead of us. I had heard that jr. suites don't qualify for that special treatment, but again, check that out -- it will save you some time. Embarkation wasn't bad at all -- I think it took 1/2 hour at the most. They will be serving lunch in the Windjammer buffet. Here's an important tip: the main Windjammer seating area will be jammed. Continue walking through to Jade -- the food will be pretty much the same (Jade will also offer some Asian dishes), and there is lots of seating. We avoided the madness by sitting in the Jade side for breakfast every morning.

 

Laurie

[Celmar]

Hi Laurie,

 

Thanks for all of the tips. Since it's been 10 years since our last cruise I'm sure a lot has changed and it's nice to be able to talk to others to get information and tips. And like I said everyone else going with us are first time cruisers so we want to make sure it's enjoyable for them also. We will also be renewing our wedding vows on this cruise as it is our 20th anniversary along with our friends. And then my parents are going with us. They have waited 40+ years to be able to go on a cruise. So you can see why we are anxious.

[baseballmom]

Hi Laurie,

 

And like I said everyone else going with us are first time cruisers so we want to make sure it's enjoyable for them also. We will also be renewing our wedding vows on this cruise as it is our 20th anniversary along with our friends. And then my parents are going with us. They have waited 40+ years to be able to go on a cruise. So you can see why we are anxious.

Wow! I can't think of anything more wonderful! My mother wanted to go on a cruise her entire life (her parents had been on cruises when it still cost a fortune to cruise), but my parents were never able to afford it. Of course, my ex and I thought we couldn't afford it, either. Now I realize that we could have easily managed an inside cabin or better. When I was trying to come up with "special" things to do to celebrate my b'day and my son's graduation, I realized that it would cost far more to do a land vacation to San Diego or San Francisco for 4 days than to go on the Monarch in a junior suite!

 

Now, I know that no cruise is perfect, and I'm sure you'll find glitches here and there. However, we didn't let anything get in the way of our good time, and I know that with all you have to celebrate and be thankful for, you won't let the little things bug you, either. If you want to know anything about the ports we stopped at, just let me know.

 

Laurie

[Celmar]

Thanks Laurie,

 

I have to admit...we live in the San Diego area so there won't be much sight seeing on that day. But thats okay, my girlfriend and I plan on using that day to pamper ourselves in the spa and just relax onboard the ship (since there's no sea days on this cruise). We are hoping that we can use that evening to also renew our vows. That way it would be kind of a "home town" feeling. We don't know yet. We are anxious to see Catalina and just rent a golf cart or somthing and explore. On our first and last cruise we were in Ensanada and went to the winary so I don't know if we'll do that again or not. What did you do in the different ports?

 

Renee'

[baseballmom]

Renee' -- In San Diego we just went to Seaport Village and then relaxed on the ship. Had there been a day game at Petco Park, we would have gone -- I've heard it's a great stadium.

 

In Catalina we SHOULD have rented a golf cart, but went on the semi-submersible instead. Don't waste your money. It was interesting and kind of fun, but not worth the $$. We also went on a tour of the Avalon Casino, and that was wonderful. They have done a great job of restoring the theater and ballroom and all of the historical tidbits were really interesting. I especially wanted to go there because my ex-husband's father used to play in a big band, and his photo is on one of the walls. Since "grandpa" died when my ex was 12, my son never knew him, so this was one way to connect. I've lived in So. Cal almost all my life but had never been to Catalina. It was fun to just walk around.

 

In Ensenada we went to La Bufadora (the blowhole). While the actual site was interesting, navigating back down through the vendors got to be kind of nuts. We bought one small souvenir, and that's about it. I know other people loved bartering, but I just wasn't into it. Several people went to Senor Frog's, but with a 14-year-old I couldn't do that.

 

I thought the fitness center was really nice. Didn't do any spa treatments, but I did hear that the massages were good. I do know that they'll try to sell you tons o' products afterwards, but that's the dance we do, isn't it?

 

Laurie

[Celmar]

Laurie ~ It sounds like you did some really nice stuff. And yes the new ballpark is wonderful, we went quite a few times this past season. You'll have to make a trip down next season to see it with your son...he'll really enjoy it!

 

We also plan on visiting the Avalon Casino. Our daughter plays the clarinet and LOVES Big Band music. She is a real Glenn Miller fan and plans on minoring in music in college.

 

We're not real drinkers so the bars will not be an issue for us in Ensanada. We're debating on the Fox studios. Did anyone you talked to do that one? Another one of our daughters loves is the Titanic...not the movie, the actual history of...however, she would enjoy seeing the movie set I believe. A lot will depend on what everyone else wants to do.

 

Renee'

[baseballmom]

Renee' -- I think your daughter will really like the ballroom. The tour starts in the restored movie theater, and that's gorgeous. Then you walk up to the ballroom -- great views of the island from there. The day we were there they were preparing for the high school graduation. The work they've done to maintain the building is so impressive! The acoustics seemed really great, so I bet your daughter will wish she had her clarinet with her!

 

I don't know of anyone who's been to Fox Studios. I remember reading both pro and con on these boards. I think one of the reasons we didn't do it is because it would have taken up most of the day, as I recall. Under Ports of Call on here you might find folks who have done that tour and can fill you in.

 

Yes, next year we will get out to Petco Park, or my ex will take my son. It's silly to live relatively close and not check out other ballparks.

 

Laurie

[Celmar]

Thanks Laurie,

 

You've been a huge help and it's been great "chatting" with you. It looks like your Alaska cruise is just a week or two ahead of ours. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. I think that is one I would really like to do next.

[Celmar]

I would still love to hear from someone who has renewed their vows, or knows of someone who has, onboard the Monarch of the Seas. I would really like to know how everything worked out for you.