Cruise Talk: Monarch of the Seas

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Topic: Monarch of the Seas

bunce
Just Boarded
Member # 512

posted 11-19-1998 02:23 PM

I am going on my first cruise in February on the RCCL Monarch of the Seas.

Does anyone have any tips to share or things to look out for?

Were there certain excursions to do or avoid:

Thanks

Posts: 3 | From: West Hempstead, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 98

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-19-1998 03:22 PM

I'm sure that you will really enjoy your Cruise. My general advice would be to watch your expenditure. Buying onboard drinks, excersions, photographs, gambling, and beauty treatments can cost you a small fortune! I was surprised how the costs mounted up on my first Cruise.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

bunce
Just Boarded
Member # 512

posted 11-23-1998 01:37 PM

Thanks Malcolm, I'll remember that

Posts: 3 | From: West Hempstead, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 98

Eileen
First Class Passenger
Member # 141

posted 11-27-1998 01:54 PM

Where are you going?

Posts: 45 | From: Peekskill, NY USA | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

bunce
Just Boarded
Member # 512

posted 11-30-1998 09:52 AM

Going to the southern caribbean

Thanks

Clare

Posts: 3 | From: West Hempstead, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 98

Arnold
Just Boarded
Member # 23

posted 12-14-1998 09:42 PM

We have travelled with Monarch in Nov/93 and had a great time; Best shore excursion is Barbados "Sailaway" catamaran

Posts: 8 | From: Nova Scotia,Canada | Registered: Dec 98

CruiseAholic
First Class Passenger
Member # 93

posted 12-15-1998 09:42 AM

Sailed on the Monarch several years ago. She is a beautiful ship. Just saw that she hit rocks (yesterday) and began taking on water, passengers were evacuated and are being sent home. A similar thing happened on her when I was on her, the captain brought the ship in to port in Antigua too fast and hit the pier, only scraped the paint off but crew said that the ship came close to going aground. Wonder if it is the same captain.

Posts: 32 | From: Hagerstown, MD USA | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Lynn and Wayne
Just Boarded
Member # 291

posted 12-21-1998 10:24 AM

We cruised on Monarch for our Honeymoon in May of 1994. It was a wonderful cruise. Our favorite tour was the sailing tour in St. Martin, aboard Canada II and True North. You actually get to sail a mini regatta. It was great!! One thing we found helpful was that we decided on our tours before we even boarded the ship. The first night we put in our selections (first and second choices). We got all our first choice picks, and avoided the daily line-ups at the tour desk. We tried to schedule tours in the AM, then we had the afternoon to shop, lay on the beach/deck, tour some more, or nap before dinner. It was a great way to do it. If you need anymore info, please e-mail me at Lynn_Woolston@gulf.ca. Have a great time!!!

Posts: 2 | From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Dec 98

musicmajor
Just Boarded
Member # 717

posted 12-24-1998 01:11 AM

Since you didn't specify your sail date, I'd assume that your cruise has been canceled due to the Monarch's hitting the coral reef. I'd be interested in hearing how things have been patched up regarding your cruise, rescheduling, etc. I was on the Norway when it pulled into St Maarten harbor last Tues, the grounding happened early that morning. The ship was ran aground into a sandbar to prevent it from sinking. The bow sat just a little lower in the water than the stern. But reports appear to indicate it may be out of service for some time. Let us know how it all goes- how a company deals with trouble is the best indicator of quality service!

Posts: 6 | From: Jacksonville, Florida | Registered: Dec 98

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-24-1998 10:09 AM

How unlucky can you get! Your first cruise and the ship crashes ! This is so rare...bad luck. Even if RCCL claim the ship will be repaired in time, I suspect it WILL NOT...they are always over optimistic. Get your cruise changed or pick another ship/cruise line. If you are interested in history, consider the SS Norway (NCL).

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

karenS
Just Boarded
Member # 636

posted 12-27-1998 08:36 PM

my husband and i sailed "monarch" feb98- and again november 98(free one-- my parents 50th/our 25th wedding anniv) wonderful ship - all islands beautiful--Marininque we enjoyed immensely--
customer of mine was going to sail dec/98 but when hit coral , the cruise cancelled-they're money returned, and a free cruise in 1999. not bed eh--there was going to be 4 in a room i recommended that seeing they're next cruise was free, they either upgrade to a larger room, or get 2 separate rooms(this from experience)--was talking to someone on the computer we met on the monarch (who works on the ship) sed they heard she will not be ready to sail til March of 1999.

Posts: 2 | From: hamilton, ont,canada | Registered: Dec 98

clarebunce
Just Boarded
Member # 529

posted 12-31-1998 09:58 AM

thanks for so many replies.

Yes, the trip was cancelled. They offered us $ 500 towards another cruise plus refunded the trip. Does that sound reasonable?
They did not offer us a free cruise. Maybe they had different refunds for different bookings. All the cruises were booked at the week we wanted to go.

We are looking into a May cruise to the same area.

What really steamed me was the travel agent. She did not know what was going on, was not helpful. So we will get our money back and switch travel agents. Its hard to find someone who is trustworthy and knowledgeable.

I will keep everyone posted. Thanks again for being so nice. HAPPY (and Healthy) NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

Clare

Posts: 1 | From: Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA | Registered: Dec 98

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-31-1998 03:52 PM

Don't panic! I think it's fair to say that most of the newer Cruise ships owned by the big lines are somewhat similar to each other. You may even find a better deal?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Linda B
Just Boarded
Member # 276

posted 01-06-1999 02:50 PM

I'm doing research on cruise lines and I'd like to hear from anyone who was aboard the Monarch when it ran aground. Please email me ASAP at lburbank@crtl.com. Thanks!

Posts: 2 | Registered: Jan 99

ROTTERBRANDT
unregistered

posted 11-07-2002 11:51 PM

All attention now is on the Radiance and Voyager class ships

IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-08-2002 07:28 AM

quote:
Originally posted by ROTTERBRANDT:
All attention now is on the Radiance and Voyager class ships

The 'Radience' class ships are very nice! See 'Ship Reviews' and 'Resaders Reviews'.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

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