Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Suzanne Benner
Email: Suzanne_benner@hotmail.com
Age: 46
Occupation: Manager, pension systems
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Monarch
SailingDate: June 13, 1999
Itinerary: Southern Caribbean
Cabin: 6086
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 98
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 98
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 98
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 98
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 98
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 21 Jul 1999
Time: 12:50:59
Remote Name: intnet.int.alcan.ca
Remote User:

Comments

This was our third cruise with Royal Caribbean and second on the Monarch. We particularly enjoyed the itinerary
the first time (which was in September 98)and wanted to see all the ports again. Our cabin was on Deck 6, a good
location. We were never heard people jogging on deck 7, like I have read in other reviews. Our cabin steward was
exceptional, as were our dining room staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our dining companions who were part of a
group of U.S. Power Squadron members who were cruising together. Although we were strangers to our
table-mates who all knew each other, they made us feel very welcome. We looked forward to dinner each evening
and the lighthearted conversations at the table.

We were seated at the Doctor's Table, but he only dined with us
once. Apparently this is the norm, as the officers usually dine in the Officer's Mess, but will usually dine once each
cruise in the passenger's dining room. The ports were even better the second time around, probably because we
were more familiar with them. Our favorite stop is St. Maarten (we love the Dutch and French cultures), followed by
Barbados (we went on the Reef Skimmer, which is a boat with a submerged deck surrounded by glass and long
benches in the center. You sit on the bench and lean over the glass to view the reef, but it was a cloudy day and
everything just looked brown). In St. Thomas we did the Coral World and Mountain Top tour, which we enjoyed
very much. We do prefer to take the tours that are offered, especially since we are not really beach fanatics. We
have found all the tours we have taken on Royal Caribbean have been very good. They are well organized and
hassle-free.

You may be able to do them cheaper on your own, but really after you have put out so much money
for the cruise, what's another couple of dollars? As for Martinique, the rainforest is quite scenic, but once is
enough. We are pleased that the Monarch will replace Martinique with St. Lucia beginning in April 2000. The ship
itself is still beautiful. Our favorite place was the Viking Crown Lounge that wraps around the funnel and has a 360
degree panoramic view. It was never crowded (many passengers don't discover it till late in the week). You can opt
for a view of the sea trailing behind you, or a view of the pool deck. One afternoon, we had a good view of the
Jolly Roger returning to port, with the 'happy' Monarch passengers singing, dancing and whooping it up. Watching
some of them stumble off was a sight to behold!

The Viking Crown Lounge is also an excellent spot for the sail
away when leaving San Juan. As for the cabin, well, it was small, but we were seldom in it. The only hassle for us is
getting to San Juan. We made our own flight arrangements as we prefer to arrive in San Juan the day before the
cruise and stay at the Wyndham Hotel and Casino in Old San Juan which is literally right across the street from the
cruise terminal. This time our plane was diverted to Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic due to severe
thunderstorms around Puerto Rico. We refueled and then resumed our flight to San Juan, but we only arrived at
the hotel at midnight. If the cruise had been departing that day, we would have definitely missed the boat. The
Wyndham hotel has a rooftop pool, and our room faced the cruise terminal. You wake up in the morning to find
the Monarch moored at the dock - and it is a beautiful sight. We are presently planning our third cruise on the
Monarch of the Seas next year.

Name: ROGER LEONG
Email: RLEONG@INTERCHIP.COM
Age: 51
Occupation: PCB DESIGNER
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Monarch
SailingDate: AUG 1,1999
Itinerary: EASTERN CARIBBEAN
Cabin: 7547
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 100
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService:
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff: 95
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 12 Aug 1999
Time: 15:21:22
Remote Name: 209.125.163.35
Remote User:

Comments

My wife and 2 teenage children, 17 and 19, arrived in Puerto Rico 4 days before the cruise. We booked our own
lodging through the internet which was a mistake because the guest house which was described as 'charming' turns
out to be a run down apt on the wrong side of town. We reluctantly check in and immediately call up a rent a car
company nearby to pick us up so that we can have a car to drive around to find a better hotel. Fortunately we found
a Comfort Inn in a more touristy area of Condado and move there the next day. Don't stay in the Isla Verde area if
you can help it, Condado district is cleaner and closer to the ship and Old San Juan. You don't need to see where
the poor people live, afterall, you're on vacation. Even though we have a car for a few days, please don't go around
the island if you don't have to, you'll find the road signs are few and far between and they're inadequite. We got lost
so many times that we were yelling at each other because we each thought our own interpretation of the map/sign
were correct; of course we were all wrong! The Bacardi rum factory tour is interesting and worthwhile to see. It's a
short drive from town and the tour is free with free drinks at the end of the 45 min. tour.

We returned the car Saturday night and got a ride back to the hotel from Dollar rent a car. The next day we took a
taxi to Old San Juan and go thru embarkation at the ship terminal. We were there around noon so check in took only
half an hour. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, RCCL, issues a charge card which you'll use for the duration of your
cruise for any 'extra' stuff on board such as drinks, excursions, photos, and even .20c postcard stamp. Our luggage
got to our cabin before we did, a definite advantage of checking in early. Our cabin is small but very neat and
efficient, with twin beds and 2 bunkbeds above. The cabin size is about the rear half of an avg size RV, just about as
wide. The only time it feels cramp was the last day during packing, the rest of the week was fine. A note about the
bath room, it's no bigger than on an RV but the toilet is very neat; it sucks up not only waste, but foul odor as well. If
ever you need your bottom dry, sit down and flush a few times, it's COOL!

The all day feast on eating is just that, eat as much as you want just about anytime you want. Dinner is the best meal
of the day, there you sit with a few new friends and really enjoy the food and conversation. The waiter and assist.
waiter are great, they make you feel like royalty. The theme is different every night; they include American, Italian,
French, international, and Caribbean. The selection each night is good, always 4 or 5 entries with weight watchers
and vegetarian dishes throw in. The food in general is good except the soup is always salty. We told our head waiter
that but it's still salty the next night; we gave up soup the last few nights.

The activities and shows on board are good. Make a point to attend the scavenger hunt, its a lot of fun and laughter.
Be prepare to take off your shirt and pants, even bras (we did). We attended the sock hop one night and found
ourselves selected as one of the 3 couples in a twist contest, WE WON! Still can't believe it, but we have the crowns
to remind us that it's real. They gave us a lot of little gifts for the title, we gave the money back by buying the cruise
video(24.95); oh well!

Our kids got a small group of friends their age on teen night and have fun on their own the rest of the week. We only
see them during dinner and on a couple of the shore trip. They came 'home' in the wee hours of the morning and
slept till noon almost everyday; but hey, that's their way of having fun, so be it.

The islands are all beautiful. Each have their own beautiful beaches and scenery. Martinique is a bit dirty and
expensive, venture if you must but take time to enjoy the ship instead. Take the excursions if you don't have any
idea where and what to see, but in general you'll be better off money wise if you just negotiate w/ a taxi driver and
have him take you places. The cheapest souvenirs are at St. Thomas and St. Maarten, the first and last ports. For
example, T-shirts are 3 for 10. there but 9. ea on Antigua; a lot of shops seem to be closed on Antiqua also, don't
know why.

I heard bad stories about other ship lines, but base on our first trip w/RCCL, it's all good. We plan to have another
one w/RCCL when our daughter graduates from college in 4 years.

Name: Julie Imirowicz
Email: julie@ladriere.com
Age: 29
Occupation: Office Manager
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Monarch
SailingDate: 5/23/99
Itinerary: Southern Carribean
Cabin: 6042
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 99
CabinComfort: 75
FoodRoomService: 75
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 70
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 99
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 89
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon: 85
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace:
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 99
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 89
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 01 Sep 1999
Time: 13:21:07
Remote Name: 209.131.30.115
Remote User:

Comments

We had a wonderful time. It was our honeymoon. We had some disappointments but also had a lot of fun. Our first
surprise was our 'closet.' We had opted for a higher priced cabin thinking it would be nicer and larger than the
lower priced cabins. The cabin was about half the size of other cruise lines's cabins. It was a little disappointing.

The shore excursions were excellent. We had a wonderful time.

Our dinner mates were wonderful. Our waiter and assist. waiter were excellent. The display of the food and
service were excellent. We were quite surprised though at the lack of food and choices for the lunches at the
Windjammer cafe. The other cruises we have been on had a lunch buffet about the length of the width of a ship.
Having a choice of sloppy joes or hot dogs is not much of a choice when you are expecting a wonderful buffet.
The room service menu also leaves a lot to be desired.

Our cabin was located directly below the walking/running track. I know signs are posted that there is no running
between 10 p.m. and (I think) 8 a.m. This needs to be inforced.

The stablizers - I know they weren't working real well on our cruise, but we actually liked that, the sea would rock
us right to sleep.

I would take another Royal Carribean cruise, but next time, I won't have high expectations like I will going on
another high-class cruise line.

Name: Sandra Noto
Email: SNOT8399@AOL.COM
Age: 32
Occupation: Medical Sales
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Monarch
SailingDate: 09/05/99
Itinerary: Southern Caribbean
Cabin: 1070/C
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 85
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess: 85
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities: 90
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 14 Sep 1999
Time: 11:43:45
Remote Name: spider-to051.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:

Comments

This was my 4th Royal Caribbean cruise. My second on the Monarch. I find myself going back because I enjoy the
itineraries and he staff. RCCL may have some shortcomings, but overall they provide and excellent vacation
environment. I won't bore you with the day to day, but I would like to make mention of a few of the outstanding dining
room staqff members I encountered. Our head waiter was Mark Rook from Australia. He was wonderful! He was very
attentive and always made sure we had all we needed. Our waiter was Ismail from Turkey and he is by far one of the
best I have had yet. He made our dining experience an excellent one. He was always providing us with little extras. Our
assistant waiter Miro, was also very good. I found that I was never thirsty! If you have the opportunity, I suggest you
seek out the dining room manager, Wolfgang Herz. He is wonderful and will help to accomodate all of your needs. The
efforts of these 4 individuals made my cruise and dining experience one I won't soon forget!

Name: George Phillips
Email: au8857@prodigy.net
Age: 39
Occupation: Management
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Monarch
SailingDate: 09/26/99
Itinerary: Caribbean Cruise
Cabin: 6034
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 75
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 75
DeckService: 75
ShoreExcValue: 75
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 85
LoungeService:
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 75
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 04 Oct 1999
Time: 17:53:13
Remote Name: proxy1.atl.prodigy.net
Remote User:

Comments

Overall the cruise was a pleasant and enjoyable expierence. We were very pleased with the dinners on the cruise.
However we were not so pleased with the breakfast and lunches in the Windjammer on the 11th floor. There was
little variety and the hours that the restaurant was open was limited. One example of this was that one day we had
been on one of the islands all day and we got to the ship at 5:30, very hungry and ready to eat. There was nothing
on board to eat. The windjammer was closed and our dinner seating was at 8:30 (late seating). The variety of the
food available at the windjammer was the same almost everyday. You had two choices to drink basically, lemonade
or tea, the same all week. The same food was served as well. The island choices were pretty good. There was only
one island that we did not enjoy very well. Martinique. There they speak french and we had trouble finding someone
that could take us on a tour that spoke english. In fact, we never found anyone. The tour guide that we finally ended
up with spoke only french and although he took us by some real historic and beautiful places, we could not fully
under-stand what the history was behind the places. We should have stuck with the cruise ship tour which would
have an english speaking tour guide. Shopping is very expensive at most of the islands. I would advised waiting until
the St. Martin to shop. However, do your homework first. Note prices of some diamond or other jewelry items,
electronics, or other items you might want to buy at your local stores. Get the best price there and then compare
once you get there. Also remember that some of the items at the islands may be fakes or clones and may not be
the same quality. Shop smart and be careful.

Name: Ed Burhop
Email: edburhop@mail.tcbi.com
Age: 36
Occupation: Manager
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Monarch
SailingDate: 11/28/99
Itinerary: Southern Caribbean
Cabin: 2563 N
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 75
CabinComfort: 60
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 60
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff: 100
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 85
LoungeService: 95
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 50
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 100
ShipCleanliness: 80
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 70
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 75
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 06 Dec 1999
Time: 20:31:39
Remote Name: shb-usr1-42.tcbi.com
Remote User:

Comments

I just got back from my Cruise on the Monarch of the Seas. All my previous cruises were on Carnival but we were
engouraged by postings on this board to move "upscale" to RCCL. We have now been there and done that and had a
great time......however, I am here to debunk a sham....If RCCL is upscale to Carnival, then Chevy is upscale to Ford, Pepsi
is upscale to Coke, and NBC is upscale to CBS.....There just is not that much difference. All RCCL does is take away the
neon and replace it with Brass.

When all is said and done, we liked Carnival Better for the following reasons -

1. Better informal dining - there is ALWAYS food available and it is always hot on the Lido deck on a carnival ship. The
"Windjammer" on RCCL is about the same, except it always seems to be closed when I want to eat (mid afternoon, late
night). Also, Carnival always has a grill going so food is fresh, the food on RCCL was always cold. Also, you can't really
eat outside on RCCL, you are still enclosed by green glass.

2. Better kids programs - I never saw my kids on Carnival. ON RCCL I had to kick them out of the room....they are
threatening revolt if I take them back on RCCL

3. Bigger Rooms - Come on, the rooms on RCCL would fit in the closet on Carnival. My travel agent said they were a 'little"
smaller, no, they are tiny!!!!! and we are talking comparable class here. Also, there is less closet and drawer space on
RCCL.

4. Better entertainment - Ok, the shows on RCCL and Carnival were about the same, but the lounge entertainment
SUCKED on RCCL. RCCL tries to be upscale by having more "strings" and latin music. This is ok I guess, but thier
showband Masquerade could not hold a tune if they had a rope....and there was no rock and roll group like the Curveball
Brothers at all. What was worse, all the disco played was latin rumba music....I kept requesting top 40 stuff and they said
that is was "on order" so I thought, if they want latin, they have to have Santana - SMOOTH...forget it, they didn't. No
wonder the ship rolled up at Midnight, there was no decent music. Also, the bars were all so smokey, it was awful. Never
had that problem on Carnival.

5. Better Cruise directors - Ok, I have heard all the old carnival jokes more than once and they are still somewhat funny,
but the new jokes on RCCL were not funny at all. They did do one great bit titled "if I were not upon the sea" that was R
rated at the end of the cruise, but it could not touch the "Bedtime Story". Since 99% of the games and activities are the
same on both lines, you have to be genuinely funny to pull them off....Carnival is just better.

6. Towel Animals - this sounds hokey, but we missed the towel animals at night.

7. Better Ship layout - I much prefer carnivals everything on 3 floors layout. On RCCL we had to take an elevator from
floor 2 to 5 then walk the length of the ship and get on another elevator to floor 9 to the Disco for example. On Carnival
you can walk all the way to the back on 2, then take 1 elevator. Having all the bars together makes for more of a party
atmosphere too.

Everything else is about the same - Dining Room food and staff, other service, room service, shore excursions, pictures,
other guests, shopping, drinks......... I will say that RCCL has a very nice doctor. We got sick on this cruise and needed
the doctor and they were great. Have never used one on Carnival so can't comment. Oh yes, one last thing on RCCL. For
a cruise line that is trying to be upscale, they sure had a lot of guys in blue and white RCCL coveralls roaming around the
ship, even oggling girls at the pool. I never saw this on Carnival.

RCCL should also think about getting away from the glass glasses on the pool deck. I saw 3 broken in 2 days on the pool
deck. Carnival uses plastic drink glasses and I am sure this is one of the reasons.

I tried to be as objective as possible in this comparison. I hope it helps people to choose. We had a great time on the
Monarch, but it was NOT as good of a time as on the Imagination or on the Sensation......

Thanks Ed Burhop Sheboygan Wis.

Back to RCCL Monarch

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