Like Brand New!
Written: Jul 08 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Remodeled ship delivers comfort and style.
Cons: Show room is small and awkward.
The Bottom Line: Thumbs up. The cruise is enjoyable. Royal Caribbean did a good job remodeling and updating the ship.
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| mikenyadi's Full Review: Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas |
This ship is a winner. My wife and I just completed the June 27, 2003 three night Baja sailing. We sailed the Monarch in 1996 for our honeymoon and were surprised to find the ship better than before. Royal Caribbean International just remodeled the ship at a reported cost of $26 million. Embarkation was smooth. RCI took over the larger San Pedro port building, so there is plenty of room and tons of agents to check you in.
The ship is 12 years old but you'd never know it. We had a lower level porthole room that was 122 sq. ft. in size. Small by today's standards, but comfortable. The bathroom had gleaming new fixtures and the shower delivered nice, hot water with no waiting. The room featured new carpet, drapes and bedding. A hair dryer is in the dresser drawer, but there is still no in-room safe.
New (since 1996) is an ice cream/coffee parlor, the Bolero's night club, a rock climbing wall, and the "Jade" restaurant. The movie theater is gone, but not missed since there are movies on the in-room television.
On this cruise we skipped the dining room and ate only at the Jade. The food was good, not great, but we had no complaints whatsoever. The Jade features, in addition to standard buffet items, an "Asian" section featuring a variety of Asian foods. The Asian menu items changed each night of the 3 night trip. RCI installed high tech machines which dispense a GOOD fresh cup of coffee. Most cruises have awful coffee. Good job, Royal Caribbean. If you want "gourmet" coffee it can be purchased (at a nominal charge) at the Seattle's Best/Ben & Jerry’s shop. The cost is less than real world prices. (2 cups of gourmet coffee and 2 pastries for $4.98).
Entertainment was fair. The stage is small and some seats have an obstructed view because of the support columns in the room. The ship's resident singers were good however.
The new Bolero nightclub is impressive with walls of cherry wood and a good Latin band. The place got full but did not feel crowded. Cuban mixed drinks and upscale brand "Milagro" Tequila are available here.
The Monarch replaces the Vision of the Seas for the 3 and 4 day Baja cruises. The Monarch, is older and slightly smaller than the Vision but, in my opinion, better.(We sailed the Vision twice in the last 6 months, including a balcony stateroom). The common areas of the Monarch are more spacious than on the Vision. It’s nice not to feel crowded-in. Both ships, however, are terrific.
There is a kids’ program; a fitness program, a gym, spa, beauty salon, and casino. We visited the gym, span and casino which all looked brand new.
We're lucky to have this ship in L.A. and I hope RCI keeps it here for a while. When the Monarch was first Christened it was the largest ship around. Other ships now surpass it in size, but it still provides comfort and enjoyment in style.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
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Epinions.com ID:
mikenyadi
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Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 1 member
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