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Cruise personal lacking friendliness. by
Jean A from Jensen Beach, Florida Sailing date: Jan 2013Pros: The couple wo sat with us during dinner. Cons: The shore excursion on the glass bottom boat. Rip off. Also coming back on the tender from Coco Cay. Dangerous. The Monarch is leaving in April and seemed the staff could care less how they treated you. Our young man who attended our cabin was the only one who was cheerful and so helpful. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodFood service very slow. No follow up if you wanted anything else. Stateroom QualityTo small Ship Staff QualityNot friendly. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe jugglar and his wife were excellent. 0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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  Don't waste your money by
A Traveler from Gilbert, AZ Sailing date: Dec 2012Pros: The Entertainment Cons: The Food The ship is very outdated. There were a lot of strange smells and cleanliness issues. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe food was TERRIBLE. I couldn't wait to get off the ship to have a decent meal. Stateroom QualityThe bed was hard as a rock. Ship Staff QualityWe received horrible service from the dining room staff on this ship. Very unhelpful and unfriendly. Entertainment & ActivitiesFabulous entertainment, fabulous spa services. 0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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  Veteran cruisers trying new cruise liner by
A Traveler from Detroit, MI Sailing date: Nov 2012Pros: Main dining hall and price Cons: Buffet & pizza stand food My wife and I are veteran cruisers and normally only go through another cruise liner. We wanted to see what other cruise liners offered and this great deal for a long weekend getaway came up and we jumped at the opportunity.
When we booked our cruise, we knew the ship was pretty old (compared to most other ships). Knowing this, we didn't have the highest of expectations for the quality on the ship. But we still figured that we could see how the staff works, the quality of the food, cleanliness of the ship, staterooms, and the level of entertainment and activities offered.
The cleaning staff did a great job in keeping the ship clean and organized. However, as with all older ships, they come with a musty odor to them. This was noticeable only on the first day, which we attributed to just getting used to it.
The quality of shows and activities met our expectations (our personal favorite was the comedian), and the casino offered a fair amount of games. One suggestion would be to either add a second craps table, and/or offer a craps-less table (all numbers except 7 can be played).
The main dining room was by far the best portion of the ship. I would rate the food a 4 out of 5 in quality, or the equivalent of a $40/person restaurant. The wait staff that we had was the best that we have ever had on a cruise. Our glasses were never less than half empty and we never left hungry. The best part was their personalities. There were times when our stomachs hurt from laughing so much.
The buffet and pizza stand however, left something to be desired. The quality of food in these areas was not very good. Breakfast was tolerable, but lunch was not. The pizza stand was literally like eating ketchup on cardboard. And the hamburgers at the buffet looked (and tasted) like the crappy fake meat burgers served at public schools. My wife and I literally skipped meals or paid to eat on the island so we wouldnt have to eat at them.
Bottom line, we couldnt really make an honest judgment on Royal Caribbean by this ship. Maybe if we find a good deal on a newer ship, we would be able to form a better opinion on Royal Caribbean. But there MUST be an overhaul of the food at the buffet, and pizza stand. A serious benchmark in buffet and pizza/hamburger stand would be Princess Cruise lines. Their pizza is the equivalent of most home delivery options (Jets, Papa Johns, etc.) and they have ACTUAL hamburger meat in their burgers (and offer them all day, not just for lunch buffet).
Ship QualityShip is clean, but old and should be retired. Dining/FoodDining hall food was quite good. Buffet and pizza stand was VERY poor. Stateroom Quality
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 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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  Quick Getaway! by
Maria M. from Tampa, FL Sailing date: Oct 2012Pros: Nassau, Bahamas, our waiter Heny in the Claudia Restaurant was amazing, and the night entertainment Cons: Food Selection/Availability, Did not go to CoCo Cay, most of the staff is unfriendly and seem to be bothered when asked questions. Although I did have a good time on the ship, it was a disappointment. The staff was not hospitable; the food selection was not appealing or available for the guests since most things were closed. The pool was very small and at times the pools were closed, therefore not allowing people to be comfortable, since there were too many people in only 1 pool. The staterooms were extremely small and uncomfortable; this caused me to have to go out of the room for extended period of times which took away from my relaxation. The MOST disappointing part was not being able to go to CoCo Cay because of the bad weather. I have been on other cruises where vouchers are given to guests when the destinations of the purchase are not met. However, I have not received any type of accommodation for this or acknowledgement of it. In all, I would not travel again with the Monarch of the Seas. Ship QualityThe ship was very clean for such an old ship. Dining/FoodThe food selection was very limited. The amount of food in the dining areas that were supposed to be dinner meals seemed more like appetizers than meals. Stateroom QualityThe rooms are extremely small and uncomfortable. The bathroom is catered more to a person 16 years or less since they are very small. Ship Staff QualityMost of the staff is unfriendly and seem to be bothered when asked questions.
However did have a waiter in the Claudia Restaurant by the name of Heny who was amazing. No matter what time we saw him he was always smiling and eager to help and please. I would rate the expreience with my waiter (THE BEST.) Entertainment & ActivitiesComedy acts were hilarious. I truly enjoyed the night entertainment.  1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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  A disappointment by
Will A from Brunswick, GA Sailing date: Mar 2012Pros: We had a good waiter, Mahendra Cons: the food and entertainment The ship itself was old bu in pretty good shape. he weather was very good. The island owned by the line, Coco Cay, was very nice. The food, which is what most cruise ships are defined by, was so-so. The entertainment was mediocre. The staff, for the most part, not helpful or enthusiastic. For example, one day on deck it appeared that the entire ship had come up to claim lounge chairs with clothing articles despite warnings to the contrary. When I pointed out this to the staff that there were no unoccupied chairs to be found on the entire ship I was blown off. I insisted for help in locating just one and was totally blown off. For that reason alone I will never book with Royal Carribean again. Dining/FoodBoring, cold and tasted old, like yesterday's leftovers. This was throughout the cruise from day one. Ship Staff QualityMahendra was a very good waiter. The rest were lackadaisical. Entertainment & ActivitiesPoor. Children's ProgramsVery few things for my 12 y.o. to do. He was bored.  0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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  Not the best cruise by
Josh. C from Florida Sailing date: Dec 2011Pros: Guest entertainment was great the comedians were hilarious. Cons: The staff.... we felt as if we were a bother to them... Untill the night in which they talked about tips then they went out of their way Ship needs up dating ... Tv in room was very fuzzy in picture and had lines running through it.... Toilet did not flush well. They should also save painting of the ship till a time in which guest are not on board. While on board they were painting the walls on one of the floors . Fumes were so strong it gave many of the guest a headache. Overall entertainment was great. They need to work on customer service....Our first night we were seated for our main meal... Then they forgot we were there. After fifteen minutes I finally waved a waiter down just so I could at the very least, get a glass of water. I guess as a means of travel this is a good cruise. But for a vacation you should choose a Disney or carnival cruise line Ship Quality
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  Disapointed :( by
Brian L from Kissimmee, FL Sailing date: Aug 2011Pros: Coco Cay Cons: Old ship needing TLC and garbage and mildew smell on pool deck. Very disappointing, this ship is old (20 years) and in need of much TLC, you are greeted by the smell of garbage and mildew at the pool and forward pool bar area, Common area restrooms are in poor condition some of them have fixtures broken or missing leaving the hole for all to see. Food is OK, but could be much better. Cabins are very small would not recommend more than 2 persons per cabin. Staff on the ship are friendly, and they do there best to make your trip enjoyable. Ship QualityShip is in need of TLC, smells of garbage and mildew on pool deck, and sulfur smell on deck 7 Dining/FoodFood quality is ok however the selection is poor and if you want a filet you can expect an up charge. There is no Lobster or crab available on the ship, and the shrimps were very small salad size in the cocktail. Stateroom QualityCabins are very small and they were damp and musty not recommended for more than 2 Ship Staff QualityThe staff is very nice and helpful Entertainment & ActivitiesThe piano singer in the viking and crown lounge only plays till 8:30 pm and the sing along piano in the bar next to the casino is very good however the piano had some broken strings . Children's ProgramsThe staff is great with the kids
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Cococay (Cruiseline Private Island)Very nice experance
Nassau, BahamasVery expensive but nice
 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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  Two Star Cruise by
Jason D from Dayton OH Sailing date: Jul 2011Pros: The staff on the boat were great! Cons: The food at the main dinner was very bad The food was not very good at all in the main seating. I did like the food at the buffet. The food at the main seating wasn't very good the steaks were over cooked and the desert came out warm. Most nights it took two hours to get out of the main seating. My girlfriend and I were not the only ones dissipointed. The other three couples and the two of us started ordering two dinners thinking we would get one good one.
The entertainment was ok I think it could have been better. They did two dance shows and two comedy shows. One each night of our trip.
I have sailed Carnival three times and I would say they beat Royal Caribbean hands down. Their food is five stars and the entertainment is better too!
If you have a chice of sailing with Royal Caribbean or Carinival do your self a huge favor and sail with Carinival. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodI am only talking about the main seat dinning not the buffet Stateroom QualityVery small room but you are not in it much at all. Ship Staff Quality
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 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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  Royal Carribbean Monarch of Seas Candid by
Len barlow from Titusville FL Sailing date: Feb 2011Pros: Food was beyond acceptable Cons: Very old ship; poor maintenance; NO in room safes This is a very old ship and the line should consider a dry-dock now. No in room safes or steam room. Food acceptable. Staff is pleasant. The rooms are old and the maintenance of public areas, especially the decks, is absolutely sad. Ship Quality
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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  Not for the single cruiser by
A Traveler from RI Sailing date: Sep 2010Pros: I enjoyed spending time on the islands. Cons: The food is really bad, some racism/ageism issues with staff and very commercialized. I am a first time cruiser. I was very disappointed with the food. It was worse than anything that I had in a high school or college cafeteria. I would preferred to have one good meal than a less than mediocre all you can eat buffet on the boat. I wouldn't ride on this cruise again, even if it were for free. There wasn't much entertainment available on the cruise for anyone between the ages of 21-35. Ship Quality
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Cococay (Cruiseline Private Island)Very commercial. It was like going to a Disneyland resort.
Nassau, BahamasFantastic!!!! Especially Atlantis, and the native shops.
 4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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