Royal Caribbean International
Monarch of the Seas Cruise Review
Ensenada

Angelo LoPresti
Age: 36
Occupation: Graphic Artist
Number of Cruises: 7
Sailing Date: June 4th, 2007

This was are second cruise with Royal Caribbean (the first one being out of the Port of Miami) and Embarkation I have to say was just as bad in LA as it was in Miami. We have sailed on other cruise lines like Disney, where we literally walked right on to the ship and then walked right off. No waiting, no called numbers or colors. It took us an hour to get on to the ship and two hours to get off. Now Royal Caribbean said that the delay in getting off was due to personnel shortages in customs. So maybe this was not their fault.

The Cabins:
First off, I have to say that I am 6’3” and so is my wife, plus my 6 year old daughter is taller than everyone in her kindergarten class. So knowing that, the staterooms were small, real small. I have to say that we were surprised. We opened the door and sighed when we saw how tiny this outside stateroom was (to put it in perspective the Monarch has a capacity of 2,161 at 70,000 tons displaced, The Navigator of the seas has a capacity of 3,500 with 135,000 tons displaced; double the ship but only 61% more capacity). Plus we did not do our homework and found out that deck 8 has these huge life rafts blocking your window view. So we paid for an outside stateroom but had no view. And we got a bad stateroom attendant that was real lax in his duties. The other people we went with on another deck had an amazing attendant, so I guess they all cannot be winners.

The Food:
Plenty and most of it was real good. I could nit pick here but I will not. I did not have a bad meal. Plus the waitress and assistant waitress were real attentive and helpful. The dining room staff either sung or danced each night and that wasl nice and lively.

The Kids:
Adventure Ocean is RC’s kids program and it is in one word AWESOME. The men and women do such a great job of giving the kids a great vacation. If you have kids and are reluctant to take then on a cruise because you would think that it would be boring for them, then take them on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Just so they can experience Adventure Ocean.

The Ports:
San Diego, Catalina Island, both were beautiful and had a lot to do. I would love to go back to either and explore more.

Ensenada is another story. This was my first time in the Pacific Side of Mexico. And it is dirty and very third world-ish. There is not much to do if you do not like to drink cervesa (beer). And their only attraction La Bufadora (The Blow Hole) is 1-1/2 hours away and nothing to write home about. Trust me, go to the shops in town and then get back on the boat.

Now taking a hint from a review I read on this site we took no shore excursions. Instead we did the same thing that they did ourselves and saved a lot of money. Yes you might want to buy a snorkeling or fishing trip from RC. But if you just want to see the city or just hang around do it on your own and skip the excursions. Plus in San Diego do not miss the USS Midway! It is docked right next to the cruise terminal and is a must see.

In Conclusion:
This ship is a party ship. A short cruise party ship. Do not go on this cruise if there are and at Sea Days or if you want a nice, calm, quiet, relaxing cruise. It is a nice trip to take if you want to see San Diego or Catalina island. And a must with Kids (for Adventure Ocean), just do your homework when it comes to your cabin.




 

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