Royal treatment on the Monarch of the Seas

Monarch of the Seas is a Sovereign class vessel operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises. At the time of its launch in 1991, it was one of the world's largest cruise ships, along with its sisters, the Sovereign of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas. In fact, these ships paved the way for the larger, more glamorous and feature-filled vessels that are the norm today.

Although it's now dwarfed by many of the more modern ships, The Monarch is still a fabulous liner that's sure to provide passengers with a wonderful way to spend a well-earned holiday.

In 2003, the vessel was completely refurbished and began sailing out of Los Angeles to destinations along North America's western seaboard. It is currently based in Port Canaveral, Florida, and offers three and four-night cruises of the Bahamas, stopping at Coco Cay and Nassau.

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Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 2,774
Year entered service: 1991
Beam (ship width): 105.9 feet
Draught (ship depth): 24.9 feet
Length: 879.9 feet
Tonnage: 73,937
Crew: 858
Maximum speed: 22 knots
Number of passenger decks: 11
Number of lifts: 11
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 1,192

Food, cuisine and dining

Whether you're looking for a snack or a multiple-course meal, the Monarch of the Seas is sure to have something to satiate any appetite. Dining options vary and you can choose from pizza at a casual eatery, a 24-hour buffet and formal restaurants.

One popular venue is Jade. This is a specialty restaurant that offers mouth-watering Asian fusion cuisine, including sushi. Guests will also delight at the succulent seafood that's cooked at the table on a sizzling-hot piece of volcanic rock.

The main restaurants are Vincent's and Claude's. They serve three meals a day and dinner has two set seatings. Guests can also opt for My Time Dining - although if you want to take advantage of this feature, you'll need to organise it ahead of your trip and pre-pay all of your gratuities.
Passengers with special dietary requirements can be easily accommodated - for example, vegetarian, low-salt and low-sugar choices are always available.
Other options include: • Windjammer Cafe
• Latte-tudes coffee shop
• Ben and Jerry's ice cream
• 24-hour room service

On-board entertainment and activities

Activities on the Monarch of the Sea are not hard to come by and there will always be something to keep voyagers busy during the day and well into the evening.

Traditional cruise staples like bingo and karaoke are available, as well as classes and demonstrations ranging from towel folding and arts and crafts, through to computers, cooking and photography.

Shows are held every night in the Sound of Music lounge and these are generally large-scale productions. For something a bit less grand, live music and dancing can often be found in the various bars located throughout the ship.

Meanwhile, the kids' club facilities are extensive. Children are separated into three age groups and activities include movies, edutainment and video games, as well as activities that the whole family can take part in.

Spas and fitness facilities

The sports deck is a great place to go for anyone who wants a bit of a workout, or some adrenaline-fuelled activities. There are two huge swimming pools and two whirlpools, as well as a basketball court, jogging court and a rock-climbing wall.

Meanwhile the ShipShape fitness centre has a state-of-the-art gym and a spa where guests can indulge in pampering treatments or some thermal therapy.

Cabins

The Monarch of the Seas is a fabulous option for those seeking cruise deals. It has 1,192 rooms spread out over 17 price categories and more than 700 have ocean views.

Standard cabins typically have two single beds that can be combined to make a queen. Although small (around 119 square feet), they have enough space to be comfortable and also include televisions, en-suite bathrooms and personal safes.

If you want to splash out, suites are also available. These rooms have much more space and a number of amenities that are sure to make you feel right at home.