Monarch of the Seas to Bahamas

When she was new, Monarch of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world. As newer ships arrived in the RCCL fleet, she was eventually relegated to shorter cruises; first out of Los Angeles, and then eventually from Port Canaveral.

Perceived negatives include the small inside and outside cabins. Like her two sister ships, Monarch was built with all cabins in the forward part of the ship-stacked like a vertical layer cake- and all public rooms similarly built up towards the stern. Those cabins are adequate for these short, three and four day cruises, but nothing more. Closet space is minimal, but these are short, port intensive cruises in any event. You're unlikely to spend much time in your room.

Dividing cabins from public rooms is a breath taking, five storey high atrium lobby. Etched in brass, glass and marble, it forms a kind of maritime crossroads. Surrounded by shops and with a lounge area at its base, people love it is a prime people watching spot.

Other notable spaces include the lavish, maritime themed Schooner Bar and the Viking Crown lounge, a kind of glass walled spaceship perched half way up the funnel. Despite the marvellous views it offers, it was chronically under used.

There is an upper deck, forward facing buffet open for all main meals and, low down in the hull, a pair of dining rooms that offer the same menu for dinner. The food is good, varied and well presented, though not especially imaginative. None the less, it proved very popular on what is, in essence, a three night party cruise.

The upper deck features two large pools, twin hot tubs, and a pair of bars. While the deck space seems vast at first sight, it actually gets crowded really quickly once the ship is at sea.

Monarch of the Seas offers a brisk, breezy cruise experience at a great price point. There isn't much in the way of real, old style finesse, but that is not the market that these cruises are aimed at. They are great fun for a quick getaway.