Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    I just got a new brochure for RCCL with the Monarch of the Seas in it. The 
    brochure lists the maiden voyage as May 5, 1991. The sketch and layout
    of it look very nice, and the prices are not outrageous. I plan to 
    investigate further -- it would be fun to go on the maiden voyage.
    
    Linda

    
     When we sailed on the Sovereign in April, they mentioned that a
     larger sister ship was under construction. I think they said it
     would carry over 3 thousand passengers and sail from San Juan.
     At that time they had no decided on a name for the ship.
     Monarch of the seas, sounds good. Judging by the Sovereign,
     the Monarch should be magnificent.
    
                               I can't wait to see for myself.
    
                                         -Rob
    

    I didn't have time to enter the vital statistics yesterdaqy when I 
    answered the base note. This is according to the latest RCCL brochure.
    
                  Length                880'
                  Beam                  106'
                  Draft                  25'
                  Gross Tonnage      74,000 (estimate)
                  Passenger Capacity  2,354 double occupancy
                  Total Staff           827
                  Cruising Speed         19 knots
                  Maiden Voyage May 5, 1991
    
                  Ports of Call        Puerto Rico, Martinique, Barbados, 
                                       Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas
                                       Puerto Rico
    
    Departures are Sunday at 10:00 PM from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Monday is
    an At Sea day, followed by one port per day in the above order. 

    Has anyone out there been on a maiden voyage??  My wife and I are
    considering trying to get on this maiden voyage.  What special events
    do they have?  I can't imagine a cruise being any better than our first
    on the Sovereign!!  Does anyone know if any travel agents have
    discounts for the maiden voyage?  My local travel agent said I wouldn't
    be able to get any discount other than the 5% early booking (6 months
    in advance).  Can't wait to schedule our next cruise.
    
    Bruce

    Its not terribly infrequent that they are still building the ship
    around you on maiden voyages. It sounds like fun and of course
    exciting but be aware - its not uncommon that you can swim in your
    stateroom.
    

    My travel agents have always advised not to take the maiden voyage
    of a new ship.  As Jim says, they are still working out the bugs.  
    Also the staff would all be new to working with each other which could
    also prevent things from flowing smoothly.  They advise waiting till
    the ship is a month or two old before sailing.  Then again, if I were
    offered a deal I couldn't refuse, I'd be the first on board!!!
    
    Ro
    

    I went on the maiden voyage of the Fantasy.
    
    VERY little finishing work was being done on the ship, if any. There
    was a cruise on the Fantasy to work out bugs the week before which was
    open to travel agents only. We were the first passengers.
    
    It's exciting to be on the first voyage. There are special soverneirs
    and parties. But, discounts ?? No way...We paid the same price as
    the regular cruises. We did get a few nice things like a special
    limited edition of a book depicting the construction of the ship
    with some history etc. Also, the president of Carnival was on the ship.
    Got to meet him at the Captains party...That was nice.
    
    Anyway, I'd go on another maiden voyage.
    
    Jim
    

    
    I was on the Sovereign of the SEAS maiden voyage and nothing went
    wrong. We did get stranded in San Juan due to a cargo ship running
    a ground, blocking all in-coming and out-going ships. We did miss
    St. Thomas. We were scheduled to go to Labadee, but we went to 
    Nashua instead. Since we missed St. Thomas and all the owners
    were on board and Jimmy Cater & family, we went to Labadee where
    there was open bar all day long. Not too many people made it to
    dinner that night. Then they gave us 1/2 off of any RCCL cruise
    with an un-limited date to use it by. I would definitely do another
    maiden-voyage. The crew was perfect - nothing seemed to be out of
    place.
    
    They also gave a special book on the making of the Sovereign and there
    were special t-shirts you could buy that said it was the maiden
    voyage.
    
    Cindi
    
    
    

Re: Monarch of the Seas

I just heard that there has been a fire onboard, so that
the launching has been delayed.

Re: Monarch of the Seas

>>>I just heard that there has been a fire onboard, so that
>>>the launching has been delayed.


You're right.  As I mentioned in the base note, my fiance and I were
scheduled to go on the Monarch for out honeymoon in Sept., but we're now
taking the Norway instead.  I don't know how long the launching will be
delayed, but it's quite disappointing.

K.

  Hi All,
    
       I am new to this notes file and am thinking of taking some kind
    
    of a cruise. Can anyone out there please tell me what RCCL stands
    
    for? Also maybe some suggestions on places that are somewhat
    
    romantic that are not to expensive.
    
                                                    THANKS  ANGIE
        
    
    
    
    
    

    
    RCCL Royal Carribean Cruise Line
    	
    Sonme of the ships are:
    
    	 SoS Soverien of the Seas
    
    	 SoA Song of America
    
    	     Nordic Prince
    
    	     Sun Viking
    
    	     Nordic Emperis  (newest 3-4 day cruise ship most of the time)
    
    	 SoN Song Of Norway
    
    
    NCL  Norwegien Cruise  Line
    
    	The NORWAY  (formaly the S.S. France)
    
    	There are about four others, The reason I included NCL is that 
    	new cruisers get the RCCL "Song of Norway" confused with RCL's 
    	NORWAY.
    
    Happy cruising...
    
    George C.
    
    Norway"

    Just read in a new flyer the Monarch is now scheduled for
    November of 1991 for maiden voyage.