Monarch of the Seas

Background

As soon as I returned home from my Costa Mediterranea cruise I booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas for September 2004.

As a typical 'cruise addict' I often check out the current deals.
I found a "deal I couldn't pass up." A 4-night cruise on Monarch of the Seas out of L.A. for under $500 (plus airfare). I couldn't really afford it, but I quite smoking in hopes of paying for this cruise. (Beware the signs of cruise addiction!)

Getting there (my LEAST favorite part)

Although I'm not a morning person, I've learned that one of the best times to beat traffic to the airport, as well as the security lines at the airport, is by booking an early flight. This served me well on this vacation and my flight was uneventful.

Still in search of the best way from airport to cruise port, I tried the cruiseline's shuttle bus again. I found a porter for my bags (a luxury/necessity when traveling alone?) and we located the representative with the RCCL sign. She led us to the area to wait for the bus. I tipped the porter and he deposited my luggage.

After speaking on her cell the Royal Caribbean rep informed me the bus was parked at another location at the airport and we would need to hurry to catch it. I hustled behind her with my luggage only to arrive and find the bus had already departed. We were directed back to our original area.

I had quit smoking to justify this cruise (I'd save money and could afford cruise!). Two hours after arriving at LAX I was still awaiting my shuttle bus. I had paid a porter and then had to drag my luggage all around the airport anyway. While sitting on the bench with my luggage a lone man walked by smoking a cigarette. :( yea, i gave in.....

Eventually the shuttle came and I began my cruise.

Embarkation

It was the typical wait for embarkation. Standing in line, shuffling along your carryon... and making new friends!

I'd met a few people online (at cruisecritic) that would be on my cruise. While waiting in line I saw a guy at the registration desk and somehow thought he was one of the people I'd met online. (how silly! there are over 2,000 people boarding the ship!).

Sure enough, I ran into him shortly after boarding the ship and LOL! it was him!

Dining:

Pleasantly enough Royal Caribbean often seats singles together for dinner and I had dinner with him and a really sweet gal on her first cruise. She took a bus to L.A. and then lugged her luggage for blocks to reach the port.

Accommodations:

This was my third cruise. My first was a tiny oceanview cabin on Sovereign of the Seas, which was a dream come true for me. My second cruise was like heaven on earth, a 7-night cruise with a balcony!

I booked this cruise 'on the cheap' -- I'd realized it was the cruise that was important and I could deal with an inside cabin so long as I was on a cruise. Lucky me! the "upgrade fairy" visited and I was upgraded to an obstructed oceanview. That's when I realized that if push came to shove an obstructed oceanview cabin is ok.

There's a lifeboat outside your window, but you can still see outside! And, if you do your homework you can choose an obstructed view cabin that's in-between the lifeboats with a better view :)

Day 2. San Diego, California 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Sea World was my plan for the day.

Best laid plans............. Yet again, getting there was part of my dilemma. I thought I'd solve it by renting a car from Enterprise because they 'pick you up". And they do; as long as you can figure out where.

Enterprise Car Rental was not in the area where the buses, taxis, shuttles were;
Nobody answered the phone when I called their office.
Everyone at the port (including the person at the front gate) said I was in the right place to be picked up.
After walking one end of the port to the other, I camped out by one of the tourist booths off the main street. The woman manning the booth called Enterprise again on my behalf; as they were talking she said "THERE GOES THE SHUTTLE BUS ! It's driving by right now!"

They called the bus; it turned around and picked me up. Of course I was running my mouth about the B.S. I had just gone through.

When they asked for my driver's license at Enterprise, I cannot tell you the hole I wanted to crawl into. I hadn't brought it with.

Could this day get any worse?

Enterprise offered to drive me back to the ship so I could get my license. Yea, like I felt like doing that.

Bless fellow cruisers; someone from the shuttle offered to drive me in their rented car to Sea World. I accepted and paid for his parking at Sea World.

I had a terrific time at Sea World where the dolphins swim right up and snuggle against the glass. And Shamu was everything I'd heard. What started out a lousy morning ended up being a very nice day. (I snuck on the RCCL bus to get back to the ship - don't tell anyone! LOL)

Entertainment, Bars, and Lounges:

Highlights: