5-10-2010

By sailingrose

• May 17, 2010

Monarch Girls Just Wanna Have Fun May 10, 2010

My daughter Cynthia and I chose a 4 day cruise over a 3 day as it was cheaper and fit both of our schedules. We boarded the ship on Monday the 10th and had a nice lunch at the Windjammer. Went to our cabin unpacked and began our 4 days of "Girl" time.

We had late seating in Vincent's dining room. The food was fine, not gourmet but we managed to eat. Our wait staff was excellent. We enjoyed wine upstairs in the Viking Crown pre-dinner. We are Diamond Plus members of Crown and Anchor and each evening they offer free wine and champagne and drinks at a discount to Diamond and above. We met some wonderful people and had lots of fun chatting with them each night.

We were supposed to go to Cococay on Tuesday but the seas were too rough so the Captain informed us we were going to Nassau and overnighting. We also spend Wednesday there too. Cynthia and I decided to stay on the ship Tuesday and let everyone else get off. It was heavenly. I don't think 50 people were left on the pool deck. We relaxed, soaked in the hot tub and did some reading. We had a nice restful day and then leisurely got ready for formal night. Did well in the casino tonight but gave it back the next day. Oh well.

On Wednesday we did the "Walk for Wishes" for the Make a Wish Foundation. We love this cause and this is the second time we have done this. We decided to head to Senor Frogs for some lunch and people watching, always tons of fun! We were invited to dine with the Staff Captain that night at Jade/Black Rock restaurant with many other Diamond Plus members. This restaurant is sushi and cooking your own meal on a 500 degree rock. I had California rolls, salad and fish. Cynthia had salad and chicken. It was excellent! This is the only one of these pay restaurants that I know of in the fleet but worth it in my opinion. Sail away party was lots of fun, conga lines, line dancing, etc.

Thursday we went to Cococay but so did the Majesty. We have done this island before and opted to stay on the ship because we knew how crowded the island would be. We again enjoyed the ship, the pool and the hot tub. We dressed for dinner and headed to Viking Crown to wish our new friends well and hope that we sail with them again. We enjoyed dinner and went to the casino. Turned in early since disembarkation comes early.

All in all a good trip. Food was what we expected. Crew were great as always. Most importantly my daughter and I got to spend some quality time together.