Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    Hi Tim,
    
    My husband and I went on our honeymoon last October on the Monarch and
    our room was an outside cabin on the Tween deck.  My husband had never
    been on a cruise before and had no problem.  Some nights seemed a
    little rockier than others but it didn't bother us.  The only problem
    we encountered was the jogging track was above us and some people don't
    follow the rules of when you can jog (for a couple days we thought
    something else was going on! :) ).  Other than that, we had a
    beautiful view out our window and tremendously enjoyed this cruise. 
    Our cabin stewardess was outstanding also!!
    
    If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.
    
    Daina

    Daina,
            Thanks for the info!  I still am wondering about my original
    question though.  The Tween deck is below the Promenade deck which is
    where my room is booked.  Any comments re the Promenade deck relative 
    to the impact of people running by etc?  Also still wondering about the
    proximity to the front of the ship.  Both the Promenade and Tween decks
    are half decks from a room standpoint with all rooms baised to the
    front of the ship.  However, I may have an option for a room at the
    extreme front of the ship which is why I am wondering whether just to
    stay with my present Promenade room or take a switch to another if it
    opens up toward the front of the ship?  The only real reason I'd switch
    from the Promenade deck to to get away from the running deck and to get
    a window that does not open up onto a deck but onto the water.  Again,
    all comments appreciated!
    
    Cheers,
            Tim
    

    Hi Tim,
    
    Our room on the Tween deck was the third from the front of the ship,
    being that up front did not bother us.  
    
    I would have to guess that if we heard the joggers above us, you
    probably would hear them going by your room.  I guess it really depends
    on how much time you plan to be spening in your room.  
    
    The view from our room was fantastic and when we checked out the
    Promenade deck, I knew I would not be happy on that level, knowing that
    I wanted a view.
    
    Hope this helps!
    
    Daina

    I haven't been on the Monarch, but have taken two cruises, and I had
    the same kinds of questions when I booked them.  I was told that
    ideally, the middle of the ship is best if you are concerned about
    motion sickness, and if that's not available, the front is preferrable
    to the rear of the ship.  I didn't really suffer any motion sickness on
    my second cruise - the Carnival's Celebration - it was a large enough
    ship that you didn't feel much motion at all EXCEPT when at the rear of
    the ship.  The other ship was a smaller one to Alaska and I only had
    one day of queasiness when we were out to sea.  On that ship I did
    notice that the direction the bed ran was important, and I could only
    comfortably sleep with my body running the length of the ship, not
    across it.....  Hope this helps some.
    
    Have a ball!
    
    Pat

    The noise from joggers will affect the cabins on the deck
    directly below the promenade deck much more than the cabins on the
    promenade deck itself. The joggers are stomping directly over the
    cabins below, the noise transmitted horizontally to the promenade
    cabins is much less. I stayed on promenade once on Sovereign which
    is same basic ship and never  heard joggers myself.
    
    Disadvantages of promenande
      1) the view would be different and not nearly as  good as  deck
    below.
     2)  another possibly more  important is.....people can see directly
    into your  cabin anytime you have shades on window open, remember there
    are people outside walking by much of the day. nice thing about other
    decks on outside you do not have to worry too much about closing
    curtains etc. 
    3)  on promenade you usually hear  little of what is going on outside
    , pretty quiet, an exception is if someone sits in a deck chair
    directly outside your window and then carries on a  conversation then
    it is likely you will here it. reality is this does not happen much.
    
    I would avoid any cabin on a deck below the promenade itself unless it 
    was the 2nd level below. joggers are not supposed to go till 9 am or 10
    but even if they all wait i think you could probably here people
    walking also, and there are a number of early risers  who do  there
    walking on promenade.
    
    I would think front would be fine. it will move a little more but this
    ship is very large and  stable. Bottom line is if you are one to get
    seasick and you have rough seas then  even large ships move.
    
I  myself would have always avoided  promenade itself, i thought it would
    be  too noisey etc. We stayed on it once because we were upgraded from
    cheapest cabin at bottom of ship to promenade. I am one who does not 
    sleep if any type of conversational noise  etc  is  going on, we tried
    it and quite  frankly it was fine. On top of that our cabin was
    directly beside a small  aisle  which had a  door to promenade and we
    really never heard the door even, it was a secondary passage with not
    to much traffic.  The  biggest  thing i did not like was always being
    careful of what you were doing in cabin with curtains open. 
    
    I have been near the front during heavy  seas and I actually liked it,
    the extra rolling made me sleep  better. Of  course i do not get 
    seasick  so  someone who does would think differently.  
    
    					Harold
    

    Thanks for the info!
    
    I booked the room on the Promenade Deck anyway - I am waitlisted on 
    two other decks as I've indicated that If I have a window I'd rather
    not see people walking by but would prefer an ocean view window.  The
    room is not too far forward on the ship.  I'll keep my fingers crossed
    but am getting pretty excited about this our first cruise anyway!
    
    Cheers,
            Tim
    

    I think it all depends on how susceptible to motion sickness you and
    your wife are. My wife and I went on our first cruise last Sept. The
    weather on the way to Bermuda was a bit rough, and even though our room
    was near the middle of the boat, we still had to use Dramamine to avoid
    vomiting (we both have weak stomachs).
    
    Think of the boat as a seesaw: those on either end will go up and down
    a lot more than someone in the middle. If you or your wife have a weak
    stomach, I strongly suggest you avoid rooms at either end of the boat.
    As far as a view of the ocean goes, if you're sea sick the last thing
    you're going to want to do is look out at the churning water!
    
    You're in for a real treat. We loved our cruise despite the bouts of
    seasickness. I wish you and your wife a great time.
    
    Todd