Thomson Majesty 10th April 2014 review

Posted as review, but for those who cannot wait.....

Having been on the Majesty last July we knew what to expect and was looking forward to seeing the minor improvements made to the Ship and meeting up again with the wonderful staff.

We arrived on the late night flight and was checked in efficiently, onboard for 9pm, dining by ten past, muster drill at 10pm, deck party at 10.30pm, the cruise had started.... we had to unpack in the morning. :D

I will say it time and time again, it’s the staff that make Thomson Ships, they are not the best vessels afloat but the staff, food, and quality entertainment more than make up for any stunning atriums or climbing walls.

The improved San Marco buffet worked well for us, we only used it for Breakfast and Lunch, and the food was hot as they now have electric heaters under the first three trays. The upgrade has significantly improved the dining experience especially during the day, last year many times at Breakfast and Lunch we had to go downstairs to the Royal Observatory to find a table, not so this year. It never really bothered us having to do this last year, but I know it annoyed some.

There is more deck space because the San Marco roof has been extended and we never had a problem finding a bed at any time, there were the usual few walking around on the sea days about lunchtime with towel under arm looking unhappy, but you get that on every Ship.

There are a LOT of new sunbeds, many of the old aluminium ones have been replaced with the nice plastic ones with the blue mesh on, not the hard plastic ones you sometimes see.

The chairs in San Marco could do with upgrading though, they are not particularly comfortable and not really suitable for dining in the evenings. They would be better with cushions on.

Like last time we ate in the smaller Four Seasons MDR and were well looked after by Leo and Bobby again, the food was good (Duck with noodles the standout dish of the fortnight) always hot, and the wine kept topped up by Matt.

There have been some Balconies added and some of these are placed between the lifeboats, on these you only really get a view directly side on, looking forward or aft you get to see the lifeboat. We did have a look around these Balcony cabins and Suites on the changeover day and they are very nicely appointed, although they attract a very high premium and I don’t think I could justify the extra that Thomson want for these. If like us you only shower and sleep in a cabin then the “plus” grade is the best option, the standard cabins are very small.

Yet again Thomson came up with the quality entertainment we are used to on their Ships, the showteam are all fantastic performers, providing us with excellent shows every night they were performing. These guys and girls work so hard performing every night except when the Comedian does his night, doing the main show twice and a late night cabaret spot, and after all that they have the time to socialise with the guests. Katy (CD) and Adam (ACD) along with all the showteam and entertainment hosts are so pleasant to talk to, Thomson should be so proud to have them working on their Ships.

We must also mention Muzzik Unlimited, a really polished party band, it was great to be entertained by them again.

The Ship is spotlessly clean, the Staff are so hardworking and friendly, there are too many to mention that we now think of as friends.

In conclusion another great cruise on the Majesty and we would not hesitate to go on her again.

You can take your countdown clock OFF now Joe :D:D:D

We loved Musik Unlimited, do you know if they will still be on in October? The singer did a wicked Gangam Style!

You are clever remembering all those crew names. I can't even remember the names of the bars - we always say "Meet you in the bar by the pool/near the reception/ on the top deck" etc. I do remember our cabin steward was called Mary and she was lovely :)

Maybe this time we will be able to get into the MDR each evening, DH won't queue :o If not it sound like the buffet will be fine :)

Don't know if this applies to you Joe :D but was the hairdyer any good? We had 426 last time and have booked it again and the hairdryer was rubbish

Don't know if this applies to you Joe :D but was the hairdyer any good? We had 426 last time and have booked it again and the hairdryer was rubbish

We were in 6019 and the hairdryer was fine.

I can't even remember the names of the bars -

Strangely enough have the same problem :)

BTW great and promising review Joe

Hiya we are going on the Majesty this July and really looking forward to it. For the day at sea would you say getting up really early would be best 8 or 9 for instance in order to get a bed? Or do you think 10ish would be ok? You mention lunch time people couldn't get one but just wondering how early we need to be there. Thanks

Emma

Excellent review, Joe, thanks :)

I really enjoyed reading that.

Hiya we are going on the Majesty this July and really looking forward to it. For the day at sea would you say getting up really early would be best 8 or 9 for instance in order to get a bed? Or do you think 10ish would be ok? You mention lunch time people couldn't get one but just wondering how early we need to be there. Thanks

Emma

On the ships we have been on, to guarantee a bed, I would say nearer 7.30-8ish!!!

Thank you for your review Joe. It is good to read that Majesty is getting some positive comments again.

great review joe, im glad you enjoyed it again, did you meet up with Kevin from liverpool, he was on over easter. we can't wait now and even more since reading your post, 30th may roll on.

Paul

On the ships we have been on, to guarantee a bed, I would say nearer 7.30-8ish!!!

Totally agree with that one Jules..... 9am is late on a sea day for a sunbed.

You need to be having breakfast around 8ish on any ship, leave it closer to 9am and you will find it's really busy.

I am actually knackered after coming back from this cruise, the late nights/ early mornings and getting the bad cold that was going around on the second week has floored me, I need another holiday to get over it.

DW said the hairdryer was fine for her.

Yes Paul, we met up for the occasional late night shandy with Kev ;) He's a good laugh isn't he. Do you know him from the last cruise? I didn't think he was on in last July when we were both on.

Thank you for replying ok I will make sure we are down early.

Emma

Totally agree with that one Jules..... 9am is late on a sea day for a sunbed.

You need to be having breakfast around 8ish on any ship, leave it closer to 9am and you will find it's really busy.

 

I am actually knackered after coming back from this cruise, the late nights/ early mornings and getting the bad cold that was going around on the second week has floored me, I need another holiday to get over it.

 

DW said the hairdryer was fine for her.

 

Yes Paul, we met up for the occasional late night shandy with Kev ;) He's a good laugh isn't he. Do you know him from the last cruise? I didn't think he was on in last July when we were both on.

yes thats where i met him Joe, i had been asking about sailaway party on facebook , and he actually came over in the airport at mcr, he recognised me with the wigan top on lol.

I didn't know Kev was on that cruise, never saw him about, and he's quite hard to miss (in a nice way) when he gets the fun started isn't he. He had the harmonica out at least one night! I don't think he comes on here, and doesn't post on FB as much as he used to.

I remember pulling you in the queue to embark about your Wigan top as well, we should have palled on a bit more in that week, but as you were with your other friends I didn't like to barge in.

Great review - I'm going in July, so all the more excited now :)

Can I ask how formal the guys were on formal night? On the other Thomson ships I've been on the suits seems to beat full black tie (I've done both) but I know every ship is different.

Cheers, Gary

There was quite a few in black Tie Gary.

A lot with normal dress suits and ties as well.

You are not going to wear a normal suit any other night so you might as well take black tie, that's my thoughts on it.

Joe.

Thanks Joe, that's good to know.

Don't know if this applies to you Joe :D but was the hairdyer any good? We had 426 last time and have booked it again and the hairdryer was rubbish

Hi Linda

We are in 426 tomorrow! I will let you know what the hairdryer is like lol.

Flopsy

Hi Linda

 

We are in 426 tomorrow! I will let you know what the hairdryer is like lol.

 

Flopsy

Have a lovely time Flopsy....that's come round all of a sudden!!

Hi Linda

 

We are in 426 tomorrow! I will let you know what the hairdryer is like lol.

 

Flopsy

So glad to hear you enjoyed it Joe. We loved our cruise and want to go again! The caribbean is calling us for next year though... Never been on Celebration or Dream and like both itineries so don't know which one to choose.

Cruisin Linda, our hairdryer on the Majesty was quite poor, but then again I use mine on full speed so maybe it wasn't that bad!

Yes ours was pretty bad too. Anyway Flopsy will report back as she is in the same cabin that we have booked. I may take mine anyway as it is in the bathroom and is better if it is the bedroom, so DH can be getting ready while I am drying my hair.

Great timing, we're on Majesty at the end of this month!:)

I understand from another thread that eating arrangements on Thomson ships have changed since we last cruised with them in 2010?

Then I think we could.....have breakfast till around 10.30am, lunch for a couple of hours from 12 noon, afternoon tea and cakes at 4 with burgers, sausages, chips also available. A few hours respite until the evening meal and for those who could manage it there were curries and burgers available around midnight till the early hours.

I'm particularly interested in the late night availability, particularly if we get an early sitting for dinner!

Great timing, we're on Majesty at the end of this month!:)

 

I understand from another thread that eating arrangements on Thomson ships have changed since we last cruised with them in 2010?

 

Then I think we could.....have breakfast till around 10.30am, lunch for a couple of hours from 12 noon, afternoon tea and cakes at 4 with burgers, sausages, chips also available. A few hours respite until the evening meal and for those who could manage it there were curries and burgers available around midnight till the early hours.

 

I'm particularly interested in the late night availability, particularly if we get an early sitting for dinner!

We were on Majesty early April.You are not given any particular Dinner sitting - only the formal night has 2 sittings when you are told which to attend. Food in Buffet restaurants/on deck started at 6.30 a.m. and virtually continued all day in one place or another; think doors finally shut at 1 a.m. (or thereabouts). Lunch served in both buffets and one of the MDRs with Afternoon Tea in one of the Buffet restaurants. MDRs opened for Dinner at 6.30 (although doors were always open by 6.15) and service continued until 10 p.m.; Buffets also open. Believe me - you won' t starve!

Hi Linda

Well the hairdryer in Cabin 426 is rather poor- it gets quite warm and was OK for me as I don't have thick hair, but it's not much good!

Flopsy