MLBFan24

I was on Majestic in May 2023 (Alaska) and my family of 3 kept reserving the same dining room and requested same table/waiter every night. Quick service, could finish dinner in 1.25 hours. Very pleased.

However, for one night, we couldn't reserve the same dining room for the same time we wanted. So we reserved another dining room, which had a different waiter of course. Waiter was SLOOOOW. He liked to bring out dishes at the same time for EVERYONE in his area. Meaning my family of 3 was also waiting for other tables to finish their appetizers. This dining time occurred during the same time as a glacier viewing experience.

It was so slow, that after 45 minutes and only eating the appetizer, I excused myself and left. I wanted to view the glacier. The other 2 family members decided to stay for the entire dinner, but they said it was still slow throughout the meal. I missed out on the prime rib I ordered haha

I concur, the delay is a few minutes at the counter. 

I like to collect the cruise cards, so I asked the agent if I could still have one  (as well as the medallion). The process to get the cruise card (5 minutes in the back) took longer than waiting in line to get the medallion.

I was on the Majestic this past May (B2B Alaska). I had a wonderful time.

Only negatives:

• Food quality was inconsistent (good one day, same food wasn't good the next time). But overall, I liked the food. I'm not picky.
• Cruise Director assistant staff was mostly "green". Considering it was one of the first Alaska cruises of the season, I guess it made sense they weren't that in-sync yet.

But way more positives than negatives. Loved the ship, entertainment, and other passengers were great as well. 

You can find anyone on social media with at least 3 pieces of information. Sounds like you already have a location (1) and names (2). Your son will have to do the rest of the leg work (especially when it's a minor trying to locate his friends, who are also minors).

I tried Alfredo's on Majestic back in May. I had the calzone, which lacked flavor. Surprisingly, the calzone I get at my office building's lunch cafe was better. That's something I never thought would happen. So if you're craving pizza, try the complimentary options first.

Alfredo's was complimentary back in May. Not something I would pay extra for now.

One thing I noticed, the staff barely wipe down the dirty placemats on the table. Minimal cleaning, and I mean just one/two swipes with the wet cloth. Placemats aren't replaced. New utensils are laid directly on the placemats. I tried not to think about it when eating haha

When I was on the Majestic Princess (May 2023), someone won the free 7-day cruise (balcony cabin).

13 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

That sounds like you had it all!  We had to cancel our Princess to Alaska during Pandemic...boohoo  the deal was fantastic and I liked how they assigned us to our own travel agent and she kept in touch the whole time...hated to cx.  I refuse to sail out of Seattle on principle alone.  Vancouver is much cleaner, friendlier and you can't beat Canada Place just walk down an escalator and on the ship...Love it.

My first B2B and first time back on a cruise ship since the pandemic. My fourth Alaskan cruise though, so I knew how to plan it better. It was a fantastic trip.

I agree about Vancouver being a better port than Seattle. The Seattle port was a zoo. Arriving on embarkation day, it was really crowded (of course) and a lot of the luggage porters were busy. I asked an agent if more porters were arriving and she said just place your luggage "over there". I looked where she pointed and it was just an area of suitcases on the sidewalk in a roped off area. 🤣 I thought to myself, no way. Waited a few minutes and another luggage porter was available.

And then on disembarkation day (also extremely crowded and unorganized), I think someone stole my pre-arranged shuttle van to the airport. The driver confirmed he was coming and then was just MIA. Never responded again. Eventually we just took a taxi.

Vancouver's disembarkation taxi waiting line is very organized. I was very impressed.

3 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

Hubbard is our all time favorite glacier and IMHO is better than any in the Bay.  THey are all smaller.  It depends on which itin one chooses to a great extent.

I went on the Majestic Princess B2B in May, which went to Glacier Bay twice, College Fjord, and Hubbard Glacier. And Juneau for Mendenhall (twice).

Princess offered a great itinerary. 

28 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Can I ask what advantages they have.

• Princess ships can enter Glacier Bay National Park (along with Holland America and NCL)
• Glacier Bay National Park rangers board the Princess ship and do narration during the route

I'm sure there are more advantages, but these two come to mind first. Of course, Princess has its disadvantages too, but if we're strictly talking about enjoying glaciers on your itinerary, Princess has the advantage.

And once again, Royal Caribbean is my favorite cruise line, so no bias haha

Even though Royal Caribbean is my favorite, there was a reason why I chose the Majestic Princess for my Alaska cruise this past May. The Glacier Bay experience was phenomenal, due to the advantages Princess has in Alaska over other cruise lines.

50 minutes ago, ldtr said:

or do 14 days, 7 up and 7 down. We are currently doing that on the Majestic out of Vancouver.

I did that exact cruise back in May. Even though it was my fourth time cruising to Alaska, the itinerary amazes me each time.

I concur - capacity number means NOTHING for the Princess activities. Guaranteed.

As does the "Gold and White" attire theme. Does not matter. People just wear what they want.

(I was on the Majestic Princess in May)

I was on Majestic this past May:

My favorite was Concerto. Was able to reserve it every night via the app, with the exception of one night. We kept asking for table 318, excellent staff. Three people in my party. Finished dinner in about 1 or 1.25 hours. Quick, good service.

For the one night we couldn't get into Concerto, my family reserved Allegro. Wow, was the service slow in the section we got sat in. In one hour, I was just served the appetizer. It was College Fjord time at around 6 PM and I got up and left because it was so slow. I think the waiter we had liked to serve all his tables at the same time, because the tables next to use were still eating appetizers. I was informed (by the other 2 in my family who stayed for the whole dinner), that the main course was served at the same time as the other tables. 

Anyways, long story short, much better experience in Concerto. The atmosphere seems brighter (lights) in that dining venue as well. 

I was on Explorer of the Seas on July 4, 2017 (Alaska) and they had a party in the Promenade. They had a giant cake. It concluded with a massive balloon drop. 
 

The assistant cruise director staff attended as “guests”, rather than being a part of the entertainment. The music was performed by a live band and several singers. 
 

Of course, this was in 2017, so anything could have changed since then.

I was on Majestic Princess a month ago and had zero knowledge of the white and gold theme, until I saw the description for the "The Love Boat Piazza Party" in the app (on the same day).

I don't think any of the other passengers knew (or cared) either, because it looked like any other formal night during dinner and the piazza party color theme was non-existent among the attendees. Only the cruise staff wore white and gold.

In other words, don't waste your time worrying about it. You won't feel out of place or underdressed. It's a non-issue.

1 hour ago, Nightowl11 said:

Where do the taxis drop you off?  Can you hand your luggage over to the porters or do you have to lug your luggage up an elevator like a lot of people says happens.  Can Ubers and Lyfts drop off where the taxis go or is there a special place for them too?

Taxis drop you off at a designated drop off spot. And a few feet from the drop off location, there are porters standing behind their designated area. They are very close to the drop off spot.  
 

Afterwards, I go into the terminal, following the signs and lines. No elevator required for me, but I did see some elevators.

This is quite different from other terminals I’ve visited where porters just roam around and it’s a free-for-all getting their attention.
 

The Vancouver drop off terminal area was very organized (at the time I arrived).

I have no knowledge of where Ubers or Lyfts are required to go during embarkation. For disembarkation day, I only saw a designated line for taxi pickups. I don’t know where people went if they chose the Uber or Lyft option.

Disembarkation day “taxi to YVR airport” rate - $38 Canadian dollars flat rate (plus optional tip)

I was just there in May and from what I can remember:

The taxi line into the garage is quite organized. I arrived via taxi at around 10:30 AM.

The waiting area is slightly organized, with rows of folding chairs. Yes, it is crowded. Once boarding begins, it becomes a chaotic mess. Lines form from all directions, which eventually morphs into one single line. But everyone was respectful when all the lines were merging into one.

And while first boarding was scheduled to begin at 11 AM, it really didn't start until 11:30 AM. 

On disembarkation day, the taxi line to exit the terminal is very organized too.

I brought my own tea bags (my preferred brand) on my last cruise, but never used them. I found suitable tea flavors at the buffet drink station. Wasn't the best tea, but it did the job in the mornings.

Reporting back in this thread (I posted in February) --- just returned from my May 13 - May 27 B2B cruise. 

I was able to get a cruise card (for collecting purposes only) and still used the medallion 100% of the time. The embarkation terminal person was very helpful. Took less than 5 minutes to ask someone in the back for help. All it took was asking nicely.

I'll use the medallion, but on my May cruise, I'll attempt to also get a cruise card since I enjoy collecting them. Even if they deactivate the card, I just want the card for my collection.

Cold soups. Can't stand them.

I booked a Central Park Balcony room (Allure 2019) and received a bottle of wine and lunch for two at Giovanni's Table (or I could have chosen Sabor Mexican). 

I don't believe this perk is offered anymore.

July 2017 - Explorer of the Seas - Alaska 

• My favorite type of ship - has the Royal Promenade deck
• Great Cruise Director (Activity) staff - Silvia Pristavkova 👍
• My favorite destination - Alaska (3rd time via cruise). Perfect 50 degree weather instead of July heat in California.
• Awesome Fourth of July party on the cruise. 

3 hours ago, bouhunter said:

My daughter and I got the same ones for a scavenger hunt 🙂

 

Isn’t the quality really good for an activity prize? Hopefully when cruising resumes, they have some room in the budget for these small items that get overlooked, but appreciated by guests. 

One of my favorite cruise souvenirs is this medal I received from playing cornhole (but I got 3rd place 😂). Not your usual cheap "prize" like a highlighter, keychain, hat, etc.

Seeing it reminds me of my favorite cruise - 2017 Fourth of July Alaskan Cruise on Explorer of the Seas - and my favorite Cruise Director activity staff member Silvia Pristavkova (who moderated the cornhole game).