MAJESTIC PRINCESS - 24th August - Shanghai to Sydney

[Kiwi Kruzer]

From AIS.. they are just cruising past Cairns.

[S&D]

Bon Voyage Sandy and Dave, above all enjoy and plenty of cocktails and dancing.:*:hearteyes:

 

thanks a lot Les..will do our best....lol...bring on the raspberry fizz.....cheers S&D:cocktail::cocktail::cocktail:

[cheznandy]

Thankyou, we are not getting off in Brisbane, having a seaday!

But will certainly post any bit of info as i see or hear it.

Cheznandy

 

We have to thank you for the posts. We've been following your posts with great interest as we will doing the Sydney to Hong Kong cruise in March 2019.

 

We are looking forward to you posting your experience in Brisbane. Hope you have an absolute fabulous time on the remaing time on your cruise. And thanks again!

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[rkmw]

Thankyou, we are not getting off in Brisbane, having a seaday!

But will certainly post any bit of info as i see or hear it.

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

 

Hi Chez

 

Deb and i have been following your cruise and thanks for posting

 

we'll try and catch up with you late september when we get back from Cootamundra

 

Bob

[cheznandy]

Hey guys, have fun!

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[rabbit1971]

Hi Cheznandy,

You have been amazingly helpful already with the information you have provided, I was hoping to stretch the friendship a little further and ask a couple more questions?

can you buy coffee cards on the ship (my dh and ds are huge imbibers), are there photo packages available? Is there wheelchair access to movies under the stars (I have been having a look at deck plans and its unclear if there is a lift to that deck space)?

Many thanks again on your wonderful review.

cheers maree

[cheznandy]

No worries, i have heaps of internet left, so happy to stretch the friendship a little more.

Re coffee cards, yes buy onboard, $36 AUD, tables ars set up around the ship the first day or ask any waiter.

15 specialty coffees, tea, hot chocolate and filtered coffee free.

I have the coffee card on my account, when i order a coffee, i also ask for a hot chocolate for Andy, which is free.

We have often just asked for a pot of tea, i have shown my cruise card and said there is a coffee package on there and only once have they taken the card a checked it.

You can ask how many are left on the package at any time.

Specialty coffees can be ordered anywhere in the Piazza from roaming waiters, Le Mer during the day, IC cafe, Gong Cha, the buffet has a coffee section in Bakery area and also in the dining room, so no shortage.

Cant help with photos, they are all computerised, so no walking through checking out everyone elses. I am very sure there are different packages available.

Re Movies under the stars, seating all around Lido deck, plenty of lifts mid, aft and forward.

Also above on deck 17 you could take the forward lifts to the Hollywood pool club stairs/lift area, plenty of chairs up there, our favourite spot as there is some cover at the back and a bit quieter as its above the pool area.

Most doors are automatic opening, wide and plenty of room.

Hi Cheznandy,

You have been amazingly helpful already with the information you have provided, I was hoping to stretch the friendship a little further and ask a couple more questions?

can you buy coffee cards on the ship (my dh and ds are huge imbibers), are there photo packages available? Is there wheelchair access to movies under the stars (I have been having a look at deck plans and its unclear if there is a lift to that deck space)?

Many thanks again on your wonderful review.

cheers maree

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[randjbkr]

Hi Cheznandy,

Many,many grateful thanks from a couple of 70's Kiwis who are on only our 2nd ever cruise. First on Sun P this time last year. We are staying in Brisbane with wife's sister this week, hopping on board on Thursday and continuing on the Fiji cruise from Sydney on Saturday. The time and effort you have taken to provide information and insights re the features of the Majestic and your own personal travel blog is much appreciated and makes us feel that we know the ship already. Just one quick question which you have probably already answered somewhere so we apologise in advance-- we are doing Anytime dining so are we allocated a MDR in advance or can we choose on a nightly basis? Once again many thanks.

Wishing you pleasant travels for many years to come.

Kind regards, Ron and Jeanette

[MicCanberra]

Hope you have a great couple of cruises.

[Woodywake]

Thanks for all the updates regarding the ship. We sailed on her from Rome to Singapore through the Suez on her way to her season in China.

There were some aspects of the ship we felt on reflection wouldn’t work so well for the Australian market, however we are booked to embark on Saturday anyway.

I did email Princess after our relocation cruise with comments (positive and negative). I received an phone call from them to discuss further and a promise to ‘escalate’my email, nothing since.

It will be interesting to see any changes that have been made.

[kdermit]

Thank you so much cheznandy for all your posts. They make great reading and are very informative. Roll on Dec 18th when we board her in Auckland!

Us too....counting down the days.

[MicCanberra]

What were some of your suggestions?

[cheznandy]

Anytime dining is in Symphony Dining room Deck 5* 5.30pm to 10pm

Concerto Dining room deck 6, begins Anytime at 7.45pm to 10pm, before this it is Early traditional dining. You can choose either.

The first couple of nights we called the dine line to book a table for two, we liked our waiters and asked if we could have that area again the next night, they said just turn up and we have had the same table every night except 3, where we* did a specialty restaurant.

Concerto is a little quieter as everyone has left when we get there as most want to eat at 6pm, so go to Symphony.

It is your choice to book or just turn up, whatever time suits, its very flexible.

Hi Cheznandy,

Many,many grateful thanks from a couple of 70's Kiwis who are on only our 2nd ever cruise. First on Sun P this time last year. We are staying in Brisbane with wife's sister this week, hopping on board on Thursday and continuing on the Fiji cruise from Sydney on Saturday. The time and effort you have taken to provide information and insights re the features of the Majestic and your own personal travel blog is much appreciated and makes us feel that we know the ship already. Just one quick question which you have probably already answered somewhere so we apologise in advance-- we are doing Anytime dining so are we allocated a MDR in advance or can we choose on a nightly basis? Once again many thanks.

Wishing you pleasant travels for many years to come.

Kind regards, Ron and Jeanette

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[cheznandy]

We awoke early this morning and wandered the ship to take photos.

The wind had picked up and the breeze was cool, people have discarded their summer shorts and tshirts for warmer attire.

 

We had our first breakfast in the dining room this morning, we like to eat everywhere at least once, give it a try and form our own opinion.

There is nothing nicer than a table for two, a white table cloth, flowers and a teapot with cup and saucer. The menu has Everyday on oneside and two specials of the day on the other.

Todays was a Fig compote and a french toast.

We really enjoyed it for a change, but prefer the variety of the buffet where i can see if the mushrooms are overcooked and choose my eggs etc.

 

We had a coffee at Vines and chatted to a few friends, strolled shops and chatted some more, before we knew it was1pm.....where does the time go?

 

As today was a day of firsts, we decided to head back to our cabin and order room service for lunch and watch a movie, we like to do this once on a longer cruise and today was the day. Princess has always done a great room service menu, so we enjoyed between us a Caesar salad, a Chefs salad, a couple cheese burgers ( i removed the bun and gave Andy my fries) and a pot of tea, so nice with the views from our balcony......typical me fell asleep until 4pm!!

So Andy watched 2 movies and had sole control of the remote.

 

Tonight was our last formal night, so we showered, doned the suit and bling and headed to the Piazza for the Captains farewell party at 7pm. This means free drinks which consisted of beer, wine, champagne, a watered down Cosmopolitan, gin and tonic, rum punch, a good selection, but Andys says its like Seagulls on a hot chip haha everyone is in for the kill, those poor waiters.

I didnt hear anything the Captain said as i saw this elderly man dressed in NSW Police formal jacket with badges and epolettes.....no it wasnt Uncle Les !!! I introduced myself and it turns out he retired 30 years ago and had friends at the station where i had worked and also knew locals in the town where we live.

He introduced his wife and we chatted for while, it was so nice to meet him.

 

We ventured off for dinner to enjoy lobster, prawns and beef wellington with our friends who have taken over the table for two next to us have enjoyed the service of Alexander and Spaso.

 

We had a quick look at the dancers in the Piazza before arranging to meet up for lunch in Alfredos tomorrow, so off to bed for us.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[cheznandy]

Thanks for all the updates regarding the ship. We sailed on her from Rome to Singapore through the Suez on her way to her season in China.

There were some aspects of the ship we felt on reflection wouldn’t work so well for the Australian market, however we are booked to embark on Saturday anyway.

I did email Princess after our relocation cruise with comments (positive and negative). I received an phone call from them to discuss further and a promise to ‘escalate’my email, nothing since.

It will be interesting to see any changes that have been made.

Think you will see a few changes, namely coffee places, crooners, AUD onboard, no smoking in casino, activities etc, i am sure more will change after this cruise as well.

Have a great cruise and i will look forward to everyones comments.

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[cheznandy]

Morning all, just an update from our cruise.

It is 6.45am and the Captain has just announced we are having a medical evacuation by helicoptor in about 20 minutes.We have slowed down. Helicoptor is coming from Mackay.

All* high aft cabins have been evacuated for the procedure, and decks below are not allowed on balcony, no flash photography. Procedure should be over in 40 minutes

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[By The Bay]

Morning all, just an update from our cruise.

It is 6.45am and the Captain has just announced we are having a medical evacuation by helicoptor in about 20 minutes.We have slowed down. Helicoptor is coming from Mackay.

All* high aft cabins have been evacuated for the procedure, and decks below are not allowed on balcony, no flash photography. Procedure should be over in 40 minutes

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

My thoughts and prayers are with the evacuee.

[MicCanberra]

Morning all, just an update from our cruise.

It is 6.45am and the Captain has just announced we are having a medical evacuation by helicoptor in about 20 minutes.We have slowed down. Helicoptor is coming from Mackay.

All* high aft cabins have been evacuated for the procedure, and decks below are not allowed on balcony, no flash photography. Procedure should be over in 40 minutes

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

Goodness, I hope they will be alright.

Were you awake already?

At least all those cabanas will be available once the helicopter leaves, but only if you are quick.;p

[MicCanberra]

We awoke early this morning and wandered the ship to take photos.

The wind had picked up and the breeze was cool, people have discarded their summer shorts and tshirts for warmer attire.

 

We had our first breakfast in the dining room this morning, we like to eat everywhere at least once, give it a try and form our own opinion.

There is nothing nicer than a table for two, a white table cloth, flowers and a teapot with cup and saucer. The menu has Everyday on oneside and two specials of the day on the other.

Todays was a Fig compote and a french toast.

We really enjoyed it for a change, but prefer the variety of the buffet where i can see if the mushrooms are overcooked and choose my eggs etc.

 

We had a coffee at Vines and chatted to a few friends, strolled shops and chatted some more, before we knew it was1pm.....where does the time go?

 

As today was a day of firsts, we decided to head back to our cabin and order room service for lunch and watch a movie, we like to do this once on a longer cruise and today was the day. Princess has always done a great room service menu, so we enjoyed between us a Caesar salad, a Chefs salad, a couple cheese burgers ( i removed the bun and gave Andy my fries) and a pot of tea, so nice with the views from our balcony......typical me fell asleep until 4pm!!

So Andy watched 2 movies and had sole control of the remote.

 

Tonight was our last formal night, so we showered, doned the suit and bling and headed to the Piazza for the Captains farewell party at 7pm. This means free drinks which consisted of beer, wine, champagne, a watered down Cosmopolitan, gin and tonic, rum punch, a good selection, but Andys says its like Seagulls on a hot chip haha everyone is in for the kill, those poor waiters.

I didnt hear anything the Captain said as i saw this elderly man dressed in NSW Police formal jacket with badges and epolettes.....no it wasnt Uncle Les !!! I introduced myself and it turns out he retired 30 years ago and had friends at the station where i had worked and also knew locals in the town where we live.

He introduced his wife and we chatted for while, it was so nice to meet him.

 

We ventured off for dinner to enjoy lobster, prawns and beef wellington with our friends who have taken over the table for two next to us have enjoyed the service of Alexander and Spaso.

 

We had a quick look at the dancers in the Piazza before arranging to meet up for lunch in Alfredos tomorrow, so off to bed for us.

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the update, we too love having a lazy day of MDR breaky, room service and movie for lunch and a nanna nap afterwards or just watching the water out the balcony every now and again.

[cheznandy]

Evacuation over successfully, we were awake Mic, still in bed though, deciding whether to get up for our cup of tea on deck or order room service, figuring everyone else would still be in bed we went the buffet, it was crowded, as well as the Lido deck and deck 17, which is where people could see the procedure.

We ended up having a quick breakfast while we were there, can you believe there were people in bathrobes haha

Walking back we saw the helicoptor take off and the door closing, so all good.

Then everyone outside decsended on the buffet so we made a quick escape back to the cabin.

Such a dangerous procedure to do at sea, and there is a bit of wind today, thankfully we are near the coast and not far from big hospitals.

Hopefully thats the end of our medical emergencies.

For those boarding in Brisbane tomorrow Captain says this wont affect our arrival, we are on the move again.

 

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

[KETCRUISERS]

Hi Chez,

It is like reading a book of travel information with all your wonderful information and tips thank you, people just love you my friend which of course i can understand that.

Does the library need books, if i have a some spare weight i will bring some?

Enjoy your peaceful day in Brisbane, give Andy A big hug for me till Saturday.xx

[rabbit1971]

No worries, i have heaps of internet left, so happy to stretch the friendship a little more.

Re coffee cards, yes buy onboard, $36 AUD, tables ars set up around the ship the first day or ask any waiter.

15 specialty coffees, tea, hot chocolate and filtered coffee free.

I have the coffee card on my account, when i order a coffee, i also ask for a hot chocolate for Andy, which is free.

We have often just asked for a pot of tea, i have shown my cruise card and said there is a coffee package on there and only once have they taken the card a checked it.

You can ask how many are left on the package at any time.

Specialty coffees can be ordered anywhere in the Piazza from roaming waiters, Le Mer during the day, IC cafe, Gong Cha, the buffet has a coffee section in Bakery area and also in the dining room, so no shortage.

Cant help with photos, they are all computerised, so no walking through checking out everyone elses. I am very sure there are different packages available.

Re Movies under the stars, seating all around Lido deck, plenty of lifts mid, aft and forward.

Also above on deck 17 you could take the forward lifts to the Hollywood pool club stairs/lift area, plenty of chairs up there, our favourite spot as there is some cover at the back and a bit quieter as its above the pool area.

Most doors are automatic opening, wide and plenty of room.

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

 

Thankyou so much,

Your feedback on this cruise has me super excited for when we get to see her in feb next year.

Cheers maree

[MicCanberra]

Evacuation over successfully, we were awake Mic, still in bed though, deciding whether to get up for our cup of tea on deck or order room service, figuring everyone else would still be in bed we went the buffet, it was crowded, as well as the Lido deck and deck 17, which is where people could see the procedure.

We ended up having a quick breakfast while we were there, can you believe there were people in bathrobes haha

Walking back we saw the helicoptor take off and the door closing, so all good.

Then everyone outside decsended on the buffet so we made a quick escape back to the cabin.

Such a dangerous procedure to do at sea, and there is a bit of wind today, thankfully we are near the coast and not far from big hospitals.

Hopefully thats the end of our medical emergencies.

For those boarding in Brisbane tomorrow Captain says this wont affect our arrival, we are on the move again.

 

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

Good news, the heli evacs can be very tricky, especially if weather conditions has the ship moving and such. Glad it worked well and won't affect your arrival in Brissie.

[SingBill]

Thank you so much for your wonderful travel blog of Majestic Princess. We board on Saturday and your reflections have intensified the excitement. One question if I may. I understand you used your free internet minutes, but do you by chance know if unlimited is available and if so, what is the Elite discount? Thank you

[cheznandy]

I looked for any Elite discounts or upgrades when I first logged in, couldn' t see anything.

After that it is priced by day, just had a look and at the moment as we have 3 days left the Social plan (cheapest) is 24 hrs for $14.99 or 3 days for $29.99 200mb.

 

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk