Iceland & Greenland 2025 on Majestic Princess

[Lady Arwen]

We recently booked a TA July 2025 on Majestic embarking in Southampton and disembarking in Boston.  Our itinerary includes Iceland and Greenland, two ports we have never been to and basically know very little about.

 

My DH has been researching weather and such, but everything is quite different on a cruiseship and we have never had the pleasure of sailing on Majestic.

 

I would appreciate any insight you could provide on the itinerary and on the ship itself.  I know many of you have experienced both and your opinion matters to me.

 

Thanks in advance!

[cr8tiv1]

Sounds like a great cruise.  I have to fly to UK for a round trip (ugh).  But do get 3 ports in Iceland and 2 ports in Greenland.

 

From researching YouTube and other sites, the weather may be cold and wet.  AND there are lots of bugs in the summer.

 

Greenland ports will be over-run by ship passengers (out numbered).  Excursions are very expensive...buy early.  Not much to do otherwise in Greenland except to walk the town or take a excursion out of town.  I'm dreading the tendering process.  The Majestic is too big to port.

 

 

[skynight]

I can tell you that the Majestic was built for the Asian market. It is a Royal Class ship with some different offerings and design. It has an indoor pool, The Hollywood Pool Club and an enclosed forward looking lounge, The Hollywood Conservatory.

I have been to Reykjavik by cruise ship. There are lots of very interesting things to do many of them have to do with the volcanic activity such as the Blue Lagoon. Halifax is a great port. The ship docks at the end of a roughly mile long waterfront promenade, easy to walk. There are also trips to many locations such as Peggy's Cove. 

[Lady Arwen]

12 minutes ago, skynight said:

I can tell you that the Majestic was built for the Asian market. It is a Royal Class ship with some different offerings and design. It has an indoor pool, The Hollywood Pool Club and an enclosed forward looking lounge, The Hollywood Conservatory.

I have been to Reykjavik by cruise ship. There are lots of very interesting things to do many of them have to do with the volcanic activity such as the Blue Lagoon. Halifax is a great port. The ship docks at the end of a roughly mile long waterfront promenade, easy to walk. There are also trips to many locations such as Peggy's Cove. 

The Canadian ports we are very familiar with.  We’ve spent a few summers in the Maritimes.  We’re also doing Canada New England on Enchanted this August and will be visiting both ports.  Our greatest interest is Iceland and Greenland.

 

We did view the ship on YouTube and it looks lovely, but was wondering how people liked it.  We’ve sailed many Royal class sailings, but Majestic is uniquely different.

 

Thanks for relying.  Appreciate it.

[Lady Arwen]

23 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Sounds like a great cruise.  I have to fly to UK for a round trip (ugh).  But do get 3 ports in Iceland and 2 ports in Greenland.

 

From researching YouTube and other sites, the weather may be cold and wet.  AND there are lots of bugs in the summer.

 

Greenland ports will be over-run by ship passengers (out numbered).  Excursions are very expensive...buy early.  Not much to do otherwise in Greenland except to walk the town or take a excursion out of town.  I'm dreading the tendering process.  The Majestic is too big to port.

 

 

Are you on this sailing or a different one?  We live in the country in Ontario and believe me flying insects are everywhere!  Same for cold and wet.  We have two seasons….July and winter. lol

[cr8tiv1]

Just now, Lady Arwen said:

Are you on this sailing or a different one?  We live in the country in Ontario and believe me flying insects are everywhere!  Same for cold and wet.  We have two seasons….July and winter. lol

 

Doing Iceland/Greenland THIS summer.

[Trevelbond]

That looks like a great sailing.

 

I've been to both Halifax and St. John's. St John's is a really cool small city with a dramatic narrow harbor. I didn't sail in when I visited, but I'd want to be on deck coming and going. The Cape Spear lighthouse is worth a visit - the easternmost point of Canada is there. 

 

Halifax has a very walkable waterfront, as mentioned above. The Citadel is a historic fortification at the top of the hill, built to protect the harbor. I believe there is also a Titanic memorial site nearby, if that interests you. 

[Lady Arwen]

2 minutes ago, Trevelbond said:

That looks like a great sailing.

 

I've been to both Halifax and St. John's. St John's is a really cool small city with a dramatic narrow harbor. I didn't sail in when I visited, but I'd want to be on deck coming and going. The Cape Spear lighthouse is worth a visit - the easternmost point of Canada is there. 

 

Halifax has a very walkable waterfront, as mentioned above. The Citadel is a historic fortification at the top of the hill, built to protect the harbor. I believe there is also a Titanic memorial site nearby, if that interests you. 

Thank you.  As Canadians, we’ve been to the Maritimes on several occasions, and we love it there.  We have friends in Halifax and have visited the harbour a few times.

Our real point of interest is Iceland and Greenland.  We’ve never imagined going there til now.  I’m sure it will be very interesting.

[cr8tiv1]

I just looked up Majestic July 2025.  I see 3 Iceland ports, but NO Greenland stops.  That would be a no go for me.

 

 

July 2024 stops in both places.  Itinerary is on sale...really great fare.  Join me on the CB.

Edited February 22 by cr8tiv1

[Lady Arwen]

7 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Doing Iceland/Greenland THIS summer.

Please report back to us when you get home!  I would love to get your opinion on the itinerary and the ship, too.  
 

Have a wonderful time!

[Lady Arwen]

3 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I just looked up Majestic July 2025.  I see 3 Iceland ports, but NO Greenland stops.  That would be a no go for me.

 

 

July 2024 stops in both places.  Itinerary is on sale...really great fare.  Join me on the CB.

Darn it!  We were confusing another sailing.  We have commitments this July or I would be cancelling and booking your sailing.  That would have been fantastic!  We’re just going to have make do with what we’ve got.  I really hate senior brain.  I was convinced we were going to Greenland! lol

[cr8tiv1]

Cancel your July 2024 commitment ... lol...  sorry.

[Ken the cruiser]

If you can overlook the fact that we visited many of the ports you will be visiting while on the Celebrity Summit, here’s my Live From thread where I posted quite a view photos from our B2B back in Aug 2022.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2871021-live-from-the-summit-87-to-831-from-an-aqua-passenger-viewpoint/
 

[Lady Arwen]

Just now, cr8tiv1 said:

Cancel your July 2024 commitment ... lol...  sorry.

If I could I would, for sure!   I’ll be looking forward to hearing all about your adventures.  

[Lady Arwen]

Apparently, we’re not going to Greenland!  Duh on me.  This is what happens when you look at so many cruises and on different cruiselines, they all blend together.  So just Iceland.  That’s okay, we’ll manage!

[Lady Arwen]

7 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

If you can overlook the fact that we visited many of the ports you will be visiting while on the Celebrity Summit, here’s my Live From thread where I posted quite a view photos from our B2B back in Aug 2022.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2871021-live-from-the-summit-87-to-831-from-an-aqua-passenger-viewpoint/
 

Thank you!  DH and I will sit down later and have a good look at your thread.  Funny, Summit is our favourite M class ship.  Just the right size, too.  Sailed many times to Bermuda on Summit and loved every single one.  She has one of the best crews we’ve ever sailed with.  Now I’m all nostalgic for Summit. lol

[Ken the cruiser]

22 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

Thank you!  DH and I will sit down later and have a good look at your thread.  Funny, Summit is our favourite M class ship.  Just the right size, too.  Sailed many times to Bermuda on Summit and loved every single one.  She has one of the best crews we’ve ever sailed with.  Now I’m all nostalgic for Summit. lol

I just looked at the thread and I was a little “long winded” back then when posting to my Live From threads. 😂

 

Hopefully I’ve got a little better, starting with my Fall 2022 Africa Live From thread and others since then (see below expanded signature). But here’s some help finding the starting posts regarding the various ports on the first leg.

 

Post 165 St. John’s

Post 218 Qaqortoq 

Post 251 Prins Christian Sund

Post 321 Akureyri 

Post 346 Isafjordur 

Post 364 Reykjavik 

 

Edited February 22 by Ken the cruiser

[Lady Arwen]

7 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I just looked at the thread and I was a little “long winded” back then when posting to my Live From threads. 😂

 

Hopefully I’ve got a little better, starting with my Fall 2022 Africa Live From thread and others since then (see below expanded signature). But here’s some help finding the starting posts regarding the various ports on the first leg.

 

Post 165 St. John’s

Post 218 Qaqortoq 

Post 251 Prins Christian Sund

Post 321 Akureyri 

Post 346 Isafjordur 

Post 364 Reykjavik 

 

Thank you so much, exactly what I was looking for!

[cr8tiv1]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I just looked at the thread and I was a little “long winded” back then when posting to my Live From threads. 😂

 

Hopefully I’ve got a little better, starting with my Fall 2022 Africa Live From thread and others since then (see below expanded signature). But here’s some help finding the starting posts regarding the various ports on the first leg.

 

Post 165 St. John’s

Post 218 Qaqortoq 

Post 251 Prins Christian Sund

Post 321 Akureyri 

Post 346 Isafjordur 

Post 364 Reykjavik 

 

Love your long winded style.  Glad I had an opportunity to sail with you.  Thank you.  

[Ken the cruiser]

3 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Love your long winded style.  Glad I had an opportunity to sail with you.  Thank you.  

Us too! That was a pretty cool cruise around Japan with stops in Korea! 😀

[cr8tiv1]

4 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Us too! That was a pretty cool cruise around Japan with stops in Korea! 😀

 

You cruise too often.  We were on the fall Canadian Cruise with your "both" your kids.  Give my love to them.  They were so kind to us.

[SCX22]

I like the Majestic Princess because of the Asian Noodle Bar and Hollywood Conservatory.  I think the Noodle Bar is a great alternative to Lido pizza.  I've never paid for The Sanctuary usage, so I thought the free use covered Hollywood Conservatory was great.  It can get crowded during scenic cruising days.  You have to pass the Hollywood Pool to get to the Conservatory and the chlorine smell can be overwhelming to some, but it dissipates as when you reach the Conservatory.  The Double Down bar is a nice place for quiet.  When we on last June, it wasn't used in the evening as an event venue--no live music.  It was formerly the VIP area for the Casino.

 

Other differences with Royal Class ships:

• No Crooners
• Sabatini's is replaced with Harmony, which is Chinese fusion food.  Some speak highly of the food and others not so much.
• There is no aft pool.
• Signage is in both English and Mandarin.
• Getting out of the Theatre on Deck 7 is a problem when the shops are closed because there is a port side door that leads into shops which is closed when the shops are closed.  It creates unnecessary congestion.

Lots of disappointment with Iceland and Greenland lately due to weather and ships not being able to dock.  Iceland has an active volcano which when active can also prevent the ship from calling.  Was fortunate to have gone to both, Iceland with a Norway cruise and Greenland with a Canada cruise.  Our friends have tried to go to Iceland twice on a cruise and no dice, cancelled due to weather.  

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

You cruise too often.  We were on the fall Canadian Cruise with your "both" your kids.  Give my love to them.  They were so kind to us.

You're right, they do start to merge together after a while, especially after going on the 30-day Antarctica/SA cruise we just got home from on Tuesday! 😂 But the Canadian cruise was an awesome one as well!!

[Lady Arwen]

21 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

I like the Majestic Princess because of the Asian Noodle Bar and Hollywood Conservatory.  I think the Noodle Bar is a great alternative to Lido pizza.  I've never paid for The Sanctuary usage, so I thought the free use covered Hollywood Conservatory was great.  It can get crowded during scenic cruising days.  You have to pass the Hollywood Pool to get to the Conservatory and the chlorine smell can be overwhelming to some, but it dissipates as when you reach the Conservatory.  The Double Down bar is a nice place for quiet.  When we on last June, it wasn't used in the evening as an event venue--no live music.  It was formerly the VIP area for the Casino.

 

Other differences with Royal Class ships:

• No Crooners
• Sabatini's is replaced with Harmony, which is Chinese fusion food.  Some speak highly of the food and others not so much.
• There is no aft pool.
• Signage is in both English and Mandarin.
• Getting out of the Theatre on Deck 7 is a problem when the shops are closed because there is a port side door that leads into shops which is closed when the shops are closed.  It creates unnecessary congestion.

Lots of disappointment with Iceland and Greenland lately due to weather and ships not being able to dock.  Iceland has an active volcano which when active can also prevent the ship from calling.  Was fortunate to have gone to both, Iceland with a Norway cruise and Greenland with a Canada cruise.  Our friends have tried to go to Iceland twice on a cruise and no dice, cancelled due to weather.  

Thank you!  This is what I was looking for.  I knew there were differences on Majestic and you did a great job pointing those out.  I’ve also been aware of the difficulties actually getting to Iceland due to weather.  With three ports, hopefully we’ll get at least one.

 

We are seasoned cruisers and learned a long time ago to expect the unexpected on a cruise.  We’ve missed many ports and been disappointed more times than I can count.  However, we just go with the flow and make lemonade.  With vodka.  

[LACruiser88]

31 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

 I knew there were differences on Majestic and you did a great job pointing those out.

We have sailed on the Majestic quite a few times and it's a ship that we have enjoyed very much.  The only exception is the fact that there is no Sanctuary, BUMMER!  We will be sailing on her for 33 days in April/May and for 51 days in December/January.  I plan on doing a "Live" thread for both, so if you have any specific questions about the ship I can certainly answer them for you.