NCL Majesty - A Few Questions

[rjhunter]

We are thinking of sailing the Majesty out of Charleston in late Fall/early Winter. I have a few questions regarding this ship.

I have been told many times it is a 'smaller' ship. My only other experience was on Carnival Fascination, so what exactly does this mean?

We will have a total of 2 days at sea, plus nights, etc. We don't gamble or drink excessively so bars or casinos aren't our thing. Will there be plenty to do to keep us busy and pleasantly occupied? We generally don't mind seeing shows or playing games or that sort of thing. We are in our late 20s/early 30s, will the general entertainment appeal to us?

What are the pros/cons of rooms on the Promenade deck? We are looking at a room there because I'm afraid I will have another sea-sick experience (was sick the whole time on previous 3 day cruise, but have heard about lots of remedies previously unknown) and want to be close to the outdoors. However, these rooms seem to be about $10-20 per person more. Any ideas why?

Also, I know these rooms are on the same deck as the track. How big an issue is people being able to see into your room?

Along those same lines, does anyone have a particular room or deck that you favor and why?

We are looking at a 7-day Bahama cruise with stops in Nassau, Freeport, Great Stirrup Cay, and Port Canaveral FL - we've been to Nassau before, what should we not miss in the other ports?

Any other info would be wonderful. Thanks in Advance! :)

[nderoche]

We are thinking of sailing the Majesty out of Charleston in late Fall/early Winter. I have a few questions regarding this ship.

 

Will there be plenty to do to keep us busy and pleasantly occupied? We generally don't mind seeing shows or playing games or that sort of thing. We are in our late 20s/early 30s, will the general entertainment appeal to us?

 

What are the pros/cons of rooms on the Promenade deck? We are looking at a room there because I'm afraid I will have another sea-sick experience (was sick the whole time on previous 3 day cruise, but have heard about lots of remedies previously unknown) and want to be close to the outdoors.

 

Also, I know these rooms are on the same deck as the track. How big an issue is people being able to see into your room?

 

Along those same lines, does anyone have a particular room or deck that you favor and why?

 

We are looking at a 7-day Bahama cruise with stops in Nassau, Freeport, Great Stirrup Cay, and Port Canaveral FL - we've been to Nassau before, what should we not miss in the other ports?

 

Any other info would be wonderful. Thanks in Advance! :)

 

Hello we were on Majesty in February but the stops were different. As far as things to do we found that the sail away party was fun. You go right by Fort Sumter and Charleston is lots of fun. We went a couple of days early and took a tour of the city and also walked around a lot. The old houses are really something to see. Don't miss the Public Market...it's huge. You are in a good spot for motion sickness, to wards the middle and low. We walked every morning around the promenade deck and you can't see into the cabins on this deck because they have a special film on the windows.

The only thing we didn't like about Majesty is there are no balcony rooms. We also love having access to the outdoors and we were on deck 11 which is under the buffet line which caused a bit of noise.

All in all we had a great time and I think you will find plenty to do.

The Majesty almost has a cult following due to her size. The rest of NCL's fleet is big. Most people say she is cozy.

[9876]

We are planning that same cruise on the Majesty for next Spring Break. (I am prepared for the kids, I am bringing two of them myself!) Anyhow, I also have a question about the cabins. We are currently have an oceanview on the Norway deck, 0% obstructed view. Would the Majesty deck be better though? There will be three of us so the forward cabins with the fantastic view will not work...we would be looking at the others on that deck. Anyone been on this ship and can give input???? Thanks so much.

[nderoche]

We are planning that same cruise on the Majesty for next Spring Break. (I am prepared for the kids, I am bringing two of them myself!) Anyhow, I also have a question about the cabins. We are currently have an oceanview on the Norway deck, 0% obstructed view. Would the Majesty deck be better though? There will be three of us so the forward cabins with the fantastic view will not work...we would be looking at the others on that deck. Anyone been on this ship and can give input???? Thanks so much.

 

We had a mini-suite with 5% obstruced view and that was not bad. We kept the cutains pulled on the side windows so we couldn't see into the next cabin and vise versa. I would stay on the Norway deck just for the view alone. It is a great vantage point to watch as you come into a port and it is a short walk to the buffet up one deck.

Have fun!!

[*Wink*]

We've sailed her twice, western caribbean. "Smaller Ship" means just that. It's still plenty big, but it's just easier to get from point A to point B :p .

 

Sea days are fun, especially if you like to lounge by the pool. There's plenty of activities, art shows, craft making classes, martini clinics.. I digress.. I think you two will find enough to keep you entertained. I don't know about shore excursions, so can't answer that.

Deck 7 is a great deck to stay on. We've stayed on 3 and 6. Honestly you can't see into the cabins. I would ask for a Superior cabin if size matters. We stayed in a regular size our first cruise and for the 2 of us, it was pretty tight. The bigger of the 2 cabin sizes are really roomy IMHO, and worth the money. We really liked deck 6 because we could climb the stairs to the pool but were still close to all the restaurants, casino, etc. Seven would be just a great.

 

To 9876 - I've heard Norway Deck (Deck 9) is great too. Really close to the pool deck for the kids. You'll work off all your extra desserts by climbing those stairs. You can take the elevator, but it's slow and a little scary!! :eek:

 

I hope you love the Majesty as much as we do. We're booked on the May '09 cruise to Bermuda, but I'm afraid she may be gone from NCL by then:( .

 

Hoping I'm Wrong!!!

[salty dingo]

I have been on Majesty before, and will sail her again in 11 days!

 

Regarding room location, if you get seasick easily, a room near the ship's center of gravity will be helpful. This means a lower deck and near the center of the ship.

 

People usually do not look into the windows, but if you want privacy there are curtains.

 

As far as size, Majesty is only 12 years old or so - I don't think she is that small, but compared to the mega-liners of the past decade she is smaller. The ride in rough seas can be rougher with a smaller ship. However, once you get from Charleston to the Bahamas area, the waters should be pretty calm. So you are looking at just two potentially rough sea days. As you mentioned, there are many remedies so come prepared and you should be fine.

 

Like you, we do not spend much time in bars, and just a little in the casino. The entertainment is not Disney World, but if you like sitting aroung the pool watching a band or some antics with passenger games, that can be fun. We actually spend sea days in lounge chairs by the rail on a quiet deck. I find the sea fascinating to watch, and really don't need more entertainment than that. But, if you get bored real easy then a cruise may not be the best vacation.

 

About room choice - Majesty does not have balconies, so I would just book the least expensive room you can find. I don't see a lot of value in a window, although for our upcoming cruise we do have one - we booked an inside but got an upsell to outside.

 

If you plan to be in your room much, you may want a "superior" room, with has about 50 sq ft more space than a regular room. These are a little more expensive, but not much.

 

I can't tell you much about the ports. I went to the bahamas as a kid, and I remember how beautiful the water and the beaches were. If you like that, you are in good shape in the Bahamas.

[uvawise87]

Are you going on the May 3rd cruise? I am also booked on that cruise. I am going with a friend who lives in Charleston, SC, and 7 others. We are on the Caribbean Deck, which was my choice...I have stayed in cabins up high and down low, and I tend to not get as sick down low mid-ship. I am getting pretty excited about this cruise. I have heard Bermuda is pretty expensive. But, with the ship being docked, I think I can use it for eating purposes and save my money for scooter rentals, tours, etc.

Tracy

[rjhunter]

I also meant to ask what ammenities are generally available in ocean view or superior ocean view rooms.

On our previous cruise there was body wash, shampoo, and conditioner all available in dispensers in the shower. Not a big deal, but nice to not have to pack and worry about spilling.

What about hair dryers? I don't generally use one, but sometimes they come in handy for other reasons.

Also, several people have mentioned fridges. Are these standard in all rooms, only certain rooms, or do you have to request one when booking?

I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions, but I appreciate the info posted here so far! :)

[cruiserssandr]

Having sailed on the Majesty 10 times I can tell you the hair dryers are pretty much useless. A fridge is available in rooms mostly in the section that was added when they did the stretch. There is shampoo and body wash in dispensers in the shower. Lotion is also provided.

[uvawise87]

Having sailed on the Majesty 10 times I can tell you the hair dryers are pretty much useless. A fridge is available in rooms mostly in the section that was added when they did the stretch. There is shampoo and body wash in dispensers in the shower. Lotion is also provided.

 

 

I have heard that the fridge is "stocked". I am interested in knowing exactly what it might be "stocked" with? Also, are there more than 1 store on the ship to shop? Some Carnival ships I have been on have "different" shops to purchase jewelry, sundries, liquor. I remember the Norway having a few different shops.

Thanks!

Tracy

[BeachBumMama]

I have heard that the fridge is "stocked". I am interested in knowing exactly what it might be "stocked" with? Also, are there more than 1 store on the ship to shop? Some Carnival ships I have been on have "different" shops to purchase jewelry, sundries, liquor. I remember the Norway having a few different shops.

Thanks!

Tracy

IF you have a fridge and it's stocked, normally it's things like water, a few soda's etc. But that doesn't mean there is no charge. They will charge you for what you consume. You can bring your own and have the room steward remove these items from the fridge and replace them with your own soda and water you can bring onboard.

 

Being as the Majesty is small there aren't many shops. I remember a general gift type shop and also one with liquor, ciggarettes, sundries, etc.

[cruiserssandr]

I have never seen a fridge on the Majesy stocked. We last sailed on her in Oct 07. The newer ships have the fridge stocked. Like BeachBumMama say you can ask your room steward to remove everything so you have room for your own stuff. Stuff in the fridge is pretty expensive.

[*Wink*]

In January, we had a fridge. It was not stocked either. There were 2 bottles of water in the room for sale, but not in the fridge.

[uvawise87]

IF you have a fridge and it's stocked, normally it's things like water, a few soda's etc. But that doesn't mean there is no charge. They will charge you for what you consume. You can bring your own and have the room steward remove these items from the fridge and replace them with your own soda and water you can bring onboard.

 

Being as the Majesty is small there aren't many shops. I remember a general gift type shop and also one with liquor, ciggarettes, sundries, etc.

 

 

Thanks...I knew there was a charge for any items in the cabin, but I wasn't sure what "stocked" meant, as I have read this several times from cruisers regarding the fridges. We plan on taking sodas and water onboard with us...is there a problem doing that? I know I have never had a problem with Carnival, but I don't remember taking any sodas onboard my NCL cruises.

[*Wink*]

They will tell you soda is not allowed, but they'll let you have it. If it's inside a suitcase, you may have to go and claim it so they can look to see what's in there, but I know many cruisers who've put a cabin luggage tag on a 12 pack of pop and it's delivered right to their cabin.

 

Carry it on if you're worried about that.

 

Cheers!

[ejdl4]

I was on the ship this past christmas and did not know what to expect with the smaller ship. we had a great time. we were 2 families with 6 kids in age from 4 to 16. never saw the kids unless I opened my kids room and saw wall to wall kids. there was plenty of entertainment and fun. we had such a great time that we booked the new years cruise for this coming december. I hope this helps a little.

[ejdl4]

one last thing reguarding the room who cares. how much time are you spending in the room.

[johnritt]

We were in an inside cabin that seemed little bigger than the bed that was in it, but that didn't matter. The two of us did just fine and it is still my favorite cruise and a very nice old ship.

[salty dingo]

one last thing reguarding the room who cares. how much time are you spending in the room.

 

I agree, rooms are small and uncomfortable. You won't want to be in there more than you have to. The ship is a lot of fun - always something to be out and about for. Nice views of the sea, relaxing times. In port, we are almost always off the ship as long as we can.