majesty, crown or nordic empress
 

cannot decide which cruise to take:
1. ncl majesty
2. ncl crown
3. royal caribbean nordic empress
have read some good comments about majesty, not much comment on the other two.
also read "rough water." how is it in june?
thanks.

We are going from Boston for the 10th time to Bermuda on June 13th.. the Majesty is the most re-booked ship in the NCL line. It is showing her age and will be refurbished in October I've been told by NCL reps.. As for the NCL Crown I know nothing about her, but she will be in St, George one day and the next day I believe go to Hamilton which is ideal. The Majesty sits for the entire trip in beautiful St. George. I do know that many people like the old Nordic Empress. If you live in the area of NYC I would go for the Crown a the Empress stays at the Dockyard..You can write to me at [email protected]

I'm not at all surprised that the Majesty is the most re-booked ship in the NCL line. I've cruised on "her" twice to Bermuda and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I LOVE that ship! It is smaller, older, but oh so pleasant. St Georges is a nice little town for docking and staying put. You can buy a 3-day bus pass and see everything in Bermuda!

I've been on the Nordic Empress, but not to Bermuda. I think the food was only so-so on the Empress. But I love the chocoholic buffet on the Majesty!

If you look at the stats, the Crown is a smaller ship than the Majesty. Remembering the rought seas we've had in July on two trips, I think I'd be a little concerned about a smaller vessel than the Majesty. (just my opinion)

Enjoy Bermuda. It is my most favorite cruise destination!!!

Carol

The Nordic Empress is getting a new identity and facelift In April:
Empress of the Seas will proudly bolster updated staterooms, our signature Italian Restaurant Portofino, an upgraded Windjammer Café, a completely refurbished main dining room, a new combined Seattle?s Best Coffee and Ben & Jerry?s Ice Cream Bar, an expanded Spa and Gym complex, our signature Latin-themed bar Boleros, a new Schooner Bar, new Casino, completely refurbished main theater and general enhancements to the lobbies, elevators, landings, corridors, public restrooms, shopping areas and pool deck. Of course, don?t forget about the infamous Rock Climbing Wall which was installed in late 2003.
Empress of the Seas will be re-named in a formal ceremony on May 8th weekend. Not only will the new ship and her new name be the talk of the town, so will her new Bermuda itinerary. Now offering 8nt and 6nt. itineraries from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ., Empress of the Seas will be the only ship visiting Bermuda for 5 full days on her 8nt. itinerary and offering a taste of Bermuda on her 6nt. Following her Bermuda Season, Empress of the Seas will begin new 3nt. weekend cruises and 11nt. deep Exotic Caribbean cruises from San Juan.

Just a comparision of the three...

Crown = 35000 tons, out of Philly; Nice feature: it goes to all three ports for a night (St. George, Hamilton, and Dockyards)

Majesty = 38000 tons, out of Boston; stays in St. George three nights

Empress of the Seas = 48000 tons, out of Bayonne, NJ; 6 night itinerary hits Hamilton for the day after two nights in Dockyards... 8 night itin. visits all 3 ports, with two nights in Dockyards (also of note, Empress will be in dry-dock from 4/17 to 5/09-- planned dry-docks are nearly always good things, as it means the ship will be just refurbished when completed)

Probably a *little* less motion on the Empress than the other two because of it's size, but of course, it depends on how rough the tidal conditions are... it could be beautiful but horrendous choppy seas, or foggy and dreary with calm waters, so you really never know. plus, if you like rock climbing walls, the Empress just got one. =)

Hope that helps---

dan
[email protected]

Dan
Acutally, it's not bad to dock just in St Georges the whole time. You always know where the ship is... LOL... with the other cruises, the ships move from place to place. St Georges is a little quieter than Hamilton, and I think the Royal Dock Yards is a little out of the way, unless you take the water taxi to downtown Hamilton (although, Bermuda is so small, nothing is really very far away!).
You can get a 3-day pass and see everything in Bermuda by hopping on the bus in St Georges. We would typically hop on the bus and go to the dockyards for part of a day, stopping in Hamilton on the way to/from dockyards. There are other places to visit that are not in Hamilton or by the dockyards. You need to ride on a bus anyway, if you want to go to some of the nice pink sand beaches.

It's just my opinion, but as I said before, there are reasons why the Majesty gets so much repeat business.