Has anyone been on NCL Majesty lately?

WE were on it this past New Years, 11 days from Charleston. We loved the ship even though we don't like NCL.It is an older, smaller ship and we kept running into and getting to know the same people. At the end of the shows the entertainers go to the entrance to the lounge to meet the passengers as they leave and talk with them. (The lead singer's mother lives where my husband went to school!)The captain often eats at the buffet and welcomes talking with passengers. Last day at sea, the captian stationed himself out side the gift shops so passengers could talk with him, have their own cameras take pictures with him. When we first looked at the buffet is seemed it would be so crowded but it never was. The only thing we didn't like was leaving from Charleston, SC in Dec. It took two days to get to warm weather and everyone wore jeans the last day at sea and no one sat on the cold deck. We've been on 45 cruises and won't hesitate to go on the Majesty again - in warmer weather- but not from Boston- too far a drive from NC!

The latest cruisecritic news letter has a very bad Norwegian Majesty review. You can check it at
http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...?EntryID=18259
I am glad I signed up for these news letters, they always have a lot of info.

spur, I read your review. Are we talkng about the same ship? When did you cruise? We were on her for 11 days over the last New Years and saw nothing that you mentioned. Granted the food wasn't the best but it was like most other cruies now. Yes, it is an older ship, originally the Royal Majesty built by Dolphin Cruise lines in 1990 (or 1992?). State rooms were smaller then but who cares, who spends their cruise in a stateroom? We've been on 5 other NCL ships (Been on 45 cruises, all lines but HAL) and this is the only NCL ship we'd consider going on again! Anyone else have comments?

While I am certainly not a cruise expert, we were on this ship 2 years ago. I have read reviews before and after we went. It is important to read them carefully - and I think some of those who have cruised on this ship and then wrote negative reviews were not informed consumers.

First, this is a smaller, older ship on a lower cost cruiseline. That, plus the departure (Boston) was why we chose it. So to complain that it was small and had fewer non-luxury amenities and facilities seems imapprpriate to me - that is like going to Florida in the summer and complaining it is hot - these are things that should have been very obvious before booking.

Some of the pluses of a smaller ship were mentioned by above poster. Obviopus negatives are that it does not have space for some of the facilities other new mega-ships have. Freesytle dining has its pluses and minues as well - you can eat when you want, but you may have to wait (which can be eliminated as an annoyance by just putting your name in for a time you want to dine that night).

Food was what I expected on a lower cost cruiseline - you get what you pay for. We always found multiple options to eat, found some of the buffet items nonappealing to us, but again enjoyed the food. Our carnivore son never had any problem getting double or triple of the protein portion of dinner, skipping the vegetables.

So I think it depends on what you expect on a cruise, your budget, itinerary and what amenities are important to you. We had a great trip and would chose this ship or NCL again.

We have been on the Majesty TEN times to Bermuda from Boston...but not for the last couple of years.. Yes, it's an older ship, yes, it doesn't have rock climbing or ice skating, but it does have a wonderful "family" feeling because of the crew. Fans of the Majesty in the N.E. area wondering how much longer we are going to have this ship here in Boston, there is always the rumor that next year is it's last. To be avoided is their buffets, except the barbecue... and we eat all meals in the dining room. We were on the ship as it was being transferred to NCL and plans were made to cut the ship in half and add an additional 220 cabins (first in the industry). If you are going to use this to go to Bermuda it's absolutely perfect and with the Freestyle Dining you can't beat it.. We have been on other cruise lines and we really do enjoy Freestyle (you can opt to have a set time with the Maitre de if you choose).. Bigger and bigger doesn't make a ship a cruise....I'll take the Majesty any day...and it maybe sooner than my husband thinks...

Bonniejns,
This is not my review. Like I said, I received it with cruisecritic newsletter. I have not sailed this ship and don't think I ever will. There are always negative and positive reviews. Had it been one, or two negative opinions, I'd disregard it. But when I see a lot of them, I have to trust it. I would never take a cruise on a ship I don't have a high enough level of confidence. But if other people cruised and liked it, I'm glad for them. It is just too disappointing to read that someone had their vacations ruined.