Rate the Norwegian Majesty
 

Has anyone sailed on the Norwegian Majesty recently? I am interested in how you would rate this cruise for children activities, food and service? This is my first cruise and I am enjoying reading everyone's reviews of their previous cruises. Any tips for a first timer would also be appreciated. <BR> <BR>

Hi-Ive been on the Majesty 5 out of the 6 years they have cruised from Boston. Last May NCL was in charge fully...I noted that there was a teen group, a younger group with a counselor taking them through on a treasure hunt..they were adorable..dressed and in make=up as pirates... A little older group were on a scavanger hunt... There is a centr for the kids. <BR> <BR>The Majesty is a great experience for your first cruise...the shows are excellent and the food ranges from good to outstanding somedays.. The crew and dining staff really are great with the kids..many of them have children they haven't seen for months.. For more info please write....

My husband and I just returned from our first cruise on the Norwegian Majesty and it was the worst experience of my life. The seas were choppy; I had to get a shot from the doctor on the second day that I was on the ship (I had sea bands on and took Bonine also). I never really felt good (except when we were docked). I thought the food was terrible; all prepackaged food. The only meal that was excellent was served at The Bistro (all food was cooked to order). They charged you for everything!! The bingo was $28.00 for only 4 games. Can you believe this??? The so-called Las Vegas Shows were a joke and the band that played at the pool, etc. was horrible. I could sing better than they did. Forget trying to get a seat by the pool. If you are not upstairs by 7:00 a.m. and place your towel or belongings on a chair, forget it, you won't be able to sit for the entire day. No way--I'll fly next time!!! And as far as St. Georges, what is there to do there--BORING!!!! Hamilton was a little better, but then again, you had to take a bus or moped, more money. Then we went to Horseshoe Bay and that, I have to say, was absolutely beautiful, but it cost us $30.00 one way to get there. Give me a nice hotel on a beach anyday!!! Forget cruising; it's a big rip off!!!!

Sorry you had a terrible time...I get very seasick and i've discovered a magic pill in Robertsons in St. George which helps me tremendously as does ginger tablets..The rough seas are nothing that NCL is responsible for.. as for the entertainment... as much as you might not appreciate it NCL and Princess have their own troupes and the Jean Ryan dancers are excellent.. As for the food I can guarantee is is not pre-packaged.. Bingo..jezz...what do they charge on other ships..I know that is a money maker..as are Art Auctions.. St. George is the most charming village...HAMILTION IS LIKE downtown New York or Boston..many ships and passengers getting off like rats...sorry for the comparision...wall to wall tourists on the main street.. Frankly I am attempting to go back to Bermuda on the Majesty this year and I can tell you that there isn't a Category A cabin for September left...they must be doing something right... As for the Bistro, yes I enjoyed the food and will go back in again..when I get on the ship this September or next May for sure....

WOW! Linda, you sound like the type of person I never want to get stuck by on a vacation. Bad weather--bad ship--bad service--bad food--bad country--bad sun. Are you ever a happy vacationer? I know sometimes there are really bad vacation experiences but I've a feeling you look for the worst everywhere.

<BR>Hi Parrot Mom, <BR> <BR>Do not try to reply to people like Linda, you just waste your time. <BR> <BR>Since you are the resident Majesty expert could you please report on the new "do your own thing" dining. <BR> <BR>Did you try it? Did you talk to others that have tried it? <BR> <BR>You know I am not booking NCL as yet for reasons I do not wish to discuss again, but I have a group of 207 going on the Grand Princess at the end of this month and they have just initiated the open dining policy. <BR> <BR>My opinion ..... I enjoy the camaraderie of a large table. I have met some wonderful people, some of us continue to keep in touch. <BR> <BR>On Princess you do have a choice. <BR> <BR>Thanks, Paul

<BR>FYI: For those who do not wish to take an expensive taxi to the beach. <BR>In St. George you just take a short walk to the town square and for a couple of bucks you can take a bus. <BR> <BR>Also, although Bermuda cruises are expensive they are the most reasonable way to travel to the islands. <BR> <BR>If one adds up the cost of an air and land vacation the costs would be much more. There are no reasonable restaurants in Bermuda. <BR> <BR>Best time to travel is in the off season where two can cruise on the Zenith or Horizon for approx. $650 per person. The water in the fall is still warm and the temperature is similar to North Carolina. <BR> <BR>Paul

Returned from our 8th trip to Bermuda on the Majesty on 9/17 and I must tell you there have been dramatic improvements...I had the opportunity of meeting the new pastry Chef (from Austria) and the Chef (from Germany)..the old chef, Franck, is on aother ship.. First, if your a Lattitudes member you immediately board the ship after checking in and if your room isn't ready you can wait in one of the lounges..disembarking is even easier if your a US citizen..you just walk off the ship...simple.. Let me start with the negative...casual dining...it stinks...BUT and this is the big BUT...for us.... we found our old waiter, Bhong in the 7 Seas dining room and stuck to him like glue.. The problem of not having continuity at the same table and a waiter who knows your likes and dislikes is the main concern that passengers tell the Maitre d's... There are no bus boys..just waiter teams and a runner.. On the other hand they had just started casual dining within the past few weeks and were trying to get their act together..On this particular trip there was a seminar at sea for many travel agents and executives of NCL were on hand... who by the way when I mentioned or asked if they were on the internet were quite indignent and one blew a gasket.. To make this laughable was at the same table was a young man who had bought the cruise at auction a few days earlier for $200.00 for two..... This was the first cruise that I have been on that there were so many people of all ages who had bought the cruise at auction on the internet.. <BR> <BR>Now the positive..casual dining is great if you come back to the ship late (before 10:00 p.m.) you can still go into the dining rooms.. There on the pool deck an omelet station in the a.m, a pasta station in the p.m., a fruit stand, vegetarian station, chinese food, pasta and their grille.. On the 9th floor in the evening is a Pasta Restaurant, and on the 10th in the evening a buffet.. Midnight buffets have been mainly done away with except for the Grand Buffet and the NCL Chocolate Buffet...there were little buffets set up all over the place for those still hungry..we ran across one in the casino... <BR> <BR>One of the friendlier travel agents shared his opinion of the Majesty..he books large incentive groups(from Kansas City) and didn't think this particular ship would suit some of his clients, BUT he was highly impressed with the cleanliness of the ship and the staff cleaning,i.e. dishes in the pool area being picked up almost immediately, the lounges and spots where you could have quiet time and read a book. <BR> <BR>Each cruise on the Majesty is different..a different group of people, not many children on this one, but those that were there were quite well behaved and several went to camp...we could tell because they had pirate make up on and seemed to be loving it. The Internet Cafe had a special for the week..$39.00 I believe for 24 hour access. <BR> <BR>Oh yes, we have 16 people going on the Majesty with us on May 27, 2001.. <BR>

Hi you seem to be the Authority on the Majesty. SO a few questions: Were there lines at the dining rooms? Were people all eating at the same time? Meaning some on appetizers and others on dessert. What about optional formal nights? how many people did go Formal? <BR>Also about tipping did you have it on your tab or what did you do?We are booked on the Oct 22 re-po cruise and are trying to get an idea of what to expect.This will be our 34th cruise on most all of the lines(NCL 4 times) our favorite line is HAL. <BR> Thanks

The tip situation was solved by putting it on your bill, but you had the opportunity to lower or raise it.. The waiters work in teams and there is no bus boy, but a runner..Figuring out what we normally would have tipped it worked out about the same..We did find our old waiter, Bhong, and I highly recommend you look for him in the 7 Seas Dining room.. and at the end we gave him an additional envelope.. as we did the Room Steward.. There was the one formal night that people seemed to dress (ther were alot of travel agents on a seminar on this trip), a second sort of dressy.. No lines for eating at all... Parrot Pop insists upoin meals in the dining room, but there was a breakfast buffet upstairs, an omelet and fruit station, a joggers fast breakfast station.. At lunch, the omelet station turned into a pasta station and the joggers breakfast was a vegetarian or chinese spot..In the evening a separate Pasta restaurant on the 9th floor with a changing menu and a buffet on the 10th every evening.. Food has definetely improved..not as great as when it was the Royal Majesty, but breads and pastry are good.. Please write for more info...

We are going to book the NCL Majesty but I have never done the NCL and am concerned about the automatic tipping. I want to pay for the services in person and what they deserve, not by someone else's standards. Has anyone done it the old way? <BR>Thanks,Myval48

Yes, people did it the other way...you have the option.. I saw a woman at the Purser's desk asking to downgrade a tip... My only tip that I question is the Maitre D's..but with our next cruise on the Majesty..the head Maitre D' will have lots of work in getting our old waiter, Bhong to serve only us at supper, having tables for 18 people available and lots of birthday and anniversary coupons to turn in for cakes.. Unless the Room Steward was completely incompetent there is no reason not to give him/her the suggested tip.. Frankly, to have somebody come in and clean up at least twice a day..you'd have to be some cheapo not to tip the Room Steward.. There is a system in place for tipping all the waiters with the new system..and I'm not sure how it works, but Bhong has a long service on the ship and must do well....Parrot Pop and I adore him so much and his attentiveness from past years that an additional private tip doesn't hurt.. don't forget a tip is..To Insure Prompt Service...and with Bhong...there is never a question about that.. Plus..one of the things is that we have built up a relationship over the past few years..and that means much.

we have a room booked on the promanade deck, outside cabin. Do you know if it accesses the deck from our room? I'd appreciate any info you have to share. Thanks, Marcia

No, you have a window (which cannot be looked into) and to access the Promenade deck you need to go back to the elevators...but there maybe (never checked it out) one door further down the corridor..please write to me to see pictures of the Majesty..