Bob Burger

After my wife and I first got together, our first melding-family cruise was on Majesty of the Seas.  The sailaway party on the pool deck included ice sculptures, desserts, and a buffet.  Our kids enjoyed partying under the stars, everyone like snacking outdoors at sea, and my brother-in-law drove the ice carver crazy by calling out what was being formed after only one or two cuts (he spent twenty five years in the hospitality industry).  I miss the parties, and think the last one I saw was about seven years ago.

On 10/2/2019 at 7:42 PM, sandycruzr said:

Ok, so I did my first solo cruise last week on Majesty of the Seas. Overall it was a fun cruise but I wouldn’t recommend Majesty for solo travelers based upon my negative MDR dining experiences.  I was given early seating in the Starlight. They asked me if I wanted my own table or share.  I thought it would be nice to enjoy dinner with other solo cruisers so I opted for the shared table. Well, it was me and an older gentleman every night at a table set of 8.  I did go to the buffet one night and it was fine. I returned to the Starlight in hopes that more people would join us at the table for 8 but no such luck!  They did not have any real organization solo cruiser meet ups except a few “solo cruisers can meet up informally at the schooner lounge at 11pm. I went the first night and did not see any solos so I didn’t return.  Oh well, I did meet lots of nice couples and had fun. 

My horrifying and ackward dining experience occurred on the first sea day at lunchtime in the Starlight Dining Room.  I walked in and a host asked me “how many?”  I replied “one”. He said ONE?  I said Yes, just one. Well he took me all the way to the back of the dining room and sat me at a table for 2 and then walked away. Already seated, and in the middle of conversation were one couple at a table for 2on my right side and another couple on my left side. I was in the middle.  I sat down and smiled and said a cherry hello. I was shocked when one of the women said “what is SHE doing here?”  The other woman said “well this is stupid!”  I said “I’m sorry, I see that you folks are talking, would you like to switch tables with me so that I’m not in the middle of your conversation?  One of the women said no, you shouldn’t be here!  I said, I’m so sorry but I didn’t request this table, they sat me here.    About 10 minutes went by and a waiter never came to take my order, I read a few texts on my phone trying to look busy but inside I was really so crushed that these 2 couples could be so rude. Normally, I would have a quick comeback to put them in their place for being so mean but honestly, I was sat there pRalyzed and shocked.  After 10minutes of no service and getting the evil eye from these rude people, I stood up and left!  I felt awful!  As I was leaving, the host said I hope you enjoyed your lunch! I’ve been on over 50 cruises so I know that Cruisers are generally a very fun, social,group. I am still shocked at this experience. 

I did my first solo on a 10 day on the Serenade, I was seated at a ten top in the rear of MDR.  First night, me and four others, second night solo.  Third night a Head Waiter told me there was a table of three women looking for company.  Bad choice for me.  Finally, made some friends and THEY had room at their table, I finished up there. 

Solo on Majesty a few time since, spent more time eating at cocktail hour than dinner.  I'm gonna give it a shot on the first, maybe second day.  I'm gonna bail after that.

As several others have said, speaking as a former lifeguard and swim instructor, do NOT allow children to depend on lifejackets, water-wings, floaties, or similar devices.  When I taught my kids to swim, lesson one was to blow bubbles underwater, number two was that the above devices help you to float, not to swim.  Until they were able to swim unassisted (around three for all of them), they were not allowed to be anywhere they were unable to stand.  They also learned self-rescue techniques.  Keep an eye on your kids in the pool, the lifeguard's responsible for everyone in the pool, you're responsible for your kids only.  Teach them to save themselves, and you won't have to worry as they grow older.

Having been on every class on RCL, I don't usually need to explore.  I'll go to the MDR to check, and change if necessary, the location of my table.  Then up to Diamond/Concierge lounge until the rooms are ready.  Maybe get photos before the muster drill.  Start marking my Cruse Compass for activities I want to attend.  Hopefully see which friends are onboard and perhaps make plans for what to do in ports of call.