delights of promised land....just back

[geomagot]

hi guys:)

 

so

 

I'm back from majesty

 

sorry guys...I didn’t like it:p

 

there were some redeeming features

 

but

 

I would only go on maj again if it went somewhere I really wanted to go

 

I liked the cabin it was clean and nicely decorated, mattress was comfy and a flat screen tv/nice big wardrobe/plenty of storage....lacks a kettle tho

 

I liked the ship, it felt much more modern than dream and the layout of the bars and restaurants below was good imo

 

but (trying not to be too negative as I am aware that people may be booked on it....so these are my opinions only)

 

the lido....I didn’t like the entire area:o

 

the whole area is very windy...the sunbed area above is windy and crowded on the sea day (you get that on all the ships tho) parts of the sunning area is enclosed by plastic (windows instead of rails) its small and like being in a greenhouse

 

the buffet is small, never anywhere to sit, ok you can go downstairs to eat but that room is a little cave like in the evening the lighting is wrong (obviously because it's really a piano bar)

 

so mostly you are stuck with eating outside (if you like buffet dining), the entire pool deck has tables and chairs for eating, no sunbeds by the pool, our fist day it rained so we were basically stuffed to find a table and were eating on the hoof

 

poolside entertainment, the stage is in the middle behind the funnel/mast? so unless you are virtually in the pool you cant really see any of it

 

the 2 waiter served restaurants were excellent, foodwise and service excellent as always

 

lovely big juicy steaks available in the restaurant (£9.95) just in case you cant find anything you like on the (5 course) evening menu

 

there are often strong diesely smells and the odd whiff? on the lower decks....all along the lower decks 3/4/5 and a faint smell of cigarette smoke? (which I believe to be because the outside smoking area is adjacent to the a/c intakes?

 

the showlounge is too small...I knew that...I only went to see the uk guest act......a lot of people get a seat and stay in there all night and watch both the shows....people have to stand in the isles to watch....they should clear the room after each show

 

the bars are all very pleasant, the casino is a nice big room with the adjacent bar.....very nice we spent most evenings in here

 

frame 52 the night club as quite lively too

 

the duty free shop had run out of everything I wanted....rum/vodka/gin (due to this being the penultimate cruise before the maj is laid up for the winter and they were running down the stock)....probably even less to buy for those on maj this week....I thought that to be a bit of a poor show imo

 

I wasnt recognised as a repeat customer...as usual

 

we enjoyed the itinerary very much....lovely huge, golden sand, almost deserted beach in ashdod and free port shuttle bus to it and to the town

 

some of the turkish ports seemed to have opened up just for the ship....a lot was closed, but still plenty of shops, coffee shops, bars, taxis & tour guides in the immediate port areas

 

the Israeli immigration procedure took hours....its not thoms fault....but as independents we were virtually last to get off the ship...on a plus...the local bus to Jerusalem cost only about 5 euros each and only 2 euros to tel aviv....bit cheaper then the ship tour (taxi to tel aviv plus 2 hour tour.....10 euros each)

 

paphos airport is very efficient and well run so we sailed thru checkin and were in the beer garden and relaxing in minutes....although the duty free/tax free shopping wasn’t cheap....its cheaper in aldi

 

overall we had a good time....food was plentiful with a good choice (not always hot in the buffets but you get that on all ships) we took to eating breakfast in the water restaurants

 

bar service was efficient...plenty of bar stewards...lots of different drinks packages available...even ai could be purchased on the 2nd day with a discount

 

good quality drinks & cocktails.. plenty to choose from:cool:

 

Entertainments team were fantastic and seemed to have gelled well together all entertainment couldn’t be faulted.....still no deck barbeque/party tho:(

[gillhalfpint]

Thanks for the above Majesty report. We are looking forward to our first trip on her in May and the only thing I worry about is getting seated with food as my husband walks with a stick and carrying a tray to the deck below would be difficult. Mind you, reckon we would likely be eating in the main dining room for most meals, only using buffet when it is closed due to early start or late return from trips. A waiter often carries his tray for him we have found.

 

We had similar experience of things running out on our Island Escape cruise which was the last one for the year, but it didn't stop us having a fantastic time.

[geomagot]

Thanks for the above Majesty report. We are looking forward to our first trip on her in May and the only thing I worry about is getting seated with food as my husband walks with a stick and carrying a tray to the deck below would be difficult. Mind you, reckon we would likely be eating in the main dining room for most meals, only using buffet when it is closed due to early start or late return from trips. A waiter often carries his tray for him we have found.

 

We had similar experience of things running out on our Island Escape cruise which was the last one for the year, but it didn't stop us having a fantastic time.

 

the waiters will help you all they can....anything you need they are there, they will carry your tray and find you a space....the below seating (royal observatory) is accessible by the lift the waiters will help you get down there

 

I would recommend eating in the waiter served restaurants if you can....but I do agree they are often closed by the time we get back (lunch closes at 2pm...dinner starts at 6/6.30)

 

 

oh...one more thing that i forgot to mention re maj

 

nice to see the security guys smiling and actually speaking when you greet them each day while embarking/disembarking.....a small thing but worth mentioning....nice touch:cool: (take note dream)

[Little Nell]

Good to have you back, Geo. Glad you enjoyed your holiday :)

[Jim The Scot]

Welcome home Geo and good review.Not any negatives in your review that`ll put me and MJTS off our first time on the Maj in May

[kruzseeka]

Thanks for your comprehensive and interesting review geo - pleased you had a good cruise. There are lots of positives in your comments with which we would agree. We had a good holiday on Majesty but like you we found certain things regarding the layout which we didn't like so much - the lido self-service, the show lounge and the pool deck. None of these needs to prevent anyone having a great cruise though (as indeed we did).

[mtt]

We are doing this cruise in april on the spirit was there much choice in tris, as the shore excursions trips website has nothing much on at all, might use our £50 obc to cover one

[geomagot]

We are doing this cruise in april on the spirit was there much choice in tris, as the shore excursions trips website has nothing much on at all, might use our £50 obc to cover one

 

not a lot of choice on board shorex imo mtt....we didnt do any thoms shorex (£99 for jerusalem full day....but very well reported from those who did go)

 

day one Israeli immigration takes a while and independents are last (thoms shorex are off 1st then remaining pax are called by deck number....followed by the crew)

 

marmaris/alanya very easy to walk off the ship....lots of shops coffee shops and tour guides/taxis/boat trips waiting, both have pretty waterfronts near the port, but the ship didnt arrive into alanya until midday so a bit late if you plan on going out somewhere?

 

ag nik also very nice waterfront walk from the ship to the town (about 20 minutes) pretty town and a small tawny beach

 

ashdod, there is a free port shuttle bus into the town and the beach...... runs every few minutes (lovely golden sand beach...beautiful beach) taxis are waiting in the port for day/half day tours of jerusalem/dead sea/tel aviv

 

(if you know your way around jerusalem) about 5 euros each way on the local bus from ashdod

 

limassol, local bus into town & beach from the bus stop at the port gates (1.50 euro) (its not really walkable)

 

much english spoken & euros accepted everywhere

 

very enjoyable itinerary imo:cool::cool:

[mtt]

not a lot of choice on board shorex imo mtt....we didnt do any thoms shorex (£99 for jerusalem full day....but very well reported from those who did go)

 

day one Israeli immigration takes a while and independents are last (thoms shorex are off 1st then remaining pax are called by deck number....followed by the crew)

 

marmaris/alanya very easy to walk off the ship....lots of shops coffee shops and tour guides/taxis/boat trips waiting, both have pretty waterfronts near the port, but the ship didnt arrive into alanya until midday so a bit late if you plan on going out somewhere?

 

ag nik also very nice waterfront walk from the ship to the town (about 20 minutes) pretty town and a small tawny beach

 

ashdod, there is a free port shuttle bus into the town and the beach...... runs every few minutes (lovely golden sand beach...beautiful beach) taxis are waiting in the port for day/half day tours of jerusalem/dead sea/tel aviv

 

(if you know your way around jerusalem) about 5 euros each way on the local bus from ashdod

 

limassol, local bus into town & beach from the bus stop at the port gates (1.50 euro) (its not really walkable)

 

much english spoken & euros accepted everywhere

 

very enjoyable itinerary imo:cool::cool:

 

thanks for that remember doing the imigration in 2010 on the celebration in eilat, was quite quick on there we even got a certificate for being a friend of isreal, we might end up doing mostly diy

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Thanks for the above Majesty report. We are looking forward to our first trip on her in May and the only thing I worry about is getting seated with food as my husband walks with a stick and carrying a tray to the deck below would be difficult. Mind you, reckon we would likely be eating in the main dining room for most meals, only using buffet when it is closed due to early start or late return from trips. A waiter often carries his tray for him we have found.

 

We had similar experience of things running out on our Island Escape cruise which was the last one for the year, but it didn't stop us having a fantastic time.

Hi Gill, we had our breakfasts in the dining room. You can be served or serve yourself :) We had most evening meals in the buffet as we obviously picked a popular time to eat and DH hates queuing :rolleyes: Two people is a long queue to him :rolleyes: We always got a table at night but sometimes at lunchtime we had to take our lunch down to the floor below. But as George says, there is a lift (I didn't know that :o)

 

I agree about the staff, they were much friendlier than on the Dream in April. Also the entertainment was excellent. I also agree about people staying in for two shows. Shall I put that on for Fraser?

 

Oh! and welcome home George. Lovely weather - snow forecast for next week :D

[Jakanne1]

Hi Gill, we had our breakfasts in the dining room. You can be served or serve yourself. We had most evening meals in the buffet as we obviously picked a popular time to eat and DH hates queuing :rolleyes: Two people is a long queue to him. We always got a table at night but sometimes at lunchtime we had to take our lunch down to the floor below. But as George says, there is a lift (I didn't know that :o)

 

I agree about the staff, they were much friendlier than on the Dream in April. Also the entertainment was excellent. I also agree about people staying in for two shows. Shall I put that on for Fraser?

 

Oh! and welcome home George. Lovely weather - snow forecast for next week :D

 

Well he didn't answer my question and suggestion last year regarding clearing the Jubilee Lounge, Linda, but he might this time. :rolleyes::)

 

I thought someone (cannot remember who and cannot find it now) had put on this year's question list, 4 questions that went unanswered last year. Mine regarding the Jubilee Lounge was included. It's probably still there but I cannot see it!!

[Jakanne1]

Thanks Geo for your review. I agree with most of it although I like the Majesty and have enjoyed 4 cruises on it.

 

The Lido deck is quite breezy at times, in March and April it was often too cold to sit and eat at the tables out on deck because of the "wind tunnel" effect, but in the heat of September it was quite pleasant!

 

We mainly ate at the buffet at the back of the ship for late lunch. There were always tables to eat there. Also many people chose to sit there in the sun and read.

 

I didn't notice any smells on deck 4 or 6 when I was on.

 

I didn't like the sun bed area on the top deck either, too many sun beds and too close together, so I used the Promenade Deck or the back of Deck 8.....lovely and quiet if that is what one likes.

 

I agree with clearing the Jubilee Lounge between shows but I must say that we always got a seat once we worked out tactics. :D

 

I hope the Dream is as good or better when we go in February. :)

[Dreamgirl1957]

Good review Geo, we really liked the Maj but I agree the self service areas are not the best. Also the main show lounge needs clearing between shows as we had to miss a couple as just no room as some people sit through the same show twice.

 

On the whole though we loved the ship, the crew as you say are very helpful, ship seems more modern, we had a huge cabin on prom deck (a plus) which we liked very much, loved the food in MDR always used 4seasons as made very welcome and is smaller, used it everyday for breakfast too. Liked the pools as I could stand up in them find the ones on celebration/spirit far too deep so don't use them and I love a swim.

We are deserting to p&o next year but will miss the Thomson atmosphere hope the majesty stays in the fleet for 2015 as would happily book on her again.

[geomagot]

hi there dreamgirl....nice to see you on here....dont see enough of you on here anymore imo :cool: (i know, i know f/b, twit'r, forums, cruising, etc, etc..... its all so time consuming (dont I know it):o

 

we are also defecting to p&o this winter (thumbup) ;)

[ronjae]

Hi Geo, We are on Celebration for two weeks B2B next June and are now in Ashdod for 2 days and may get the bus to Bat-Yam where we lived when I worked in Israel. Was wondering about the currency and where you changed it. While we were there they were desperate for US dollars and you got better rates than the bank offered if you knew where to go.

[geomagot]

hi ronjae

 

yep...I also believe that at the moment dollars are getting a better rate when you exchange them locally (than euros...and they did seem to ask for dollars first)

 

cant help with dollars tho (we only took euros) but euros are accepted all over (taxis/shops/coffee shops)...in israel they will acept euro notes only and they will give change in shekels (as they dont usually hold any euro coins)

 

we changed a small amount with our taxi driver...I am not sure if the rate was good or not? but it was only a small amount....shops/coffee shops etc will also exchange them (small amounts)

 

we used euros mostly everywhere in israel

 

there are cashpoints in ashdod

 

in turkey they will accept anything...sterling/dollars/euros

 

very enjoyable itinerary this...have a great time

[ronjae]

hi ronjae

 

yep...I also believe that at the moment dollars are getting a better rate when you exchange them locally (than euros...and they did seem to ask for dollars first)

 

cant help with dollars tho (we only took euros) but euros are accepted all over (taxis/shops/coffee shops)...in israel they will acept euro notes only and they will give change in shekels (as they dont usually hold any euro coins)

 

we changed a small amount with our taxi driver...I am not sure if the rate was good or not? but it was only a small amount....shops/coffee shops etc will also exchange them (small amounts)

 

we used euros mostly everywhere in israel

 

there are cashpoints in ashdod

 

in turkey they will accept anything...sterling/dollars/euros

 

very enjoyable itinerary this...have a great time

 

Hi Geo, thanks for that-sounds like nothing has changed in Israel! Wasn't sure if they took Euros or not.

I'm sure we'll have a great time. Have been on Dream twice but the Boss wants to do the Greek Islands area and Dream doesn't go there.

[happy v]

A very honest review, Geo.

There would be no point to them if we didn't say what we felt. Also as everyone is different I think people look to see if anything is important to them, if not, no problem.

What I also think is good about the forum is you get to know people and their tastes and I always take more notice of reviews from others who I feel have similar preferences to me.

[geomagot]

something else I just remembered on maj last week

 

no sales pitch during the cd's evening announcements....no pop along to the shops/get that photo/visit the spa/buy a citizen watch etc...just useful information the evenings activities.....as it should be

 

and no sales of trays of cocktails during the cocktail demonstration....although after I watched it I immediately had a sudden desire to buy one....must be subliminal:confused:

[heathstockton4]

Hi

 

Read your review with interest as we are looking to book the same cruise in April on Spirit

 

It goes 2nd and 9th April but on the first date it seems to stay in Ashdod for 2 days but when going on the 9th has a stop at Haifa, just wondering which yours did as never knew ships docked like that for 2 days

 

Thanks