Majesty of the Seas 6/13/14 Sailing Review

[latnballer]

Well this would make it my fifth time on The Majesty! Father's Day present from the wife and a "baby moon" for the both of us. We're 30 years old, married for 6 years and Platinum members. My wife was 23 weeks pregnant at the start of the cruise, 1 week shy of not being allowed on board. We did have to get a fit-to-travel letter from her doctor stating how many weeks and that it was not a high-risk pregnancy.

We left our 2 boys with my parents early Friday morning and headed to the port of Miami around 1030am. We live about 25min from the port, in the southern part of the county.

We did not want to inconvenience a family member to drop us off or pick us up and we didn't want to pay the $20/per day at the port. So we opted out for Safe Cruise parking. First time using them and we just called them when we were on our way. They gave me directions to the lot and they were very easy to locate. They have a couple of lots that they lease from the City of Miami. The one we went to seemed the best as it did have higher fences and it was a few more blocks away from Biscayne Blvd, yet only 5 min from the port. We parked the car, locked it, and we kept the keys so I felt better about it. They had the shuttle take us over to the port. We were mixed in with a couple of guys who were got dropped off at the Norwegian Sky first.

 

We got to the terminal around 11:30am. A long line for regular guest, about 20 people deep and a small line for priority check in. As we were walking to priority check-in, one of the reps. calls us to the side and asks my wife if she was pregnant. She took us past the line of regular guest, not sure if she was doing us a favor or if we had to go to this particular window. Regardless, we were stuck behind a Chinese family of 10 and the rep at the counter was having an issue trying to say their names and identify them. We had to wait a while for them to finish! I don't think this lady did us any favors! The priority line was moving fast! This definitely cut into my drinking time! My wife could tell I was fuming! Seeing that unlimited drink package sticker on my seapass card made it all worth it!

 

After skipping all the boarding pictures and a quick walk up the gangway we're finally inside the Centrum! We headed toward the Explorations! desk to book a cabana. Only had one other person in line so we were next. I hoped they weren't sold out as I was not able to purchase it online. This is where I met the first rude employee of the trip. I felt like I was bugging her when I asked her if I was able to pick the one I wanted.

Luckily they only had one rented out and it was #3. I opted for #4 which I had heard was one of the best! Next, the wife made a line at the service desk to get her seapass card hole punched for her necklace.

 

There was a table set up with the drinks of the day, beer, and also selling the drink package. I wanted to get my beer of the day...as the drinks were in souvenir cups and are not part of the package...but I knew that. However, the bartender/server was quick to tell me that I couldn't get the drinks with the package. I told him I knew that, I want a beer. Again, I felt like I was bother him too. Then he wrote up a paper receipt and told me to get the beer I wanted. First time in 3 cruises where I have purchased the drink package and I have been asked to sign a receipt. However, this seemed like the norm on this ship as they were pushing for you to add more tip to the 0 total. Anyways, it looked like he was more interested in selling the souvenir drinks or the packages.

I wondered where I was going to receive my Coke cup. I figured it was probably in our state room but I didn't dare ask this guy!

We headed to the small desk at the My Time dining room to see about changing our 630pm dinner to My Time. We were automatically shut down with a "My time dining is full". There was no maybe's...if's or but's. The crew on Liberty of the Seas made it happen!

My wife and I noticed right away that the memories of the best service we've ever received on the Majesty are being diminished by the first three employees we've had encounters with. Maybe they were tired from turn-around day??

We weren't going to let this ruin our vacation!

 

We headed up to the Windjammer for lunch. It wasn't too full yet as it was barely a little past noon. The same lunch as always, it was good though. By now it was 1pm and the rooms were open so we headed to drop off our carry-ons. It was way too hot on the deck at the time and the pool was full. We stayed in stateroom 7018, ocean view. It is the promenade deck, so it was 50% obstructed. Never heard anyone running or moving around chairs. Our window was blocked by the inflatable life boats so no one can get real close to the window but they did not block the view. Only thing that blocked the view was the railings. The room seemed bigger than a regular interior and we didn't have a couch. The muster drill was at 3:45pm and it was long and dreaded. A lot of clueless people that don't think of it's importance.

After the drill we went to the pool deck to find a spot and watch the sail away. Rain threated the party but we were gone before it got to us.

 

Dinner was coming up soon at 630pm...way too early for us but it was the only option we had. So we went back to the room to get ready for dinner.

 

We were sat in a table of 10...it had been a while since we've had table mates. We didn't mind because they were close in age to us and all couples.

After dinner we went to the Welcome Aboard show and saw the new CD I had never heard of Carlos Torres from Mexico. The comedian was Carl Banks and he was mediocre. We called it a night early since we wanted to be on the first tender to Coco Cay.

 

 

 

 

[latnballer]

We made it to the 2nd tender to Coco Cay. Towels were given out on deck 3 and you had to check them out with your SeaPass card. Then get inline down to deck 2, then the stairs down to the tender. We were the first ones to get a cabana on the island. A family behind us walked right up and got one there without making a prior reservation.

We were given a cooler with 4 bottles of Evian 1L, and a bottle of sparkling wine (champagne). A fruit platter came later in the morning.

The cabana allows up to 6 people. Free snorkel gear and floating mats.

As I mentioned, we reserved #4 for just the wife and I. It had 2 cushioned loungers, 4 regular blue loungers, and a sectional couch. We had plenty of shade the whole day. The way the cabana was laid out, we had medium privacy. I think it was the best due to its proximity to the water, view of the ship, being secluded from view of the tender ships coming in, a viewing tower separating us from cabana #5, and being near the bar and the bathrooms! We were also pretty close to the bbq and the tables.

The upgraded bbq included steak and kabobs. It seemed like a lot of food for the few cabanas that were rented. (7). No waiter service but the bar was a few steps away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[latnballer]

 

[latnballer]

At around 2pm the concierge and bar tender started packing up the place and picking up the coolers from the cabanas. We hung around a little while longer and made it back to the ship to watch the Costa Rica vs Uruguay World Cup Game.

The Spectrum lounge was the dedicated place to watch the World Cup. They had a projector set up but the resolution wasn't the best. The biggest problem was that it was tough getting a good satellite signal. It would skip plays or go totally dark at times.

It was the same feed for all tv's so it also happened in the state rooms.

Most of the bars were also showing the game but the Spectrum was the only one playing the audio. The problem with the Spectrum is that the bar was not open. We ended up watching some of it in the casino bar and the rest in the stateroom.

After an awesome Costa Rica game, we took a short nap before dinner.

 

Dinner was good in the main dining room again. We were still getting used to the early time. After dinner we went to Bolero's to check out Finish that Lyric. It was pretty funny. No limes on board so I was not able to get a mojito! Had a couple other drinks and headed to bed.

[latnballer]

The next day in Nassau was a pool day for us. We've been to Nassau plenty of times so we stayed in the pool and had it to ourselves.

In the morning when we pulled up to Nassau, Oasis of the Seas was already there. Soon after a couple more Carnival ships came in.

 

Atlantis and Oasis of the Seas as we back up.

 

Had the whole pool deck to ourselves....

 

If you needed a towel for the pool, no card needs to be given. To take them off the ship you have to check them out with your card.

 

We stayed in the pool till around 1pm and had lunch in Johnny Rockets.

After lunch we went back to the room and slept some more. Around 3 we headed to the Schooner bar to watch a soccer game and have some drinks. Went to dinner around 7 in the Windjammer since I wanted to find an early spot to watch the NBA Finals game. My wife wanted to go to the main dining room since they were offering the flourless chocolate cake that evening but I promised her the Windjammer would have it also. No luck! I had to desperately ask one of the suited guys for it and he said he will have it delivered to the room later on....perfect!..that's the Royal Caribbean and Majesty of the Seas I remember!

 

We headed to the pool bar but they weren't playing the game so we went back to the Schooner bar and they were just changing the channel for the game. It seemed like that's where most people ended up watching it.

 

 

There was a good mix of Heat and Spurs fans but obviously mostly Heat. After half time we headed to the room so the wife can have her cake and we finished watching the game there.

After the horrible showing of the Heat in the Finals, we went to walk around the decks and enjoy the rest of the night on the top decks. We had to wait till 11:30pm to pick up some gold by the inch that we bought for the boys at home. At midnight we went to watch the comedian again, Carl Banks for the adult show and it was just OK.

 

We were doing self disembark so we packed when we went back to the room.

Set up the alarms for 630am and went to sleep.

 

 

Disembarkation day....

At 645 am we woke up and got ready. The way the departure went was 7am - Priority in one of the main dining rooms.

730am for self disembark

Then calling of the tag colors, etc.

We made it down at 712am and the lines to self disembark were long and the gangway was not opened yet. I went to the dining room and did not see the C&A priority group. Roped off and blocked off by the exit door I saw a small group of people with the Future cruise ambassador and I asked them if that was the line for C&A priority. They allowed us to cut through and as soon as we did the gang way opened and we were among the first 10 to go through customs!

 

We walked out to the street and the Safe Cruise driver spotted us. (They give you a yellow sticker when they drop you off to put it on you when you're ready to get picked up). Waited a few minutes and went around the rest of the terminal once to pick up more people and we were on our way. By 7:55 we were in our car driving out of the lot.

 

 

Overall, we were given 3 WOW cards and I only wrote one up for the head waiter in the Windjammer that got us the cake. I only added a few extra $$ to the stateroom attendant also. No one else really WOWed us. We had asked the room attendant if she can switch our Coke cup for the Coke World Cup one everyone else got but she said I had to go to the dining room to ask for it. Since the regular cup was in our room when we got there I was hoping she would do us the favor but no luck.

 

The ship is showing her age more now than in all the times we've cruised with her. Alot of rust on the decks is not being maintained. The room had a couple areas that needed extra paint. I knew what I was getting into prior to boarding her but it is usually over seen by an awesome captain and crew. This time I did not get that feeling! The captain sounds like he was reading off a prompt in his daily announcements. He did not even make it to the Top Tier event!

[latnballer]

Forgot to mention that the Top Tier event was in the Viking Crown at 5:45 on day 2.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[LMaxwell]

Great review.

 

A friend invited us into their cabana...they really need a fan in those cabanas. They get really hot and stuffy if there is no sea breeze.

[CruisinCrow]

Dinner was good in the main dining room again. We were still getting used to the early time. After dinner we went to Bolero's to check out Finish that Lyric. It was pretty funny. No limes on board so I was not able to get a mojito! Had a couple other drinks and headed to bed.

 

No limes! They'd better remedy that situation before our July 4 cruise! :(

[Paulette3028]

Sorry to hear the OP did not have a totally wonderful cruise on Majesty. I have cruised on Majesty 10 times and each one has been great. Yes, she is showing her age, and most of us know that she will be retired in the near future as the other ships in the Sovereign class have been.

 

DH and I were on Majesty over Thanksgiving weekend, and had a wonderful time with Mitch the CD and the rest of the staff all the way to the waiters and housekeeping staff.

[karena1]

Sorry to hear the OP did not have a totally wonderful cruise on Majesty. I have cruised on Majesty 10 times and each one has been great. Yes, she is showing her age, and most of us know that she will be retired in the near future as the other ships in the Sovereign class have been.

 

DH and I were on Majesty over Thanksgiving weekend, and had a wonderful time with Mitch the CD and the rest of the staff all the way to the waiters and housekeeping staff.

 

Have to agree with you, we have been on Majesty 25 times and always had outstanding service. We were just on her late may, staff could not do more than they did, so attentive. Sorry the OP did not have that experience.

[loubetti]

Ya' know, I've been recently pricing out cruises on a 4-night Majesty, and the prices are fine, as I don't need anything fancy; an inside will do. I can drive an hour to get to her at MIA.

 

I get a kick out of folks who describe ships like this as "old" and "small". Then again, their cruising experience started well after after 2000. They don't know what "old" and "small" is. Old and small is 1952 and 20,000 tons, and I did over a dozen cruises on Regal Empress and had a great time on each cruise I did on her.

 

I recall when Sovereign (same class of ship) came out at, what was it, 73,000 tons? My God, it was the biggest thing since Queen Elizabeth of 1940 (84,000 tons). Even my love, QE2 was only 70,000 tons. It took Carnival Destiny (now Sunshine) to take the lead in 1996 at over 100,000 tons.

 

Whether I ever go on Majesty or not remains to be seen, but I can assure you that as ships go she is nothing to sneeze at. I've been on everything from 20, 30, 50, 70, 100 and 150 thousand tons, and size of the ship does not make the cruise. Only YOU do. :cool:

[latnballer]

Sorry to hear the OP did not have a totally wonderful cruise on Majesty. I have cruised on Majesty 10 times and each one has been great. Yes, she is showing her age, and most of us know that she will be retired in the near future as the other ships in the Sovereign class have been.

 

DH and I were on Majesty over Thanksgiving weekend, and had a wonderful time with Mitch the CD and the rest of the staff all the way to the waiters and housekeeping staff.

 

Don't get me wrong...I still had a great time and I have previously defended the ship and its crew for the best service in the fleet...but I felt like this time it wasn't there. This was my 5th time on her. It didn't ruin my experience at all...it just lowered my expectation...

[CruisinCrow]

Don't get me wrong...I still had a great time and I have previously defended the ship and its crew for the best service in the fleet...but I felt like this time it wasn't there. This was my 5th time on her. It didn't ruin my experience at all...it just lowered my expectation...

 

Some of us got that, latnballer. ;) Sounds like you just ran into a string of unhelpful people. It doesn't mean you hated the cruise or the ship.

 

Still hoping they get the lime situation straightened out by July! I look forward to having a Welcome Aboard mojito. What about escargot? Available or not?

[latnballer]

Escargot was available every night!

 

 

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[Philly Steve]

I always loved the looks of the Sovereign class ships. Thanks for the review and glad you were able to book a cabana! :)

[BillOh]

Forgot to mention that the Top Tier event was in the Viking Crown at 5:45 on day 2.

 

Did the subject of Majesty's last cruise come up at all?

[CruisinCrow]

Escargot was available every night!

 

Yay!

[latnballer]

Did the subject of Majesty's last cruise come up at all?

 

 

No specific date but they did say at least till 2016.

 

 

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[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

Thanks for your review, I enjoyed it. I've been on her over 30 times starting in 1998, she's my favorite ship - and I completely agree with you - the crew is not what it used to be. It's still okay and obviously you'll find some really great crew members, but it's definitely not the same. A lot of answers are "I'm sorry, we don't have that" or "I'm sorry, we can't do that" - all to things that used to be readily available or easily accomplished.

 

I was on in May last, had a great time, I don't let it ruin my trip ether. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Edited June 17, 2014 by LuckiStac13*Majesty*

[MicCor]

We made it to the 2nd tender to Coco Cay. Towels were given out on deck 3 and you had to check them out with your SeaPass card. Then get inline down to deck 2, then the stairs down to the tender. We were the first ones to get a cabana on the island. A family behind us walked right up and got one there without making a prior reservation.

We were given a cooler with 4 bottles of Evian 1L, and a bottle of sparkling wine (champagne). A fruit platter came later in the morning.

The cabana allows up to 6 people. Free snorkel gear and floating mats.

As I mentioned, we reserved #4 for just the wife and I. It had 2 cushioned loungers, 4 regular blue loungers, and a sectional couch. We had plenty of shade the whole day. The way the cabana was laid out, we had medium privacy. I think it was the best due to its proximity to the water, view of the ship, being secluded from view of the tender ships coming in, a viewing tower separating us from cabana #5, and being near the bar and the bathrooms! We were also pretty close to the bbq and the tables.

The upgraded bbq included steak and kabobs. It seemed like a lot of food for the few cabanas that were rented. (7). No waiter service but the bar was a few steps away.

 

 

 

How much was the cabana?? I had a cabana at Labadee once - no cooler with water or wine! Perhaps that part is new perk?

[CP3o]

Forgot to mention that the Top Tier event was in the Viking Crown at 5:45 on day 2.

 

Was there a nightly Diamond Event also in Viking Crown? Was it the 25% of beer and mixed drinks version?

 

Are their priority tender passes for Diamond+ or Diamond?

 

Thanks.

[Paulette3028]

Don't get me wrong...I still had a great time and I have previously defended the ship and its crew for the best service in the fleet...but I felt like this time it wasn't there. This was my 5th time on her. It didn't ruin my experience at all...it just lowered my expectation...

 

Maybe I am unclear as to what you mean by 'it just lowered my expectation". Expectations occur before you cruise. Has the experience 'lowered your expectations for your next cruise'?

 

My expectations are high for every vacation cruise I take. If my expectations aren't met I take it up with someone at the time. I won't change my expectations for my current cruise or for the next cruise....I expect excellence all the time....just like in my job I strive to provide excellence all the time.

 

I am sure when I go on Majesty again, I will have a wonderful cruise and have excellent service.....sorry your recent experience did not give you that.

[latnballer]

How much was the cabana?? I had a cabana at Labadee once - no cooler with water or wine! Perhaps that part is new perk?

 

 

The cabana was $200

 

 

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[latnballer]

Was there a nightly Diamond Event also in Viking Crown? Was it the 25% of beer and mixed drinks version?

 

Are their priority tender passes for Diamond+ or Diamond?

 

Thanks.

 

 

I'm not sure about the diamond events or drink discounts since I'm not diamond yet. However, I did see a sign once in one of the dining rooms that said it was closed for diamond members. Did not see any priority passes either.

 

 

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