Majesty OTS Review Aug 1 Sailing

[CruiseRook91]

Hi All,

 

My better half and I just got off the Majesty OTS on Friday and I figured I would lend some words to those who were lost like I was prior to the sailing. Let me preface this by saying I have sailed over 10 cruises on a few lines and mostly on the big ships, this was my first "little ship" experience.

 

The first thing you have to know when sailing the Majesty is have your expectations set correctly: She is a smaller ship and an older ship. However, the crew keeps it incredibly clean and does the best with the resources they have. Don't expect the highest end shows or the most incredible activities given what the team has to work with. However, the team does the best they can with their resources and they are great. Be forewarned though, renovations aside, this ship does not have the stabilizing technology of the new ships and she does rock quite a bit. I have never noticed it as much as I have on any other ship. It's won't make you sea sick but you'll notice it.

 

Dining: Again, you have to have your expectations set. The MDR is great food was delicious was every night and the staff had great recommendations. The Windjammer was good but not great quality of food but that's what you get when its AYCE for over 2,000 people, still good. I always love Sorrentos pizza but where the real failure was J. Rockets. We won a free meal there and the food was terrible and the service not great, did not seem like the staff wanted to be there. However, all-in-all I can't complain the MDR and Windjammer staff were fantastic.

 

Drinking: Every bar on the ship was great!! I almost never waiting for a drink and the bartenders were very generous to say the least. I have the Premium Package and my Girlfriend had the Beer/Wine package. We almost always ordered together and the bartenders just let us order for each other's package if she wanted a frozen and I wanted a beer. Also, if she wanted a glass of wine that was out of the package, they just rang up something else and gave it to her. Just expect very heavy pours on every drink...trust me.

 

Entertainment: Again, all about expectations, this ship is the smallest and oldest in the brand so the budget isn't exactly huge. However, the entertainers were very talented. The singers and dancers did a great job on a decent show that was essentially a musical review of pop from all decades. The headliner show, Scott Cavanaugh (SP?), was good, talented juggler and funny for the family. The comedian though, Rodney Johnson, was not great he opened the cruise with a good bit but then got pretty offensive and wasn't even offending me. I can take quite a bit of offensive stuff and I did not like him. Lastly, what can I say about Kelly Goodrich? He was the piano player in the Schooner and he was amazing. We ended up making friends with him and his wife Ann, we will be cruising with them again! This was his last trip on the Majesty (going to the Adventure) so on the last night almost the entire staff came to the Schooner to laugh and sing with him. We got to meet some of the real higher ups including the Cruise Director and Food and Beverage Managers and they all spoke so highly of Kelly. I highly recommend seeing him, and his wife, if you can when you sail on one of this contracts. Kelly and Ann made our ship so memorable.

 

Activities: This staff is small but mighty, they loved their jobs and you can tell. When you cruise on the big ships there are anywhere from 3-5 activities going on at anytime whereas on this ship there might be 2 at a time. However, the staff loves what they do and they make every activity great. Bingo was a blast (We won!!) but I hate the new iPad system. I also highly recommend the Art Auction even if you don't like art nor can you afford it. I have never been an art guy but my lady loves it and I can't afford any pieces but now I am more into it and I learned a lot. It's also extremely entertaining, I cannot stress how much fun I had and how much I recommend attending this.

 

Cruise Director: Cruisin Susan! This was Susan's first contract as a CD and she did really well. She will be one of the RCI CD Superstars. I always say you can judge a CD by "Love and Marriage" (I used to host it as a resort Activities Manager) and Susan was awesome, not too cheesy and very well. She had one difficult contestant who didn't speak good english and was older but she handled it so well. I wanted to be a CD growing up so I am very harsh on them but Susan did so well.

 

Coco Cay: We did snorkeling which was great not too long but not too short and once the dive is done they bust out the rum and take you to a sand bar. The beach at Coco is average at best there is seaweed everywhere and it can actually irritate your skin, I had it and we heard a lot of people talking about. However, it is a great spot and so fun to relax there. The lunch was good and it's AYCE so no complaints for this guy :)

 

Nassau: Nassau was a lot of fun we didn't do an excursion because you can do your own little excursion at Nassau. I recommend Atlantis if you want to gamble or your with family (weird combo, right?). We didn't go because I work in hotels and I don't want to go pay to be at one and not stay there. However, I have been and you if you haven't I do recommend it. We did some shopping and the straw market of course and then walked about 15 minutes to Junkanoo beach (just on the other side of Senior Frogs) and saw our friend Barry who got us some beers, a chair, and an umbrella for about $20 and then just relaxed in the crystal blue water. I highly recommend trying this our vs a high priced beach excursion if you're a couple looking to chill.

 

Final Notes: The Majesty is a great cruise for two types of people, those who are questionable on cruising and want to get a teaser of all the magic cruising can be on the bigger ships and those vets who loving cruising and want to get a quick getaway when they are hankering for a sailing. The staff makes this cruise without a doubt. I know my reviews can be a little harsh but I try to be as truthful as I can so people can know what I wish I knew. Truthfully, we had a fantastic time and have booked our next cruise for March '17 (do it onboard) tentatively the Adventure but may change to the Brilliance.

 

If you have any questions please let me know and I am happy to answer.

[tigers317]

Great review, I was on the same sailing with my 5 year old. I agree Johnny Rockets was terrible and the staff make this ship great.

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback, we have the same high opinion of Majesty.

[CruisinQueen2013]

Any thoughts on the reno - did the ship seem in good shape? We've been on her twice but it's been a few years and we're going again in 7 weeks. Also, any pictures would be great!

[venicia]

thanks for your review on Majesty. first time on Majesty in September and as you mentioned, it will be a quick get away

 

great review and appreciated your positive and some not so positive issues reported in a most excellent manner

 

V

[CruiseRook91]

Sorry, we don't have any pictures, I don't carry my phone around on cruises. The renovations seemed to have gone well but I had never been on the ship pre-reno.

 

The big screen on the deck was cool but did malfunction sometimes, luckily never during a movie. I think the kids splash area was cool but I am not sure it was the greatest idea with this ship in particular because now you only have one pool with technically a max capacity of 38 people for a ship of 2k people. However, the pool deck is still a great environment and it helps keep kids in their own area.

 

The casino was good, we spent a little time there and they have installed some machines that help with the smoke and smoke smell.

 

We didn't use the WIFI at all, personally I don't think anyone should unless it is an extenuating circumstance, enjoy the moment right? However, people that did use it around us or that we sat with at the bar didn't seem to have any problems.

 

The overall ship looked great too, it still has its older personality but it looks like new. I saw some old videos on youtube with like pink tile in the showers of the cabins and some ugly carpet, our room had nothing like that.

 

One thing I forgot to mention: we were on Deck 2 mid ship (2067) and I was pretty nervous about that but it was great! Because of the size of the ship we were still close to everything from the centrum to the gangway.

 

I hope this helps, keep the questions coming!

 

Sam

[BABYJOSIE98]

I am sailing with my daughter in November for just a little weekend getaway after Food and Wine festival at Epcot!

I have sailed Majesty years ago and we all had a blast over 4th of July week!

 

Can't wait to see the renovations!

 

We just booked inside on Deck 6 since we won't be in the room much.

 

Thanks for the info on J Rockets! We thought of going there one day, but it may not be worth it if it is crappy??

 

I do love the pool area on Majesty and I am glad they added the big screen.

 

Sometimes it is fun going on the mid size ships once in a while with out all the bells and whistles. If it has a deck chair and I can have a "Miami Vice: then I am good!

[jty1220]

Thanks for the review. We have been on 5 cruises with Royal but have not been on one in several years. We just booked a 4 day on this ship for February with our son. It will be his first cruise and we are very excited

[JohnGaltny]

Great fair and balanced review.

 

I did one earlier this year (before the refurb) and we are pretty much on all fours, especially about the terrific crew.

[Scotty G]

Great review!!! We are Majesty fans and were surprised that Johnny Rockets was not doing well They must have had a crew change since our last cruise :(

 

Kelly and Ann are a fantastic couple and he always brings the house down. We have known them since Monarch days and spent the last week out of Port Canaveral with them. Kelly did a non-stop the last night that many are still talking about!

 

Thanks again for a great evaluation of a fantastic crew and ship!

[Robo1098]

This is good info. I'll be on her this weekend. Just a quick getaway cruise.

[vol1967]

Can you tell us about some of the items on the menu in the mdr

[ATLGirls]

Sam, thank you so much for this! We are boarding Her on Friday so it was nice to read an up to date review! Sad to see that Kelly has left - I saw so many good reviews, I was looking forward to it, as the piano bar is typically my favorite evening chill spot. Any idea who is replacing him?

[jstcruizin]

Thanks for your review, we booked this short one to ,

1- warm up for our November cruise on oasis and

2- give us the points we need to make platinum on our oasis cruise

Can't wait!

[ltlslick1]

Nice review, thanks for posting.

[KimPossible1]

Was on that same cruise. I was disappointed by the big screen, they only showed Royal Caribbean commercials all day long and then old movies in the late afternoon, evening. I do have to say it glitched during the original Ghostbusters movie. The sound played for at least 10 minutes before the movie came on the screen.

[EZ Cruisin]

Thanks for that review - we are taking my two older grandsons on a four night cruise in October and are glad to hear the crew works hard to please.

[healthb]

Thanks for the post! We were on the majesty last year and agree the crew members are fantastic! Did you check out the club spectrum? We met this awesome bartender named Moses. Is he still there? He was at the pool too! We are now contemplating going back on the majesty or the independence. Any thoughts? Thanks again

[mooseman52b]

Nice review. We were on Majesty before her Dry Dock and had a similar good experience.

 

We will be on her again soon and will re-test Johnny Rockets (if nothing else the shakes are great).

[punerik18]

Thanks for that amazing review. We are traveling on that cruise in a few days. My wife loves Johnny Rockets. I'm sad to hear the service sucks. I was wondering how does it work if we eat there. What are the prices like/ Is it one flat fee?

 

Also, what about room service? is there a charge per item you order, etc?

[Clarea]

Thanks for that amazing review. We are traveling on that cruise in a few days. My wife loves Johnny Rockets. I'm sad to hear the service sucks. I was wondering how does it work if we eat there. What are the prices like/ Is it one flat fee?

 

Also, what about room service? is there a charge per item you order, etc?

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Johnny Rockets on Majesty is flat fee for the food and soda, $7. Room service is still free, except for a late night fee of $4 per order.

Edited August 13, 2016 by clarea

[BillOh]

Hi All,

 

The first thing you have to know when sailing the Majesty is have your expectations set correctly: She is a smaller ship and an older ship. However, the crew keeps it incredibly clean and does the best with the resources they have..

 

There is wisdom to that statement. This will be my fourth time on Majesty so my expectations are reasonable, but the 2nd half of this is in tune with my experience, glad to hear it in a more recent review. Back to reading, thanks.

[CruisingKat71]

thanks for your review on Majesty. first time on Majesty in September and as you mentioned, it will be a quick get away

 

 

 

great review and appreciated your positive and some not so positive issues reported in a most excellent manner

 

 

 

V

 

 

Hello Venicia

 

Just curious, when in Sept is your Majesty Cruise? I am 9-26-16, bringing my Friend for her First ever Cruise. I see you are kind of my Neighbor as well, lol. I live on the Southside of Jacksonville.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited August 14, 2016 by CruisingKat71

[CruiseRook91]

Hi All sorry I haven't gotten back on some questions here, I have not had a day off or AM shift since I got back from the cruise (I am a hotel front desk manager so shift are weird). However, see below for my responses but before that, thank you for the great feedback on my review!!!!

 

"Thanks for the post! We were on the majesty last year and agree the crew members are fantastic! Did you check out the club spectrum? We met this awesome bartender named Moses. Is he still there? He was at the pool too! We are now contemplating going back on the majesty or the independence. Any thoughts? Thanks again"

 

We were only in spectrum for the art auction and caught the cover band that played. We are not big club/dance people, more piano bar people. I think a lot of the bar staff switched over recently because we had friends on an earlier sailing this year who gave us 3 names and none were on the ship

 

"Sam, thank you so much for this! We are boarding Her on Friday so it was nice to read an up to date review! Sad to see that Kelly has left - I saw so many good reviews, I was looking forward to it, as the piano bar is typically my favorite evening chill spot. Any idea who is replacing him?"

 

I am not sure who is replacing Kelly and yes he is amazing; however, I am sure Susan picked a suitable replacement. Enjoy!! (Unless you are back already...awkward)

 

"Can you tell us about some of the items on the menu in the mdr"

 

I loved the MDR menus every night. Try the soups every night, they had some really unique chilled soups like banana cream. They had scallops (my fav) prepared the same as ecargot and always a good salad. For mains they had the classics (angus sliders were good off that) and then of course pork shoulder one night, seafood pasta, amazing prime rib the first night too.

 

When we first started cruising it was far before my mom wasn't a health nut like she is now and used to always look at the menu and say "ill have one of everything" and guess what, they bring it to you. I didn't take it to that extreme but each night if I saw a few things I liked, I got all of them.

 

My dad always taught me when you're on vacation, go all out because you're not in the real world and you need to enjoy yourself whether its just a steak or a spa day. THe beauty of a cruise is that food is included so go all out!!

[kimfudge]

My family 4 adults are booked on this ship leaving a week from today. We are Platinum on NCL, and have around 20 cruises among 6 different lines. We also have done small/big and mega ships. This is our very first once on RCCL though. Any advice at all?

 

Also does the pop package work on the private island do you know from using your drink package? This would actually be the reason I buy the pop package as the deal swinger for me.

 

This cruise was the cheapest so we are giving it a try.

 

Kim