Booking on RC Majesty last minute and first time

[fish316]

We are older couple looking to try a cruise. We have just never done it as we have always been RV's. But we will be in FL and are booking last minute on Majesty Feb 6 4 day. Hope this is a good boat/cruise to try.

 

 

Confused on a couple things:

obstructed view ? Booking on 9th SO. And left or right side of boat- front or aft?

We aren't dressy people- do we really need tie and formal dress?

Gratuity - seems like we have to budget for 16 a day- any other have to expect/to have cost ?

Snacks- should we bring and bottled water?

do we expect to stand in lines a lot to disembark?

Ton of questions- appreciate all who can help

 

 

 

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[spookwife]

We are older couple looking to try a cruise. We have just never done it as we have always been RV's. But we will be in FL and are booking last minute on Majesty Feb 6 4 day. Hope this is a good boat/cruise to try.

 

 

Confused on a couple things:

obstructed view ? Booking on 9th SO. And left or right side of boat- front or aft?

We aren't dressy people- do we really need tie and formal dress?

Gratuity - seems like we have to budget for 16 a day- any other have to expect/to have cost ?

Snacks- should we bring and bottled water?

do we expect to stand in lines a lot to disembark?

Ton of questions- appreciate all who can help

 

 

 

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1: obstructed view can be anything from having a life boat hanging off your balcony so that you cannot see down onto the water, to having a large piece of metal as your view to the window washing apparatus being stored above your balcony. some obstructed views are not that obstructed at all, others it is a major hinderance.

 

2: port ( left)or starboard (right) it really doesn't matter since there is no way to know for certain which way the ship faces while in port. Forward will have more movement especially in heavy surf/choppy waves. low and center are best for people who don't w ant a lot of movement.

 

3: a nice button down shirt and slacks for the guys and a pantsuit or cocktail dress for the ladies is fine.

 

4: the included gratuity covers all your meals in included venues( buffet, MDR, any poolside offerings, etc) the cabin attendant(housekeeping) it does NOT cover room service, anything you buy on board to include specialty dining, soda, alcoholic beverages, spa services, bingo, salon services and fancy coffee. basically, if there is a cost to procure it on board, they jul automatically add 18%. Room service has a fee from midnight to 6 am, but outside of those hours it is considered proper to give a dollar or two to the runner.

 

5: define 'snack'. if you need a candy bar or a bag of chips daily, then yes a small amount should be brought on board since the cost of these items in the ship's store is highway robbery. there is ZERO need to bring bottled water on board, the tap water is perfectly fine /safe to drink. by alma's bring a water bottle with you, they just require you to fill it using one of their glasses, and not putting the bottle up to the dispenser itself. otherwise, the buffet will have cookies and other small desert like items after breakfast that you can nibble on and there may be other options throughout the day. but no popcorn or pretzels or anything like that.

 

6: disembarking can be a breeze and it can equally be a total nightmare. there are many factors that go into it. if you can carry your luggage off by hand with zero assistance( to include possibly having to go gown several flights of stairs) you can be in the first group off.

 

Majesty is one of the oldest and smallest ships in Royal's fleet. therefore it won't have all the nice bells and whistles that most people are used to and enjoy. a 4 night cruise is barely long enough to see if cruising is something you would like, but on the other hand if you realize immediately that you just made the biggest mistake of your lives, it will be over soon.

[griffy116]

Sine you've never been on a cruise before, a smaller ship is not going to feel small at all to you. Any cruise is a good cruise for us. I usually bring a small can of nuts, like cashews because for some reason, they seem to be missing on every ship we've ever sailed and we like to have a salty snack. Otherwise, you can get fruit, cheese and cracker trays from room service (no charge except a tip to the runner), and even meals. We've usually got a couple of granola bars still with us that we carry on the plane for "just in case" but they've never gotten eaten on the ship because there's always somewhere to get a snack. You can get by with a shirt with a collar and slack for men and a sun dress or slacks and nice shirt/blouse for the women. Short cruises also tend to be less formal on formal night.

[SmoothFlying]

1: obstructed view can be anything from having a life boat hanging off your balcony so that you cannot see down onto the water, to having a large piece of metal as your view to the window washing apparatus being stored above your balcony. some obstructed views are not that obstructed at all, others it is a major hinderance.

 

2: port ( left)or starboard (right) it really doesn't matter since there is no way to know for certain which way the ship faces while in port. Forward will have more movement especially in heavy surf/choppy waves. low and center are best for people who don't w ant a lot of movement.

 

3: a nice button down shirt and slacks for the guys and a pantsuit or cocktail dress for the ladies is fine.

 

4: the included gratuity covers all your meals in included venues( buffet, MDR, any poolside offerings, etc) the cabin attendant(housekeeping) it does NOT cover room service, anything you buy on board to include specialty dining, soda, alcoholic beverages, spa services, bingo, salon services and fancy coffee. basically, if there is a cost to procure it on board, they jul automatically add 18%. Room service has a fee from midnight to 6 am, but outside of those hours it is considered proper to give a dollar or two to the runner.

 

5: define 'snack'. if you need a candy bar or a bag of chips daily, then yes a small amount should be brought on board since the cost of these items in the ship's store is highway robbery. there is ZERO need to bring bottled water on board, the tap water is perfectly fine /safe to drink. by alma's bring a water bottle with you, they just require you to fill it using one of their glasses, and not putting the bottle up to the dispenser itself. otherwise, the buffet will have cookies and other small desert like items after breakfast that you can nibble on and there may be other options throughout the day. but no popcorn or pretzels or anything like that.

 

6: disembarking can be a breeze and it can equally be a total nightmare. there are many factors that go into it. if you can carry your luggage off by hand with zero assistance( to include possibly having to go gown several flights of stairs) you can be in the first group off.

 

Majesty is one of the oldest and smallest ships in Royal's fleet. therefore it won't have all the nice bells and whistles that most people are used to and enjoy. a 4 night cruise is barely long enough to see if cruising is something you would like, but on the other hand if you realize immediately that you just made the biggest mistake of your lives, it will be over soon.

 

Wake up on the 3rd day, thinking..'Ohhhhh NOooooo NO !!! This CANNOT be our LAST full day !! Is it over, ALREADY ?? Where did it go! STOP the boat, THROW the clock over the metal rail OR out the little round window thingee ! (these were my wife's comments after just four days on our 1st five day cruise back in 2007 ! Now, fourteen cruises later she cries WHEN we have to get off !! A TRUE CRUISE Addict ! :)

 

Mac

[NMLady]

There are forums on Cruise Critic specific to each cruise line. You might want to read some of the posts in the Royal Caribbean forum since that way you'll get lots of information specific to that cruise line.

[fish316]

Awesome help

All of you

We have read reviews and chose this for timing and location of port

Smaller probably better for us first time

One more question do we have our luggage taken at check in and how long before it shows up in room and what about colored tags- confused if we need to have special name tag on it

 

 

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[cb at sea]

Your luggage will be taken before you board...do keep a carry-on with any and ALL valuable, and medications! Never check those things! Also, lock your checked bags. They can show up in your cabin anywhere from an hour, to after dinner, so bring what you need until then in your carry-on!

 

The porters have PLENTY of tags...no need to bring them or make them!

[Sauer-kraut]

One more question do we have our luggage taken at check in and how long before it shows up in room and what about colored tags- confused if we need to have special name tag on it.

 

Yes hand your baggage over to the porters, it will show up later in the day probably between 3 and 6 pm. The stewards will place it outside of your cabin. Be sure to carry on anything you might need: medications, swim suits, sunscreen etc as you will need those things before the luggage arrives.

 

You should be able to print out your cruise documents and there will be luggage tags with all that stuff you are printing. IF you don't its not a big deal the porters will have tags for you just be sure to tell them the correct cabin number.

[fish316]

thank you for taking time to explain those things. Have been to the "new to cruising board but there is alot to sort.

[fish316]

Yes hand your baggage over to the porters, it will show up later in the day probably between 3 and 6 pm. The stewards will place it outside of your cabin. Be sure to carry on anything you might need: medications, swim suits, sunscreen etc as you will need those things before the luggage arrives.

 

You should be able to print out your cruise documents and there will be luggage tags with all that stuff you are printing. IF you don't its not a big deal the porters will have tags for you just be sure to tell them the correct cabin number.

got it.

[fish316]

Your luggage will be taken before you board...do keep a carry-on with any and ALL valuable, and medications! Never check those things! Also, lock your checked bags. They can show up in your cabin anywhere from an hour, to after dinner, so bring what you need until then in your carry-on!

 

The porters have PLENTY of tags...no need to bring them or make them!

wow. Ok thank you.

[cruiseapril]

What are your ports for stops?

[wassup4565]

Oh wow, are you in for a treat! You are going to have an amazing choice of meals and places to have them, all included, don't bother with the specialty restaurants. Try all the included ones, and enjoy! You can order room service (except for the middle of the night) at no extra cost, so why not sleep in a little, and have your breakfast delivered, at least once? Please be sure to tip the waiter who brings it a couple of bucks. That's your only cost.

 

Go to the shows, and go to the bars, where there will also be entertainment. Look at the daily newsletter, and pick out some activities that appeal. You will meet some nice people when you participate.

 

On RCI you will have to pay for every alcoholic drink, and most of them run about $10 a pop, unless you want to get really fancy. You are allowed to bring on two bottles of wine per cabin (not per person), so if you would enjoy a little drinkie at sunset, you should bring that wine. You can't bring the bottle into the dining room or the buffet.

 

Don't worry about the clothes too much. You SHOULD try eating in the dining room (because it's great) and as long as you are not wearing shorts, a muscle shirt, flip flops and a baseball cap, you'll be fine. Really, for both sexes, just keep the body hair out of sight in the dining room and nobody is going to care.

 

Have a great cruise! You are going to love it!

[sandyh85]

I sailed the Majesty last fall and fell in love with that little old ship! There is a fantastic spot outside Boleros. Grab a fancy coffee or glass of wine from right inside and relax while watching the wake drift away...

 

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[fish316]

I sailed the Majesty last fall and fell in love with that little old ship! There is a fantastic spot outside Boleros. Grab a fancy coffee or glass of wine from right inside and relax while watching the wake drift away...

 

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Great feedback

Thank you that's great advice

Will definetly find Boleros and do just that

[wassup4565]

Hey, would you please come back and post in this thread about how you liked your cruise? And say whether our advice to you turned out to be useful?

[fish316]

Hey, would you please come back and post in this thread about how you liked your cruise? And say whether our advice to you turned out to be useful?

Yes absolutely

We are not fancy dress up people so good to know I don't need formal wear

We heard that there could be a lot of people in line just to board- taking over an hour

Ship leaves at 4 -what time would have least lines

Also where is best views on boat

Edited February 2, 2017 by fish316

[wassup4565]

There is usually a big crush of people trying to board at the earliest possible time - usually around noon or shortly after. They want to get on board and wring every possible moment out. This means the buffet and the other cafe-type places are crammed with people trying to grab lunch, hauling their hand luggage, and wandering around waiting to get into their cabins. If you really hate lines and crowds, wait until 1:30 or 2:00. However, by all means, make sure you're there by 3:00 or not much later later. I think 3:30 will be the latest you will be allowed to board. 4:00 o'clock is when the gangways have all been pulled up, the ropes are cast off, and the ship's motors are driving it away from the dock.

 

I don't know Majesty, but many people like going to the pool deck for sailaway, on every ship. Fun party feeling, you can see the shore slipping away gradually, sometimes people wave from the shore. Don't be shy, introduce yourself to total strangers, everybody is happy they're starting an adventure!

 

Even for the big fancy dining room, as long as you're neat, clean and look like you made an effort, you'll be fine. Some of us have to fly to every cruise, and we have to pay the airlines by the suitcase. We're not bringing jackets for the men and gowns for the ladies these days, not when we have to pay by the pound! It's also perfectly fine to wear the same thing to the dining room for dinner more than once, even several times. This is not a fashion show, it's dinner.

 

Have a great cruise! Tell us all about it!