Live from the Majestic Princess preview cruise

[Gimer]

dides, can you ask if they will be offering the "Ultimate Ship's Tour"? I would sign up in a minute, or even pre-book it.

[anthonyy7]

Having a smoking area fwd is going to cause some issues [emoji19]. I don't see the fitness center hours posted in the patter, is it 24 hrs like the other Royal class ships? I do hope they add those cushioning chairs at the retreat bar. Thanks for all the info and photos

 

 

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[spingal]

The more I read about the Majestic, the less I want to sail on it. While certain features (bubble tea, anyone) appeal to my Chinese lineage, the lack of Gelato is the final straw. Princess certainly tailored the Majestic to the traditional Chinese population, based on things I could see on the deck plans:

- larger casino. Club 6 is now VIP Gaming and removed the stairs between Promenade & Fiesta in the casino.

- larger shopping area. No Future Cruise Center nor Captain's Circle office that I could see on deck plans. Those spaces are shown as shopping area. Again the removed stairs provide more floor space for shopping. Is there a Piazza Bar on Majestic? That space is also been rearranged for more shopping.

- fewer bars. Crooner's and Piazza bars are no where to be found. Given how much alcohol my family consumes, I find this a very curious decision to remove bars in favor of shopping area. Probably the profit margin is higher from the shops than from the bars.

 

Just some obscure observation based your report and studying the deck plans. BTW, the reduction in size of the Art Gallery is well past due. :)

 

Wow. I just looked at the plans and agree with you. I have no desire to sail on this ship. While I understand that the Chinese market is lucrative for cruising I wish that Princess had taken an older ship and sent it to that market. As a loyal cruiser I feel like Princess is turning their back on the markets that made them successful.

[rumbalizw]

Liz, will mention it if I see Dirk again

 

 

 

Sandra

 

 

Many thanks . I've met three couples today on a tour in Rome from CC

 

 

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[chamima]

Wow. I just looked at the plans and agree with you. I have no desire to sail on this ship. While I understand that the Chinese market is lucrative for cruising I wish that Princess had taken an older ship and sent it to that market. As a loyal cruiser I feel like Princess is turning their back on the markets that made them successful.

 

 

I actually think it was a wise move to put her in China.

The Royal and Regal have both come out recently (2013 and 2014) and 2 more of this class are in the works so taking a short break and sending one of the new builds there will give Princess time to re-think any changes for the next one which will be for the American market in 2019.

Edited April 2, 2017 by chamima

[Selion]

I actually think it was a wise move to put her in China.

The Royal and Regal have both come out recently (2013 and 2014) and 2 more of this class are in the works so taking a short break and sending one of the new builds there will give Princess time to re-think any changes for the next one which will be for the American market in 2019.

Correct. Just because I wouldn't want to sail on it, that doesn't mean Princess can't fill the boat to capacity from a country with 1.3 to 1.4 billion people. Besides, NCL is also positioning its newest boat, Joy, for the Chinese market. Chinese, in general, likes things that are new and shiny and cruising is still a relatively new form of travel/vacation for them. If Princess positions an older boat, say the Caribbean, they can't even compete at the same level as other lines with new ships.

 

Carnival is in the business to make money. Everything boils down to how to milk more money out of guests while they are enjoying the vacation.

[dides]

So we finally got into the Harmony Chinese restaurant tonight. Apparently there were 2 sittings for the 220 UK travel agents last night so no wonder we didn't get a booking.

 

The menu has been a special fixed menu because of lack of all the ingredients. They couldn't tell me if they will be offering the full menu next cruise.

 

DINNER MENU

 

Starter (choose one)

 

Sampler of barbecue pork, beef tenderloin

Or

Peking duck salad, lettuce, almond, truffle oil vinaigrette

 

---------------------------------------------------

Cantonese herbal soup of the day (Pork)

---------------------------------------------------

Specialities - Casserole (choose one)

 

Stir-fried shrimp, sugar peas, mushrooms

Or

Braised pork belly ribs casserole, star anise, rock sugar

 

----------------------------------------------------

Vegetable – Rice – Noodle (choose one)

 

Diced salty fish fried rice

Or

Braised crispy tofu, shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy

 

----------------------------------------------------

Dessert

 

Daily special – coconut ice cream

 

 

 

 

So you get a choice of a starter, main and side but one soup and one dessert. And you still pay $29 each.

 

 

Chris and I ordered one each of the choices but Chris was able to go without the salty fish in his rice.

 

 

Here are the pics:

 

 

Pork and beef starter

 

 

 

 

Peking duck salad

 

 

 

 

Cantonese herbal soup

[dides]

Stir-fried shrimp

 

Pork belly

 

Tofu and vegetables

 

Vegetable rice (no fish)

 

Coconut ice cream

 

 

Everything was delicious except the tofu dish which was rather bland. There could have been more duck in the salad too.

[Bill B]

I live in China and can understand, with the ship to be permanently 'home ported' in and servicing an exclusively Chinese market, why Princess has replaced some bars (Crooners) and expanded the shopping areas. China does not have a 'drinking culture' like the West. They will drink beer and wine with meals, but do generally not go to bars - there are no bars where I live. Serious drinking is done behind closed doors in KTV (karaoke) rooms, or in restaurants by men who get hammered on baijiu with their buddies.

 

I've been on a cruise out of Shanghai with 80% Chinese pax. They 'filled' the bars but brought their own tea... and sat around gambling & smoking. They didn't buy any drinks.

Edited April 2, 2017 by Bill B

[vickie_bernie]

I actually think it was a wise move to put her in China.

The Royal and Regal have both come out recently (2013 and 2014) and 2 more of this class are in the works so taking a short break and sending one of the new builds there will give Princess time to re-think any changes for the next one which will be for the American market in 2019.

 

Correct. Just because I wouldn't want to sail on it, that doesn't mean Princess can't fill the boat to capacity from a country with 1.3 to 1.4 billion people. Besides, NCL is also positioning its newest boat, Joy, for the Chinese market. Chinese, in general, likes things that are new and shiny and cruising is still a relatively new form of travel/vacation for them. If Princess positions an older boat, say the Caribbean, they can't even compete at the same level as other lines with new ships.

 

Carnival is in the business to make money. Everything boils down to how to milk more money out of guests while they are enjoying the vacation.

 

 

I agree with you both - We have had how many new ships here in North America. Whenever a ship gets deployed elsewhere all I hear is oh no we lost this amazing ship. With the new Royal and Regal ships that did the Caribbean route had to be deployed elsewhere. One ship going to Asia is great, I just wish we could book it in Asia as I would sail that class of ship in Asia.

 

I am glad the Emerald is coming back to North America, still miss the Diamond and Sapphire but love the Royal and Regal. If only I could have everything I wanted :o

 

Happy Sailing to all who get on the Majestic - off to the Royal next week

[dides]

Patter - final day - sea day

 

 

 

 

[IECalCruiser]

I agree with you both - We have had how many new ships here in North America. Whenever a ship gets deployed elsewhere all I hear is oh no we lost this amazing ship. With the new Royal and Regal ships that did the Caribbean route had to be deployed elsewhere. One ship going to Asia is great, I just wish we could book it in Asia as I would sail that class of ship in Asia.

 

I am glad the Emerald is coming back to North America, still miss the Diamond and Sapphire but love the Royal and Regal. If only I could have everything I wanted :o

 

Happy Sailing to all who get on the Majestic - off to the Royal next week

The Sapphire will be in Europe in 2018.

 

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[jcruizer]

I had noticed the limits on both the Harmony and La Mer menus. Limits are also present at SHARE and the Salty Dog. I hope the trend doesn't spread to the Crown Grill and Sabatini's.

 

 

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We are just back from a South American cruise on the Crown and we were not allowed to order more than one main at the Crown Grill - so some people would order the lobster and the partner would order the steak and they would then share. Not ideal...

[princessfanboy]

Patter - final day - sea day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you so much for your live!

I just have 1 question the symphony dining room (deck 5) haven't been listen on the pattern, is that area for anytime?

Edited April 3, 2017 by princessfanboy

[caribill]

While I understand that the Chinese market is lucrative for cruising I wish that Princess had taken an older ship and sent it to that market. As a loyal cruiser I feel like Princess is turning their back on the markets that made them successful.

 

It may be lucrative in the future, but so far Princess and other companies with ships based there are still building the market and are probably making less money there than elsewhere.

 

In China all the cruises are charters to travel companies. In some cases the pricing for the charters has had to be adjusted so that the travel companies involved wopuld not be losing money. This info comes from conference calls with stock analysts by CCL Corp and RCI.

[caribill]

No Future Cruise Center nor Captain's Circle office that I could see on deck plans.

 

Not a surprise.

 

 

All of the Chinese sailings are charters to Chinese travel companies. Princess does not sell any of the bookings, so there is no need for a Future Cruise Sales Center.

 

 

Also, Captain's Circle would not apply in the charter market.

[upwarduk]

Not a surprise.

 

 

All of the Chinese sailings are charters to Chinese travel companies. Princess does not sell any of the bookings, so there is no need for a Future Cruise Sales Center.

 

So why are Princess 'entertaining' 220 UK Travel Agents?

 

So we finally got into the Harmony Chinese restaurant tonight. Apparently there were 2 sittings for the 220 UK travel agents last night so no wonder we didn't get a booking.

[vickie_bernie]

Grace Zhang is the Captain Circle Host and is on for the Chinese sailings as well. She is lovely.

[brian1]

Stir-fried shrimp

 

Pork belly

 

Tofu and vegetables

 

Vegetable rice (no fish)

 

Coconut ice cream

 

 

Everything was delicious except the tofu dish which was rather bland. There could have been more duck in the salad too.

OMG pork belly.I thought they had learnt their lesson with share LOL.Actually I quite like it personally.Are there no vegetarians in China,judging by menu,cheers,Brian.

[dides]

So why are Princess 'entertaining' 220 UK Travel Agents?

They were always going to be on the preview cruise - I remember reading on twitter about regular sweepstakes winners gaining a place on it based on them getting princess bookings before it was released to the gen public. Under the tag #makememajestic They have had to work though - listening to corporates, being shown around in smaller groups. Not quite sure why when the ship ends up in China but maybe just pushing the bigger brand.

[dides]

We have a couple questions

1.Is there a Captains Circle Host on board?

2.Have you had most travelled passenger parties.

3.This is for my other half.Do they have the special 2 for 1 happy hour.

4.Have they had top 40 party.They usually have it in club 6 but it looks like there is no club 6.

 

Yes I went to speak to Grace Zhang this morning. She and the Future Cruise person share a little room off the Piazza on deck 5.

 

No most travelled or top 40 parties on the preview cruise but they will hold them.

 

Breakdown for this cruise is:

Gold 91

Ruby 41

Platinum 81

Elite 66

 

And no 2 for 1 happy hour promotions on this cruise.

[dides]

dides, can you ask if they will be offering the "Ultimate Ship's Tour"? I would sign up in a minute, or even pre-book it.

I asked at the PSD and they don't know yet

[Bill B]

In China all the cruises are charters to travel companies. In some cases the pricing for the charters has had to be adjusted so that the travel companies involved wopuld not be losing money. This info comes from conference calls with stock analysts by CCL Corp and RCI.

 

You can bet those onboard prices for specialty restaurants and menu items will be adjusted too. There is no way the Chinese will pay those prices.

[tiqittaq foo]

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[dides]

I just have 1 question the symphony dining room (deck 5) haven't been listen on the pattern, is that area for anytime?

 

The ship is only half full so they only need one anytime dining room open on this cruise. Symphony would normally be anytime.