New Zealand on Majestic Princess November 24, 2018

[PurpleTraveller]

Here we are just returned from our 12 day cruise from Sydney to New Zealand on Majestic Princess. I was not expecting to go on another cruise this year but it was the fault of one of those emails. You know the ones I mean - the ones you give a quick glance at as you're about to delete it and stop and think - oh! New Zealand, oh! a Balcony for less than an Interior, oh! upgrade to a Deluxe Balcony for the same price as a Balcony and the next thing I knew I was booked on another cruise. I had wanted to go on another cruise to New Zealand as on our previous cruise in 2016 we had hit bad weather and missed Dunedin and the Fjordlands and I really, really wanted to cruise Milford Sound.

 

Saturday November 24 - Embarkation Sydney

 

So we set off from home to the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal and we discovered the joy of cruising from your home port. We left home and were on the ship in less than 45 minutes! It took less than 10 minutes from dropping off our suitcases to being welcomed onboard. 

 

 

We made our way to our cabin - a Deluxe Balcony A124.

 

 

We set out to explore the ship and catch some great views. The Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney is right in the centre of Sydney with amazing views of the harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. 

 

 

 

 

Muster was at 3.20pm and we didn't have to take our life jackets.

 

Sail away was at 4.00pm and we seemed to come really close to the Harbour Bridge when we reversed away from the dock. 

 

 

There were great views as we slowly sailed through the Harbour. It took about an hour to sail to the Heads and out to sea. 

 

 

 

We had a quick dinner at the buffet and then went to the Welcome Show in the theatre at 7.15pm. It was Christopher Watkins a violinist who was great watch and listen to. 

[Kenswing]

Awesome.  We're doing this cruise in March.  Can't wait to read more.

[PurpleTraveller]

20 minutes ago, Kenswing said:

Awesome.  We're doing this cruise in March.  Can't wait to read more.

 

Welcome! Hope you enjoy the review and have a great cruise next March. 

[PurpleTraveller]

Sunday November 25 and Monday November 26 - Sea Days

 

We didn't do an awful lot during these two sea days. On the first sea day we went to both morning and afternoon Trivia's, watched a concert at MUTS - Mumford and Sons Live in South Africa, dinner at the Symphony Dining Room and went to the 9.15pm performance of Encore in the theatre. On the second sea day we also went to both the morning and afternoon Trivia's and had dinner at Alfredo's. The food was good but the service was somewhat lacking. We waited for twenty minutes after finishing our meal and plates were cleared and then finally gave up waiting to order dessert and left. 

 

What we did do during these sea days was to explore the ship. We have been on both Royal and Regal Princess so we were interested to see the differences. One of the changes is the extended balconies both forward and aft on decks 8 and 9.

 

 

The other big change is the enclosed Hollywood Pool Club.

 

 

 

 

The very best change is the Hollywood Conservatory at the very front of the ship with comfortable seating areas, great views, no wind as it is fully enclosed and best of all - free! Most seating areas are taken early in the day but we were able to use the area a number of times at different times of the day and evening. It was so nice to be able to look forward and it is available to all. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 6, 2018 by PurpleTraveller

[PurpleTraveller]

Tuesday November 27 - Auckland

 

We weren't due into Auckland until 12pm so we had a leisurely morning.

 

We had breakfast at the area just outside the buffet next to the pool with comfortable padded chairs and metal tables. On every previous Princess cruise (this was our ninth) we have eaten outside by the pool if the weather is good enough and received table service and the tables are set with cutlery. On our first morning we had collected our breakfast from the buffet and made our way outside and sat down at a table. There was no cutlery so when a crew member came by we asked for an apple juice, an orange juice and some cutlery. To our amazement we were told that they did not provide cutlery or apple juice outside and that we would have to get our own. When we asked what they could provide we were told orange juice, water and coffee. We expressed our surprise at this but we were told again that we had to get our own apple juice and cutlery. For the remainder of the cruise we did this but it still seems rather odd and I don't recall ever asking for something on a Princess ship and being told to get it myself. 

 

After breakfast we found a seat in the Hollywood Conservatory and enjoyed the sail in to Auckland harbour. We even saw a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the ship which was lovely.

 

 

At 12pm we were docked at the Princes Wharf next to the Auckland Ferry Building. 

 

 

We have been to Auckland a number of times so didn't have anything major planned for the day so we left the ship at 12.20pm and walked the couple of blocks to the Britomart Bus Station. We got the 12.50pm 27H bus to Mt Eden which cost NZ$3.50 each and took about 20 minutes. It took 25 minutes to leisurely walk up to the top of Mt Eden from the bus stop. Mt Eden is a former volcano and the centre of the crater is considered sacred. From the top there are great views of Auckland city, harbour and the surrounding suburbs. 

 

 

 

 

 

[PurpleTraveller]

After enjoying the view and having a snack we decided to walk back to the ship as it was mostly downhill. We headed down to the Domain to one of my favourite places in Auckland - the Winter Garden. The Winter Garden is two conservatories with many different plants and divided by a courtyard with a pond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After getting my fill of the lovely plants we continued walking to the Old Government House, the Clock Tower of Auckland University and to Albert Park. 

 

 

 

[PurpleTraveller]

After a short break to enjoy the park we walked back to the ship and continued on a short way to the Viaduct which was built for when New Zealand hosted the America's Cup. There are restaurants and bars and you can watch people far braver than me jump off the Auckland Skytower (attached to the tower by ropes).

 

 

 

 

We got back to the ship at 5.30pm and 15 minutes later the rain that had been expected all day came pouring down. Sail away was at 8.00pm and we were treated to a spectacular sunset where the colour just kept getting better and better. One of the best sunsets I have ever seen! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[emmak8]

Thank you for posting. Your pictures are awesome. I was on the Majestic 35 days on its first voyage from Barcelona to Singapore. Deck 17 was my favorite with its covered pool and private seating areas .

[Jodieg]

Loving your review.

Thanks

[Croptop]

Looking forward to reading more about your travels on the Majestic. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos with us.

[RLK33853]

Great Review as always.  Wish we had known about the extended balconies before we booked.  While we like the Royal class for a bunch of reasons, the little balconies are one thing we hate.

 

thanks for sharing

 

Ray

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review.

[Aesop081]

Wife and I are doing the 13 day in the opposite direction in Jan 2020.  This thread has us enthralled, we are looking anxiously forward to more information on the ship and the cruise.  Great pics so far. 

[Pantheral]

Many complements and thanks for the review so far. Looking forward to hearing more! We are booked on her for the 2/18/19 cruise and have been waiting for a detailed review of the Majestic now that she is cruising from Australia. 

[sewgood]

You have given me new ideas on what to do next time we are in Auckland. Thanks.

Great photos and I am enjoying your review.

 

[trbarton]

I'm on the Majestic for the March cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong.  Since I've never been on a large Princess ship like the Majestic you review & photos are extremely helpful.

 

Waiting to see more information & photos.  Thanks again.

 

Tom

[PurpleTraveller]

15 hours ago, emmak8 said:

Thank you for posting. Your pictures are awesome. I was on the Majestic 35 days on its first voyage from Barcelona to Singapore. Deck 17 was my favorite with its covered pool and private seating areas .

 

Thanks. 35 days would have been great. I really enjoyed the Hollywood Conservatory and managed to enjoy a private seating area a couple of times. 

[PurpleTraveller]

14 hours ago, Jodieg said:

Loving your review.

Thanks

 

Thank you. Hope you enjoy the remainder. 

[PurpleTraveller]

11 hours ago, Croptop said:

Looking forward to reading more about your travels on the Majestic. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos with us.

 

Thank you. More will be coming up soon that I hope you will enjoy. 

[PurpleTraveller]

10 hours ago, RLK33853 said:

Great Review as always.  Wish we had known about the extended balconies before we booked.  While we like the Royal class for a bunch of reasons, the little balconies are one thing we hate.

 

thanks for sharing

 

Ray

 

Thank you so much. The balconies looked to be a good size so I would definitely consider one of them in the future. 

[PurpleTraveller]

10 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

Thanks for the review.

 

Thank you. Hope you enjoy the rest. 

[PurpleTraveller]

7 hours ago, Aesop081 said:

Wife and I are doing the 13 day in the opposite direction in Jan 2020.  This thread has us enthralled, we are looking anxiously forward to more information on the ship and the cruise.  Great pics so far. 

 

Thanks. I hope you enjoy the rest of the review and if you have any questions please feel free to ask away. Have a great cruise in 2020.

[PurpleTraveller]

6 hours ago, Pantheral said:

Many complements and thanks for the review so far. Looking forward to hearing more! We are booked on her for the 2/18/19 cruise and have been waiting for a detailed review of the Majestic now that she is cruising from Australia. 

 

Thank you very much. Ask any questions and I will try to answer them. Hope you enjoy the rest of the review. Have a wonderful cruise next year. 

[PurpleTraveller]

4 hours ago, sewgood said:

You have given me new ideas on what to do next time we are in Auckland. Thanks.

Great photos and I am enjoying your review.

 

 

Thank you. I'm so pleased to hear that I have given you some ideas. I always enjoy spending time in Auckland. 

[PurpleTraveller]

2 hours ago, trbarton said:

I'm on the Majestic for the March cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong.  Since I've never been on a large Princess ship like the Majestic you review & photos are extremely helpful.

 

Waiting to see more information & photos.  Thanks again.

 

Tom

 

Thank you. I hope you find some more of the review helpful and enjoy the remainder. Hope you enjoy your cruise in March.