Majestic Princess for our family of 16

[surrocruiser]

Hello,

My extended family and I have been cruising together since 2016, mostly Caribbean and most recently Alaska.

 

We have decided it will be British Isles for our next one and we are leaning towards Majestic Princess May 2026. There are some specific ship questions we are trying to figure out before we take the leap.

 

One couple has sailed Princess from New York to Caribbean and my immediate family has done Princess to Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. Everyone else have sailed other lines but not Princess.

 

-Are there any dinner options that would let us reserve MDR early dining and have the 15 of us sit together at the same table or at the very least 2 tables together every night?

-The group likes to play board games/cards etc. It isn't usually everyone all at once but it can be. Are there public areas with space for us to gather and play?

-Connecting cabin options. We have had to change plans/ships in the past bc of this. We need a 3/2 option, a 2/2 option. Both will need to be at least oceanview but better if they are balconies.

-Casino question. We have a few that look specifically for table games. They are looking for games where you play against other players, not the dealer. 

 

Any information is helpful.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[voljeep]

Research 'refer-a-friend' before booking - OBC might be involved

[memoak]

2 minutes ago, surrocruiser said:

Hello,

My extended family and I have been cruising together since 2016, mostly Caribbean and most recently Alaska.

 

We have decided it will be British Isles for our next one and we are leaning towards Majestic Princess May 2026. There are some specific ship questions we are trying to figure out before we take the leap.

 

One couple has sailed Princess from New York to Caribbean and my immediate family has done Princess to Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. Everyone else have sailed other lines but not Princess.

 

-Are there any dinner options that would let us reserve MDR early dining and have the 15 of us sit together at the same table or at the very least 2 tables together every night?

-The group likes to play board games/cards etc. It isn't usually everyone all at once but it can be. Are there public areas with space for us to gather and play?

-Connecting cabin options. We have had to change plans/ships in the past bc of this. We need a 3/2 option, a 2/2 option. Both will need to be at least oceanview but better if they are balconies.

-Casino question. We have a few that look specifically for table games. They are looking for games where you play against other players, not the dealer. 

 

Any information is helpful.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

The only table game where you play against others is the automated poker table as I recall. Fairly high rake. 
 

[suekel]

11 minutes ago, surrocruiser said:

Hello,

My extended family and I have been cruising together since 2016, mostly Caribbean and most recently Alaska.

 

We have decided it will be British Isles for our next one and we are leaning towards Majestic Princess May 2026. There are some specific ship questions we are trying to figure out before we take the leap.

 

One couple has sailed Princess from New York to Caribbean and my immediate family has done Princess to Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. Everyone else have sailed other lines but not Princess.

 

-Are there any dinner options that would let us reserve MDR early dining and have the 15 of us sit together at the same table or at the very least 2 tables together every night?

-The group likes to play board games/cards etc. It isn't usually everyone all at once but it can be. Are there public areas with space for us to gather and play?

-Connecting cabin options. We have had to change plans/ships in the past bc of this. We need a 3/2 option, a 2/2 option. Both will need to be at least oceanview but better if they are balconies.

-Casino question. We have a few that look specifically for table games. They are looking for games where you play against other players, not the dealer. 

 

Any information is helpful.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

For dining, you should be able to book 2 tables of 8.  You would need to talk to the head waiter about them being by each other.  They were able to do 2 tables of 10 for our family over Christmas.  

[surrocruiser]

34 minutes ago, voljeep said:

Research 'refer-a-friend' before booking - OBC might be involved

My understanding of the program is that they can't be booked on the same sailing. But I will look into it. Thanks!

[surrocruiser]

27 minutes ago, suekel said:

For dining, you should be able to book 2 tables of 8.  You would need to talk to the head waiter about them being by each other.  They were able to do 2 tables of 10 for our family over Christmas.  

Thank you. Will we need to make any precruise reservations or better to wait til we board?

[suekel]

3 minutes ago, surrocruiser said:

Thank you. Will we need to make any precruise reservations or better to wait til we board?

I would book the tables at the time you want just to hold them then fine tune when you get on board

[scoutfinch72]

39 minutes ago, surrocruiser said:

 

-Connecting cabin options. We have had to change plans/ships in the past bc of this. We need a 3/2 option, a 2/2 option. Both will need to be at least oceanview but better if they are balconies.

 

 

 

There are no oceanview cabins on the Majestic Princess. There are quite a few connecting cabins but you usually need to book early to secure them, so I wouldn’t wait. They don’t prevent people from booking just one of two connecting cabins so finding two side by side in the right configuration (2/2 or 2/3) can be tricky. 

[cr8tiv1]

Refer a friend works:

 

before new passengers get a Captain Circle number (needs to be down before first booking/or before they have ANY communications with Princess).

 

it will work for passengers referred, booked, and on the same cruise.  I have done this with both my sisters.  $25 for each of us.  OBC applied to first cruises.

[Rick&Jeannie]

STRONGLY suggest you deal with a Princess CVP or an independent TA to get all of this arranged.

[Coral]

Definitely book (2) tables of 8. One long table doesn't really allow people to talk and it will hold up food longer.

 

Contact a travel agent before people book. You may qualify as a group which could give you group amenities and maybe one free cabin or one free birth. I forget what it is with Princess. Also do a referral before for those who haven't sailed Princess.

[Rick&Jeannie]

33 minutes ago, Coral said:

You may qualify as a group which could give you group amenities and maybe one free cabin or one free birth. 

Wow...not sure how you knew that someone was expecting! 😄

[Wishing on a star]

Hahaha!!!  birth!!!  I suppose that should be berth....

Surro,  It might be easier to have a TA help with this, as you are concerned with the connecting cabins, dining, etc...

If you want to look at what might be available, on a computer, pull up two screens...  On one screen pull up the Majestic's deck plans, and click on connecting cabins...  you can do the same to look for cabins that will take more than two guests.

Look at what is showing available, and reference back and forth.

I also think that they will want to put you at two tables. 

Link your cruise/dining reservations, with each cabin picking the same time, large table, etc.

They should be happy to set up what you need...  do this when you board.

 

And, another thing, the Majestic is going into dry dock next March... Know that there could be some changes to this ship.

[Coral]

2 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Wow...not sure how you knew that someone was expecting! 😄

Thanks. Typo - "berth". Thanks for correcting.

[surrocruiser]

42 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

Hahaha!!!  birth!!!  I suppose that should be berth....

Surro,  It might be easier to have a TA help with this, as you are concerned with the connecting cabins, dining, etc...

If you want to look at what might be available, on a computer, pull up two screens...  On one screen pull up the Majestic's deck plans, and click on connecting cabins...  you can do the same to look for cabins that will take more than two guests.

Look at what is showing available, and reference back and forth.

I also think that they will want to put you at two tables. 

Link your cruise/dining reservations, with each cabin picking the same time, large table, etc.

They should be happy to set up what you need...  do this when you board.

 

And, another thing, the Majestic is going into dry dock next March... Know that there could be some changes to this ship.

Great info and good to know about dry dock!

[Rick&Jeannie]

10 hours ago, Coral said:

Thanks. Typo - "berth". Thanks for correcting.

Sorry! Couldn't resist....! 😀

[NavyVeteran]

14 hours ago, Coral said:

Definitely book (2) tables of 8. One long table doesn't really allow people to talk and it will hold up food longer.

 

Contact a travel agent before people book. You may qualify as a group which could give you group amenities and maybe one free cabin or one free birth. I forget what it is with Princess. Also do a referral before for those who haven't sailed Princess.

Definitely book through a travel agent or a Princess Cruise Vacation Planner (CVP). Four cabins can qualify as a group and get some small group OBC. Eight cabins can provide one berth free (which can either be applied to one passenger or divided among all the passengers). Other group amenities are possible - I don't know all the details, since I only booked a group of five cabins.

[Torfamm]

19 hours ago, surrocruiser said:

My understanding of the program is that they can't be booked on the same sailing. But I will look into it. Thanks!

I think you’d be able to use the group program 

https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/celebrations/celebration-group-program

[WisCruiser2]

@surrocruiser, there should be a dining room available during the day for people to play board games. I know there are those who grab tables by the pool or the buffet and sit there for several hour playing cards, etc. but that does not allow others to use the tables for eating...

[Wishing on a star]

Yes,  one of the absolute rudest things!!!!!   People have seen tables sitting there, all set up, nobody there, but a sign saying 'do not move/disturb/touch' the game or puzzle.  Ugggghhhh!!!!

 

There should be times during the day when there are unused venues.

Maybe they do open a dining room....

But, in the evening when all venues are up and running...  that would be a challenge.

[memoak]

3 hours ago, WisCruiser2 said:

@surrocruiser, there should be a dining room available during the day for people to play board games. I know there are those who grab tables by the pool or the buffet and sit there for several hour playing cards, etc. but that does not allow others to use the tables for eating...

On Grand class ships they usually play games in the Salty Dog Gastropub during the day. And of course the bar is just around the corner