Majestic for a transatlantic in February. Good or bad choice for an introvert who likes more quiet?

[mef_57]

Looking at Majestic with Princess Plus...inside cabin. (As a solo, it's what suits the budget).

As it is February, I expect protected comfortable spaces are reduce. YouTube walkthrus and comments mention a loud Piazza area most of the daytime. They included sound from the seafood restaurant 2 decks in, and it was loud. Also the fact they play movies or videos at a high volume through the day on the Lido. Comments here mention chlorine smells in the Hollywood pool club.

Is there anywhere I can hangout and see daylight without a lot of noise or smells.

I'd like to make it work, but maybe it's just not a good fit🤷‍♀️

Any words of encouragement?

[mtnesterz]

As to quiet places, someone might post their experience in the Double Down Bar. On the Enchanted, this area is called Take 5 and is a quiet pleasant place to sit and hang out with a view. But as the Double Down, I don't know. You don't have any Skywalkers, Seaview Bar or Adagio as on the smaller, better Princess ships and you won't have a library.

If you book, looks like you'll be on one of the last sailings to enjoy the Majestic's distinctiveness. Others post in May, the ship will lose the noodle bar, Harmony and the dual language signage. Funny, the Sabatini menu is in Italian and English and no one is bothered. Signage in Chinese and English and people are offput. Go figure.

Remember, if you haven't done a TA before, you lose an hour's sleep every few days going west to east. It adds up.

 

[HotRoot]

I believe the Double Down Bar is also the casino bar.  They also just installed two craps tables in the Double Down.  It might be active/noisy on sea days when the casino is open.  It is also used as a Sports Bar with lots of televisions playing.  We were only in there at night so I do not remember what the view (or if there was view) was like.

 

We were in a balcony so did not seek out a quiet spot.

[dockman]

there are two outside decks down near the water line at the back of the ship that are good spots as not many seem to find or want to sit outside...one side is smokers who puff away but other side was generally smoke free....might be too cold for a feb cruise but frankly like OP i was looking for a nice quiet place which was overall not easy to find on majestic...movies by pool too darn loud, lot of the lounges seem to always be playing some kind of recorded music...library is the size of a closet....main plaza seemed always some kind of noise/music/ sombody babbling on and on over a loudspeaker...some seem to thrive on noise..to me not something i enjoy very much

[mef_57]

4 minutes ago, mtnesterz said:

As to quiet places, someone might post their experience in the Double Down Bar. On the Enchanted, this area is called Take 5 and is a quiet pleasant place to sit and hang out with a view. But as the Double Down, I don't know. You don't have any Skywalkers, Seaview Bar or Adagio as on the smaller, better Princess ships and you won't have a library.

If you book, looks like you'll be on one of the last sailings to enjoy the Majestic's distinctiveness. Others post in May, the ship will lose the noodle bar, Harmony and the dual language signage. Funny, the Sabatini menu is in Italian and English and no one is bothered. Signage in Chinese and English and people are offput. Go figure.

Remember, if you haven't done a TA before, you lose an hour's sleep every few days going west to east. It adds up.

 

Thanks for the thoughts.

I was on Coral Princess in 2010 and pretty easy to find quiet places, so was surprised to hear it could be noisy on Majestic. I am working with an agent and her clients haven't complained; nor am I reading it as an issue....but then I may like more quiet time.

Thanks for the reminder about loosing sleep. An hour a day may be okay. My last flight was from Korea to Ontario....so jet lag, I know about. The benefits of an inside cabin is total darkness....so also good for naps

[mef_57]

3 minutes ago, HotRoot said:

I believe the Double Down Bar is also the casino bar.  They also just installed two craps tables in the Double Down.  It might be active/noisy on sea days when the casino is open.  It is also used as a Sports Bar with lots of televisions playing.  We were only in there at night so I do not remember what the view (or if there was view) was like.

 

We were in a balcony so did not seek out a quiet spot.

One blog mentions it gets underused during the daytime. Any window with daylight works. On a transatlantic, views will all be the same 😉 

[mef_57]

4 minutes ago, dockman said:

there are two outside decks down near the water line at the back of the ship that are good spots as not many seem to find or want to sit outside...one side is smokers who puff away but other side was generally smoke free....might be too cold for a feb cruise but frankly like OP i was looking for a nice quiet place which was overall not easy to find on majestic...movies by pool too darn loud, lot of the lounges seem to always be playing some kind of recorded music...library is the size of a closet....main plaza seemed always some kind of noise/music/ sombody babbling on and on over a loudspeaker...some seem to thrive on noise..to me not something i enjoy very much

Thank you for an answer understanding my concern. I really appreciate that.

My alternative is RC Allure. Twice the size, but for much cheaper I can get a Central Park Balcony. I know it would be overlooking a public space but can get daylight and fresh air with wind protection, and with an inside seating area, then I could just relax there. None of the Princess Plus perks, but for the cost savings, can spring for the extras I may wish.

Thanks again.

[sunviking90]

While we like the Majestic Princess, after doing a transpacific (9 sea days) on the Royal Princess which is a sister ship, I would not do this again. We luckily had a deluxe balcony so we had a bit more space, but we spent a LOT of time in our cabin because like you, we like quiet. These ships get crowded, Piazza is NOISY, and there are few nice quiet corners. I would never take an inside cabin on one of these ships. I would look for an itinerary on a grand or crown class ship OR get your inside and bid for an upgrade when it opens up. These days they seem to open one of the dining rooms in the daytime for games and crafts. We took our game in there and did find it pretty quiet, and thankfully none of the incessant music playing. That might be a nice spot to read.
Fortunately, I don’t think your transatlantic in February will be full, but who knows these days.

 

Edited June 5 by sunviking90

[mef_57]

1 minute ago, sunviking90 said:

While we like the Majestic Princess, after doing a transpacific (9 sea days) on the Royal Princess which is a sister ship, I would not do this again. We luckily had a deluxe balcony so we had a bit more space, but we spent a LOT of time in our cabin because like you, we like quiet. These ships get crowded, Piazza is NOISY, and there are few nice quiet corners. I would never take an inside cabin on one of these ships. I would look for an itinerary on a grand or crown class ship OR get your inside and bid for an upgrade when it opens up. These days they seem to open one of the dining rooms in the daytime for gams and crafts. We took our game in there and did find it pretty quiet, and thankfully none of the incessant music playing. That might be a nice spot to read.
Fortunately, I don’t think your transatlantic in February will be full, but who knows these days.

 

Thanks. Again, helpful particularly as you did a trans ocean. My agent is saying repositioning are fairly full these days, so have to keep that in mind.

[memoak]

29 minutes ago, mef_57 said:

Thanks for the thoughts.

I was on Coral Princess in 2010 and pretty easy to find quiet places, so was surprised to hear it could be noisy on Majestic. I am working with an agent and her clients haven't complained; nor am I reading it as an issue....but then I may like more quiet time.

Thanks for the reminder about loosing sleep. An hour a day may be okay. My last flight was from Korea to Ontario....so jet lag, I know about. The benefits of an inside cabin is total darkness....so also good for naps

You do know that the Majestic is a way biggger ship than the Coral. At least 50% more passengers 

[mef_57]

5 minutes ago, memoak said:

You do know that the Majestic is a way biggger ship than the Coral. At least 50% more passengers 

Yes I do know, and that the RC I am also considering is twice the capacity of Majestic. I will want to do shows, and activities, knowing they may be noisy; but also find places that are more quiet when I want it. But thanks for the reality check.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Another vote for Take 5.  This was our "go to" spot anytime we just wanted to relax and maybe read or just talk with our cruise companions.

[Sudoku]

Out on deck 7 aft they usually put up deck chairs during the day. Stay off of the smoking side and this is a nice quiet location

[Sudoku]

Out on deck 7 aft they usually put up deck chairs during the day. Stay off of the smoking side and this is a nice quiet location.

 

Also depending on the Captain, some ships change time at 12:00 noon on days requiring a time change. 

 

 

[Canuker]

OP: "transatlantic" and February" caught my eye.

But I see your route, Fort Lauderdale to The Med, is mercifully farther south that the typical NYC W. Europe. You'll be sailing with the prevailing wind and currents, so, yes, quiet from a marine perspective is right, too. Given the view won't change for several days, I too would be tempted to nab an inside cabin and spend the savings elsewhere.

Lastly, check the space around your prospective cabin, to ensure that you get quiet fro above & below.

Edited June 6 by Canuker

[CDNCruiser55]

I haven't seen anyone mention the Vista Lounge. It's a bit hit and miss because they do some stuff in there during the day like Bingo but when there is nothing going on it is pretty quiet and relaxing. Just leave before Bingo starts. That'll drive you bonkers.

 

If it's warm enough to be outside the Wakeview bar Lido deck aft is usually pretty quiet. My wife and I enjoy it back there.

 

In the evening, after 8:00, the buffet is usually pretty quiet too, though maybe not the most comfy seating.

 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

7 hours ago, mef_57 said:

Comments here mention chlorine smells in the Hollywood pool club.

True but the Hollywood Conservatory does not. At least it didn’t when I sailed Majestic July, 2021. The conservatory is a lovely quiet space with great forward views and lots of comfy couches & chairs. Sorry I only took one picture. 

[Honolulu Blue]

9 hours ago, mef_57 said:

Looking at Majestic with Princess Plus...inside cabin. (As a solo, it's what suits the budget).

As it is February, I expect protected comfortable spaces are reduce. YouTube walkthrus and comments mention a loud Piazza area most of the daytime. They included sound from the seafood restaurant 2 decks in, and it was loud. Also the fact they play movies or videos at a high volume through the day on the Lido. Comments here mention chlorine smells in the Hollywood pool club.

Is there anywhere I can hangout and see daylight without a lot of noise or smells.

I'd like to make it work, but maybe it's just not a good fit🤷‍♀️

Any words of encouragement?

 

I was on the Majestic in April 2022, though it wasn't a transatlantic.  It was about 70% full at the time of its sailing.  I never tried to spend any significant time on the outdoor decks, so I can't help you there.  Here are a couple of the places I hung out when I was onboard.  The common areas can get a little noisy, but as a fellow introvert, I found them quiet enough during the morning hours.

 

 

[mef_57]

9 hours ago, Canuker said:

OP: "transatlantic" and February" caught my eye.

But I see your route, Fort Lauderdale to The Med, is mercifully farther south that the typical NYC W. Europe. You'll be sailing with the prevailing wind and currents, so, yes, quiet from a marine perspective is right, too. Given the view won't change for several days, I too would be tempted to nab an inside cabin and spend the savings elsewhere.

Lastly, check the space around your prospective cabin, to ensure that you get quiet fro above & below.

I did consider that it isn't hurricane season, but was hoping to avoid those east coast Atlantic gales. Thanks for the reassurance.

I do review the deck plans for connecting cabins, potential staff spaces and noises above and below. But I also always have several pair of earplugs in my makeup bag. I'll ensure I also have SeaBands and Gravol...just in case.

[Yehootu]

We just did a trans pacific on the Majestic. There really isn't a bad chlorine smell in the forward part of the Hollywood Conservatory and if early enough, you can get a quiet cabana.

The Double Down area was used for meetings and the Ukulele class on our cruise. The TV volume wasn't turned up very often and even then it wasn't very loud. There were quiet areas to sit in the common areas between venues. We enjoyed our time.

[HotRoot]

How about sitting in Vines by a window?  I do not think it opens until 4 pm so would be empty during the day.  Hopefully you would be far enough away from the action in the Piazza if you were by the windows.

 

The Hollywood Conservatory could be quiet.  We were on with a lot of noisy children.  It was not quiet at all.  Also, it appeared if you want a cabana you have to get there at 7 am and stake your claim.