Enchanted vs Majestic?

[beachgirl50]

Looking at cruises in early 2026. We’ve cruised on the Enchanted, but not yet on Majestic. Any opinions regarding one ship over the other? TIA!

[beshears]

I know you want response about the Enchanted or Majestic, but since I have not been on either, would you mind giving me your pros/cons of the Enchanted ship, as we did the Regal earlier this year, and were really happy with it. There are 7 or 8 of us that are planning on cruising the first part of next year, so I'm trying to get some info to give to them. 🙂 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

imho, both ships are extremely similar, so I'd choose the better itinerary/price.

[dides]

Some differences for you:

• The Majestic has an indoor pool with the Hollywood Pool whereas Enchanted has the outdoor Retreat Pool.
• The Enchanted has The Sanctuary whereas Majestic has the free to everyone Hollywood Conservatory which means you have great forward views with floor to ceiling windows.
• The Majestic has a Princess Live in the TV studio format with fixed arm seats while Enchanted has the open lounge version of Princess Live.
• Some differences in speciality restaurants and Lido food outlets but heard they will be aligning more in a future dry dock.

 

 

Edited June 17 by dides

[candy4040]

Enchanted has the 360 experience.  

[beachgirl50]

Thanks for all your responses!  Much appreciated. 

[beachgirl50]

1 hour ago, beshears said:

I know you want response about the Enchanted or Majestic, but since I have not been on either, would you mind giving me your pros/cons of the Enchanted ship, as we did the Regal earlier this year, and were really happy with it. There are 7 or 8 of us that are planning on cruising the first part of next year, so I'm trying to get some info to give to them. 🙂 

Hi, we have cruised on Enchanted for 30 days each the past two winters. The ship is beautiful and the crew great. We loved the entertainment and the production shows, and DH enjoyed the Enclave.  I can’t speak to the MDR’s as we like to eat in the buffet for most of our meals. We’ve been to most of the Caribbean ports, so I’m not much help in the excursion department either. We really just veg out and enjoy getting away for part of each winter. ☀️  If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask, and I’ll try to answer them.  🥰

[HoneyBubba]

Majestic is going into Drydock in early 2025.  Rumor is that some venues will be changing.  Restaurants are one change that is out there.  Who knows what else will change...

[Incognito1]

"Majestic Princess is specifically customized to serve Chinese guests, incorporating a unique blend of international and Chinese features."

 

Can anyone speak to the travel agent's comments?  Booking a transatlantic and concerned with what is meant by 'specifically customized to serve Chinese'.

[Wishing on a star]

This ship is different than other Princess Ships.

It was designed to sail in Asia with Asian guests.

On the pool deck, instead of Pizza, there is a Noodle Bar.  (which seems to be quite popular)   One might get Pizza at the Buffett, or Alfredo's - which might be an upcharge if not covered by a Princess Package.

 

One of the Specialty Restaurants is an Asian Fusion venue called Harmony.

Both of these are being changed out.  The dry-dock is scheduled for March of next Spring.

Not sure if any changes would happen before your cruise, or might affect your cruise.

 

The other big difference is the forward pool deck areas.   They are completely covered and enclosed.  There is a glass non-retractable roof over the pool.  

Where, usually, this area is not covered and is the adult retreat pool area and the Princess SANCTUARY.    ( I think the assumption is that Asians are not usually keen to spend a lot of time in the open sun.)

 

These areas have not really been adult-only.

 

While it might not be possible to change out the structure of the ship, they could make changes to these areas, and how they are used.  These changes could be either good, or bad, depending on a person's viewpoint.

 

 

Edited June 18 by Wishing on a star

[suzyed]

On 6/17/2024 at 4:42 PM, candy4040 said:

Enchanted has the 360 experience.  

Which is fabulous!

 

[mtnesterz]

 

4 hours ago, Incognito1 said:

"Majestic Princess is specifically customized to serve Chinese guests, incorporating a unique blend of international and Chinese features."

Can anyone speak to the travel agent's comments?  Booking a transatlantic and concerned with what is meant by 'specifically customized to serve Chinese'.

I don't know when that description was given, but originally, the ship was different than it appears today. It also had pay-for-use Karaoke rooms and a Boba Bar. I think the casino was initally larger, but not 100% certain on that. I think they changed it to a bar. The external livery was in both English alphabet and Chinese. Harmony restaurant originally had a menu to rival the best Chinese restaurants here in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Now, the menu looks like Panda Express, except they charge $39pp.

Upcoming, the inside signage in Chinese will come down. Along with the mentioned restaurant changes and replace the noodle bar with pizza. 

JMHO, I think Princess should have kept it the way is was and assigned it to places like here in LA, San Francisco, Australia, places with a high Chinese population, or with modest changes, replace the aging Diamond Princess in Japan.

 

Edited June 19 by mtnesterz

[beshears]

BeachGirl50, thank you for your input. I know we are thinking of the Caribbean or the Enchanted, but it looks like they are leaning more to the Enchnted. We (8 of us) (family/friend) the Regal this year, and for the most part, everyone seemed to be happy with it. I guess I will ask, do they have any shows like Love and Marriage or anything like that? The Regal had a great magician that we enjoyed.

[beshears]

Would someone please tell me what the "360 Experience" is?

Yes I agree, the itinerary/price (my 3 sons like the 3 sea days too, as they want to rest and not be on the GO, like their 81 year old mother does) has a LOT to do with the direction they want to go, also they love to snorkel.

[beachgirl50]

16 minutes ago, beshears said:

BeachGirl50, thank you for your input. I know we are thinking of the Caribbean or the Enchanted, but it looks like they are leaning more to the Enchnted. We (8 of us) (family/friend) the Regal this year, and for the most part, everyone seemed to be happy with it. I guess I will ask, do they have any shows like Love and Marriage or anything like that? The Regal had a great magician that we enjoyed.

Hi!  I’m not sure about the shows in the smaller venues, but the three production shows the past two years have been fantastic. We’ve cruised on both the Enchanted and Caribbean and, while we like them both, the Enchanted is a much newer ship. I don’t think you can go wrong with either!

[Wishing on a star]

Enchanted might have production shows that you have not seen on Regal.

These are set, as the staging and cast are in place.

As far as other entertainment and activities, they can vary.

The Magician that you saw on Regal might be on Sky, or Discovery, or another ship.

Ships band (Party Band) also changes out.  Bands and entertainers take breaks or change ships.

I do not pay as much attention to these kinds of Love and Marriage shows.  I think all the ships will have some version of this???   Maybe somebody else can chime in.

Last time I was on Regal, the food was really good!!!  The Executive Chef and staff onboard can make a difference.   

Look for 'Live from' posts here to see how the cruises before yours are going!

[JamieLogical]

3 minutes ago, beshears said:

Would someone please tell me what the "360 Experience" is?

Yes I agree, the itinerary/price (my 3 sons like the 3 sea days too, as they want to rest and not be on the GO, like their 81 year old mother does) has a LOT to do with the direction they want to go, also they love to snorkel.

 

It is a dining experience that costs $140/person.

 

https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/360-experience

 

 

[Wishing on a star]

You might get a good idea of 360' by searching on places like YouTube.

It is a special venue, with almost 360' screens around...  the dishes and drinks served go along with the whole production going on around you.  And, a little 'magic' going on at your plate at the table too.

[beshears]

Thank you ALL for your input on my questions. Yes, we were happy with the food on Regal too. Also thank you for letting the know the COST of the 360 Experience, so at least we will know AHEAD of time there IS a cost to it. It is hard to get anything free anymore. HA!

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, 360' is called 'Experiential Dining', and does cost extra.

Casual Dining venues are an upcharge unless you have a Plus or Premier Package.   Two visits with Plus, unlimited with Premier.

Specialty dining has 2 visits included with the Premier Package.

There are differences in dining between the two ships.

 

Enchanted:

Experiential Dining

360'   Dining experience in an almost 360' production venue

Specialty Dining -  up to 2 visits included with Premier Package

Crown Grill  -  Princess Steakhouse (standard on most all ships)

The Catch. by Rudi  -  Seafood Specialty restaurant.

Sabatini's  -  Princess Italian (is more open to the Piazza and the music/noise on Enchanted)

Casual Dining  -  Up to 2 visits included with Plus Package, unlimited with Premier

Affredo's. -  Best Pizza onboard.  Very Popular. 

O'Malley's  -  Irish pub with Pub fare, offers Irish sing-a-long folk performances

Bars

Crooners  (but no Vines Wine Bar)

 

Majestic:   (This is subject to change March 2025)

Specialty Dining

Crown Grill   

The Catch. -  This is more open to Piazza on this ship.

Harmony  -  Asian Fusion. (Should be changed out for another restaurant in drydock)

There is a Noodle Bar instead of a Pizza counter on the pool deck (again, should be changed out)

Casual Dining

Alfredo's

Bars 

Vines wine bar on Majestic. (No Vines on Enchanted)

There is no Crooner's on Majestic

 

Edited June 20 by Wishing on a star

[beshears]

Thanks for the explanation. At this point, we will just get the Premier package, and for the most part, we were happy with it.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

On 6/18/2024 at 5:29 PM, Incognito1 said:

"Majestic Princess is specifically customized to serve Chinese guests, incorporating a unique blend of international and Chinese features."

 

Can anyone speak to the travel agent's comments?  Booking a transatlantic and concerned with what is meant by 'specifically customized to serve Chinese'.

The Majestic Princess has a Noodle Bar on the Lido deck instead of slice pizza.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Here are photos of the Hollywood pool and the Hollywood Conservatory. I really didn’t care for the late night lighting.

 

When I took these photos in 2021 both areas were free of charge. We spent a few hours in the conservatory cabana. While we were there, we ordered food and drinks to be delivered. It was a nice time. 

[susancruzs]

Interesting thread!  I booked a TA + British Isles on the Majestic for Apr. '26.  I haven't been on the "newer" Royal class ships, have sailed on Regal/Royal, loved them. 

 

Looking forward to the Majestic, traveling alone, which dining venues are onboard are never a deal breaker for me.

 

Main thing for me is I'm happy they are bringing traditional dining back!