Redsfan

WOW, Redsfan, you certainly had a different experience than I did on the Majesty. We were on for the New Year's cruise. Hot tubs (and jets) were working fine. The cd was amazing and threw the absolutely best New Year's Eve party.

 

The WJ did not seem crowded at any time we visited and I really thought the layout (with a front and back buffet area) was ingenious considering this sailing had over 2600 passengers --- no lines. Food in the main dining room was good, even the beef, which sometimes on a ship can be an adventure. Again, food preferences are so personal, but I never understand how people say they can never find something to eat on these ships. And service was excellent and attentive.

 

Our weather was good so we did get to Coco Cay. But, I noticed that the cruise compasses had consistent events scheduled throughout port days (trivia, sports competitions, a movie), and the casino stayed open in the Bahamian ports.

 

I did miss a centrum bar and centrum seating that you find in the radiance class. And I did miss the triangular poppy seed rolls at dinner, but we loved the ship so much we booked for next New Year's.

 

To each his own, happy sailing in the future, whatever cruise line you choose.

Appreciated, thanks. As always there will be differing opinions on any cruise, even those on the same. Unfortunately our experiences with RCI have not been much different than Carnival, and both boats we sailed had their own issues. Understood all lines have issues and we could find the same with Carnival, just disappointed with our last one.

Cheers

There was the party the second night in the spectrum. We all (3 cabins) got invite cards that were put in our rooms.

 

Overall, I was disappointed with the cruise. I know staff cannot control the weather, but they could have compensated for the lack of activities and almost all excursions being canceled the second day with adding more activities on board, having a bad weather happy hour drink special...something, anything, to acknowledge that we had to spend two days in tourist trap Nassau. There were few apologies when things like excursions were canceled. The second day, the morning was filled with drills for staff and there was ONE poor man handling the excursions desk with a long line because of it.

 

My last time on the Majesty I was impressed with the food and the service at dinner and I felt both were lacking this time around. The service wasn't any better than in a chain restaurant back home and the food was hit or miss: some nights there were many options I wanted; others I wished I would have skipped MDR.

 

The second day, we wound up forging our own path and getting a tour with a non-RCC guide since everything else we wanted excursion-wise was canceled. The man took us to all the main sights but also helped us sample local fruit and check out things off the beaten path. We had a fabulous time the second day despite the weather and excursion cancellations.

 

Another note: guest services told us the hot tubs were closed because of a pump issue. We went and touched the water with a hand and it was swirling and warm. With the bad weather, those hot tubs were needed...

glad it wasn't only us...I have had two not so good RCI experienes and no need to remain loyal to the brand after this cruise

I also believe a poster on here was on Majesty and said they opened the hot tubs but they were subsequently closed due to mechanical issues, not the previous issue

How was disembarking? Do you recall the times people were able to get off... trying to swing a crazy 9:30 Miami departure after a Majesty cruise soon.

we did self embark which I believe ran 8:15am or so up until 8:45am. The earliest disembark time I cannot recall for sure but think it was around 7:30am perhaps? Scattered times throughout the morning as well. Not so sure I would test a 9:30am Miami departure, traffic could be a bit hairy getting out of port and up to the airport I would think. Best case you get off around 7:30am, get luggage and through customs 8:15? Dunno...

oops, forgot to mention the beds were the worst I have ever had on a cruise...may as well spent 3 nights in a prison, lol.

Honestly have lost vision of the RCI experience compared to our Carnival cruises. Whether or not this was a 3 nighter, would leave options open to try Carnival again, just didn't see the reasoning to spend more $$$ on our first two. I understand we may need to sail a premium ship to see the differences and if this is the case...but not seeing it

Thanks for the review. We'll be on her in January. Hoping for good weather but as you stated, that's just one of those things that cannot be controlled.

 

You stated the hot tubs were closed for maintenance. Was that for the entire cruise? Please say it isn't so.

yes they were and were leading up to for about a month or so I believe.

We were on the Dec 18th sailing, and below are just a few brief points from our cruise. It was our second on RCI, last year being Freedom. We were not expecting a lot seeing this was a short 3 nighter:

Weather was horrible in the Bahamas. This of course is out of the control of RCI, but weather did not help things. We skipped Coco Cay due to high winds which was a given as winds were extremely strong. 2 days in Nassau sucks, but we wanted to do a beach day one of them at Melia but because of the high winds and clouds just walked around town for a bit. Locals were fine, just one of the blah kind of port visits because of weather. What we found though was that there was no visibility of our CD, can't even recall his name. Poolside activities were mostly cancelled without notice that I was aware of, which was understood but no idea if they were even moved inside or anything.

Food. Not impressed. We are fussy eaters but expected a bit more variety than what we found. Found the food very salty, not very warm and very pedestrian. Sent one of our daughters steaks back it was very raw. Johnny Rockets was okay, but they screwed up my simple order and took a while to cook the food. Other than that it wasn't horrible, dessert was pretty good. Did not like the selection at windjammer at all. Food didn't seem fresh, and found it really difficult finding anything to eat on board. Lines not bad though, Sorrento's was actually descent and liked having the freestyle coke machines.

Entertainment. Didn't make the 70's show as one of our other daughters was feeling motion. Other than that the comedian was pretty funny, but his last night adult comedy shtick was at 11:30pm which is stupid if you ask me as embarkment is next day early morning. Other than that, no poolside entertainment, not much else happening outside of the boring trivia, etc. At that, few if any people even came out for the trivia nights. Karaoke was a bit hit as always though. The $500 bingo game had thousands of people turn out, and even though cut off was 5:15pm they allowed throngs of people to join in, and made a killing of course. The game ran into the 6pm dinner seating making us late for dinner, and as a result couldn't make the 7:30pm 70's show. When did RCI stop doing a later night repeat of their early shows? Never seen this and what a waste for those like us stuck at a 6pm seating and having to rush through dinner to try to get seats.

Hot tubs..yep, still "close for maintenance". They can't even put up a sign that is grammatically correct, lol.

Staterooms and cleanliness. As always, top notch. Wish the other service end of our cruise was as good.

Casino my vegas credit. Even being confirmed prior, it took 2 days for the casino to get the okay for our credit which was half way through our last night on board. Not a deal breaker, but why have such promotions if guest relations has no clue how to step in and help out?

Now don't get me wrong with the next part. I understand being a Miami cruise there will be a great deal of Spanish speaking guests, but every announcement from shows to anything else were given in 2,456 different languages. Bit of a killjoy if you ask me which made anything drag on forever. Even half the comedy and juggling acts were done in spanish and english. Maybe this is normal, but have sailed out of Miami 3x, and never seen this before.

Embarkment was amazing. We got to port around 10:30am, parked at the Port, on board and at windjammer by 11am!

Overall we had a fun cruise, and the issues outside of weather were out of control of RCI. Activities were lacking, saw nothing of even staff or the CD outside of shows.

ugh how horrible and sad

Just got off yesterday. Hot tubs still closed. Did Chefs Dinner. It was amazing and the highlight of the trip. Had a great trip on the ship.

Doesn't look like they are interested in fixing anything...

We were on the 10/30 and 11/23 sailings. The first time we got the Legionnaires email after we sailed in October. The second time I think they said it was problems with the pumps or piping something like that. However, when they shut the pool down, they seemed to be able to fix that problem within 6 hours. Never could get a straight answer on the hot tubs.

ugh that sucks, well I guess it is more mechanical than health wise now. We are taking the kids on the 18th so hoping all is worked out.

Since you are going after the refurb you should be fine. I would not suggest the Majesty to anyone prior to that. We were on the Majesty in both October and November and none of the problems have been fixed. Hot tubs still closed down, and one pool was shut down on the November cruise as well. The public restrooms especially near the pool area are gross. The stateroom was actually in decent shape. We love the Majesty but these last couple of times were not so good.

when last month were you on the ship? What was the reason for the pool being shut down at the same time?

clear cache and browsing history and you will be fine. Had same issues here fine now, no need for different browser

figured as much, thanks.

We are leaving on our Dec 18th 4 day/3night and wondering about the Royal Replenish Package. Being an older bought are there enough venues to find the drinks offered with this?

thanks all...

Still debating what we should do. We are doing the 4 day Majesty of the Seas, and we have a 13 day car rental and if we turn it in early and rebook after our cruise, the prices jack up crazy. So, we are likely just going to keep our rental, but not sure what to do to park.

From what I read it is not very safe to park at third party lots, so thinking it's time to bite the bullet and just park at the Port?

Nothing. He's my boss. You really dont need an attorney in small claims court anyway. Think Old People's Court episodes.

do you honestly think you will get what you want?

how much are you going to pay your lawyer to get your cruise refund? As above, good luck with winning this case.

How about hot chocolate ?

 

 

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yep, was offered on Freedom

taking a 4 day on Majesty next month and can let you know my thoughts. We have 3 Carnival 1 RCI cruise so far. Our 5 day on Carnival was a joe, and I know short cruises have this risk with drunks, will see what we find on Majesty.

On our Freedom cruise last year we had the Replenish Package which included all specialty coffees including the Starbuck brewed coffee on the Promenade. No problems at all.

Would size down if I could get a cover in the back. We have 3 kid's so space inside w!

How are the beaches in South Beach? What is the best way to get around? Park, walk, buses?

We stayed in 8307 on Freedom last year and loved it! The pics you have are pretty much bang on and I'd imagine Freedom and Liberty would be the same cabins. Love the space and view of the Promenade. Going next month on Majesty in 2 tiny Interior's lol, that should be fun.

Hit and miss that time of year. It can be in the 60's, it can be in the 70's and 80's. Catch a cold front from the North it can be not very nice. Water will be cold, that is a guarantee but if air is warm it will be refreshing.