Majesty from Charleston, SC

[erby2283]

I can atest to that. Seas were a little rough leaving Charleston and that first night (there was rain in the area) but I was lying in the sun by 11 the next morning!

[SCDockman]

You'll have a great time! They do indeed have things more organized at the port now. A line of cars forms one street over (towards the water) of East Bay street about an hour before the gates open. The guards check your IDs at the gate, then you proceed to the stop where they ask you if you plan to park at the pier. We chose to as we live there and had our own car. However, the $85 price tag was higher than we had heard. You do get to park inside a covered, secure warehouse, so you don't have to worry about the car. Once you pay for parking or not, you drop off your luggage to get checked and loaded onto the ship. Once you leave it there, you're free to spend time downtown before the ship actually opens. There's a nice open-to-the-street bar at the corner of Market and East Bay, so we had a couple of drinks there. You have to take a trolley (loads at edge of parking warehouse) out onto the pier to board the ship. In the terminal, you'll get the ID badge for the cruise and they'll offer to take your souvenier picture. We were in line when it opened at 11:00 and seated on the ship at 12:30, AFTER having drinks downtown.

As for the waves, you will most likely have rough waters off the coast of Florida ner Miami. It's more of a function of the topography as the ocean currents have to pass through that narrow channel between Florida and the Bahamas. It was worse on our way back to Charleston as you're going "upstream". The standing waves are always there and it definitely calms down once you get into the Carribean. The behind-the-ear seasickness patches worked really well for my wife.

[Needtobecruisin']

Thanks a bunch Erby. I will check out your review. Glad to know you enjoyed your cruise! I know I'm looking forward to it a lot. What did you like the best?

 

Kacie........our cruise leaves out of Charleston on 11/12 and will return on 11/19. Maybe we'll pass by you at the pier when you are getting ready to leave. LOL Wonder what the temperature averages in Charleston the first part of November?

[Needtobecruisin']

Thanks SCD for lots more great information. All of you guys are the absolute best!!

[SCDockman]

As far as the November temperatures, it's usually in the low 70s in Charleston. We get 60s and 80s though too. November is my favorite month here as it's so clear and the bugs are gone. Take a sweater/jacket for the first and last day if you want to stay outside. We also needed jackets in Key West (went in February). On the ship, the pool water comes and goes from the ocean every day, so it's kinda cool. Most of our time was spent in one of the two hot tubs, relaxing and having drinks. In Grand Cayman, we took a catamaran to snorkel and go to Stingray City. I REALLY don't like cold water, so I wore a t-shirt when I snorkeled. I was happily surprised that the water was already in the 70s in February. November should be a little better. The snorkel area in 100 yards from the Stingray City sandbar out in the bay on the north side. Snorkeling, we saw a moray eel and a nurse shark, both of which were pretty much tame. They came right up to the guides for fish, but left the other people alone. To me, Stingray city was incredible. The 'rays are big (140 lbs female, 20-30 lbs male) and blue. They're so used to the people that they're like a pack of excited puppies. They see the boats arrive and swarm behind them, ready to be fed the squid. You get into the waist-deep water and they swim right around you, looking for the squid. In Cozumel, we took the catamaran that included snorkeling and a trip to the private beach (as well as free beers and Margaritas for the cruise out and back). Even though our ship was there with three of the big Carnival ships, they had it all timed out so it was never crowded. Back in the city, we still had time to shop as well. In Key West, we took the trolley into town, then walked the streets to see the sights.

[erby2283]

Terry & Pamm - Hmmm, what did I like most about the cruise? I think it was the whole experience. I enjoyed the freedom...if there is such a thing on a ship. I could eat when I wanted to, play slots when I wanted to, choose the excursions I wanted to go on. Our cruise was diverted to Cancun due to the hurrican damage in the Caymans and looking back, realized what a blessing in disguise it was. We went to Garrafon Park and enjoyed free drinks, fresh water pool, snorkeling, hammacks and a beautiful hiking trail around the island. I think that was our favorite day.

 

Although I am only 30, I enjoy being around an older crowd. I still keep in touch with a couple we met on these boards that was also on our cruise.

 

Additionally, I cannot remember a time I walked past a crew member who did not greet me with a smile and a "hello" or "good afternoon".

[Needtobecruisin']

I have to say that I am impressed at how nice everybody is on this board. It is wonderul to me at how helpful all of you have been to offer advice on many different things. I know how busy folks usually are and to know that you have taken time to write all the information that you have.......well.......I appreciate it very much.

 

I am sure I will have lots more questions as the cruise date gets closer.... such as:

 

How do you snorkel? LOL :confused:

 

Should I be practicing in the tub??? ROFLMBO :D

 

Thanks again to ALL OF YOU!!

[erby2283]

If you have any other questions about the Majesty in particular, feel free to email me at erby2283@yahoo.com.

 

 

I had so many questions before I cruised...turns out it was much to do about nothing.

 

Elisa

[bpear1600]

We sailed her maiden voyage out of Charleston in November 2003. Embarkation was a fiasco. We were 3 hours late leaving port, so the Capt sailed at warp speed to make up the time *L*. This was our second cruise...Celebrity being our first, so we had something to compare it to. I was disapointed in comparison, but still had a great time. I'm sailing again in just a few days and opting to fly to Miami, so the 5 hour drive to Charleston isn't so appealing any more. They'd probably have to offer an Eastern Caribbean itinerary for me to even consider. I'd give Wilmington a shot if they did decide bring in cruise ships, as the 1 hour drive would be much more appealing!

 

We were on the same cruise in Nov 2003 and embarkation was a fiasco as you said. FUBAR! I understand it is not as bad now.

 

The food in the dining room was good and what entertainment they had was excellent but that's about it for the positives. Not to get into ancient history but the general smokiness of the ship was more than we choose to tolerate. We also strongly dislike the Western Caribbean ininerary.

 

Two months after our Majesty cruise we had a wonderful cruise on RCI's Mariner of the Seas but a cruise a year later on the same ship was mediocre at best, a nicer ship but an experience no better than on the Majesty.

 

We have a sizeable credit on a future RCI cruise which we will probably use next year but after that no more mass market cruise lines for us.

[Needtobecruisin']

We have never cruised to the Western Caribbean before. We have only been to Freeport, Bahamas way back in 1985 and we went by plane instead of ship.

 

I am kind of anxious to go to somewhere different like Cozumel and Grand Cayman. I hope we will enjoy it.

[thegoodlife247]

SCDockman....i read your post about the embarkation. what time does the gates open for you to go and drop your luggage off. i lived in charleston for a few years and love strolling around downtown and maybe having a bloody mary. that would be great to park the car and drop the luggage then go walking and have a drink. 85 dollars does seem pretty steep, but i guess to know your car is safe is ok. i was just in charleston this weekend, but did not see any cruiseships docked. i cant wait to go on my cruise in nov. on the majesty.

as far as temps in nov... they can be all over the place. it will most likely be somewhat cool, so bring a jacket or sweater and maybe pants to get on the boat.

any other helpful tips and advice from previous majesty cruisers would be great.

[tallblonde]

gates opened for us about noon. This Saturday was the first Saturday without the Majesty in port for a few months - I believe it's repositioning to Boston for the Boston/Bermuda run - then back to Charleston in the fall !! The port looked lonely yesterday for sure !!

[cantwaitt]

I took the Majesty out of Boston.

 

Basically, it's a very nice smaller ship with excellent staff and food.

 

Just, stay out of the buffet. Most disappointing buffet of any cruise I ever took, including Big Red Boat.

[Katie H]

We also sailed the Majesty on 12/11 - wonder if we ever met you, Sea Cucumber. That was our second week. We sailed on 12/4 also. We loved the ship and loved the freestyle concept. Although the cabins were very small, we knew that going in. Everything else was perfect. Our only complaint was that we had to change cabins for the 2nd week. When we tried to get the same cabin ahead of time, we were told to take care of it on board. Once on board, we were told they had to get permission from the home office for that. They did try all week and were all very nice, but could not get the permission. So we just packed up and moved while everyone else was getting off. Then, I suppose to make up for it, they put us in concierge class for the second week. It was pretty funny because we were in an inside on a lower deck. Probably the first time the waiters had to deliver VIP snacks to a cabin on that level. They kept addressing things to us in "Suite" #. DH told me to call Natasha (the concierge) and tell her we were have trouble finding the button to press to make the wall slide open to reveal the rest of our suite.:D

 

 

But everything everyone else said is true. Food was wonderfull, staff was wonderful, we couldn't find anything to complain about. We are considering going again this fall, even though we have already booked the Crown for October. No such thing as too much cruising.

 

Have a great cruise.

[Mikey8Ohio]

I took the Majesty cruise in February, and have posted a review if you are interested. Just follow the link below. Enjoy your cruise, and feel free to ask any questions. Mike

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=135958

[Needtobecruisin']

Excellent review Mikey!! Very honest and thorough.

 

I am really looking forward to our cruise on the Majesty in November.

[navel1ring]

Mickey8,

 

Do I know you? I'm 42 & have lived in Warren, Ohio my whole life. Unlike you I went the opposite & have a 62 year old boyfriend & we love to cruise. Did the Med last year & have Alaska coming up this fall!

 

Wendy

WGH 1980

[SCDockman]

I checked with my wife as far as the time the gates opened. She remembered noon, so that's most likely correct. Still, it was amazing to me that the staff got us through the gates, got the passports/tickets inspected, took our luggage and got us parked all in 20-30 minutes. One small hitch: our neighbor /driver didn't initially hear the gate guard ask to see our IDs and nearly ran over his foot pulling away before his whstling and arm-waving got his attention. Listen to what they ask you!

For Pamm: Our neighbor didn't know how to snorkel either, so she bought a cheap snorkel and mask, then came over and practiced in our pool. If you're new at it, a cheap boogie board is REALLY helpful as you can use it to support your body by holding it out in front of you and floating. My wife even took hers on the cruise. However, the excursion trips (both of them) had inflatable vests that worked just as well once you got used to them. We also took two disposable underwater pictures and got decent shots. (AND saved $$$) Just be sure to shoot the whole roll(s)...no sense on not using the film as you won't get a second chance to record those memories!

[navel1ring]

Still trying to hook with Mikey8ohio - doIknow you?

[Needtobecruisin']

For Pamm: Our neighbor didn't know how to snorkel either, so she bought a cheap snorkel and mask, then came over and practiced in our pool. If you're new at it, a cheap boogie board is REALLY helpful as you can use it to support your body by holding it out in front of you and floating. My wife even took hers on the cruise. However, the excursion trips (both of them) had inflatable vests that worked just as well once you got used to them. We also took two disposable underwater pictures and got decent shots. (AND saved $$$) Just be sure to shoot the whole roll(s)...no sense on not using the film as you won't get a second chance to record those memories!

 

SCDockman: Thanks for the advice on snorkeling. I also think the underwater camera is a great idea. Where can I pick one up? Does Wal-Mart and places like that carry them?

[erby2283]

Walmart does carry underwater camera's. I bought two there for under $13. You'll be hard pressed to find one for under $20 while on your cruise so you may want to grab some extras to be safe!

[Needtobecruisin']

Walmart does carry underwater camera's. I bought two there for under $13. You'll be hard pressed to find one for under $20 while on your cruise so you may want to grab some extras to be safe!

 

 

Forgot to ask if these cameras can be used for normal photos also or are they just strictly for underwater use? I always use my digital camera and don't want to buy something I might not get much good out of....if you know what I mean.

[earpiemom]

hi..we are having a very hard time deciding what to do this year for vacation...we would like to do a cruise but are so unsure of which one to do...we live in nc and charleston would be a great port for us...having said that, we have been on one carnival cruise to the bahamas on fantasy out of port canaveral in 2003 and then went on our second cruise in february out of port canaveral on the disney boat also to the bahamas...the main reason we went disney was it was for our 13 year old sons birthday surprise...we also have a 8 month old (six months at the time of the disney cruise) and thought that it was a good option...we had a wonderful time on the carnival cruise but LOVED the disney cruise...we are afraid that we may be disappointed on the ncl boat...we are very unfamiliar with this cruise line..could you please give me some opinions..we were looking at the 11-19 cruise out of charleston...does anyone have detailed info on the activities that are available each day...do they have a daily information sheet(navigator or capers)does the majesty have a decent sized pool and/or slide...thank you so much for the information..also, money will be a small factor as we decide which boat to do or we probably would just do another disney cruise..

[Needtobecruisin']

Earpiemom: I didn't know a lot about NCL or the Majesty either. That's the reason for my posting on here. If you read back on all the great replys, everybody on here helped me to make my decision. We are booked for the 11/12/05 cruise.

 

We are also in North Carolina and can easily drive to Charleston and not have to include airfare in our budget. That means more money for souvenirs and the casino. :p

 

Pamm

[earpiemom]

pamm - are you planning to drive down the day before and get a room for the night...if so, have you already booked a room..thanks