Review of Greek Retreats on Majesty 1 Nov 2013

[Flopsy]

This 5 night cruise on Majesty was from Corfu Town to Limassol Cyprus, calling at Mykonos, Rhodes Town, and Alanya in Turkey.We stayed the night before at Thistle Hotel at East Midlands- great to arrive and know that the journey to the airport was completed.Relax and unwind- the holiday had begun!At the airport next morning it soon became obvious that, unusually, everyone on the flight was on the cruise! This was because package holidays to Greece ceased 31 Oct!Met Chesh (Cruise Critic member) Kevin & Helen on the plane.We saw them a few times on board and they are now Thomson fly cruise converts!On arrival at Corfu three planes arrived st once, everyone Majesty bound, so over 600 passengers to process.Thomson staff worked extremely hard and we were all soon on board with minimal delay.We had Outside Plus cabin 444 on Deck 4.It was very roomy- well worth the extra.Plenty of storage space, slimline TV,comfy beds, huge window,fridge,etc.The bathroom was quite small and the shower curtain tried to wrap itself round you but this was counteracted by clipping a few clothes pegs to the hem- a Cruise Critic tip!Our cabin steward Sherif looked familiar - we had him on the Emerald in 2008- and he remembered! He did some brilliant towel animals!Up on Deck 10 in Topsiders bar we recognised another familiar face- Jun (now Junior) from Raffles on the Destiny! How do these guys remember us!That evening we ate in Cafe Royale- a small but very pleasant buffet restaurant.Most people headed for the waiter service in Seven Seas or Four Seasons but we prefer informal.At 7.45 it was the lifeboat drill, which is now completed before sailing following the Costa Concordia disaster.Our muster station was the Jubilee Lounge!Later that evening we went to the show 'Piano Men' in the Jubilee Lounge- the show team put on a brilliant performance.The Jubilee Lounge does have a low ceiling but we didn't feel that this detracted from our enjoyment.The thrust stage is almost circulated by seating, for over 600.Then it was up to Deck 10 for the sailaway deck party.The CD was Paul Evans from Bolton.We remembered him from when he started back in 2008 on the Spirit,followed by time on Destiny, Celebration, Dream, and now promoted to CD on Majesty.He is now a confident and mature leader of the entertainment.He is assisted by Gareth Rockwell from Essex as Assistant CD-a fun loving chunky guy who brought comedy and hilarity to every role he undertook from hosting the fashion show to compering game shows!Every night the band Muzzik Unlimited did a half hour slot on stage in the Jubilee Lounge prior to the show so get in an hour before the advertised time of 8.45 or 10.30 if you want a good seat!The day at sea passed pleasantly under the hot sun on deck.We even got sunbeds!The show at night was 'Hollywood'- hits from the silver screen.A great performance- strong voices, gorgeous costumes and such energy!We reached Mykonos early on Sunday morning.Hundreds of houses crowded together,all painted white,and numerous ancient wind towers, formed scenic Mykonos Town. Transfer was by tender to shore- two stairwells were in use- one for trips and one for independent travellers, which worked well.We went on the trip 'Easy Panoramic & Wine'.A qick photo stop at Aghios Stefanos- a beautiful beach,then back on the coach to Agios Ioannis- the beach where Shirley Valentine was filmed- no sign of Tom Conti though.... Next stop was the island's capital Ano Mera-just a village really with a small square surrounded by tavernas, a monastery to visit, and a the odd souvenir shop.We had coffee here 3euro a cup.The next stop was the highlight of the trip- a visit to the winery at Assimomitis to sample the wines,and a buffet of traditional snacks-ham, cheese,salad, bread.Many of us purchased bottles of the wine at 6euro a bottle.Suitably inebriated we all piled back onto the coach for the noisy and giggly return journey to the port.After an aftertoon in the sun the ship sailed at 5pm.The show that night was 'Sunday Night Live'- the aging UK comedian Carl Schofield from Hull- an evening of comedy and song.Sit on the front row if you want to take part in the show!Later at 11.30 the show team performed 'ABBA Party Cabaret'- a singalong to all the favourite anthems.Monday we docked in Rhodes Town- an easy walk to the walled Old Town with it's numerous shops, bars & restaurants- and inflated prices! We walked along to Mandraki waterfront where all the boats line up.We found an optician as hubbys glasses had come apart when a screw dropped out and he was lost without them- the guy mended them there and then- and refused to take payment- saying 'it's my treart' - what a kind man. We tried to find a bar we freqented in years gone by in the new town but most of the bars had closed up for winter so we gave up and got a taxi back to the ship 6euro.In Jubilee Lounge that night the show 'Killer Queen' was superb- don't miss this one.Then we moved to Rpyal Fireworks for 'The Perfect Couple'- the ships version of Mr & Mrs.Gareth managed to draw the most amazing and embarassingly funny confessions from the three couples taking part- that guy is a natural! It was non stop laughter.The winners won a meal in the Bistro. Later it was 'Majesty's Got Talent' otherwise known as the crew show- brilliant and humbling as always- those guys are so brave to get up on stage and perform.They went down a storm- brilliant.Tusday we docked in Alanya,Turkey.It was a superb resort- lots of typically Turkish boats moored up- what an amazing sight they are.There are numerous shops selling fake designer tops- La Coste tee shirts @10euro! The town is surrounded by mountains, with houses dotted all the way up.Taxis touted for business- trips up to the castle etc.We set sail at 5pm.The show that night was 'Moulin Rouge'-the Parisien revue of song, dance ans can can.A fantastic energetic performance.Over in Royal Fireworks Kevin was leading a team in the 'Ultimate Sporting Challenge' which by all accounts was an evening of madness as Kevs lot shouted and jumped up and down on their seats creating mayhem.The British at play lol! Later the comedian returned to do his late night slot- packed out and very entertaining.On Wednesday we arrived at Limassol- we berthed a long way from resort but there was a local bus.Be aware that you are only allowed to take 200 cigs into Cyprus- cases are scanned.So if you want to take more cigs home then wait till you get to Paphos Airport to buy more! Many passengers are caught out by this rule- it was highlighted in Cruise News.As the day wore on we all left the ship for the journey to Paphos Airport- we had a clear view of Aphrodites Rock from the coach.We were very lucky with the weather- sunny every day- a lovely break before winter sets in.We have snow here in the Pennines today!Flopsy

[Flopsy]

Help- I typed this review in numerous paragraphs.Now it appears in one huge block.

 

Can someone tell me what I need to change on this ancient computer?

 

I've just changed setting to basic editor- seems to have worked for this post.But is it too late to alter the review?

 

Flopsy

Edited November 10, 2013 by Flopsy

[Chesh]

Flopsy. Fantastic review. And you are definitely right., we are converted . Xx

[gillhalfpint]

You have me looking forward to my first Majesty trip in May next year. Great review.