Back from Majesty! 8/14-8/21

[kendelq]

Good morning! Just returned from the Majesty last night and thought I’d give my two cents! We had some rough seas on the way out to Bermuda courtesy of Irene and lots of people were ill. I had taken Bonine and my DH had the patch, both worked wonders, as we never felt ill. Saw many people have to lave the restaurants etc.. as they were sick.

 

Embarkation – VERY smooth. We arrived at the Black Falcon terminal and at first it was a little confusing as to where to pull over and unload, but we were quickly directed by a police officer and unloading was quick. Brought a case of water with a luggage tag on it and checked it in with the luggage – so glad we did! We zipped over to the garage and paid in advance ($82 – or was it $84?). As soon as we arrived back at the terminal we were on the ship within 25 minutes or so. There was a small line but my husband is an Irish citizen so we were directed to an area with no line. I was worried there might be an issue with my passport since it still had my maiden name on it. I brought my marriage certificate with me just in case but they never asked for it.

 

Cabin – well, were in the smallest cabin. Biscayne deck – level 4. 108 sq. feet and it was SMALL. We had the two beds pushed together which left just enough room on the side of the bed to stand. We had to get out of bed by the foot of the bed because the end of the bed hit the corner of the desk and you couldn’t get around the side easily. Overall, we spent very little time in the cabin so we didn’t mind the small space. The window was large and there is lots of room to store stuff. The window ledge was handy and the suitcases slid under the bed easily. There are 2 drawers in the closet as well as a safe (which we could not for the life of us figure out how to lock) and a 3-drawer stand in the stateroom. Our cabin steward was great and we had some really cute towel animals and mints every night. He was quick too! Sometimes we would get a quick lunch and the room was cleaned by the time we got back!

 

Food / Dining– We ate most meals in the main dining rooms. Mostly the seven seas dining room. The service was super and the food was just as good. The wait staff was overly attentive and polite. One night we had quite a wait, but the dining room was really busy so we didn’t mind. One waiter in particular, Clive, would pop over and say “hi” when he saw us, even if he was in another area. We ate in the buffet the first day for lunch (not the best) and the last Bermuda day for breakfast (pretty good). We preferred the main dining rooms. We ate at the pasta café one night – awesome beef stroganoff. We also ate at Le Bistro another night and that was really good. Costs $15 extra unless you get the surf and turf (extra $20). I had the surf and turf and it was awesome. You get 2 lobster tails and filet – yummy. Not sure if I agree with the extra $20 (a little too much) but it was really good. We went to the chocolate buffet. I know people are going to gasp – but I didn’t really think it was all that it was cracked up to be. The presentation was wonderful but the food was only so, so. We waited in a line that seemed to be a mile long. Food is such a personal thing though. We are not too picky so we are easy to please!

 

Entertainment – Very good. Ricky was the CD and he was GREAT. I love him. So much energy and very funny. No complaints at all. We saw the comedian (can’t remember his name right now) 2 times. Once was a PG show with kids allowed which wasn’t as good, but then we saw the adults only show the next night and it was much better. We saw him as well as the other guest entertainers do the “liars club”. My husband enjoyed this show more than me. He also hosted an open mic night “jokers wild” where guests can take the mic and tell jokes. That was o.k.- not too many good jokes! Marcus in the Polo lounge seemed great, we never stayed in there though, just heard him passing through. The NCL show dancers/singers did a wonderful job. We saw a Broadway review, a how called “on the radio” (my favorite) and another I can’t remember right now! We went to the deck party 2 nights. The first was better as they had some silly contests with the guys, but both had great music.

 

Casino – small, not a lot of tables, and SMOKY!! We had fun though, actually won about $500 on blackjack and let it ride. Good place to kill some time.

 

Bermuda – I can’t say enough good things about Bermuda. We LOVED it. Good weather, great people, beautiful water. We bought a 2 day bus pass right when we got there but since it was already 1:00 we decided to rent a scooter the first day. We were hesitant to do so since so many people said they were dangerous etc. We were so glad we did, it was the best thing we did. We wished we hadn’t bought the bus passes because we would have kept the scooter for three days. My husband was comfortable driving on the left side (Irish citizen) and has had some experience driving them. Anyway, we got to see so much more of the island at our own pace, including little hidden coves etc…..We looked at Tobacco Bay that first day and then went to St. Catherine’s Fort – very worthwhile to see! Then went to David’s lighthouse. Neat to climb to the top. Then we swam at Clearwater beach – that was o.k. – no snorkeling there, but a pretty beach. The next day, we had the scooter in the a.m. still so we went to crystal caves (really cool – but a little expensive for what you see) and then Elbow Beach (very pretty – keep in mind, there are no facilities). We headed back to drop the scooter and then later that day we went back to tobacco bay and snorkeled for a bit neat fish way far out where the water gets rougher. If you bring some bread in the water, they will swarm around you – kind of freaked me out but DH loved that! That night we went to the Harbour Nights in Hamilton. Neat vendors, dancing, entertainment. Day three we went out to Church Bay (past Horseshoe beach) to do some snorkeling. The beach was awesome!! GREAT snorkeling, maybe the best I have done. We even had a little private beach to ourselves. The walkway to this beach was ruined by hurricane Fabian so technically it is closed, but if you can walk down a makeshift ladder (3-4 rungs) you can still go. There are bathrooms, but they are stiiiiinky J Hit swizzle inn that night. The last morning we did the shipwreck snorkel. It was o.k. – no info given on the shipwreck. We were just kind of shipped out there, allowed to snorkel for an hour and then brought back. Kind of a waste of $$ although seeing the wreck was really neat.

 

Debarkation – Thanks to DH being Irish, we had to be at customs on the ship at 6:45 a.m.. We had our last breakfast after that and then waited in the cabin to be called. We were off the ship by 9:45ish and it was smooth. Found our suitcases among the piles and headed to the garage only to realize we had a dead battery. Thankfully, so did the people next to us! They had AAA and since he was already there, he gave us a jump for $20. Just as he finished us, another guy needed him. The mechanic says he is there every Sunday after the ship gets in. pretty funny.

 

Anyway, sorry so long. I am sure I have a million more things to say! I would definitely cruise on this ship again. It’s an older, smaller ship, but the staff and itinerary make up for that. Oh, one more thing! My take on kids…….we didn’t even really see too many kids, teens the first few days. Not sure where they were, but we actually commented on the lack of kids. Well – we spoke too soon. The night of the first deck party we witnessed several TIRED little kids around midnight. The family next to us had a crying little girl (maybe 8 years old) who kept asking to please go back to the cabin as she was tired. Well, Dad wasn’t done with his beer helmet and Mom wasn’t done with her watermelon drink so they kept telling her no. Mind you, this was an isolated case, but it made me so angry. Finally, Mom brought her to the cabin and was back 10 minutes later having left the kid in the cabin. The last night on the ship – the teens were everywhere and were not so polite. Lying on the staircases, taking chairs from the Internet café to wheel each other around, running through the gift shops. Basically, very obnoxious behavior. This was the only time I really noticed it though, was the last night.

 

O.k. really done now! I’d be happy to answer any questions!

[immargaret]

Thanks for the review. We were on the Majesty last August and your review brings back so many good memories. We're hoping to book on last cruise on the Majesty next summer.

[Don Haynes]

I think the Majesty and the former Sea have the smallest rooms afloat.... But somehow I managed.... The Spirits cabins are larger than the Majesty's and the Sea.

 

I am so happy everything went well for you and your family, except for Irene.

 

And I agree, the kids do tend to come out and wreck havoc on the last sea day.

[pathubia]

Thanks for posting, we have less than a week to go!!

[azby120]

Thank you for the review. Two weeks to go! How convenient were the buses (know you liked the scooter better but I'm still in a brace with a broken foot and have been told it will have to stay on for the cruise so that eliminates that idea!)? Did they run often enough? Was it easy to figure which bus to take? It looks like it will be buses or taxis for me.

[bigfoot88]

kendelq thanks for the post. I leave on the 28th and was hoping to see so positive posts.

[kendelq]

To those of you still waiting to go...have a great time!! You will love the cruise :-)

 

azby120 - The buses were very convienient. I have to admit, I found the schedule hard to read but I am one of those people that don't read maps well - LOL. Lots of people awear by the schedule. Basically, we would ask at the visitors center (right near the ship) as to which bus to get on etc...the main line out of St. George was the 10/11 bus. That will take you to Hamilton where you can switch to another bus or get on a ferry. You can alos get on the ferry from St. George, but I don't think it's as convienient? Maybe someone else can answer that part better. The buses come every 25-30 minutes, sometimes even faster we found.

 

One tip - make sure you tell the driver where you are going or ask somebody on the bus. The stops aren't labelled and the driver doesn't stop at every stop unless you press the "next stop" button. We never knew when to stop, but people are very helpful!

 

Hope this helps!

[Lisa63]

kendelq, thanks for your review! Sorry we did not get a chance to meet onboard.

 

We're also thinking of returning next year. There's just something about this ship that keeps calling us back.

[NewEnglander]

Thanks for posting your review !! I can't wait to go in October ...

[mortysmama]

"....people are very helpful! ...."

 

That's one of the greatest things about Bermuda. The local people are always willing to help a visitor...sometimes before you ask for help. DH and I were quietly reading a map trying to find some of the beautiful churches. Before we could even ask for directions, a well dressed Bermudian stopped and asked if he could be of assistance. He proceeded to give up very specific directions to what we were looking for. That's just one example of many. We've been to Bermuda 5 times and are looking forwarded to visiting again next summer. Of all the islands...Bermuda is by far the best.

 

Happy cruising!

[craigster]

I've read your review, very helpful!. I'll be taking the same cruise next week with my wife. It'll be the first time for both of us on a cruise ship. I was intrigued by your tip of checking in a case of bottled water, do i need to do anything special to the case like wrap it up so they don't know it's water or can I just put it on the ship as is?Hopefully I'll hear from you before Sunday (can't wait to go!!)

[Newbie Cruising]

Just back from Majesty 8/28-9/4! I bnrought 2 cases of water, a case of soda and a case of seltzer water. I just put a luggage tag on each. When the drinks were delivered to my stateroom a few were missing. I assume the crew has to open a few to make sure I wasn't smuggling spirits on board. I would recommend bringing as much as you can carry becasue they charge $3.00 for a bottle of water and $40.00 for an adult soda card. It really saved us money for rum swizzlers!

[Fat Jack]

[On day 1 we got right into a taxi and went out to Horseshoe Bay. we got away from the inital rush of the ship and the taxi driver will show you the sight as you ride out($40). We then took the bus to dockyards via Hamilto and the ferry back to St. Georges. Last ferry leaves dockyards at 2:20. In hindsight, you may want to take ferry to dockyards and the bus back towards Horseshoe bay and the bus back to StGeorges (#1 bus more scenic then #3). Did not use scooters for fear of death and the safety of my kids. The kids were bumming about decision but we stood our ground, Ithought the buses were more than adequate but you do lose time as compared to taxi]

[FondofKoi]

We were on the Maesty in March, and werent too thrilled with the buffet either. I think part of it was the time. We prolly would have enjoyed it if it was a little early. But hey it was vacation! We had a wonderful time.