A Return to the Small Ship!

[PGHProducer]

Alright... I need your opinions here!

 

I am an avid cruiser... I LOVE IT! My girlfriend, however, has only done one cruise before (a while ago) and didn't like it. I'm trying to change her opinion.

 

My first cruise was on Monarch of the Seas. It got me hooked. But that was also MANY years ago.

 

I'm taking my GF on Majesty of the Seas in August. What do you all think? Will she be converted? How about ME?! Am I going to be disappointed after having done the big mega-ships recently? Was booking this particular cruise a mistake on multiple levels? Or was it a great idea?

[RoyalDiamond]

Majesty is the "sister ship" to Monarch. So if you enjoyed Monarch, you should enjoy Majesty! Since those cruises are short (3 or 4 nights), it's a good way to see if you'll both enjoy it. I enjoy the smaller ships for certain reasons, as well as the larger ones for other reasons! Majesty does have tiny cabins compared to other ships (depending on the category that you booked), but that's fine for shorter cruises. We love Majesty!

 

Peter

[Ocean Boy]

I have a hard time going back to anything smaller than a Voyager class ship as we really enjoy the Royal Promenade on the ships. Though I do like some features of the Radiance class ships and would sail them with the right itinerary I would not go out of my way to book one of them.

 

I tend to disagree with shorter cruises being a good way to see if cruising appeals to someone. With shorter cruises by the time you move in and adapt to ship board life it is time to pack up and move out. I would not book anything shorter than 7 nights.

[bigque]

I have a hard time going back to anything smaller than a Voyager class ship as we really enjoy the Royal Promenade on the ships. Though I do like some features of the Radiance class ships and would sail them with the right itinerary I would not go out of my way to book one of them.

 

I tend to disagree with shorter cruises being a good way to see if cruising appeals to someone. With shorter cruises by the time you move in and adapt to ship board life it is time to pack up and move out. I would not book anything shorter than 7 nights.

 

I knd of agree with you on the short cruises. We had two newbies with us on our recent Enchantment cruise and I think they may cruise again but I really think they would have enjoyed a 7 day on a newer larger ship than Enchantment. Although Enchantment was not bad for us, I think we will now stick to Radiance classs and above for the ships we choose to cruise on from now on! I actually liked our 1st cruise ship Sovereign Of The Seas better than Enchantment! :cool:

[Don Pedro]

I doubt that the Majesty will make her fall in love with cruising. The Majesty is old and tired by cruise ship standards and is merely treading water until she is retired from the fleet. For us old timers she holds a ton of nostalgia but I think a Radiance class ship might be a better choice to make your girlfriend a cruise addict.

[bigque]

I doubt that the Majesty will make her fall in love with cruising. The Majesty is old and tired by cruise ship standards and is merely treading water until she is retired from the fleet. For us old timers she holds a ton of nostalgia but I think a Radiance class ship might be a better choice to make your girlfriend a cruise addict.

 

Although Soveriegn Of The Seas was our first cruise ship and we enjoyed it very much and started us cruising, I agree with you. After cruising on Serenade Of The Seas, I also think that a Radiance Class or higher would be a good 1st ship for a newbie! :cool:

[Homosassa]

How many years ago was the cruise on Monarch of the Seas? If it was a number of years ago, you will find the ships the size of Monarch and Majesty sadly changed. More cabins have been jammed into the ship and specialty restaurants have taken over the previously public space.

 

As a result, the ships feel crowded.

 

In some cabins, you will need to take care that you don't bang your elbow on the cabin back wall when turning around in the shower (that's a joke, folks, about the cabin size).

 

The number of activities on board has also been slashed and many are "self" directed.

 

If you are looking for a ship that might match the atmosphere, service and quality of your first cruise on the Monarch (again depending on how long ago that cruise was), you need to find a cruise line that has a better passenger to public space ratio than any RCI ship and also still believes in quality of service and food.

[bubba83]

What is it she didn't like about cruising?

[George C]

I do not mind smaller ships, but Monarch of the Seas is a very old ship, I sailed her in early 1990's, I rather cruise Hal , where all there ships are that size but newer, love Westerdam.

[HiCSailor]

What is it she didn't like about cruising?

^^ That's the key question. Cruising is so dynamic and multifaceted, that you can probably find an option that addresses anything that put her off the first cruise.

 

Bigger and newer are probably better for hooking new converts to cruising because they offer more onboard activities and choices, but it does all come down to what didn't she like.

 

I tend to agree with those that have said longer cruises might be better for newbies. I leapt into cruising with a 9-nighter and think the longer trips allow more time to unwind and find things you enjoy.

[framboesa]

First you must know why she didn't like cruising...We love to cruise aboard the big ships with lots of things to do, but a couple years ago our friends were with us aboard explorer of the seas (their first cruise) and they said that they liked but would prefer a more intimate ambience :) So it depends what she didn't like ;)btw, majesty of the seas was my firts RC cruise, +20 years ago:o

[Rala]

Although Soveriegn Of The Seas was our first cruise ship and we enjoyed it very much and started us cruising, I agree with you. After cruising on Serenade Of The Seas, I also think that a Radiance Class or higher would be a good 1st ship for a newbie! :cool:

 

I could have written the above post and totally agree. The Majesty is very old and tired (IMO) and the 3/4 day cruises do not reflect "true cruising" (again, IMO). Have fun whatever you choose!:)

[Justmekaren918]

I have to say a Radiance class is a great way to go!

[F27TW]

Get one of the balcony cabins ... the Sovereign class Junior Suites (just like a D1 on other ships) are spacious and really nice

 

Youll get her hooked on cruising if you get her a balcony !

Edited April 7, 2015 by F27TW

[Big_G]

What is it she didn't like about cruising?

 

Probably sunshine, smokey casinos, chair hogs, formal night, buffets, auto gratuities... but forget all that. :D

[Paulette3028]

How many years ago was the cruise on Monarch of the Seas? If it was a number of years ago, you will find the ships the size of Monarch and Majesty sadly changed. More cabins have been jammed into the ship and specialty restaurants have taken over the previously public space.

 

As a result, the ships feel crowded.

 

In some cabins, you will need to take care that you don't bang your elbow on the cabin back wall when turning around in the shower (that's a joke, folks, about the cabin size).

 

The number of activities on board has also been slashed and many are "self" directed.

 

If you are looking for a ship that might match the atmosphere, service and quality of your first cruise on the Monarch (again depending on how long ago that cruise was), you need to find a cruise line that has a better passenger to public space ratio than any RCI ship and also still believes in quality of service and food.

 

I am not a 'historian' of Royal but I don't believe I ever heard or read about Her Majesty having had cabins ADDED to her, nor that public area was taken away to add specialty restaurants. The Compass Deli is a very nice casual dining spot (no fee) during the day, and in the evening it is transformed into a Mexican Restaurant (for a fee).

 

Is Her Majesty representative of the rest of the fleet, NO. Its' staff/crew give cruisers a wonderful experience and a fun cruise....but it does lack lots of the extra WOW's of her big sisters. YOU will make the cruise, a good cruise or not.

 

Yes, the bathrooms are small....and if you don't choose a JS, then at least choose a SOV on deck 9, which are the largest ocean view cabins on the ship, that are not junior suites.

 

I have cruised on her 11 times...and have loved all of them. Sad she is being retired from the fleet, but progress has made it necessary (I guess).

[George C]

Get one of the balcony cabins ... the Sovereign class Junior Suites (just like a D1 on other ships) are spacious and really nice

 

Youll get her hooked on cruising if you get her a balcony !

 

Balcony did not exist when ships 1st came out, again old ships

[Ocean Boy]

What is it she didn't like about cruising?

 

Probably sunshine, smokey casinos, chair hogs, formal night, buffets, auto gratuities... but forget all that. :D

 

Don't forget trying to check in and out of your floating hotel along with 3000 other people trying to do the same all at the same time.

[depplep]

I agree with some of the others. You need to find out why she didn't like cruising in the first place. I've been on the older smaller ships and I really feel depressed and like I'm missing something better. However!, we love the pub, the promenade dark shopping mall feel, basically bar rats, so we need to be amused after a few drinks. The old ships just don't offer the constant distractions. Also, I want the over the top extravagance. Think Vegas. LOVE Vegas. Just my thoughts, throwin' it out there.