Just Back From My 1st Solo Cruise (on Ncl Majesty)

[SerenadingSarah]

Here's my review! Would love to answer questions!

 

9/25 Sailing - NCL Majesty

Hello, everyone! I've got to get this review out so I can stop thinking about it and get on with my life! You know how it is....the post-cruise blues, and I've got 'em. Big time. I don't have much time to make this more organized - it's kind of random, so bare with me.

 

Living 1.5 hours away from Boston, I decided to drive to the dock and park there Sunday morning. I got the directions from NCL's website, and they were fine. I was surprised at how smooth it was getting in -sometimes Boston can be crazy with construction and detours, but it went off without a hitch. $84 to park there for the week, covered garage, they take credit cards or cash. It was a short walk to the ship, over cobblestones most of the way - be sure your rolling luggage can take the beating.I walked into the terminal - there were people ready to assist at every turn. As a Latitudes member, I was directed to a special line, and honestly folks, from that point, it was only about 20 minutes until I was walking into my cabin. (This was the ONLY privilege I noticed as a Latitudes member.) I was really pleased about that. P.S. I had read a good tip on these boards before about bringing a case of bottled water on board! I was told to put a luggage tag on it and check it. Well, I would suggest carrying it on yourself. I put a tag on it, gave it to the guy at the curb, and never saw it again.

 

My cabin was fine - an inside one on Deck 4. Tiny, yes, but I was travelling alone so it was never an issue. The stewards kept it immaculate. That morning was the one and only time there was toilet trouble (I had read a lot of complaints about that before), but it was fixed within an hour. Just a side-note, try to be aware of where your cabin is when you book. Mine was directly below the stage of the Royal Fireworks lounge. I could hear pounding music until about 11pm. It wasn't every night of the week, though, but still worth noting. Showers: Try to take a shower when you think no one else on the ship is. That's tricky, I know. I only had ONE hot shower, one lukewarm shower and the rest of the week they were cooler than lukewarm to downright FREEZING. The warmest showers I noticed were when we were in port. Food: Very good. No complaints here! For breakfast, I did the buffet - hot and cold cereals, eggs, bacon, pancakes, yogurt, fruit, etc. There is a 24hr buffet of pizza, hotdogs, fries, that sort of thing in the back of the ship on Deck 10 - also very good. The dining rooms were okay. I like the freestyle seating. Travelling alone, I looked forward to meeting as many people as possible, and this was a good way to do it. I was really nervous the first time, but everyone was SO welcoming and kind and always accepted me at their table. (This was my first time cruising solo.) The wait staff was SUPERB - professional, fast, friendly. Crew: The Cruise Dircetor Pedro Serra was one of the best I've ever seen. I could be slightly biased here because he also happens to be the BEST-LOOKING one, very charming, funny.....delicious, yes, all of that. I had originally thought I was going to have Ricky Matthews, who I have cruised with before, but he was headed to another ship a few weeks before this cruise. It was a welcome change. Pedro was so much better - much more CALM - not annoucning useless crap on the P.A. System every 5 minutes - sorry, Ricky. Anyway, Pedro was knowledgable, fun, just perfect for the job. Oh, and did I mention, he's a Portuguese GOD. ???

Candi, the Asst. Cruise Director did a fine job. This was her first week as Asst. She was okay. I didn't see her much around the ship, but when she was in charge of activities (bingo), people seemed to enjoy her a lot.

Shipboard activities: Because I was alone, I really found myself relying on activities on board to keep me occupied. I really wasn't disappointed. There was arts and crafts that was fun - a great time to meet fellow passengers and unwind doing stuff that sometimes seemed silly (fish keychains), but that's what makes it fun sometimes! The casino was okay - pretty small, and quite smoky. I only spent about 15 minutes there, and that was just enough time for me to feed a machine 20 bucks. Haha.

Entertainment: A lot of the activites were REPEATS from when I was on board 3 years ago - the "Miss Majesty" Contest and the Liar's Club always fun and good for a laugh, but it was pretty much the same, word-for-word. Come on, NCL, let's switch it up a bit! The comedian, Ted Holum was also on my last Majesty cruise. Nice guy, but his comedy was kind of lame. He was MUCH funnier when he was off-the-cuff, picking someone out from the audience and joking around with them. Paul Emmanual was a singer we shared with the Crown which was also docked in Bermuda - he was FANTASTIC! A mix between Stevie wonder and Nat King Cole, a GREAT performer, very entertaining and funny - got the audience involved and we had a blast. Don't miss him! The Majesty dancers were AWESOME! The shows were good. The singers were weak at best. Rama 111 was the band who played for the shows, and for ballroom type dancing and they were SO so good. I wish I could hire them out. Carribean Wave is the reggae band who played poolside and they were VERY GOOD also. Rudi, comedian, acrobatic, all around LUNATIC was AWESOME, too!! DOn't miss this guy. I promise you, you've never seen an act like this!!

Bermuda: This island is just so beautiful. I was up in time to be on the top deck as we sailing in, and it was breath-taking! You won't believe how NARROW the passage is in between these two little islands (Bermuda is made up of MANY tiny islands)..I think it was about 7am or so. Try to be up top for that - great photo opportunites! Actually, every square inch of Bermuda is a gorgeous picture. I took lots. We had some cloudy days, and at least one quick shower that passed through every day, but mostly it was sunny and warm.

Excursions: I only did one, and it was the BEST. The 5hr Island Tour. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it!! It was $59, and worth every cent. Buses pick you up right on the dock and take you over the entire island! Our tour guide Walter was incredible - so knowledgable! At one point, he stooped the bus and got out! No one knew what he was doing, and traffic started to back up, WAY up, and suddely he bent down and was picking flowers! We though this dude was off his rocker, but as he was driving, he had spotted the Bermuda National flower and wanted us to see it. Now that's service! I forget the name of it now, small purple blooms - all the girls wore them in their hair. It was really nice. Anyway, Walter took us all over, letting us get out every now and then and stretch and take pictures - the big lighthouse, nice beaches. We made a QUICK stop at the botanical gardens and I want to go back someday! It looked AWESOME! The last stop before heading back to the ship was the Royal Navy Dockyard. This was really fun! GOOD SOUVENIR SHOPPING HERE!! SO MUCH CHEAPER THAN ST. GEORGE'S!!!! So, anyway, book this excursion if it's available. It's so relaxing and fun. The busses are great, too. Set up like stadium-seating. I sat in the very last row and could see over everyone's heads and all around! It was just beautiful.

Bar service: Do not bother with mixed drinks. They are SO overly priced and had NO alcohol in them! I'm not a big drinker, so when I do have one, I can totally FEEL it. Not with these drinks. I switched over to bottled beer and was much happier. I didn't find the waiters to be annoying at all, which is something I had read here once, too. They seemed to be right there when you needed them, but not overly so.

Demograhic: a lot of people ask about this so let me throw it in. Most of the people were obviously from the New England area. I met LOTS of people from Maine. Some from Connecticut, mostly from Massachusetts. I did meet a couple from Kentucky, which was a nice change! Most of the passengers were couples in there 50-60s. The next biggest group would be couples in their late 30s-40s. (This is my best guess, really.) Some families with children. I believe there were about a dozen kids in the Kid's Crew. I counted about 3 toddlers. I did meet a younger couple in their 20s. This isn't the cruise for singles to go on if they're looking to meet other singles!!!!! It wasn't my intention, so I was glad, but you would have been very disappointed if you were hoping for that. I think I noticed one other person travelling alone. There was an attempt by the crew to have a singles dinner, but no one showed up. That's par-for-the-course for NCL, I think. At least that has been my experience. I was happy to just hang out and relax, alone or with whomever, so I didn't have any issue with that, but solo travellers, be forewarned!

 

Random Thoughts: Many broken deck chairs, be careful!! Pool was crowded on sea days so get up early and reserve! I know, you're not supposed to, but please, what else are you going to do?? Oh, on the Cabin TV - I was actually surprised at how many channels I had! One that I missed though that I have seen on other ships is a channel telling the temperature - air temp and pool temp! I had no window so I was clueless about what to wear each morning. Had to go back and change just about every day...too chilly, too hot...etc.

 

Oh, I forgot about the Chocoholic Buffet! This is famous on NCL. It has been better on other ships....this one was kind of lame. I mean, where do you go to a Chocolate Extravaganza and NOT have chocolate-covered strawberries? Seriously! I got the feeling they had run out of all kinds of things on this cruise...perhaps they stock up in the beginning of the month...? Anyway, there was still plenty of chocolate to be had. It's a minor complaint, really.

 

Disembarkment: I decided to try the Express Disembarking, which meant you carry ALL of your own luggage off of the ship. It worked out fine. I was walking off of the ship at 8am. Not bad.

 

Okay, let me see if there is anything else...oh, this cruise had a theme of country line dancing..now let me say I'm a HUGE country fan..but the dancers (sorry, you guys, nothing personal) got SERIOUSLY annoying after awhile. Also, I don't know, but when I'm on a cruise, I like Reggae/Caribbean music by the pool....instead they played a lot of country, which I listen to everyday. Tip: Bring headphones. I wish I had. Oh, the seas going down were relatively mild. Some first-timers had a hard time, but I thought it was calm. On the way back, the sea was like GLASS. I kept thinking we were still docked. Yes, THAT smooth. Which was a bummer. I like to rock and roll a bit when I cruise...I wear the patch, so I never have a problem..only minor side effects.

 

I don't really have any major complaints about this cruise as a whole. It was a great vacation for me! So convenient to not have to fly. Oh, this was my second cruise on the Majesty, fourth overall, and all have been on NCL. I'm looking forward to trying out a different cruiseline for my next one. Any suggestions? I got lots of info here when I was planning my cruise - lots of helpful reviews and people willing to answer questions. I'm extending the same offer! I'm open to answer question, give advice, whatever! Thank you for staying with me!! :-)

 

P.S. Pedro Serra ROCKS MY WORLD!

[cjcruiser27]

Hello! I see you're from Cape Cod...I am too! I love to cruise and usually go solo. Just wondering if you have ever thought to find a cruisemate thru any of the websites, just to save on the single supplement cost? I have done about 10 cruises, many with Carnival and 2 w/RCCL. Always ALOT of fun!

[FlorenceItaly]

Have you considered sailing solo on HAL, from Boston? I took my first solo in 2004, from Boston on HAL, and loved it. It was such a good solo experience for me, I came home and booked another HAL cruise for two months later....to Alaska. Their solo supplements are very reasonable. I paid about 125% on the first one, and got double occupancy rate on the second. I am still in touch with cruisers I met on both cruises. Btw, I am married, but sometimes cruise solo due to my dh's inability to get time off. He started a new job in Nov 2003 so doesn't have that much vacation time.

 

 

Marie

[SerenadingSarah]

Hi, CJ! Where are you from on the Cape? Have you ever done that cruise out of Boston? Well, I did consider trying for a roommate..for about 2 seconds. Paying the extra didn't bother me. It's worth it. If you get stuck with someone you're not really compatible with, I can only imagine how hell-ish it could be. I've only been back one week, and I'm planning my next cruise! I'm such a junkie! :-) When's your next one?

 

Marie-Yes! I have considered HAL - I keep hearing how much better they are for singles. I've only sailed NCL (4 times now), and am looking forward to branching out to a different cruise line anyway! When's YOUR next cruise?

 

-Sarah

[Roz]

Sarah,

 

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Like Marie, I'm a HAL solo cruiser, and have my 3rd solo cruise booked for this coming December. Have always wanted to cruise to Bermuda, and NCL seems to have the best schedule and itineraries.

 

May I ask you what you paid for a single supplement? Not the fare (don't like to ask people personal questions), but the %. For instance, if you paid the amount that 2 people in the cabin would have paid, it's 200%. I've been getting HAL for around 135-140%.

 

My understanding is that NCL, X, and RCCL are like Attila the Hun when it comes to loosening up on the single supplement.

 

Inquiring minds would like to know...

 

Roz

[SerenadingSarah]

Hi, Roz! I suck with percentages. ....so....lol I'll just tell you, it's fine. The single rate was something like 499 at the time I booked, and I paid $860. Still not bad! I've paid more than that for double occupancy in the past, so....

[Host Caroline]

Thanks for the great review Sarah! I love Bermuda.. in fact more than any Caribbean destination and wish wish wish they would have cruises from NC or SC to Bermuda in the summer.. for a solo rate like that I'd go back in a heartbeat!!

[cjcruiser27]

Hello! Have you decided on any cruises yet?! I know the feeling of wanting to go again..NOW!! Good luck with your house, where do you plan on relocating?? Wish I had plans for cruising the holidays..

[SerenadingSarah]

Well, I'm most likely staying on the Cape...am doing some condo-hunting now. Fun fun. Hey, the boards weren't down too long, huh? I was starting to panic that I wouldn't have anything to do at work today! HAHAHA

Yeah, I'd love to cruise for the holidays, too....I don't have anymore vacation time until late December, so I'm just looking towards March or April, unless I can hold off longer, but......not likely!!!! I just don't get it. The Majesty just keeps coming back to Boston..and leaving, coming, leaving...doesn't she miss me like I miss her????

[Nanci]

Hi Sarah: First I want to thank you for such a fabulous review and for all the time and effort you took into writing it. I live in the Fort Lauderdale area, only 20 min. from Port Everglades. Ooooh sooo tempting !! I have been on over 30 cruises with many more to come. I am single but actually have only been on one cruise as a solo. In fact I just booked (as a solo) a group cruise for over 40 singles in January on the HAL Westerdam. This will be my first time on HAL and I'm definitely looking forward to it. Anyone else interested??

[AngelSugar]

Hi...I am so glad I checked this part of the forum. I love to cruise and my husband does not have a lot of vacation time! I was wondering what it would be like to cruise alone but not be "looking" if you know what I mean.

 

I will definitely have to check out HAL and sign up for their newsletter. I also heard that Crystal has good single rates....anyone have any comments on that?

 

Will be checking this thread often......I would love to cruise in JAN!!

I will be checking out nanci's cruise!!

 

Thanks everyone :)

 

:D

[AngelSugar]

Hi All

What date in Jan is the HAL cruise for 40+ singles???

And it is out of Ft Lauderdale? yes?

 

so many facts...so much detail.......GET ME ON A SHIP!!!

 

:) ;) :)

[SerenadingSarah]

Angel, I'm with you there! Get me on a ship! Any ship!!!!!

 

I'm 33. Still welcome with the 40+ crowd?????

[AngelSugar]

As long as ya can laugh, why not???

 

For one so old as myself, my friends think I am a blast! And so do their kids....nice to be blessed with that young at heart thing!!!

 

:D :) :D

[Nanci]

The HAL singles cruise (40+) is out of Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 22nd to Nassau, British Virgin Islands, St. Maartin & their private island. This will be my first time on HAL and second time with a singles group. However I have been on over 30 cruises so I'm definitely not a gringo to cruising (note my e-mail address)!! If you want you can e-mail me directly at nancbcruisin@aol.com.

[AngelSugar]

Hi Nanci,

I sent you an email. I hope it didn't go to the big AOL trash can in the sky!

 

Let me know...I can always resend it!

 

Thanks :o