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MAJESTIC PRINCESS - 24th August - Shanghai to Sydney

cheznandy
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sandk1204

sandk1204

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Hi,

 

I am really loving your reviews. Me, my husband, brother and sister in-law plus an 11 and 13 year old are on the Majestic in 8 weeks to New Zealand. We like to dance before and after dinner, street Latin which doesn't need as much room as ballroom type dances, plus some rock and roll. On other Princess ships we go to the Wheelhouse every night. I know the Majestic doesn't have a Wheelhouse but other than the Piazza, where the floor is marble, is there a place similar to the Wheelhouse with a dedicated timber dance floor? Cheers

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cheznandy

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Clocks put forward a half hour last night.....we are slowly creeping towards home time boohoo.

We awoke early and went up to the* Hollywood Conservatory for a cup of tea just after sunrise, so beautiful to watch from the front of the ship, and yep, all those cabanas were taken again, curtains pulled tightly across....but i could see in and it looked like the same people, just not fair to not share.

All the furniture up there is low to ground and very uncomfotable, i know because i walked around and sat in every chair haha, even the pods along the front have thin cushions and don't seem to join up so there are gaps.

There is some seating around the pool, very low to sit in and they sort of lean back. All sunlounges are the metal uncomfortable ones, i have not seen a cushioned sunlounger anywhere on the ship.

Lot's of wasted space up there, musical instruments, plastic plants, it's a beautiful quiet area but the Ovation's Adults only Solarium walks all over this one in terms of seating, padded lounges and decor.

I also noticed on a sign that children under 16 are permitted if supervised by an adult, hardly any kids on this cruise but wonder what will happen on the next one.....there goes the serenity!!!

Also, some of* the gaming* tables they removed from Vista lounge have appeared up in the Conservatory, and games and jigsaw puzzles are stacked on a side bench.

There is a big screen tv up there too, hey good place for the footy, that will get the cabana hogs out quick hehe

 

Quick early brekky in buffet after a walk, the sky is blue, sun is out.

Did our immigration early we were booked for 1pm, but everyone is just popping into the Sorento dining room and it is flowing through quickly.

We had coffee and sat near Gong Cha and the morning slipped by as people we know and have come to know stopped for a chat, before the 12pm midday chimes were heard and tne Captain came on for his update, here we found out we were passing the volcano, which erupted last in 2014 sending ash as far as Australia, and would also be passing Komodo Island.

A quick lunch in the buffet and we lazed in the cabin with a movie and lucky for us the scenery was portside so we hung on the balcony as we sailed by.

Lots of smoke and steam from the volcano, and Komodo looked barren.

We are passing lots of islands now, the scenery is a lovely break in four seadays.

 

Andy is snoring on the bed, its a hard life going from the balcony to the remote control......formal night tonight, again, so better "fluff up a tad" so they will let us in to our dining room. We asked the Maitr D to save us a table for 6 in Alexanders section, gotta love Anytime dining, dine when you want with whom you want, they look after us so well.

Our friends have begun sitting at the table for two next to us, so four of us at separate tables, we walk in at 7.45pm, they say "your table waiting"

 

 

 

 

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Thanks for the update again, do you think people are staying in those cabanas all night or just getting up extremely early.

I love Anytime Dining as well. First experienced it on NCL in 2010 where it is called freestyle and everyone has it, no traditional seatings. Then stumbled on it accidently on Celebrity with Select, we had a late seating (we picked this with the TA as we didn't want early) only to find we were bumped to early once we boarded. I went and saw the Maitre de and he offered Select which we jumped at and didn't even know it was an option, certainly wasn't on the planner and the TA didn't offer it either. The next X cruise we did, we requested it despite it not being in the planner as a selection.

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Dobby_The_Ship_Elf

Dobby_The_Ship_Elf

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Plenty of those Dobby, and I wore a dress today, wish you were here!!!!

 

Excellent Smithers ... say hi to the Panda for me

 

If you are not already planning it, I can highly recommend the Adelaide River Bridge Jumping Crocodiles, 45 minits from Darwin - cost circa $45 ..... money well spent!!!

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cheznandy Holiday Sharing Rare

cheznandy

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I have plenty of internet left, havent even started on Andy's 500 minutes, but sometimes the wifi just drops out, so will post when i can.

To answer a few questions,

re the accessible cabin,

We looked at B303 and it was huge and lovely and spacious. I am positive it had a sofa bed, but didn't look up to see re a pullman. The bathroom was huge, it had a long regular width balcony, with a small ramp to gain access. It was in a great location near the lift, and they are extremely happy with it.

There will be plenty of room for three of you.

If i see Marj i will ask re the pullman, but since you are in a different room it may be a different set up for three.

Re our cabin crawl, i have been stopped and thanked by so many people, saying how they enjoyed it and were so amazed at the different categories, but the best part was to talk to those staying in the cabins as they were able to find out about noise, access and all the other positives or negatives. Even seeing how others set up their cabins with storage and magnetic hooks etc.

Every cabin we went into looked* like a show home haha, it was lovely to see photos, and teddy bears, and colourful magnets, we just had our hats hanging up and the beer and wine on ice......typical!!

Everyone was so thankful and respectful, so great!!

 

Re the liqour prices, i will get the latest price list today, as they re stocked in Singapore and let you know.

Re dancing everyone dances in the piazza, only other dance floor would be Vista, havent had a good look at it, but there is always something else going on there.

 

Heres my thoughts on the set up of this ship now we have been on for two weeks.

Le Mer could go, three specialty restaurants are too much, it's never full, thankfully they are using it for coffee during the day, it could be a Crooners bar, piano, cocktails, nice seating where people can sit and watch and can be an overflow for coffee during the day.

Crowngrill restaurant/bar could become a Wheelhouse type bar/pub, there is no where like this on the ship, have an entertainer and a dance floor, quiet spot during the day for a drink and a read.

The Crooners they hastily made out of the Casino side annexe could be the Steakhouse, i would pay to eat there, quiet and intimate.

We walked to the Kareoke rooms last night, all locked but two they have made into computer rooms, what a waste of space that area is, i realise the ship was built for the Chinese bla bla but if Princess are bringing this ship here for half of the year and want it to be full, improvements could be made.

Now, there are the huge three shops taking up prime real estate on deck 7, Chopard, Cartier and i dont even know the othername, Bvulgari perhaps? never anyone in there, i havent set foot in there, prime real estate that is, mmmmm...perhaps a Crooners there??

 

Anyway, that is my take, and most people i have spoken to are of the same thoughts.

It is a beautiful ship, handles the sea amazingly, staff and Princess are wonderful as usual, the layout just doesnt seem right.

 

Oh, and move all the partitioning of cabanas in the Conservatory, put some nice comfy loungers around and let everyone use it!!

Mic, Andy and i thought it might be people sharing cabins sleeping there, one guy had his all set up for a good sleep with lots of blue n white stripe towels haha

 

To those that mentioned not going to the Crown Grill, please have a look when you are onboard, these are our thoughts only, and i am just saying it as it is for us, would hate for you to miss out on a special night, but i really cant see them stopping entertainment there all night as there is no where else, so stop by one night and see if it to your liking.

We have Harmony booked for next week, but we are so loving the Dining room that we cant justify paying for an eating experience that is less enjoyable!

 

 

 

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cheznandy Holiday Sharing Rare

cheznandy

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Panda would say hi, but he is still snoozing.......we are hiring a car tomorrow for Darwin, thanks for the recommendation.

Excellent Smithers ... say hi to the Panda for me

 

If you are not already planning it, I can highly recommend the Adelaide River Bridge Jumping Crocodiles, 45 minits from Darwin - cost circa $45 ..... money well spent!!!

 

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possum52

possum52

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I'm loving your review of the Majestic Princess Cheryl. Thanks so much for all the info you are providing. The cabana situation is intriguing me! I hope you and Andy enjoy the remainder of the cruise.

 

 

Leigh

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Sailaway John

Sailaway John

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Yes re the Cabana situation I think that the people in the cabanas are Inside Cabin passengers who have upgraded themselves to outside cabins. Totally unfair and un-Australian. May cause some problems.

 

I'm loving your review of the Majestic Princess Cheryl. Thanks so much for all the info you are providing. The cabana situation is intriguing me! I hope you and Andy enjoy the remainder of the cruise.

 

 

Leigh

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cheznandy Holiday Sharing Rare

cheznandy

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Yes re the Cabana situation I think that the people in the cabanas are Inside Cabin passengers who have upgraded themselves to outside cabins. Totally unfair and un-Australian. May cause some problems.
Too funny John, yes, a free self imposed upgrade!!

 

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Dobby_The_Ship_Elf

Dobby_The_Ship_Elf

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Panda would say hi, but he is still snoozing.......we are hiring a car tomorrow for Darwin, thanks for the recommendation.Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

 

I had a hire car, it is an easy drive, just head south & turn right towards Humpty Doo, Adelaide River & Kakdu

 

 

Of course you will have to stop at the Humpty Doo Pub on the way back just to fit in with your beer fest cruise theme.

 

You can thank me later

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Yes re the Cabana situation I think that the people in the cabanas are Inside Cabin passengers who have upgraded themselves to outside cabins. Totally unfair and un-Australian. May cause some problems.

Unfairly upgraded to oceanviews with balconies. totally in-Australian boo hiss.:(

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cruisinghiro

cruisinghiro

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Does anyone know if there is a bridge tour available on Majestic, as my brother and his partner would be very interested in that...thanks... S&D:)

 

 

 

During the Taiwan season, I did read in my stateroom booklet that behind-the-scenes tours were available for $150 USD per person. It had to be requested early on the cruise... I have seen a few families make their way to the bridge and take pictures with the captain.

 

I’m not sure about the availability of them for the Australian season.

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cheznandy

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We awoke to a smooth sea that rippled like deep blue satin, no white caps, just blue sky and sunshine. Gone is the hazy fog and greyish skies of the Asian typhhoon/ monsoon weather.

 

We didn't feel like breakfast as we were having 12pm lunch with friends, so ordered a pot of tea through room service, how spoilt are we?

Managed to leave the cabin about 10am for a takeway coffee at Gong Cha, then found a table in Le Mer " pop up" cafe.

A sale was happening in the area between the shops, so i managed to squeeze my way through there to the Cosmetic/perfume place and bought some more OPI nail polish $15 AUD for those interested, I can't buy these in our hometown and i like the brand, less my 10% discount, not bad.

 

Back in our cabin we read on the balcony for a while and hadn't realised the steward was cleaning our room!!

 

We met up for lunch in the dining room with our friends from Hawaii, our second lunch with them....two hours later we continued in Crooners which is empty during the day.

This couple were on Majestic before it went to Asia, so notice the changes made for Australia.

They agree Crooners would make a great Crown Grill and that Le Mer and the three large shops are wasted where they are.

They are on for the next two cruises to the South Pacific an NZ.

 

Back in our cabin i sat reading on the balcony, there was a bit of sun left......but it's hard to concentrate, as the sea is mesmerising, so calm and yachts with white sails in the distance float by, i keep glancing up so as not to miss anything!!

A much different sea than that of shipping containers and fishing boats.

 

As you can see, our seadays are filled with lazing, walking, reading and chatting!!

The AFL is on in the Princess Live and NRL on the big screen out side tonight.

Just waiting for the Princess patter tonight to see where the two NRL games tomorrow are on at. I think our first buffet dinner may happen tomorrow night!!

 

Ok,update, watched a bit of the Melbourne Rabbitohs game, the pads they put on the lounges for movies under the stars are great, so there are padded lounges but only at night! It was packed out there. OMG, such a beautiful sunset, it set aft of the ship, so while looking at the big screen, the sky was lit in orange and purple, should have had the camera.......we saw an elderly couple struggling to get some loungers off a pile, we had nabbed a couple of the padded ones, but as we were not watching all the game i went over and asked if she would like our two chairs, we didnt mind leaving early to give them a seat, she was so thankful.

Patter tonight says both games tomorrow are on the big screen, the buffet it is!!

 

Well, the Majestic will make her first visit to an Australian port tomorrow. I have heard that Darwin is pretty excited and are putting on a big welcome.

We will be up early, might watch sail in from up front, we are due to dock at 7am, picking up the pilot about 5.30am.

 

Australia here we come!

 

 

 

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cheznandy

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Does anyone know if there is a bridge tour available on Majestic, as my brother and his partner would be very interested in that...thanks... S&D:)
I heard people talking about bridge tours or the ultimate tour today over lunch.

I heard them say there are three tours of 13 people each tour.

Not sure of cost.

 

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