Majestic Princess bad reviews?

[Beachiekeen]

We are preparing to book a Canada/New England (Quebec to Boston) cruise for 2025 on the Majestic Princess.  The itinerary looks fabulous and we absolutely loved our one-way Alaskan cruise on the Coral Princess. 

 

However, I am now wondering about this choice as I am reading that Majestic is big (which as a Royal class ship I knew already) but also noisy (with loud music playing both indoors and outdoors all the time) confined (with few open areas or quiet places either indoor or outdoor to view the scenery) and smoky (with most quiet outdoor areas reserved for smokers and also that the casino and surrounding areas are also very smoky/unusable).

 

Can anyone shed any light on this?  Of course I know bad reviews exist everywhere for every ship and line but now I am a bit worried.  We are going with friends, one of which is very sensitive to smoke, and who prefer open areas.  I have no doubt we would all prefer a smaller class ship (like Coral), however it isn't an option for the date and itinerary we want. Thanks for any insight.

Edited August 17 by Beachiekeen

[Kay S]

If you dislike the Royal class ships, you won't like Majestic.  The problems there are the same as the problems on the others of that class: loud in the Piazza, smoke in the casino, no real ousside promenade, etc.  I, myself, never noticed smoke outside the casino, but I know others have.  One outside area is reserved for smokers, but I don't remember which one it was.  

 

My opinion of the Majestic is doubtless colored by the fact that we sailed her right after the reopening of cruising, and everything was a disorganized mess.  I'm sure they have gotten their act together since then.

[DUCHESSRN]

I am sailing Majestic in 4 weeks , I have been on her before and the ship is different in a few ways . 

The big enclosed pool area Hollywood Conservatory at the front of the ship used to be relaxing and child free but I heard that kids are allowed in there now.

I think ship goes into dry dock before your sailing .

Our last few sailings on Regal and Emerald they were nice quiet spots you could find on deck 7 ...Piazza seems noisier that it was in the past .

[Beachiekeen]

Yeah the problem is I don't know if I like a Royal class ship or not.  It is similar in size to two ships I have been on before (Liberty of the Seas and Carnival Vista) that I liked fine so I figured this would be similar. 

[Donwoods123]

We have been on 20+ Princess cruises, both on Royal Class (including the Majestic) and Grand Class ships. Each class of ship has its good elements and its "not so good" elements.  The Royal Class ships are bigger with more passengers, but they don't seem as crowded as the Grand Class to me.  The  Piazza on the Royal Class ships seems a bit bigger and louder than those on the Grand Class ships, but they are acceptable to us.  I avoid the casinos on all ships because I don't like the smell of smoke. While the Grand Class ships are fine, we enjoy the Royal Class ships because they are "newer" in condition and amenities.

 

The Royal Princess is our favorite ship.  We just got off a cruise on the Ruby which was fine,  and have one coming up on the Regal.  I think all Princess ships are fine and feel you will have a great cruise on the Majestic.

[memoak]

Royal class ships are noisy around the piazza area due to its construction and placement of lounges and restaurants. This being said the aft penthouse suites are incredible and have massive balconies. We prefer grand class burnt due sail Royal if the itinerary suits. We are actually booked in the Majestic for 20 days Boston-Quebec-Boston in 2025

[Beachiekeen]

Thank you. This is a port heavy cruise so hopefully it will be ok. We love to sit and talk and have a drink and watch the scenery so hopefully there will be places where we can do that. 

[NCMtnBoys]

1 hour ago, DUCHESSRN said:

I am sailing Majestic in 4 weeks , I have been on her before and the ship is different in a few ways . 

The big enclosed pool area Hollywood Conservatory at the front of the ship used to be relaxing and child free but I heard that kids are allowed in there now.

I think ship goes into dry dock before your sailing .

Our last few sailings on Regal and Emerald they were nice quiet spots you could find on deck 7 ...Piazza seems noisier that it was in the past .

We are also sailing Majestic in four weeks, and it will be our first Princess cruise (although my 36th cruise overall). Hoping for a great experience!

[LACruiser88]

We have cruised on the Majestic many times.  The most recent was this past April, 33-days, Sydney to Seattle.  The ship was in great condition and we had a fantastic time.  For more details, check out my "Live" blog link down below.

 

We are also cruising on the Majestic on Dec 1st for 51-days. The Majestic crew is FANTASTIC!  I'll be doing another "Live" blog here for that voyage also, stay tuned!  🙂

[DUCHESSRN]

21 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

We have cruised on the Majestic many times.  The most recent was this past April, 33-days, Sydney to Seattle.  The ship was in great condition and we had a fantastic time.  For more details, check out my "Live" blog link down below.

 

We are also cruising on the Majestic on Dec 1st for 51-days. The Majestic crew is FANTASTIC!  I'll be doing another "Live" blog here for that voyage also, stay tuned!  🙂

My evening reading Thank You.

[Wishing on a star]

As mentioned, the Majestic is going in for a major dry-dock, next Spring.

Harmony will be no more... ( it was designed when the ship was built for the Asian market )

I believe that there could be other major changes in areas and venues... how they are used.

It is true that the Piazza, and the Hollywood pool and the Conservatory are all completely enclosed.  And, that could make a real difference.  

You might consider making your booking, with just the deposit, and then making your final decision when reviews start coming in after the dry-dock.

It is always a good idea to get your cabin and onboard reservations set up as early as possible.

It seems that fares are only going up and up after early booking.

 

I haven't looked at other options for the Canada Northeast itineraries.

Are there any others that you could also consider?

[Beachiekeen]

Thank you for that info. We really love this itinerary. I just wish it was a different class ship. It’s my friend’s retirement cruise so it will be her final decision, but good to know if we go choose the Majestic what to expect so this is all very helpful. 

[LACruiser88]

41 minutes ago, Beachiekeen said:

. I just wish it was a different class ship

I would not worry about those that cast a negative light on the Royal class ships.  We have cruised on all the ship classes.  You will have a great time on the Majestic.

 

 Book your cruise based on the itinerary, not the class of ship.  You will have a great time!  Enjoy!!!

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, memoak said:

Royal class ships are noisy around the piazza area due to its construction and placement of lounges and restaurants. This being said the aft penthouse suites are incredible and have massive balconies. We prefer grand class burnt due sail Royal if the itinerary suits. We are actually booked in the Majestic for 20 days Boston-Quebec-Boston in 2025

IMO, the Royal Class ships are very noisy around the Piazza zone because of the build-up in entertainment there begun by a certain ED back in 2018/2019.  The venue was not built for loud rock type entertainment and yet this has been the trend.  So the sound booms all over the place - up high and into surrounding open areas on three decks - and even up to deck 8 mid-ship.  Many other entertainment events get held there and sometimes it seems like non-stop from morning to night. 

 

PS - This doesn't stop me from booking RC ships.  We'll just avoid the area if something is going on not interested in.  

 

Edited August 18 by Steelers36