Just back from Majesty 8/29-26 cruise to Bermuda!

[cruisebermuda]

We are just back from the Majesty to Bermuda, so if you have any Majesty questions, I will try to answer them.

 

Here are my comments...(our first Majesty trip, 37th cruise).

 

Embarkation was very easy. We arrived around noon, and were on the ship a few minutes after we arrived. Parking at the pier was very easy and drop off wasn't crowded when we got there.

 

We had three cabins, 2 on deck 3 and 1 on deck 7. The outside cabins on 3 are TINY. Next to no walking space and no real dresser/closet space, one small dresser and a small closet. The one on 7 was better, still small though. I had thought that CC cabins (deck 7) had a tub, but it didn't. It did have a mini-fridge which was nice though.

 

The food was OK...with the exception of the chocolate desserts, which were extraordinary. The grill outside was really good (burgers, hot dogs, fries), the buffet at lunch was so-so. I really wasn't impressed with the food. We ate dinner at the Seven Seas restaurant all 7 nights, and some were better than others. However, we ate at 6pm every night (with reservations, which can be made up to 48 hrs in advance) but generally waited until after 6:45 to get a first course!!! Service was unbelievably slow. I had 2 kids, who ended up eating bread for dinner most nights, since it took over 45 min (one night was an hour) to bring out their kids' meals. Every night, I asked for the kids' food to come out as soon as it was ready, and it never worked (we didn't order anything crazy, generally PB&J or spaghetti!).

 

Deck 10, the main outside deck, was VERY crowded on the sea days. We often sat on Deck 9, near the kids pool, which was very empty. We just brought chairs from 10 down, and enjoyed a private deck!!!

 

The kids program was good, but didn't have enough hours AT ALL!!!! Too many times, the program was "parent required to attend" which completely defeats the point of a drop off program. The worst was the day we left bermuda at noon on Friday, the program didn't re-open until 7pm for drop off!!! Crazy...

 

Teens on the ship: Too many teens had nothing to do, and found a hang-out in the hallway near my cabin. There was a teen (13-17) program, but more often than not, the groups of teens were complaining that they were bored. My kids are younger, but I thought this was interesting...

 

Bermuda was beautiful and it was great to dock right in town at St. George. 2 of the days, we walked to Tobacco Bay and enjoyed the beach. Tues. night they have a street festival...very nice to get off the ship at night and watch the local street performers, and do some outside shopping. I think it runs until 9 or 9:30 but some stores did close at 8:30. The Wed. we were in Bermuda we had bad weather, so we took the bus to St. David's Lighthouse (currently closed for renovation, but still nice to check out, and gorgeous views of the airport and islands and beaches) and the Zoo/Aquarium. The buses in Bermuda are great. Cheapest way to do it is to buy tickets at the Post Office (a 2 min walk from the ship) and then use those. The bus drivers are really friendly and will tell you when it's time for your stop if you ask them. It's very easy to get around on the buses.

 

We saw most of the shows on board...liked the production shows. One of the funniest things that NCL does happens at the end of the crew talent show. Make sure you catch that...

 

Oh, the first day and a half on the ship, the water was AWFUL. Once we got to Bermuda and they took on drinking water there, it was fine. But, I was very glad I had brought on bottled water myself.

 

In Bermuda, if you are walking to Tobacco Bay, there is a little table setup about 1/2 way through your walk to the beach, where a lady sells bottled water for $1, and snow cones. Considering the ship charges $4.50 for a bottle, save yourself some $$ and wait for that lady!!!

 

I'll have to think it there was anything else I wanted to add. Feel free to ask any questions!

[neverthought]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. DH & I are going in two weeks, we can't wait! We have been to Bermuda before, however it was only for a few hours. Looking forward to spending a couple of days in each port. How were the street festivals? Were you able to walk around or was it very crowded?

Neverthought

[CTCruisers]

Do you have to make reservations for all of the restaurants?

[cruisebermuda]

For the street festivals, they are crowded, but nothing crazy. You could definitely walk around fine.

 

For restaurant reservations, if you are interested in the Italian restaurant (no cover charge), you definitely need to make reservations early in the week. Many people were disappointed not to get in. For Seven Seas and Four Seasons, you can make reservations at 5:30, 6, 8:30 or 9pm. If you want to eat in between those times, it's first come, first served. Sometimes at 7:00 or 7:30 the line was very long. For Le Bistro ($15 pp cover charge), you definitely need reservations (and ask to eat INSIDE the restaurant - some people get seated in the hallway, literally!!).

[denisegold]

For the street festivals, they are crowded, but nothing crazy. You could definitely walk around fine.

 

For restaurant reservations, if you are interested in the Italian restaurant (no cover charge), you definitely need to make reservations early in the week. Many people were disappointed not to get in. For Seven Seas and Four Seasons, you can make reservations at 5:30, 6, 8:30 or 9pm. If you want to eat in between those times, it's first come, first served. Sometimes at 7:00 or 7:30 the line was very long. For Le Bistro ($15 pp cover charge), you definitely need reservations (and ask to eat INSIDE the restaurant - some people get seated in the hallway, literally!!).

 

I'm going to write a full review, as I was on the same sailing, but just a quick comment on the Italian cafe (Pasta Cafe, I believe is the name?) You are required to make a reservation. But I made our reservation for 5 people for 6:30pm Friday, and I called for the reservation on Thursday, late morning.. (and they had several times for me to choose from). We showed up at about 6:10pm Friday, but our 3 kids ditched us, so it was only for 2 now. A couple came in right behind us, with no reservation, and were turned away. We JUST cancelled 3 of our 5, not 2 minutes earlier. I thought it was kind of crappy that they didn't offer the couple a seat for 2 at 6:30. I really think they (the Pasta Cafe) are just trying to be something they are not. A "hoity tioty" cafe. The food there was just average, I mean, nothing wrong with it, but I would have survived without it. Just my 2 cents. :D

[lhall85917]

Thanks for sharing, your impressions of Majesty are very similar to ours we experienced in July. Bermuda was lovely, I just finished my photobook today and will be linking the pics in my signature sometime soon.

[daisydu]

We are just back from the Majesty to Bermuda, so if you have any Majesty questions, I will try to answer them.

 

Here are my comments...(our first Majesty trip, 37th cruise).

 

Embarkation was very easy. We arrived around noon, and were on the ship a few minutes after we arrived. Parking at the pier was very easy and drop off wasn't crowded when we got there.

 

We had three cabins, 2 on deck 3 and 1 on deck 7. The outside cabins on 3 are TINY. Next to no walking space and no real dresser/closet space, one small dresser and a small closet. The one on 7 was better, still small though. I had thought that CC cabins (deck 7) had a tub, but it didn't. It did have a mini-fridge which was nice though.

 

The food was OK...with the exception of the chocolate desserts, which were extraordinary. The grill outside was really good (burgers, hot dogs, fries), the buffet at lunch was so-so. I really wasn't impressed with the food. We ate dinner at the Seven Seas restaurant all 7 nights, and some were better than others. However, we ate at 6pm every night (with reservations, which can be made up to 48 hrs in advance) but generally waited until after 6:45 to get a first course!!! Service was unbelievably slow. I had 2 kids, who ended up eating bread for dinner most nights, since it took over 45 min (one night was an hour) to bring out their kids' meals. Every night, I asked for the kids' food to come out as soon as it was ready, and it never worked (we didn't order anything crazy, generally PB&J or spaghetti!).

 

Deck 10, the main outside deck, was VERY crowded on the sea days. We often sat on Deck 9, near the kids pool, which was very empty. We just brought chairs from 10 down, and enjoyed a private deck!!!

 

The kids program was good, but didn't have enough hours AT ALL!!!! Too many times, the program was "parent required to attend" which completely defeats the point of a drop off program. The worst was the day we left bermuda at noon on Friday, the program didn't re-open until 7pm for drop off!!! Crazy...

 

Teens on the ship: Too many teens had nothing to do, and found a hang-out in the hallway near my cabin. There was a teen (13-17) program, but more often than not, the groups of teens were complaining that they were bored. My kids are younger, but I thought this was interesting...

 

Bermuda was beautiful and it was great to dock right in town at St. George. 2 of the days, we walked to Tobacco Bay and enjoyed the beach. Tues. night they have a street festival...very nice to get off the ship at night and watch the local street performers, and do some outside shopping. I think it runs until 9 or 9:30 but some stores did close at 8:30. The Wed. we were in Bermuda we had bad weather, so we took the bus to St. David's Lighthouse (currently closed for renovation, but still nice to check out, and gorgeous views of the airport and islands and beaches) and the Zoo/Aquarium. The buses in Bermuda are great. Cheapest way to do it is to buy tickets at the Post Office (a 2 min walk from the ship) and then use those. The bus drivers are really friendly and will tell you when it's time for your stop if you ask them. It's very easy to get around on the buses.

 

We saw most of the shows on board...liked the production shows. One of the funniest things that NCL does happens at the end of the crew talent show. Make sure you catch that...

 

Oh, the first day and a half on the ship, the water was AWFUL. Once we got to Bermuda and they took on drinking water there, it was fine. But, I was very glad I had brought on bottled water myself.

 

In Bermuda, if you are walking to Tobacco Bay, there is a little table setup about 1/2 way through your walk to the beach, where a lady sells bottled water for $1, and snow cones. Considering the ship charges $4.50 for a bottle, save yourself some $$ and wait for that lady!!!

 

I'll have to think it there was anything else I wanted to add. Feel free to ask any questions!

 

thanks for the tip about the lady selling bottled water! We leave next Sunday!

[gdy0354]

How long before your sailing date did your cruise documents come?

[4JustUs2]

We are just back from the Majesty to Bermuda, so if you have any Majesty questions, I will try to answer them.

 

Here are my comments...(our first Majesty trip, 37th cruise).

 

Embarkation was very easy. We arrived around noon, and were on the ship a few minutes after we arrived. Parking at the pier was very easy and drop off wasn't crowded when we got there.

 

We had three cabins, 2 on deck 3 and 1 on deck 7. The outside cabins on 3 are TINY. Next to no walking space and no real dresser/closet space, one small dresser and a small closet. The one on 7 was better, still small though. I had thought that CC cabins (deck 7) had a tub, but it didn't. It did have a mini-fridge which was nice though.

 

The food was OK...with the exception of the chocolate desserts, which were extraordinary. The grill outside was really good (burgers, hot dogs, fries), the buffet at lunch was so-so. I really wasn't impressed with the food. We ate dinner at the Seven Seas restaurant all 7 nights, and some were better than others. However, we ate at 6pm every night (with reservations, which can be made up to 48 hrs in advance) but generally waited until after 6:45 to get a first course!!! Service was unbelievably slow. I had 2 kids, who ended up eating bread for dinner most nights, since it took over 45 min (one night was an hour) to bring out their kids' meals. Every night, I asked for the kids' food to come out as soon as it was ready, and it never worked (we didn't order anything crazy, generally PB&J or spaghetti!).

 

Deck 10, the main outside deck, was VERY crowded on the sea days. We often sat on Deck 9, near the kids pool, which was very empty. We just brought chairs from 10 down, and enjoyed a private deck!!!

 

The kids program was good, but didn't have enough hours AT ALL!!!! Too many times, the program was "parent required to attend" which completely defeats the point of a drop off program. The worst was the day we left bermuda at noon on Friday, the program didn't re-open until 7pm for drop off!!! Crazy...

 

Teens on the ship: Too many teens had nothing to do, and found a hang-out in the hallway near my cabin. There was a teen (13-17) program, but more often than not, the groups of teens were complaining that they were bored. My kids are younger, but I thought this was interesting...

 

Bermuda was beautiful and it was great to dock right in town at St. George. 2 of the days, we walked to Tobacco Bay and enjoyed the beach. Tues. night they have a street festival...very nice to get off the ship at night and watch the local street performers, and do some outside shopping. I think it runs until 9 or 9:30 but some stores did close at 8:30. The Wed. we were in Bermuda we had bad weather, so we took the bus to St. David's Lighthouse (currently closed for renovation, but still nice to check out, and gorgeous views of the airport and islands and beaches) and the Zoo/Aquarium. The buses in Bermuda are great. Cheapest way to do it is to buy tickets at the Post Office (a 2 min walk from the ship) and then use those. The bus drivers are really friendly and will tell you when it's time for your stop if you ask them. It's very easy to get around on the buses.

 

We saw most of the shows on board...liked the production shows. One of the funniest things that NCL does happens at the end of the crew talent show. Make sure you catch that...

 

Oh, the first day and a half on the ship, the water was AWFUL. Once we got to Bermuda and they took on drinking water there, it was fine. But, I was very glad I had brought on bottled water myself.

 

In Bermuda, if you are walking to Tobacco Bay, there is a little table setup about 1/2 way through your walk to the beach, where a lady sells bottled water for $1, and snow cones. Considering the ship charges $4.50 for a bottle, save yourself some $$ and wait for that lady!!!

 

I'll have to think it there was anything else I wanted to add. Feel free to ask any questions!

Will I have a refrigerator in my room? I'm in category "D" superior oceanview room? I'm on 3rd deck.

[rebeljohn]

Thanks for posting your review...............We sail on the Majesty for NYE. We have one of those TINY cabins you mentioned...........

[cruiservictor]

Hey Cruisebermuda - glad to hear you are home safe and sound and that you had a good time. We thought of you throughout the week and hoped you and your family were enjoying yourselves. Your hubby may have already noted that his Red Sox have opened it up to 7.5 games over our Yankees. Maybe we can cut a few games off that this week at the Stadium.

 

See you soon.

[cruisebermuda]

The cabins my family had on 3 were 339 and 340 and neither had a fridge. Maybe some others do on 3, but I don't think so.

 

We only booked 3-4 weeks prior to the the trip, and our documents arrived within a week after we booked. We then had to print out the e-docs from the website. Somehow, we had no "tickets", though I thought that the e-docs were the tickets. I'm still not really sure what we screwed up there, but at check-in, the agent said I had no tickets (it didn't matter, it just took us a minute longer to check in).

 

Yes, it was something traveling with all those Red Sox fans...I guess it makes sense that a cruise out of Boston would be FILLED with Red Sox fans!!! Yankees fans were the definite minority!!

[dtiger]

Thanks for the nice review. I imagine we also have a small cabin on our upcoming Majesty cruise. Cabin 403.

[Cruisetini]

I enjoyed reading the reveiws and comments. Looking forward to my first Majesty experience in December. The way I look at it "better to have a tiny cabin than no cabin experience at all"!

[Lthouselady]

I am on the September 9th cruise to Bermuda and my edocs came on August 22.......so it's about 2-3 weeks beforehand.

[Joy48]

This was our first time sailing with Norwegian and first visit to Bermuda. There were several members of our group who were first time cruisers and we liked the convenience of leaving from a port so close to home.. ( We are from the Worcester area )

The Majesty, although a little rough around the edges to those of us in the group that have cruised on larger and newer ships, did not disappoint any of us.

Our cabins were on Deck 6, ours was 620. I was impressed with the size of our outside cabin. It had a regular size bed that could be turned into two twin size, and one top bunk. There was a mini desk with chair, a bureau with plenty of drawer space, and we had a refrigerator. Keep in mind that each room only has ONE electrical outlet. ( had to switch from charging the cameras and cell phone alot ) The bathroom was small but had plenty of counter space and room below it for storage and was equiped with a hairdryer, although I am glad I brought my own as the watts of their dryer were not too strong. To my surprise the water pressure in the shower was great. The closets had plenty of space as well as hangers and the safe.

The departure went very quickly and smoothly, no long lines or delays. Unloading luggage from the limo was easy as they can park right up against the sidewalk to the entrance.

The entire crew was more than accomodating and extremely friendly. The activity directors kept things moving, always some kind of contest or dance session going on it seemed. The Joy band was very entertaining and played quite often on Deck 10 at the pool.. We did not attend any of the shows during our trip so I do not know how those were. We did frequent the disco, Frame 52 on several occasions, and DJ Tony played the latest music for the crowd. There was Karaoke going on at different times as well. I spent plenty of time in the Casino due to the fact that my little machine was paying me nicely. Not being one to gamble it was a real treat to win money and keep winning on the nights at sea ! The Casino staff was amazing, spending time just chatting, I got to learn so much about where they are from and how life for them is working on the ship and being away from family for ten months at a time.. I miss them all !

The dining rooms were nice and the food was good. We dined in the two main dining rooms most nights and the service was very good, although without assigned seating I found the wait sometimes to be longer than most would like.. The buffets and the pasta bar were very good but they didn't go all day. There was a barbecue area on Deck 10 with hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, etc, 24 hours a day and room service was always available. There was no lack of food or snack at any time..

The bar areas near the pool closed early in my opinion. Not so much just because of alchohol but if I wanted a soda it wasn't available after a certain hour. I did not purchase the soda card and I never did see anyone with the soda container they give you when you do purchase it. The wait staff for the drinks was better than amazing ! Mitchard we miss you and wish you could come home with us !! Look for him, he will take good care of you ! He was the best !!

The pools were constantly full of small children.. I never got the chance to use the pools or the hot tubs. There was never a problem getting a chair or table around the area, but swimming or just relaxing in the hot tubs was not an option during the day, and keep in mind the pools are emptied at night.

The internet cafe offers a nice plan while on board and is open 24 hours, there is a game room, a very small video arcade, one small gift shop, and one jewlery store.

I had read a review earlier about smoking on board, and although you can smoke in the casino it was not smokey, and there are other designated areas on decks where you can smoke. Not all decks allowed it, and even being a smoker I was glad it was not allowed in all areas.

Bermuda was perfect. The weather was amazing and there are no words to describe the beaches. I do suggest if you want to get around, that you rent a scooter at $84 per day. We only rented for one day and I was afraid to ride on the back but soon realized the traffic in Bermuda is NOT like the traffic in Massachusetts ! You will be amazed at the consideration drivers show each other ! We took a cab into Hamilton one day, Fred our driver actually gave us a mini tour of the island, and the cost was $40 each way so keep that in mind when traveling. Not sure what the bus passes would have cost to do the same. The shops in St George are nice, but they close at 5pm, so that was hard to get use to for us. There is one nightclub right at the pier which has a great dance area as well as outside area for relaxing right at the ocean.. I did not go into any other establishments like that although I do believe others in our group found more in St George..

We opted to do the early disembarkment where we kept our luggage in the room on the night we were leaving. It was a breeze getting off ship, faster than we thought for sure. The only thing you have to do is be able to carry your own luggage.

Bring the Bonine or Dramamine !!!! The first day at sea was rough due to bad weather, but nothing compared to LEAVING Bermuda ! That was rough even on the crew. From what I was told we had to get through the Gulf Stream and that it's always rough there.. It took about 3 hours and we were smooth sailing all the way home and needed no Bonine !!

If you have never been to Bermuda this is the way to go in.. We had our floating hotel, food, and entertainment right on board..The prices once on the island for food and necessities is quite high, ex: toilet tissue $1.05 per roll, Secret Deodorant $8.99, and Crest toothpaste $5.85 !!

If anyone has any questions I would be happy to try to answer them.. We had a great time and plan on doing this trip again on the replacement ship, The Dawn.

 

Joy ; )

[santacruise2]

good review Joy48, my wife and I are heading out on 9-9-07 for our 7th cruise to bermuda on the majesty, I agree with all you said, good job and welcome home

Den

[Diana68]

Will I have a refrigerator in my room? I'm in category "D" superior oceanview room? I'm on 3rd deck.

 

Category D rooms should be larger, and have the fridge.