11/3 to 11/10 Majesty review Charleston to Berumuda

[rolloman]

Embarkation went smooth, guests were allowed on at 12 noon. I found the bag drop off in the middle of the parking lot and then board a small shuttle to go a quarter of a mile a little quirky, but they seem to make it work. Once at the terminal I proceeded to the Latitudes line while the other members of my party went in the regular line. It seemed to save me about 5 to 10 minutes.

 

Once on board, I had read the buffet was brutal, so we proceeded to the 7 seas restaurant. At this point we were greeted and then held to hear a lecture about where all the places were we could be eating quicker and actually better, after about 5 minutes of hearing the ramblings of the crew member, I said do we get to go in or not?? Finally we were granted access and lunch was very good, but service took forever. When it came time for desert (we all ordered cobbler) we sat for about an extra 30 minutes with the staff telling us it was coming. Finally our waitstaff came to the table and said there was no cobbler. Keep in mind we were one of the first people on board. Ok no problem, we go up to deck ten and get desert up there. Just so you know, the desert table up in the buffet is about the size of a tv dinner tray and pickens are slim.

 

I was unhappy with the decor of this ship. All Elevators doors were really roughed up, try to get a visual of a metal door that someone beat on multiple times with a small hammer. Mouldings around the wall were worn and chewed. Water leaked in the 7 seas from the galley out into the entry way, obviously very common as they through towels down everyday to sop it up. I laughed at a previous review who said old food was laying around, but I will be damned on day one on I saw food from previous servings on the floor as well. To be specific, froot loops in the corner on day one during lunch. I kept hearing about the great promenade, give me a break people, Plastic lawn chairs on the promenade?? Every other line offers teak with cushions which offer real relaxation. The actual cabin space I found adequate with great service. We had 4 cabins throughout the ship and all parties complained of yellow water out of the sinks and toilet. The casino had great service. The sad thing though is NCL uses the Casino as a smoking lounge. Over half the people in the room had no intentions of gaming. They were there to smoke and let me tell you South Carolina is tobacco country and this ship had some human chimney stacks. Even in port with the casino closed you found multiple people in there in the dark puffing away.

On the way to Bermuda we caught the wake of the hurricane that passed. We experienced consistant 15 to 18 foot roller waves over a 24 hour period. Several people became ill. To tell you the truth at one point it actually made me start hating life and I have sailed the world. Chalk up another minus for newbie cruisers contemplating booking this ship, no stabilizers and a small ship will equate to sea sickness.

 

I will rate the food as good to very good. I will rate the staff as excellent. They all seem happy as Bermuda is a great port and affords them extra days off they normally would not get on a typical cruise. I think a good tip for people to know is try going out of your way to be kind to the crew and I guarantee you will stand out and get treated at a new level than passengers who do not practice that kind of behavior.

 

The cruise director was named Soozy from Canada and she was weak at best. The assistant Director really over shadowed her. I think she got off on the wrong foot by trotting out on the opening evening and offending everyone with multiple stinging comments for not being as excited as she thought they should be. The comedian John Penny was very good, twice as nice was good and the chocolate goddess of love was good as well. Piano player in the lounge was good. The magician was absolutely brutal and should try another line of work.

 

I will not go into detail concerning the port as Bermuda needs no introduction. The island is simply breathtaking.

 

I realize it is an old ship, and per my profile you can see I have sailed many other older ships. Sorry NCL fans, this ship ranks at the bottom by a large margin. Thank god it has a great staff or this NCL vessel may do more damage than good to the NCL name.

 

I will only recommend this ship to locals within driving distance who want a cheap vacation to see Bermuda. For individuals who have to fly, you have many, many other Bermuda options you should consider. I am open for questions but if you feel you must flame me for my honesty, be prepared to bring your "A" game.

[salty dingo]

To tell you the truth at one point it actually made me start hating life

 

A cruise so bad you started to hate life? I have never hated life, but if I did, it probably would not be on a cruise ship.

 

I don't doubt what was said was true... it's just that the tone is so overwhelmingly negative that it sounds like prison.

 

You rated the food "good to very good" and the staff as "excellent" but the review gives me an impression of a raft tied together with vines.

[sassy~one]

Thank You for Your review, i board 11-24. I will board with an open mind. All information given simply helps with the learning process. Thank You again sassy

[rolloman]

Salty,

 

"Hating life" comment was in reference to the rolling of ship during the high seas, if you read it again you can see I had placed it in a seperate paragraph.

 

I know you are fond of this ship, maybe it used to be all that or you have just not sailed other lines in recent history. I am basing this review on today, real time. With the stiff competition out there, why sail this ship?

 

Crew and food were good compared to other lines, the actual ship is nothing more than a ferry to Bermuda and the interior of this ship reminded me of the beat up old ships we use in Florida as Casino boats or day hoppers to the Bahamas.

[salty dingo]

This is not the best ship out there, I grant you, and it is not new or glamorous, and it's not our favorite ship, but the four of us (two middle-aged, and two seniors) had really no complaints at all when we went in 2005. Cosmetic defects are not something I normally am concerned with; food and service are way more important to me. But others may feel differently, I realize.

 

As for the rough seas, that was to be expected going to Bermuda this late in the season.

 

I do appreciate reading any review, positive or negative, I just thought the tone was more negative than the content of the review suggested. Maybe I am interpreting it wrong.

[ejdl4]

I am sailing on the dec. 22nd west carrib. trip and looking forward. have been on carnival a few times and was in the gulf during hurricane katrina so I can understand why you hate life at that time. My family was fine but you feel bad for those who do get sick. you have to go with an open mind on all these cruises. we went out of puerto rico last year and maybe 5% did not speak spanish and you could see that those who did got better service. they also get a better rate. I am driving down from long island with friends have read the good, bad and ugly about this ship and can't wait. you have to go and forget what you hear and make your own fun. remember you are not buying the ship. how many hotels have people stayed in that were dumps. remember open mind you will have a great time.

[iheartbda]

The dessert tray in the buffet about the size of a TV tray??? What an UNBELIEVABLE EXAGGERATION. Makes me doubt anything else you've said. No,the Majesty is not a new ship but she is certainly not the bucket of bolts you describe.

 

Other lines offer teak chairs with cushions? Maybe other lines you've been on but not EVERY other line.

 

Just so you know, I have no particular allegiance to the Majesty or NCL. I've been on much better than the Majesty but I would sail her again when she goes where I want to go.

 

Honesty or exaggeration? If you consider this a flame to your honesty, so be it.

[Carolina Girl]

Were the ceiling tiles still leaning up against the wall on deck nine, midship? They stayed there the whole time we were on the ship Oct. 28 from Charleston to Bermuda. Glad you had better luck with the food.

[musicgirl63]

I have a question for the OP.

 

Once you were docked in Bermuda, were there any "curfews" to be back on board as well as how early could you leave the next morning?

 

Or is it once you dock, you can come and go as you please?

[cruiserssandr]

No curfews. Once you are docked you are free to come and go as you please. Be sure to pay attention to the time for all aboard for the return trip though.

[rolloman]

The dessert tray in the buffet about the size of a TV tray??? What an UNBELIEVABLE EXAGGERATION. Makes me doubt anything else you've said. No,the Majesty is not a new ship but she is certainly not the bucket of bolts you describe.

 

Other lines offer teak chairs with cushions? Maybe other lines you've been on but not EVERY other line.

 

Just so you know, I have no particular allegiance to the Majesty or NCL. I've been on much better than the Majesty but I would sail her again when she goes where I want to go.

 

Honesty or exaggeration? If you consider this a flame to your honesty, so be it.

 

You have no clue what you are talking about lady, as I said I just got off the ship 3 days ago. The small table with 3 little plates of desert was all there was in the buffet line on deck 10 EACH day. I do not know of any line that does not have teak chairs or big cushion chairs on the promenade. NCL majesty has lawn chairs that go for 19.95 each in Wal Mart. The ship is a tired worn out ship with has multiple major interior cosmetic defects. If what they show you is old and beat up, what do you think the parts you dont see look like? Maybe around your trailer park towels on the floor sopping up kitchen water are common, but to me its not something I want to step over each day. There is no guarantee you will go to any port you book so the bottom line is choose your ship wisely. NCL Majesty should not be one of them unless you live within driving distance and have no other options.

[iheartbda]

You have no clue what you are talking about lady, as I said I just got off the ship 3 days ago. The small table with 3 little plates of desert was all there was in the buffet line on deck 10 EACH day. I do not know of any line that does not have teak chairs or big cushion chairs on the promenade. NCL majesty has lawn chairs that go for 19.95 each in Wal Mart. The ship is a tired worn out ship with has multiple major interior cosmetic defects. If what they show you is old and beat up, what do you think the parts you dont see look like? Maybe around your trailer park towels on the floor sopping up kitchen water are common, but to me its not something I want to step over each day. There is no guarantee you will go to any port you book so the bottom line is choose your ship wisely. NCL Majesty should not be one of them unless you live within driving distance and have no other options.

 

I'm not about to get into a p***ing match but I DO know what I'm talking about.

 

Your comment about the trailer park only shows YOUR uncouthness.

[rolloman]

Uncouthness? Probably a direct response to being called a liar. Since you are so confident why dont you ask someone currently on the ship how "big" the little table is? IF anyone really wants facts from a seasoned cruiser versus fiction from an NCL pumper, The Fact is the desert table is a joke as well as the half size buffet serving line.

 

You can have your worn out minnie ship, it needs you. The rest of the population knows better and those that don't, I will make sure they know what they are getting into before they consider flying in for this. This is a local ferry only. It has a friendly crew and the overall food is good. Fly to NYC for a real cruiseship trip to Bermuda. Fly to Florida for your Caribbean ports of call.

 

After all, NCL recognizes this too and is getting rid of it for a reason. Charleston deserves better as it is one of the nicest cities and port of call the U.S. has to offer.

[hannahsdad]

Hi Roloman,

 

Just curious as I read in your review "The magician was absolutely brutal and should try another line of work.". Do you know the magicians name? Sure would like to know...maybe you kept your Freestyle Dailies ?

 

Glad to hear you liked Jane L. Powell, the Chocolate Goddess of Love...she is outstanding...

 

Cheers,

 

Hannah's Dad