Tips for cruising NCL Majesty

[smartgirl98]

I cruised the NCL Majesty 11/24-12/1. It was my first cruise ever, but I did learn alot. Here are some tips if you decide to take a winter cruise out of Charleston, SC. Its kinda long, but could be helpful.

 

1) If you decide to park at the port, have your money ($105 in check or cash) ready and have your bags tagged in advance.

2) Water on the ship is $4.50 a bottle, you can pack your own. Security may decide to check your bag, but it will save you money in the longrun. You can also buy water at the ports and bring it on.

2 1/2) If you want flavor in your drink, pack koolaid, crystal light, etc. (they come in single sizes)

3) Buy alcohol from the liquor store either the first day or the last day. You can get more deals, especially if you buy in multiples.

4) Don't worry about getting a drink from the bar the first day. The boat will be so rocky you will think you are drunk anyway.

5) With drinks being around $10 each, your best bet is to try the Martini or wine tastings. I tried the Martini tasting the first day at sea. It was $15 and you got almost 5 full martinis. They have one the first and the last day at sea.

6) Try the casino during the beginning of the cruise. Everyone seemed to be winning during the first few days.

7) Wait for the Spa on the last few days, they have great 2-fer deals.

8) If you go to LeBistro, make sure to get regular water. Your waiter may neglect to tell you and ask if you want Evian or Perrier, which they charge over $5 for.

9) You don't have to tip the bar. Gratuity is already included.

10) Go to the art auction. You get free champagne and free artwork.

11) Go to the shopping presentation prior to the first port only. You can show up toward the end of each other one and give your name for special coupons. They also have them in the gangway when you are exiting if you are not doing any extravagant shopping (i.e jewelry)

12) Don't worry about dropping raffle tickets at stores in the port. No winners were ever notified on our ship (and I know for a fact that my party and I were the only entries at one of the stores).

13) If the theatre has a good revue, you may have to get seats over an hour in advance. You may have to sit through other presentations but the theatre is too small and in my opinion only the middle seats are good seats.

14) If you have a small party, find people to sit with at mealtime. Larger parties are served quicker.

15) If you book excursions prior to your cruise, check out the shore excursion desk when you board. Some excursions have similar versions which are cheaper, or include more for your money. IF YOU DO THE ATV TOUR (IN COZUMEL), DO NOT WEAR NICE CLOTHES, YOU WILL GET DIRTY.

16) There is no real point in doing express checkout, unless you really really want to carry your own bags. They don't get off the boat much earlier than the rest of the passengers.

17) If you have to declare items to customs (i.e over 1L of liquor per person in your party), just grin and bear it. If you are pleasant to the officials, they are more likely to let you go through without paying taxes.

18) If you buy liquor on the ship and at the ports, be ready to stand in lines. You have to pick up your own liquor the night before disembarkation from the liquor store, and if you get liquor from the ports, you have to get it the morning of disembarkation.

19) ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!!!

 

I will be posting a review soon in the review section.

[rebeljohn]

smartgirl98........

 

A smart girl you are!!!! Thanks for the tips, and just in time, too. I'll be on the Majesty on 12/29. Thanks for taking the time to post these.......VERY HELPFUL!!!

[mbarnaby99]

Thanks for the info. It's been a while since I was last on the Majesty but I will be on the 1/5 sailing. Would you recommend parking at the pier or trying to park elsewhere? This will be my first time driving to a port.

[smartgirl98]

Oh yeah,

I forgot free tequila shots in just about every store in Cozumel!!!!!!

[smartgirl98]

Thanks for the info. It's been a while since I was last on the Majesty but I will be on the 1/5 sailing. Would you recommend parking at the pier or trying to park elsewhere? This will be my first time driving to a port.

 

I suggest parking at the port. There are porters there to help you with your bags when you get back to the garage. Plus the garage to my knowledge is locked up for the whole week. Nothing happened with my car. (I realized a door was unlocked when I got back!!)

[Lachase]

Thanks so much! Just in time for my first time coming up this weekend. Very grateful that you took the time to help clue us in.

[ejdl4]

Thanx for the info sailing 12/22. How were your meals and was the crew friendly.

[smartgirl98]

Thanx for the info sailing 12/22. How were your meals and was the crew friendly.

 

In my opinion, the food was great since I didn't have to cook it!!! LOL. Really, it was good. I opted for the buffet at breakfast and lunch, because I felt the dining rooms were too stuffy. Plus Seven Seas is in the back of the boat and you catch most of the movement, and I really couldn't take that. LeBistro is a good dining experience, but with exception of the appetizers and the chefs specials (which are a charge over top of the cover charge of $15), the food isn't much better than the other dining rooms, just presented nicer.

 

There are always burgers, fries, and pizza available. And if you don't like something you can always order another item, even in the dining rooms. (We ate with some people who ordered 2 of each appetizer, entree, and dessert at a time). Additionally, room service (although limited to salad, fruits, pizza and sandwiches) is always free and available. Also, the chocolate buffet is a feast for the eyes and stomach!!

 

As with all hospitality staff, some are nicer than others. I would say that these people are very pleasant for having to wait on others hand and foot for 12 hour shifts every day.

[Lachase]

Glad the food was good! Too bad mixed reviews on the staff. I fee; like a HAL cheerleader but that's all I have to compare, but that is another good report for them as their staff is consistently friendly,helpful, and smiling. They go out of their way to accomodate and I've never seen anything otherwise. I soooo want my NCL experience to be a good one.

[petesweet]

Two more tips:

 

1. We enjoyed the meals in the Four Seasons more than in the Seven Seas. I really can't explain why - just a nicer ambiance. Maybe because it is the smaller of the two.

 

2. If you eat in the cafeteria and can't find a seat, go to the back of the room and down the stairs to a nice lounge set up with tiny tables for eating.

[salty dingo]

Wow, $4.50 for a bottle of water. And they have it free on tap in every stateroom. Go figure.

[smartgirl98]

I almost forgot some other important points.

 

Since its freestyle cruising, formal night is optional. If you feel like dressing up, go ahead--its your vacation. No point in letting a great outfit go to waste. (There were so many people who didn't dress up because they didn't see everyone else dress up. I loved getting compliments on my dress.)

 

If you don't choose express checkout, you can still leave the ship whenever you want (after you go through customs). You just won't be able to get your bags unitl your color is called. There are benches outside of the building where they hold the luggage. Its nice to get fresh air while waiting instead of sitting around waiting.

[electricron]

If you don't choose express checkout, you can still leave the ship whenever you want (after you go through customs). You just won't be able to get your bags unitl your color is called. There are benches outside of the building where they hold the luggage. Its nice to get fresh air while waiting instead of sitting around waiting.

 

That's an excellent point many figure wrong.

NCL calls the cabin colors when those color bags are ready for pick-up ashore.

Not when the line aboard ship rying to get off it has shrunk.

 

Whether you use express or traditional disembarkation, I prefer to stay on the ship until they make the Final Call. I did pay for that time aboard the ship, and I plan to enjoy every second I can. By then, there is no line........