RCCL Majesty of the Seas

[mrsannb]

Hi, I'm new to the boards. First post.

I have some quick questions because I'm planning to book tomorrow, unless everyone says NO DON'T DO IT!! :eek:

 

It's a 4 night, going out of Miami to Key West, Coco Key, and Nassau.

My husband and I will be traveling with our 3 children, ages 1, 3, 6.

 

Does RCCL offer transportation from the airport in Ft. Lauderdale?

 

What is RCCL like? Do you think Majesty of the Seas will be fun, or not so much? Will the kids enjoy it? Will we have plenty to do? I'm seeing that the ship has like 3.5 stars, which worries me a bit.

We'd like to see Key West, and my husband and I have enjoyed Princess and Disney cruise lines, but we did not enjoy Carnival because of the party atmosphere and smoking. Do you think we'll be disappointed if we go on this cruise?

 

Comments appreciated! Thanks!

[fisherhum]

We cruised on RCL with kids 4 and 6 a few years ago. (Went to Key West and had a great time touring around ). The kids love the Adventure Ocean and the staff and everyone were very kind to the kids. We are leaving on HAL soon but would definately sail on RCL with the kids again. I don't know anything specific about that ship though.

[crusinmama06]

Well I can't tell you "Don't do it!" because I just booked this SAME cruise yesterday. :D

 

We're going June 8th, come on with us. :) The rates are pretty good.

 

As far as transfers, in Miami you do not need transfers. To pay for transfers would be about $65pp - take that times 5 and you have a pretty expensive taxi. ;)

 

As soon as you walk out of the airport, just go to the taxi stand and they will get one to hold your entire family. A taxi for 4 people is $26 flat rate. Since there are 5 of you, they would probably put you in a shuttle van. Off the top of my head, I think that is $8pp but they may charge less for the kids.

 

The airport to the port is 8 miles away. So 15 minutes-20 minutes later and you are there.

 

Now, the Majesty verses Disney and Princess - NO you won't have the same experience. We just got off of Royal Caribbean Independence and I know I won't have the same experience. It's not that it's Royal Caribbean, it's that it is an older Royal Caribbean ship, 4 days itinerary and pretty much you get what you pay for.

 

The service will be great. The ship will be kept up. The private beach - Coco Cay is incredible. I love that place. The price will be right.

 

On the flip side, the pools will be salt water (on this ship, not on all RCCL ships). The cabins will be smaller. And there will not be a infant water splash area like on Disney.

 

I don't think of it as a "party boat". I know how smoky the Carnival ships are...no you can't smoke in your cabin on RCCL (just the balcony) like you can on Carnival...so there will be less smoking. You will find smoking in the casino and one inside bar.

 

But for the price and the itinerary, I am ready to try it. I've been on the Sovereign, twice. So I can't imagine that I will dislike the Majesty.

[sandytoes03]

I've done this cruise and loved it. I didn't do it with kids, but I can tell you that the ship and the ports were a lot of fun. It's a smaller RCI ship, but that was fine with us since we were at a port every day anyway. Coco Cay is *awesome*. I think you should give it a try!

[sunandseagirl617]

Majesty is a great ship! We went on her the summer of '07 and had a blast! We even had an interior room with the four of us (not knowing any better!) and every time someone had to change (including our minds) everyone piled out into the hallway!:o That is still one of our all time favorite family vacations!

 

The ports of call are awesome, especially CoCoCay! We'll probably book a three day this summer again but maybe in a larger cabin, this time!;)

[tex_toby]

Our family of four will also be on the June 8th Majesty cruise with cruisinmama. This will be mine and my wife's 3rd cruise, but it will be a first with our two boys (10 & 4). Price was the deciding factor for us. It's economical and I still think we will all have a blast.

 

Toby :cool:

[crusinmama06]

Our family of four will also be on the June 8th Majesty cruise with cruisinmama. This will be mine and my wife's 3rd cruise, but it will be a first with our two boys (10 & 4). Price was the deciding factor for us. It's economical and I still think we will all have a blast.

 

Toby :cool:

 

Yes we will! :D:D:D

 

Now I just have to decide if I want to do any excursions in Nassau like we usually do. Since this is a first cruise for your boys, they have never swam with stingrays I am assuming. You can go to my blog (link in signature) and see the review of the awesome time we had at Blackbeard's Cay Stingray Adventure in Nassau.

 

That and Atlantis are at the link. The boys would love either. I'll bring this discussion over to the roll call. :D

[rolloman]

Most long time posters will be annoyed with yet another post by me stating the Majesty is the worst ship in the RCCL Fleet. LOTS better options out of Florida for this cruise, such as NCL Sky and RCCL Enchantment. I have had 3 bad cruises in my life so far 2 of the 3 were on RCCL Majesty and the other was NCL Majesty. Just say no to any ship named Majesty. I hope you are not flying into Florida for this ship. Hopefully if you do this is not the highlight of your trip. Think about it, there is a reason it goes for 199.00 per person on a regular basis. Cruisin Mama, love your posts and respect your knowledge, I am looking forward to your review once you get back. I can only hope you at least got connecting cabins. Fact is on this ship a couple extra bisquits in the buffet and your cabin door will no longer shut. :-)

[warmwatervikings]

mrsannb,

 

Just returned from Majesty on a 3 day (review submitted to CC, waiting for posting).

 

We flew into Ft. Lauderdale, and arranged transfer to the port by SAS Transportation; they were prompt, efficient, and worth every penny of the $15 per person each way fee. Steve at SAS is meticulous; we were picked up immediately at baggage claim and it took 35 minutes to the ship.

 

Majesty was just fine; clean and you could tell that it had been recently refurbished as there was very, very little wear and tear evident. Yes, it's perhaps the 'oldest' in the fleet, i.e. oldest design, but the Viking Crown Lounge is still an outstanding venue in which to sip a drink and contemplate the pleasure that is being on a mobile resort weighing anchor off your 'private' island in the Bahamas...

 

We peeked into the kids areas; they looked quite nice, spacious, and clean.

 

Happy travels.

[crusinmama06]

Most long time posters will be annoyed with yet another post by me stating the Majesty is the worst ship in the RCCL Fleet. LOTS better options out of Florida for this cruise, such as NCL Sky and RCCL Enchantment. I have had 3 bad cruises in my life so far 2 of the 3 were on RCCL Majesty and the other was NCL Majesty. Just say no to any ship named Majesty. I hope you are not flying into Florida for this ship. Hopefully if you do this is not the highlight of your trip. Think about it, there is a reason it goes for 199.00 per person on a regular basis. Cruisin Mama, love your posts and respect your knowledge, I am looking forward to your review once you get back. I can only hope you at least got connecting cabins. Fact is on this ship a couple extra bisquits in the buffet and your cabin door will no longer shut. :-)

 

Well we are flying in. And I am looking at it like this. Our flights are relatively cheap. I only have 4-5 days to be away. I prefer to sail with Royal Caribbean. ;) And I was on Sovereign twice before (pre-kids over 10 years ago)

 

So I sort of know what to expect. I am not expecting Independence wrapped in a 20 year old body. ;)

 

When we do these small older ships (ie cheap cruises)..it is just something to get us out of town for a little while. :D So I don't go in with high expectations. And if it turns out to be a great cruise, then I will be pleasantly surprised. :)

 

And I walk away with another cruise credit...one step closer to diamond. :D

 

I see that you recommend NCL Sky but you haven't sailed on it yet? So I will be looking forward to YOUR review when you return. I have been noticing some so/so reviews from that ship. So I will be watching for yours :)