Majesty 6-21 short review

[lescas]

Five of us, 3 in one cabin, two in the other, we took this cruise because of leaving from baltimore and destination bermuda. We had cabins 6003 (under fireworks lounge music until wee hours) and 6022. 145sq ft. I wish I had a tape measure. Food was very disappointing, dining selections, vegetarian options, the buffet not good at all. The best was the omelete bar every morning with pastries. Our room stewards Rose and Clifford were great. We had an extra day at sea, but not enough activities to do on the sea days with bad weather, everywhere you went they wanted you buy this or that, pull tabs, bingo and drinks. The entertainment was good, the blackstreet boyz were great. I have been reading these boards for months finding out about this ship, I knew it was old and it was transportation to and from the island, but I expected some things to be up to standards, entertainment and dining. This was our 6th cruise, probably the last on NCL because of this experience.

[njhorseman]

If this was your first NCL cruise, may I suggest trying one of the newer, larger ships like the Gem or the Jewel or the Dawn. Things like buffet selection are dramatically better, and staterooms are larger.

 

Dismissing the cruise line because you were on its oldest ship...one that is leaving the fleet in October because it no longer meets company standards, just doesn't make sense to me.

 

You said you've been reading the boards to find out about the ship, so it's hard for me to imagine that you didn't know what to expect, because everything you say you didn't like has already been stated by others. How can you be surprised under those circumstances?

[iheartbda]

Have to agree with horse. Seems you would have known what to expect if you had been reading the boards for months. Odd to now take issue after the fact with some of your disappointments.

 

Food is so subjective that it doesn't mean much in a review. For instance, DH and I found the food to be quite palatable and enjoyed many things on the buffet. Same thing with entertainment. I've heard people say somethings were no better than a high school production when we enoyed it. So who is wrong?;)

 

Glad you found a few things that you liked and didn't write off this particular cruise as a total loss. Sounds like you've made up your mind about NCL so I won't try to convince you otherwise.

[snorklinbarb]

Why was the food and entertainment not 'up to standards'? Do you mean compared to the large ships with the big production shows vs. what is offered in the much smaller venue on the Majesty? Or compared to other ships you've been on?

 

What was "disappointing" in the dining selections and the buffet?

 

Did you like the veg. offerings like the Indian station in the buffet or the veg. stir fries? They are usually very good but you listed the veg. options as disappointing, too.

 

Since the buffet was "not good at all" and you were disappointed in the dining selections, did you discuss your issues with the restaurant mgr. or Food & Bev. Director?

[patseacruiser]

I have to say I agree with the OP. I probably wouldn't try NCL again either. I didn't like the freestyle service. Seemed like because they were all tipped together and you rarely had your waiter a second time the service was not good. The food everywhere was very disappointing from any cruise I have been on and I have sailed Celebrity, RCI, Carnival and Princess at the least so I'm not basing it on the only trip I've taken. The rooms were the smallest cabins I have ever even imagined. Beds were murphy beds. When you look at the NCL website and see what freestyle ships have it should have a disclaimer for the Majesty. Didn't expect that at all. Plus I took a group of 4 other cabins with us and they won't sail again with us - LOL.

[petesweet]

I agree with OP's description of the Majesty; however, I hope (s)he will try one of the newer ships.

Give OP credit for previous research. I have been surprised at the glowing reports about the Majesty on these boards, and that would not prepare a person for the actual experience.

I found several of the crew to be rude, and the cafeteria was abysmal (and that's a generous description). However, I have sailed on several other NCL ships and am scheduled to be on the Jewel again in September. There is a HUGE difference in the cruising experience between the Jewel and the Majesty.

Kathy

[LOWTYD]

I have to say I agree with the OP. I probably wouldn't try NCL again either. I didn't like the freestyle service. Seemed like because they were all tipped together and you rarely had your waiter a second time the service was not good. The food everywhere was very disappointing from any cruise I have been on and I have sailed Celebrity, RCI, Carnival and Princess at the least so I'm not basing it on the only trip I've taken. The rooms were the smallest cabins I have ever even imagined. Beds were murphy beds. When you look at the NCL website and see what freestyle ships have it should have a disclaimer for the Majesty. Didn't expect that at all. Plus I took a group of 4 other cabins with us and they won't sail again with us - LOL.

 

Sorry you didn't like your cruise sir. Freestyle is not for everyone. Also, did you try the alternative resturants or just MDA and buffets? (Not that food shouldn't be good at the free places) Just wondering what you thought was disappointing. I have not been on her but the more larger ships so I am sure there is difference. Not sure what you mean about Murphy beds. Does it come out of the wall?

I know it's been said a thousand times before, but there is so much information on this site and the web in general on all these ship that someone should not know what they are getting into when they book. Sorry you were disappointed and I hope you whatever cruise line you choose to sail you have enjoy it thouroughly.:)

[iheartbda]

Don't miss this for a totally different perspective....and it's not all glowing.;)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1019193

[*Wink*]

Give OP credit for previous research. I have been surprised at the glowing reports about the Majesty on these boards, and that would not prepare a person for the actual experience.

I found several of the crew to be rude, and the cafeteria was abysmal (and that's a generous description). There is a HUGE difference in the cruising experience between the Jewel and the Majesty.

Kathy

 

Wow.. Just because your experience is different than mine doesn't make it the right one. I've been on Majesty 3 times simply because I love the ship and the crew that was never rude to me. The buffet was a buffet.. I especially loved the fresh salad served everyday.

 

Every ship has a different experience, so to say there's a HUGE difference between the Jewel and the Majesty is merely a person's opinion and perspective.

 

And just to add to your line of thinking, I could say that I'm surprised of the un-glowing reports about the Majesty on these boards, and that they would not prepare a person for the actual experience, but I won't say that, because it's their opinion, which happens to be opposite of mine, but it's still their right to share THEIR experience.

[sottovoce]

Interesting that cchrisee thought the food was fine: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1019193

 

Takes all kinds, I guess.:rolleyes:

[iheartbda]

Interesting that cchrisee thought the food was fine: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1019193

 

Takes all kinds, I guess.:rolleyes:

Did you read post #8?:p

[celebrityprincess]

I happen to agree with lescas about the Majesty. I also sailed on her June 21-28. The food was mediocre, there was nothing to do during the day, and there was always someome pushing us to buy something all week. I read the reviews before I sailed and knew that the Majesty was older and smaller and that was fine with me. I knew what I was getting into but there were some things that were just unacceptable. My main problems with the Majesty were that the AC in my cabin did not work - even after 3 attempts to fix it - and the ship’s plumbing system has seen better days. There were major toilet problems several times throughout the week all over the ship, which necessitated going to a public restroom at 4 am and hoping that it was working. Not all public restrooms were in working order.

 

I thought the staff and crew was very friendly and helpful most of the time. More often than not when passing us they would greet us. Our cabin steward did a great job keeping that tiny cabin clean. The shows were good. I can't imagine how the dancers did so well on that little stage. The Frankie Vallie show was also very good.

 

It rained all week, but that was not NCL’s fault and we made the best of it. Bermuda is a beautiful place with beautiful people and we had a good time despite the rain - and a few times because of the rain!

 

I’ve decided that I probably wont’ sail with NCL again - not because of my experience on the Majesty - but because I’ve decided that freestyle cruising is not for me. Some people like freestyle (my brother being one of them) and that’s fine, but I think I’ll go back to a more structured cruise next time. If I hadn’t tried it, I wouldn’t know. But I was on vacation, on a cruise to Bermuda.....so how bad could it be, right?:)

[tinybabynurse]

Sorry you didn't like it.

 

Others, including us liked it just fine. See this thread for some positive reviews of the same cruise:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1014483&highlight=majesty

[scrinchy]

I have to say I agree with the OP. I probably wouldn't try NCL again either. I didn't like the freestyle service. Seemed like because they were all tipped together and you rarely had your waiter a second time the service was not good. The food everywhere was very disappointing from any cruise I have been on and I have sailed Celebrity, RCI, Carnival and Princess at the least so I'm not basing it on the only trip I've taken. The rooms were the smallest cabins I have ever even imagined. Beds were murphy beds. When you look at the NCL website and see what freestyle ships have it should have a disclaimer for the Majesty. Didn't expect that at all. Plus I took a group of 4 other cabins with us and they won't sail again with us - LOL.

 

I have been on the Majesty twice before and I can't wait to board her again in August. I have sailed on Princess, Hal, RCI, and Celebrity and have yet to have a bad cruise. We have had rough seas and misshaps but we don't count that against the cruise. The smallest cabin we had was on RCI and I actually had to climb to the bottom of the bed or over my husband to get out of the bed. Did that ruin my cruise? No-way, because we are rarely in the cabin.;)

[lescas]

Im glad that everyone has their own opinion. I had been reading these boards for months before we left, and I knew the ship was old, it was just going to be food/transportation to/from Bermuda, with no frills. We had two separated twins, and one pull down, for three of us. I was just disappointed in cabin (paid extra $$$) to get each cabin 145sqft. WIth the rainy days we did stay in the cabin more on this cruise and watched tv, it was the cabin or casino :) The food was just ok. We didnt go to Bistro because of the menu.

Had reservations at Pasta the night everyone was sick from the seas, had to cancel.

Sorry I upset some, but its was my review and each has their own. I may try one of the larger ships at a later date if the Price is Good.

[lyndyb]

I can't speak for everyone, but I appreciate when people provide their honest opinions, whether they're good or bad. What is especially helpful is when people explain why they liked or disliked something. Those details help me - and I assume others - decide whether that ship, itinerary, cruise line, etc. is for them.

 

For example, I'm not what I'd call a real cruise person. We have several friends who go on several cruises a year and they all thrive on the personalized service they've come to expect and greatly enjoy. One of them is a cruise planner and we nearly had to resuscitate her when we said we wanted to book an NCL cruise on the Majesty. They hate not having the same waiter that learns all their likes and dislikes - it makes them feel pampered and special and enhances their whole cruising experience. They just don't feel NCL offers the same standard of service as other cruise lines. I get that - for them, but that isn't important to us and having a different waiter each night is almost a relief to us.

 

What I'm trying to say is that reviews are so very helpful to me - and I never feel people should have to apologize for their opinions. Obviously, the folks on this section of the board are mostly people who like NCL, but unless a poster makes outrageous or inflammatory (for, heaven help them, false) claims, nobody should feel defensive or required to find NCL their dream come true. Thanks to all who provide honest and balanced opinions, particularly if you include your rationale. We all have different standards and expectations and candid reviews that include your expectations and why your cruise lived up to or failed to meet yours greatly helps me make informed decisions.

[sottovoce]

We've sailed Majesty twice to Bermuda. Once you get over the fact that she isn't a superliner and avoid letting that make you negative about everything, you see that the food is just fine, the service is excellent, and, overall, it's a very enjoyable cruise. Some people can't seem to do that, and then have to complain about everything while telling you how much superior their preferred cruise line is. Having sailed those cruise lines, I know that simply isn't so.

 

And I am so tired about people generalizing that service on NCL is not up to par because of the automatic tipping. That is simply baloney. It is as good as HAL and Celebrity, and in some ways better because servers aren't kissing your backside looking for bigger tips. lyndyb's comment about it being a "relief" not having the same server falling all over you every night applies to us, as well. Does nothing for us.

[Billsc]

I was on the Majesty recently. I found the food and service equal to and sometimes better than Carnival.