Maryann

Age: 61
Occupation: Retired
Number of Cruises: 1
Cruise Line: Norwegian
Ship: Majesty
Sailing Date: May 8th, 2005
Itinerary: Bermuda

Leaving Boston May 8, 2005 -- Arrived at Ship about noon. Line for entry went smoothly and quickly. Once on ship, we directed to the tenth floor Sun Deck for a lunch buffet. Departed on time at 4:00 pm.

Room Accommodations, Deck 4 -- Very, very clean, but tiny, 108 sq. ft., with window. Believe it was newer portion of Ship. Ample coat hangers and drawer space. Safe in closet; no room for shoes. Bring bar soap (liquid available) and toiletry bag. Shower perfect. Beds are cot-like. TV ran newly released movies. Chose exact room when booking and would choose 145 sq. ft. next time.

Sun, Bar, Pool, Hot Tubs, Deck 10 – Pizza, burgers, etc. on one side; buffet on other. Enjoyed food. Night time entertainment.

Kids Corner with Pool, Deck 9 – Did not see and did not see the many children including babies with carriages until Sat.

Promenade, Deck 7 – Good walking area and place to see harbor master get on-off Ship. Would not book for this deck.

Palace Theatre, Deck 6 – Small, but free one-hour productions very enjoyable. Sit in middle section. Liars Club, What’s My Line, and Comedy Club were hilarious. We asked a couple who have taken many cruises about the entertainment; their response was that although a small theatre, entertainment was different, but more enjoyable than on other cruises. All shows started on time.

Casino, Deck 6 – Winners in beginning, none at end. Casino closed while docked in Bermuda.

Seven Seas and Four Seasons Restaurants, Deck 5 – Ate at Seven Seas for breakfast and lunch, Four Seasons for dinner (same menu). Food, small portions, but plentiful and tasty. Ask for side portion of pasta if not enough for you. Vegetarian and healthy eating. Cloth tablecloths and napkins. Wait staff most accommodating and personable. Fri. and Sat. nights very busy. Tables for 8 people by windows are tight, for 4 are just right, and for 2 are near service areas. A bottle of wine can be saved until next night. I am not an adventuresome eater, but I enjoyed all the food, and liked convenience, no wait.

Captain’s Reception held in Four Seasons. Some people really dressed, others did not.

Chocolate Buffet (all 800 pounds) at 11:30 pm on Friday in Seven Seas. Arrived at midnight and went right through – delightful! Many people, but no wait.

Shore Excursions, Deck 5 – Ship descriptions are accurate. Everyone we talked with enjoyed the tours. Two-hour snorkeling and Carnival Night, worth every penny. Caves, good but not easy. An elderly woman even did the enclosed head snorkeling Bring underwater camera. Dolphin Swim $199 and Golf except Grotto were sold out by end. We booked on Ship although prices off-Ship could have been cheaper.

-- Carriage Ride, $35, 1 hr. Sold out first day.

-- Ultimate Water Tour, 2 hrs. Nick the Captain informative. Saw expensive homes, which you cannot see by road, through Castle Harbor. Cool on water.

-- Land Tour, 5-1/2 hrs. Bus through Hamilton to Naval Dockyard via South Road going and Middle Road returning. Stopped at (1) Botanical Gardens, 15 min., Gift Shop; (2) Heydon Trust Chapel, Somerset, 15 min., oldest dwelling; (3) lighthouse; and (3) Dockyard, 1 hr., shopping, food, Crafts Market, and Maritime Museum ($10). Good tour guide.

Fitness Center, Deck 5-- All equipment working. Looked good.

Rendezvous Lounge, Deck 5 -- Quiet during the day, large television, smoking area, good views, restful.

Gift Shop, Deck 5 – Small area, reasonably priced items. Jewelry store, many baubles; cigarettes, perfume.

Internet Café, Deck 5 – Many stations, not much activity, expensive.

Arriving St. George – On Tues., arrived in Bermuda at about 11:00 am, instead of 9:00 am, due to extremely windy and rainy conditions. Passageway into harbor is narrow. Go to Promenade Deck 7 to see harbor master. Getting on-off deck is fast with keycard and picture ID. Kept passport in safe entire trip.

Maps – The Visitors Service Bureau at the Ship Terminal had excellent maps and all kinds of info. Interchangeable Bus-Ferry Passes -- Adult: 1-day pass, $12; 3-day, $28; all zones. Children 5-15: 1-day, $6; 3-day, $14. Children, under 5: Free. Without pass, $4.50. Did not buy passes. Ferries run from St. George (seasonal) to Hamilton to Dockyard.

St. George – Walked to Tobacco Bay Beach, 20 min., past the Unfinished Church. Minibus available. Went to Tucker House Museum, ($5); St. Peter’s Church, saw silver, and churchyard graves. Stamps, 70 cents. Purchased items in Another World Gift Shop. Although small, wished we had more time.

Beaches – Horseshoe and Elbow are the most popular due to facilities. Tobacco Bay is very nice, small as are all beaches, with gift shop and beverages. Bring sunblock. Ship gives out towels.

Weather – Leaving Boston, 47 degrees. Bermuda 70-75 degrees. Chose May instead of Sept.-Oct. because of hurricane weather. Weather was cool with some rain and very windy. Annual temp is 60-90. Hurricane Fabian hit Bermuda in Oct. 2004, worst storm ever. Did not have a seasick problem; many others did.

Miscellaneous -- Water, etc. – Brought bottled water. Coffee and tea available 24 hours. All drinks cost including the welcome ones. Water, $3 per bottle. Drank tap water when eating, which tasted fine. All liquor brought on board in locked suitcases is detected. Drinks were reasonably priced. Have your pictures taken; if you do not like, do not buy them.

Leaving St. George – Departed 12 noon on Friday. Deck 7 is best viewing.

Arriving Boston May 15, – Again on time at 7:00 am. Luggage is picked up outside stateroom before 2:00 am on Sun. Depart by luggage tag color (I think top decks first). For Deck 4, the time per Reception Desk was 9:35. At 9:30 am we were called. A special session is held explaining details on leaving Ship. Very easy.

Over-all Evaluation – All in all, we very much enjoyed our time on Ship and in Bermuda, far exceeded expectations. Value was excellent.

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