Majesty

[TerriL]

Hi all, My husband and I will be cruising to the caribbean the week of Thanksgiving on the Majesty w/NCL. Any ship reviews would be great. Also we will be going to Key West, Cozumel, and Grand Caymen. Is there anything in these ports that are a must see? We heard in Cozumel that Paradise Beach was a great place to visit with the kids and it's free. How is it?

[Cruise Specialist]

Originally posted by TerriL:
Hi all, My husband and I will be cruising to the caribbean the week of Thanksgiving on the Majesty w/NCL. Any ship reviews would be great. Also we will be going to Key West, Cozumel, and Grand Caymen. Is there anything in these ports that are a must see? We heard in Cozumel that Paradise Beach was a great place to visit with the kids and it's free. How is it?

Welcome to Cruise-Chat Terri! My husband and I have been on the Majesty twice. The first time was in Dec. 2003, and she was pretty run down, but since then, she has been cleaned up and looks a lot newer, we sailed her again in Dec. 2004 and really enjoyed her. She is a smaller ship compared to todays mega ships, around 1500 passengers and the cabins are a lot smaller than on some of the newer ships, but you dont spend much time in your cabin, so that shouldnt be too much of a problem. In Dec. 2004 we sailed with our daughter, 13 at the time, with 3 in the cabin it was a little crowded, but the cabins are laid out pretty good that we were not stepping on each other.

You mentioned that you were going with your husband and children, I hope you are booked in a deluxe cabin the size is approximately 140 sq ft., the standard cabins are 108 sq. ft. In the deluxe cabins there is a small refrigerator, of course it is stocked, but you can have the items removed to put your own soft drinks in.

Grand Cayman has the 7 mile beach, but if you have never been, then take a tour of the island. You can sign up for it on the ship, but we got off the ship and outside the dock there are plenty of tour guides, for around 12-15 dollars per person you can get a pretty great tour of the island going to 7 mile beach, the Gov. house, and of course HELL..a spot worth seeing at least once, you can then send post cards back to friends and family postmarked from HELL...neat souiveners.

The last couple of times we were in Cozumel, we have rented a jeep, it costs approximatly $100 for the day, you can travel around the island on your own and stop at the different beaches, there is also a small Myan Ruins you can stop and look at. Last time we stopped at San Francisco beach...it was a nice place and no charge to get in, they had a small shopping area and a restuarant and bar on the premises. YOu can't get lost since there is only 1 road that goes around the island..it leads you right back into town.

Key West, you will be docked on the old Naval Base, so you will take the Conch train into to Key West. Your time there will be very limited. By the time customs clears the ship (you are arriving back into the US) and you get off you will only have around 4 -5 hours until you have to be back on board. The train drops you right off downtime, if you have time the Maritime Museum is a good place to see. Then just walk around Duval Street...lots of shopping. YOu can also go to Mallory Square, there is a festival every night as the sun is setting.

Hope you and your family have a great vacation!!

[NancyN]

Hi TerriL,
It's been a few years since I sailed on the Majesty, so I would hesitate to comment on the ship itself. But, my daughter and I just returned from a western Caribbean cruise and spent the day at Paradise Beach while in Cozumel. It is very nice (actually right next to San Francisco and Palm Beach). Entrance, beach chairs and umbrella are free, but they also have an $8 fee for unlimited use of the water toys and snorkel equipment. Lunch was very good and I thought the price for food and drinks was reasonable. You can rent also rent jet skis, parasail and reserve snuba trips.

I am not sure of the ages of your children, but the Conch Tour Train or Old Town Trolley is a great way to get an enjoyable overview of the town. Since I believe the Majesty is in port until 10 PM, definitely make a point of being at Mallory Square for the sunset festival.

In Grand Cayman I think I would put the Snorkel/Stingray City excursion via catamaran at the top of my "must do" list.

Nancy

[TerriL]

My son is 7 and we are staying in cabin catergory cc. We have sailed with Royal Carbbean last year at this time it was great. NCL has wonderful rates so we thought we would give them a try. It has been hard to figure out if this was a good choice because we have read so many negative things about NCL. Any insight will be appreciated.

[Ron Clark]

Originally posted by TerriL:
NCL has wonderful rates so we thought we would give them a try. It has been hard to figure out if this was a good choice because we have read so many negative things about NCL. Any insight will be appreciated.

I believe most of the negative reviews originate from people, note I didn't say passengers, who dislike the concept of Freestyle cruising, including Freestyle disembarkation, but mostly Freestyle dining.

Then we have the issue of the learning curve and the weeding out of lousy crew members aboard the NCL America ships. Golly, NCL America is less than two years old, it's a new startup company. Recent reviews on the NCL America ships have given these ships better scores. But, the main NCL product is as great as it was years ago..

I wouldn't worry about enjoying your cruise. Always expect the unexpected, and go with the attitude you're going to have a great cruise, and you will.

[Oggy Boy]

Territ, then you owe it to us that haven't cruised the Majesty recently to do a review upon your return. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Tom

[gopirates]

Hi Terri,

Like Tom, I would also like to read a review once you have taken your cruise. My husband & I have never been on a cruise. We live in North Carolina & know NCL Majesty & Carnivals Triump & Victory sail from Charleston SC which is where we would like to depart...no flying involved. Now the choice is which cruise line & what ship.

[Ron Clark]

Originally posted by gopirates:
Hi Terri,
Like Tom, I would also like to read a review once you have taken your cruise. My husband & I have never been on a cruise. We live in North Carolina & know NCL Majesty & Carnivals Triump & Victory sail from Charleston SC which is where we would like to depart...no flying involved. Now the choice is which cruise line & what ship.

Here's some vital statistics on the three ships you mentioned......

Norwegian Majesty
Year Built 1992
Stretched & Refurbished 1999
Refurbished 2004
Tonnage 40,876 tons
Length 680 feet
Beam 91 feet
Passenger Capacity 1,462
Crew Size 620
Bars/Lounges 9
Restaurants 5
Dinner Seatings 1
Seating Assignments Open
Dining Hours 5:30 p.m. to Midnight
Dining Room Dress Code Optional formal nights; no jeans, t-shirts or shorts during dinner.
Tipping Recommended? Yes
Tipping Guidelines $10.00 per guest, per day automatically charged to onboard account (amount can be adjusted according to quality of service received). 15% tip included on beverage orders
Itinerary
Sat Charleston, SC 4:00pm
Sun At Sea
Mon St. George's, Bermuda 10:30am
Tue St. George's, Bermuda
Wed St. George's, Bermuda
Thu St. George's, Bermuda Noon
Fri At Sea
Sat Charleston, SC 7:00am

After Nov 12
Sat Charleston, SC 4:00pm
Sun At Sea
Mon At Sea
Tue Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00am 3:00pm
Wed Cozumel, Mexico 10:00am 6:00pm
Thu Key West, FL 3:00pm 10:00pm
Fri At Sea
Sat Charleston, SC 8:00am

Carnival Triump and Victory
Year Built 1999(CT) 2000(CV)
Tonnage 101,509 tons
Length 893 feet
Beam 116 feet
Passenger Capacity 3,427
Crew Size 1,100
Bars/Lounges 17
Restaurants 3
Dinner Seatings 2
Seating Assignments Assigned
Dining Hours 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Dining Room Dress Code 7-day cruise: 2 formal nights, others resort casual. No shorts or t-shirts allowed during dinner.
Tipping Recommended? Yes
Tipping Guidelines $10 per guest, per day automatically charged to onboard account (amount can be adjusted according to quality of service received). 15% tip included on beverage orders
ItineraryNO CHARLESTON DEPARTURES

The Celebration sails from Jacksonville, and is the closest Carnival ship to your home in North Carolinia.
Year Built 1987
Refurbished 2003
Tonnage 47,262 tons
Length 733 feet
Beam 92 feet
Passenger Capacity 1,908
Crew Size 670
Bars/Lounges 10
Restaurants 3
Dinner Seatings 2
Seating Assignments Assigned
Dining Hours 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Dining Room Dress Code 4 & 5 day cruises: 1 formal night, others resort casual. No shorts or t-shirts allowed during dinner
Tipping Recommended? Yes
Tipping Guidelines $10 per guest, per day automatically charged to onboard account (amount can be adjusted according to quality of service received). 15% tip included on beverage orders
Itinerary
Embark Jacksonville, FL 4:00pm
Day 1 At Sea
Day 2 Key West, FL 7:00am 3:00pm
Day 3 Nassau, Bahamas 1:00pm Midnight
Day 4 At Sea
Day 5 Jacksonville, FL 8:00am

The Majesty sails to THREE ports over SEVEN days, while the Celebration sails to TWO ports over FIVE days.

If the prices for the cruises is the same, the NCL Majesty is a much better deal.

[Cruise Specialist]

Carnival Triump and Victory
Year Built 1999(CT) 2000(CV)
Tonnage 101,509 tons
Length 893 feet
Beam 116 feet
Passenger Capacity 3,427
Crew Size 1,100
Bars/Lounges 17
Restaurants 3
Dinner Seatings 2
Seating Assignments Assigned
Dining Hours 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Dining Room Dress Code 7-day cruise: 2 formal nights, others resort casual. No shorts or t-shirts allowed during dinner.
Tipping Recommended? Yes
Tipping Guidelines $10 per guest, per day automatically charged to onboard account (amount can be adjusted according to quality of service received). 15% tip included on beverage orders
ItineraryNO CHARLESTON DEPARTURES

Ron there are select sailings from Charleston on either Triumph or Victory....in fact I am leaving on the Triumph this Tuesday the 18th doing a 5 night Bahamas cruise. In 2006 the Victory will sail from Charleston on two 5-night Bahamas cruises May 29th and Oct. 17th. The Victory will also be sailing from Norfolk VA, doing 6 day Bahamas cruises - June 4th and Oct 8th in 2006. Carnival has been doing select sailing for the last couple of years from both Charleston and Norfolk.

[Ron Clark]

What used to be, and what is, and what will be are often different.
Between the two Carnival ships mentioned earlier, upon further review at my favorite cruise web site for booking cruises which shall remain unnamed, here are the FOUR cruises that don't embark from Miami or New York City.

May 29, 2006 Charleston,SC Carnival/Carnival Victory
Jun 4, 2006 Norfolk,VA Carnival/Carnival Victory
Oct 8, 2006 Norfolk,VA Carnival/Carnival Victory
Oct 17, 2006 Charleston,SC Carnival/Carnival Victory

Compared to a full season of cruises from NCL and the Majesty out of Charleston,SC; you tell me who really wants your business.

Furthermore, the Charleston cruises are only FIVE days to Nassau and Freeport, while the Norkolk cruises are only SIX days to Nassau and Freeport. The Majesty SEVEN day cruises go to Grand Cayman, Cosumel, and Key West, or they go to Bermuda. Both cruises itineraries on the Majesty go to far superior ports, imho.

So you're down to an easy choice, cruise on a new, huge ship and go nowhere, or cruise on an older smaller ship and go somewhere.