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Thoughts on Majesty?


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Hi, again!

A little background first.... New Orleans is REALLY my closest home port.  Mobile really is but only one Carnival ship and mostly 4 to 5 day itineraries it's pretty much never considered by me. For years NO was mostly a two cruise line port featuring both Carnival and NCL. Of course I have done both and have had good experiences on both. Carnival has cruises here year around with NCL starting mostly mid-late November thru middle April. The last couple of years NCL has brought either Getaway or Breakaway to NO which is a first rate cruise ship by any measure. I was aboard Getway in a Haven suite last year and it was a very nice experience. First time in a Haven suite BTW..

So NOW Royal has moved Majesty of the Seas to New Orleans. Closest Royal ship to it I've been on is Jewel which really doesn't seem to be anything like Majesty.  For the most part Majesty seems to go to the Bahamas and Key West but every once in a while it does your standard Western Caribbean route in October 2021 which is my interest. So what do you think of the Majesty? I'd probably book a GS. I'm kinda interested in what suite benefits are available on that ship. I looked at deck plans and can't see a Concierge Lounge.  Would there be reserved seating in the pool area? I can't tell if there would be a suite venue for breakfast? It LOOKS like the suites are right below the Windjammer. Not sure if this is an issue with noise or not. 

What do y'all think of Majesty of the Seas? I'm gonna pick it or CCL Glory...similar itinerary, same week. Glory about $1000 less GS to GS.  I've been on other Conquest-class ships so I know about it. Glory is 11 years newer.

Thanks!

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We did Majesty Western Caribbean out of Tampa a couple of years ago in a Grand Suite.  There are very few suite perks other than dedicated boarding & departure assistance and double C&A points.  No concierge or suite lounge, no breakfast area, reserved pool area or reserved show seating.  We had a wonderful time but this is a small older shop with few activities or entertainment options.  Our goal was to relax and enjoy a few adult beverages both poolside and on our balcony.  Majesty was just fine for that.

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Majesty was our first cruise ever back in 2016 and stayed in an interior room, sailed to Coco Cay before they renovated and we felt we were treated like royalty the whole time! Majesty was our “first love” and the reason we will sail. ?

Now, 4 years later, we are truly spoiled by offerings of the larger classes and would find it difficult to sail on anything less going forward. Mainly because we love more options for bars and activities and places to eat. That being said......at this point, I would sail on Majesty in a heartbeat if she was the only one sailing for the unforeseen future. If you want a quaint and peaceful getaway, nothing wrong with the Majesty. 
 

#stillgoing

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Great info! THANKS! Perfect info and just what I needed to know! I'll be the first to admit I'm spoiled! I don't have to have all the bells and whistles though.  

I have a partial-transit Panama Canal cruise booked for March 2021aboard Crown Princess, 10 days. I'm not sure this cruise will even take place at this point.  So I figure Royal Caribbean or Carnival out of New Orleans NEXT October will a really good chance of actually happening.

 

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Majesty is Royal's second oldest and second smallest ship.  It left the fleet then came back for Cuba since Cuba can only take small ships.  When Cuba tourism was blocked by the US government they placed Majesty in NOLA to do something with her. 

She is dated in places like carpet and decor in areas and being an older ship she has small cabins with very few balconies.  Conquest class is larger but doesn't really have a lot of the newer bells and whistles either granted there are some water slides on them while Majesty doesn't have slides.  I find the Conquest class ships to have pretty gaudy decor like someone was paid to go on a wild acid trip and decorate the ship.  Majesty isn't like that but her decor distinctly places her in that generation and you'll feel like you stepped back in time to the days of classic cruising when you board her.

This class of ship was a game changer when they were built and at one time they were the largest cruise ships in the world.   These ships changed the cruise industry in a good way forcing all other lines to step up their game.  Two sister ships, Monarch and the class namesake Sovereign were just sold to a scrap yard this month.  

You'll find everything you need for a good classic cruise experience much like Carnival's Fantasy class.  It wouldn't be fair to compare a Fantasy class ship to a Conquest class ship and it isn't fair to bring Majesty into that comparison either.

Here is a trip report with photos from Majesty last year:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/14968-the-magic-of-majesty-august-2019-and-then-again-in-october/

I'm being a little tough on Majesty to set expectations.  Know what you're booking.  Having said all that she is a good ship for a good old style classic cruise experience. 

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11 minutes ago, twangster said:

Know what you're booking.

This is such an important concept because not all ships are the same by any means.

One of the biggest mistakes first time cruisers make is assuming all Royal Caribbean ships are more similar than not. 

Yes, there is a familiar "DNA" to them, but there is a massive difference in terms of what you can see, do and eat onboard Majesty of the Seas compared to Oasis of the Seas compared to Brilliance of the Seas.

You can absolutely have a fantastic time on Majesty, just be clear on what it offers and what it does not offer.

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11 hours ago, twangster said:

Majesty is Royal's second oldest and second smallest ship.  It left the fleet then came back for Cuba since Cuba can only take small ships.  When Cuba tourism was blocked by the US government they placed Majesty in NOLA to do something with her. 

She is dated in places like carpet and decor in areas and being an older ship she has small cabins with very few balconies.  Conquest class is larger but doesn't really have a lot of the newer bells and whistles either granted there are some water slides on them while Majesty doesn't have slides.  I find the Conquest class ships to have pretty gaudy decor like someone was paid to go on a wild acid trip and decorate the ship.  Majesty isn't like that but her decor distinctly places her in that generation and you'll feel like you stepped back in time to the days of classic cruising when you board her.

This class of ship was a game changer when they were built and at one time they were the largest cruise ships in the world.   These ships changed the cruise industry in a good way forcing all other lines to step up their game.  Two sister ships, Monarch and the class namesake Sovereign were just sold to a scrap yard this month.  

You'll find everything you need for a good classic cruise experience much like Carnival's Fantasy class.  It wouldn't be fair to compare a Fantasy class ship to a Conquest class ship and it isn't fair to bring Majesty into that comparison either.

Here is a trip report with photos from Majesty last year:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/14968-the-magic-of-majesty-august-2019-and-then-again-in-october/

I'm being a little tough on Majesty to set expectations.  Know what you're booking.  Having said all that she is a good ship for a good old style classic cruise experience. 

Thanks for the info!

I'm certainly not opposed to the "classic" cruise experience. Spring of 2019 we did just that aboard the HAL Rotterdam. Really it was a great cruise! Lots of available elevators and usually that wasn't necessary since there isn't so many decks.  It's also VERY easy to learn the layout of a new ship when they are smaller.  It's also easier to learn folks names and faces of both the ships personnel and fellow cruisers.  

I'm really NOT crazy about Fantasy-class ships LOL!  IMO the same age Royal ship is in a little better repair than the same age Carnival ship.  I'm sure not crazy about the Joe Farcus designed ships either which is certainly all the Fantasy and Conquest class ships.  But overall, I've found the Conquest class ships to be fine...they really do look good on the water.  

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We like Majesty - Been on three cruises on it. Depending on your needs, it can be a very nice more intimate ship. But it is older in style.

  • If you have to go back and get something in the cabin from anywhere in the ship, it's not that big of a deal.
  • Windjammer is in the front of the ship and has probably the best enclosed view on the boat. I would often have a cup of tea and 3:00 pm scones looking out the windows. A very pleasant way to spend the day.
  • Great promenade deck. Sometimes that's an overlooked feature on newer boats with all their balconies. My spouse would often park there with an e-reader and would be be set for the day.
  • Viking Lounge often quiet and deserted if you need a break.
  • The extra food choices are very limited. Johnny Rocket's is about it and not really worth more than a WJ hamburger.
  • Shopping is pretty limited, too.
  • Casino tiny. OK by us, we don't use it, thought I'd mention it.
  • Standard cabins are small. Check the square footage and upgrade at least on level.

 

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