Majesty of the Seas Cruise Ship, Royal Caribbean Review

Majesty of the Seas

If you are thinking about cruising for the first time, you have probably heard about 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises. These cruises are a great way to try out cruising and try a new destination. Royal Caribbean has two cruise ships, the Majesty of the Seas and the Monarch of the Seas, sister ships that sail to the Bahamas on these shorter itineraries. The Majesty of the Seas sails out of Miami and the Monarch of the Seas sails out of Port Canaveral.

Boleros

The Majesty of the Seas was introduced into service in 1992 and can carry approximately 2,350 passengers and 812 crew members. In 2007, she underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment to improve and update her and changes were made to the pool decks, all public areas, restaurants, shops (like the picture of the Centrum below), and cabins. Other additions include Johnny Rockets, the Compass Deli, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Freeze ice cream, and Boleros (as seen in this picture). Having a basketball court, rock climbing wall, two pools and two hot tubs doesn’t hurt either as my family likes to stay active while on vacation. I also liked the Compass Deli because it is tucked in above the Windjammer and most people don’t know it exists. They offer salads and sandwiches, but also crepes! My friend likes Sorrentos, also above the Windjammer, because she can get her kids pizza any time, especially in between meals after they have been swimming or running around all day.

The Centrum

Cabins: The biggest mistake anyone can make is to compare ships that are older to the brand new ships. Since this ship was built in 1992, it cannot compare to a newer ship like the Oasis of the Seas. The furnishings look dated despite the refurbishment and there are only 62 balcony cabins available, all of which are suites from Junior Suites on up. We have sailed in both the ocean view and Junior Suite category on this ship and the cabins are small. This is a quick video of our Junior Suite:

Inside cabins are 119 square feet; ocean view cabins are 122 square feet; superior ocean view cabins are 157 square feet; Junior Suites are 263 square feet with a 74 square foot balcony; Grand Suites are 382 square feet with a 90 square foot balcony; and the Royal Suite is 371 square feet with a 155 square foot balcony. However, if you are looking for a quick getaway and can get past the small cabin, especially if you don’t anticipate spending much time in your cabin, you can’t beat the price on a short Bahamas cruise on Majesty of the Seas.

Pool area on Majesty

Pool Area: The pools on Majesty of the Seas are quite nice. These saltwater pools are fun for both kids and adults alike and if you are looking for a private adult pool, like in the Solarium on other Royal Caribbean ships, you won’t get that on the Majesty. But if you are looking to lay out, get some sun, and a quick dip in the pool, it’s more than just fine. My last time on the Majesty was in September 2010 and I was surprised that so few people were in the pool. This definitely changes from cruise to cruise, but it’s not like the pool is inferior in any way. There are definitely sufficient pool chairs right by the pool as well as on the deck above the pool overlooking it.

Dining Options/Food: Royal Caribbean utilizes the same menu on all of its ships in the main dining and does change it up every few months. You can expect some of the cruise line’s same offerings such as their steak, escargot, and French onion soup, but I like that they offer an Indian vegetarian option as well. I asked for special meals on my last cruise including tofu and steamed vegetables and they were extremely accommodating. Their food is pretty basic and you can get a decent meal, although I would never claim it to be gourmet. You can find lots of basic cruise-type food in the Windjammer from salads to hamburgers, etc. and more formal meals in the evening.

Pool minus people

Overall Condition of the Ship: Again keeping in mind that the ship is almost 20 years old, she is still a fun ship. However, if you look closely at her you will see she is showing signs of aging. The carpeting and furnishings, although only a few years old, are definitely outdated. Having sailed on newer ships, being on an older one and making comparisons to what we liked about the other ships tends to be dangerous. You end up missing what you like on the newer ships and not enjoying what a short cruise can offer you. My advice is to go with an open mind and enjoy the cruise for what it is instead of lamenting over what you don’t have.

What Type of Client Would I Recommend for the Majesty of the Seas? Short 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises are great for first time cruisers, but also fantastic for quick weekend getaways when you just need to get out of town and go somewhere warm. Sometimes we find great last minute airfare and what better way to take advantage of a sale price then to go on a cruise? Singles, couples, families, extended families, and groups will all have fun on a short Bahamas cruise, but for a true vacation you might want to opt for a 7-night or longer cruise.

Sample Itinerary: As the Majesty of the Seas alternates between 3- and 4-night cruises, here are both:

3-Night Bahamas Cruise
Friday: Set sail from Miami, FL
Saturday: Coco Cay – the cruise line’s private island
Sunday: Nassau, Bahamas
Monday: Return to Miami, FL
For the sailing on 3/21/2014, inside cabins start at only $339/per person plus taxes/fees. Cruise fares are subject to change.

4-night Bahamas Cruise
Monday: Set sail from Miami, FL
Tuesday: Nassau, Bahamas
Wednesday: Coco Cay – the cruise line’s private island
Thursday: Key West, FL
Friday: Return to Miami, FL
For the sailing on 3/24/14, inside cabins start at only $379/per person plus taxes/fees. Cruise fares are subject to change.

Where are you headed to in May? Want to get away for the weekend or for a few days? Then consider a quick getaway on the Majesty of the Seas!