NCL Majesty Trip 12/22/07. Am getting nervous every review seem so bad? Anyone have an opinion of this ship?

Question

NCL Majesty Trip 12/22/07. Am getting nervous every review seem so bad? Anyone have an opinion of this ship?

Answer 1

I have never cruised on the Majesty but have been on many NCL cruises; just completed one last month.  The Majesty is one of NCL's older ships that does not have balcony cabins and some of the upgrades that newer ships have, like  flat panel HDTV's and upscale or slightly larger cabins.  But you can still have a great cruise experience if you do not let the little things upset you.

NCL has the "freestyle cruising" which means that everything is pretty much casual all of the time.  On the days when they announce that its a formal night they will say it's "dress up if you want night".  On our last cruise with them only about 10% of the people dressed up (suit, tux, gown, etc).  By contrast, on our last Royal Caribbean cruise over 80% of the people dressed up on formal night.  But still, formal nights are requested attire rather then required attire so its optional regardless of the cruise line you go on.

The Freestyle cruising also means that you do not have a set dinner time or a table assignment.  You just go to the main dining room when you are ready to eat.  What we found helped us with this was to make a reservation in the main dining room (we requested each time  a table for two) and ALWAYS go to dinner early, like about 6:00 PM, so that you miss the rush of people who come in later and have to stand in line awaiting  a table.  The line was always worse (for others) on the "at sea" days.

Also stay away from the "alternative" specialty restaurants that charge a fee/gratuity each time you go eat there.  There are plenty of places to get free food all of the time.  The ship will have a listing of the fees for each specialty restaurant, and also which are free.  

You can have just as much fun on ship and in ports but you will just have to adjust your dinner eating habits.

Answer 2

Norwegian has its fans, but some cruisers don't like it at all.

I've never sailed on NCL myself, but know someone who has [after cruising on other lines] and was very disappointed.  From what I've read at CruiseCritic.com, NCL doesn't have great food or great service.  But, any day on a cruise beats a day at home in the snow, right?

If you've never cruised before, you won't have anything to compare, so you'll be fine.

Answer 3

I was on the Norwegian Cruise Line "Norwegian Majesty" several years ago in the Carribean (assuming this is what you are talking about.)  It's a fine ship.  It's pretty hard to go wrong with a cruise though.  While it may not be as extravagant and some other newer ships (I've been on a few cruises), it is still nice and you will have a great time.