Memorable, Emotional, Historic return to the sea
Majestic Princess Cruise Review
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 3
Helpful Votes: 111
7 Night Alaska Inside Passage With Glacier Bay National Park (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: July 25, 2021
Ship: Majestic Princess
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: R735
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 3 years ago
Review summary
We were originally booked and paid in full, on a Celebrity Edge cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, 45 minutes from our home, but cancelled when vaccinations not being required or assured in Florida, and instead flew 3625 miles to Seattle and switched to this cruise. On board the Inaugural Princess Cruise, first to Sail from USA and Maiden Cruise to Alaska for Majestic, July 25 -August 1. The cruise was wonderful. Great to be back on board.Embarkation
We had cancelled our fully paid cruise July 24 on Celebrity Edge, due to the Governor’s misguided actions regarding vaccinations. Instead of driving 45 minutes to depart from Ft. Lauderdale, we flew 3276 miles to Seattle to sail on the Majestic Princess. All passengers are required to show proof of vaccination, I am proud to show my vaccination card to anyone interested. Embarkation was efficient, quick, and exciting. Completing our Ocean Medallions prior to leaving for Seattle, selecting Group B between 12 noon and 12:15. Were were designated to Green Lane, which meant all of health forms, passports uploaded. We were on board by 12:20. As we entered the ship we were met with crew members cheering and applauding for our return.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
We love the new dining service called Dine my Way. In the past you have a choice of two seating, early or later, assigned to the same tables, same table passengers and same waiters. We have always chosen Anytime Dining, you can eat anytime you want in Allegro, Symphony, Concerto. Same menus, same quality, but thought Allegro was better. It was warmer in terms comfort, seems slower pace. Alfredo’s best pizza at sea, and Crown Grill best speciality restaurant.
Onboard Activities
Many activities on board, we are not karaoke fans, and this cruise we did not play one game of bingo, did not attend art auction, and watched only one trivia game that was pretty funny. We did spend lots of time, and some money in the casino and the fitness center. The casino was small, but large enough to enjoy. Two roulette tables, one craps table and 5 or 6 table games. Blackjack, Three card poker were very popular. Slots on both sides of Casino, one of my biggest pet peeves on all casinos, but especially on board cruise ships, that smoking is still allowed in parts of the casino. On one side of the casino where the majority of slots are located, smoking is allowed. On formal night the casino is total smoke free. Love that.
Entertainment
My personal opinion, the entertainment on Princess Is always just ordinary. The music and musicians on board the ship are truly incredible. The different music in the Piazza, the bars, the other venues are real good, and the band on stage in Princess Theater are also amazing. My one complaint of Princess, the shows in the theater, are very mediocre. Darrel Joyce was the comedian on Sunday night and he was ok, the production show, Sweet Soul Music, a tad disappointing. The Princess dancers and singers are very talented, good at what they do, but the choreography is always the same as on all of the other ships. The guest vocalists were just ok, some songs were great and some, well, not so great. We skipped the guest vocalist who was a tad operatic, and the production show Encore, where we have seen a few times, and opera goes along way. Two entertainers on board, both were Voted Princess Cruises Entertainers of the Years, Carlos Oscar a comedian who was ok and Tom Franek, a very good piano player, but tries too hard to show off his piano gimmick playing, and his attempt at comedy was flat.
Service and Staff
The crew and staff were spectacular. There were some small hiccups, our steward was just good but not great. Had to ask a few times for distilled water, or the missing table on the balcony. The waiters and assistant waiters had not worked together and many came from different ships, and they were not all clicking on the first cruise. We were met with crew and staff cheering and applauding as we entered the passenger bridge, it was like walking the Red Carpet to the Oscars. As we entered the ship more cheers and applause and genuine thanks to the passengers. Boarding the ship first since our last cruise Feb. 2020, it became more emotional then we expected. It truly was incredible to see the happiness and the sparkle in their eyes for ours and their return. Sound honey, but truly amazing. As we talked more with many of them we heard stories of how they got off the ships, how they got home and how hard it was for them to return.
Ship Quality
Beautiful ship. Designed primarily for the Chinese/Asia market, signs on walls, elevators, bathrooms,in English and Chinese, including two Asian cuisine specialty restaurants, Harmony and Chopstick Noodles. The itinerary changed, before the pandemic, from China and Australia, to Alaska and Western Mexico. The ship designed similar to Regal and the same sized ships. Some dead ends on the ship that makes no sense. First time booking far Aft cabin, Riviera 735. Cabin was ok, big balcony, great view leaving ports but will never book again. Situated back of ship, soot of smoke stacks in front above gets on the balcony and in cabins carpet. The Aft elevators is accessible to Deck 7 and only to Allegro Dining Room on Deck 6. These elevators are not accessible to the rest of Deck 6 and Deck 5, so to get to the Spa, Casino, Passenger Service Deck, Alfredos, Internet , Photos, Shoppes and Boutiques, Harmony, Piazza, International Cafe, you need to go to Deck 7 and walk to Midship or walk through Cabin rooms to Panoramic elevators at midship.
Ship tip
Mid ship. Alfredos for lunch, Crown Grill fabulous
Thumbs up
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Ports of call
Our second trip to Juneau, we did the Whale watch with Gastineau Tours, both times. We paid a little extra for a small group we had just 12 people on board the boat and we were entertained with four orcas, been told very rare at this time of year, and several humpbacks.
Disembarkation
The disembarkation and transfer to Seattle Airport was also flawless and very efficient. If you are flying home from Seattle, strongly recommend using the Port Valet service. You must get the forms early, our Steward never gave us the information and almost lost the chance to use this service. When approved, they cross reference your flight information, confirmation number, with TSA and airlines, you will receive your luggage tags and boarding passes delivered to your cabin by 8 pm, enough time to have your bags out by 10 pm. When you get off the ship you don’t go and collect your luggage, you just walk off go to customs, the bags will be trucked to the airport, all you need is your carryon, your printed boarding passes and just go to TSA. They took our bags Saturday night and the next I saw them was at the baggage claim in Ft. Lauderdale. There is a fee, although in Seattle was free, plus your airlines baggage fees. Flying Southwest, baggage is still free. There are some limitations, flights can not be earlier then 10 am or after 3 pm.
Traveler Photos
