Majesty Of The Seas

The 1992-built cruise ship Majesty of the Seas was the last Sovereign-class vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet. In 2015, RCI announced that in 2016 Majesty would be transferred to Pullmantur (RCCL’s brand in Spain) under the name "Pullmantur Majesty." Later, RCI confirmed that the newly refurbished vessel would remain in the fleet, with refurbishment plans adjusted to reduce drydock costs.

The ship (IMO number 8819512) was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311734000) and registered in Nassau.

Majesty OTS was again expected to leave RCI’s fleet in 2019 to join Pullmantur, as her sistership Monarch of the Seas did in 2013. However, in July 2019, RCI announced that Majesty would instead be homeported in New Orleans in 2020 (January–April).

History – construction and ownership

In December 2020, Royal Caribbean Group sold Majesty of the Seas (then 28 years old) and Empress of the Seas (30 years old). Empress was sold to Cordelia Cruises (India). The initial buyer of Majesty was undisclosed, and 60 scheduled cruises (March 6, 2021–April 30, 2022) were canceled.

RCI’s canceled 2021–2022 program included 7-day Florida–Bahamas and Western Caribbean itineraries roundtrip from New Orleans. Bahamas sailings were to visit Key West, Nassau, and CocoCay. Western Caribbean voyages included Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya) and Honduras (Roatan’s Coxen Hole).

Between December 22, 2020, and January 29, 2021, the ship (renamed “MS Majesty”) remained anchored off Port Souda (Crete, Greece). On January 30, she docked at Port Piraeus-Athens. Initially listed under Saturn Oceanway Inc (with Campbell Shipping contracted via “Campbell Cruise and Yacht Management Ltd”), she was later registered to Eaglepower Shipping Ltd, the owner of SeaJets Ferries Greece. On February 8, 2021, her AIS transmission ceased while docked at Piraeus.

When operated by Royal Caribbean, Majesty OTS was owned by Majesty of the Seas Inc, Bahamas-flagged and registered in Nassau. She was last refurbished in 2016. On November 8, 2020, she anchored in Souda Bay (Crete) and remained there until January 2021.

SEAJETS Greece (founded 1989) is a Cyprus-based company specializing in passenger and cargo ferry services in the Eastern Mediterranean. Its fleet consists mainly of 14 high-speed catamarans (capacity 2100 passengers + 600 cars) and 3 conventional Ro-Pax vessels (capacity 1300 passengers + 400 cars). SEAJETS operates from Piraeus-Athens, Lavrion, and Crete (Heraklion, Rethymno), connecting 26 Cyclades Islands with 260 routes.

The 2750-passenger Majesty OTS underwent a major USD ~36 million refit in early 2007. Upgrades included the Vitality at Sea wellness complex, new restaurants, redesigned teen venues, a remodeled pool deck, and renovated staterooms (new carpets, bedding, HDTVs). The Viking Crown Lounge and Centrum shops were redesigned. Despite upgrades, standard cabins (inside and outside) remained small at about 120 ft² / 11 m².

No new balconies were added, so existing balcony staterooms continued to command premium rates.

The 2016 drydock refurbishment dropped original plans for Izumi and Sabor specialty restaurants and a waterslide. Instead, works included Suite renovations, casino and lounge updates, Vitality at Sea upgrades, a Jumbotron movie screen, Splashaway Bay (kids’ aqua park), VOOM WiFi, and family jacuzzis on Lido Deck.

Itineraries

Until 2019, Majesty of the Seas mainly operated short Bahamas cruises (3- and 4-day) from Miami to Nassau and CocoCay. In March 2019, she was redeployed for Cuba cruises roundtrip from Port Canaveral, featuring Havana overnight stays. The first cruise (March 25) was priced from USD 540 pp, with bookings open since July 14, 2017.

Her 4- and 5-night Cuba itineraries also included Tampa (April–October 2018) and Fort Lauderdale (November 2018–December 2019). In 2020, she was scheduled to homeport in New Orleans (January–April) for 4- to 7-night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.

Decks and Cabins

Majesty OTS staterooms total 1177 in 28 categories, including 63 Balcony Suites (no standard balcony cabins), 100 adjoining, 4 wheelchair-accessible, and 299 with extra berths. Most cabins are compact (115–120 ft² / 11 m²), including 460 Inside and 586 Oceanview. The largest are Royal Suites (700 ft² / 65 m²) with 150 ft² / 14 m² balconies.

The ship has 12 decks, of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

The Moonlight Restaurant (Deck 3) and Starlight Restaurant (Deck 4) are the main dining rooms (MDRs). The only difference is décor: maroon seating in Moonlight and teal in Starlight. Menus feature standard MDR fare such as lobster bisque, shrimp cocktail, roast duck, steak, and salmon, with lighter “Royal Lifestyle” options also available. Vegetarian, low-sugar, low-salt, and other dietary requests are accommodated. All Royal Caribbean ships are trans-fat free.

Dining venues included:

• Moonlight Restaurant (675-seat MDR, aft)
• Starlight Restaurant (697-seat MDR, aft)
• Windjammer Cafe buffet (546-seat; early breakfast from 6:30 am; breakfast 7:00–11:30 am; lunch 11:30–3:30 pm; dinner 6:30–9:00 pm)
• Johnny Rockets (72-seat burger bar)
• Compass Deli (52-seat complimentary self-service)
• Sorrento’s Pizzeria (open until late)

Shipboard entertainment – Fun and Sport

Entertainment included daily events listed in the Cruise Compass, live music, and movies in Spectrum Lounge and Chorus Line Theater. Trivia and puzzles were available in the library. Evening shows featured magicians, comedians, and musicians, alongside production shows in the Chorus Line Theater (two performances per night). Dancing was offered shipwide: calypso by the pool, classics in the Centrum, piano sing-alongs in Schooner Bar, and Latin music in Boleros. Late-night game shows (Newlywed Game, Battle of the Sexes) were also popular.

Amenities included complimentary 24-hour room service, supervised youth programs, WiFi, and laundry.

Lounges and entertainment venues included:

• Photo Gallery and Shop
• Centrum (7-deck atrium hub with aerial acrobatics); A Chorus Line Theater (1027-seat); Boleros Lounge; Spectrum Lounge & Nightclub; Viking Crown Lounge & Nightclub
• Cafe Latte-tudes (specialty coffee bar, Starbucks); Schooner Bar (142-seat piano bar); Mast Bar
• Centrum Boutiques (duty-free shops for fashion, jewelry, souvenirs, alcohol, tobacco)
• Casino Royale
• Royal Caribbean Online Centre (24-hour Internet café)
• Vitality at Sea Spa & Fitness Center; 2 jacuzzis; 2 pools
• Challengers Video Arcade; Fuel Teen Disco; The Living Room
• Adventure Beach; Adventure Ocean kids’ lounge
• Sports Court (golf simulator, table tennis, basketball); Jogging Track; Rock Climbing Wall