Majesty Of The Seas

Launched in 1992, Majesty of the Seas cruise ship is the only Sovereign-class Royal Caribbean liner. It was previously announced, that in 2016 Majesty will join the fleet of Pullmantur (RCCL’s brand in Spain). However, later RCCL stated that the newly-refurbished Majesty remains in the RCI fleet. However, the ship's refurbishment plans were adjusted.

NEWS: Majesty OTS was once again planned to leave RCI's fleet in 2019 to join Pullmantur. The liner Monarch of the Seas was transferred to Pullmantur in 2013. However, in early-July 2019, RCI announced that Majesty OTS will be homeported in Port NOLA (New Orleans) in 2020 (January through April).

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US company, trademarked brand, and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL, shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCCL's largest fleet as both numbers of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). All Royal Caribbean liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 74,077-ton, 2750-passenger Majesty OTS underwent a considerable bow-to-stern refurbishment in early 2007 at a cost of nearly 36 million dollars. After the makeover, Majesty proved the money was well spent. There is certainly a "wow" factor - with special highlights that include her amazing new spa and fitness centre, new casual restaurants, fully redesigned teen amenities which are exclusive to the twelve - 17-year-old set, and a re-arranged and refitted pool deck. Other main changes took place in the staterooms - with new carpets, bedding and the addition of flat-screen TVs. The Viking Crown Lounge got a totally new look and so did the stores in the Centrum. There is one thing that didn't change - standard rooms (inside and outside) are contenders for the industry's smallest. At the claustrophobic 122 ft2 (11 m2), fulfilling RCI's marketing plan ("get out there") will not be a challenge. And Majesty OTS didn't receive any additional cabin balconies, so its staterooms with balconies are priced as premium.

Some loyal cruisers, especially those with children, are surely upset by ship's 2016 refurbishment. There are no longer plans for adding the speciality dining venues Izumi and Sabor, or waterslide. The revitalization included an update to the casino, adding poolside movie screen (RCI's signature Jumbotron), VOOM WiFi (Internet) and family jacuzzis.

Cruise itinerary program

Until 2019, Majesty of the Seas itinerary program was based on short-breaks (3- and 4-day) to the Bahamas leaving from homeport Miami to port destinations Nassau and Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean’s private island). Since March 2019, the liner offers cruises to Cuba roundtrip from homeport Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida USA). The itineraries visit Cuba's capital city Havana (day visit and overnight). The first cruise (itinerary March 25) prices started from USD 540 pp. Bookings were opened on July 14, 2017.

Majesty OTS 4- and 5-night itineraries to Havana were planned as homeporting in Tampa (April-October 2018) and from Fort Lauderdale (November 2018 through December 2019).

Bookings for Royal Caribbean/s 2020 Cuban season were opened on May 17, 2019. The program was based on two liners - Majesty (from Fort Lauderdale Florida) and Empress of the Seas (from Miami). Empress OTS offered 3- to 8-night itineraries with Havana overnights (or late-night departures) plus CocoCay Island (on select cruises). Majesty OTS offered 4- to 6-night itineraries with stops in Havana (overnight), Mexico (Costa Maya, Cozumel), Key West Florida, CocoCay.

In 2020 (January through April) Majesty OTS will be homeported in Port NOLA (New Orleans) to operate 4-day to 7-day long roundtrips to Bahamas (Nassau, CocoCay) and Western Caribbean/Mexico (Costa Maya, Cozumel).

Cabins

Majesty Of The Seas has a total of 1177 cabins (of which 63 Suites, no Balcony rooms, 100 adjoining) in 28 grades. Most of the Majesty of the Seas staterooms are 115-sq. foot insides (460) and 120-sq.foot oceanview (586). 4 are the wheelchair accessible rooms. The largest aboard Majesty of the Seas are the Royal Suites (700 ft2).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Moonlight Restaurant on Deck 3 and Starlight on Deck 4 are the main dining rooms aboard Majesty of the Seas, and their atmosphere is rich yet not pretentious. The only difference between the two is the seat cushions' colour: maroon in Moonlight and teal in Starlight. The food is standard dining room fare, including lobster bisque, shrimp cocktail, roast duck, steak and salmon. The waiters make personal recommendations (usually for an appetizer or dessert). A Royal Lifestyle menu features lighter and healthier items. Vegetarian cuisine is also available. Low-sugar, low-salt and other special diets are accommodated, and the whole Royal Caribbean fleet is free of trans-fat.

Follows the complete list of Majesty of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• Moonlight Restaurant (675-seat aft Dining Room)
• Starlight Restaurant (697-seat aft Dining Room)
• Windjammer Cafe Lido buffet restaurant (546-seat, offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 a.m., Breakfast between 7:00-11:30 a.m., Lunch 11.30-3:30 p.m. and Dinner 6.30-9:00 p.m.)
• Johnny Rockets Restaurant (72-seat burger bar)
• Compass Deli (52-seat complimentary self-service restaurant)
• Sorrento's (pizzeria, next door to the deli, open until late).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

In addition to the events that are being announced in the daily planner Cruise Compass, onboard entertainment features live music and the most recent movies on the big screens in Spectrum lounge and Chorus Line Theater. Trivia and Sudoku puzzles are daily available in the library. Evening entertainment offers individual performers (a magician, comic or musician) and production shows in the Chorus Line Theater. Two shows are usually available each night to accommodate both dining times. Dancing is offered all around Majesty of the Seas, from calypso music poolside and classics in the Centrum to piano sing-alongs in Schooner Bar and Latin flavours in Boleros. Late each night, a game show (The Newlywed Game, Battle of the Sexes) takes place, usually in the Spectrum lounge and draws a large crowd.

Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Youth program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Majesty of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Photo Gallery and Shop
• The Centrum (7-deck atrium and social hub, offers aerial acrobatics entertainment); A Chorus Line Lounge (1027-seat); Boleros Lounge; Spectrum Lounge and Nightclub; Viking Crown Lounge and Nightclub
• Cafe Latte-tudes Bar (12-seat speciality coffee bar, Starbucks Coffee); Schooner Bar (142-seat piano bar); Mast Bar
• Centrum Boutiques (duty-free; clothes, perfumes, accessories, jewellery, logo souvenirs, General Store/alcohol, and cigarettes)
• Casino Royale
• Royal Caribbean Online centre (Internet computers room; 24-hour)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 2 jacuzzis; 2 pools
• Challengers Video Games Arcade; Fuel Teen Center and Disco Club; The Living Room
• Adventure Beach; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area
• Sports Court (golf simulator, table tennis, basketball court); Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall.

Majesty OTS is currently fleet's oldest liner from the Sovereign-Class, with sisterships Monarch of the Seas and Sovereign of the Seas. Ship's godmother is the Norwegian Queen Sonja (wife of King Harald V). However, she is not royalty by birth (born as Sonja Haraldsen in 1937) but became Queen of Norway after marrying the future King of Norway Harald V (born 1937). Harald's father was against the marriage, but as he had only one son, he asked the parliament for advice and finally, the couple was married. Ship's naming ceremony was on April 26, 1992, held in PortMiami Florida. The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on the same day (April 26).

Majesty was drydock refitted in 2007. During the extensive refurbishment were also added new public spaces (Johnny Rockets, The Compass Deli, Boleros Lounge).

RCI's Majesty is the "iron island" ship on which the biggest Metal Festival at sea is held annually. The festival is called "70000 tons of metal" and was first organized in January 2011. It was visited by 2038 metal fans from 49 different countries and 42 different metal music bands performed. This has been the approximate attendance each year, at least so far.

Ship's interior decoration has a lot of the 80s style – with lots of neon, chrome, and brass. The atmosphere can be determined as "nostalgic charming", decors are in muted warm colours. The two major upgrades added some trendiness like the flat-screen TVs, luxurious bedding. The Spa & Fitness complex was expanded, the pool deck was remodelled, new restaurants were added, the Rock Climbing Wall was installed. The hotel-style atrium called like on all RCCL cruise ships "Centrum" features fountains, sweeping staircase, lush foliage, and it turns into a huge shopping mall during the voyage.

Majesty OTS was supposed to leave the RCI fleet in May 2016 to join the fleet of Pullmantur Cruises (RCCL-owned brand in Spain). Liner's last RCI cruise was scheduled for April 29, 2016 - 3-day Miami to Bahamas (Coco Cay and Nassau). However, the shipowner RCCL decided not to transfer the vessel and it continued operations under the RCI brand. Monarch of the Seas joined Pullmantur in 2013.

Majesty OTS refurbishment 2016 review

During ship’s drydock 2016 refurbishment (April-May), Royal Caribbean planned to add a waterslide. The new feature is part of the H2O Zone WaterPark (on Lido deck 11). The first ever Royal Caribbean ship with this special facility is Harmony of the Seas (has 4 water slides). The first Freedom-class RCI ship upgraded with the waterslide attraction was Liberty of the Seas (entered drydock in January 2016).

Officially named “Perfect Storm AquaPark”, this interactive water park is located on Pool Deck 11. Among its features are sea creatures-themed water cannons, a giant drench bucket, and a jungle-gym. The park’s trio of waterslides is named “Cyclone”, “Supercell” and “Typhoon”. The Supercell features a champagne bowl that swirls you around as you descend towards the big splash in the pool. Major deck plan changes after the 2016 refurbishment are the outdoor movie screen (poolside outdoor theatre on Lido Deck 11), renovated Vitality at Sea Spa / Fitness complex (aft on Deck 9, new equipment, carpeting), renovated suites, updated casino, and lounges, VOOM internet.

RCI adjusted Majesty's 2016 refurbishment plans. According to the new deck plans, adding the Izumi (Asian/Japanese restaurant, sushi, sashimi, sukiyaki) and Sabor (Mexican restaurant), the waterslides and the DreamWorks Experience will be done during ship’s next scheduled drydock. The 2016 refurbishment included only casino/lounges/spa/suites renovations, adding the Jumbotron movie screen, upgrading the onboard WiFi to VOOM and adding the Splashaway Bay (aqua park for kids).

Despite not having Izumi Restaurant, the ship offers several varieties of Izumi sushi available at the buffet restaurant Windjammer (on lido deck 11). The sushi menu is available during dinner time only. The items are a la carte priced: Crispy Philly (USD 8), Crispy Tuna (USD 5), Spicy Tuna (USD 7), Vegetarian Sushi (USD 6), California rolls with fish eggs and scallions (USD 6), Half Futomaki (USD 8), Spicy Salmon roll with avocado (USD 7), Shrimp roll (USD 8).