Majestic Princess Review On An Alaska Cruise
When it comes to traveling in Alaska, there are two cruise companies that have been doing it longer than anybody else: Holland America and Princess Cruises. Neither of these cruise lines is currently in competition with the other. I had been looking forward to the chance to finally go on another cruise, as well as the chance to provide a more in-depth evaluation of the Majestic Princess.
Due to the fact that both businesses have been operating cruises to Alaska for such a significant amount of time, they assert that they are able to offer experiences on their Alaska cruises that cannot be replicated by any other cruise line. I’ve always been curious about whether or not that’s the case.
Not to mention, the “North to Alaska” programme that Princess offers always sounds like it will be very enriching when it is described!
The “North to Alaska” programme offered by Princess Cruises gives guests a more in-depth understanding of The Last Frontier, our 49th state, by introducing them to the cuisine, culture, and onboard enrichment offered by native Alaskans.
A Review of the Majestic Princess While Sailing to Alaska
In spite of the fact that we had previously sailed to Alaska three times with other cruise lines, my husband and I decided to sign up for a trip in the middle of August because the price was so low and we were eligible for some free upgrades. We were very excited to check out a Princess Alaska cruise and have our very first time sailing on the Majestic Princess.
Our cruise via the Inside Passage of Alaska was scheduled to last one week and depart and return from Seattle. The trip consisted of three days spent in port, two full days spent at sea, and a half day spent cruising through Glacier Bay while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
Our ports included the following:
• Juneau
• Skagway
• Ketchikan
As a result of the fact that our voyage was considered to be one of the “special” Alaska cruises authorised by the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, the cruise ship did not have to make any stops in Canadian ports of call, contrary to what would normally be the case on a roundtrip cruise from Seattle to Alaska.
A Quick Overview of the Majestic Princess
Construction began in 2017
Renovated in the year: not available
143 700 metric tonnes gross in weight
Decks: 19
Passengers at double occupancy: 3,560
Crew: 1,346
There are a total of 1,780 cabins.
COVID-19 Protocols
You are need to have proof of vaccination in order to board Majestic Princess, as is the case with all other Princess Cruises itineraries. In order to accommodate minors and people who are unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons, the queue will set aside some space (up to 5 percent of the total capacity) for those people. However, you will need to ask for the exemption in advance, and it is not assured that you will be granted one.
In order to embark on the trip, passengers are needed to have a negative pre-cruise COVID test. The test must be either a PCR test or an antigen test, and it must have been carried out no more than three days and one night before your departure.
Onboard, passengers are expected to wear masks at all times, with the exception of while they are actively eating or drinking in a restaurant or bar. We witnessed multiple violations of this rule, but the most egregious one occurred late at night in the casino, when nearly no one was wearing a mask.
Greetings, and Thank You for Choosing Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess!
Despite the fact that ours was the first Majestic Princess cruise departure to need pre-cruise COVID-19 testing, our boarding at the Seattle cruise port was a breeze and went smoothly.
The Medallion class encompasses Princess’ entire fleet. That means that everything is done in the digital format!
It is necessary for you to have the Medallion app installed on your mobile device. And assuming you filled out all of the information that was needed in the app and uploaded the relevant images, all you need to show at the port is your passport, your immunisation card, and proof that you had a negative COVID-19 test.
Even though it’s not the easiest app to use, most of my information was already stored there thanks to the fact that I’d taken multiple cruises with Princess in the past. Sailing-specific demands were the only things that needed to be updated on my end (dining and bed preferences, travelling companions, etc.).
It took us around half an hour from the time we arrived at the dock until we were able to board the ship. The majority of that time was taken up by standing in line in anticipation of being able to check in and having our bags inspected by security.
Initial thoughts and reactions
My first trip at sea following a “pause” of 18 months brought on by COVID-19, I boarded the Majestic Princess with very high expectations for the trip. I have previously been on Princess ships, including other Royal-class ships, so I knew to expect exquisite gear, the most comfortable bed at sea, and superb service when I boarded a Princess ship again.
Once I was on board, my first view of the ship didn’t fail to live up to my expectations. Since the line’s first ship, Royal Princess, was introduced in 2013, Majestic Princess, which was constructed in 2017, is a stunning illustration of the path that the company has been advancing in since then.
The ship sparkles and shines because to the use of neutral colours such as gold, blue, and white in its design. The atrium is a multi-story space that is flooded with natural light. The two glass staircases each have a small pool of water that partially surrounds them, and I’m in love with those pools. This adds such a sophisticated touch and makes me think of a real outdoor piazza.
One of the most notable distinctions between the Majestic Princess and other Princess ships is that there is a significant amount of Chinese lettering throughout the ship. This was immediately noticeable. This is due to the fact that Majestic Princess was constructed for the Chinese cruise market in particular and has been operating nearly exclusively in Asian waters ever since it was first put into service.
Even though the ship is scheduled to spend the next year or two in North America and then proceed to Australia, the company did not remove all of the indications of its Chinese history off the vessel. The majority of the signage, including those on the elevators, is in both English and Chinese.
In addition, there will be artwork and other design aspects throughout the ship that are inspired by Chinese culture. (There is a beautiful painted dragon on one of the upper outside decks, which is a wonderful opportunity for photographs!)
As a side note, the bed lived up to expectations. So comfortable!
On the other hand, the quality of the service was inconsistent, which is not something I would anticipate from Princess Cruises. There was a sense of rustiness to the service at times, despite the fact that everyone was kind and pleased to have us onboard. During the extended break, it seemed as though the team had forgotten how to perform their duties.
Bartenders charged patrons the incorrect amounts. The wait staff neglected to ask how we preferred a certain dish to be prepared. The wait staff failed to remember and bring out the food that we had ordered.
Staterooms with Balconies Come Standard
There is a fun feature that can be found in each stateroom onboard Princess ships. Your OceanMedallion gadget, which you wear on your body, is the only thing that can open the doors (there are no cruise cards).
A sensor is integrated into the locking mechanism, and it can read the signal from your OceanMedallion even before you arrive at the location. When you reach the location where you keep your belongings, the door to your room will already be unlocked, so all you have to do is open it.
My accommodation aboard the Majestic Princess, which was a regular balcony stateroom, was really comfortable. The room, which was located on Deck 9, was furnished with a queen-sized bed, two nightstands (each of which had two drawers), a desk (with three drawers), and a piece of furniture that conceals the mini-fridge, has two small storage shelves, and space on top to stack things.
It is approximately 220 square feet in size, which is significantly larger than the standard balcony stateroom seen on most other prominent cruise ships.
And, I’m not sure if I brought up the bed yet. If you’ve never been on a Princess ship before, you’re missing out since the mattresses are among the most plush you’ll find anywhere at sea.
The Amenities of Your Stateroom
There are power outlets available at the desk as well as on one side of the bed. (In our room, this was the side of the bed that faced the wall opposite the desk.) There are outlets in both the American and European styles, in addition to two USB ports for charging your mobile device.
I was able to charge my phone from my side of the bed thanks to the fact that we had brought a USB cord that was sufficiently long to allow me to put it into the USB port on my husband’s side of the bed, stretch it behind the pillows, and then plug it into the USB port on my side of the bed.
Although there is not a closet per per, there is a bar for hanging clothing just across from the door leading to the bathroom as well as a cabinet with a number of shelves and drawers. If you run out of hangers, you can always ask for more, but I always bring a few extra wire hangers with me just in case.
The space in the restroom is somewhat limited. But I really like how there are three rows of glass shelving, which provides more than enough storage space for both my and my husband’s personal items… When I go on vacation, I always make sure to pack a large amount of toiletries.
Dispensers containing shampoo and body wash are located inside the shower for your convenience. In addition, the shower features a narrow shelf that is ideal for storing personal bottles of shampoo and conditioner.
Even though the size and style of our cabin were ordinary, because it was a higher category, we were provided with individual-sized bottles of a spa’s signature shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion.
During our gorgeous cruise in Glacier Bay, our group of four was able to comfortably fit on the balcony, which measures approximately 40 square feet. Even though there are two chairs and a tiny glass table on the balcony, we didn’t use it very frequently because the weather was chilly and wet for the majority of our voyage.
Our Room Steward
On any cruise, the quality of service provided by the room steward can vary greatly. There were moments when my partner managed to do both impress me and let me down.
When I had grabbed a few tissues from the bathroom to store next to the bed, he replaced them with a whole box of tissues, which totally blew my mind and left me feeling quite delighted. When I go on vacation, one thing I never forget to pack is a box of Kleenex next to my bed. No one else does this, not even the butlers on the ships where I’ve sailed.
He had a pattern of forgetting to replace the ice bucket, which was a source of frustration for me. However, there is no need for concern because you can utilise the TV in your stateroom or the Medallion app to place an order for an ice bucket.
An Analysis of the Available Dining Venues on the Majestic Princess
What kind of a review of the Majestic Princess would this be if it didn’t talk about the food? But unfortunately, the eating experience was the one that let me down the most. In spite of the fact that we enjoyed several of the meals, on the whole, the quality of the cuisine was average at best.
And it made no difference whether we ate at a venue that was included in the price or one that required an additional pay. In point of fact, some of the nicest meals I ate was at the buffet, and the dish that was the least enjoyable for me was a fillet mignon from the Crown Grill restaurant, which cost $29 per person.
There are six restaurants on board that are complimentary to use (I’m including the ship’s four major dining rooms as “one” choice). There are three restaurants that charge an additional price, one of which being Harmony, which is the only Chinese restaurant on any Princess Cruise. (Unfortunately, I was the only one in my group of four who was interested in trying Harmony, which meant that I was soundly defeated in the vote.)
Both Alfredo’s Pizzeria and Chopsticks Noodle Bar were among our top choices for a delicious meal during the day. The first option is Princess’ signature pizza spot, which serves arguably of the best pizza you’ll find anywhere at sea and is complimentary.
The second venue, Chopsticks Noodle Bar, is reserved exclusively for Majestic Princess guests and is a holdover from the ship’s time spent in Asia. There was always a special of the day, in addition to the regular offerings, which included wonton noodle soup and a vegetarian version of miso ramen.
I ordered the vegetarian miso ramen multiple times, and once I tried the special, which was a lo mein. They were always quite tasty, with a touch of spiciness to keep things interesting. (If you wanted it to be spicier, you might ask them to turn it up a notch.) Free to use are chopsticks. It was typically open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and can be found on the Lido Deck, which is located outside.
Our go-to destination for a snack in the middle of the morning or the afternoon was always the International Café. The assortment of sweets, in addition to the little quiches and sandwiches, is ideal for those times when you only want a little something to eat.
The majority of our evenings were spent in one of the three main dining rooms, but we did make our way through all of them on a few occasions. Our waiters were responsible for the quality of service we received, and Allegro had some of the best service we’ve ever seen (the aft choice). The majority of the food was of a satisfactory quality, and there was always the “North to Alaska” choice. The “North to Alaska” rockfish dish served on Italian night was hands down my favourite entrée from the main dining room.
An Analysis of the Majestic Princess Crown Grill
The only one of the three restaurants with additional fees that we decided to eat at was Crown Grill. The beet and goat cheese salad that we started with and the creamed spinach that we had as a side were both really tasty, but the remainder of the meal that we ordered was not very good.
Let’s start with my entrée. When I go to a restaurant, I normally just order a bunch of different sides because I don’t like hog or red meat.
On the other hand, on our Alaska trip, Crown Grill provided a menu titled “North to Alaska” that featured a variety of fish dishes. I decided to go with the wild halibut from Alaska.
My fish could have been grilled, pan-seared, or baked, and it could have been served with either lemon butter or drawn butter; however, I failed to request any of those options when I placed my order, and my waitress didn’t remind me. As a direct consequence of this, the main course consisted of a piece of baked halibut that was tasteless and dry. Oh, and I almost forgot to say that it was dry.
When we talk about dry. One of my pals ordered a fillet mignon, medium. It arrived with a substantially burned exterior and a rather red inside. She was never given any sauce or au jus to eat with her meal. In the end, she was forced to get up from the table since the steak was so overcooked and tough that it caused her to cough.
My husband got the lamb meal, and he told me that only a small amount of it was cooked properly. The remainder was chewy and rough due to overcooking.
The only person who was pleased was my companion who ordered her fillet mignon medium-rare.
The fact that Princess has altered its once immensely popular Norman Love chocolate sampler was the icing on the cake for a lunch that wasn’t quite as good as it could have been. What was once the highlight of each and every visit to Crown Grill is now a combination of unremarkable desserts that none of us wanted to finish.
In-Seat and Onboard Entertainment and Activities
There was plenty of time to fill up onboard Majestic Princess thanks to the fact that it had three sea days (in addition to the half day of spectacular glacier cruise). Since we are such ardent trivia players, we made it a point to attend every single trivia session. However, we were only able to attend one of the theatrical shows, which was a comedy act put on by a guest. We did not see any of the song-and-dance revues that were being performed.
Additionally, we participated in a number of the game show-like competitions that were organised by the entertainment crew. They were largely funny, but there were times when I had the impression that the entertainment crew was in on a joke and the audience was on the outside looking in.
To be fair, this was just the fourth sailing after the COVID-19 stop, and a large number of the crew members were still joyfully meeting up with friends and enjoying life at sea again. As a consequence of this, there were occasions when it appeared as though the passengers were an afterthought.
LOTUS SPA
In addition to that, I went to the spa more often than was probably healthy for me. Unfortunately, Steiner, the company that operates the spas aboard Princess cruise ships, has discontinued the 10/20/30 sail promotion. Under this promotion, customers who book three services at once receive discounts that are progressively better.
In addition to that, they had a slight increase in their prices. Even more sadly for my bank account, this did not prevent me from scheduling appointments for three different services. The three services (massage, facial, and keratin hair treatment) were excellent; however, the upsell after the first two were relatively advanced was the hardest part of the experience.
Daytime pursuits and events
Even though it was late in the day on one of the port days, my husband and I still managed to get in a round of laser shooting. The activity is only provided on an irregular basis for the duration of the voyage, and by the end of day one, it had virtually reached capacity.
Because it is one individual at a time (or one family or group of friends at a time), there is a limited amount of room. The activity is only available on a select few Princess ships, and Majestic Princess is one of those ships.
Other things to do during the daylight hours were art discussions, retail events, wine tastings, sports tournaments (mini golf, basketball, ping pong, etc.), and outdoor movie screenings. Bingo is another option that’s always available.
You will also have the opportunity to attend one or two “North to Alaska” seminars given by geologists, historians, and/or scientists while you are on an Alaska cruise. Those who have never travelled to Alaska will find that these are wonderful ways to become acquainted with the state’s history as well as its nature and ports.
Be wary of the so-called fitness seminars, which are actually nothing more than high-pressure sales tactics used by the staff at the spa and the fitness centre. (One illustration of this would be a free footprint analysis.)
In spite of the fact that it is referred to as “Games Under the Stars,” this outdoor activity that is exclusive to Princess Cruises takes place in the afternoon. In this area, cruisers utilise the Medallion apps on their devices to compete against one another in various video game-like activities, with all of the activity being displayed on the large screen located by the pool.
Evening Entertainment
You can choose to see a show in the main theatre, participate in a game show or trivia competition in the Princess Live Lounge, or listen to live music in the Piazza, Vista Lounge, or Crown Grill Bar.
The casino is a place where those who enjoy gambling can spend their time and money while passing the time of night.
The Princess Watercolor Fountain Fantasy and the Good Spirits at Sea bar performance are individually unique and interesting forms of evening entertainment that are each worthy of being experienced at least once.
If you’ve ever been to the Bellagio in Las Vegas and seen the lit-up water fountain performance there, then you probably have a pretty good idea of what the Princess’ Watercolor Fountain Fantasy looks like. The water fountains are animated to “dance” to music that fits the theme of the attraction, and coloured lighting contributes to the overall effect. It is recommended to go at least once, and later events in the evening or later in the cruise tend to have less people in attendance than earlier shows.
The events in Good Spirits at Sea take place in the tavern named Good Spirits, and each time they are exactly the same. A video presentation about the highlighted speciality drinks, with the bartender demonstrating how to make each drink.
It is well worth your time to go there at least once if you have an interest in mixed drinks and to sample at least one of the available options. (The Apples Delight was by far our favourite flavour.)
Who Is Joining Us?
An Alaska voyage often sees a diverse range of passengers, so it was not surprising to find a broad cross-section of vacationers on board our Majestic Princess trip. As a travel destination, Alaska draws visitors from a wide variety of age groups and backgrounds.
One thing that stood out to us was how few families and young children there were, and we believe that this was most likely attributable to the protocols used for COVID-19. There were several adolescents and younger children who might have been in the tenth to twelfth year of age range. During the course of the sailing, I have a strong suspicion that there was no kids programming of any kind.
It should not have come as a surprise that there were not many people in their twenties. Princess Cruises is a laid-back cruise service that places a greater emphasis on relaxation than on having fun on its trips. As a direct consequence of this, it does not typically draw in a crowd of people who are under the age of 35.
On board were a good number of repeat Princess Cruises customers, but we also saw a large number of first-time customers, as shown by their blue medallions.
Conclusions and Reflections on the Majestic Princess
My trip aboard the Majestic Princess was, in general, a delightful experience for me. The ship includes practically all of the Princess classics that are my favourites, and Alaska is a destination that can never let you down.
The food was terrible, and at times it seemed as though part of the personnel had forgotten how to do their duties because of the long halt in service.
On the other hand, the Majestic Princess exemplifies everything that is great about the “new” Princess Cruises. It’s possible that individuals who adored the earlier, more intimate Princess ships won’t find it to their liking, but anyone who enjoys the Princess atmosphere on a larger ship will find it to be perfect.
