Karl WP Beyer The brand new started as the third ship in the Royal Class and 18th ship in the Princess Cruises fleet Majestic Princess on April 4, 2017 from Civitavecchia / Rome on her maiden voyage.
As part of her inauguration season, the 330-meter-long Majestic Princess only cruises in European waters for a short time. She leaves Barcelona on May 14 and heads for China. The new building will only undertake 4- and 5-day cruises with Chinese guests from its new home port in Shanghai. In addition to its English name, it also has a Chinese name on the ship's side. It reads Flourish Princess; what as much as Big world or Great mind means.
Majestic Princess - The name
It was originally planned to use the Majestic Princess all year round in China. It has now been leaked that the ship will make a total of 2018 voyages from Sydney between September 2019 and March 16 before being relocated back to China.
The special hallmark of each of the Royal Class cruise ships is huge Atrium, the central three-story lobby of the ship. It is 50 percent larger than the previous generation ships. Glass elevators and two curved flight of stairs are the hallmarks of the versatile space. Also the glass one protruding 8,50 meters from the ship's side Skywalk on deck 16 is common to all royal class ships.
Majestic Princess - The atrium
Some of the restaurants or the water and light show on the 16th deck are new. The front and side painting, which shows a sea witch with flowing hair, is also new. The witch had long been seen on the chimneys of the Princess Cruises ships.
Majestic Princess - The hull painting with sea witch
We got to know the new building on its five-day transfer cruise from Trieste to Civitavecchia / Rome. The voyage preceded the 7-day maiden voyage.
Cabins & Suites
Compared to domestic living conditions, cabins on cruise ships generally offer functional and, above all, cramped space conditions. It is no different with the cabins of the Majestic Princess. She has 1.780 cabins and suites. Apart from the more spacious suites, the standard cabins are one thing above all, they are functionally equipped. More than 30 cabins are designed to be barrier-free.
Starting with the inexpensive 15 m² inner cabins and ending with the luxurious suites measuring around 95 square meters, the deck plans show pretty much every cabin category. However, the guest looks in vain for cabins with a sea view. They don't exist, because every outside cabin, that is more than 80 percent of the available cabins, has a balcony.
We booked one of the many standard balcony stalls. They measure around 20 m² including the narrow veranda. Floor-to-ceiling window elements with sliding glass doors and balconies with a small patio table and two adjustable metal chairs are the main external features of this cabin category.
Majestic Princess - balcony cabin
The beds are very comfortable. There is also enough storage space. In our opinion, however, the bathroom does not meet the requirements of premium-class ships in terms of its size and features.
Eating and Drinking
Restaurants
Guests on the Princess Cruises cruise ships can look forward to a wide variety of culinary offers tailored to the target markets. The fleet was in the prestigious gastronomic society Chaine de Rotisseurs recorded.
The chefs are creative and the menu options in the service restaurants change daily. The quality of the food and its decoration are to be commended. We were also impressed by the service that was already exemplary during the transfer cruise. In the course of its short European maiden season, the culinary offerings of the Majestic Princess in the service restaurants are apparently aimed primarily at European and international tastes.
Restaurants included in the tour price
This category includes ...
... the Allegro Dining Room
... the Symphony dining room
... the Concerto dining room
... the buffet restaurant
Im Allegro Dining Room the traditional dinner is served in two sessions with a fixed table arrangement.
Majestic Princess - Allegro Restaurant
The variant Anytime dining meets increasing demand from Princess Cruises guests. That is why two à la carte restaurants are available for those guests who want to have their dinner between 17:30 pm and 22:00 pm regardless of fixed table times. It is the Symphony dining area on deck 5 and the Concerto dining room on deck 6.
All the restaurants mentioned are tastefully decorated. The colors vary. The distances between seats and tables are well chosen, and the service stations are not placed in a way that disturbs the guests.
Majestic Princess - Symphony Dining Room
The buffet restaurant is called World Fresh Marketplace. It is located aft on deck 16 and is visually divided into two. Separates both areas The Bakery. In our opinion, the range of baked goods presented there is poor.
The two different and tastefully furnished sections of the restaurant are well equipped. The clearing service already worked well on the transfer cruise. - We were less convinced by the range of dishes and their presentation. The menu on offer at the Majestic Princess does not stand up to the comparison with premium providers such as its sister brand Holland America Line or its competitor Celebrity Cruises.
Majestic Princess - Buffet Restaurant
The structure of the stations lacks logic, and the offers are not clearly marked so that it is not clear which fish or meat you are currently choosing. And staff is not always available with information. Simply put, we expected better from Princess Cruises.
Behind the World Fresh Marketplace, an open deck opens with the Wake View Bar. The "Kielwasser" bar is a wonderful outdoor area in warm regions to eat or have a drink.
Not a restaurant in the strict sense of the word, and yet it is an ideal place International Café. It is located on the “Piazza” of the Atrium on the 5th deck. Croissants, small delicacies that vary depending on the time of day and salads are part of the range on offer. The selection of coffee beverages and various types of tea on offer debits the on-board account. The meals are free. The International Café is open 24 hours a day.
Majestic Princess - International Cafe
On deck 6 - also in the area of the atrium - lies Alfredo's Pizzeria. Guests watch the food being prepared. The room is of a manageable size and decorated with warm wood tones. Ceramic tiles cover the floor.
Majestic Princess - Alfredo's Restaurant
The open air is on the 16th deck Chopsticks Noodle Bar. Freshly prepared noodle soups or classic noodles prepared in a wok are among the daily changing offers.
Restaurants subject to surcharge
With the quality of the restaurants included in the tour price - as on other cruise ships - there is basically no need for any further dining options. However, as people tend to refine their lives or celebrate special events with exquisite food, the specialty restaurants on board cruise ships are generally well frequented. Bars on board the Majestic Princess are subject to a surcharge:
The Chef's Table Lumière - an im Allegro restaurant Gourmet area embedded on deck 6. The executive chef of the ship personally creates the menu. - Guests taking part in kitchen tours are spoiled in the Lumière with an extravagant multi-course dinner. Champagne and hors d'oeuvres precede the dishes.
Majestic Princess - The Chef's Table Lumière
Sea - In the one in the atrium on deck 7 on the port side French bistro French menus are created.
Majestic Princess - La Mer Restaurant
Crown Grill - The grill restaurant is on deck 7. In an elegant ambience, well-matured premium meat and fresh seafood are used to prepare the dishes. The guests can also watch the food being prepared there.
Majestic Princess - Crown Grill
As already mentioned, the Majestic Princess was developed for the Chinese cruise market. It should be an attraction for discerning guests of the "Middle Kingdom" Harmony Chinese Restaurant be. It reinterprets classic Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant is supported by the star chef Richard Chen. He was the former head chef of Wing Lei in Las Vegas, which was the first Chinese restaurant in North America to be awarded a Michelin star.
Majestic Princess - Harmony Chinese Restaurant
The outdoor area is on the Lido deck (deck 16) Lobster & Dim Sum Bar. Suitable for the future home port Shanghai Different types of lobster or Chinese “dim sum” are served there. These are “little dishes that touch the heart”.
Bars & Lounges
The Majestic Princess measures 330 meters in length. The size of the ship suggests a larger number of bars and lounges. In fact, we only count a few bars inside the ship. As can be heard, Asian guests perceive different behavior with regard to drink consumption in bars than Europeans or Americans
Notable ones Indoor bars and lounges are from our point of view
... on deck 5 die Plaza Bar - The guests of the bar are very close to the action in the atrium of the ship;
... the wine bar Vines - The elegantly designed restaurant is also on deck 5;
Majestic Princess - Wine Bar Vines
… the Bellini's - An Italian-inspired cocktail bar in the ship's atrium on deck 6;
… the Casino Bar - The very elegant bar in the on-board casino on deck 6;
… the Ocean Terrace Juice Bar - The guests of the bar on deck 7 in the atrium consume freshly made fruit juices;
… the Leaves Tea Bar - The “Gong Cha” tea bar, which is a little off the beaten track on the 7th deck, offers tea variations with milk and bubbles;
... the one adjacent to the Crown Grill Crown Grill Bar - Their guests enjoy their drinks with live piano entertainment in a sophisticated club atmosphere. In our opinion it is the nicest bar on board the Majestic Princess.
Majestic Princess - Crown Grill Bar
Several Bars lie outside. There are …
… the Sea view bar - There, their guests look through the glass floor of the from a height of 39 meters skywalk down to the sea. The bar with the unusual view is on the port side on deck 16;
Majestic Princess - Sea View Bar
… the Wake View Bar - It's on deck 16 behind the buffet restaurant. The bar with a view of the wake (wake) is the best place to say goodbye to a destination with a drink in good weather;
… the Fountain pool bar - The unspectacular bar is located in front of the fountain pool on deck 16.
… the Hollywood Pool Bar - On deck 17 in the Hollywood Pool Club.
Majestic Princess - Sea View Bar
Sport & Wellness
The most suitable place for fitness exercises is the spacious, modern and well-equipped Gym on deck 17.
Majestic Princess - Fitness Center
Additional sporting activities on decks 17, 18 and 19 are offered by the Driving Range the golfer, the four Table tennis, the Jogging track, SportsCentral for ball games or the Outdoor exercise circuit. Mini golfers enjoy themselves on The greens (Deck 19). The shooting range is next to Sports Central Bullseye laser. There, clay pigeons are shot virtually with laser rifles.
Majestic Princess - Center Court - Line Dance Event
Polish
The Fountain pool on deck 16 is outdoors. A covered pool area is that Hollywood Pool Club on deck 17. There are also a number of whirlpools.
Majestic Princess - Fountain Pool
At full capacity, more than 3.500 guests travel by ship. It will be understood that the outside decks of the ship provide plenty of space for sun beds. Shadow areas are rare.
Majestic Princess - sundeck
Spas
The one from the wellness company Canyon Ranch operated Spas offers a variety of treatments. The resting pole of the spa is the relaxation zone The enclave. Next to the entrance area of the spa is the Beauty Salon.
Majestic Princess - Spa Enclave
The "Sanctuary" of the sister ships Regal Princess and Royal Princess was in Hollywood Conservatory renamed (deck 17, bow area). The conservatory includes the Hollywood Pool Club with a covered swimming pool and two whirlpool pools. The Conservatory is aimed at adults who, for a fee, would like to relax in cabañas with minibars and flat screens. Sculptures and artificial topiary trees create atmosphere in the room. At night the place turns into a night club.
Majestic Princess - Hollywood Pool Club
Entertainment
That is the focus of on-board entertainment Princess Theater. It is certainly one of the most impressive theaters on board a cruise ship. A modern lighting concept, excellent acoustics and the best visibility alone are worth a visit to the theater. The good shows do the rest. First the musical shows “Fiera” and “Fantastic Journey” will be presented, which have already been shown with great success on other ships in the fleet. We saw the Fiera show and were very impressed.
Majestic Princess - theater
The musical entertainment should also be emphasized. It varies between classical music and modern light music. If necessary, the interpreters also perform together.
Majestic Princess - Musical entertainment
The guests should also be very interested Movies under the Stars bump. The Royal Class ships also have the largest screens in the fleet. On The latest blockbusters are shown regularly on Deck 18.
Majestic Princess - Movies under the Stars
The water and light show was the first time on a cruise ship Water Color Fantasy eingerichtet.
The TV studio on deck 7 Princess Live! produces culinary shows, live concerts, late night comedy and game shows. Recordings of the on-board entertainment are broadcast on cabin television.
Majestic Princess - Princess Live!
In Vista Lounge serves as an additional show lounge next to the Princess Theater. It is equipped with a light and sound system. Comedians, magicians and musicians perform on the big stage. It is also a suitable location for courses or dance events or for art auctions. 16 mahjong tables were set up for the Chinese clientele.
More trendy places
Asians have been heard to enjoy karaoke events. For them there were six on the 5th deck private karaoke suites set up. They offer space for up to six people, are equipped with first-class audio and video technology and also offer food and drink service. We frugal guests enjoy the general karaoke-Events in the Princess Live! Studio.
The unusually large one is on deck 6 Princess Casino. The game is played in three areas: the Main game room and the departments for VIP gaming and - even more exclusive - for Private gaming.
Majestic Princess - Grand Casino
Princess Cruises describes the transparent place as a spectacular place Skywalk. The 18 meter long glass jetty, 39 meters above sea level, is not the only glass lookout point on ships that we know; in any case, it is the longest and farthest (more than eight meters) out of the glass path.
Majestic Princess - The Skywalk seen from below
Art objects are exhibited and sold on many cruise ships. Princess Cruises is no exception. In the Princess Fine Art Gallery (Deck 6) there is a forum for hip artists and art auctions take place regularly.
Amazingly small the Internet Café on deck 7. It shares a room with the Library.
The Shops of Princess do not differ from those of other ships solely by their size. The shop areas on decks 5 and 7 offer an extremely large amount of space with almost 1.100 square meters. Designer items, leather goods from Burberry and Gucci as well as branded watches and jewelry abound. International labels like Bvlgari, Cartier, Chopard, Effy, Longines, Montblanc, Omega and others target the affluent Asian clientele.
Majestic Princess - What is offered is what is good and expensive
Children and young people traveling with you will also be catered for. Princess Cruises offer the young cruisers a lot of variety on board the ship. The children's and youth areas are well equipped. The activities are divided into three age groups.
Majestic Princess - children's area
General information about the Majestic Princess
|
Commissioning |
April 2017 |
|
Godparents |
Basketball stars Yao Ming and Ye Li |
|
Dimensions |
Length 330 m, width 38,60 m, draft 8,50 m |
|
measurement |
143.700 GT |
|
Number of decks |
19 decks |
|
Engine power |
62.400 kW total |
|
2 azipods |
Drive power 2 x 18.000 kW |
|
building-costs |
unknown |
|
passengers |
3.560 with double occupancy |
|
Staterooms |
1.780 |
|
Crew |
Approx. 1.358 max. |
|
Flagge |
United Kingdom |
|
shipyard |
Fincantieri, Monfalcone / Trieste |
|
Board language |
English |
|
Currency on board |
U.S. dollar |
|
captain |
Dino Sagani |
Current position Majestic Princess
Summary
The brand new Majestic Princess is one of the world's largest cruise ships. The lines of the ship appear elegant despite its immense size. The ship is met with great benevolence from all perspectives.
The public areas of the Majestic Princess are all grand. Compared with the previous ship classes, it can be seen that Princess Cruises the tried and tested constantly perfected. The amidships atrium with two spiral staircases and glass elevators is the focal point of the cruise ship. The specialty restaurants, high-quality shops, bars and the casino are grouped around the central area on decks 5, 6 and 7.
It should be noted critically that the great ship is already geared towards its future location in Shanghai in the European launch phase. During the transfer trip from Trieste to Civitavecchia, hundreds of Chinese travel agency experts, agents, photo models and other guests mingled with the total of 2.152 travelers. For this special clientele there were constant demonstrations or product presentations. The resulting considerable unrest on board this ship was unusual. And never before have we seen so many annoying recordings of show content via mobile phones in the theater.
Majestic Princess - Captain Dino Sagani
For the size of the ship and the maximum of 3.560 guests with double occupancy, we believe that the ship is not equipped with enough bars. The ship, which was specially designed for the Chinese cruise market, shows that Chinese cruisers apparently have different demands and needs than Western guests. A few bar areas are sufficient for you; Instead, you can expect a lavishly equipped casino, spacious retail spaces that primarily present luxury items, and lounges that suit your taste.
We assume that the Majestic Princess will perform excellently in the Chinese target market. As western-oriented travelers, however, we give the sister ships Regal Princess and Royal Princess the priority. However, if you want to experience a cruise ship with a Chinese touch in European latitudes, you can get to know the new building over the course of several Mediterranean voyages.
The Majestic Princess has not yet been officially named. A suitable godmother is still being sought. Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises, told Cruiseturtle that Princess Cruises was currently examining several options. In any case, the ship will only be christened in its future home port, Shanghai.
PS The trip was supported by Princess Cruises. With regard to our journalistic independence, we refer to the chapter "We are independent".
(Karl Beyer - April 2017)
