Norwegian Cruise Line's
Norwegian Majesty, built in 1992 as the
Royal Majesty, began sailing for NCL in 1997. Casual and elegant, the ship was simply not big enough to turn a buck, so she was lengthened by 112 ft, with new public areas and cabins added in the process, upping her capacity from 1,056 to 1,462 passengers. Now a 40,876-ton Panamanian vessel, she is 680 ft long and 89 ft wide, with a draft of 20 ft, a cruising speed of 20 knots, nine passenger decks, and a sleeker profile. She has Norwegian officers and an international crew of 570.
The Norwegian Majesty calls Charleston, South Carolina home, sailing 7-day trips to Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Key West year-round.
Among the nine lounges and bars is the main show room, which accommodates 602 passengers for Broadway- and Vegas-style entertainment. The sharply tiered seating ensures excellent sight lines. A lounge for dancing at night serves as a meeting room by day. A coffee bar and small piano bar are also onboard. Sports enthusiasts enjoy the oceanview gym, jogging track, two pools, two whirlpools, and a sun deck nearly five times the size of the one it replaced. Other facilities include a spa, salon, casino, disco, library, boardroom, video arcade, card room, boutiques and a medical center. A playroom for ages 2 through 17 is supervised year-round.
The atrium amidships is a good introduction to the ship's stylish public rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic views in the new 266-seat Four Seasons dining room. Beyond is the impressive smoke-free Seven Seas restaurant with a pianist. Freestyle Cruising offers open seating and extended hours in the main dining room as well as a higher standard of service. Each dining room operates with a different menu. The Bistro serves Continental fare to a maximum of 56 passengers; Cafe Royale offers breakfast and luncheon buffets and snacks; Piazza San Marco turns out pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream; and a new round-the-clock buffet room is open around the clock.
Cabins come in 10 categories, with about 70% outsides and most smoke-free. Standards measure 125 to 140 sq ft, most with desks-cum-dressers, phones, TVs, radios, twin beds separated by chests of drawers, three closets, ironing boards, and baths with showers and hair dryers. Seven cabins are wheelchair-accessible.
With changes, the Norwegian Majesty has grown even more majestic.
