I was also on the June 15 th sailing. We did not get on board unitl around 8:15 or so but once on board we were very happy with the cruise.
Since we needed two cabins for our family we also booked an inside guarantee
and ened up on deck 8 aft.
Since we arrived in Port Canaveral at noon and their were four of us, it would have been a costly excursion for our family so we decided to stay on board and enjoy the uncrowed pool deck. We could have taken the shuttle or a taxi to Cocoa Beach which is nearby , but opted to stay out of the sun and relax.
Like you, we had never been to Miami and wanted to look aroun, My husband was still recovering from too much sun and not enough sunblock so instead of going to South beach we took the NCL Miami overview tour. The air conditioned bus went up by south beach and then looped back into MIami f or tours of Coral Gables, Calle Ocho, a ride by the Venetian pool and then back to the ship. We were travelling with teens who were more interested in shopping so we then cabbed it over to the Bayside Mall which was an a mile or so away from the ship. Cab fare awas six dollars each way for the four of us.
For those inclined to go to South Beach ans shop and sun there, NCL runs a shuttle bus which costs 15/pp
Now about the private island. My teens chose not to get off the ship but my husband and myself had a quick breakfast and caught the first tender out. It was once of the most memorable days of our trip. We snagged a chair with an umbrella and hopped right into the water. NCL provided snorkel vests and we had brought our own masks and fins
It was so nice at the island that I would have enjoyred another day there. I rented a float and observed all kinds of tropical fish and sting rays in the water.
When we were through swimming we caugth a tender back to the ship and had a late lunch in the Garden Cafe. The beach did get crowded as the day went on but it was not a problem for us..hey the good beaches at home get just as crowded in the summer months.
You asked about the GTY cabin. We booked two inside Gty cabins and were upgraded from N to J on both ending up about ten cabins apart on deck 8 aft.
The cabins were very nice and although small met our needs well. The cabins on the Majesty are smaller, so we were happy . I would have liked an outside or balcony but we couldn't budget for it on this trip and still book two seperate cabins.
Once you get away from the immediate pool area there is plenty of deck space for lounging . On deck 12 forward near the Stardust Theater there is a "Reading and Writing " room and game room where you can hang out with beautiful views all around
Plenty of people were in those rooms reading, playing board games when we walked by
We loved Le Bistro and the Venetian dining room. Our teens liked the convenience of the
Blue lagoon for fish and chips and had no problem using their soda cards anywhere on the ship.
I hope that you enjoy your cruise as much as we did.
