Norwegian Majesty Boston to Bermuda 5/02/04

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jamadelizmom

Guest
Hi,

I have read some not so great things about this ship, however we are already booked for this cruise. We have 3 young children (4, 2, 2). What are the onboard activities like?? We don't necessarily want to leave them all day, but an hour here or there would be nice. Also, has anyone gone to the Bermuda Aquarium. How far a ride from St. George's? How did you get there?

What are the beaches like in St. Georges? Do you pay to get on the beaches? Can you do your own excursions?

Sorry, to ask so many questions, have never been to Bermuda and am very curious.

Thanks everyone!
 
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review

Guest
Hi,
I live in Bermuda, the Aquarium is about 15/ 20 minutes from the dock. You can catch the number 10 or 11 bus which will drop you of outside the Aquarium. Make sure to let the bus driver know where you want to go, they are very helpful to tourist. The best beaches are a further away you don't have to pay to get in. Horseshoe bay is really nice and the have beach rentals, a restaurant and a cove for the young ones. Actually there is one near Fort St. Catherine which is about a five minute cab ride or ten/fifteen minute walk. When are you coming to Bermuda. I can get a list of things for you to do. I wouldn't leave my child on the boat probably let them enjoy Bermuda too.
 
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Lisa63

Guest
jamadelizmom, I love the Norwegian Majesty and will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding the ship. We've been onboard twice, and I'd go again in a heartbeat.
 
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Linda the Book Lover

Guest
I am interested in the Pasta dining...too bad Dr. Adkins but I am on a cruise! How does it work as far as reservations?
 
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rshreib

Guest
You can read my post about the majesty much farther done on this board. the majesty is a small ship and not much to do for kids. Since they are younger, they probably wont care much about the video arcade (half of which was broken and unuseable) and small kids room. We found the kids counselors more like babysitters and not very enthusiastic. Naturally, our kids didn't really notice it and had a fine time but we, as parents did. The only other real concern I would have is that when we were on board, there was practically no place indoors we could go to get away from the cigarette smoke. The ship is poorly ventilated.

Not trying to scare you, just wanted you to be prepared.
 
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Lisa63

Guest
rshreib, is the sitting area along deck 5 (between the dining rooms and outside of the coffee bar) no longer a designated non-smoking area, or are they just not enforcing it?
 
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rshreib

Guest
I never saw anything that said no smoking.. But the smoke from the big bars at each end were so over powering that it filled the deck. There was literally no where to get away from it.. To add to it.. When we arrived first day to the cabin, It reeked too. I gues smoking is allowed in the cabins or atleast they did in this one on the cruise before.
 
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Lisa63

Guest
I guess this is one of those things that changes from cruise to cruise. On our cruise, the area I mentioned was clearly marked as a non-smoking area, and passengers abided. However, the Polo Club Bar, one deck higher, was so smoke-filled that I couldn't even walk though it and I'm usually not bothered by cigarette smoke. Subsequent reviews I've read indicated that the Polo Club Bar was practically smoke-free. I don't get it...


Oh -- and to follow up to Linda -- the pasta cafe serves quite a bit more besides pasta. The salads and side dishes looked great. (We didn't eat there, but checked it out the last evening AFTER dinner. Oh well. There's always next time.)
 
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Linda the Book Lover

Guest
Lisa, thanks for the info about the pasta cafe. As far as the smoking I am hoping to find a few areas that are pretty smoke free.
 
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DJP

Guest
We were on the Majesty the week of Christmas and loved it. Didn't eat at the pasta restaurant, but you do need reservations although there isn't an extra charge as in Le Bistro. The first day before we sailed, there was someone taking reservations for the week for the pasta restaurant and LeBistro right outside Le Bistro, so you might want to try and make them then because I think they fill up quickly. Le Bistro was $12 per person and we had surf and turf, so it was $20 per person, but well worth it. We don't have children, so I can't speak to the quality of the children's programs, but I asked kids in the elevators that had obviously been to some kind of event if they had a good time and they always said yes. We found the ship to be in great shape, the food was good, but found the waitstaff service to be marginal in the dining rooms....freestyle dining was not for us because of no incentive to provide that extra service. The buffet restaurant was good and we never had a problem finding seats and it was always clean and refreshed often. The ship was full the week of Christmas. I submitted a review in the review section of this website. Have a wonderful time!
 
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Parrot Mom

Guest
We are scheduled for the 10th time on the Majesty to Bermuda. Your best bet is to avoid the buffets..and eat in the dining room. The ship needs to be rehabbed and it will in October. A friend several years ago sent her daughter to"camp" and she cried when they insisted she get off the ship with them. On ourfirst trip we went to the Aquarium/Zoo and were quite disappointed. with the new high speed ferry7 you will enjoy going over to the Dockyard.. Maybe taking a horse and buggy ride in Hamilton or St George. I think with our kids living in the suburbs the bus ride will be an experience.lol
 
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jamadelizmom

Guest
Thank you all for your help!! We are looking forward to getting away. I am a bit upset about the smoking situation. I can't stand cigarette smoke. Are there non-smoking areas in the restaurants?

Also, why should we avoid the the buffets? Which restaurants are best for children??

Thanks again!
 
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Lisa63

Guest
Both of the main dining rooms are non-smoking. I don't know about the Pasta Cafe or Le Bistro. The main dining rooms and the Pasta Cafe would be fine for kids. In fact, we've seen lots of kids in the Seven Seas Dining Room (the larger of the two). There are lots of seats by the windows, which your kids may enjoy.
 
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Parrot Mom

Guest
There is no smoking in anyof the restaurants,but in a few of the lounges and NO CIGAR smoking inside at all.. I've seen men asked to take their cigar smoking outside on the deck..
 
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