Majestic Ship Now Fields 

A Fresh New Look

Majesty of the Seas' Atrium and other public areas were renovated in a recent drydock overhaul.*

By Roberta Sandler

She was pretty but she was aging. When I saw her last October, I thought: “She needs cosmetic surgery.”

Royal Caribbean International must have heard my thoughts about Majesty of the Seas.

Three months later, the cruise line dry-docked her for a face lift -- make that a body lift.

In the cruise industry, where multiple new ships debut every year, the 73,941-ton Majesty is considered mature, having debuted in 1992. But in January and February of this year, Majesty underwent a complete refurbishment approaching $40 million.

By mid-February, she was ready to face the public on three- and four-night Bahamas voyages from Miami. Soon after the makeover, I purposely sailed on Majesty once again, just to see the transformation. The results are astonishing.

A Sea of Stateroom Changes

Majesty has gorgeous and comfortable new bedding including mattresses, duvets and crisp linens.*

Royal Caribbean has never emphasized spacious staterooms. So, in spite of Majesty’s new enhancements, her standard staterooms remain small with a minimum of storage space. But repeat guests will see many welcome changes.

Gone are the old carpeting and bed linens, cot-like beds, thin mattresses and chipped bathroom sinks. New sinks and shower curtains spruce up the bathrooms.

Staterooms also have new curtains and mirrors, wall-mounted flat-screen televisions and glorious new bedding. Guests now enjoy new mattress frames, nine-inch-thick spring mattresses with pillow tops, 220-thread count sheets, micro-fiber pillows, duvets and bed scarves.

Casual Dining Enhancements

On the dining side, Royal Caribbean sizably changed the Windjammer Cafe, the pool deck’s casual restaurant that always seemed crowded. Now called Windjammer Marketplace, it boasts a new island-like configuration.

The new "station concept" in Windjammer Marketplace makes for a smoother guest flow.*

Passengers will encounter separate islands for salads, desserts and breakfast foods. The island concept reduces the long lines at the linear buffet station, which remains and offers additional food options.

Royal Caribbean creatively took a section from the Majesty’s hull and used it to build a new, upper enclosed deck surrounding the “islands” below. There’s a nice choice of eateries now calling this spot home including a Johnny Rockets Diner, Sorrento’s Pizza and Compass Deli.

The pizzeria still isn’t open 24 hours, which caused some grumbling among passengers on my cruise. However, the savory pizza had a thick cheese layer, just as it should.

That said, the Compass Deli’s menu disappointed me. A small selection of sandwiches, salads, wraps and Mexican food were listed. But the corned beef, pastrami and Reuben sandwiches that most guests think of for “Deli fare” were not on the menu.

Public Area Upgrades

The ship’s Centrum is perkier now, thanks to new wood flooring with a center star design. On the promenade deck, a circle of shops remains but the beauty salon was moved to the Spa to make way for a new Latte-tudes offering Seattle’s Best Coffee.

Guests wanting a cup of java head for the new Latte-tudes, serving Seattle's Best Coffee.*

Latte-tudes shares space with a Freeze Ice-Cream Parlor. Both venues open onto a central lounge area with tables and chairs where passengers can sit and enjoy their coffee or ice cream. 

Majesty of the Seas’  former On Your Toes nightclub is gone. Instead, Boleros is a new lounge with a dance floor, vivid décor and music reflecting a Latin influence. The confetti-like pattern of the carpeting adds to the saucy atmosphere.

Guests can enjoy a Latin aura as the dance the night away at Majesty of the Seas' new Boleros.*

The Cinema and the old Champagne Bar are also gone. Royal Caribbean has addressed the needs of business groups by adding a business services center and a conference center that includes small meeting rooms.

What else is new? The Spa, with 10 new treatment rooms, is now on Deck 9 instead of Deck 10. That added more space to incorporate the beauty salon into its operation. Now, there’s a barber station as well.

The hair salon (which also has a barber station) has a new home within Majesty's spa area.*

Adventure Ocean (the children’s camp) took over the space formerly occupied by the Spa. Kids will discover a brighter, more colorful space. In addition, teens now have their own exclusive hang-out, Fuel, an ultra-hip nightclub as well as a new lounge called the Living Room.

Fuel, a hot new nightclub just for teens, has been added to Majesty of the Seas.*

The ship’s two dining rooms now sport new carpeting, drapery and upholstery. They also gained new names -- the Starlight and Moonlight.

A Chorus Line, the ship’s show lounge, looks refreshed. It’s been re-upholstered and re-carpeted predominantly in red. Guests will enjoy a hot new theater production there. Entitled “Signed, Sealed and Delivered,” the show is a smart tribute to soul, rhythm and blues.

Casino Royale received new carpeting and upholstery. Gaming fans will also appreciate the installation of more slot machines.

Majesty’s revitalization extends to all public areas. Even public bathrooms are updated with fashionable square-shaped white sinks.

Newcomers to the ship certainly will discover a refreshing product. Majesty has always been dependable for good food, entertainment and service.

That said, I’ve seen “the before” and “the after.” I give kudos to the bow-to-stern improvements. Majesty seems fresher and more beautiful than ever. Bottom line? She truly lives up to her name.

Want to Sail on Majesty of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas’ offers what the cruise industry calls “short” cruises. This ship operates three- and four-day voyages from Miami.

At presstime, rates for the four-night cruises started at $269 interior or $299 for an ocean view. Three-night cruises started at $219 per person double occupancy for interior cabins or $279 for an ocean view.

Roberta Sandler, a Florida resident and member of the Society of American Travel Writers, writes travel articles for newspapers and regional and lifestyle magazines. She has won several media awards. Her newest book is "Guide to Florida's Monuments and Memorials," to be published by University Press of Florida. 

*Photos are owned, copyrighted and used with permission of Royal Caribbean International. Photography by Michel Verdure on behalf of Royal Caribbean. All rights reserved. Please do not link to nor copy these photos. Thank you.