The Best Week of My Life was on Royal Caribbean
Written: Dec 02 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: endless possibilities, friendly staff
Cons: tiny rooms (as can be expected anywhere), expensive drinks
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| sarahhughes's Full Review: Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas |
I had only been on a cruise once before. It was a one day cruise, we didn't spend the night and I don't think we even left port. I was about eight. So when my senior trip was going to be a week-long cruise on Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas, I didn't really know what to expect. After countless meetings discussing the cruise, I had heard about all the excursion options and the price package. But I didn't really comprehend what was going to happen during that week.
The price was very reasonable for the trip, otherwise my parents wouldn't have agreed to it. And the package included everything except for drinks (which do cost quite a bit). Money was definately needed, for souvenirs at all the different ports, etc.
My class flew to Ft Lauderdale and took a bus to Miami, where we first saw the impressive ship. As soon as we got on, we all split up and explored. We received our cards, somewhat like ship credit cards. You use them to pay for drinks and (I believe) you can use them to get casino chips. If you are under 18, a hole is punched in your card, so you can't buy drinks. BUT: the drinking age on these ships is changing to 21 after new year's.
The ship has countless things to do: the huge casino; various bars: the viking crown (very scenic, a space-needle-like structure atop the deck), the schooner (a relaxing piano bar, my personal fav), casino bar (for convenience's sake), pool bar (makes you feel like you're on the Loveboat), etc.; a theatre with a cabaret show and other various productions; kareoke!; On Your Toes lounge- the discotheque; shopping mall; the salon (many of my friends got AMAZING massages, and I regret not going for the aromatherapy massage); the WAY crowded pool; etc. And even if you feel like staying in your cabin, recent movies play often as well as music videos and a very amusing "how to play" casino video. Even when the ship was at sea all day, I never felt bored.
At Labadee, Haiti, I chose not to go on an excursion, as non really appealed to me. I did visit the beach and go out on a raft for a while. It was very relaxing, though crowded.
At Grand Cayman, I chose the Stingray City excursion. Some people loved this. I discovered that I have a great fear of stingrays. But hey, if you love communing with nature, this is your deal. I quickly swam away from the stingrays and back onto the little boat. Even just sitting there, looking out across the coral reef and the light blue, translucent water, I was entertained.
In Jamaica, I went on the Dunns River Falls boatride. This includes a ride to the falls (on a ship playing the slightly cliched but cozy-feeling Bob Marley), a hike up the falls, and the view. The beach itself was enough to make the trip worthwhile.
My favorite excursion was the Catamaran Ride at Cozumel, Mexico. My friends and I boarded a catamaran and were taken out to deep water for snorkeling. Back on the boat, we were bombarded with free drinks, and everyone did the limbo. My friend Meghan had an excellent dance partner in one of the ship's employees. We were taken to a private beach where people played volleyball, got food, or swam about.
Additionally, the cruise staff was VERY nice. My roommates and I bonded with our cabin steward and left him notes when he came to clean our room, leave us mints, and make us cute towel animals. The casino dealers were very personable, as my gambling-fiend friend Meghan let me know. Our waitors at dinner knew us all by name by the second day and always made us feel welcome, occasionally entertaining us with their napkin folding skill. And, ah!, the free room service people couldn't have been nicer.
This trip was pretty much the best week of my life. Of course, some people I know did not enjoy it. They thought it was too "touristy." I guess if you are able to overlook the swarms of people and only see the beautiful land around you, you will enjoy this. Otherwise, perhaps a cruise isn't for you.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sarahhughes
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Location: St Louis, MO
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 3 members
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