When you book you can opt to prepay your gratuities (which cover your stateroom attendant, waiter, assistant waiter, and head waiter). If you didn't prepay (it would be listed as an additional line on the invoice you received from your TA), then the gratuities are automatically added to your onboard account - about $12 per person per day. If you do receive exceptional service, you can opt to tip additional in cash directly to that person at the end of the cruise - but it is not required. Note: if you do have bad service onboard in any way (which is extremely unlikely), you should immediately report it - in the dining room, speak to your headwaiter, in the buffet ask to speak to a manager, anywhere else report it at guest relations.

Also, if you order a drink (including non-alcoholic drinks) when you go to pay, 15% tip will already be added to the bill. There will be a line to add additional tip, but you are not required to do so.

If you order room service, you should be prepared to tip the delivery person a few dollars in cash when they deliver it.


Moving off of gratuities, here's some more hints:

Note: there is an atm onboard but it tends to charge high fees. If you need to get additional cash, see the cashier in the casino as the fees tend to be cheaper.

The jogging track is on deck 7. If you can't find a chair pool side, and you just want to lay in the sun, there are chairs outside on that deck that are great for relaxing in.

Right above the Windjammer Buffet, there is an area with some additional food options. Sorrento's (pizza) and Compass deli have no charge. Johnny Rockets (50s diner) has a small fee. There should be at least one food place open at all times (middle of the night it will probably be Sorrento's - but check your Compass) and there should be a beverage station open 24/7 to get at least water and coffee.

For great views in the ship, make sure to go up to the Viking Crown Lounge.

-wrp thanks.

kind of a newb question but are any drinks free? I'm under the assumption that with meals there are a few drinks offered gratis.

But if its not meal time what am I getting for free?

Also i've heard that the deck chairs can get "squatted" on by the cruise veterans that make their way out at 6am thus leaving no deck chairs for the people who come later. How big of an issue is this? Is it faux pas if i temporarily move someones stuff over while no one is sitting there?

Thanks again.

All depends on cruise line but with the lower-priced mass-market lines, pretty much nothing is free. Tea, coffee, iced tea and (tap) water during meals. Rest of the time you have to go to the self-serve cafeteria to get it. Some carbonated drinks might be free there too.

You can count on having to pay for all alcoholic beverages unless there's some event such as an art show or some event where they are trying to sell you something. The champagne (real) that Princess uses for various promos is (much) worse than the �10 stuff I was buying in France this past winter.

Some cruise lines remove the stuff if it hasn't been occupied for a period of time.

I think your travel agency means that if they sell enough cabins on your Majesty departure (usually 8), then they can form a group where the get benefits from Royal Caribbean, like an onboard credit.

You should push your travel agency to include the onboard credit regardless. The onboard credit should be advertised on their website and if it is and the agency does not offer it to, its false advertising. Be careful to check the terms & conditions though. Its often restricted to certain cabin types (like balcony, suites, etc).

Drinks that are free are water and coffee (but not espresso drinks), milk, iced tea and lemonade in the dining room and buffet, and juice at breakfast in the dining room/buffet/room service. If you order it in a bar (other than water) expect there to be a charge. There is a beverage station outside the buffet on deck 12 that should always be available with water, coffee, and perhaps tea.

As to deck chairs, yes sometimes people hog chairs. The rule on RCCL is if it is empty after 30 minute then it may be cleared by a pool attendant. If you can't find a chair and see lots empty but "saved" then ask a pool attendant for help, rather than moving stuff yourself

ok so i just checked in and got some of the pricing for the excursions and activities.

all i have to say is WOW! sticker shock.

Didnt realize it was so expensive for simple activities. Snorkel for 1.5 hrs yup that will be $40.

shake hands with a dolphin yup that will be $135

i'll have to choose wisely if at all.

we wanted to get a couples massage on board but the cheapest one is $300 for 50 mins.

Seems kind of like a lot.

You do not necesssarily need to book your port excursions through Royal Caribbean. I have found that when you book excursions with the cruise line, they are more expensive and you disembark with 1000s of other passengers going to the same tour/excursion. If you book the excursion directly with the operator its faster to get to from the ship and there are fewer passengers.

Try this website: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com...05-23&nights=3

For snorkeling at CocoCay (guessing based on the $40 charge), if you have your own equipment, you don't have to pay the $40.

Also, there is no requirement to do excursions. If you aren't certain what you want to do, you can wait until you get on the ship and even to the port to book. You can just get off the ship in Nassau and get a taxi to a beach if you want.

Here's one site http://www.shoretrips.com/ where you can book excursions independently of the cruiseline and you may find cheaper or different options. Another option is to go to www.cruisecritic.com, go to the Boards, go to the Ports of Call section, and then to Nassau and you should find recommendations for excursions to take (or avoid), suggestions for private operators that may be cheaper, etc. You might also find a recommendation for a couple massage somewhere off the ship.




As to spa services onboard the ship, yes they are expensive. When you get onboard though, they may be running some specials so watch your Compass and the flyers that get put on your bed each night.

Is there a special area if we pay the $40 that they boat us to? Or are we able to access the same place by just going into the waters ourselves with our own gear? I see snorkels and masks for ~$20 so I am interested in buying our own gear. My gf is also a nurse so she is wary of wearing a mouthpiece that has been in a lot of other people's mouths.

The spa generally offers reduced rates while the ship in in port - with most people off the ship, the staff still tries to make money. There will be advertised specials, or you could also stop by and ask. Majesty is indeed an older, smaller ship but it's still quite nice and you'll have a good time for sure! I always go with the soda card, it's definitely worth it for me. Also I agree with other posters, it is cheaper to book excursions directly with local operators. Regarding Atlantis, I remember reading that there is a Choice hotel - Clarion Suites, maybe - that is next to the Atlantis and offers complimentary passes to the Atlantis property. Someone said they took a cruise and booked a room at this property to get Atlantis access for cheap, and just used the room for an hour. I don't remember where I read that, so take it with a grain of salt, but it's worth investigating to save a buck.

At CocoCay the snorkeling is just off the beach, you swim out to it, no boat ride. And yes if you have your own gear you can snorkel there.

I believe it's the Comfort Suites. And yes this is good advice - just make sure to book the correct property.

Can I ask you about the dress code?

ive read there is a 'formal' night on board and we cannot even wear shorts to the dining room?

Is this true?

Seems silly when its hot outside we cant wear shorts when eating.

I dont plan on bringing a tux (dont even own one nor do i want to wear one on vacation) or a suit.

Is this going to be a problem? We dont plan on eating at the specialty restaurants.

I think shorts are always a no-no on many cruise lines in what is called the main dining room (MDR in cruise parlance). You can wear shorts in the casual eateries such as the buffet.

As for formal nights, it depends on the cruise line. Some lines have codes, formal or otherwise (the other pax will make remarks if you don't conform anywhere on the ship), while others have guidelines. At least two years ago, Princess seemed to have a formal formal code while Holland America was just a suggestion/guideline. Best to go to cruise critic and do more research there.

Just remember that Formal Nights are not mandatory. As previously mentioned, the buffets would probably accept you in shorts. However, you just might want to try one of the specialty restaurants on Formal Nights. Princess has one called the Crown Grill and it is definitely worth the modest ($25) upcharge. They specialize in steak & seafood and if you want seconds, you can. Just ask. We always book a reservation in the Crown Grill just not to have to bother with a coat & tie (on our vacation).

On short cruises like yours, if there is a formal night, most people will not be dressed up fancy. A few may wear a tux or a suit, but most will be in slacks and a shirt. Usually the dress code for the dining room in the evening is no shorts, even on casual nights - but again it is possible the dining room staff will look the other way. I would plan on throwing a pair of khakis or decent slacks in your bag - topped with a button up or a polo.

I will tell you it tends to be cool inside the ship especially at night.

The ship you are on doesn't really have a specialty restaurant as an alternative. But the buffet is always on option.