From topiaries to xylophones, here's what you'll only find on a Majestic Princess cruise -- and what you won't
Editor’s note: Princess Cruises provided a complimentary cruise for TPG to experience Majestic Princess. The cruise line paid for all travel to and from the cruise ship. The opinions expressed below are entirely from the author and weren’t subject to review by Princess or any external entity.
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Between the hype surrounding the cruise industry's restart and the fanfare given to new ships that are finally having their moment in the spotlight -- uhem Celebrity Apex, uhem Scarlet Lady -- we sometimes forget that there are existing ships just as worthy of a mention.
One of those is Majestic Princess, a vessel that debuted in Shanghai in 2017 as part of Princess Cruises' Royal Class. It was built explicitly for the Chinese market and later shifted to sail from Australia. But with both countries currently closed to cruising, the ship has relocated to North America, sailing a series of Alaska summer voyages and California coastal and Mexican Riviera cruises in winter through 2023.
What's interesting about the ship -- besides the fact that it's finally offering often-overlooked passengers on the U.S. West Coast a new-hardware option -- is that it retains several of the onboard offerings initially intended for the Asian market. Here, I'll tell you all about them and call out a few of the features that have been removed since the ship left China.
Fun features on Majestic Princess
Hollywood Conservatory: Instead of the extra-charge, adults-only Serenity sun deck found on other Princess ships, Majestic Princess is home to the complimentary Hollywood Conservatory. This is a light and airy but shaded observation deck at the very front of Deck 17. From its perch, it offers sweeping sea views with plenty of seating, including private alcoves.
The space also features whimsical faux topiaries of chess pieces (complemented by a giant chessboard) and a dancing family (ironic, as children aren't allowed there). There are also several large xylophones scattered throughout for passengers to play. Their purpose isn't entirely clear, but they do create an air of mystery.
Harmony: This $29-per-person Chinese restaurant originally offered items like jellyfish, abalone and beef tendon. It has since been tweaked for North American palates and now includes items like gourmet crab rangoons, shrimp spring rolls and General Tso's chicken. I ate there for dinner, and it was one of the best meals I had onboard.
The restaurant takes up real estate occupied by Sabatini's Italian eatery on other vessels in the fleet, but fear not: You can get your Italian carb fix at Alfredo's, which serves up delicious free pizza.
VIP Gaming: Because the Chinese market tends toward casino play, there are two casinos onboard. The secondary one, dubbed VIP Gaming, has a small selection of tables for gambling. However, I never actually saw it in use on my sailing, and the space mainly functioned as a bar and lounge area.
Outfitted with comfy seating and a wall full of TVs, the area, adjacent to the Grand Casino, is the ideal outpost for taking advantage of the line's recently announced live sports betting offerings. (Passengers can play casino games and place sports match wagers via the MedallionClass app.)
Additional shopping: All Princess ships have onboard shops, where passengers can buy everything from sundries and logo items to jewelry and purses. But to cater to the Chinese market, Majestic Princess was outfitted with additional retail therapy locations.
Big names abound, including Coach, Bulgari and Cartier -- all of which have dedicated stores -- as well as shops that sell Burberry, Gucci, Lacoste, Ferragamo, Ray-Ban, Prada and more.
Fun features removed from Majestic Princess
Sing on the Sea: A series of dedicated private karaoke suites, collectively called Sing on the Sea, was designed specifically for Chinese passengers.
Since Majestic Princess relocated, they have been replaced; the rooms have been converted into extra spa treatment rooms.
Gong Cha Cafe: Gong Cha Cafe -- located next to entertainment venue Princess Live!, which frequently hosts game shows and trivia -- was a bar that specialized in bubble tea through a partnership with China's land-based Gong Cha.
The enclave is still there, but following the ship's relocation, the cafe was renamed the Princess Live! Cafe, in line with other ships in the fleet. It now serves a variety of coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages. Bubble tea is no longer on the menu.
Tea library: Next to the Deck 5 Piazza's International Cafe, passengers will spot a couple of wooden towers that look like card catalogs from a library. In the vessel's former life, these kiosks held an impressive selection of tea from which passengers were able to choose.
Although they still stand proud, they're empty, and Princess currently has no plans to refill them.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.