‘Majestic Princess’ Brings Majesty of the Med to Dún Laoghaire

The passengers travelling on Princess Cruises‘ Majestic Princess over the past week around Britain and Ireland must have thought they were in the Mediterranean. The weather has been so good that lots of sunscreen was required.

Joan Scales had an opportunity to visit Majestic Princess, on behalf of ITTN, to not only see the ship, but also hear what Princess Cruises and the wider cruise industry are doing to make this form of travel more environmentally efficient.

CLIA and Princess Cruises hosted a meeting on board Majestic Princess to talk about the future of cruising. 

Jeff Corwin, biologist, conservationist, television personality, and an environmental ambassador for Princess Cruises, shared that the current cruise fleet is the most efficient that has ever sailed. Ships are now designed to sail for 25 years through

. onboard efficiencies and recycling of everything from paper to plastic

. sailing efficiencies

. onshore power supply – while on board, we heard Cobh will have it in four years

. shorter journeys

. biodigesters – creating less organic waste

. water treatment programmes, maximising every drop

. future fuels.

It is hard to imagine that in 41 years, from 1985 to 2025 inclusive, passenger numbers have grown from 1.9 million to 37.2 million. I remember one year, writing in awe about 33 cruise ships visiting Ireland.

This year, there will be 311 cruise ship visits to Ireland, and not just to Dublin and Dun Laoghaire – they will visit Waterford, Cobh, Killybegs, and Belfast. Northern Europe is the third most popular destination after the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

What does it feel like aboard a Royal class cruise ship that can accommodate up to 3,500 passengers and has 1,350 smiling crew? The Majestic is 330 metres long and has 19 decks, and the feeling is one of spaciousness.  It is too big to enter Dun Laoghaire Harbour so passengers transferred by speedy tenders.

Though Majestic was launched in 2017, it has had a dry dock update in the past year, giving it a sense off freshness and comfort.  Overall, the feeling is of a plush four-star hotel with soft carpeting, quality furniture, and lots of areas to relax in.

Apart from the very nicely decorated main dining room, there are speciality restaurants such as Sabatini’s for Italian cuisine and Alfredo’s for handmade pizzas. If it’s a steak you fancy, then the Crown Grill will be the place.  Casual dining is available in the International Café.

There are several aquatic areas, indoors and out, with pools and hot tubs.  There’s a pool area for children, along with a variety of age-appropriate clubs and entertainment.

 If you would like to indulge yourself, there is a fine spa using Elemis products, where you can enjoy body and beauty treatments.

In the centre of the ship is a five-story high atrium, adding to the lightness.  Off to one corner is a traditional Irish bar, O’Malley’s, with a good variety of whiskeys available. If you fancy a cocktail, you will find it at Good Spirits at Sea.

There is entertainment every night, with Broadway-style shows in the Princess Theatre and at the Hollywood Pool Club.  Irish comedian Danny O’Brien is currently on tour with Majestic Princess. For those who like a flutter there is a casino on board. Ask you rlocal cruise travel expert for details of cruises with Princess.com.