Norwegian Majesty

MS "Norwegian Majesty" is a cruise ship owned by Louis Cruise Lines, under charter to Norwegian Cruise Line until December 2009. She was originally ordered by Birka Line as MS "Birka Queen" from the Wärtsilä Marine Turku Shipyard in Finland, but completed by Kvaerner Masa-Yards as MS "Royal Majesty" for Majesty Cruise Line. In 1997 she was sold to Norwegian Cruise Line and lengthened by convert|33.76|m|ftin|abbr=on at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Concept and construction

The "Birka Queen" was ordered by Birka Line for short cruises out of Stockholm as a running mate to MS|Birka Princess. The ship was ordered from Wärtsilä Marine, but the shipyard went bankrupt in 1990. Operations were soon reorganized under the name of Masa-Yards, [cite book |title=Siljan viisi vuosikymmentä |last=Malmberg |first=Thure |coauthors=Stampehl, Marko |year=2007 |publisher=Frenckellin Kirjapaino Oy |location=Espoo |isbn=978-951-98405-7-4 |language=Finnish/English |pages=pp. 153-154 ] but the price of the ship was increased in the process, and Birka therefore refused to take delivery. Instead, the build contact was sold to Majesty Cruise Line, who took delivery of the ship on July 2 1992, renaming her "Royal Majesty".

ervice history

Following delivery, the "Royal Majesty" set on her maiden voyage, a transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York City, on July 7 1992. She was officially christened in New York City on July 21 1992. Following this, she was used on three- and four-night cruises out of Florida. In 1995 she initiated a new northern hemisphere summer season itenary with cruises from Boston to St. George's, Bermuda, returning to Florida for the winter season. In September 1995 she participated in an expedition to the sinking site of RMS|Titanic, spending five days at the site with many survivors from the famous ship onboard, while parts of the "Titanic" were being salvaged.cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/RoyalMajesty.html |title="Royal Majesty" |accessdate=2008-04-23 |date= |last=Boyle |first=Ian |format= |work=Simplon Postcards |language= ]
Majesty Cruise Line ceased operations at the end of the 1997 summer season, and the "Royal Majesty" was sold to Norwegian Cruise Line. [cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/MajestyCruiseLine.html |title=Majesty Cruise Line |accessdate=2008-04-23 |date= |last=Boyle |first=Ian |format= |work=Simplon Postcards |language= ] She was renamed "Norwegian Majesty", and in 1999 she received a convert|33.76|m|ftin|abbr=on lengthening at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. Similar lenghtenings had been carried out on NCL's "Dreamward" and "Windward" the previous year. The lengthening of the Norwegian Majesty however was more technically complicated than those of the other ships, as she had not been designed for such an operation.

In 2004 the ownership of the "Norwegian Majesty" was transferred to NCL's parent company Star Cruises in preparation for potential transfer to the Star Cruises fleet or sale at a later date. She remained in NCL service without other changes. On April 23, 2008 the "Norwegian Majesty", alongside her fleetmate "Norwegian Dream", were sold to the Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines. Louis Cruise Lines had reportedly outbid International Shipping Partners with their offer of $162 million. [cite web |url=http://dougnewmanatsea.com/2008/04/18/seatrade-pride-of-america-not-sold/ |title=Seatrade: Pride of America Not Sold |accessdate=2008-04-19 |date=2008-04-18 |last=Newman |first=Doug |work=At Sea with Doug Newman |publisher= ] The deal was completed on July 29, 2008, but the "Norwegian Majesty" will be chartered back to Norwegian Cruise Line until December 2009. [cite web|url=http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/star-cruises-218m-norwegian-dream-sale-fails/20017575692.htm|title=Star Cruises $218m Norwegian Dream sale fails|last=Hand|first=Marcus|date=2008-09-30|publisher="Lloyd's List"|accessdate=2008-09-30]

Decks and facilities

As "Norwegian Majesty"

Only including decks accessible to passengers.

3. "Caribbean Deck" - Outside and inside cabins
4. "Biscayne Deck" - Hospital, outside and inside cabins
5. "Atlantic Deck" - Nightclub, bars, shops, games arcade, library, card room, internet café, dining rooms, bistro, cafeteria, sundeck
6. "Majesty Deck" - Casino, bar, showroom, suites, outside and inside cabins
7. "Promenade Deck" - Sauna, gym, discothèque, outside and inside cabins, sundeck
8. "Viking Deck" - Bridge, outside cabins, sundeck
9. "Norway Deck" - Observation lounge, children's playroom, suites, outside cabins, sundeck, swimming pool
10. "Sun Deck" - Buffet restaurant, outdoors cafeteria, bar, sundeck, swimming pools
11. "Sky Deck" - Sundeck [cite web |url=http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/fleet/deckplan.html?shipCode=MAJESTY |title="Norwegian Majesty" - deck plans |accessdate=2008-04-23 |format= |work= |publisher=Norwegian Cruise Line ]

Current Cruises

The Norwegian Majesty is based in Charleston, South Carolina during the winter months and sails a variety of Caribbean itineraries. During the spring and summer months, she is based in Baltimore, Maryland and sails 7-day cruises to Bermuda.

References

External links

* [http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/fleet/shipInformation.html;jsessionid=LP7DTnpyxYDvTZPLz4tbYThj8fg0nnHy!-604855725?shipCode=MAJESTY Norwegian Cruise Line official website for "Norwegian Majesty"]
* [http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=43 CruiseCritic.com review]