Majesty Cruise Line

Majesty Cruise Line was a Norwegian cruise line established in 1992 by Dolphin Cruise Line as a more upmarket cruise brand. Its operations centered initially on Royal Majesty, a ship whose construction had originally been ordered by Swedish operator Birka Line for short 24-hour cruises from Stockholm. After the shipbuilder Wärtsilä entered bankruptcy, the construction contract was resold and the vessel entered service for Majesty instead. Royal Majesty operated three- and four-night cruises from Florida during the brand's early period. In 1995, Majesty expanded its seasonal itinerary with a summer service from Boston to Bermuda. Unlike many Bermuda cruises that called at Hamilton, the route terminated at St. George's. The ship returned to Florida for the winter season, giving the brand a seasonal operating pattern split between the southeastern United States and New England–Bermuda itineraries. The line's most significant operational incident occurred in June 1995, when Royal Majesty grounded on Rose and Crown Shoal near Nantucket. The vessel was reportedly about 17 miles off its intended course. The grounding was attributed to a combination of faulty GPS information and inadequate bridge watchkeeping. Royal Majesty remained in the area for approximately 24 hours before tugs freed it. The incident later became relevant to wider discussions of bridge automation, navigation practices, and the need for effective human monitoring of electronic systems. Majesty expanded its fleet in 1997 when Crown Majesty, previously known as Crown Dynasty, was added for that year's cruise season. The ship continued the itinerary program associated with its previous operation. At the end of the 1997 season, both vessels moved into Norwegian Cruise Line's operations. Royal Majesty was sold to NCL and renamed Norwegian Majesty, while Crown Majesty's charter was transferred to NCL. These changes effectively ended Majesty Cruise Line as an independent brand. The brand is therefore historically significant mainly as a short-lived premium-oriented cruise venture and as a predecessor operation absorbed by Norwegian Cruise Line.

Majesty Cruise Line was founded in 1992 by Dolphin Cruise Line as an intended premium or more upmarket brand within the cruise industry. Its first vessel was Royal Majesty. The ship had originally been ordered by Birka Line for 24-hour cruises departing from Stockholm, but the failure of shipbuilder Wärtsilä resulted in the construction contract being resold. The vessel was subsequently completed for Majesty's use. Royal Majesty's initial business consisted of three- and four-night cruises departing from Florida. In 1995, the company added a summer route from Boston to Bermuda, with St. George's as the destination port rather than Hamilton. The ship returned to Florida during the winter, creating a seasonal deployment pattern that linked the company's operations to two established North American cruise markets. In June 1995, Royal Majesty grounded on Rose and Crown Shoal near Nantucket Island. Reports described the ship as approximately 17 miles off course. The incident was associated with faulty GPS equipment and insufficient watchkeeping on the bridge. Royal Majesty remained grounded or stranded for roughly 24 hours before tugs removed it. The case was later discussed in literature concerning automation on the bridge and the relationship between electronic navigation systems and human oversight. Majesty's fleet grew in 1997 with the addition of Crown Majesty, a ship previously named Crown Dynasty. During the 1997 season, it continued the cruise operations that had been planned under its former identity. At the end of that season, the two ships were integrated into Norwegian Cruise Line's operations. Royal Majesty was sold to NCL and renamed Norwegian Majesty. Crown Majesty's charter was transferred to NCL. This fleet and operational transfer brought the independent Majesty Cruise Line brand to an end.

• 1997

  Crown Majesty joins the fleet

  [1]Majesty Cruise Lineen.wikipedia.org

  Crown Dynasty is added under the name Crown Majesty for the 1997 season.

• 1997

  Brand operations are absorbed by Norwegian Cruise Line

  [1]Majesty Cruise Lineen.wikipedia.org

  Royal Majesty and Crown Majesty move into Norwegian Cruise Line's operations, ending Majesty's independent existence.

• 1995

  Boston–Bermuda service begins

  [1]Majesty Cruise Lineen.wikipedia.org

  Majesty introduces a summer Boston–Bermuda itinerary terminating at St. George's.

• 1995

  Royal Majesty grounds near Nantucket

  [1]Majesty Cruise Lineen.wikipedia.org

  Royal Majesty grounds on Rose and Crown Shoal after a navigation failure involving faulty GPS and inadequate watchkeeping.

• 1992

  Majesty Cruise Line is founded

  [1]Majesty Cruise Lineen.wikipedia.org

  Dolphin Cruise Line establishes Majesty Cruise Line as a more upmarket cruise brand.

• 1992

  Royal Majesty enters service

  [1]Majesty Cruise Lineen.wikipedia.org

  Royal Majesty becomes the brand's first ship and begins short-cruise operations from Florida.

A more upmarket cruise brand offering short leisure cruises from Florida and seasonal Boston–Bermuda service.

• Cruise ship · 1992

  Royal Majesty

  Majesty Cruise Line's first and principal vessel. Originally ordered by Birka Line for short cruises from Stockholm, the ship entered Majesty service after the construction contract was resold following Wärtsilä's bankruptcy. Royal Majesty operated three- and four-night cruises from Florida and later provided the brand's seasonal Boston–Bermuda service. In 1997, it was sold to Norwegian Cruise Line and renamed Norwegian Majesty.

• Cruise ship · 1997

  Crown Majesty

  A cruise ship formerly known as Crown Dynasty. It joined Majesty Cruise Line for the 1997 season and continued the operations planned under its previous name. At the end of that season, its charter was transferred to Norwegian Cruise Line.

• 1997

  Addition of Crown MajestyProduct launch

  Background

  Majesty expanded beyond its original one-ship operation for the 1997 season.

  Action taken

  The former Crown Dynasty was introduced as Crown Majesty.

  Aftermath

  Crown Majesty operated under the brand for one season before its charter was transferred to Norwegian Cruise Line.

  Source

• 1997

  Transfer of the fleet to Norwegian Cruise LineM&A

  Background

  Majesty Cruise Line's independent operation concluded after the 1997 cruise season.

  Action taken

  Royal Majesty was sold to Norwegian Cruise Line and renamed Norwegian Majesty, while Crown Majesty's charter was transferred to NCL.

  Aftermath

  The Majesty Cruise Line brand ceased operating as an independent cruise line.

  Source

• 1995

  Seasonal expansion to Boston–Bermuda serviceStrategy

  Background

  After operating short cruises from Florida, Majesty sought a summer deployment in the northeastern United States.

  Action taken

  The company opened a Boston–Bermuda route calling at St. George's and returned Royal Majesty to Florida for the winter.

  Aftermath

  The route created a seasonal operating pattern for the brand, although the available source material does not provide performance or financial results.

  Source

1. 1Majesty Cruise Lineen.wikipedia.org
2. 2On your Watch: Automation on the Bridgedoi.org