bradntx

Only the Ultimate package includes specialty coffees and fresh juice. That would be $67 per day including gratuities.

After looking at this and almost adding it to my cruise it came to over $800 for 7 days for 2 people. Looking at it like that I just can't see me spending that much between sodas, water, coffee and booze. Typically I tip a buck a drink for booze when at a bar.

Someone please remind me, when paying as you go do they automatically add a service charge to all alcoholic drinks?

We only have 1 cruise under our belt, wife ate pretty much the same. I probably ate a bit more. For us it was the frozen drinks where we picked up our extra calories. I think I had baked salmon and salad at least 2 nights in the WJ, but also hit up the bread pudding and ice cream for desert. I have dropped over 100lbs over the last 2 years and even though it's available I just have no desire to gorge myself. That big NY strip in chops probably didn't help either.

Trainman, Really enjoying the thread. I came over to cc from corvette forum thanks to a cross post you made when you did the panama canal trip. That thread got me to following cc and where I found the deal for the Navigator cruise we took in May. I had always wanted to take a cruise and the deal we got for the May cruise sealed the deal. RCI should have given you a commission. :D

On that cruise I experienced the on ship wifi and now have an incredible appreciation for anyone willing to spend their time uploading pictures. I do admit it was nice to have an excuse not to log into my work email though.

Often a 4-cup coffee pod for a 1-cup coffee maker.

Yes!! This makes no sense!! I thought those were 4 cup makers when i saw the pod and realized there was no pot. I just kinda assumed I was missing something. I know in some hotel rooms you have a little 4 cup pot to go with those little makers. I went and filled the maker only to realize I didn't have a pot for the coffee to go in. After realizing this made no sense I just got in the habit of walking down to the Promenade Cafe and getting coffee for the wife and I every morning. It was probably faster than making the 1 or 4 cups anyway.

I apologize for not taking the time to provide more details in my previous post.

 

My postings are based on my personal experience and opinions.

 

My sailing on the Navigator June 22, 2014 was less than I expected. Perhaps my expectations were set too high and that is the reason I was left with a sour taste.

 

These were items I addressed in my customer survey.

 

1. More hand sanitizer stations available in more public areas.

2. Drink stations (water/tea) available 24/7 in pool area.

3. Disembarking in Grand Cayman was a disaster. What happened?

4. AC never properly cooled our stateroom. New filter didn't resolve issue. (last day discovered the issue was a large missing piece of rubber insulation along bottom of balcony door).

5. Did anyone else feel RCI was trying to squeeze every dime they could from you? Would have been nice to attend daily activities that didn't have an agenda of "sales".

6. If I am going to pay $8 for a Bloody Mary I would like for it not to be watered down tomato juice.

7. Spa gratuity. 25 percent?! Is that "customary"?

8. Docking in Falmouth was not a trip highlight. Should have booked an excursion.

 

Not everyone wants/needs/expects the same things out of a cruise line so it's great that there are different lines to meet these needs.

 

(my thoughts - :confused: will those who reply to this post refrain from being sarcastic? :confused: did I use enough paragraphs? :confused: )

We were on the 5/25 sailing. Overall I would have to agree with your assessment, however more detail:

1. I found plenty, honestly washing your hands is much more important than purell anyway.

2. I don't know about 24/7 because nothing on the ship is really 24/7 except maybe the casino, but as stated above the distance from the pool area to the WJ is pretty easy.

3. We were on one of the first groups but that was because we had one of those "overpriced" RC sponsored excursions. I don't think I would have been happy with your experience either, however after researching the port I decided it would be best to go with a RC sponsored excursion for this very reason.

4. Agree completely, We were in 9 something starboard side, I do however find I like to sleep cooler than most.

5. Totally agree, it was a little ridiculous but not totally unexpected. They could certainly tone down the "GO! BUY! SPEND!" crap over and over. Coming back from Paradise Beach the cabs intentionally drop you at the RC shopping center, would have been the same in GC but we were one of the last groups to come back so they bypassed the Diamonds International place.

6. I don't think I ever actually had a bloody mary but the consistency of drinks was all over the map for me. I'm not much of a drinker but found the same drink to vary significantly depending on who made it.

7. I saw the spa prices and stayed away from that one. When I can get an awesome full body 1 hour massage at home for $60-$70 I'm not paying what they wanted.

8. Not a highlight for us either but it was again exactly what I expected. For us it was just a chance to stroll and end up at Margaritaville. A couple of Margaritas each and we were back on the ship sleeping it off.

All that being said I'd go back in a second. We got a great price on a JS and for the price we paid I would do it over again. In fact the reason I came to the board today was to do a little reminiscing as I think I got the bug.

This was our first ever cruise so understand it was a newbie's point of view.

Do y'all recommend self-carry disembarking or traditional?

Self carry, go down Monday and pick up tickets and get in the first group. We did and were off the ship and in our car by 7:30, that includes immigration and sitting on the shuttle back to Ez Cruise for 10 minutes. You take the elevator down to deck 4 at 6:30, then roll your bags right off the ship, no stairs.

Are either of these available in the WJ during breakfast on the Navigator? If not in the WJ somewhere else?

Not to hijack the post but I have a follow up question. Why would I leave my luggage to be picked up when I can just roll it off the ship with me when I disembark?

Is this some kind of requirement to have your luggage picked up the night before? I travel with one big bag and I'll have some kind of carry on. When I get off the ship I will be going just down the street to the offsite parking and getting in my car to drive home.

I thought grabbing a lowly JS at those prices was good. Now I'm jealous. This will be our first cruise so it's not like we know the difference. Hope to see you there. May just will not get here fast enough!

Thanks for doing this, I have been waiting to see how the refurb turned out. Can't wait until I get to see for myself in May.

all systems a go!... this will be our first vacation in 3 years

ooh, just put a hold on a 7 day cruise in a JS, I have been watching this time frame for our first cruise, now just gotta convince the wife and look in to the details behind travel insurance. I checked a couple of weeks ago and the prices had gone up pretty significantly. Thanks OP you may have just given me the push for us to book our first cruise.