Review Navigator of the Seas 12/04 - 12/09

First a little background on me: I'm a Cleveland native, live in Miami. I've been on 6 cruises now, all with RCI (Royal Caribbean Intl), 3 Navigator of the Seas, 1 Adventure of the Seas, 1 Explorer of the Seas, 1 Liberty of the Seas. I've cruised starting from 2001-2010 and am 25.

With that stated short of the bingo's and arts and crafts I've experienced a good deal of what many of RCI's ships offer (short of Oasis' and Allure's new offerings) One thing I can tell you off the bat is, even after being 8 years old, Navigator of the Seas is NO SLOUCH! There were some area's I could see some very slight wear, but there are many places with much more wear and tear than this ship! The public spaces for the most part are just as immaculate as they were the first of my three times on this ship. And for anyone who thought that all of RCI's best talent was transferred to Allure and Oasis, your DEAD WRONG. You can obviously see some of the people aren't as good as the lofty standard I've come to expect from RCI but there were a couple others that were way way way better than any other's I've experienced on RCI or anywhere else in the world for that matter!

The transportation to the port royally sucks if you dont either A: take Royal's transfers or B: stay at a local hotel offering a shuttle. As a local I had to take a shuttle to FLL to take a shuttle (my mom stayed at a such hotel) to the port. Local shuttle services do not go from home's or hotel's to the seaport only airport. It wasn't fun! However if you do your research and book a hotel with a shuttle you shouldn't have problems. Also I HIGHLY RECOMMEND FLYING IN A DAY IN ADVANCE!!! This is for multiple reasons, first if your flight is late or delayed a day you have a planned buffer to protect you. Second if luggage is lost by the airline. Usually the time lost or late luggage is delivered in the late afternoon or evening hours. If you arrive the day before, you have a chance to get your bags before shipping out. If you arrive the same day, well not so much. I work for a major hotel in Miami and have worked for RCI as a port agent and have seen it FAR TOO MUCH!!! Transportation by taxi in either city isn't expensive for short distances. However dont take the cheaper flight to Miami for Port Everglades or to Fort Lauderdale for Port of Miami. Taxi's to the respective areas cost 70-100 USD based on traffic!

Embarkation: smooth! Actually very smooth! They caught me by surprise! The last time I sailed out of Port Everglades I absolutely hated it. Port Everglades is finally coming into its own as RCI, Holland America, and Carnival are beginning to base more of their ships there vs Port of Miami. The day we left there were 5 megaships (2 RCI, 1 Holland America, 1 Celebrity, 1 Carnival) in port. Traffic in the port flowed well. Clearance to enter the port likewise flowed well no bottleneck. The buildings now seem to resemble terminals more than just converted warehouses (the feeling I felt before). The feeling still is there but they are so much more efficient with it its not as bad. I'm a Platinum member with them now so I had priority check-in. Really didn't need it. I arrived around 12:30 and while all the agents were occupied when I stepped up, there weren't lines. As usual lines bottlenecked around the seapass machines as some cards didn't work and people stopped to bicker about what to do. Even this did flow ok still.

Activities: I found plenty to do. At first I was slightly bored in port. In port on embark day there's not much to do until after the mandatory muster drill. All the shops are closed same as the casino in a port. Some bars are open same as windjammer. Otherwise no real coordinated activities. So I made a phone call and BS'd a bit while I was still in port and able to get a cell tower not belonging to RCI's $7 + p/minute network. I also went to find if the Auburn SCarolina game or Oregon Oregon State game was going to be shown. This is where I met hands down the best bartender I have ever had. He was patient and non confrontational with the drunks and demanding people in the bar. He was kind and remembered my name from night 1 and forward plus what I drank. One of the bartenders in the Dungeon (dance club) also remembered my drink every night. After embarkation all the fun begins when the ship sets sail. The shows are still excellent. Now thats not to say they are all perfect. I still find show's I'm not enthused over but I'm sure there's people who don't like what I liked and thats what the hospitality business is about. Trying to find things that please all of the masses even if it cant be done all at once (which it usually cant). There were plenty of activities for all types of people. There were sports activities, gaming activities, children activities, trivia, music trivia, karyoke, etc. Its hard to be bored once the ship has left the first port!

Dining: This is one area I was somewhat disappointed about. In the past I found that I enjoyed the food from the Windjammer and Main Dining Room (MDR). I found that the Windjammer was lacking in taste compared to MDR. Also I was less than thrilled with the service in Windjammer all day and the MDR for breakfast. Evening service as usual was above average which of course is par for RCI.

Shore excursions: I've been to cozumel 3 times now. I've done the ATV jungle and the Jeep experience. First I'd like to say for the ATV jungle tour, if you're not an adventurous person wanting to learn something new, not somewhat in shape/athletic, or experienced with ATV's this isnt for you. The first one I did was somewhat challenging but the one I did this time was very challenging. I had others who did ATV's many more times than I who said the same. It was fun but I imagine for the lady who was struggling along (even thats putting it gently) it wasnt fun for her and probably was a waste of money (80 USD). If your in shape and down for some adventure its fun to learn and experience. Lastly for the ATV one the ATV's are semi-automatic, meaning there's no clutch but you still shift up and down. For the Jeep experience (last year '09) the Jeeps are MANUAL! If you cannot drive a manual transmission (stick shift) either find someone who does or you might not wish to go. The course isn't super super challenging but some parts can be. The better your 'driver' the softer the ride. I recommend someone who has experience in stop and go traffic on a stick take the wheel as there is much shifting up and down and quick reflexes will be needed. Both excursions were a great time for me, but you should plan in advance by reading BEFORE you get to the ship. DO NOT BOOK BEFORE ENTERING THE SHIP (unless you've done that exact excursion before) Your first day will usually be an 'At Sea' day. That day usually the excursion desk is busy with people booking for the next port. However the embarkation day usually there's a few hours it'll be open. There'll be modest lines but most excursions wont be sold out! Book what you want on that day. If you book in advance and misunderstand you're not getting anything. If you talk to them on the ship there's still the chance you get squat but there's a larger chance they'll have compassion and do something if they remembered you asked them questions and maybe they made a mistake (it happens we're all human). I found they are completely willing to take time (within reason, dont milk it they have 3k + to deal with) and explain their experience with the tour and what they've seen and experienced to help you book. Lastly, be smart with excursions. I recommend sticking with the cruise line. If something happens on their tour and you don't return in time, RCI will help in someway otherwise you're out on your own if you found your own tour operator.

Stateroom: The cabin was great. If you have a D1 cabin 1388 is a pretty good choice. Balcony is definitely larger than average due to its position at the rear of the ship. The cabin (perhaps I'm wrong but I dont think so) also felt larger than the average. Downside, you're at the opposite end of the ship from the Metropolis theatre and nightclub. Positive your one deck from the windjammer for breakfast and lunch, one deck from open air deck 11 for sun lounging and pool swimming, 3 decks from the sports court, 4 decks from sports bar. This basically means you can walk to most of the public areas on the stairs when those elevators back up (which they will)

Entertainment: Entertainment was spectacular this trip. Like I said it comes and goes because they want to please as many as possible which will always leave some people unpleased. We had a guy named Finest Hanson who was great! He was a voice impersonator singer. And to tell ya the truth he had it nailed for many of the people he impersonated. He did NSync, Elvis, Ray Charles, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Rocky, and many others. About 1 hours worth of songs and maybe 10 min of talking. He was amusing as well. I always sit in the row thats interrupted by the sound board because its one of the best seats in the theatre. I kept looking at the sound board because I'm a skeptic. I believe the worst before the best. And I couldnt find any place in which it looked like something was being played for him to lipsync with. I think he's the real deal and if he's not he's pretty damn close and really damn good! The late night comic was good too, of course not for all. If your not cool with R rated comedy dont go, you'll probably be offended. For the rest, the guy was good, I only wish I remembered the name. Of course there's the Quest which is amusing.

Overall I rate this voyage: 8.5/10

I'll be putting up compasses of my trip soon on the boards so if you're interested look for those. Along with some pictures.

Glad you enjoyed your trip, we'll be on her in January. Also glad you enjoyed your corner aft, we'll have 7688. Can't wait to see some pics.

Thanks for your review, I will be sailing on the NOS in Feb.

Looking forward in seeing your pics and looking at the compasses. :)

nice job

Also, I'd like to debunk a myth I saw a thread about. I had washcloths left in my room every night. So either it was a test run and its over and they decided against it or the stateroom attendant was pulling the person's leg.

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to the compasses.

Great review, thanks for posting.

We'll be boarding on the 18th. Tell me, who is the CD and is he/she up to par? So used to Ken Rush/Richard Spacey so I know those shoes are quite difficult to fill. However, a top notch CD does make the cruise all the better.

Nice review. Thank you.

Thanks for the review. We are sailing on the 7 night, January 3rd cruise.

We were on the same cruise. I have read a couple different reviews that have posted and agree with both posters on almost all aspects. Would take this cruise again in a heartbeat.

Concerning washclothes.....some staterooms did receive washclothes, some did not. We talked with many first time cruisers and if they did not have them in the room all they had to do was ask and they received them. We had a promenade room and had washclothes the entire time.

Simeon Baker was the CD but he left during disembarkation for some time off. I'm uncertain who took his place.

New carpeting was laid on part of the port 6th deck during the cruise. It was abit inconvenient to walk to/from the room as the staff was at work but we received nothing but smiles & apologies for the mess. Their is a very noticeable difference with the new padding compared to other parts of the ship, very plush now.

I wonder if I were to call C&A about the CD they would know? :confused:

We'll be going on the Navigator at the end of January! Thanks for the review! Could you tell me what night was formal night? It's just shirt, tie, jacket for men right?

nice and very helpfull rewiew,

I just booked my trip on Navigator of the Seas jan.3-d 2011 and feel very excited to get on her! This will be my 1-t time on Royal Car.cruise line. before I had 2 on NCL / 2009-Norw.Pear,2010 nov14-19-Norw.Dawn/,love ther free style cruise and now looking forward to get new expiriense with RCC.Was kind scare to have breakfast,lunch,dinner in same place,same table,everything same...After reading your rewiew got more relaxing:)

Thanks

Great review, thanks for the info.

New carpeting was laid on part of the port 6th deck during the cruise. It was abit inconvenient to walk to/from the room as the staff was at work but we received nothing but smiles & apologies for the mess. Their is a very noticeable difference with the new padding compared to other parts of the ship, very plush now.

Our cabin is on deck 6 - nice to know about the new carpet.

We are leaving for Fort Lauderdale tomorrow and leave on our cruise on the 18th. I was wondering a few things--

1. I have never done a non-reserved time slot for dinner (we have an earlier seating-6 pm.) because I've found it keeps our group of 6 on schedule and we can hit the shows after dinner. Should I re-think this logic--how is the dine whenever you want option?

2. Which is the best day to do the speciality restaurants?

3. What is your opinion of the Italian restaurant and the Steakhouse?

4. Is there a formal night? Deck party? Late night buffet?

Thanks,

Thanks for the great review. I look forward to the photos and compasses! Ryan