Talk to me about Navigator

[spookwife]

out of the blue last night my husband suggested we take a cruise in January since the rest of 2015 is a complete bust for vacation due to his work.

 

ended up on the 18 January W. Caribbean on Navigator, which is within driving distance. previously we have only sailed GR and EN, so this new class of ship excites us.

 

already on the roll call too

 

how's the CL and Concierge? It's one deck down on nine but no view? is there a bar in house, or does the bartender have to schlep somewhere for DH's Jack and Coke and my Red wine?

 

 

any special locales for suite Breakfast like Chops?

 

what's the overall vibe/dress.. casual with Formal nights being more jackets and dress shirts, or will Tuxes/full suits and ties be the norm? normally he's in Dinner Mess dress and kilt, with me matching the Tartan in a formal gown. but if that is overkill, he has plenty of jackets to choose from and I have some nicer party dresses.

 

what is your favorite part of the Promenade?

 

any shows worth the effort to see? Could not pre reserve anything. I hear the ice show is a must do.

 

we have MTD and will likely split the difference for a nightly reservation.

 

since this is so last minute, I won't have time to save up for the on board expenses. With the exception of Sabor we have eaten (and loved) the specialties but unless we get a really good deal(like BOGOHO) we will probably forego the pleasure of izumi. same with Drink package since the nightly cocktail hour more than suffices for us. we no longer do the Spa thing as we are spoiled with the prices of our monthly massages at home. anything I need to worry about as far as extra fees? ( no I won't eat at JR since I don't eat there on shore) Have they really discontinued the corkage fee for the MDR? since we are driving I am wanting to bring my two bottles on board. Don't want to spend the next six months paying of the credit card, you know? heheh

 

first time to Cozumel and Falmouth although we have hit Grand Cayman before.

the shore excursions don't terribly excite me as advertised, but is there stuff off the grid to do?

[MellowMel]

I was on Navigator in October. The concierge was very nice and accommodating. There is no view but there is a great view in the Diamond Lounge. The bar is in house and the bartenders were fabulous.

 

Chops has breakfast for suite guests.

 

There was a little bit of everything for formal night.

 

I didn't have a favorite part of the Promenade. It's a lot like the Voyager.

 

The ice show was the best I have ever seen. The other shows were fine. I really liked the one that featured the special ballroom dancers.

 

Sabor was amazing. We ate their twice. Giovani's Table was also well worth it. Sabor did a guacamole demonstration by the pool one day. I didn't make it there but it would be worth it because their guacamole is that good!

 

We booked independently at Nachi Cocum in Cozumel. You can look them up online. It was an amazing destination and I'd do it again. I've done some great excursions in Cozumel from the mini powerboats, to a cooking class and beach buggy excursion. I haven't been to Falmouth.

 

Enjoy!

[MellowMel]

I forgot to say how amazingly friendly the crew was. They could not have been nicer and happier.

[George C]

Totally agree on the ice show and as suite guest there are some great seats that are reserved for the gold card.

RCCL does not enforce any dress codes and there were people in shorts and t-shirts in MDR, not many. Very few Tuxs on formal night but there were a few ( I still bring mine)

Concierge lounge was crowded on most nights hard to get a seat, diamond club was much nicer with great view.

Chops can be used for breakfast and they also served lunch there ( only a few days ) but even when there was no lunch served there it was still nice to sit in that area

Love Cozumel many things to do, like the restaurants and bars many with live music

Falmouth was nice , real nice Margaretville with swimming pool

There was also a dinner with the ships officers including wine for suite guests that was very nice there was a officer at each table.

Perks for the suite were real nice, we booked another cruise on same ship for April

[footzz]

If you plan on going to the ice show, get your tickets early. It's very popular and usually filled to capacity.

 

FYI: Tickets were available from about 1-3 pm on embarkation day at a table in the Royal Promenade.

[George C]

If you plan on going to the ice show, get your tickets early. It's very popular and usually filled to capacity.

 

FYI: Tickets were available from about 1-3 pm on embarkation day at a table in the Royal Promenade.

 

This is not needed for people in GS and above

[39august]

The suite dinner with officers and wine is no longer held on Navigator. This is at the discretion of the hotel director. The current hotel director does only the cocktail party with officers for suite guests. Your gold card is your pass into the ice show. No tickets needed. Good reserved seats for gold cards at the ice show. Just show up about 15 minutes before the show, as nearer to show time, that area is opened for all other cruisers. Same with the reserved suite seats in the balcony for theater shows. If you are Diamond, I believe you will like the Diamond club more than the concierge lounge, for the view if nothing else. If you are lucky enought to be on board with Nadja as Diamond concierge, you are in for a treat. The entire staff is very friendly. Cooked to order breakfast for suites is in Chops daily. On sea days, there is a limited cooked to order lunch there as well. Chops will be your meeting place for departure day. We were in a GS last week, and our departure was very smooth and quick. We left Chops at 8:30 and were off the ship and getting in a taxi by 9:10. Navigator's decor is quite beautiful.

[George C]

The suite dinner with officers and wine is no longer held on Navigator. This is at the discretion of the hotel director. The current hotel director does only the cocktail party with officers for suite guests. Your gold card is your pass into the ice show. No tickets needed. Good reserved seats for gold cards at the ice show. Just show up about 15 minutes before the show, as nearer to show time, that area is opened for all other cruisers. Same with the reserved suite seats in the balcony for theater shows. If you are Diamond, I believe you will like the Diamond club more than the concierge lounge, for the view if nothing else. If you are lucky enought to be on board with Nadja as Diamond concierge, you are in for a treat. The entire staff is very friendly. Cooked to order breakfast for suites is in Chops daily. On sea days, there is a limited cooked to order lunch there as well. Chops will be your meeting place for departure day. We were in a GS last week, and our departure was very smooth and quick. We left Chops at 8:30 and were off the ship and getting in a taxi by 9:10. Navigator's decor is quite beautiful.

 

to bad about the dinner with the officers, it was really nice, hopefully they will bring it back

[ssb]

Galveston cruiser and I will be on the 18th with you.

And have cruised voyager class many times.

The closer we get lets communicate on roll call .

And we live in Galveston a few blocks from terminal.

Just had a second so later . Thanks

Edited December 10, 2014 by ssb

[spookwife]

Alas we are lowly Platinum( although we will be emerald after this cruise) so no Diamond Lounge for us.

 

that suite dinner sounded great, I will be sorry to not have the opportunity.

 

good to know we don't have to rush on board to get ice show tickets; since his sister is in Houstan we may time it so we miss the initial crush of people trying to check in/get on board and maybe get there a little after noon. I don't suppose there is a Park Cafe or equivalent? I have a sort of love affair with the Beef on Wecks....

 

I guess I will let Mr Spook determine how formal he wants to go.

 

Thanks for the info so far!

[39august]

No Park Cafe, but there are very good sandwiches in the Promenade Cafe. My husband likes the beef and the chichen wrap, which is very spicey. I like the shrimp salad and the turkey.

[krugs84]

We love the Martini Bar on Celebrity, is there something similar on Navigator? Sailing on Jan. 4.

 

 

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Edited December 10, 2014 by krugs84

[39august]

The R Bar specializes in martinis and there is a martini of the day there. Don't know anything about the martini bar on X.

[krugs84]

For Nachi-Cocum, is transportation from and back to the ship included?

 

 

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[bighairtexan]

If Phil ANderson is in the Schooner bar it will be a really lively place. I just got off this past Sunday and he packed people in there every night he played. He does a bit of C/W but really all sorts of music so if you don't like country, not to worry.

 

Bubba Feathers also has quite a following and he has a pretty good band and is just a lot of fun. There was also a Caribbean band that played both on deck and in various venues. Also a female vocalist/guitarist who was usually in the pub.

 

As well as breakfast, you can have lunch in Chops every day. Steak, chicken or salmon grilled, as well as a daily special. Small salad and dessert bar, it was never crowded when we went.

 

We ordered breakfast from the MDR and it was delivered VERY quickly and was hot. Just a FYI my friend wanted pancakes and she did the ordering. THey asked her how many pancakes and she said "3 please." Well in addition to the other items there were 3 PLATES of pancakes! :eek: I wanted eggs benedict so when asked she told them TWO so you guessed it. We had our 3 PLATES of pancakes as well as 2 PLATES of eggs benedict. They brought so many plates it looked Like an army invaded our suite or something.

 

PS: For nachi you have to grab a cab. There will be a huge taxi line but it goes really fast.

Edited December 10, 2014 by bighairtexan

[George C]

Disagree about the Piano player, I am hoping he will not be on my next cruise, thought all the music was too much country and western, but I know it changes from week to week.

[SuiteTraveler]

 

We ordered breakfast from the MDR and it was delivered VERY quickly and was hot. Just a FYI my friend wanted pancakes and she did the ordering. THey asked her how many pancakes and she said "3 please." Well in addition to the other items there were 3 PLATES of pancakes! :eek: I wanted eggs benedict so when asked she told them TWO so you guessed it. We had our 3 PLATES of pancakes as well as 2 PLATES of eggs benedict. They brought so many plates it looked Like an army invaded our suite or something.

 

 

What a hilarious story about Room Service! Thank goodness your friend didn't ask for 6 pancakes! LOL!

[39august]

Bubba Feathers Band exited NOS on Dec. 7 and will return in mid-February. So maybe no C&W band in the interim. Tho' I like Bubba for the rock they do as well as C&W.

[TexCruise371]

Sailed on Navigator in October and we had a great time. The concierge and CL were great with drinks always ready and great conversation with fellow passengers :)

 

I have to agree with previous posters regarding Sabor..........awesome and be sure to try the cucumber, jalapeño margarita.......or three :p

 

We also had a wonderful meal in Chops but really, really enjoyed Giovanni's :D

 

The casino was actually fairly friendly too.

 

Embarkation and debarkation went really smooth.

 

Enjoy your cruise!:D

[Ladysilver]

Bubba Feathers Band exited NOS on Dec. 7 and will return in mid-February. So maybe no C&W band in the interim. Tho' I like Bubba for the rock they do as well as C&W.

 

Good....I'm ready for something different. We've seen him twice this past year. :)

[George C]

Bubba Feathers Band exited NOS on Dec. 7 and will return in mid-February. So maybe no C&W band in the interim. Tho' I like Bubba for the rock they do as well as C&W.

 

I not big on country but I thought they were ok, also they had several others bands playing at same venue which had the best bartenders

[cpayne]

Just booked last nt for the 2/15 sailing. Our 1st rear facing aft balcony so excited about that aspect!

 

I assume there is self disembark? If so, has anyone used this and approx what time were you off the ship?

 

Any idea about the cost for Sabor or is it based on the menu(s) items you order?

 

Thanks.

[spookwife]

i We had our 3 PLATES of pancakes as well as 2 PLATES of eggs benedict. They brought so many plates it looked Like an army invaded our suite or something.

 

 

ya KnowI am perfectly okay with two plates of eggs benedict heheheh

[frawnsay]

For Nachi-Cocum, is transportation from and back to the ship included?

 

 

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From other threads, I've read that Nachi Cocum requires a taxi ride. A picture posted of a pricing list said that from port to the resort, a ride was $17 one way. We're planning on heading there ourselves when we sail this summer!

[AustinCruise]

Just booked last nt for the 2/15 sailing. Our 1st rear facing aft balcony so excited about that aspect!

 

 

 

I assume there is self disembark? If so, has anyone used this and approx what time were you off the ship?

 

 

 

Any idea about the cost for Sabor or is it based on the menu(s) items you order?

 

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

I believe sabor was $20 plus drinks. They frequently offer specials.