Just back from Navigator Cruise - March 8th trip

[levonfan]

Well we are back on dry land and we hated to leave but are glad we are back on dry land. There were 8 of us in our group, including one person (my brother in law) who had never cruised or been out of the country before.

 

To start, my cruise did not start the way I wanted. I got food poisoning the Friday before we left and I felt horrible on Sunday still. It took until Tuesday before I was at 90%.

 

We arrived in Galveston around 11:00 Sunday morning and parked at EZ Cruise. It was easy to drop the bags off and our wives and then come back to the dock. We easily got on board without any troubles.

 

We had room 8334 just behind the hump. This would come in handy as part of the week was really windy, but seemed to not be too bad on our deck. The room was in a good location as well just down from the elevators. Our room steward Adele, was great and always willing to help.

 

 

We went around the ship before we left to check a few things out.

 

 

As we left Galveston we were able to see the Elissa

 

 

The first couple of days, again I was not feeling my best, just worn out. We just hung around the pool the majority of the time. It was extremely windy but sunny. We also hung out on our deck. We had three adjoining rooms and we asked that they open the partitions between our rooms and they did without hesitation. This made it really nice on late evenings watching the sun go down.

 

 

The ship itself was very nice. The crew was exceptional. I was a little worried going during Spring Break, but to be honest it wasn't that bad. We did hear about one group supposedly getting kicked off in Cozumel because a couple of college kids attempted to climb the radio tower.

[levonfan]

Here are some pictures from around the ship....in no particular order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[levonfan]

 

 

Yes they still do the towel animals, but not every night.

 

[gambler]

Nice pictures. Thank-you, Can't wait for more

[levonfan]

We had a set dinner time of 8:00 and to be honest it worked for us, because by the end of the day, especially if coming back from excursions, it helped to be able to wind down before dinner. The food was ok, and nothing overly amazing, but the service we received from our waiters Yasin and Ivan was great!

 

We did eat at Sabor on Tuesday evening. I was finally feeling well enough to eat a little more and was glad that I was. We were apprehensive about Mexican food seeing as we are Texans, but everyone loved everything they had. The Margaritas were pretty tasty as was the guacamole.

 

Our table for 8

 

Guacamole being made at the table.

 

 

Queso Flamiado....very good

 

Enchilladas....wife loved them

 

I forget what this was exactly but my mother in law loved it

[Riverz]

Great pictures so far. Subscribed. Hope to see more

 

Sent from my Samsung Note Edge

[levonfan]

 

My barbacoa tacos....I wasn't too impressed with these, but I was so stuffed from the appetizers and chips that I didn't eat all of it.

 

For dessert they bring out a tray filled with all sorts of tastings. The one at the back in the spoon was my favorite....some sort of coffee creme brulee....great!

[George C]

great review, we had same feeling about Sabor living in Dallas but so many other Texans loved this place that we may have to try it next month, we did love the Italian place and Izumi and will do both of them at least once.

[levonfan]

We did see a few shows while we were on board, but I forgot to take my camera to all of them....that is what happens after a few too many boat drinks!

 

The magic show was entertaining....

 

They had a former American Idol contestant one night perform, I enjoyed the show and he sounded great and was very energetic.

 

The ice show was really awesome as it always is.

 

The final night we went and saw the Divas of Soul ( I think that was their name). They weren't the greatest thing but if you have an hour to kill before dinner it was ok. One of the performers was really good, just wish they had let her sing the majority of the songs.

 

 

*****My uncle and aunt did go to Giovanis for lunch one day and they raved about it, said it was really outstanding. I wanted to go try Izumi, but the wife hates sushi and I never got up there by myself.

 

Any other questions anyone has....feel free to ask and I'll try to answer them if I can.

Edited March 16, 2015 by levonfan

[ARCruisinNana]

Thanks for your review. I'll be on Navigator next Sunday doing your same itinerary. I'm looking forward to the rest of your review[emoji572]️

[levonfan]

First stop....Roatan!

 

WOW! It was an amazing port, very very pretty. We choose to go snorkeling with the Jolly Roger excursion through the boat. It was some great snorkeling and afterward we were treated to lunch and Rum Punch! Probably way too much Rum Punch...HA!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[levonfan]

 

 

Our boat was a little different but this was the area we were in

 

 

[levonfan]

Second stop was Belize. We chose to do Dark Knight Cave Tubing through the ship excursions. The wife really wanted to do cave tubing, but was afraid we might get stuck if we did through an outside company.

 

The excursion was a lot of fun but filled up the entire day. I don't have pics of the actual cave tubing because I haven't had my water camera developed yet. It took about an hour and half to drive out to the caves. We went on an older bus. The tour guide and bus driver were really great and gave us a lot of information about Belize. The country seems really poor especially once you get outside of the main city. The people were all very nice to us though.

 

Our bus...

 

Some bumpy roads

 

 

 

Lunch after the tour

 

 

They had a small market area outside where we ate lunch with some items for sale

Edited March 16, 2015 by levonfan

[levonfan]

I was able to get some shots of the people in Belize from the bus...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our tour guide and bus driver were telling us about the different foods and we started talking about Tamales...they asked if we wanted to try some real Belize tamales and of course we said yes. So on the way back to the ship we went through a neighborhood and they stopped and bought some for us...$1 a piece and they were huge.

 

[levonfan]

Again these tamales were huge! They were very very tasty though!

 

 

Belize was pretty, but only in certain areas we saw. We were told that the Key islands are where most of the resorts are and that they are very very pretty.

 

 

[levonfan]

Last stop....Cozumel. We booked Nachi Cocom because we just wanted a day of relaxation on the beach. The wait for a taxi to go there was a bit long and the ride itself was only about 15 min.

 

The resort was nice. They had good service and kept bringing us drink after drink. The food was also above average. The water felt great as well!

 

 

 

 

I have no idea who these shots are for....bad people...bad!

 

 

[levonfan]

 

 

 

Finally.....it was interesting to see the Navigator up next to the Allure.

 

 

 

And two final notes about Cozumel...

One I hate that you have to go through Mexican customs to get back onto the boat. Long long lines, and I honestly don't see a reason for it.

 

Second...some people were worried about the time change and how it affects your ship in Cozumel. They are as of now the same time as Central US time, so the same exact time as it is in Galveston.

 

Again...great cruise we had a blast, and again I can answer any questions anyone might have.

[vettecruiser1]

great review, we had same feeling about Sabor living in Dallas but so many other Texans loved this place that we may have to try it next month, we did love the Italian place and Izumi and will do both of them at least once.

 

 

I too tried sabor last week and if you have ever been to cantina Laredo in Dallas then you will know what to expect in sabor. It is not tex-mex but true authentic Mexican food made with locally grown food. It is now my most favorite place since they took away portifinos. All though the chef in Giovanni's was a chef in portifinos and when I asked for a dish that I remembered from that old menu he actually made and for that he was awarded the coveted WOW card!

[dreday3]

I just wanted to post to say you take really great pictures. :)

[Whittyone]

You are sure making me wish April 5th would get here a little sooner!

Nice review, and pictures!

[pspercy]

 

And two final notes about Cozumel...

One I hate that you have to go through Mexican customs to get back onto the boat. . . .

 

Hmm, don't remember ever doing that .................. just someone glancing at the seapass cards is all.

 

P.S. Great photos, thanks.

Edited March 16, 2015 by pspercy

[boxermom711]

We had a group of 28 on our cruise in 2013 & did this itinerary. Some of our group did the Jolly Roger excursion & loved it. We also did the cave tubing. It was was awesome too. Can't wait for my next one on Nov 1

[Riverz]

 

And two final notes about Cozumel...

One I hate that you have to go through Mexican customs to get back onto the boat. Long long lines, and I honestly don't see a reason for it.

.

 

Just needed seapass to get through I assume?

 

 

Sent from my Samsung Note Edge

Edited March 16, 2015 by Riverz

[willcruiseanythyme]

Do you remember where you were docked in Cozumel? I think there are two different piers and I need to know which one we dock at for an excursion we are doing on our own in May. Thanks! And great pictures!

[Clarea]

Just needed seapass to get through I assume?

Usually, but they tell us to also carry a photo ID.