LIVE #queensonthehighseas Navigator of the Seas 3/15: A Spring Break Extravaganza

[Choozin Croozin]

Great review so far. Thank you for doing this. It's making it impossible to contain my excitement for the next month. 

[FirstAnthem]

Following. Loving this review!! 

[cruisinfromtampa]

Thanks for the pictures!
 
Any way you could post photos of the new gym? Is there still steam and sauna in the gym?

I will work on it!


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[Nursebetty74]

I'm a Tampa girl myself so I know you will be super fun to follow  :-) ( and I feel your pain on the ride over )Thank you so much for taking the time to post . We are sailing NOS in a few weeks and are grateful for the info , mimosas included !

 

[Choozin Croozin]

Waiting in suspense for the next installment....  I do realize you are on vacation. Just excited.😜

[cruisinfromtampa]

Waiting in suspense for the next installment....  I do realize you are on vacation. Just excited.[emoji12]

I know! We’re sitting in StudioB waiting for the show to start, then heading back to the room. I took a nap today just so I would have the energy to post tonight! [emoji23]

I have lots to share!

I leave you a little tease though!




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[Choozin Croozin]

Just now, cruisinfromtampa said:

 

I know! We’re sitting in StudioB waiting for the show to start, then heading back to the room. I took a nap today just so I would have the energy to post tonight!

I have lots to share!

I leave you a little tease though!




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😘Enjoy!

[cruisinfromtampa]

Picking up where I left off...Day 4: At Sea!

This will probably be the most uneventful day of the cruise. We basically ate and slept the entire day...not that I’m complaining!

We had breakfast in the WJ, then went to a watercolor class being given in the pub. Apparently there is one every sea day. Full disclosure, I haven’t done watercolor in decades. No judgement....



From there, it was back to the casino for $2 mimosas followed by lunch in the dining room.

At 3 we joined the group slot pull. We had 50 playing. Unfortunately, we didn’t win big, but we kept half of what we put in, and for an hour of entertainment, you can’t beat a $10 investment!

Nap time followed the slot pull, and then dinner.

I went by the Diamond Club to take some pictures. And I counted...32 seats.









We called it an early night...big day planned on Bonaire.





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[cruisinfromtampa]

Cruise Compass










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[cruisinfromtampa]

Day 5: Bonaire

We were very excited to come to Bonaire for the first time, and it did not disappoint. The island is beautiful, and the snorkeling was amazing. We’ve toyed with the idea of getting scuba certified, and our experience here solidified our decision.

The view once we arrived...[emoji7][emoji7][emoji7]



Our group booked the Samur Sail, Beach, and Snorkel as our excursion. We booked through the ship, and got it “on sale”, and thought it was a decent price. We took a dinghy to the Junk, a type of ship, before sailing to Klein Bonaire. It was stunning. The ship was neat, the story behind it engaging, and the crew wonderful.



The ship from the ship.



We had company in port.



Once we dropped anchor at Klein Bonaire, we again boarded the dinghy to make our way to shore. I will say, getting in and out of the dinghy was more labor intensive than we knew it was going to be. My husband’s back was giving him issues, and it was difficult for him to climb up the side of the ship.

Shore of Klein Bonaire:



Once ashore, we had two options. First was to walk off the beach and snorkel in the shallows. Second was to walk a bit down the shore, go through a break in the reef, and drift snorkel back to where we started. We decided to drift, and it was amazing. I’ve snorkeled a number of times in various places, and nothing comes close to this. It was simply breathtaking.











I’m still in the process of sorting through pictures. We bought a GoPro Hero 7 Black before sailing. It has been so easy to work with. And with the app, it’s simply a matter of connecting it to my phone, and uploading the photos. Everything is wireless, and incredibly simple. Highly recommend. My dad found them at the PX for $299, no sales tax, and free shipping for those of you with access. We haven’t found them cheaper.

I cannot say enough about how fantastic this excursion was. It’s definitely Top 3 of all the ones we’ve done. The snorkeling was amazing, but the Junk and her crew were a huge part of making it magical. We would do the same thing again without hesitation.

Still to come: A review of Hooked, and the ice show.




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[cruisinfromtampa]

Hooked: A Review

DH does not eat seafood, so I bribed a friend into joining me at dinner. I’m glad she did, because it gave me the opportunity to try all the things.

Hooked is a new concept to Royal Caribbean, making its debut on Symphony of the Seas. It has all of the makings of a traditional seafood house, but with an elevated feel. They did a great job with the decor in the space. There are hints of nautical, without it being cliche. Even things as simple as the mosaic on the columns give a nod to the theme, but not overtly in your face. The columns reminded me of fish scales with the shape of the tiles and colors.

Host Stand:



Oyster Bar:



Dinner Menu:



There were two of us, and we ordered several appetizers to try, 3 entrees, and 2 desserts. It was a ton of food. By the end, too much food. But we did our darnedest.

Cheddar Biscuits. Great flavor, a little dry. Delicious dipped in the clam chowder...or the sauce with the mussels...or the left over oyster drippings.



Fried Calamari and Peppers. While we didn’t eat the peppers, having them fried with the calamari gave it a bit of heat (that’s a strong word...a hint if you will). It was crispy, and the sauce was delicious.



Broiled Oysters, Sampler. Our waitress brought us 2 of each type. The top two were Rockefeller, on the bottom left champagne and Brie, and the bottom right leek and white wine. The Brie overpowered everything else, which was disappointing. They were our least favorite. The Rockefeller were next, and they were pretty good. Nothing special, but nothing to complain about. The leek and white wine were sublime. It was the right balance of flavor, and they were possibly the best bite of the whole meal.



Drunken Mussels. They were ok. I wanted more flavor. And for the sauce to be a thinner consistency so I could sop it up with the bread that came with it. Probably wouldn’t order them again.



Clam Chowder. Delicious. The picture doesn’t do it justice...it’s literally a vat of soup. Honestly, it was enough that it could be a meal on its own with a couple more biscuits. Clams were tender, potatoes were just cooked through, and the broth was flavorful without being overly thick.



Entrees and dessert to come.



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[blueridgemama]

8 minutes ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

Hooked: A Review

DH does not eat seafood, so I bribed a friend into joining me at dinner. I’m glad she did, because it gave me the opportunity to try all the things.

Hooked is a new concept to Royal Caribbean, making its debut on Symphony of the Seas. It has all of the makings of a traditional seafood house, but with an elevated feel. They did a great job with the decor in the space. There are hints of nautical, without it being cliche. Even things as simple as the mosaic on the columns give a nod to the theme, but not overtly in your face. The columns reminded me of fish scales with the shape of the tiles and colors.

Host Stand:



Oyster Bar:



Dinner Menu:



There were two of us, and we ordered several appetizers to try, 3 entrees, and 2 desserts. It was a ton of food. By the end, too much food. But we did our darnedest.

Cheddar Biscuits. Great flavor, a little dry. Delicious dipped in the clam chowder...or the sauce with the mussels...or the left over oyster drippings.



Fried Calamari and Peppers. While we didn’t eat the peppers, having them fried with the calamari gave it a bit of heat (that’s a strong word...a hint if you will). It was crispy, and the sauce was delicious.



Broiled Oysters, Sampler. Our waitress brought us 2 of each type. The top two were Rockefeller, on the bottom left champagne and Brie, and the bottom right leek and white wine. The Brie overpowered everything else, which was disappointing. They were our least favorite. The Rockefeller were next, and they were pretty good. Nothing special, but nothing to complain about. The leek and white wine were sublime. It was the right balance of flavor, and they were possibly the best bite of the whole meal.



Drunken Mussels. They were ok. I wanted more flavor. And for the sauce to be a thinner consistency so I could sop it up with the bread that came with it. Probably wouldn’t order them again.



Clam Chowder. Delicious. The picture doesn’t do it justice...it’s literally a vat of soup. Honestly, it was enough that it could be a meal on its own with a couple more biscuits. Clams were tender, potatoes were just cooked through, and the broth was flavorful without being overly thick.



Entrees and dessert to come.



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Your reviews are a true pleasure to read, especially your food reviews. You put a great deal of thought into them, almost like a professional food critic. I am enjoying your reviews more than any others that I have followed. Question about the chowder. Did it have bacon in it? Hopefully not.

[Paulette3028]

10 hours ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

 

I know! We’re sitting in StudioB waiting for the show to start, then heading back to the room. I took a nap today just so I would have the energy to post tonight!

I have lots to share!

I leave you a little tease though!




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Usually when I respond to a post, I delete the photos to save everyone looking at photos that were already posted....but this one I LOVE.  Along with a few others that you already posted of the fish underwater.   I don't scuba dive anymore, just snorkel, and love underwater photos....and you take such good ones!  

[cruisinfromtampa]

Hooked Continued.

Lobster Roll. We were mixed. My dining companion prefers a warm lobster roll. I was fine with it being cold. What I liked about it was the simplicity. Lobster and sauce. Nothing else needed. There was just enough sauce to hold it together, and it allowed the lobster to come through. While not the best lobster roll I’ve ever had, definitely not the worst. I wouldn’t get it as my only entree, but to share it’s totally worth it.



The Captain’s Platter. Everything was cooked perfectly. Lobster tail, lemon, butter. Perfection. The shrimp were plump and juicy. Not over cooked at all, and tasted fresh. The grilled fish was delicious. You have your choice of fish, as well as preparation style. Ours was grilled, but I can’t remember what kind of fish. It flakes beautifully, and had the perfect amount of char to it.



Hooked Fish Fry. A smorgasbord of all sea things fried. The clam strips were perfectly cooked, not rubbery at all. The fish slightly over cooked and dry. Shrimp and scallops were perfectly cooked, and delicious. It’s a heavy dish overall just because of the breading, but all in all a good fried platter.



Sides. Coleslaw, fries, and lobster Mac. The fries were underdone, and a waste. I just can’t eat fried seafood without fries and slaw (and hush puppies!). The slaw was good, but could have been colder. I think the fries and Mac warmed it a little, and that was off putting. Now the Mac was quite good. Lots of cheese. I was concerned that it would be dry, but it was not it the slightest. Simple flavors, but tasty.



A chunk of lobster that came out of the Mac and cheese. I mean...if you’re going to call it lobster Mac...




Dessert:

Whoopie Pies. This took me straight back to my childhood. The cake was incredibly moist, and the cream just right. It wasn’t overly sweet, which was a good thing. Growing up we made them with marshmallow creme in the filling, and they were so sweet it would hurt your teeth. This was a great ending to the meal.



Boston Cream Pie. Scrumptious is a good word. Every part worked together nicely. The cake was moist, the filling silky, and the chocolate on top just right. For me it’s the little things. That cholesterols spiral snapped like tempered chocolate is supposed to. It automatically takes things up a notch.




Final Thoughts: The two of us had a great time sampling all the different dishes. We booked last minute and paid the full price of $40 each. I can’t say I would pay that again, but when compared to Chops, a much better meal for the price. Everything we had was tasty, and we left stuffed. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back.

And! They offer a turf and turf for those who don’t eat seafood! So my mom seafood eating husband can get a filet paired with a chicken breast, fries on the side, and be completely satisfied.


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[Paulette3028]

19 minutes ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

Hooked: A Review

DH does not eat seafood, so I bribed a friend into joining me at dinner. I’m glad she did, because it gave me the opportunity to try all the things.

Hooked is a new concept to Royal Caribbean, making its debut on Symphony of the Seas. It has all of the makings of a traditional seafood house, but with an elevated feel. They did a great job with the decor in the space. There are hints of nautical, without it being cliche. Even things as simple as the mosaic on the columns give a nod to the theme, but not overtly in your face. The columns reminded me of fish scales with the shape of the tiles and colors.


There were two of us, and we ordered several appetizers to try, 3 entrees, and 2 desserts. It was a ton of food. By the end, too much food. But we did our darnedest.

Cheddar Biscuits. Great flavor, a little dry. Delicious dipped in the clam chowder...or the sauce with the mussels...or the left over oyster drippings.

Fried Calamari and Peppers. While we didn’t eat the peppers, having them fried with the calamari gave it a bit of heat (that’s a strong word...a hint if you will). It was crispy, and the sauce was delicious.

Broiled Oysters, Sampler. Our waitress brought us 2 of each type. The top two were Rockefeller, on the bottom left champagne and Brie, and the bottom right leek and white wine. The Brie overpowered everything else, which was disappointing. They were our least favorite. The Rockefeller were next, and they were pretty good. Nothing special, but nothing to complain about. The leek and white wine were sublime. It was the right balance of flavor, and they were possibly the best bite of the whole meal.

Drunken Mussels. They were ok. I wanted more flavor. And for the sauce to be a thinner consistency so I could sop it up with the bread that came with it. Probably wouldn’t order them again.

Clam Chowder. Delicious. The picture doesn’t do it justice...it’s literally a vat of soup. Honestly, it was enough that it could be a meal on its own with a couple more biscuits. Clams were tender, potatoes were just cooked through, and the broth was flavorful without being overly thick.

Entrees and dessert to come.

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Since there were no prices on the menu (picture can be seen a few posts above),  was it a fixed price menu or a la carte? I don't eat a wide variety of seafood and lots on that menu I would not eat.....just curious.   We had no interest in going to Hooked when we sailed on Symphony back in February...we had other dinner plans with our friends.  

[cruisinfromtampa]

We ended the night in Studio B for the ice show, iSkate. I have differing thoughts on this...half my brain wanted a storyline to follow. It really was just one song after another with skating to it. The other half (and the one that will prevail) loved it. We were entertained the entire time. There were multiple genres of music, from classics to songs currently on the radio. There’s really nothing to complain about. We pass by a movie poster from Gladiator on the way back to our room, and last night I though of the quote, “Are you not entertained?” And yes. Yes we were were. At the end of the day, it was entertainment, executed well, and engaging. Can’t ask for more than that.

The drones at the beginning were great. I have a video, but it’s too large to upload. Any suggestions?









Finally, a public service announcement: Put sunscreen on the back of your hands...



Up tomorrow (today): Curaçao. Things we have planned: Waterslides on board, rock climbing, and exploring some areas when there’s nobody in the way.


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[cruisinfromtampa]

Compass:










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[cruisinfromtampa]

 
Your reviews are a true pleasure to read, especially your food reviews. You put a great deal of thought into them, almost like a professional food critic. I am enjoying your reviews more than any others that I have followed. Question about the chowder. Did it have bacon in it? Hopefully not.

Thank you so much. That’s very kind of you. I’m just trying to share my experiences, with as much detail and clarity as I can.

I am almost positive there was no bacon. I feel like that’s something I would have noticed and remembered.


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[cruisinfromtampa]

Usually when I respond to a post, I delete the photos to save everyone looking at photos that were already posted....but this one I LOVE.  Along with a few others that you already posted of the fish underwater.   I don't scuba dive anymore, just snorkel, and love underwater photos....and you take such good ones!  

Thank you! I’m learning! It’s a lot of trial by error, point and click, and hope something good came out. I was pleased with yesterday’s results.


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[cruisinfromtampa]

 
Definitely need the recipe! Is it published somewhere or your original recipe?

It’s an original recipe.


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[cruisinfromtampa]

Real key lime pie does not have meringue on top!  Just a small dollop of whip cream.

Amen to that!!!


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[blueridgemama]

4 minutes ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

 

It’s an original recipe.


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Would you share or is it a secret😊

[cruisinfromtampa]

Thanks for taking us along with you on your Spring Break!    I have a couple of questions and apologize if the answer is somewhere and I just can’t find it.   How late is the Lime and Coconut open?  What about the pools and hot tubs?   Sailing on Navigator in June with a LARGE group that may choose to hang out together on the pool deck.   I’m excited to follow along with the rest of your report!

The main pool has been open until 11:00.

Lime and Coconut until 10:00.

I assume hot tubs close at the same time as the pool.


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[blueridgemama]

Ouch! Sorry about your hands. Don't forget to put sunscreen on your ears and feet too!

 

Edited March 20, 2019 by blueridgemama

[Choozin Croozin]

crusinfromtampa - So about the junk. That sounds like an awesome day. We are currently booked privately on the Woodwind (we've done them before and they are fantastic) but looking for something different. I always said, snorkeling in Klein Bonaire is like snorkeling in an aquarium. My concern is getting in and out of the dingy and up a ladder? on the junk. I am not sure if we could do it. I am assuming you need to pull yourself out of the water into the dingy and flop a leg over the side?

 

I am really enjoying your attention to detail and comments on things. You see things as I do and it is helping me a lot to know what to expect. We do not eat carbs (Keto) so I was really debating on Hooked. My husband absolutely loves lobster. You gave me something to think about. There is certainly enough for us to eat. Thank you again.