Review: Navigator of the Seas 7-night Mexican Riviera from L.A. (November 19, 2021)

[SacCaliCruiser]

Overall impressions: This was our second cruise and we had a great experience overall, with only minor complaints. First and foremost, we were happy to be cruising! Every crew member was enthusiastic and outstanding, and the ship had a lot to offer. The ship was very clean, although she showed her age even after her amplification, and our stateroom had a few frustrating mechanical issues. The food was relatively good, though not outstanding, but it was the Navigator’s first cruise back post-shutdown so that may improve. We spent Thanksgiving aboard and it was fun, with lots of activities and a wonderful dinner in the main dining room - our best of the cruise. One note, our first cruise was on Ovation of the Seas and we were spoiled forever by her newness, beauty and amazing artwork so Navigator felt a little older, smaller and a little lackluster to us despite her recent updates.

 

Embarkation and disembarkation: Embarkation and disembarkation at the Port of LA were a breeze, even with new protocols in place. Lines all moved very quickly. We had no trouble parking in the main parking lot at the port, which is right next to the pier.

 

Health protocols: The health protocols were enforced and were not an issue. Wearing a mask while inside didn’t bother us, and almost everyone followed the rules, even the limitations on the number of people allowed in the elevator at one time. There wasn’t always social distancing, for example people bunched up while lining up various places, but we never felt unsafe. The crew all wore masks 100 percent of the time. Everybody was nearly always very courteous and conscientious. 

 

The rooms: We had adjoining balcony staterooms 7262 and 7264 near the forward elevators. The rooms were very clean and the layout was standard. The decor was very “early 90s” but almost everything was in good condition. The balcony door of 7262 was broken and was nearly impossible to open and close. Maintenance came twice and tried mightily to fix it but (not for lack of them trying) it never really worked right. The divider between our room and the neighbors’ blew open one night and flapped in the wind but maintenance fixed that. Beds were firm but comfortable and we had no issues with noise. 

 

The ship: She’s a nice ship. Again, our first experience was on a new ship so parts of the Navigator felt dated to us. Some of the areas that had been updated including the main pool deck were new and nice of course and everything was in good condition, just not sparkling new. The Cosmopolitan Room on Deck 14 is fabulous, with 180-degree views.

 

Dining: The food was a bit of a disappointment for us. Windjammer was not open for dinner on our sailing. Some yummy standouts were: El Loco Fresh, Pizza at Cafe Promenade, Indian Food in the Windjammer and Thanksgiving night dinner in the MDR. Desserts were always good. We had a terrible meal in Jamie’s Italian, which bummed us out because it was an added cost. Bottom line, nothing completely blew us away with amazement. Somehow we still managed to stuff ourselves silly every day!

 

Activities/Entertainment: Our cruise was at about half capacity so there weren’t really any long lines, except for the one day ice skating was offered. Get in line early to get a spot. Otherwise the water slides, shows, game shows, arcade and casino were never too crowded. The escape room was not open on our sailing. I was surprised at how crowded the pools and hot tubs were for being at lower capacity and think full capacity would feel really packed. One fun thing, my daughter and I had our hair done on Thanksgiving at To Dry For and we LOVED it! May seem gimmicky but I think it’s a great addition to the fleet. 

 

Crew: The crew were what honestly made the vacation feel special. Every single crew member we encountered, from the maintenance people and guest services to our servers in the MDR and the ice skating cast were so friendly, professional and enthusiastic. Our stateroom attendants were just outstanding. I had an injury right before the cruise and Jairo brought me ice every single day. Every day! And Xavier arranged my daughter’s stuffed animals in a special way for her every day. The rooms were spotless and these men couldn’t have been nicer - truly.

 

Ports of Call: Again, it’s hard to beat our first cruise, which was to Alaska. So we were a bit underwhelmed by the Mexican Riviera and a lot disappointed at the variety of shore excursions offered by Royal Caribbean. In Cabo, we took a water taxi to Medano Beach and were exhausted after an afternoon of politely declining the many, many vendors on the beach offering bracelets, hats, braiding and henna tattoos. In Mazatlan, we took a nice Pulmonia (open-air taxi) ride along the Malecon to the Golden Zone and enjoyed shopping and lunch. Puerto Vallarta was our favorite. We had a great time there zip-lining on an excursion not sponsored by the cruise line. And if you need anything at all, there is a huge Walmart and shopping mall across the street from the pier. In all three ports, the people were very friendly, we felt safe, and the sunsets were some of the most beautiful we’d seen.

Edited November 28, 2021 by SacCaliCruiser

[Jragland]

Thanks for the review. We board her on Monday. 

[PhoenixCruiser]

Thanks, looking forward to sailing on the Navigator soon!

[Ashland]

Another thanks for the review. We do the same itinerary January 17th. and looking forward to an easy short drive to the port.

[bonsai3s]

SacCaliCruiser...great review.  We were also there last week and still onboard.

 

Just additional information: Last week, 1875 passengers, 471 children.  This week, 2533 passengers, 379 children.

 

What a stark difference this week...first it's only a 3 night cruise...approx. average age is much younger...shows full, promenade a bit more crowded, and the "Red" dance event at Studio B was shakin' and bakin' full of happy dancers.

 

Note: Observed the jacuzzi up on deck 12, by the track, with 17 adults...yes 17...sitting shoulder to shoulder inside the jacuzzi...4 with drinks in their hands.  A sign in front of the jacuzzi says: "Maximum 6 people".  Down on deck 11, next to the pool was another jacuzzi...inside were 5 adults and 11 children...2 children who appeared to be around 5 yrs old (based on our grandkids) were diving under that hot water. 

[MikeBayAreaCa]

19 hours ago, SacCaliCruiser said:

Overall impressions: This was our second cruise and we had a great experience overall, with only minor complaints. First and foremost, we were happy to be cruising! Every crew member was enthusiastic and outstanding, and the ship had a lot to offer. The ship was very clean, although she showed her age even after her amplification, and our stateroom had a few frustrating mechanical issues. The food was relatively good, though not outstanding, but it was the Navigator’s first cruise back post-shutdown so that may improve. We spent Thanksgiving aboard and it was fun, with lots of activities and a wonderful dinner in the main dining room - our best of the cruise. One note, our first cruise was on Ovation of the Seas and we were spoiled forever by her newness, beauty and amazing artwork so Navigator felt a little older, smaller and a little lackluster to us despite her recent updates.

 

Embarkation and disembarkation: Embarkation and disembarkation at the Port of LA were a breeze, even with new protocols in place. Lines all moved very quickly. We had no trouble parking in the main parking lot at the port, which is right next to the pier.

 

Health protocols: The health protocols were enforced and were not an issue. Wearing a mask while inside didn’t bother us, and almost everyone followed the rules, even the limitations on the number of people allowed in the elevator at one time. There wasn’t always social distancing, for example people bunched up while lining up various places, but we never felt unsafe. The crew all wore masks 100 percent of the time. Everybody was nearly always very courteous and conscientious. 

 

The rooms: We had adjoining balcony staterooms 7262 and 7264 near the forward elevators. The rooms were very clean and the layout was standard. The decor was very “early 90s” but almost everything was in good condition. The balcony door of 7262 was broken and was nearly impossible to open and close. Maintenance came twice and tried mightily to fix it but (not for lack of them trying) it never really worked right. The divider between our room and the neighbors’ blew open one night and flapped in the wind but maintenance fixed that. Beds were firm but comfortable and we had no issues with noise. 

 

The ship: She’s a nice ship. Again, our first experience was on a new ship so parts of the Navigator felt dated to us. Some of the areas that had been updated including the main pool deck were new and nice of course and everything was in good condition, just not sparkling new. The Cosmopolitan Room on Deck 14 is fabulous, with 180-degree views.

 

Dining: The food was a bit of a disappointment for us. Windjammer was not open for dinner on our sailing. Some yummy standouts were: El Loco Fresh, Pizza at Cafe Promenade, Indian Food in the Windjammer and Thanksgiving night dinner in the MDR. Desserts were always good. We had a terrible meal in Jamie’s Italian, which bummed us out because it was an added cost. Bottom line, nothing completely blew us away with amazement. Somehow we still managed to stuff ourselves silly every day!

 

Activities/Entertainment: Our cruise was at about half capacity so there weren’t really any long lines, except for the one day ice skating was offered. Get in line early to get a spot. Otherwise the water slides, shows, game shows, arcade and casino were never too crowded. The escape room was not open on our sailing. I was surprised at how crowded the pools and hot tubs were for being at lower capacity and think full capacity would feel really packed. One fun thing, my daughter and I had our hair done on Thanksgiving at To Dry For and we LOVED it! May seem gimmicky but I think it’s a great addition to the fleet. 

 

Crew: The crew were what honestly made the vacation feel special. Every single crew member we encountered, from the maintenance people and guest services to our servers in the MDR and the ice skating cast were so friendly, professional and enthusiastic. Our stateroom attendants were just outstanding. I had an injury right before the cruise and Jairo brought me ice every single day. Every day! And Xavier arranged my daughter’s stuffed animals in a special way for her every day. The rooms were spotless and these men couldn’t have been nicer - truly.

 

Ports of Call: Again, it’s hard to beat our first cruise, which was to Alaska. So we were a bit underwhelmed by the Mexican Riviera and a lot disappointed at the variety of shore excursions offered by Royal Caribbean. In Cabo, we took a water taxi to Medano Beach and were exhausted after an afternoon of politely declining the many, many vendors on the beach offering bracelets, hats, braiding and henna tattoos. In Mazatlan, we took a nice Pulmonia (open-air taxi) ride along the Malecon to the Golden Zone and enjoyed shopping and lunch. Puerto Vallarta was our favorite. We had a great time there zip-lining on an excursion not sponsored by the cruise line. And if you need anything at all, there is a huge Walmart and shopping mall across the street from the pier. In all three ports, the people were very friendly, we felt safe, and the sunsets were some of the most beautiful we’d seen.

What was the issue with Jamie’s?

[imola]

On 11/27/2021 at 11:07 PM, Ashland said:

Another thanks for the review. We do the same itinerary January 17th. and looking forward to an easy short drive to the port.

We just looked at this cruise today as a possibility.  Any suggestions about picking it?  Have you figured out where to get your Covid test?