Just off of the Navigator - had fun

[SbbquilterUT]

After reading a number of reviews that were quite negative I want to share my opinion of our trip.  Chose the 4 day +7 day cruise from LA as it is driving distance from our home and warmer as well.  Itinerary is not that exciting but we just wanted a getaway.  Stayed in an interior cabin on deck 7 - with the beds separated it was plenty of room for us.  It seemed like many folks were not prepared that this was not a sunny hot trip until we got to Cabo, be prepared for cooler weather so as not to be disappointed.  We were able to enjoy what we wanted in each port, mostly doing lots of walking and admiring.  The Carnival statues were out in Mazatlan and are beautiful.  
 

Our dinners in the MDR ranged from very tasty to fine and the portion size (smaller) appealed to us.  Service was excellent in both MDR and Windjammer.   It the food in the Windjammer is uninspiring and repetitive - can really see where they have cut down on quality of ingredients.  Plenty of fresh fruit each day and breakfast eggs were nice but other than that boring.  Did really enjoy Izumi - sunset from that view was amazing.  We found it worked well for us to order a pair of rolls to share rather than buying the dinner.  Service here was excellent as well.  And for the second cruise Izumi was no longer on the BOGO menu for first or second night - new rule that day.  
 

The house band Kronos was outstanding - enjoyed them for each set we could.  The dancers were excellent and the singers fine.  As always enjoy the ice show and the intro with drones is very cool.  
 

It was great fun watching football playoff games with the crowd at Playmakers - wish they had thought to have a venue like the Sky Lounge with the big screen set up for that as many folks ended up standing and filling up the area as well as making access to Cafe Promenade and the elevators quite challenging.  
 

Navigator is not young but she is in fine condition and with the excellent service is a great sail - had a nice winter break and will repeat next year.

[Ashland]

We love the Navigator out of San Pedro (our home port) and sail on her usually a few times a year. She has one of the best ice shows fleetwide !!!

 

Glad you enjoyed her.

[looking4info]

Agree... Kronos is one of the best house bands we have ever seen on a Royal ship. Lead guitar player is amazing. Would be nice if they played in a bigger venue. Boleros was jam packed every night they were there.

No insight on MDR, don't use it. Windjammer ok for dinner, excellent service. Playmakers pretty good pub food.

[livingonthebeach]

It's great to hear positive experiences. I sailed Navigator on a 7-day last November and thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. Did not go to the MDR - only specialty restaurants and they were all great! I especially liked the lobster at Hooked. I agree that the view from Izumi is to die for. I had never been to the Pacific side of Mexico, being from Florida I'm used to the other side, so it was a treat for me to visit Cabo, Mazatlan and Vallarta. Loved, loved, loved those 3 ports. The sunset sailing tour in Cabo was one of the best I've ever been on and the highlight of my cruise! 

[njkruzer]

We're sailing her in July with our 11 yo granddaughter.   She loves to ice skate so I expect she'll love the show.  Was wondering if they still have free skate time for guests.   Thanks.

[livingonthebeach]

28 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

We're sailing her in July with our 11 yo granddaughter.   She loves to ice skate so I expect she'll love the show.  Was wondering if they still have free skate time for guests.   Thanks.

 

Yes it was still available in Nov. 

[njkruzer]

3 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

Yes it was still available in Nov. 

Thanks.

[SbbquilterUT]

2 hours ago, njkruzer said:

We're sailing her in July with our 11 yo granddaughter.   She loves to ice skate so I expect she'll love the show.  Was wondering if they still have free skate time for guests.   Thanks.

Yes - you sign up for a time on your app once you are on board.  Seems they can space out when people arrive better that way.

[njkruzer]

1 minute ago, SbbquilterUT said:

Yes - you sign up for a time on your app once you are on board.  Seems they can space out when people arrive better that way.

Thanks.  I assume she can bring her own skates.

[Cruising89143]

On 1/27/2024 at 8:17 AM, SbbquilterUT said:

 

Rest of post snipped……

Navigator is not young but she is in fine condition and with the excellent service is a great sail - had a nice winter break and will repeat next year.

Glad that you enjoyed the NV. One of our favorite ships. Love having her close to home. 

[aubreyc1988]

On 1/27/2024 at 1:31 PM, Ashland said:

We love the Navigator out of San Pedro (our home port) and sail on her usually a few times a year. She has one of the best ice shows fleetwide !!!

 

Glad you enjoyed her.

I agree, best ice show! 

[Tree_skier]

On 1/27/2024 at 4:39 PM, njkruzer said:

Thanks.  I assume she can bring her own skates.

No, you can't brink Ice skates on board. Any kind of sports gear is prohibited.  Rental skates are provided.  Rentals are marginal at best but it is still a fun experience as long as your GD isn't a high level figure skater.  

Edited January 29 by Tree_skier

[Tree_skier]

I'm glad to read this review... I read the other review that is on the first page today and was quite surprised to read such a negative review.  I've sailed Navigator 3 times over the last year and half and had a really good time.  I thought the food was decent in the MDR, as well was Jaimies and Chops.  I didn't eat in Hooked.

 

I've got two more scheduled in early 2025 and may be booking more yet.

[njkruzer]

Thanks. Surprised. Golfers bring golf clubs.  I don’t doubt you but will confirm.  She wasn't happy with the skates at Rockefeller Center.  Not a professional but she does skate. 

[Tree_skier]

2 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

Thanks. Surprised. Golfers bring golf clubs.  I don’t doubt you but will confirm.  She wasn't happy with the skates at Rockefeller Center.  Not a professional but she does skate. 

I may be wrong but I'm going by reports I've read here on CC and this list. 

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/prohibited-items-onboard-policy

 

 

[cj_one2000]

13 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

I'm glad to read this review... I read the other review that is on the first page today and was quite surprised to read such a negative review.  I've sailed Navigator 3 times over the last year and half and had a really good time.  I thought the food was decent in the MDR, as well was Jaimies and Chops.  I didn't eat in Hooked.

 

I've got two more scheduled in early 2025 and may be booking more yet.

Same sentiment. I have a feeling that post was by a person who will hate any vacation, land or sea, always find fault with everything. Interesting way to spend your time off just complaining. To each their own I guess. I haven’t been on Navigator in years. Is Hooked a speciality restaurant?

[Tree_skier]

15 hours ago, cj_one2000 said:

Same sentiment. I have a feeling that post was by a person who will hate any vacation, land or sea, always find fault with everything. Interesting way to spend your time off just complaining. To each their own I guess. I haven’t been on Navigator in years,. Is Hooked a speciality restaurant?

Yes and oddly I've not done it.  Not sure why?  I'm not back on Navigator for a year but I'm going to make sure I get there at least once next time.

[frank808]

On 1/27/2024 at 9:31 AM, Ashland said:

We love the Navigator out of San Pedro (our home port) and sail on her usually a few times a year. She has one of the best ice shows fleetwide !!!

 

Glad you enjoyed her.

Love that drone show.

[George C]

Navigator is one of my all time favorite ships , sailed her 3 times all in grand suites.

[mil76]

Going back on Friday.  Haven't been on her since last Spring, so I'm glad to see all is not lost after the negative reviews.  We sail Navigator a couple times a year since 3&4 day itineraries regularly pop up on the casino list, and this time we managed to snag the 7 day itinerary.  It's the easiest port for us to get to since we can fly nonstop from Denver to Long Beach and bypass LAX.

 

Haven't done the 7 day since the NYE cruise after restart where they wouldn't let anyone off the ship in Puerto Vallarta due to COVID paranoia.  We did our honeymoon in PV many years ago and haven't been back since, so hopefully this time it works out. 

 

We like the specialty restaurant selection so always do UDP, and Playmakers really makes it worth it for us.  Hooked is great, but the DW doesn't like seafood so I usually only get one visit for the cruise.  UDP hasn't gone up too much compared to some of the other ships, and it is usually our only onboard spending (besides my wife in the casino).

 

I prefer the winter cruises since the chilly weather keeps the crowd down on the Flowrider.  Wetsuit is packed and ready to go!