Navigator Tips

[vega]

Hi, my hubbby and I will be cruising on the Navigator on Dec. 9th to the Western Caribbean. It has been a couple of years since we cruised with RCCL and it will be our first time on a Voyager-class ship. Is there any advice/tips/suggestions you guys could offer re the cruise - what to do? what not to do? Which restaurants should we dine at, shows to see, food to try, etc. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

 

Also, if you guys could recommend good beaches in Ocho Rios or Cozumel, that would be stupendous. :)

 

Thanks,

Lana

[golfer1966]

As you can see by my signature, we love the Navigator. IMO, the shows are all pretty good. I am not into skating, but the Ice Show was actually pretty cool. If you decide to go to this, get tickets early as this will sell out fast and also get in line 1/2 hr early to enter. The front row seats are the best. Another show to go to is the Quest. I cant tell you about it, but I do recommend that you go. Its adult in nature so I do not recommend kids under 17 to go. Other dinning options is Chops and Portofino's. We usally hit these at least once during the trip. There is an additonal fee of like 25 bux, but IMO its worth it. Some other may disagree, but we like it. The Windjammer is the place you can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. Its buffet style and its usually pretty good with a variety of stuff to eat. You can also hit Johnny Rockets. Its set in a 50's drive in type of thing. Food is free but you have to pay a small fee to get in and Milkshakes are extra. We like going to the Promenade cafe after we hit the casino at night. They have pizza, small sandwiches, desserts, cookies and some coffee.

Mmmm trying to think of more. I am sure others will comment too. Basically your booked on a great ship. The staff is friendly and the food is good. As far as Ocho Rios, we went to the shopping center right there next to the pier then went to Margarittaville and used thier beach. Cozumel, we went to Paradise Beach. You need to take a cab to go there, but a guy from the states ownes it and keeps it neat and clean. There is a small charge to enter and it includes chairs, and float matts. Again, I am sure other will comment on beaches too.

Do you have any other ??

 

Take care....

[init4fun]

Vega, my girlfriend and I are booked on this cruise also, Hubby is staying home this trip. Come and join our Meet and Mingle Board and get to know some of the people you will be traveling with, we have a great bunch. Make sure you sign up also for the Meet and Mingle Party as its fun and the captain usually comes to it.Navigator 12/09/06 Who's With Us? - Page 11 - Cruise Critic Message Boards

[BaMARox1991]

We also love the Navigator! We did the Western itenerary the second week of June and had a great time. The only suggestion I really have for the ship would to be make reservations at Chops or Portofino and the spa early if you plan on using them. Also, make sure you look to see where your table is right when you get on so that if you don't like it you can get it changed, to a smaller or larger or whatever, we waited too late!

 

As for Jamaica and Cozumel, it seems like we have been to Cozumel a hundred times on cruises and land vacations, and we ALWAYS go to Playa Mia beach. We usually buy tickets from RCI when we cruise and just get a taxi for about $10-15. When you buy from RCI, it costs a little more but you get the open bar and use of all the amentities. We have never been to the beach in Jamaica, though. It is very pretty, but the beaches are not near as nice as Labadee and Grand Cayman, so I would definatly suggest going to the Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios, it is so much fun.

If you are looking for a gorgeous beach, go to the Seven Mile beach in Grand Cayman, there are RCI tours that will bring you there and back, but we usually just take a cab to a public beach for about $25 round trip.

 

Hope you have a great time on the Navigator, we did!

[vega]

Thanks, guys. These are great.

 

This will be our second time to Western Caribbean. Last time we went with Carnival and had a blast going up Dunn's River Falls but didn't get to see Jamaica or their great beaches much. We loved Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman - can't wait to get back there.

 

Any other tips or suggestions re the ship?

 

Is there a midnight buffet? We miss those - neither Princess or NCL do them anymore.

 

Do the waiters sing in the dining rooms during dinner?

 

Has anyone ordered room service? Is it reliable? How long is the wait?

 

Thanks!

 

We'll definitely join the Meet and Mingle board and come to the party!

 

Lana

[init4fun]

Hi Vega. There is a fabulous Midnight Buffet. Yes, the waiters sing and dance in the Dining Room on certain nights. I cant tell you about room service although I heard its pretty good and RCCL offers hot breakfast by room service and I heard other lines dont.

Cafe Promenade is great, little sandwiches are so good and the little pastries also. Its a great place to sit and unwind and meet people.

NOS offers Portofinos and Chops, I believe they both charge $20 a person but they are well worth it, Portofinos for romance and Chops for great steaks(we are doing chops)

Johnny Rockets charges $3.95 cover chg pp but if you love greasy hamburgers and ff and onion rings its great, I love it and their milkshakes are fantastic(extra chg also) We are doing lunch there one day.

I have not been to Labadee but everyone raves about how beautiful the beach is, lunch isnt too great they say.

Dont forget to visit Margaritaville in Ocho Rios if you have time, they have water slides and water activities, they have a site Margaritaville.com that you can get a free coupon for a Margarita.

Anything else? I am sure more people will tell you more if you come to the NOS Roll Call Board.

[hi c]

We will be aboard the Navigator in October. We are booked in a balcony room on deck 7. Are robes supplied in these cabins? We are looking forward to being on this beautiful ship. Thanks for your help.

Hi-C

[init4fun]

I dont think you get robes unless its a suite or you are a platinum or diamond member, you can buy them at Gifts and Gear though.

[mercedesmom2002]

We were in a Jr. Suite on the July 1-8 sailing of the Navigator and there were robes in our closet waiting for us!

 

This ship is awesome, you'll enjoy it so much..

 

Room service was excellent. My DH and myself would stop at the Promenade Cafe and get pizza and cookies, come back to our room and order a pitcher of ice tea and a pot of coffee. It arrived quick always and always with everything we asked for and then some. The room service pizza is great also!

 

See the ice show, it is awesome especially the hoola hoop girl. Tickets are free, must get them on Sunday morning between 9:30-11 but you can get for all people in your party at one time.

 

Promenade is beautiful. Service was great, wanted to take them all home with us.

 

Can't say enough about this ship and crew, we loved every minute on board and can't wait to sail again....

 

Have fun, we're envious...

 

Sue

[PVDCruiser]

My tip is reading my review. :D

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=379843

[BrianSara]

Any other tips from anyone? Just got docs yesturday and leave in 10 days......

[sailingawaysoon]

Hi BrianSara,

 

I was reading your post on the Navigator. We will be sailing at the end of September on this ship. Did I understand correctly, you rec'd documents in the mail? For some reason, I was under the impression they did away w/that and everything was electronic. When is your trip? Have a great one!

[BrianSara]

Hi BrianSara,

 

I was reading your post on the Navigator. We will be sailing at the end of September on this ship. Did I understand correctly, you rec'd documents in the mail? For some reason, I was under the impression they did away w/that and everything was electronic. When is your trip? Have a great one!

Actually we picked them up at our travel agent. It's just a little book that has all the info about the cruise on it. Transfer vouchers, luggage tags, etc. It has forms for you to fill out if you didn't do the online check in.