Just back off Navigator

[TommyTV]

Hi Everyone

Juist back off Navigator 'Trans Madditerranean' cruise. Excellent itinerary with the right number of sea days meant a very relaxing time. We were on Navigator last October and a number of things have changed:-

 

They now charge 3% to change money in the Casino, I think to stop people using it as a free Cash machine. I think they should give people $5 chips when they use their Sea Pass to encourage them to play rather than charging 3%.

 

There was no Midnight buffet.

 

There was no lunchtime on-deck barbeque, which given the number of sea days was a let down, however there was a late night pool party - maybe you don't get both?

 

Alcohol prices have increased substantially from last year, however the wine package was good value.

 

Lot's of people angry about change of 2 day excursion (2 x 5 hours) to 1 day 10 hour, however Gordon (CD) explained at M&M that this was due to arrival and departure times. Both Captain and CD tuned up for M&M which was great, very informative.

 

No Lobster, just seafood platter. (I'm allergic to fish so no problem for me LOL)

 

We spent quite a bit of time in the casino at night - seemed busier than usual - with some great characters, particularly Lola from Mexico and her family who all played 3 card poker. We had a great last night winning $1000 on two slot machines, both Wheel of Fortune. Total winnings for the 10 days $1700 which nearly cleared our Sea Pass.

 

Istanbul was nothing like I expected, the people were very courteous and friendly. On the tram from the port to the Grand Bazaar, a man offered his seat to my DW - you don't get that in UK anymore, believe me. DW unsure wether he thought she was old or pregnant!! I said you can't have it both ways and got a slap.

 

Tram station is just outside port gates about 100 yards if you turn right. Get a token or two from the ticket office right next to the track, and then use it in the turnstile to get onto the platform. The tram only has one route, heads back towards the ship, across the bridge, past the Train station for the Orient Express, past the Blue Mosque etc. to the Grand Bazaar, about 7 stops from the ship, and then further on into Istanbul outskirts. Price of a token - 1L 40 cents each way, incredible cheap. Tram has map and digital signage so you cant get lost.

 

The same with Pireaus (Athens), you walk for 20 - 25 minutes round the harbour until you see a large pedestrian walkway over the dual carriageway. The train station is here on the right hand side of the road at the end of the walkway (it's the end of the line), ticket is €1 20c each way, 7 stops takes you to the centre of Plaka, and then a good walk up to the Acropolis, entrance €12. Train journey is 20 minutes approx. Much cheaper than the €20 each way charged by some Taxi drivers. Be aware of pickpockets on train, on platform and in Plaka. We had no problems, just be careful like everywhere else these days.

 

All in all an excellent cruise, fantastic weather and very relaxing.

Cheers

Martin and Pauline

[RCCLCARIB]

Great review....thank you so much for sharing! :)

[sailnsee]

We are leaving on the 31 on the Navigator-No lobster? What is that about(O:How was the entertainment?....What else did you do with tours etc. Sounds like you had good weather...will it be like Fall weather-light jackets?

[Elizabeth74]

We are trying to decide if the belly dance and dinner show is a good choice.

Any info would be helpful.

 

Also, does the ship have a "folkloric show" (turkish music, etc) on the ship while in Istanbul?

 

We are going in the 31st and any other bits of advice on Istanbul would be greatly appreciated.

[TommyTV]

Hi Elizabeth74

There was no folklorish show on board, but there is an excursion if you're docked overnight. An article in the UK Sunday Times this week said there was a 'Wirling Dervishes' show at the train station if I remember correctly. I'll have a look and re-post the info.

Anything done on your own is at least half the price of the ship as a rule. If I can work it out, I'll post pictures of how to get to the tram etc. over the next few days.

Cheers

Martin

[neverenoughcruises]

Thank you for your review. We are going on the Navigator in March and were wondering how much drinks have increase since last year. Last year I remember paying about $8 for martini's and $3 for beer. Is that about right still or are they more. Thank You

[Missus Makkem]

Can support Tommy Tv review too.

We were on the same cruise and it was excellent.

If you want to go to the Topkapi palace and museum try and get there early so you can go to the Jewel room before people start standing in line for it.

a marvellous experience.

not sure i liked Istanbul that much, such a different culture but it is a fascinating city, the people were very friendly and helpful but i found the lack of women in the old city disconcerting.

Just my view of course.

[Sweetpea]

Thank you for your review--we will doing this itinerary on the 31st and we are really looking forward to it. One question, you said they are doing the Istanbul 2-day tours in one day? How are they doing that? I think I'll just cancel our shore tour if that's the case. Thanks again and keep having a great time.

[twoputt.plusone]

We are trying to decide if the belly dance and dinner show is a good choice.

Any info would be helpful.

 

Also, does the ship have a "folkloric show" (turkish music, etc) on the ship while in Istanbul?

 

We are going in the 31st and any other bits of advice on Istanbul would be greatly appreciated.

 

We were on this sailing as well and although we didn't do any of the ship's excursions, our tablemates did do the evening dinner/belly-dance show. They were not very happy with it. From what I understand (and please keep in mind that I wasn't there, this is second-hand), there was no choice in dinner selection. They got what they got and that was it. Also, it was not an inexpensive excursion.

 

Hi Makkem! Nice to see you onboard. I know what you mean about Istanbul. Generally I was fascinated by it but something in the back of this literated woman's mind was screaming. hehehe. One thing that really surprized me was the lack of smoking. I was prepared to be blasted by cigarette smoke but it didn't happen - in Istanbul or anywhere else we went.

 

2P.P1

[Elizabeth74]

Thanks 2putt.plusone

 

Do you know if they were pleased with the entertainment during the dinner show?

 

Would hate to spend a lot of money and not enjoy the show either?

 

 

 

TommyTV

 

Thanks for the info. Any further info would be helpful.

 

 

Thanks

[gadaboutgal]

Can someone please clarify if this is the Istanbul port stop which is supposed to be arrival at 1pm the first day, an overnight, and then depart on day 2 at 2pm?

If so, has this become a permanent change? We are on the Oct. 31 cruise and I will have to alter our tour plans if so.

Thanks

[TommyTV]

Hi Gadaboutgal

We arrived in Istanbul at 7 a.m. Left the following day at 1:30 p.m. From what I can remember, a Bud 16oz Aluminium was $5.50 + 15% 'tip'.

 

Didn't drink spirits apart from G&T - can't remember the cost. Favourite white wine during the day was Pinio Grigio on ice. Evening, Badger Mountain organic Chardonnay (not available in the UK, but really light and pleasant) or Faustino Rioja for a red with a bit of bite but not too acidic and very tasty.

Cheers

Martin

[mwne2nks]

We hold a soft spot in our hearts for the Navigator , because it was our first Cruise Experience. We had a blast. We are going on the Independence in march 2009. We will return to the Navigator and do another itenerary in 2010.

[TommyTV]

One other thing I remembered.

We booked an inside guarantee which would have been on deck 6 up, but got an 'upgrade' to an Oceanview on deck 2. Checked on the Roll Call area of the boards and everyone agreed it was a great upgrade. Never heard the engines at all, but it was like sleeping next to a dishwasher with the sound of the sea on the hull, and I'm partly deaf.

Next time we'll stick with the inside unless the upgrade is higher up.

Cheers

Martin

[twoputt.plusone]

Thanks 2putt.plusone

 

Do you know if they were pleased with the entertainment during the dinner show?

 

Would hate to spend a lot of money and not enjoy the show either?

Thanks

 

I know for sure at least the husband did. It was all he could talk about for a couple of days. ;) :D

 

2P.P1

[twoputt.plusone]

Didn't drink spirits apart from G&T - can't remember the cost.

 

I remember that two cocktails (1 bloody Mary and 1 scotch and water) were over $16.00 including gratuity. They've gone up a bit.

 

2P.P1