Review of Navigator Eastern Med 9th Aug 09

[mzk90]

Did the Navigator Eastern Med on Aug 9th, been a bit busy at work, hence the delay in writing.
Cruise only, flights with Alitalia from LHR arriving at Fiumicino/Leonardo da Vinci on the Sunday around 09:30. Collect bags and a line of Royal reps point you towards the coach transfer to the pier, prob about a 5 minute walk. On the coach they handed out the medical questionnaire to check if you are a H1N1 risk. Also they handed out another form for if you hand not done your setsail or completed the mandatory guest form for the tickets. About a 75 minute drive to the pier.

Check-in was seamless, although some confusion about surrendering your passports, which we did not do, as we were EU, but I think maybe US guests did have to. I remember hearing announcements about day 5 for people to collect them on the ship.

Ship in good nick and the weather was beautiful. Seemed to be about 60% Italians and the rest split between Spanish, UK and US. Stateroom ready at 1pm and bags delivered by 6 I believe. We had muster, but now they just ask you to go to your muster point without having to go back to the stateroom for your lifejacket, which is much easier.

We were doing My Time Dining, so I went to the desk on deck 5 and asked for a table for 4 at 8pm for the first night. Overall we ate in MDR 4 times, once in Portofinos and twice in WJ. Opinion on My Time Dining was that I found it slightly rushed and impersonal, trad dining the wait team know that they will roughly serve each course at the same time across their section. In MTD they can be doing starters on one, mains on another, desserts somewhere else and getting a table ready for the next guests, all at the same time! Plus because they are under pressure, they don’t have the breaks between courses to create a relationship with the table. Any relation to the fact they already have their tips guaranteed so don’t need to work too hard for it? I hope not, but human nature is what it is! If I can get 2nd, I think I will go back to Traditional dining in future.

Portofinos was excellent, food and service. Windjammer as usual, great choice of food, very good quality. Was manic at times with tables at a premium, lots of Italians taking their time to enjoy their dining, which is their culture. Johnny Rockets was good as it always is when we went one lunchtime.
Nibbles from Café Promenade were very nice.
Entertainment? No comment as we never went to a single show, sorry, just not what we choose to do on holiday.

Stayed mostly either in the Solarium or up on deck 12 on that side of the sky bar. I saw the main pool area was very busy most of the time. Getting a lounger in a decent position could be difficult unless you were up and ready to roll by 0900, but there were lots of loungers around and people made use of all available deck space so it did not seem an issue.
Viking Crown was dead some evenings. Pub normally pretty busy. Wine bar quiet. Schooner and Boleros busy as per normal.

Ports. Messina(Sicily) Did ship excursion to Taormina. 45 minute drive, very scenic, drops off at entrance to town then you have plenty of time to explore. We went to the Greek amphitheatre, which on a lovely day like we had, gives you great views of the coastline and Mount Etna. You pay an entrance fee in and kids are free. The main road that leads there is just a shopping street really, so you need to get off it and explore the alleys and courtyards and try some ice cream as it is nice and comes in some lovely flavours. You have to make your way back to the car park but before you leave the old gate, head down a slope to the left to a bar called Billy and Billy’s. Have an ice-cold Messina beer which was very nice and a Cappucinno which was also good.

Athens(Piraeus). We were intending to walk to the Piraeus station, but just after we left the area where taxis were and the coaches waiting for the shorex a taxi pulled over and offered 12 euros to the Acropolis and I wanted to beat the crowds so we jumped in. Nice driver, not great English, but he pointed out some things on the 20 minute drive. He dropped us off and we bought our tickets and were making our way up to the Acropolis at around 8:20am. The Acropolis is absolutely fantastic, giving great views across the city, even as far as being able to see the ship in the harbour which surprised me! We were there ages before it started to get really mobbed, as there were 4 ships in the harbour that day. Eventually we made our way down and walked to Hadrians Gate and the Temple of Zeus, which again are spectacular.

From there we walked up to Syntagma Square, just in time to see the changing of the guard. This is a must see, as it is very strange. What the movements are about I do not know, but it is like something Monty Python might have dreamed up! No offence to any Greeks is intended. We went and had a gyro(kebab) and some drinks before visiting the Plaka eventually getting the train back to Piraeus. Now I said we would walk back to the ship, but we seemed to be docked further away then the map the ship gives indicated, which suggested it would be a 25 minute walk. It was a lot longer and in the heat it is quite hard. We went past the 3 other ships that were docked too! There did seem to be a shuttle running between the ship and presumably Piraeus, but I did not see the info for this anywhere.

Kusadasi. We had arranged a private tour with Emre Ates, a local guy with a touch of the Colin Farrell about him, who supports Newcastle Utd! He picked us up as soon as we left the cruise building at 07:30 and he along with driver Mehmet took us in the a/c people carrier around for the day. First to the House of the Virgin Mary, then to the ruins at Ephesus itself. These are very impressive, especially the Terrace Houses which are being made available for extensive viewing in a clever way while they carry on with the excavation and reconstruction. One word, it is very very hot and busy, make sure you have plenty of fluids with you and sensible shoes. The amphitheatre is spectacular too! At the end there is a little area where you can get a snack and a drink and shop for souvenirs.

We then went to the archaeological museum and from there we stopped off at the Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world, just so we could say we had been there as there is little to see in all honesty!
We then drove to a village called Sirince. The drive there is spectacular with beautiful views over the landscape. Nice place where we had a meal in a restaurant, lots of starters which were delicious and plentiful. Beef and rice for main, which was slightly disappointing. We had a wander through the shops and bought some souvenirs before the drive back to the ship. Emre was very attentive and knowledgeable. Anyone wants his contact details, let me know.

Crete(Heraklion)
To be honest, after 3 busy days from 4 we were knackered and just thought we would chill out onboard as it was quite peaceful!

Debark was pretty easy. Bags waiting in the covered area. Got the city centre transfer at 09:15 which dropped us off at Ostiense train station. The transfer guys made sure everyone either got the metro or a taxi to their hotel, the area was very quiet at that time of the morning. We took a cab to the Sheraton Roma where we were staying 2 nights, arranged by ourselves. Nice hotel, good facilities and a lovely pool, with plenty of areas to crash out and sunbathe!

On the Monday we went to Rome on the hotel shuttle and walked about 25 minutes to St Peter’s. My biggest tip for Rome; PRE-BOOK THE VATICAN MUSEUM AND SISTINE CHAPEL ON THE INTERNET!!!!! When we got there, the queue for the Basilica was back around one colonnade and down the other. The queue for the museum was half mile long, we walked along the length of the queue right to the front, where you show your bar-coded receipt and enter through security. Don’t forget, no bare shoulders and thighs knees must be covered to show respect. Once in you make your way through the various rooms, which are all pretty special, until you get to the Sistine Chapel itself. Now the room is packed with tourists and there is literally 1 guy trying to stop people taking photos/video and to keep a respectful volume. Felt sorry for him really, as it was a losing battle, although he did throw one woman out for using a videocam. SC is very special, even if you are not a RC.

Another handy tip, when you are ready to leave the chapel, head to the far right hand corner, NOT the exit on the left. Go through and follow the exit signs. This brings you out to where you can queue to go up the Cupola of the Basilica, you can walk all the way or take the lift which saves about 250 steps. We got the lift! You then can walk around the inside of the dome, which is spectacular and gives great view up and down. Then you make your way up the dome which is fascinating, especially when at one point you are walking up very narrow stairs with the wall leaning in from the left at about a 75 degree angle! We saw a few people turn back who did not fancy it! Once at the top you exit and can walk around virtually the top of St Peter’s dome with fabulous views of the city. When you come down, you can get almost to the statues which look over the front of the Basilica, here there is a souvenir shop and then you get the lift down, which rather brilliantly takes you to the inside of St Peters.

Here you get to see Pietro and all the amazing things inside. I got to kiss the foot of Saint Peter, which some people were having their picture taken doing, which to me seems a bit odd, but each to their own!
After leaving, we went for a meal and some drinks up the road towards the metro. Then we took the train(1 euro) to the Coliseum. You come out of Colloseo and there it is, just across the road! We could have queued up for about 20 minutes for a ticket, but there was a guided tour just starting which was only 4 euros extra, so we did that. Interesting to hear what should be the truth behind a lot of urban legend regarding the Coliseum and its uses throughout the years, but suffice to say it is a spectacular site. Again, very hot, so bring fluids, especially as the vendors outside are a rip off! We left and got the metro to Spagna for the Spanish Steps, which was nice to see and then we walked down to the Trevi fountain, which is a surprise to find in the middle of a little square. It is very busy obviously, but easy to do your coin throwing and get pictures with patience and manners! After a while we headed off back to the hotel, as we were hot and exhausted, but happy with our day’s work!

Hope this is of use. Any questions or supplemental info, please post.

[Elizanessie]

Thanks mzk90 for your review

Can you possibly tell me who was the Captain?

Also wondering about the singer in the Pub...any good?

What type of cabin did you have? and were you happy with it?

Would you sail on the NV again ?

Thanks

[mzk90]

Liz,

It was the marvellous Cap'n Bang!

Can't say about the pub singer as never really went there, only saw it busy in passing, but he looked the usual style and standard!

Ocean view, deck 2 midships. It was fine.

Would def sail on NV again.

[Elizanessie]

Originally Posted by mzk90

Liz,

It was the marvellous Cap'n Bang!

Can't say about the pub singer as never really went there, only saw it busy in passing, but he looked the usual style and standard!

Ocean view, deck 2 midships. It was fine.

Would def sail on NV again.

Thanks

I was hoping Capt Bang would be onboard for the transatlantic but I did hear he wont be

We like the Pub..heck thats where folks usually know where to find me but only usually when it is Jimmy Blakemore singing in there and sadly he is no longer on the NV so that was why I am curious to know who is singing there now. Och well guess I will find out in about 71 days

Oh who was your Cruise Director? and was he any good ?

[emmy]

Enjoyed your review. We will be sailing a TA on Navigator April 2010.

I must say I agree with your thoughts on MTD and I felt the same way when we tried it on Mariner this past April.

Thanks for the tip about which way to go to see the dome of St Peter's. Another friend had told me about that as well.

Did you tour the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican on your own or did you use a guide or tour company? If you did it on your own did you feel like you saw enough and what you wanted to doing it on your own.

Like Liz I too am interested in who you had as a CD?

[mzk90]

Pretty sure it was Simeon Baker, but didn't see much of him as we didn't go to the shows etc.

Did the Vatican museum and SC on our own, which I think is fine if you hire the audio guide or just take a good written one along with you and take your time to see the pieces that are important.

[Elizanessie]

Thanks mzk90 for CD info.

Did you notice any bars that were rather smokey and would recommend non smokers avoid possibly?

[yogimax]

Thanks for your excellent tips!

[LSTEFFA]

Enjoyed your review. We are going in a few weeks. We are doing
similar tours as yours in Greece and Turkey. Would bermuda shorts
be okay in those areas since it is going to be so hot?

[mzk90]

No probs Liz. Not sure about the bars as if I caught a whiff of smoke I would be looking for another one! I will check my Compasses etc to see if they mention it in there. A lot of the Italians smoke!!

Bermuda shorts are fine and I would recommend them in the heat, just sunscreen your legs too, lol!

[Elizanessie]

Originally Posted by mzk90

No probs Liz. Not sure about the bars as if I caught a whiff of smoke I would be looking for another one! I will check my Compasses etc to see if they mention it in there. A lot of the Italians smoke!!

Thanks ...I have friends going on NV this weekend and they dont like smokey bars so that was why I asked.

[TC@SEA]

Many thanks for the review MZK90. That was very very useful.

We are planning a trip on NOTS next May and were wondering what the overall condition of the ship was like. We have been spoiled on Liberty & Independence over the last few years and just wondered whether Navigator has had any of the recent upgrades, particularly the flat screen TV's and the new beds/mattresses.

I would also be interested if you thought the number of smokers on board would be a problem. I have read many members reviews who were horrified with the level of smoking on board this ship. In your considered opinion is it a constant problem for non-smokers. The last thing in the world I want is the smell of stale cigarette smoke around the ship.

I would also be interested in any other opinions from people who have recently sailed on NOTS.

Many thanks in advance for any information.

[mzk90]

TC, the ship seemed fine to me and I am used to Indy! The TVs are old style though, which is a bit crap! The beds are fine, I always sleep like a log onboard!

I hate smoking and I did not find it a big problem, just would prefer a total ban, but that is just MHO! I don't think it is overly noticeable.