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Spring Break in Texas: Review of Navigator of the Seas March 9, 2014


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Hi all,

 

I try to do a semi-live review of our cruises and we will be embarking on the newly renovated Navigator of the Seas in less than 24 hours!! I'll give y'all some background tonight and then start posting tomorrow. I plan on paying for the unlimited wifi (for work purposes) and should be able to post pics, etc.

 

Before subscribing to this you might want to know who we are and what our cruising style is.

 

We are somewhat new Texans having just moved to the state in the last couple of years. We try to cruise 2-3x per year and always on Royal. I am stuck cruising during school holidays and it just so happened that university spring break was the same as everyone else this year. This cruise was booked two years ago when someone on CC posted about some good deals. It appeared that Royal didn't know when TX spring break would be.

 

We are Diamond members, so I should be able to address any questions about amenities onboard for D members. In addition, we are booked in an owner's suite. This will be our first time in a "true" suite as we normally only travel in junior suites (or balconies depending on prices).

 

I booked the cruise through an online TA and received prepaid grats, $100 OBC, and dinner for 2. I also donated a lot to the casino on my last cruise and will have $400 waiting for me at the casino cashier.

 

We are a married couple with no children (late 30s and late 40s). However, my stepson (24) is traveling with us and staying in an inside room with his uncle.

 

We are about 5 hours away from Galveston, so we'll be driving down first thing tomorrow morning. The hotels were really expensive and I knew this week at work would be crazy with all the pre-spring break stuff. It's 7 PM and I haven't even started packing!

 

So what is our cruising style:

 

We don't have kids, so I won't be able to address anything about children's programs/activities.

 

We are not big drinkers (or really drink at all). Hubby is a smoker and this will be our first cruise with the new rules. So I will be able to share his experience for fellow smokers...as well as my thoughts as a non-smoker.

 

We are doing MTD and will probably do one formal night. We're not big dress up people...so it's a chore doing formal night. However, since we're D with the free photos, we usually do one formal night. DH will do full suit and tie and I usually throw on some heels (my one time a year I wear them) and a nice dress.

 

We will likely eat at a specialty restaurant once (probably Chops). I do like the dining for breakfast (when available) and we'll probably end up in the WJ for a dinner or two.

 

We like to participate in trivia and I'll probably do the Diamond entertainment tour. Speaking of entertainment, we always go to the ice show and we'll usually check out a few shows, but find we walk away really disappointed (I, admittedly, have high expectations for entertainment).

 

On sea days you can usually find me with a book on my balcony (thus the reason why we pay more for rooms). We're not big pool people. I'll pack a bathing suit, but probably never use it.

 

We have excursions booked in Belize and Honduras but I am opting not to leave the ship for Cozumel. In Belize we are going to Lamanai and in Honduras we booked a private excursion for zip lining. I have been to both of these ports before, but it was about 5 years ago.

 

For me, a Caribbean cruise is a chance to just unwind and sleep. It's my chance to recuperate and plow through the remaining 7 weeks of the semester.

 

I will also admit that half of my carryon bag is full of work. I have a lot to do before the end of the semester and can't truly turn it off. So I'll bring some reading to prepare for a summer course, some videos I need to watch for research, review student research papers, and do some grading. Thus, I always buy an internet package and I heard that Navigator got the new unlimited package(!!).

 

So, with that, let the review begin! We'll be up at 5:30 AM tomorrow in order to get on the road by 6:30 AM (at the latest). I'll check in tomorrow to report on embarkation, etc. I've heard bad things about the process at Galveston, so we'll see how it goes.

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We will be on the cruise tomorrow as well. We are super excited. This will be our first cruise with Royal. We live in the DFW area and drove down today. We hit quite a bit of rain heading down, until around Conroe. We are staying the night in Texas City. I hear it's supposed to be raining in the morning as well, should be interesting! I am a school teacher so I know what you mean about needing to recharge! We are cruising with our three girls 15, 13 and 8 so they are definitely looking for fun. Anyway, hope it's a great cruise and I look forward to reading about your experience!

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Thanks Lisa! Glad you made it down safely. We're coming from the same area. Hopefully the rain won't slow things down too badly.

 

Your kids are going to have a blast!! Especially with the new Flowrider :)

 

 

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CJ - I will do my best with the compasses :)

Percy - I am looking forward to the ruins...I have been to Tulum and chakchanaab in the past. Our last visit to Belize I did the cave tubing option, so I wanted to try something different. The weather isn't looking too good for Belize right now, but we'll make do.

 

 

 

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Edited by seaofwonder
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Good morning all!

 

Was up at the crack of dawn and only about 10 minutes behind schedule.

 

We ended up packing more than normal, due to the fact that we're driving. Between hubby and I we have 1 large suitcase, 2 small suitcases, and a backpack. 1 small suitcase ended up being full of work stuff and the other was a combo of hubby's medications, some clothes and a bunch of snacks that we bought (the ship never seems to have what we are craving and it's cheaper to buy at home).

 

Google maps says we are 5.5 hours away. So we'll stop for breakfast along the way and maybe a stop at the infamous Bucky's. As a non-native Texan I'm not sure what the hype is, but all my Texan students assure me that I must stop.

 

Will check in later!!

 

 

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Have a fun trip...you will LOVE the OS!:D

 

I'm looking forward to your report. I'm now retired after 30 years in education, so my days of cruising from Galveston during the height of Spring Break are behind me, but it still feels kind of strange to be sitting on my couch instead of heading to Galveston today!

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Hey! Was checking to see who was heading out! You were like me - I didn't start packing till 1:15 this morning. I'm having to change my planned sail away out fit because of this cold dreary weather :rolleyes:

 

Hope you guys have a safe drive down and look forward to seeing you all on board!

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Subscribing. We leave in two weeks so I am looking forward to your posts.

 

You MUST stop at Buc-ees. Not the best for a sit down meal but great to grab and go. Cleanest bathrooms anywhere. Fresh coffee. Reasonable gas prices. Either stop coming down or going back.

 

I am very interested if the additional cabins and people have made a difference in the crowded feeling of the public spaces? I have sailed on Voyager class many times and loved the fact the public spaces rarely seemed crowded.

 

Please advise who is in the Piano Bar at Schooners as well if you can. Thanks!

Edited by LoneStarJeffe
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Cindy - I love the flexibility of academia, but hate the restrictions on traveling during the most expensive times of the year!

 

Thanks to everyone following!

 

We've been on the Voyager class quite a few times, so I will definitely report on crowding issues. However, I may be a bit hypersensitive to that as I thought Allure seemed crowded and no one seems to agree with me.

 

I'll pop into the a Schooner Bar and see who is there. I'll also check on the availability of the ordinary soda package due to another thread reporting they weren't available.

 

We are about 3 hours away from Galveston. The driver took a wrong turn and we ended up on country roads for a little longer than we anticipated. The good thing about Texas is the speed limits are high :)

 

There is reportedly no fog today! But it is chilly able only 45 degrees where we are right now and a bit of a mist/drizzle. Feels weird to be wearing jeans and a fleece jacket.

 

I will look for Buc-ees :)

 

 

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I will look for Buc-ees :)

 

 

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Everybody seems to love their Beaver Nuggets, but I tried them and thought they were yucky little sugar puffs.:rolleyes: However, they make awesome fudge and I LOVE their Honey Macadamia Crunch Popcorn!:)

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Everybody seems to love their Beaver Nuggets, but I tried them and thought they were yucky little sugar puffs.:rolleyes: However, they make awesome fudge and I LOVE their Honey Macadamia Crunch Popcorn!:)

 

 

Hmmm, it looks like it is 38 miles south of here (just stopped for a potty break) and we're starving for breakfast. We might have to hit it on the way home. Hubby wants Whataburger lol

 

 

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Subscribing. We leave in two weeks so I am looking forward to your posts.

 

You MUST stop at Buc-ees. Not the best for a sit down meal but great to grab and go. Cleanest bathrooms anywhere. Fresh coffee. Reasonable gas prices. Either stop coming down or going back.

 

I am very interested if the additional cabins and people have made a difference in the crowded feeling of the public spaces? I have sailed on Voyager class many times and loved the fact the public spaces rarely seemed crowded.

 

Please advise who is in the Piano Bar at Schooners as well if you can. Thanks!

 

Where is Buc-ees? Will be driving down in a few weeks. Don't want to miss it!

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Curious to know what you teach in college. We sail on Nav two weeks from today. This is my 39th year in higher Ed. I work for a great small liberal arts college in AR. I'll be following you all week. Thanks for doing this!

 

 

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We are on your cruise! Not happy with today's weather but we will be on vacation! I am a retired teacher so I totally understand the limited vacation windows. We are taking our granddaughter on this cruise for her spring break. Leaving Katy shortly for our trip to Galveston. We are from MD so this is a new cruise port for us. Looking forward to it! See you soon!

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Have a fun trip...you will LOVE the OS!:D

 

 

 

I'm looking forward to your report. I'm now retired after 30 years in education, so my days of cruising from Galveston during the height of Spring Break are behind me, but it still feels kind of strange to be sitting on my couch instead of heading to Galveston today!

 

 

Bet you are glad to be able to cruise when fares are better...probably glad to stay inside this morning, as it's yucky out there...dog walk has to wait a couple hours.

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Hubby is a smoker and this will be our first cruise with the new rules. So I will be able to share his experience for fellow smokers...as well as my thoughts as a non-smoker.

 

I'm a non-smoker also and hubby smokes, so I'll be following along to see what you say about the new rules. We leave 3/24 on Enchantment so any remarks you have on the smoking policy will be helpful.

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Curious to know what you teach in college. We sail on Nav two weeks from today. This is my 39th year in higher Ed. I work for a great small liberal arts college in AR. I'll be following you all week. Thanks for doing this!

 

 

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Wow, 39 years is a long time in education! I teach psychology at a mid-sized private university. What do you teach?

 

 

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I'm a non-smoker also and hubby smokes, so I'll be following along to see what you say about the new rules. We leave 3/24 on Enchantment so any remarks you have on the smoking policy will be helpful.

 

 

Absolutely!! Hubby says he won't be bothered, but we'll see.

 

 

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Well, Buc-ees is getting mixed review from us. It is an enormous truck stop, although not the biggest I've seen. However, it is very clean! They have a fabulous deli selection and great snack choices.

 

I did buy some Beaver Nuggets that I'll eat later onboard and a t-shirt.

 

Unfortunately, we went to order some breakfast croissants. During our 15 minute wait we asked a couple times about our order and she assured us it was coming. Well, after 15 minutes we see her go to the kitchen. Apparently they skipped our order (which we kind of guessed when they called 910 and we were 909). So we ended up at Jack in the Box for breakfast :(

 

It's worth a stop though...go in hungry!!

 

So that was a 30+ minute detour and I think we're still more than 2 hours away. No more stops!!

 

Some quick pics from Buc-ees.

 

Oops coming right up...

 

 

 

 

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The world's largest Buc-ee's is coming this year exit 17 in Dickinson where the Tanger Outlet mall is. HUGE...BIG...GIANT!!!! I still don't see the need for one that large. But they have the best jerky. All different meats...YUMMY.

 

Looking forward to reading your review; we sail 3/30. I am anxious to hear all about Navigator! We plan on dining at Izumi's and Giovanni's for lunch one day.

 

Enjoy...and yes, the weather is not the best this morning but I just saw on the news that the rain is moving offshore so Galveston should be clearing by the time you arrive.

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