pscruzinboyz

Stuffy's with the Ships name on the Shirt...

Mike

Hi all, Just off the Navigator OTS almost 2 weeks ago and I have a question for all of the Seasoned Cruisers.

When in Belize....we tendered......It takes about 25 minutes from ship to shore....Maybe 5 miles......Is this the Longest Tender ride ever or is there another port or ports that are even more WAY OUT THERE. The shuttle was FUN and it is a Beautiful ride...Just never been on a shuttle that long. I added pictures of Cabo San Lucas Mexico, CoCo Cay....both tender port and Malaga Spain....Not a Tender, but a Hike down the Pier. Also remember Progresso Mexico....that was a 1 to 2 mile pier to get on and off the ship. Are there any others out there in the Big World we should know about. We have only sailed Europe and the Caribbean and the US.

Pictures too if you can!

Thanks

Mike

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OK...reading this post the last 2 days...so here is MY Opinion.

Bill and I have almost 40 cruises under our built, all but 5 with RCL.....and been on every class of ship. We love the BIG ships...for us, now being in our mid 50's...there is just so much to do and room to roam around.

First, I have to laugh why people say the Ship felt more crowded with the extra cabins. 3800 people or 4000 people....Can you really tell? Also, you are on a ship.....anytime you our in a confined space...airplane, ship or closet....you will always feel more confined then the wide open space of your home. Sorry, but that is me.

We were on the May 18th cruise and had a GREAT time. I thought the ship felt Brand New.....and showed the same. She is the WOW ship of the fleet right now. Even the flow rider....every time I was up there, there was no more the 6 to 10 people in line to ride which is so much fun.....but we very careful. A 30's girl 3 riders in front of me was Knee Boarding...she was good...but got washed up to the back hard and hurt herself, where the Alfa, Alfa, Alfa went out and they had to shut down the flow rider for 15 minutes. SO BE CAREFUL when riding.

On the transportation front...Both Bill and I got a great deal on the cruise but coming to and from the Airport is expensive...and NO...you Can NOT rent a car....no rental agencies are open on Sundays or for one way rentals...we looked and looked and so it is a no go.

Just plan on 100.00 PP RT to either or both airports. We told ourselves that with the expense of the commute to Galveston, we would not do this port again.....then the BOGO sale happened last weekend and we booked again for the exact same week as this year for a Dirt Cheap Price. Going to the Eastern Western And because it is the week before Memorial Day....No Kids this year. I was so surprised that I read 600 kids a week later...we had just a few. All in All....The Navigator is worth the price and so is Galveston....The Strand is so much Fun before you cruise. We actually spent Sunday the day of the cruise exploring the OLD Downtown. We finally got on Board at 3 pm...No Lines at all....and still had plenty of time to get to the room to unpack.

Thanks for the review and hope to see some of you on the Navigator May 17th 2015.

Mike

Mike,

We had a great self excursion in Coz...hired a guy took us out to Turtle Bay, excellent pictures, all by ourselves in a private van, 60.00 for the day. He included the Sports Illustrated photo shoot area and margaritas, was pretty neat. On the wrap back he drove us by his kids school and his house, was kind of cool. We arrived to get off the ship about 1.5 hours after everyone else, therefore the drivers left were ready to DEAL for the day

Good to know since we will be going to Cozumel again on this cruise.

Thanks

Mike

The ship should stay on Galveston time.

Sorry, I think you are wrong...Were you on last weeks Cruise....

Go with what I said!

Mike

Just booked the Navigator for May 17th 2015.....$1173.80 for the 2 of us in a inside....We always do a balcony but this fare is so cheap, an inside will be fine...Deck 7 right in the middle of the ship...So I am happy! Used that cheap on-line TA so I know we got 100.00 for sure...we will see if we get the 50 percent off down payment and the Pre paid gratuities that they offer.....so very happy since we just got off of her last weekend and she is the WOW ship of the fleet. The funny thing is that we just sailed the Western part of the Western itinerary and thought we booked the same cruise, but looks like we are doing the eastern / western....so I am THRILLED since we have never been to Grand Cayman or Jamaica....so for us ....WE SCORED! Plus being D+....we drink for free every night.

Hope more of you do this cruise....It will be AWSOME!

Mike

Off the NOS last week

We changed Monday Night one hour back so you get that extra hour sleep....and then back ahead on Friday Night....

Yow will Love the NOS......She is now the WOW ship....Just like Brand New!

Just not sure if we were on local time in ports...I wore my watch and that was the time on the ship so that is what I went by.

Have FUN!!! Jealous! :)

Mike

Off the Navigator last weekend and the WJ was Good....It's a Buffet but everything we had was very good. I did notice that Pans are used for everything on the ship....small portions so the pans will rotate more often.

Is that the same on all ships or is it the way the WJ will be going so food does not dry out. We ate at 3 of the 4 Specialty restaurants also and all were Very Good, Sabor is the Do Not Miss Venue.

Mike

Just off Navigator last weekend and have been on Oasis....Navigator is the Choice....She is the WOW ship now...your son will love the Flow Rider. With the Money saved......maybe rent out the flow rider for him for an hour ( Christmas Present ) and you guys go to Sabor....It is VERY GOOD! And you still have Money in the Bank!

Mike

OOPS, was that your wine.....I found it in the hallway and it was shouting out at me to " DRINK ME ".....so I borrowed it for the night. If I knew you were going to post on CC...I might have rethought what I did...but I passed out after drinking the entire bottle. Sorry...but tell your TA, A better Vintage is what you want on your next Cruise!

My Name is MIKE!! :)

Mike

Hi, we were on the same cruise and had a fantastic time. And yes, we were one of the ones that never got notified of the M&M, sorry we missed it and meeting others on the roll call.....hopefully another cruise. Being this was our first time on the Navigator and have experienced 3 of the 4 other Voyager class ships....The Navigator is the WOW ship of all of them. She is beautiful and for being 12 years old....she is now a New Born. The beauty is every where. Great job during her Dry Dock. We were in 8662, D1 balcony room and very spacious for the 2 of us. We always over pack and did again this trip but plenty of room for 2 guys. To start our trip, we stayed at the Roadway Inn at Broadway and 61st...nice for one night and cheaper then almost anything out there. We flew in but other cruisers who stayed there parked for free, so maybe a good choice. We also got to the ship at 11:30 am...but instead of getting on the ship......we have done way too many cruises and since we had 8 days to explore...we dropped the luggage and walked into historical Galveston. One of the highlights of the week. We quickly found out that " The Strand ' is the party street....drinking, Yep beer and wine, eating and people watching all day long. We spent 3 hours, way too many 2 dollar Coronas, why pay 6 bucks on the ship...and had so much Fun. Highly recommend this for everybody. By 2:45, we walked right on to the ship...there was nobody there and the employee's were actually starting to leave.

We actually also did the 3 of the 4 specialty restaurants, Love Chops...never a bad Meal....Giovanni's was Very Good but Sabor is the best....GO....You will not be disappointed.

Flow Rider....experience it....way too much FUN but be careful. I am a 55 year old So Cal Guy that lives on the beach....so kind of like our ocean but the water pressure is much different and when you fall...hurts a bit more. No more then 8 people in a line anytime I was up there so no need to pay extra $$$ for a private session. BUT...one young lady, maybe in her early 30's wiped out and the force took her into the back wall and she was down for the count. Water was turned off and The Alpha call went out. Please be Careful and do what ever you can to go feet first while being washed towards the back wall.

For Us...Food was good...we are not Food snobs....as long as it is good...I like it. Love the French Fries the best since I do not eat these at home....but I did gain 4 pounds for the week...and I am active.

We did the Cave Tubing in Belize....worth the 35 or 45 dollars. Went with Butt's Up....Highly recommend this tour group and do it on your own. Only thing is you do not get much time in port to shop since it is a hike to and from the river......but worth it for being the first time in Belize.

Lot's of great entertainment and everything was top notch, no Complaints....and our Price was exceptional...so that makes it a plus.

Thanks for letting me chime in on your thread.

Mike

We ate at Chops on the Navigator OTS last Friday Night. I thought it was very good as usual.....But missed the Garlic mash potatoes I have had before. Now they have Stuff Tater Tots.....Good, but not great. Finished it up with my Favorite Red Velvet Cake....and that was Yummy! And to top it off......It was all Free, thanks to our On Line TA.....Every Cruise we book with them...and it is always Chops!

Mike

Diamond Plus members receive a 2 for 1 specialty restaurant that is good for the first night of a cruise. Some have had success using it on the second night also depends on the ship

Just off the Navigator on Sunday......Both Bill and I are D+ so we used his BOGO on Sunday Night, first night at Sabor ( Fantastic BTW ) and on Monday, we prepaid the BOGO coupon at Giovanni's and ate there on Wednesday, then our On Line TA gave us Dinner for 2, so that was Chops on Formal night Friday. I think we score pretty good....this is after taking our Full Glass of wine from the DL to take to dinner every night. Thanks RCL

Mike

OK, Let's set the record straight. Just off the Navigator OTS on Sunday and had a GREAT time. The ship is well, A WOW ship. We have been on all of the other Voyager class ships but the Dry Dock made this ship NEW again.

New rooms...YES....not exactly sure how many but they are on Deck 12, Yes, Deck 12.......no more window views from the SPA......we saw a couple of rooms that were open for cleaning and some had balcony's and some had Full length windows which look cool to look out. Kind of like the Promenade Room windows but larger. And on Deck 3....the lower level of the OLD Disco called the Crypt I think. have been turned into rooms...but again, not sure how many.

Public spaces.....OK, they took some out and added some.

Gone......The walking track to the front of the ship on deck 12, added rooms, Now it is 8 laps to do a mile. Also gone will be the disco and also gone is where the Card room on deck 14 and exit to the outside to over look the basketball court. But the 19th hole was taken away a long time ago to make Diamond lounges....still public areas but only to top tier cruisers.

Added......Sabor, Highly recommend eating here...It was so GOOD! Deck 4 of the old disco. Public...but just to eat.

Izumi.....another restaurant, did not eat here but heard from many that said it was really good. Public...but just to eat.

Deck 13, above the New rooms......HUGE.....outdoor suntan deck that really is quiet and rarely used. But has lot of new loungers and shade...so a Great area to get away from the crowds.

And if you sail on the Navigator, Highly recommend getting to the ship early, drop your luggage at the Pier and then walk to Historic Downtown Galveston.....it is a MUST SEE. And on " THE STRAND " the main street....you can eat and DRINK alcohol and shop....2 dollar beers all day while shopping, so cool. Get back to the ship by 3, walk right on, go to the room, go get something to eat, no crowds and do Muster....then time to have FUN!

Hope I have not forgotten anything. Have a Great Time on the Navigator or any RCL Ship! Especially after the Dry Docks!

Mike

Anaheim Ducks Fan here.....Game 7 on Friday so get to watch at home in So Cal....but hoping they will win to go up against the Black Hawks....

Wish us Luck!

Mike

Were on the Navigator on the 18th of May, getting into Hobby at 4:40 pm on the 17th....no shuttles operate after 5:00 pm so we are looking at a Taxi Service for 2.....$90.00 for 2 people one way.....Is this Good and how much should we tip?

Anybody else going down late afternoon on Saturday the 17th?

Thanks

Mike

Good News,

Just booked the May 18th sailing. Going to be a great retrofit!

Mike

We will be on the same cruise with our MiL who is restricted mobility wise. She enjoys sitting on the balcony and watching the people getting on and off the ship at the various ports. Could you tell me which side faced the dock in St. Maarten, St. Kitts and San Juan? Yes, we know it isn't always the same for each cruise but any information would be helpful.

We were Starboard...Backed into St Maarten, so we faced the Epic on the Dock...Kind of Cool, St Kitts, We pulled in straight, San Juan we pulled in Straight and the same for Labadee. Not sure who makes that decision. But the Cruise was Great!

Have a Great Time....The ship is beautiful!!

Mike

Hi all,

Hope you enjoy some Christmas time Pictures I took on board the Independence of the Seas, December 7 - 15th to the Eastern Caribbean. The Ship is Beautiful and the Trip was Great....Great Weather and Wonderful Ports.

We had a E2 Cabin and after the Cruise....it was all left to our Room Steward so he could enjoy some Christmas Magic.

This was our first Christmas Cruise since 2009 on the Radiance. But will be our last for a few years since we missed decorating at home. Always Great to be on a cruise during the Holidays though.

Does anybody else decorate their Cabin when on a Holiday Cruise? Pictures?

Enjoy!! :)

Mike

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We were on the 8 night eastern on December 7th. No new furniture in our E2 Cabin, Deck 8......But the Ship is in Great Shape...No Complaints....except one, No Logo Shop. I collect Bears with the name of the ship on the shirt...nothing on this ship. Oh Well! :(

Mike

We were just their last Friday on the Indy and we left just at dark. The island goes to sleep...all of the employees were leaving, so I doubt the Ship will overnight. If someone falls or worse because of inadequate lighting...in which there is none.....LAWSUIT!! Big Time. This is not a City Port with Security or Lighting. So with that...NO, You will not overnight. You might be there 2 days, but your overnight will be on the ship out in the ocean!

Mike

We have our D+ gift basket from the cruise we just got off today, The Independence OTS and are enjoying the goodies as we wait for our delayed flight to depart from Austin on the way to LAX. Love RCL, this basket saved us $$$ by not having to eat expensive airport food.

Mike

WOW...Not the way a vacation is to start...I hope the rest of the trip was less eventful if you know what I mean. :)

Mike

Us too, we want to sell one of our places in So Cal to move to South Florida....just to cruise...But I have a funny feeling that will be a little ways down the road.....have to work just for the fact medical insurance would be soooo expensive on our own, but I am sure that is what we will do years down the road.....as long as there are cheap cruises out of So Florida......we are so there!! :)

Mike

I'm here to learn more...and Bill and I have sailed with a few of you...HI ! :)

Nice to see pictures of all of you. Miss the Cruises out of LA.

We are booked on the Westbound TA Oasis in October 2014 so want to hear everything.

Mike