Cindy

The web site is showing Navigator again. Whether is is cabin re-configurations, or whatever. Would not a simple statement when you attempt to pull up the dates that says: 'Itinerary being updated, pls check back later"

 

information is power. You want your customers to be informed (empowered)..the same thing occurs when there are boarding delays in Galveston> I swear, they hold a staff beiefing and tell everyone, when they are asked by the delay to reply "I DUNNO" or make up their very on fairy tale.

 

Talk to the customer!!!!

Between that and those of us booked between February & April not being able to see our reservations I'm dumbfounded. You would think they woke up last Tuesday, hauled out a world map and tail, and decided where to re-deploy the Navigator in a rousing game of pin the tail on the home port:eek:! I think in truth this has been in the works for quite a while. Several people had reported hints being dropped long before I got the news on the Mariner.

As it is right now, they have a splashy page touting Navigator's improvements and new cabin categories, and a link to the new deck plans that takes you to...the existing deck plans.:confused: The cruises that disappeared don't seem to have any new cabin categories, and the pricing didn't change.

How difficult would it have been to have everything ready to go? Phone reps with answers to questions? Updated deck plans?

Chaos and disorganization drive me crazy...I love RCCL ships, but I have a hard time understanding why communication seems to be so difficult. It's not just Navigator either. Yesterday I was on the phone with C&A, converting a next cruise certificate into a booking. I had the pricing open on my computer. I couldn't complete the reservation and had to wait for a return phone call, because the representative didn't have pricing on her computer!:p

Don't even get me started on the problems I've had with my Celebrity booking and getting my Captain's Club status. The communication apple didn't fall far from the tree.:( The PVP I was assigned when I first called them should be dismissed for total incompetence.

OK...I'll stop now!:o I just had a really frustrating day on the phone yesterday, and it was all somehow related to RCI. I had to call 3 times for my Serenade booking, I found out my Celebrity reservation is a disaster, and then I spent over an hour on the phone with BoA because somehow they let a charge from China go through on my RCCL VISA...while I was on a cruise in the Caribbean that they knew about!:mad:

Bye bye Mariner of the Seas..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up to leave Cozumel is Carnival Glory I believe then us. All aboard is 630. We should set sail at 7:00.

What a perfect day here in Cozumel!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Please excuse any typographical errors.

Hey! I'm in your pictures! We were on the Mariner, and we're out on our balcony for sailaway. No, you can't tell it's us, but it still makes me smile.

I have a lot of random pictures of people on other ships that were taken from my ship. I never really thought about how many people probably have a random picture of me!

I'm so glad I discovered this thread...great pictures and comments! Thanks for all your time and effort!

I reserved 1140 on the Millennium last April -- sight unseen -- for a Pacific Coastal in September. I was a little nervous because we usually cruise in something larger, but I wanted to try BLU so AQ it was. After seeing the pictures, I think with the big balcony and the 23 second walk down to the bar, we'll be fine!:D

We've always kept our clubs in our cabin. If this is a security policy, it's a new one.

Had to release our aft for October....sniff sniff...DH says we just can't do it that soon after Allure! So if anyone is interestedin 9390, it's back on the market this morning.... we'll have to wait until some time in 2015 to cruise again. Boohoo He says I got the "fever" too badly the other day when I jumped on it. Easy to get caught up yeah?;)

That makes me :(.

More good news!:) From the article posted by Rudyard...

Meanwhile, Port officials are planning $8 million to $10 million in improvements at the terminal that will serve the Navigator of the Seas.

Here's what Royal Caribbean has posted on their website about the Navigator upgrades. I'm really excited!:D

A couple things...I noticed they mentioned a concierge lounge. I wonder if that means they are building a new one that will have a nicer ambience than the current "Inside Cabin" lounge? I also hope that with three specialty restaurants they start to offer a dining package like they do on the Oasis class and the renovated ships.

Sail on the first ship to debut with virtual balconies! Enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea with expansive real-time views of the ocean and our exciting destinations—all from the comforts of your interior stateroom. Plus, we’re introducing panoramic oceanview staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. With staterooms this innovative, you may never want to leave!

More delectable ways to dine onboard are coming. Have dinner family style at Giovanni’s Table, and share Italian classics. Bite into the sumptuous pan-Asian cuisine at Izumi, grab a snack at the complimentary Park Café, and enjoy tasty treats from the vintage style bakery Cupcake Cupboard.

Hang ten above sea level on the FlowRider®, the first signature surf simulator to debut on the Voyager-class. Or simply hang out by the pool and watch movies and sporting events on a 220-square foot outdoor screen. We’re also adding the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery, and the Concierge and Diamond Lounges exclusively for suite and Crown & Anchor® Society members.

Staying connected at sea will be easier than ever with Wi-Fi available throughout the ship. And if you choose to stay in your stateroom to catch a movie, you'll be able to do it with all new flat-panel televisions. Best of all, we're introducing digital way-finders onboard so you can find your next hangout and see what's lined up for the day.

I booked the very expensive 6/8 sailing because that is our anniversary and My Bday is on the 12th but I am going to check out some less expensive dates too. We were on our way home from the dentist when my TA called and said his rep had called to tell him Navigator would be in Galveston year round.

 

I think Costa Maya is just the 6 nighter. MY TA checked the entire schedule and thats the only Costa Maya stop he saw. There will be a one nighter for TAs on the 10th of May - that is the reason for the 6 night cruise.

The schedule definitely shows Sunday departures.

There's better information here on Cruise Critic than from the two C&A reps I spoke with earlier!:rolleyes: The first time I called the agent didn't say a word about the May 4th cruise being 6 Nights. When I called back to switch my reservation, I only found out inadvertently that the May 4th sailing was shorter...then I was told the reason was because Navigator would be sailing on Saturdays!:eek:

Texas folks, I'll tell you what really makes me happy...we're not getting just any ship -- we're getting a ship that's going to be completely redone with all the bells and whistles they can add.:D I was a little underwhelmed by what was done to the Mariner in last year's drydock, but it makes sense now...since the Mariner is heading to Asia, they made and are making quite different changes than what the Navigator will get. If you haven't been on Royal Caribbean's website today, go take a look at Navigator -- they're already announcing and promoting all the changes.

This seems to me to be a pretty well thought-out plan for a year-round return to Galveston. It's the perfect time for some competition down there, and I think RCCL is going to try to make the most of this opportunity. I think they're gearing up to go head to head with Carnival, and try to attract some of the people who choose the Magic because they want to be on a new ship. Hence, Navigator is getting a top to bottom refurb, and I expect it to be heavily marketed to stress the improvements.

We got what we've been hoping for...let's fill 'er up!:cool:

I would love an alternating schedule with Costa Maya on one Mexican week and Belize on the next...easily done, they are really close together.

 

We just loved our trip out to the Caye and would do it again hands down! Water was crystal for snorkeling, really had a blast!

Sure would be nice if they would get the schedule posted...I'd like to be able to see what's available without having to call!

Wonder if that has to do with fog in Galveston and competing with Carnival for getting into and out of the channel????

 

Not sure, Becci...at some point they'll have the Triumph back every other Saturday.

It could be something with the port availability since this is such a late switch in deployment.

I'm not sure if Navigator replaced Belize with Costa Maya on all the sailings, or just the 6-Nighter they're doing to get on the new schedule.

More information...I ended up staying with April 6th, because the reason the May 4th cruise was less expensive was because it is a 6-Night. Navigator will be sailing on Saturdays instead of Sundays.

Just got off the phone with C&A...pricing for early May is awesome!:D

The Roatan itinerary is dropping Belize and adding Costa Maya.

I wanted to do a courtesy hold, but since the cruises aren't up on the website yet I couldn't.

Waiting for my husband to call me back...

My TA just tried to book it and Navigator is available for bookings all year. They still haven't made the announcement. She said it was pretty expensive for June and July but, of course, was much cheaper in October! So, looks like all the speculation was correct! :)

Still only shows through the April 27th cruise on the RCCL website.:(

Yes, but every cruise before this year the last week in April has been the TA back to the Med...so next year it looks like there won't be a TA at all...is what I meant.

 

And those folks who booked it won't be doing a B2B on the TA.....hee hee hee

:):):)

Another big clue and confirmation....the April 27th cruise out of Galv. is listed as a Jamaican Itinerary, NOT A TA!!...on the RCCL booking engine. You just can't see May yet.

Becci, that one's been a Caribbean itinerary for a while. I looked at that one when I did my on-board booking, but there weren't any cabins we wanted still open. A lot of people had scooped up the suites hoping to do a B2B with the TA.

:confused::confused::confused:

Patience!:D I fully expect us to have to wait at least another week before we hear anything any more definite than what I was told Saturday. If it's earlier than that, I will be pleasantly surprised.

When (not if!:)) the itineraries come out, I'm seriously considering switching my booking to May 4th while cabin selection is wide open. There were very few suites left when I made my Navigator reservation last Wednesday. I prefer a GS with the deeper overhang, and there weren't any left by the time I booked.

That would rub me the wrong way too.

 

If I did think someone deserved something extra I would not give it to them in an envelope. I would discreetly hand them cash. That is what I have done for a concierge who did us for us something beyond and servers in the Diamond Lounge who were great.

I write thank you notes and include my cash tip in the envelope with the note...I certainly don't need someone to fill in their name for me!:eek: To me, it was just as bold as if he was standing at my door with his hand out, saying, "Please Miss Cynthia, may I have some cash?":rolleyes:

For those of you who saw the later Navigator schedule, how far out did it show, please? To Dec. 2014?

I only saw one cruise...May 18th. It was up for a couple hours with no pricing, then it disappeared.:confused: My assumption is they were beginning to upload itineraries, and somebody pushed the wrong button.:rolleyes: Either that, or they underestimated the persistence of the Cruise Critics:D!

RCI is leaving out envelopes just incase you might want to leave a little extra after those pre-paid gratuities.... or maybe as a slight hint just in case the thought had not crossed one's mind.

Last week on the Mariner we had MTD, so our gratuities were pre-paid. On the last day, our cabin steward left us 2 envelopes that were a little different than the ones I've seen in the past. They were for cash tips for "WOW" service. My cabin steward had already filled his name in on one of the envelopes!:eek: I thought that was presumptuous, and it rubbed me the wrong way. He was a good cabin steward, but by doing that he reduced the figure I had in my head!:p

We had MTD for the first time last week on the Mariner, so we had also pre-paid our gratuities. Our cabin steward was very good, and our waiter was truly exceptional...the best we've ever had on Royal Caribbean and on par with a waitress on Princess who until last week occupied the #1 spot on our list!:) There certainly wasn't any decline in service due to already having paid our tips. At the end of the cruise we tipped extra, in cash, to those people who provided us with exceptional service.

On our Holland America cruise, they referred to it as a "Hotel Service Charge" instead of a tip. That way, they covered everybody, regardless of where they ate.

Thats all fine and good, but the argument does not hold water. Why would ANY line cruise out of New Orleans if time to open water maters? It takes minimum 4 HOURS to navigate the Mississippi river and get to open water. I have driven down to the bayport terminal and as best I can tell (gates are locked) it is just as big as Galveston. Anyway, back to the point. I don't think that time to open water is really a factor.

I think more than that it's a lack of infrastructure surrounding the port. There aren't hotels, restaurants, and parking options to support the passengers. In the next few months, we'll see if that starts to change with Princess and Norwegian coming in.

Hey girl, did you have fun???

 

I am going over all the photos on Google for the Navigator to try to see the differences, full well knowing she will go to drydock soon.

 

Mariner was a logical choice to go Asian, seeing as she already had that flavor, i.e. Lotus Lounge, dragons, etc. Sitting in Promenade Café I couldn't help but notice they had changed out some of the light fixtures from modern to lotus blossom shaped globes.

 

We'll see about the Navi for a Diamonds in Dec. cruise maybe between Alaska and the Allure in May of next year. IF we can get a cheap interior with the new Virtual Porthole!

We did have fun! There was a very different feel on the ship than we're used to, since we've always had well over a thousand kids on the ship, and we did a lot more...when it was a super crowded Spring Break cruise we tended to spend a lot of time on our balcony avoiding people.:o

We had My Time Dining (which for us was pick your time and have a set table and waiter for the week), and I'm not sure we could ever go back to eating at 8:00-8:30 every night. Our waiter was phenomenal -- just a super nice, genuine person, and our service was excellent.

We had a GS, but didn't really spend much time in the lounge because it was pretty crowded. Instead we were pre-dinner regulars in Vintages!:D After dinner we played music trivia and really enjoyed Phil Anderson in the Schooner Bar. We didn't go to many shows, but we did see the Vegas Tenors who were phenomenal, and went to the ice show. I also hit a few times on my favorite Wheel of Fortune machine!:cool: We LOVED Giovanni's Table, and on the last night we went to the Wine Series Dinner in Chops, which was fantastic. The waiter was pretty generous with the wine, and I thought it would be rude to say no, so I was a wee bit out of sorts yesterday.:rolleyes:

There were a couple things "missing" from our previous RCCL suite experience...we didn't get slippers or chocolates, neither of which we really missed. One change I loved was they are now cooking lunch for suites in Chops. The Chops perk alone makes it worthwhile for me to book a suite, since neither one of us are buffet people.

A couple annoyances...there were a LOT of contractors on the ship, and they were already in full-blown "Asianization" mode. They constructed a new Logo shop in half of Boleros during the week, and the jewelry store was closed for our cruise...both those locations opened on Saturday at noon. We stayed on the ship in Grand Cayman, but we really couldn't be down on the Promenade at all because of the noise and the smells.

My other "pet peeve" was the chaise lounge on my balcony. It was the nastiest, filthiest, most disgusting thing I've ever seen on a ship. When we asked our cabin steward about it, he said it was supposed to have a cushion, but they were being "prepared." We thought that meant it would be delivered the next day, but we were informed that no, our cruise wouldn't get the cushions...it seemed like our steward was about to say they were being saved for future cruises, but he caught himself. The solution...stick a beach towel on the chair for the week.:mad: I know that probably sounds petty, but it did irritate me to feel like something that should have been provided was being reserved for someone else...like even though we paid for a GS we didn't qualify.

I'm also looking for information on the Navigator. I found the early list of Royal Advantage upgrades, and it included more than what was done to the Mariner...there was no Boardwalk Dog House, but the list did include both Park Cafe and Chef's Table, as well as a Concierge Club and Diamond Lounge. I'm sure what she gets will be different, since that list has been taken down and it now just says "coming soon."

Hopefully what I was told on Saturday is true, and Navigator will be home-ported in Galveston for a while. I know quite a few people don't believe it, and I wouldn't myself if it hadn't come straight from Luca. Most concierges aren't in the business of ticking people off!

Sorry if this is TMI...I have a whole bunch of laundry to do, and I need to go to the grocery store, but neither one of those really appeals to me right now.

Disembarkation was super easy yesterday. After last year's three hour fiasco I was dreading it, but we left Chops at 8:55 and we were in our car and on the road just before 9:30. Oh, and the best thing -- we're now Diamond, so we'll get the Elite benefits on our Celebrity cruise in September!:D

I checked one last time, and caught the departure. Bon voyage, Mariner...we'll miss you!

I tried really hard to stay awake to watch the Mariner sail, but I can't keep my eyes open any longer!:o

Welcome Home, Cindy! You know that I never doubted you for a MOMENT! :p:D

 

Actually, for us old hands (and I am referring to experience, folks, not age...although in my case, ---sigh---, both), we went thru this the first time in August 2007 with beloved Rhapsody. I took my third daughter on her graduation cruise, had a great time, met some super folks, but was struck by how the crew had changed from the people we'd known for years to nearly half Chinese and Asian crew. They were nice and made their best efforts, but it was clear that many were in training for the next life of Rhapsody and, to be candid, it was a "unique" experience to see a ship already in transition.

 

As for Mariner, sure sounds like a very substantive and substantial overhaul, but we'd read this on other boards earlier this year and for the demographics and cruises that are already up on the RCCL website, it makes sense. Can't wait until the ship clears Dubai and Goa to make these changes. But I wonder what sort of experience those who are taking Mariner to Europe, Middle East and finally Asia will have (hope that some post!).

 

Anyway, sure you won't change your mind about March 2014??? :D:D

 

VR,

 

T Lex

Hmm...nope! There were only about 120 kids on the ship this week! It really was noticeably less crowded.:)

One thing I forgot to mention was we did My Time Dining for the first time and loved it! I don't think I could go back to eating at 8 or 8:30 every night.