Just back from Navigator (4-day cruise departing on 3-3-11)

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I returned from the Navigator of the Seas today (from its 4-day cruise that departed on March 3). I have cruised extensively on most of the major cruise lines. This was my 12th cruise with Royal Caribbean (I am a Crown & Anchor Diamond Member), but my first with this line since 2004. I have cruised on two of the Navigator's sisters (Explorer in 2002 and Voyager in 2003). However, this was my first cruise on the Navigator. Lately, I have been crusing mainly with Celebrity, Cunard and Holland America.

 

Overall, it was a very enjoyable cruise. I did notice some cost-cutting measures: no chocolates on the pillow at night, no little bottles of shampoo, conditioner or lotion in the bathroom (shampoo is in a dispenser in the shower), no assistant waiters bringing a choice of salad dressings to the table (the salad dressing is added in the galley unless you request for it on the side), and an extra charge for real orange juice in the Windjammer (the free "orange juice" is an orange drink with a lot of ice cubes). However, the absence of these items did not really reduce my enjoyment of the cruise.

 

The ship is well-maintained and very attractive. Also, my D1 balcony stateroom (7234) was large and had a perfect location. The crew was very friendly and efficient. My favorite entertainment during the cruise was the ice show. Also, I greatly enjoyed the art tours of the ship that were held on the two sea days. In Cozumel, I highly recommend the Isla Pasion by Twister shore excursion. It was wonderful (but you get very wet during the boat ride)!

 

I prefer the food and service on Celebrity and Holland America, but the Navigator offers a huge variety of activities and entertainment. Royal Caribbean offers a different style of cruise than Celebrity or Holland America, but the cruise was enjoyable. I liked my cruise on the Navigator of the Seas and look forward to trying the Allure of the Seas in September.

 

Chuck

[will773]

Glad to hear that you had a good trip!

[Icruzthere4Iam]

Hey Chuck. Glad you had a good cruise and that the ship was up to par. From reading your post it seems you were solo (I apologize if I misread), and I will be on NOS solo in April. This will be my first solo cruise and I was just wondering what that was like for you on this ship. Any issues? What was your dining choice (traditional or MTD)? Thanks for your input. Take care, Jim

[bionicman97]

Thanks for sharing :)

[Coralc]

This might seem like an odd question.....but were your balcony railings varnished or un-varnished? :)

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

Yes, I was on this cruise solo. I had traditional dining (late seating). I have done a number of cruises solo in the past. On the first three nights, I dined at my assigned table for dinner. I met some people on my shore excursion in Cozumel. They asked me to join them for dinner on the final night (they had My Time Dining). It worked for me to join them.

 

I met people throughout the cruise (in the dining room during lunch, at the captain's party, at the ice skating show, etc.). However, the ship is so large (and the cruise was so short) that I seldom ran into these people again during the cruise. However, the other passengers were very friendly and it is easy to meet people. I honestly had a great time on the cruise as a solo traveler.

 

Regarding my balcony, the railing was fine. I really liked the location of my stateroom. Seven Deck is an ideal deck because it is only two decks above the Royal Promenade and four decks below the Windjammer and the pools. I seldom used the elevators.

 

Chuck

[Coralc]

Of course the balcony railing was "fine" ...but was it varnished? :)

[Icruzthere4Iam]

Chuck, Thank you for the reply. I have late seating for dinner and I hope to meet some nice folks to share a meal with. Sounds like there is hope of that:). I know it will be what I make of it but it is reassuring to hear that going solo was a good experience. Thanks again, Jim

[philps]

Do they serve lobster on a 4 nighter and do they have coors light on the beer menu.Thanks to anyone who knows

[jo44]

Cabin 6534 railing was not varnished. In fact my husband commented and he usually doesn't notice such things. We still loved it though!

[Myke729]

Hi Seacruise,

 

Which terminal in FLL is the NOS using? Are they using the one Oasis/Allure use?

[frito58]

I have to agree , we were on the same cruise not sure what all the complaints are about the ship looking old and worn out , we thought she looked wonderful. Had a great time service was wonderful our room steward was a vapor , never saw him he just seemed to appear out of the mist :p We never went to the dining room just didnt feel like it after 11 cruises we just wanted to chill and go at our pace. The shows were very good although the cast was leaving the ship after this sailing. The juggler on the last night was a do not miss he is amazing. We also had a D1 on deck 9 last on ont the 9376 last one on port side highly reccommed that cabin as you get a great aft few as there is a glass partion that allows you a great view out the back , would be nice if they would clean it though :p

 

 

Chuck cant believe we missed you at Passion Island we went by private taxi that was our third visit there , we just love that place. :) Altyough that was more people than we have ever seen there and but there was still only 150 -200 at best;)

[renech]

We were on this cruise as well. Sorry to my fellow meet-n-minglers, my invite was never delivered to my cabin! Of course, I didn't realize it until after it had already happened.

 

Actually, my crystal block (which I was supposed to get on this cruise) also never arrived, and when I did finally go to the LA to ask about these things, they assured me that they were sent. I don't know if the breakdown was from the LA's or my cabin steward (who was not very good), but I did finally get my crystal block on the final morning by asking at guest services.

 

Aside from that, and some minor gripes, the cruise overall was wonderful. I thought the ship looked great - very clean and in great shape. We did the catamaran snorkel and beach tour and even though it was a bit windy, still had a really good time for a 4 day winter getaway.

[green eyed lady]

Hi Seacruise,

 

Which terminal in FLL is the NOS using? Are they using the one Oasis/Allure use?

 

I don't remember the terminal number but definitely not the same as Oasis/Allure

[librayacht]

Terminal 25 but when you get off the ship you have a long walk to terminal 24 (in our case in pouring rain)

As to the handrails, they are in the process of being sealed (not varnished) with a linseed oil type sealer. They had done our cabin on deck ten and were working their way down the ship.

I thought you had to have a 7 day cruise in order to get an official "Meet & Mingle". On the shorter cruises people tend to organise informal get togethers but the cruise line does not send out official invitations to the cabin.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

Yes, the Navigator uses Terminal 25. We were docked forward of the Zuiderdam. There were no ships docked at the Oasis/Allure terminal on Thursday. The Carnival Miracle also was in port. When we returned on Monday, the Jewel of the Seas was docked at the Oasis/Allure terminal.

 

My balcony railing was in good shape. There was no danger of getting any splinters from leaning on the railing. I have no idea how recently it had been varnished (or how it compared to the balcony railings on other decks).

 

Chuck

[dfgf]

Sorry to my fellow meet-n-minglers, my invite was never delivered to my cabin! Of course, I didn't realize it until after it had already happened.

 

The official meet-n-mingles are only done for 7-night (or longer) cruises.

[frito58]

We were on this cruise as well. Sorry to my fellow meet-n-minglers, my invite was never delivered to my cabin! Of course, I didn't realize it until after it had already happened.

 

Actually, my crystal block (which I was supposed to get on this cruise) also never arrived, and when I did finally go to the LA to ask about these things, they assured me that they were sent. I don't know if the breakdown was from the LA's or my cabin steward (who was not very good), but I did finally get my crystal block on the final morning by asking at guest services.

 

Aside from that, and some minor gripes, the cruise overall was wonderful. I thought the ship looked great - very clean and in great shape. We did the catamaran snorkel and beach tour and even though it was a bit windy, still had a really good time for a 4 day winter getaway.

 

Thought you knew we had our own M and M planned had a nice turnout sorry too have missed you.

[Guest]

Will be taking the same cruise shortly, and was wondering:

Is there an ice cream machine?

Is it possible to walk to the very front of the ship's bow?

Did anyone notice if and when an ice skating class was offered?

Are all the bars and casino smoking?

Many thanks,

Carmen and Ian.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I can answer some of your questions.

 

The ship has softserve ice cream machines (free of charge). I saw many people walking around with ice cream cones.

 

Yes, you can walk to the very front of the ship's bow (I did), assuming that this area is not closed due to high winds.

 

Chuck

[frito58]

It seemed like they were smoking in all the bars we were in , I know they had open skating because i saw you needed pants and socks posted in the compass, and ice cream must have been plentiful because my wife and both commented how many times we saw people with ice cream cones in their hands.

[Coralc]

There is a soft serve machine in the windjammer(free) and a Ben & Jerry's stand in the promenade next to the cafe. :)

 

I was curious about the cabin balcony railings, because they were stripped, as if in preparation for finishing back in October. (or perhaps earlier). It seemed odd to leave them unfinished for such a length of time. :)

[Guest]

Thanks guys, thats two out of two so far. Yipeee!

This is a long shot, but there isn't a steam room as well is there?

[zzzzzz10]

Yup we were some of those people you may have seen with ice cream cones! :D there is also a machine on the pool deck!

Also, railings appeared to be recently varnished on deck 7.

[renech]

Thought you knew we had our own M and M planned had a nice turnout sorry too have missed you.

 

What a dingbat I am! I was at the get-together, but for some reason, I was thinking that there was also going to be a M&M. Odd that when I asked the LA about having missed it they didn't mention that there wasn't one.