"LIVE" from the Navigator of the Seas - November 9, 2014

[niksmom630]

Greetings CC community! I am going to attempt a live report from the Navigator of the Seas, departing from Galveston, Texas tomorrow. Current sitting on the airplane making our way from Chicago to Houston's intercontinental airport.

 

Once we arrive, we've arranged transportation through Cool Tours to transport us to our hotel, The Boardwalk Inn in Kemah. There is a Salute to the Military event in Kemah, with various special events planned, so we are really looking forward to our stay here.

 

A bit about us, to kick this off; my name is Chris, traveling with DH, DD, age 15. We are part of a large group of family and friends totaling 13. We've pretty much cruised exclusively with RCI, and this cruise will mark a milestone event, as the day we board, I will be chalking up the two cruise points I need to hit Diamond Plus! Woo hoo! Very excited to be able to enjoy the perks at this level when we board a Oasis in February!

 

This will be my third trip on Navigator, and I am looking forward to seeing her again post renovation. If wifi and photobucket cooperate, I plan on posting many photos. We will be purchasing the unlimited wifi package on the ship so DD can keep up with homework and I can keep up with my "Words With Friends"

 

Any questions along the way, feel free to ask away! I'll attempt my first photo bucket up load shortly....

 

 

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[niksmom630]

Breakfast on board this rather uneventful flight from Chicago to Houston. We got a great price on a business class ticket for this flight. By the time I added the costs to check bags and buy more legroom with the coach ticket, it wasn't a heck of a lot more to fly business class. Certainly makes the whole airport experience less stressful when you get to avoid the long lines.

 

 

Well, it's airplane food. Not much to say about this, but the croissant was fresh and warm. The few bloody Mary's I had before this was delivered enhanced the dining experience....

 

 

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[LBumb]

bon voyage

[Ladysilver]

Have a safe flight and a fantastic cruise! I will be anxiously awaiting your posts and pictures!! :D

[OKC Cruisers]

We sail on Navigator next Sunday, so we will be following your posts. Please take care of her for us!

 

Pete

[niksmom630]

Our Cool Tours bus was already waiting when we arrived. I did quite a bit of research into transportation for our party. Because we're arriving the day prior to the cruise, and because our flight out of IAH is 12:50, we weren't able to use the RCI transfers, which I never my preference anyway. We almost always use private services. As I recall, the RCI transfers were $47 pp each way.

 

I choose Cool Tours in the end, after reading very positive reviews on trip advisor and yelp. The cost pp for all three transport legs (IAH to Kemah, Kemah to the port of Galveston, and the port back to IAH) was $100 per person, which includes gratuity. If the rest of the transport legs go this well, I would highly recommend them. Our driver told us our trip will take a little over an hour, depending on traffic.

 

 

 

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[Vsquared]

I will be following along on your journey. My DH and I will be cruising on Navigator in February. We love to go out of Galveston as we can drive. We haven't been on this ship but have done three of her sisters.

 

Which itinerary are you doing?

 

Later.....

Vicki

[niksmom630]

Our ports are Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Falmouth.

 

Minute Maid park...

 

 

 

This is the main reason we chose Kemah instead of Galveston for our pre-cruise stay....

 

 

 

 

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[Drebbie]

We are on her for the first time :) in 42 days! Your pictures will have to tide me over. Have a great cruise.

[niksmom630]

Yes, who knew it was the same weekend as the Lone Star Biker Rally on Galveston island? Well, I found out when I tried to book a hotel, and some chain along the lines of a Motel 6 wanted $350 a night for a room. Seeing all the bikers is making for an interesting ride to Kemah!

 

 

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Edited November 8, 2014 by niksmom630

[wolfganghowell]

Have a great time. Would love to hear your reports on the live music options re the Pub, pool band and party band. This will get us revved up for our sailing in a few weeks. Bon voyage.

[niksmom630]

Lots of activities on the boardwalk

 

 

 

 

Recruits coming in for a swearing in ceremony

 

 

 

 

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[niksmom630]

Random boardwalk photos. We're waiting for the parachute jumpers 😄

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[niksmom630]

Thanks for the nice comments from those following along. I'll try to answer everyone's questions throughout the week. Going to have to break out my " real" camera soon.....

 

 

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[molsonschooner]

Our Cool Tours bus was already waiting when we arrived. I did quite a bit of research into transportation for our party. Because we're arriving the day prior to the cruise, and because our flight out of IAH is 12:50, we weren't able to use the RCI transfers, which I never my preference anyway. We almost always use private services. As I recall, the RCI transfers were $47 pp each way.

 

I choose Cool Tours in the end, after reading very positive reviews on trip advisor and yelp. The cost pp for all three transport legs (IAH to Kemah, Kemah to the port of Galveston, and the port back to IAH) was $100 per person, which includes gratuity. If the rest of the transport legs go this well, I would highly recommend them. Our driver told us our trip will take a little over an hour, depending on traffic.

 

 

 

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We used Cool Tours on our cruise in May. We would recommend them in a heartbeat.

[BleednBlu]

We will be on NOS next weekend. Also using Cool tours. Can't wait to read your post/ review.

Tom

[niksmom630]

The Golden Knights parachute team was amazing. I didn't have time to change out my camera lens, so these photos will have to do.....

 

 

 

 

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Edited November 9, 2014 by niksmom630

[niksmom630]

 

Photo bucket very slowwwww

 

 

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[niksmom630]

 

 

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[niksmom630]

Edited November 9, 2014 by niksmom630

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for doing your live report and your wonderful photo's.

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

 

 

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[niksmom630]

A few more photos...

 

 

 

The bikers created a circle around the paratroopers area, and then made their grand exit. We had a great view from our balcony enjoying all the festivities today....

 

 

 

More tomorrow!

 

 

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[niksmom630]

Good morning from Kemah....

 

Brrrrrrr, This is not the typical pre cruise temperatures I am use to departing from Florida...

 

 

 

 

 

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[niksmom630]

Last night we had dinner at Salt Grass on the Boardwalk. Steaks were good, and I got a $25 discount for joining the Landry's Club. Membership was also $25, but joining also provided us a 10% discount on each room booked here. Since we had 6 rooms, it was a good savings, particularly because the room rates are high. DD and traveling friend went to the onsite amusement park. A $20 wristband through the hotel provides an all day unlimited rides pass.

 

A few photos of the amusement park...

 

 

 

 

 

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