Varganator and Marianne on Navigator 1/5/18

[tullers]

Any chance you'll be posting the menu's from the MDR? Sailing this itinerary in March and would love to see what we are in for!

If you look through this post (copy and past in your browser, replace the underline with a period), you will find all of the menus have been posted for 5 & 9 night Navigator of the Seas sailings:

bit_ly/2E83fOp

 

Edited January 4, 2018 by tullers
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[varganator]

So, once the day began it was a nice one. Took Uber to Little Havana and I had a cigar I watched rolled before my very eyes. Place was called Guantanamaneo. Of course I also had a Cafe Cubano with it. Very nice.

 

Old's Havana for lunch. Yelp/foursquare famous place that was packed to the gills. I had a pulled pork type dish that was wonderful. Open air restaurant, so a little chilly at 60 degrees. Not as cold as the locals dressed in parkas made it out to be, but still, something to keep in mind, since we you may be going in various parts of the year.

 

We had dessert at Azucar Ice Cream. Locally owned shop that makes the ice cream fresh daily. It was amazing. Abuela Maria for me, which was a blended ice cream with Guava in and on top, coconut for my DW. I tried sweet potato, and it really tasted like Sweet potato. Not the right texture for that flavor for me, but I am sure it tasted better than the 'corn' ice cream that was on the menu.

 

Walked a little bit and picked up breakfast for the morning at "Velvet Creme Donuts". Again a local shop, that was within walking distance of a Dunkin. Not interested in a corporate place when there is a local available.

 

We used Lyfte to go to a microbrewery "The Tank" this evening. Semi permanant food truck, "Family Cigar Store" owned by the same people right next door and a decent selection of beers on tap. Had a flight, which interestingly had a re purposed Cigar box for the rack, cool idea. Went next door and had a nice cigar, talked to the manager for a while and then Lyfted (if that is a word-and Google says it's not) back to the hotel.

 

Something about Cambria is they have a bar down stairs. Not usual for me, in that I usually go for the lower end of the Choice Hotel brands. My wife had a Kahlua and creme and declared herself in "Vacation Mode". Just in time.

 

We have a shuttle laid on for 10:45 tomorrow morning and will be on the ship before we know what is happening. Trunks are in the carry on, and by 1pm I hope to be in the hot tub with a beer in hand.

 

I saw the link, but I will still take pictures of the menus as the cruise goes along. I will do my best to post them, but that may take help from my DW, and if she gets on the computer she may get lost in the Facetwitt word and never come back.

[MrsPhoenix91]

We had dessert at Azucar Ice Cream. Locally owned shop that makes the ice cream fresh daily.

 

*sigh* Hubby & I have always wanted to try Azucar! Looks to be a long round-trip Uber ride from our pre-cruise hotel (Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay) to Azucar, but maybe we'll actually go when we go on our post-Thanksgiving cruise!

[lazydayz]

Loving your review. Here’s hoping you are already in that hot tub, beer in hand.

[eaglesfaninfl]

Enjoying you review...we sail on Navi January 19, same itinerary. Have fun!

[Elvis1209]

You had a cigar? You are my kind of people! The cigar lounge on Navigator is great! We cruised on her in December of 2016 for our 36th anniversary. Good idea going down earlier. With Northeast weather you never know. Looking forward to the rest of your review!

 

Elvis

[varganator]

I am sorry that I did not post yesterday, Zoom issues on our end, not RCCL. New laptop. Here are the vital statistics for yesterday's embarkation:

1045 left hotel

1105 @ terminal, to include dropping off people at 2 other ships.

1110, in line at desk, this includes waiting for DW to get off a conference call for work (joys of working for yourself, you have no vacation or off time.

1127 on the boat

1131 at the solarium with Bloody Mary in hand

1150 Seated at Windjammer

1207 First Commercial over the Loud speakers :)

1pm on the dot, right on schedule rooms open.

 

Olga is our room attendant and so far she seems like all of the attendants with her magical ability to not be around when we are here and then all of a sudden, air mattresses are under the sheets and our room has a huge towel flower in the middle of it with a compass for the next day.

 

5pm we attended the spa drawings, no winners, and

630 Free alcohol samples, think pill cup at the Dr's office

730 Drawings for all kinds of goodies on the promanade, no winners here

8pm Dinner at Chops, AMAZING. Worth the money and we have a 3 meal package.

Only thing I can say is TOO MUCH FOOD. We ordered it, I will admit, but wow that is a lot of food.

 

Casino so far. We turned $100 into $300 before dinner. We put $100 in the safe, returned, and turned $200 into $6. Yes, we are up in the casino Money wise. At $6 up a day, I figure it will only take 2 to 3 hundred more cruises before we are the proud owners of Navigator.

 

On to Saturday. I signed up for the $69 package that allows me access to every class offered in the SPA. Let me tell you, the guys running the spa are machines, they are not Human beings. The guy that did the yoga class did not break a sweat in the hour the class took, and really didn't look as if his pulse raised from resting level.

 

I returned to the room for crosaints and coffee with my DW and then after a much needed shower she and I went to the Meet and Mingle in the Star Lounge. A really good job by Cudy. He is doing a good job so far, silly jokes and all of that, but he and his staff have an activity for anyone who is looking at any time of the day or night.

 

Had lunch in the MDR, and of course, I love this. It is a neat chance to meet new people and talk about how their cruise is going, what the Love/Hate about the ship, and generally have a nice meal, that you do not have to carry on a tray.

 

My wife and I played in the Black Jack Tournament. No winners here. But at that point we were up $200 at the real tables, so I guess we can't complain about the tournament.

 

We retired to our stateroom, 8685, which is an inside, no virtual screen, no fancyness cabin. This room is the largest I have ever been in on a ship, and has a couch, with no coffee table (nice) and a ton of storage space. Shelves, hangers and Drawers.

 

Rumor from our server is that we will not be stopping in Labadee due to weather. This does not bother me, as I am not a huge 'private island' guy, but I am sure GR will be packed tomorrow with people complaining about the missed stop.

 

Dinner was Formal tonight and the DW and I looked respendant in my tuxedo and her Formal gown. As a side note, the population of this cruise is much older than we have seen on other cruises. Kids are present, but not so much so as to be noticable. The older crowd was very well turned out and I would say about 10% wearing tuxedos, and same precentage wearing golf shirts and long pants. I did not see any shorts or flip flops in the MDR, for those that are bothered by that type of thing. Personally, I have never noticed that someone elses clothes changed the great food I was eating in there that I did not have to prepare, and the dishes I didn't have to clear or wash after dinner were gone no matter what we had on.

 

I will see what is on the compass for tomorrow, and now that the DW has figured out how to connect, I will be sure to update at a more timely pace than before.

[varganator]

Dang, I just read Elvis's reply, and he is correct. Navigator still has an indoor, dedicated cigar lounge, with good bourbon and an attendant to see to your needs.

 

Very nice, very clubbish, but very hilarious to see people walk in, smell the cigars and complain about the smoke. You literally cannot smell the smoke from the outside, and this was with 5 smokers inside. Nice place and a nice touch on a ship traveling to the Caribbean where cigars are a purchase so many people make.

[carolslc]

I'm loving your report - thank you. In 3 weeks, we'll be on the Navigator, same itinerary. I'm impressed with the speed you got on the ship.

 

Why would they not stop in Labadee due to weather? The weather there looks fine - partly cloudy in the morning with chance of showers later in the day. Did you run into weather on the way from Miami? I'll be sad if we don't stop. Of course, no port stops are guaranteed.

[jldvestal]

Hi, am enjoying your review, on Navigator in 26 days. Do you have to ask for an air mattress or are they in the rooms? Thanks!

[Nessa1dc]

Enjoy and keep her for us....we will be her next passengers next week for a Back 2 Back. Enjoying your review.

[varganator]

Last night I was again unable to get the puter to work. I am posting this after my torture session this morning(Yoga).

 

Answers first. My wife purchased the Air matresses at REI before we left. They were so small that I carried both of them on in the Carry on bag.

 

We had a ton of onboard activities yesterday do to the no stop at Labadee. The captain and Cuddy did a Great job of showing us with graphics and video of all the reasons we did not stop. The activites sometimes overlapped in schooner bar. My wife and I did the scavenger hunt, which we have done a number of times and it is always fun to run all over the ship scrambling to find random things.

 

We are also approx ONE MILLION DOLLARS up in the casino. Read this in a Dr Evil voice please. Actually, we are about $20 in the red, but we have also played a TON more than we normally do, and I ahve been playing. I have been playing because we are having fun, not due to lack of things to do on board.

 

With the no stop in Labedee we had almost too many activities to do. The activities were running over each other in the schooner bar. My DW and I joined a lovely family from Canada (and really, is there any other kind of Canadian), and had a go at the Scavanger hunt.

 

We had a later dinner, where my wife and I each just had a couple of soups and dessert. I of course had the cold soup, strawberry, and roasted garlic. Dessert was a cheese plate and bread pudding. HUGE portions of bread pudding, we really should have split the dessert.

 

After dinner we went to the headline show. Ventroliquist, that as soon as he came out I realized we had seen him before. Same show as last year. Good, but not 2 times. After that show was the "Adult" comedy show. The guy, Zoltan, was HILARIOUS. Not too adult, but I would not think it was appropriate for my 6 year old Niece. My 15 year old nephew qould have been fine.

 

Again, if you are bored on this hsip you are not trying to find things to do. Today, as a teaser, I will be doing another scavenger hunt, a luncheon for Vets, Napkin folding, Whiskey tasting, and archery competition. My wife will be sun bathing, sitting by the pool, and catching some rays.

 

Tonight is also a Chef's table and after that we will hit the port. We are arriving in Curacao a day (half day) early. We have never been in a port for evening activities so this will be a new experience for us and I for one am looking forward to it.

 

The headliner tonight is an Elton John performer, so we may even duck in and see some of that.

 

Just a couple of notes on the ship, unless it is a time where everyone is coming and going from the same place, ie. embarkation, the elevators are not too crowded. I can tell there are other people on board, but I do not at any time feel crowded on board. Thank you for reading along and I hope all of the people about to sail or sailing soon will pick up some hints on your upcoming trip.

[BillOh]

I saw this last night and decided to sleep on it. Did no one else pick up on this yet? OP is openly stating they will try to sneak into the lounges?

.

 

 

If this was Facebook, I might call it click bait ;) Just for the sake of photos I would guess.

[carolslc]

Thanks for the update, and for my new craving for bread pudding. What was the explanation of why you didn't stop in Labadee?

[varganator]

We dud not stop in Labadee because the weather was going to be atrocious and they did not want to risk Life and limb of the passengers just to allow us to get off the ship.

 

BillOh, your question in the form of a statement was asked and answered about 25 posts ago. DO not worry, your sacred lounge has been unsullied by the likes of me from steerage.

 

Yesterday was a busy day, too busy to post last night and then an early start this morning and I am posting midway through the day. DW and I did a couple of trivias, a scavenger hunt start-International crew members, going around introducing yourself to crew and having them sign off on the sheet, and a napkin folding. I love the napkin folding. We had a good time doing it. We wrapped the evening up with Dinner at the Chef's table. We have done the Chef's table on 4 different ships, 3 different lines and I have really enjoyed them all.

 

This was not the best I have ever done, but it is a nice meal away from the crowd, on deck 4 1/2 in the main dining room. Our table was smaller, since only 6 people signed up, but that made for a nice intimate setting and the conversation started from the moment we sat down in the R bar to be escorted to the table.

 

While we were seated at the chef's table we pulled into the port at Curacao. It was nice to get off the ship, even though there were few places open. Just walking on firm ground, until you get to the floating bridge, was a good change of pace. Curacao seems to be a more developed and less DI mall than any other port we have sailed into. I am not sure why this is, but that was my initial impression.

 

Dinner is at Chop's tonight. Celebrating our anniversary in style. I will try to post today's review tonight, but no promises are going to be made. I do not know what the DW has planned after dinner, so I hope I can get back on, but again., no promises.

[aubreyc1988]

thanks for doing this review, we sail on Feb 2nd! My first time on this particular itinerary and my longest single cruise (did a 4, 5 day B2B once)

[boxermom711]

thanks for doing this review, we sail on Feb 2nd! My first time on this particular itinerary and my longest single cruise (did a 4, 5 day B2B once)

 

 

 

I’m on the same cruise!!! Counting down the days. Do excited

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Bkchero]

Following. I was on the 5 day right before you. Loved the ship. Looking to go again next year.

[varganator]

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Curacao. We scheduled the Discover Curacao tour through the ship. Caves, Liqueur factory, and a nice small museum, broken up by a lot of country side. Our guide and driver both were very enthusiastic, loved their country and more than willing to answer any question you asked. Nice tour, no food, which led to complaints from a lady in the back of the bus, but I was happy.

 

The tour starts with a drive out to caves in the hills. Very interesting and VERY DARK, when he turns out the lights. We headed to the actual and original Curacao Distillery. After a quick lesson in Moonshining by our guide we were off to the tasting area. A splash of liqueur, a couple of purchases in the gift shop and off to the museum.

 

The museum was nice. Former Military Recovery Hospital, and strangely laid out, but nice. I wouldn't worry about missing it, but it had some very cool local artists on display throughout.

 

After the tour we grabbed a small bite in town, (Chops for dinner=do not fill up with lunch). We have a tradition of buying my wife a Pandora charm in each port we visit. One of her arms is considerably longer than the other from the weight, but we succeeded in squeezing another one in.

 

Back to the ship for my wife to nap, and I returned to town to purchase a couple of cigars and drink a local beer. Side note here. I am able to drink Budweiser and eat McDonalds within walking distance of my house. I do not need to travel to the Caribbean to try these exotic tastes, and so I like to eat and drink things that I cannot try anywhere else. That being said, the local beer was a nice light refreshing beer, which one would expect from brewery located in a country with an 85 degree average temp year round.

 

After gently waking my wife we headed to dinner at Chops. As always very nice. Special Cheesecake with sauce writing on the plate for our anniversary. We spent a couple of dollars in the casino and then went to get rested for the Big day in Bonaire.

 

For those who are interested, I was able to purchase a drink card yesterday. $86 for 10 drinks. As long as I don't use it to buy a soda I think I have made out with a fairly good deal.

 

Back to Bonaire. According to the shopping map. Bonaire may be my favorite island ever. It appears as if there is not a Diamonds International on the place! I have nothing against DI, and have even purchased a watch there. My wife has more thatn one item from their stores. What I do not like, is people get off the ship, go to DI, get a trinkit and say they visited which ever island.

 

Breakfast has arrived so I will sign off now and try to get today's iformation posted later.

[aubreyc1988]

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Curacao. We scheduled the Discover Curacao tour through the ship. Caves, Liqueur factory, and a nice small museum, broken up by a lot of country side. Our guide and driver both were very enthusiastic, loved their country and more than willing to answer any question you asked. Nice tour, no food, which led to complaints from a lady in the back of the bus, but I was happy.

 

The tour starts with a drive out to caves in the hills. Very interesting and VERY DARK, when he turns out the lights. We headed to the actual and original Curacao Distillery. After a quick lesson in Moonshining by our guide we were off to the tasting area. A splash of liqueur, a couple of purchases in the gift shop and off to the museum.

 

The museum was nice. Former Military Recovery Hospital, and strangely laid out, but nice. I wouldn't worry about missing it, but it had some very cool local artists on display throughout.

 

After the tour we grabbed a small bite in town, (Chops for dinner=do not fill up with lunch). We have a tradition of buying my wife a Pandora charm in each port we visit. One of her arms is considerably longer than the other from the weight, but we succeeded in squeezing another one in.

 

Back to the ship for my wife to nap, and I returned to town to purchase a couple of cigars and drink a local beer. Side note here. I am able to drink Budweiser and eat McDonalds within walking distance of my house. I do not need to travel to the Caribbean to try these exotic tastes, and so I like to eat and drink things that I cannot try anywhere else. That being said, the local beer was a nice light refreshing beer, which one would expect from brewery located in a country with an 85 degree average temp year round.

 

After gently waking my wife we headed to dinner at Chops. As always very nice. Special Cheesecake with sauce writing on the plate for our anniversary. We spent a couple of dollars in the casino and then went to get rested for the Big day in Bonaire.

 

For those who are interested, I was able to purchase a drink card yesterday. $86 for 10 drinks. As long as I don't use it to buy a soda I think I have made out with a fairly good deal.

 

Back to Bonaire. According to the shopping map. Bonaire may be my favorite island ever. It appears as if there is not a Diamonds International on the place! I have nothing against DI, and have even purchased a watch there. My wife has more thatn one item from their stores. What I do not like, is people get off the ship, go to DI, get a trinkit and say they visited which ever island.

 

Breakfast has arrived so I will sign off now and try to get today's iformation posted later.

 

For the drink card, was 86 before gratuity and taxes? My husband and I haven't purchased the beverage package for our upcoming Navigator cruise because he doesn't drink and they have the new rule for both people purchasing in the room. I DO drink and I am paying as I go, so pretty interested in the card to help with bringing down the drink cost at all. And while I am asking you about drinks, did they ever do 2.00 mimosas in the casino, if so what days/times so far? And how did you find the casino (We spend a bit of time in there)

 

I'm with you with the DI...on our Europe cruise, No DI!!! BUT they did have something equal to that, a leather making chain of sorts that RCI tours force you to go into...and another RCI Europe tour had this strange Cameo factory as a forced visit lol

[tullers]

If that drink card price included the 18% gratuity then it's a sweet deal. If not, then it's just about the average mixed drink price.

[aubreyc1988]

If that drink card price included the 18% gratuity then it's a sweet deal. If not, then it's just about the average mixed drink price.

 

even at 100.00 bucks including taxes and gratuity, it saves you a bit of money if you order 12.00 drinks, as a 12.00 drink on the menu would cost you like 14.00 after tax and gratuity...but yeah, not a HUGE savings if at 100.00

[Nessa1dc]

Loving the review...Happy Anniversary!

[varganator]

OK, looks like the drink card is the hot topic tonight. It was $86 out the door with the gratuities! That means the Margaritas I bought for my wife and I after we returned to the ship were only $8.60 and they are listed at $12. OMG What a bargain.

 

The casino is mid ship on deck 4. It is between Boleros and Schooners. Schooners is the bar where the majority of the activities ie trivia, napkin folding, are held.

 

We had an amazing day in Bonaire. We rented a Golf Cart through Bonaire Cruisers. Best thing we have ever done to see an island. We drove the sothern loop. Stopping at a couple of monuments and the slave huts. Very eye opening when you see the slave huts in person. On the way back north, we drove through the Donkey Sanctuary. I know what people have said. It is a bunch of Donkeys, what's the big deal. It was awesome. It was made even better because we were in the golf cart. The donkeys are VERY friendly, VERY Smart, and a lot of fun. My DW has worked int he Non Profit world for a long time and it was very nice to be able to purchase some tickets to help a non profit and of course shop for souvenirs in the shop to further help their message.

 

We had a great time and I would Highly recommend it to anyone going to Bonaire. Both the Golf cart and the Donkey Sanctuary.

 

We then headed to the 'down town' area. This is a very small section, and there is no DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL! I was unsure how we could get off the ship without a DI on shore. Turns out there is a lot to do besides shopping. My wife and I headed to a local Microbrewery, very nice. It is named Bonaire Brewery, so even I didn't have trouble finding it.

 

The flight of beers was all 5 on tap, and 4 out of 5 were very nice. The 5th is a style I do not like, so I am not going to do the full review on here, out of fairness to the brewer. While we were sitting there, we were talking to everyone, and the bartender mentioned a Heffeweisen on tap in the restaurant attached. He bent a couple of rules, much like me mentioning sneaking into a lounge, and brought a Heffe for my wife. She is not a big beer drinker, and Heffes are the one style she likes. I have to admit that in spite of myself I liked this one too. I even tried the "Beer Cocktail" they had as a special. I will admit here the only thing I think should be added to beer is a glass, but this drink was really quite good.

 

Back on board we had our first unimpressive evening in the MDR. Nothing on the menu really lit a fire for us, so after a bowl of chilled soup, some cantalioni and a chees plate for dessert, my wife and headed to the casino.

 

Due to some amazing play I was able to walk away $10 ahead. So again, talk to your travel agent, because I am not sure that RCCL can handle the hit I am putting on their wallet.

 

After the little casino session DW and I headed to the Late Main Headliner show. Amazing show. David Lucas is listed as a 'juggler'. This is like saying Liberace could play a little piano. This guy jugled, balanced any number of items on his head, while the ship was underway! and told jokes the whole time that had us all laughing and some of us even crying.

 

After the show DW and I headed back to the casino, and guess what? All of your cruises are back on. Sat at a table for 30 minutes with a guy hitting on 15 with 14 showing and any other number of dumb moves, I lost the $10 I was up, and my starting base. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

 

Headed into Aruba. We have a tour planned through an outside agency and of course, Aruba is a shoppers paradise- so I am sure there will be a DI visit in our future.

 

Keep the questions coming, and I look forward to reading about your cruises coming up.

 

I will tell you that my DW and I try to not go on the same cruise twice, but I would do this one again, and I mean not get off the ship and do this itenerary back to back. We have never talked about going to a cruise island for a longer vacation, and that is the conversation we had this afternoon after returning from Bonaire.

[gweitten]

You had the golf cart for the day but didn’t travel around the northern loop? You missed some beautuful scenery and the Cadushy Distillery. The salt mine area and donkey sanctuary are interesting but north loop is much more scenic with drive along the shoreline. My wife and I were on the previous 9-day over Christmas. Only wish was that carts would go faster. Cars passing us on narrow roads was rather scary. I hope you enjoyed Aruba. We went snorkeling on a very nice “booze cruise” off the northern part of the island. The catamaran crew, food and snorkeling were good but the booze was very watered down. Also hope your two days at sea are as smooth sailing as ours were.