Semi-Live Navigator Review 9/23/06

[KK_Cruisin]

We are going on the 9/23 sailing of Navigator and will try to post here daily. But i know things like bad internet connections and to many foo-foo drinks can get in the way. :D I will be taking lots of pix and adding them when i can. Here is our pre-cruise stay:

We flew into Miami from Jacksonville, FL this afternoon. we took American Airlines for the first time for 2 reasons. They were just as cheap as some of the discount airlines and their flight schedule fitted the time frame we wanted. I am not sure if we will fly them again. The staff was nice, but we ended up being on a 60 seater plane which did not sit well with hubby. He has a fear of flying and the smaller planes really scare him. He did do OK on the flightso it did not end up bing a problem. We arrived in Miami about 2:30 and waited about 25 mins for our baggage, then caught a cab to our hotel it was $24.

We checked into the Intercontinental and settled in. I must say this is by far the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in for $130. I booked it though cheapoair.com. I originlly had reserved the Holiday Inn for $115, but after i heard all the great things about this hotel i changed my reservation. I am so happy I did. I have stayed in many Holiday Inns, most of them have been very plesant experiences, but they don't hold a candle to this hotel. Everyone is so friendly and helpful.The artwork throughout the hotel is beautiful. The rooms are nice and crisp. I took many pictures of the room, hotel, and room service menu. There are many on site ammenties incluing massages, babysitting, wireless internet, 2 resteraunts, in room mini bar, and a gift shop. The beds are super soft and comfortable and the bathroom has a soaking tub you could possibly fit 2 people in and a stand alone shower. The only 2 notice downsides to the room are the marble covering the bathroom walls and floor along with the table/desk in the main room is very cold. The room overall seems to be a little chilly. I have kept it on 85 degrees and the chill is finally leaving the room, but it is still not warm. Sorry that is the floridian in me, I cant stand the cold. But is it not bad enough to stop me from coming here again.s

After settling in we walked to bayside market. It is 2 blocks away from the hotel. This is a very cool place with a nice mix of upscale stores and street vendors. We went there for a late lunch and dinner and picked up a couple of cool things. The area surrounding bayside and the hotel is very beautiful and artistic. On one side of the road, the side with the hotel and bayside marketplace, there are some interesting outdoor sculputres and very old trees sculpted by nature over the past 10's, possibly 100's of years. Across the street there are several high rise buildings still under construction, probally from the hurricane damage recentlly. I have read here before about not going out after dark. I would never reccomend wandering around just anywhere at anytime. But hubby and I checked out ssome more sights after sunset and never felt unsafe. Just the follow the same rules you would at home dont wander around alone and stay out of dark alleys.

We were going to head back out and check out a local hot spot with some friends down here but curentlly hubby is passed out in the bed. I dont know if he is napping, or out for good. LOL I really wish I had come down 2-3 days early as there is alwasy a lot available to do in Miami and it has been a while since we have been here. Oh well, I will plan accordinglly next time. :cool:

 

Sorry in advance for any typos in these reviews. I only have wordpad in this computer.....no spellcheck :o

[TennisLover]

Have a great cruise, K & K. Have some foo foo drinks for me! And, please check out the piano bar... would love to know how it is (and if the same piano player will be there in February when we cruise on NOS).

 

Will look forward to anything you have time to post this week!

[KK_Cruisin]

Will do! We have a great room 15 floors up with a view of the pier. I cant wait to wake up tommorrow and see the ship sitting right there in front of me! It iis one of the best feelings on the world. You will love the navigator! This is my 2nd time on her....there is a reason I am returning! :cool:

[raytownlady]

Hi Krystal,

First let me say, enjoy your cruise and hurrry and get back because we're sailing on the Navigator in 2 weeks.

 

I have a question, did you pay extra to get a room with a view of the port? I have read other posts that say there is a $25 charge to upgrade.

[KK_Cruisin]

I was told there was a $25 charge to upgrade to a pier view, but i don't believe we were charged for it. I will double check our print-out when we check out tommorrow.....well considering it is 1:30am...........later today. :eek:

[sailingawaysoon]

KK,

 

Thanks for keeping us posted on your cruise! Take good care of the ship, we'll be arriving when you leave....Can't wait to hear updates throughout the week. I've never been on the navigator, so anything you send our way will be wonderful for me! It's 4:46 on Saturday, as I write this from Georgia. I'm sure you have completed the muster drill and are sailing out for your adventure....wow, what an exciting thought. Have a drink for me!

[sailingawaysoon]

KK,

How's the ship? You must be having a ton of fun. We haven't heard from you since you boarded. Well, if you get a chance, let us know how its going! Hope you're having a blast!

[njoyndride]

Hi Krystal

 

I'm glad you loved the Intercontinental too. That was our second stay there and we'll definately use this as pre-cruise again. FYI-They never charged us the $25, we keep checking our charges and it never came through.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!!

[KK_Cruisin]

Sorry to say I did not get to post live as i intented. I cant post on Cruise critic from the computers on board and i could not get my laptop to connect to their wireless network. I promise I will have a review posted here byt he end of the week. I have lots of schoolwork to catch up on.

[Step1]

Krystal~ We are going on the Navigator in two weeks and I am planning on taking my laptop. What was the problem with the wireless connection?