DancerMama25

Book and buy insurance.

Yes, you can purchase on site.

Oh no.  I hope Jasper hangs on until you return!!  🐱 💕 

i love your report, and LOVE the pictures of the two of you especially.  I really appreciate your thoughts on the ship size and drawbacks.   We are looking at booking our next cruise and we are Voyager class lovers, having been on Navigator recently and loving the Promenade. There are good deals on Oasis class ships, but my fear is what you express, Central Park will be really, really hot and not a great place to gather and hang out.   That was what we liked best on Navigator.  But, Navigator and I think Mariner only do short cruises.  We’re torn.

16 hours ago, jagsfan said:

In St Thomas, did you dock at Crown Bay, or Havensight?

i haven’t been on a ship that docked at Havensight in years! My bad luck 

I believe MSC and Norwegian Dock at Havensight.

Thank you so much for your time, review, and photos.   We are struggling to decide if we want to “jump ship” from Royal and try something different.   I really appreciated your insights as we make this decision.   We like the atmosphere of the themed parties and it looks like the atrium will fit this bill.

A couple of clarification questions:   It looks like there is a lot of time when there is no “included” place to eat that is open.  (Gaps of time by the hours.). Am I missing something?  Also, we are late night people; is there no place to eat that is open 24 hours?   I’m looking for the late night sandwich/pizza/snack kind of option for when we leave piano bars late and head somewhere to play cards, etc.  

Which ship are you sailing on?  In watching the prices for the last 6 weeks or so, the cost of the cabanas seems to be somewhat dependent on the size of this ship in port.  (More passengers, more demand, higher prices).  We paid $349 for and Oasis Lagoon cabana for our June 24-28 on Navigator.  I think we made the reservation in April.

That being said, if you are just looking for Lounge chairs and shade, know that there are plenty of loungers and umbrellas!

There are wristbands; our were gold at our Oasis Lagoon cabana.   I think therewould be an issue with the Thrill Park cabanas because those include waterpark admission.  They won’t let you switch up and rotate 17 people in for the waterpark having only paid for 6.   The cabanas do have attendants that bring drinks and food, etc.   

I’m waiting to find out if Brandon made it home alive. 😂🤣

Following along and anxious to hear about your experience on the ship as we are trying to decide which ship to choose for our next cruise.   

Hoping your kitty is ok; pets are such an important part of our lives.

happy cruising!

On 6/24/2019 at 1:26 PM, CruisingJoe09 said:

Yikes - that is terrible. I am in CocoCay next week on Harmony, but I'm frustrated at hearing about how you have to pay for almost everything there and the fact that other ships (Brilliance, Independence etc.) are being re-routed there instead of other destinations just seems like Royal trying to nickel and dime their guests. Disappointing.

I just have to say that it is completely inaccurate to say “you have to pay for almost everything” on CoCo Cay.  That simply isn’t true.

While I agree it’s likely Royal changed the itinerary to include CoCo Cay because they’d rather have you spend with them than Mexico (IF you choose to spend), I think it’s more likely that they have such faith in their CoCo Cay port that you will choose to cruise with them again in the future because you’d like to return.  You can’t be “convinced” to return if you’ve never been there.  This is why I think they are changing the itinerary.

But that being said, there is much more to do on the island that’s free than is an additional cost.  Additionally, it is likely a cost-saver for cruisers because the food and drink is included, including any of the drink package you’ve purchased for the ship.  Lounge chairs and umbrellas are plentiful and comfortable.  The fresh water pool is fantastic.  There is a rather large splash pad area with two dousing buckets and three smaller slides that is included.  There is a pirate ship splash area as well.   There is really no need to spend extra money.   The balloon and the zip line are a monetized excursion, but they would be if you did either of those things at a different port of call as well.

Last week on Navigator they had White Claw.

47 minutes ago, Big_G said:

 

 Can you actually swim at South Beach when the tide rolls out? We could see it from the balloon ride and it looked pretty shallow.

No, not really.   It’s shallow everywhere.   I think to “swim” at all you’d have to go to the snorkeling area, and I can’t comment on that knowledgeably.   Sorry.

Just now, Milwaukee Eight said:

They don’t. 

Exactly.  That was my point.

13 minutes ago, big al said:

 

DancerMama25- Great review & great pics, as well..sounds like you had a blast..what beach would you recommend 2 old people ( 60's) who don't want to hear crummy Top 40 music, but need some shade close to the pool AND a good beach, too? Thanks!!

 

Big Al

On Coco Cay or Nassau?

on Coco Cay you actually have a couple of great options for quiet relaxation.  If I were you, I’d take the tram from the pier around to South Beach and pick out a couple of nice chairs near an umbrella.  You’ll have a out of choices, and the walk to the pool isn’t that far if you’d like to check that out as well.   

If you do head to the pool, just avoid the area around the swim up bar.  There is a DJ there with lots of music and more of a party atmosphere.  But if you head toward the other side of the pool (it’s enormous) near the zero entry (more toward the interior of the island) you won’t notice that party music.   

My recommendation of South Beach over Chill Island is based on the fact that it seems most people wanting to hang at a beach just go to Chill Island because it’s closer/easier to get to.  There were far fewer people on the other side of the island.   

Oh, I think I may have figured out how to publish the link.  🤞🏼

23 minutes ago, Frankmac said:

I do not prepay gratuities. I will pay what I deem appropriate for the service I get.

So, how do you get the tips to the people that wash your towels and sheets?   Or the people that wash the dishes and roll the silverware?

8 hours ago, big al said:

Hi guys- I have just booked the Navigator Of The seas for 3 nights 8/16 and was wondering if anybody has done this recently and is there a lobster tail night on one of the 3 nights? Also, any opinions on the newly refurbished ship would be welcome..looking forward to CoCo Cay and that new Bamboo Room...any good shows in the theater? Thanks!! 

 

Big Al  

I just did a review of our 4-night Navigator Nassau/Coco Cay Cruise.  It details entertainment and there are many pics.   Scroll down a bit; it shouldn’t be buried too deep.  It’s called   Navigator 6/24-6/28 “We Came to Dance” Trip Report.  (Sorry, I’m not sure how to link it)

15 minutes ago, maggieq said:

Thanks for your review. The navigator was our first Rccl ship and we loved it.  Do you know if they offer the ice show on the 3 night and 4 night cruises?

 

thanks!

Yes!!  Twice on the first night (I believe 7:30 and 9:30) and once on the 4th day (sea day) at 2:00 pm.

23 minutes ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

Well as it turns out, I’m still in Detroit. They offered me $1,000 in flight credit to give up my seat and take a later flight. I jumped on because were doing Alaska next year, and this coupled with miles from my Delta Amex and reward points from the credit union means we’ll be out less than $500 for all of our tickets in first. #win

 

Working on getting pictures of compasses so I can upload them. I should have scanned them when I was at home. 

So, you’re in my neck of the woods.  How long are you “stuck” here?  I can tell you the best fireworks shoes for tonight.  What’s your final destination?

On 7/2/2019 at 10:05 AM, ShillyShally said:

Great review and love the photos - especially those around the ship with your daughter in her pointes!  🙂  I would have come to see the show too, thank you so much for sharing!

Thank you so much!  I hope the passengers that came enjoyed it!

I’m going to give you the details of my personal experience last week on Navigator.  I wanted a cash account of board rather than credit cards, and at the time it was my understanding that either a credit card number had to be listed for charging, or cash had to be deposited for your onboard account.

Upon embarkation, we immediately went to Guest Services.  I had received a gift of $100 in OBC from a friend and redeemed it online, so I wanted to make sure that was there.  I also deposited $400 in cash with them.  When looking at the account statement periodically throughout the cruise charges showed up as debits from the OBC first, then when that was used up it began debiting from the cash balance.  On the last night of the cruise, before 11:00  pm, I went to Guest Services and cashed out.  At that time, I left a card number just in case of any incidental expense for the rest of the night.  I was assured that it would only be charged for actual purchases, and that no incidental fee of any amount, nor any holds for anything would be placed on the card.  This is exactly how it worked.  It was easy and fast.

(By the way, there was ZERO wait either time I was at guest services.  I walked right up, was waited on quickly, had questions answered, and was off...)

1 hour ago, NewlyMrs.Kilday said:

Loved your review! I am a former dancer and we did a similar cruise and performed with our dance studio when I was younger. (2005 on Empress) Such a great memory! I’m doing this itinerary in September. Do you know what time the skating shows were the first evening? I know you mentioned not making the first one, we also have early dinner seating so just trying to think ahead. Thanks so much! 🙂

Hi!  Thanks!

i believe the iSkate shows were at 7:30 and 9:30 (or 9:15) on day 1.  They repeated it again on the sea day at 2:00.  (Our dance performance was at 2:30 though, or I think I may have gone to see it again)

4 hours ago, perfect match said:

Thanks for your review! Sounds like you had a great time!

 

I especially loved the pictures of your dancers! I’d have gone to see their show if I’d been sailing with you! 😀 

 

I also appreciated your pictures of Coco Cay. I’m not sure when we will get back there, so I enjoy seeing what’s changed there through pictures.

Thank you!

CocoCay really is beautiful.    It also didn’t really feel crowded.  Majesty of the Seas was there as well.  

On 5/21/2019 at 11:53 AM, RCCLNYMETS41 said:

I assume El Loco Fresh℠ & Portside BBQ℠. will both be "Pay" eateries?

El Loco Fresh is included on Navigator.  (Johnny Rockets, alsoon the pool deck, is not.).  We loved it last week.  Fresh, quick,yummy.  Didn’t have to change out of suits or leave the pool deck!

34 minutes ago, Namelocg said:

I was on this cruise and I did come to the show. I really enjoyed it, especially the little boy. Everyone did an awesome job.

Thank you so much!