Navigator of the Seas review 2/19

[Teneene]

We were on the Navigator from 2/12-2/19.

 

I've been on 4 previous cruises, 2 w/ Carnival and 2 w/ Norwegian, but I must say that this was by far the prettiest ship I've been on so far. The decor on this ship was superb! I especially liked the glass floor as you walk into the casino. I could imagine someone who was intoxicated trying to walk over the glass floor and being afraid to take another step! I was sober (for the most part) and still hesitated a little at times.

 

Embarkation was a bit of a problem when we arrived at the port because there were about 2,000 people from foreign countries who had to pass through immigration before they could get off the previous cruise. We learned this through one of the staff members working the port. This delayed embarkation for those of us wanting to get on the ship and created huge lines at both entrances. I couldn't fault RCCL for this, it could have happened at any time. Some people complained a great deal about this though even though they were aware of the issue.

 

I had a cabin with a balcony on deck nine for this cruise. I'd heard that RCCL's cabins were very small, but my cabin didn't seem any smaller than any of the other cruise companies I'd cruised with before. It could be that my memory isn't that great when it comes to cabin size unless there is a huge difference worth remembering. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my shower had closing doors on them rather than a flimsy shower curtain. I remember the shower curtain on at least one of the other two cruise lines I've been with (maybe even both). It's the simple things that please me. I really enjoyed the balcony, especially at night when we'd leave the balcony door open to listen to the ocean waves to help lull us to sleep. One night we saw 5 other ships out there with us.

 

All though I loved the ship itself, I thought the food could use some improvement in both the Windjammer and in the dining room. Sometimes our food was just luke warm in the Windjammer, which I guess is to be expected. I also didn't care much for the food in the dining room either, but I went because I liked our waiter Allen (he was very cute and had the best smile!) Who needs food when you can have a waiter like him? I did like the pizza and sandwiches in the Promenade Cafe and I loved Johnny Rocket's onion rings and chili so I didn't go hungry or anything.

 

The shows were excellent in my opinion. I saw one ice skating show and two broadway like shows. I really enjoyed listening to Kristen one of the singers, I wonder if she would qualify for American Idol? She can't dance though.

 

I've already been to the islands on this itenerary, but I wanted to go on a cruise with a different cruise line. I thought one of the differences between RCCL and the other two was that the people on this ship really like to dress up. I don't know if it's people who cruise with this company, or just on this particular ship. I liked to look at all the nice outfits when sitting at one of the bars on the Promenade. The older women on that ship really knew how to dress! No old fogy dresses for them! I want to be like that when I grow up. Okay, so I'm a grown up now (33yrs), but when I get to their age I want to look as sharp as they did.

 

Debarkation was horrible. I hate to have to leave my stateroom by 8am just to sit in one of the lounges until they call my tag. I was one of the last tags called because our flight was due to leave late. I think Carnival has RCCL beat when it comes to this because you can stay in your cabin until it's time for you to leave. After our tags were called we had to stand in the longest line ever to even reach immigration. Life went downhill after that. When we finally reached the airport in FLL we discovered that there must have been a bomb scare or something because the entire airport was evacuated. We stood outside for at least 2-3 hours, I lost count after a while. They would only let people in by flight times and ours wasn't until 6:30p! We were exhausted by the time we were finally able to check in our baggage after standing in more horribly long lines. So, from the point of disembarkation we were in some sort of line until it was time to get on the plane. Not my idea of ending an otherwise great vacation. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to be blown up by a bomb or anything after a great vacation either so I am grateful for the hightened security.

 

Overall I have to say that RCCL could use some improvement in their food and disembarkation process, but generally this was a good cruise on a really excellent ship. Staff were always friendly and willing to add more rum to my drink at no extra cost when asked which really won me over. I'd cruise with them again.

[TrentS]

There was a fire at FLL yesterday afternoon, that's why Terminal 2 was evacuated and why you had to wait in such a long line outside...

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cfire20feb20,0,4583152.story?coll=sfla-news-broward

 

The Immigration lines at the Port of Miami are bad, but they aren't RCI's fault, they have no control over the number of inspectors the gov't. gives them.

[kirky]

I also was on NOS for this cruise. I was on the NOS last year same time but on the Western Caribbean. I thought the food in the dining room was incredible and the Windjammer was ok. The other two couples with us also thought the food was great. But as I have only cruised RCCL, I have no other cruise line to compare it to. Last year, I thought the disembarkation was a nightmare as my tag was one of the last called and we had a very long wait. This year, we were called at 8:45am and were off the ship in 15 minutes.

[joeyancho]

I was on the Navigator 02/05/05 sailing and thought the food was the best of 14 cruises. Head and shoulders above any Carnival cruise ( been on 5 of those). The only thing that I found better on Carnival was the pizza. I guess it is all amatter of opinion. We also had a long wait to disembark. However I don't think that is the fault of the cruise line, as stated by a previous post. Everyone goes through immigration, not just foreigners.

[RandS]

We also sailed on Navigator 2/12 and have been on many RCI cruises and thought the food was excellent on this cruise. New menu items which we enjoyed were pumpkin apple soup and family style spinah foccacia salad. Hope these recipes will be available soon.

[elleluv]

DH and I were also on this cruise. We had a GREAT time. Thought the food was good (not excellent), but amazing considering how many people they are feeding.

Embarkation didn't start until about 2:00. We happened to be the first people at the bottom of the escalator. Security was right there and we ended up hearing alot of what was going on... Apparently customs found drugs on someone disembarking. They stopped disembarkation for a while and then brought dogs through the ship prior to clearing it for us to embark. Once customs cleared the ship, the process was very smooth and fast, 20 minutes and we were on board.

I thought the disembarkation was a breeze. Yes, you have to be out of your room at 8am so they can get the rooms ready for the next cruise. I can't believe how hard everyone must work to get a ship that size cleaned, restocked and ready to go for the next group in just a few hours. We had the last color called (beige). It was called at about 10:15 (1/2 hr early). We were through customs, had our luggage and were in a cab by 10:45.

[Teneene]

In terms of the food, everyone here is right it is all a matter of taste. The food wasn't seasoned very well for my liking (except for the soups which are excellent on every cruise I've been on). I understand all about having to cater to so many people because my mother works in a hospital as a dietician so I am aware of the process and what the chefs have to be mindful of. I'm glad everyone else enjoyed their food so immensely, I like to see people pleased.

 

Regarding the disembarkation, it's just my luck that I was standing in the wrong line to leave the ship. Others in my party who had the same color tags that I did were already outside and wondering what took us so long. See how that works, same cruise but different experiences...amazing! This is why I don't play much in the casino, I never seem to win and I always go in with the best intentions of coming out with more money than I went in with.

 

Thanks for the info about the airport. We asked a camera man who was in the area what the problem was and he was the one who said he believed it to be a bomb scare. Either way I wouldn't want to be in a fire or in the terminal with a bomb scare. I was exhausted all the same though.

 

I appreciate your responses, I'm learning all kinds of new information!

[cruiseky]

Teneene, Having sailed on RCCL, Carnival and NCL, how would you rank them? Which was your faviorite and which was your least favorite?

[Teneene]

-Carnival was best in terms of disembarkation, the food, and the night life in my opinion.

 

-Norwegian was best in terms of their freestyle cruising where you can come to the diningroom anytime and eat without having to be on a schedule. (early or late seating) I like being able to come and go as I please and still have the option of eating in the diningroom.

 

-RCCL had Johnny Rockets which I love, the best ship, and the friendliest staff. I don't remember being greeted at the entrance to the Windjammer on any other cruise.

 

My favorite is any cruise line that does themed cruising though. So far the only one I've been on that did this was NCL's Norway when we did a Blues Cruise. Others may have them, but so far the best time I ever had on a cruise was on the Norway where I saw BB King among other famous entertainers for the same price of cruising as the non-themed cruises.

[Anchors Aweigh]

good review teneene, lucky for me that elleluv, rands

and joey are saying the food was good 'cuz im going in

two months. so we know about the food, tell us what

excursions yall did.

[Tenbyman]

We were on the NOS from Feb 12th-19th and were not happy about the being kept in a barn like building for 2-3 hours, and understood that it was not the fault RCI , but RCI could help by putting a few more chairs in the check in area to ease the discomfort, I looked round and saw many hundreds of people having to sit on the floor, it would not cost the company much and I know the customers would appreciate it.

 

On the subject of the reasons for the late embarkation I was told that the FBI were on the ship and I for one didn’t fancy arguing with them.

 

Had a great week on the ship and feel that the food is good, I was also talking to some people in the know and they told me that the Executive Chef is given $11 per day per customer to feed them, if anybody out there can do better let the company know they would get a job tomorrow.

[nicefreak]

Thought food was great. Had a tough time (3 hrs) getting on. Getting off couldn't have been easier. Left our cabin at 8:05am and was in a cab going to the Hyatt in Miami by 8:50am. Guess it's the luck of the draw getting on and off.

 

NF

[elleluv]

good review teneene, lucky for me that elleluv, rands

and joey are saying the food was good 'cuz im going in

two months. so we know about the food, tell us what

excursions yall did.

 

 

Are you doing the Eastern or Western Itinerary?

[AntonJ]

Do any of you know the show schedule on the Eastern Carb. cruise? We will be on the Navigator later this month and are trying to figure out which nights to eat at Portifinos and Chops. We don't want to miss the big production shows or any good singer or comedian.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Anchors Aweigh]

elleluv- we are doing the eastern.