Navigator Dec 10 sailing - how was your cruise?

[franl24fan]

I was on the 12/10 and thought it was one of my top 5 best. I loved the 8 day itinerary, the extra day made a difference. I found the ship to be clean, although a few touch ups might be needed. Entertainment was better than average, although I thought the one headliner Rick Record's humor was a little too racy for a prime time audience. The ports were nice, although St Kitts disappointed me a little. The loyalty ambassador staff were very efficient and helpful, correcting an OBC mistake quickly. Stateroom attendant was efficient, when I commented on the flat pillows she went and got me a selection of pillows to choose from, with one just right. Every place I went on the ship the crew smiled and greeted me. Senior staff were out & about and approachable.

 

Food was overall very good, although I did not eat as much as usual due to a slight case of the "upset tummy". I was at a table for 12 in the dining room, a group of us that have cruised together before. The service was outstanding, I couldn't believe how quickly the waiter and assistant waiter got our meals out each night I ate there. We were at early seating and were always done by 7:25, with time to sip coffee and chat after. And the nights I couldn't eat much, I went to the Windjammer where one night a waiter went in the back and got some boxes of cereal for me.

 

I've been on the Navigator and Mariner several times (and Oasis & Allure), so perhaps I have learned how to make the best of a large ship and what to avoid (parades on the promenade). I was always able to find a quiet place on deck in the shade to read and nap.

 

Biggest complaint as usual was the casino. Far too smokey, even on the non smoking formal nights the smell lingers. There has got to be a better way to ventilate the casinos on ships, or make them all non smoking all the time.

 

What I love about cruising is there is something for everyone. If you don't like large ships, book the Radiance class. If you want high class dining, book another cruise line. Read cruise critic and you'll know what to expect on a ship, then book or not. Talk to fellow cruisers, especially those of us with several cruises on different ships. Once you are onboard, take the attitude of being flexible and tolerant. If you have a problem, give the staff a chance to fix it, but be reasonable in what you expect.

 

I would go on the Navigator again, although I do prefer the Radiance class, especially the Rhapsody.

[bigboffs]

I was on the 12/10 and thought it was one of my top 5 best. I loved the 8 day itinerary, the extra day made a difference. I found the ship to be clean, although a few touch ups might be needed. Entertainment was better than average, although I thought the one headliner Rick Record's humor was a little too racy for a prime time audience. The ports were nice, although St Kitts disappointed me a little. The loyalty ambassador staff were very efficient and helpful, correcting an OBC mistake quickly. Stateroom attendant was efficient, when I commented on the flat pillows she went and got me a selection of pillows to choose from, with one just right. Every place I went on the ship the crew smiled and greeted me. Senior staff were out & about and approachable.

 

Food was overall very good, although I did not eat as much as usual due to a slight case of the "upset tummy". I was at a table for 12 in the dining room, a group of us that have cruised together before. The service was outstanding, I couldn't believe how quickly the waiter and assistant waiter got our meals out each night I ate there. We were at early seating and were always done by 7:25, with time to sip coffee and chat after. And the nights I couldn't eat much, I went to the Windjammer where one night a waiter went in the back and got some boxes of cereal for me.

 

I've been on the Navigator and Mariner several times (and Oasis & Allure), so perhaps I have learned how to make the best of a large ship and what to avoid (parades on the promenade). I was always able to find a quiet place on deck in the shade to read and nap.

 

Biggest complaint as usual was the casino. Far too smokey, even on the non smoking formal nights the smell lingers. There has got to be a better way to ventilate the casinos on ships, or make them all non smoking all the time.

 

What I love about cruising is there is something for everyone. If you don't like large ships, book the Radiance class. If you want high class dining, book another cruise line. Read cruise critic and you'll know what to expect on a ship, then book or not. Talk to fellow cruisers, especially those of us with several cruises on different ships. Once you are onboard, take the attitude of being flexible and tolerant. If you have a problem, give the staff a chance to fix it, but be reasonable in what you expect.

 

I would go on the Navigator again, although I do prefer the Radiance class, especially the Rhapsody.

The Rhapsody is Vision Class - perhaps you meant the Radiance :-)

[S&C2]

We were also on the 12/10 sailing and while we had a great time, I can't rank this one as one of my favorites. This was our 14th cruise with Royal and we had three issues that lasted the entire week:

1. Service in MTD was extremely slow. Like previous posters, I think we were in the section where the waiter was trying to bring everything out at once.

2. Smoking on the balconies was very bad. Our room was surrounded by smokers and everytime that we would try and sit on the balcony, the smokers were out and we really couldn't enjoy it.

3. Worst of all, we had a leaky shower that resulted in wet & moldy carpet (Yuk!). We had maintenance in several times to try and fix it. I think by the last day, they finally got it.

 

Sorry, but I just didn't feel Navigator was up to par with our other sailings.

[BVIArabella]

Looking forward to New's Year Eve also! My wife and I spent 2010-2011 NYE at Marina Quey in BVI but I think this will be great. Is 9 year old ship really old?

[MusicalCruiser]

We were also on the Navigator on 12/10. This was a last minute cruise for us. It has been a busy year and we hadn't taken time for a break, so I booked about three weeks out and was ready to relax. Our room steward was one of the best we've ever had (27 cruises, 18 with RCI; we made D+ with this one). Our waiter and asst. waiter were efficient, courteous and informative. The food was very good (if you want gourmet, you really need to book with a 5 star cruise line), and the entertainment, for the most part, was great.

 

DH was a bit under the weather for most of the cruise, so we only got off the ship in St Martin to have a bracelet repaired at Boolchands and to go on a Royston Rogers tour on St. Kitts (btw, very good!). We slept and read and ate when we felt like it. Our JS was in great shape (although I do agree that a bit of TLC needs to be expended on the elevators).

 

The ship was lovely with holiday decorations and without exception, every crew member we encountered had a smile and a greeting for us. My one trip to Guest Relations was good and we really enjoyed the ship.

 

We've done a fair amount of traveling over the past 15 years and no matter where we go or how fabulous we think this or that is, there's ALWAYS someone who is a "Negative Nelly". We just shake out heads and let it go. We choose to see the glass as half full instead of half empty and feel sorry for people who seem to get no joy out of life no matter where they go or what they do. Having an "attitude of gratitude" goes a long way to experiencing the positive side of things where ever you are.

 

Here's hoping we're all fortunate enough to experience cruising again and to share our smiles and good natures with all those we encounter in our travels! Have a healthy, safe and prosperous 2012, everyone!

[Phillies14]

We were on the Navigator the week before. And loved it. But went on the Allure the next day and were disappointed.

Everyone has their own opinion.

What dissipointed you about the Allure?????.......K.O. Near Philly:confused::confused:

[we like it hot]

OMG! We were on Navigator 12/10. That lady that was complaining in the cab sounded like the coupkle a few doors down from us. Several times we were either entering or leaving our cabin and would see these 2 people in the hall. They constantly complained about EVERYTHING! There is always someone in the crowd that is never happy.

Personally, I thought Navigator was OK. The staff was friendly, food was good. We were disappointed in the live music, or lack of. We like to ballroom dance ie: rumba foxtrot swing, there weren't any places to really do that. The dance floors are soooo small. When we did ask the group in the Belleros for a rumba song, their definition and ours were miles apart. We tryed the 14th floor lounge(Viking Crown) a few nights and was disappointed in the band. The disco was OK, if we wanted to Cha Cha all night.

Overall, the cruise was good. The weather was perfect and Labadee was wonderful. Our asst waiter acted like he was new, but caught on after the 4th night.

We would never give up the opportunity to cruise.