Just back from Navigator. Very long multi-post review

[marcy0912]

Hi Marcy! Thanks for posting your thoughts. I fully intend to blog about our cruise but haven't been able to sit still long enough to get started. I may need to reference this thread to help me remember what we did each day once I start writing. It was great to meet you guys. Thanks for being such a kick-butt trivia partner!

 

 

Hey Kim. It was so great meeting another Dopey runner! We had so much fun playing trivia with you, Chuck and the kids. I am sure our paths will cross again either on a cruise or at Disney. See you in Facebook!

 

 

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[marcy0912]

I am confused?? We are doing the same itinerary as you but seems the order is different. We have a sea day then Cozumel, Cayman, falmouth then 2 sea days at the end. Is this what you did or did it change?

 

 

 

Also, I am a great people watcher also, what side were you docked at the pier, especially Cozumel. We have room 8316 which is starboard I think. Thank-you

 

 

Not sure about the change, but we had the 2 sea days at the beginning, then 3 ports and a final sea day. It would make sense that you could do it that was as Cozumel is the closest port to Galveston.

 

We had cabin 8292 on the Starboard side. In Falmouth we were on the non-dock side so had to go up to 12 to watch sail away. Tendered in Cayman, we say the other ships from the balcony. We were also not dock side in Cozumel but could see the walkway before turning to get to the ship.

 

 

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[kontraxed]

First, thanks for a great review!

 

Was the Solarium pool normally covered for shade? Did the ship keep it to primarily adults?

 

How was the tendering from the ship to shore at Grand Cayman? Was the tender ride very rough?

 

Thanks!

[Clarea]

First, thanks for a great review!

 

Was the Solarium pool normally covered for shade? Did the ship keep it to primarily adults?

 

How was the tendering from the ship to shore at Grand Cayman? Was the tender ride very rough?

 

Thanks!

The Solarium on Navigator does not have a cover. There are areas shaded by the deck above, but the pool area is open to the sky. They are pretty good about keeping those under 16 out of the area.

[lmares1968]

I'm looking forward to your review. It's been a couple of years since we cruised from Galveston. We will be on the Navigator in 3 weeks. :D

 

I understand the RC terminal has been renovated/enlarged. Is the construction finished or still on-going?

We were on Navigator the first week of December. It just so happens that we signed up for the first shuttle from our hotel, scheduled to depart at 10:00 a.m..

We were dropped off at 10:30 and on the ship by 10:55. I think the earlier the better. [emoji3]

[spookwife]

First, thanks for a great review!

 

Was the Solarium pool normally covered for shade? Did the ship keep it to primarily adults?

 

How was the tendering from the ship to shore at Grand Cayman? Was the tender ride very rough?

 

Thanks!

 

the solarium is open to the elements and the actual pool is not covered at all. when it rains, you get wet top and bottom. but I would say good half of the loungers are under an overhang/cover. which ones are full shade depends on time of day and which way the ship faces. the hot tubs are covered.

 

if you want all shade all day, the ones lining the window are best( they also get snagged first)

[marcy0912]

Day 6. Cozumel

 

I had pre-booked a day at Nachi Cocum. We got off the ship at about 10:00. The port area was insane. There were 3 ships in port at the international terminal. Us, the Freedom and the Carnival Dream. The taxi line was long but moved quickly. It was about 15 minute drive to the beach and cost $17.

 

I give Nachi Cocum 5 huge stars. It was such a great day. We got chairs under a canopy right by the water. The water was crystal clear and not cold at all. The drinks were great and plentiful and the food was excellent. We had a few piña coladas, some chips and guacamole and a quesadilla. Carlos, our waiter was very attentive and friendly. We spent about 5 hours there before getting a taxi back. Walked around the port shops for a bit and back in board by 4. On board in Cozumel was not until 5:30. I came back exhausted so took a little nap.

 

We had no dinner reservations and a drive-by of the WJ was not exciting so asked Nadia, the fabulous DL concierge to make us 8pm Chops reservations. Saw one of the coolest things I have ever seen sitting in the DL. It was a perfectly clear night with a brilliant full moon. The Freedom and the Carnival ship were sailing right next to us. At one point, the Freedom was right under the full moon. Just such an amazing sight.

 

Chops was really good again. A little casino time and we were ready for lights out.

 

 

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[j_l_plascencia]

I've heard you can eat breakfast in the MDR. Is there a reason you didn't go there instead of WJ?

[spookwife]

I've heard you can eat breakfast in the MDR. Is there a reason you didn't go there instead of WJ?

 

we have found on most ships that MDR breakfast is SLOOOOOOOOW no matter if it is a port day or a sea day. no idea why, Lunch is far faster but that is only sea days.

[marcy0912]

we have found on most ships that MDR breakfast is SLOOOOOOOOW no matter if it is a port day or a sea day. no idea why, Lunch is far faster but that is only sea days.

 

 

Good question. Usually we workout before breakfast. The gym is so hot and I am sweating a ton when I am done. I know, very attractive. Really don't want to go the MDR being a sweaty mess.

 

 

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Edited April 7, 2015 by marcy0912

[JimAOk1945]

We were on Navigator the first week of December. It just so happens that we signed up for the first shuttle from our hotel, scheduled to depart at 10:00 a.m..

We were dropped off at 10:30 and on the ship by 10:55. I think the earlier the better. [emoji3]

 

I agree. Getting there early is a good idea! Thanks!

[JimAOk1945]

marcy0912,

 

Can you describe the disembarkation process?

 

Thanks!

[marcy0912]

Hi Jim. We did self disembark and it was was easier than we were expecting. I had heard such horror stories about Galveston so we got a self assist A ticket to be off between 7 and 7:30. Waited for a few minutes in the theatre and then they let us go. Right off the ship and no line at customs. Now, there were less US citizens than Mexican citizens, so maybe that's why our line was shorter. But, it is a very small terminal area and I could see how, later in the morning, things could get very crowded. If you are driving, or have an early flight, I would recommend self assist departure.

 

We were walking off the ship at 725 and in the car on the way home at 7:45

 

 

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Edited April 10, 2015 by marcy0912

[JimAOk1945]

Hi Jim. We did self disembark and it was was easier than we were expecting. We were walking off the ship at 725 and in the car on the way home at 7:45

 

 

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This is good information. We are driving so this will be the way we will do it.

 

Are porters available at self disembark?

Edited April 10, 2015 by JimAOk1945

[mil76]

Hi Jim. We did self disembark and it was was easier than we were expecting. I had heard such horror stories about Galveston so we got a self assist A ticket to be off between 7 and 7:30. Waited for a few minutes in the theatre and then they let us go. Right off the ship and no line at customs. Now, there were less US citizens than Mexican citizens, so maybe that's why our line was shorter. But, it is a very small terminal area and I could see how, later in the morning, things could get very crowded. If you are driving, or have an early flight, I would recommend self assist departure.

 

We were walking off the ship at 725 and in the car on the way home at 7:45

 

 

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Good call. Our shuttle wasn't picking us up until 11:15 so we decided to stay on the ship longer. BIG MISTAKE. Last year we cruised Navigator the same week (but not Easter week) and were the last passengers off the ship and got through customs and still had to wait almost an hour for our shuttle to Hobby. So this year we waited in the 5th floor MDR with the rest of the Diamonds who were called about 9:15am. We waited about half an hour after that to start to leave and we walked off the ship and right into a queue that extended all the way to the ship. Took us well over an hour just to get into the baggage/customs hall. Because most of the ship was Mexican nationals, once we got to the bottom of the escalator they called for people traveling with a visa (all the Mexican nationals) to go forward, which didn't seem fair since the US line is supposed to go faster, especially with that many non-US citizens on the ship. Once we finally got into the customs line we understood what was going on, as the whole serpentine line in the customs hall was for people traveling on a visa, and the US queue just went around the perimeter of the building. When we got through customs there were only a handful of people behind us in the US/non-visa queue, and the visa line still had about 1000 people waiting.

 

The whole time in line my wife was in contact with our shuttle driver (we did the La Quinta Hobby Airport stay/cruise package), begging him not to leave us. He told us he would have to leave once the van was full, and wouldn't come back for us because it was Easter Sunday and the traffic back into Galveston would take hours to get through. At one point my wife was on the phone with La Quinta threatening to dispute the credit card charges if they didn't wait for us. Luckily Carnival had the same delays, so almost everyone on the shuttle ended up getting through at about the same time (just before noon). FWIW The driver said he had never seen it this bad before.

 

This was probably our last time cruising from Galveston. It seems like the perfect port if you are able to drive and park your car by the port, but trying to get there by plane and get to Galveston and back to the airport is is just too hectic and stressful. Fort Lauderdale may be a bit more expensive for cruising over Spring Break, but from now on having the peace of mind that I can just walk out the front door and will have a cab waiting to take me on the 10 minute drive to the airport is worth every penny.

[39august]

There are no porters for self debark. The instuctions for this are very clear that you must be able to handle all your own luggage with no porters.

[sredish]

I'm reading lots of posts about drink prices shooting through the roof. But everyone is reporting on the fancy mixed and frozen drinks. By any chance did you happen to order a simple vodka tonic or a Crown or Jack and Coke, and if you did what was the price? In cruises past I typically paid $6 for a vodka and water or a vodka tonic.

[marcy0912]

DH and I are not big drinkers. We brought 2 bottles of wine to enjoy at dinner and took advantage of the Diamond Lounge and the 3 free drinks a day loaded to our card so we did not actually pay for a drink. I am sure others can reply.

 

 

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[Sat1]

I have another question about the Galveston terminal. In looking at it on Google maps, it appears there is only one entrance into the terminal area. This is the way I remember it from the last time we cruised on RC.

 

Is this correct? Is there only one entrance?

 

Yep.

[mil76]

DH and I are not big drinkers. We brought 2 bottles of wine to enjoy at dinner and took advantage of the Diamond Lounge and the 3 free drinks a day loaded to our card so we did not actually pay for a drink. I am sure others can reply.

 

 

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We did the same. Between the uncrowded Diamond Lounge (only about 130 D or above on the cruise) and the pre-loaded three drinks a day, for the first time ever we didn't spend a dime on drinks the entire trip (other than tips).

[marcy0912]

Mil76. I think we met you one night in the DL. I remember you saying that you cruised for the Flo Rider. It was great with an empty DL. Nadia was fabulous.

 

 

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Edited April 10, 2015 by marcy0912

[dancingranni]

Good call. Our shuttle wasn't picking us up until 11:15 so we decided to stay on the ship longer. BIG MISTAKE. Last year we cruised Navigator the same week (but not Easter week) and were the last passengers off the ship and got through customs and still had to wait almost an hour for our shuttle to Hobby. So this year we waited in the 5th floor MDR with the rest of the Diamonds who were called about 9:15am. We waited about half an hour after that to start to leave and we walked off the ship and right into a queue that extended all the way to the ship. Took us well over an hour just to get into the baggage/customs hall. Because most of the ship was Mexican nationals, once we got to the bottom of the escalator they called for people traveling with a visa (all the Mexican nationals) to go forward, which didn't seem fair since the US line is supposed to go faster, especially with that many non-US citizens on the ship. Once we finally got into the customs line we understood what was going on, as the whole serpentine line in the customs hall was for people traveling on a visa, and the US queue just went around the perimeter of the building. When we got through customs there were only a handful of people behind us in the US/non-visa queue, and the visa line still had about 1000 people waiting.

 

The whole time in line my wife was in contact with our shuttle driver (we did the La Quinta Hobby Airport stay/cruise package), begging him not to leave us. He told us he would have to leave once the van was full, and wouldn't come back for us because it was Easter Sunday and the traffic back into Galveston would take hours to get through. At one point my wife was on the phone with La Quinta threatening to dispute the credit card charges if they didn't wait for us. Luckily Carnival had the same delays, so almost everyone on the shuttle ended up getting through at about the same time (just before noon). FWIW The driver said he had never seen it this bad before.

 

This was probably our last time cruising from Galveston. It seems like the perfect port if you are able to drive and park your car by the port, but trying to get there by plane and get to Galveston and back to the airport is is just too hectic and stressful. Fort Lauderdale may be a bit more expensive for cruising over Spring Break, but from now on having the peace of mind that I can just walk out the front door and will have a cab waiting to take me on the 10 minute drive to the airport is worth every penny.

 

MIL76...How was your stay and cruise with LaQuinta? We have this booked for April 18. I would really like some feedback on the hotel and shuttle. Also, do you know if the shuttle will take you anywhere to buy wine?

[mil76]

MIL76...How was your stay and cruise with LaQuinta? We have this booked for April 18. I would really like some feedback on the hotel and shuttle. Also, do you know if the shuttle will take you anywhere to buy wine?

 

We did the La Quinta package both times we have cruised out of Galveston, and it is the best option we've been able to find for flying in. They have the shuttle from Hobby to the airport, but the shuttle driver said they only go to the airport (not to other stores). The airport shuttle is not the same as the Galveston shuttle. I think they actually contract out the port shuttle service. There is a gas station within walking distance (you'll pass it on the shuttle from the airport so you'll see where it is), and they had an OK selection of wine. We got our two bottles for about $19 each. They also sell cases of water if you want to take it onboard. The area is a bit seedy (but I wouldn't call it dangerous) and the hotel is OK. It's definitely not the Ritz, but it was clean. The breakfast is limited, but it will get you through until you get to the Windjammer. They have a waffle iron that makes Texas-shaped waffles that was probably the best thing to eat for breakfast.

 

The shuttle gets you to the port at a good time. By the time we dropped the bags with the porter, went through security and checked in they were just starting boarding.

 

For the drive back, other than the stress of thinking they would leave without us, it went without a hitch as they drop off at Hobby and the hotel, and he even dropped us off at the Hobby off-site rental car facility since we were renting a car and driving to Austin for an evening flight back to Denver. We got to Hobby a few minutes after 1:00pm which is probably worst-case scenario, so hopefully your flight is sometime after 2:00pm. Make sure you exchange cellphone numbers with the shuttle driver as this is vital in case things go wrong in the disembarking process.

 

If we ever cruise out of Galveston again, we'd stay at La Quinta again since it's still the best of the limited options.

[Wilson]

For those just off the Navigator...

 

I am reading in other threads that alcoholic drinks have increased 15-40%, that bartender are measuring shots in mixed drinks (no longer free pouring) and that gratuities are now an auto 18%!

 

Can you confirm?

 

If so, are they trying to force the drinkers to buy a package?

[Clarea]

For those just off the Navigator...

 

I am reading in other threads that alcoholic drinks have increased 15-40%, that bartender are measuring shots in mixed drinks (no longer free pouring) and that gratuities are now an auto 18%!

 

Can you confirm?

 

If so, are they trying to force the drinkers to buy a package?

Virtually all cocktails are betwen $10 and $12 now.