Navigator of Seas Feb 28 6 night review

[pst4ever]

Good morning,

 

Unfortunately another cruise is behind us. Just a quick review of our cruise.

 

Embarking: We arrived a day early visited family then stayed overnight at the Quality Inn in Hollywood although clean enough was not up to typical Choice Hotel standards but a clean bed and bathroom was all that was needed. We took the shuttle from the hotel provided by KSA tours who also try and sell you transport for after the cruise ($10 pp and they circle thru the cruise port 6am - 10 am) which we purchased but didn't use.

 

We arrived at the port approximately 11:30 am were thru customs just after noon. We went right to Next Cruise on level six and booked next years cruise. After that and a quick lunch in Windjammer our room was ready for 1pm.

 

Room: Our room was 9646 a Superior Balcony. Our attendant Florian was very attentive and always asking if we needed anything.

 

We had plenty of storage areas and the room was perfect for the two of us. Yes as others have said bed was a bit harder than the one on Independence last year but nothing too bad.

 

Food: We primarily ate in the Windjammer for a buffet it was fine, however it is hard to not compare to the Independence last year which had alot more variety and Jade so sushi was available.

 

We had My Time dining and ate in the dining room on Prime Rib/Lobster(Fisherman Platter) night. To hubby's disappointment there was no Prime Rib on the ship. They offered slow roasted sirloin not quiet the same. You also had the option of a couple cuts of beef for an up charge from Chops.

 

SABOR - to not be missed had the most incredible table side guacamole. We had the guacamole shared and appetizer, three side dished to accompany our main choices. I had the mushroom quesadilla ( after 2 bites I was full) and hubby had the burritos. Highly recommend going here. The margaritas were also perfect.

 

Hubby had the middle drink package and pretty much broke even with it. Also unlike last year there was not 2 for one drink specials every night.

 

Entertainment We are very early risers typically by 3am so to stay up even on vacation is a bit difficult. Dancing was way to late for us. Lol we are the old people late 40's. We did see an adult show comedian one night who was funny. We enjoy sitting at Two Poets Pub and listening to the performer. Hubby was lucky enough every night in the casino on penny slots to actually cover our onboard bill which was nice.

 

Pool This time we primarily used the main pool area to listen to the music. There are also exercise classes and different activities that would happen. The hot tubs in both the main pool and solarium were relaxing. As the water is filtered sea water it was a bit cooler than people expected but it wasn't cold definately refreshing from the hot sun.

 

The pool attendant was actively removing towels from the chairs that people would get up early to reserve. We were usually at the pool by 9:30 it was after 10:30 that seats were becoming hard to find.

 

SPA We took advantage of a couples massage which was very nice but not a full massage. The massage your full back side, when you turn its your feet shoulders and face. After the massage they will also try and sell a list of products. My products they recommended were over $220 and hubbys right around $200 needless to say we did not purchase. Also I prebooked this before the cruise and it was slightly cheaper. The first day they run a special to book services 10% off first service, 20% off second and 30% off third per person.

 

Islands this is the second year with basically the same itinerary we used alot of downtime

 

Grand Cayman~ The whole reason we rebooked this itinerary. Last year we dove with Cayman Turtle Diver having a great experience. This year were used Divers Down 3 minute walk from pier for our dive excursion.

 

Falmouth~ This is the day we used for our couples massage. Then we walked around the pier a bit had lunch at the Spicy Chicken was ok but after the smell of the street vendor selling jerk chicken in Cayman(which we were out if time to stop at after diving) the meal we got just didn't live up to expectation.

 

Labadee~ Make sure and take WATER SHOES. We liked this private area better than CoCo Cay, however you really need water shoes the area going into the water is very rocky and sharp coral. There is also coral pieces in the sand.

 

The market area is small but we didn't find vendors pushy as people have said. We purchased a t-shirt at lower than was asked but vendor was very nice.

 

Next years cruise revisits this area and we plan on doing the zip line over the water which was very busy.

 

 

Return to port and disembark This was a fantastic cruise perfect weather and we were able to relax alot.

 

Unfortunately on our return to port a passenger choose to go over board. Which there is enough conversations about. As the intial Oscar Oscar call was at 11:00pm, 11:18 the Captain announced were were turning around. We were released from the area at 3:44 am when the Coast Guard Cutters arrived.

 

Koodos to the Captain to making up time traveling as we docked at 8:15 am we were in self disembark and off ship at 8:45 thru customs by 9:20.

 

I just want to be back on the boat! Oh well to next year only 347 days away.

Any questions please ask.

Have a great day!

[Itsbeentoolong]

Welcome back, thanks for the review, cant wait for the Navigator to come across the pond for our cruise :)

 

can I just ask, Sabor? on our planner it says there's a cover charge but then there's prices next to each dish too. Do you pay a cover and then extra again or are they extra to the dishes covered by the cover charge?

 

thanks

 

Dean

[pst4ever]

Sabor food was covered in the per person fee. Our margaritas were listed at $12 each.

 

Enjoy we will definitely be back to this restaurant next year as our cruise is on the Navigator again.

[xxoocruiser]

Good morning,

 

 

 

We had My Time dining and ate in the dining room on Prime Rib/Lobster(Fisherman Platter) night. To hubby's disappointment there was no Prime Rib on the ship. They offered slow roasted sirloin not quiet the same. You also had the option of a couple cuts of beef for an up charge from Chops.

 

Was on the same cruise . Prime rib ( not slow roasted sirloin ) was served in the MDR on day 2 the only official formal night of the cruise. The fisherman's platter was served on day 5 which was a casual night. Slow roasted sirloin was served mainly in the Windjammer but believe it may have also been served in the MDR or either day 5 or 6.

 

Pool This time we primarily used the main pool area to listen to the music. There are also exercise classes and different activities that would happen. The hot tubs in both the main pool and solarium were relaxing. As the water is filtered sea water it was a bit cooler than people expected but it wasn't cold definately refreshing from the hot sun.

 

 

 

The exercise classes held in the Solarium, both in the pool as well as seated around the pool , on 3 mornings between 9:00 am - 10:00 were not provided by RCCL. The group that I travel with called the MSCruisers ( most of us have multiple sclerosis thus the MS in the name) had a brought a Master Trainer with us as keeping up with daily PT is very important. RCCL approved this ahead of time as our group cruises yearly with RCCL. Therefore these classes won't exist on the Navigator for up coming cruises. Can't say for certain if here were exercise classes by the main pool

Edited March 7, 2016 by xxoocruiser

[pst4ever]

Thank you for the reply.. Hubby was disappointed about the Prime Rib. It was listed on the Menu for our MyTime Dining under Chefs choice on Labadee day along with the Fishermans plate on the other area of the menu. Our server Onno stated that they had brought no Prime Rib on board so they were offering the slow roasted sirloin which definitely was no comparison.

 

My only comment about the fitness classes on the pool deck is get the poor instructor a headset. As a fitness instructor myself watching people try and look up at the instructor to see what she was doing was an injury waiting to happen.

Edited March 7, 2016 by pst4ever

[Itsbeentoolong]

thanks, are the drinks included in the premium drinks package?

 

Dean

[pst4ever]

Yes the drinks were included. I forgot the name of what package he had it was the middle choice and worth it. He is not a big drinker probably just pays for itself but you do get additional perk when they see you have the package.

[xxoocruiser]

Thank you for the reply.. Hubby was disappointed about the Prime Rib. It was listed on the Menu for our MyTime Dining under Chefs choice on Labadee day along with the Fishermans plate on the other area of the menu. Our server Onno stated that they had brought no Prime Rib on board so they were offering the slow roasted sirloin which definitely was no comparison.

 

My only comment about the fitness classes on the pool deck is get the poor instructor a headset. As a fitness instructor myself watching people try and look up at the instructor to see what she was doing was an injury waiting to happen.

 

Interesting what you were told about no prime rib being brought on board. There were several people at my table that had prime rib on both nights I previously stated and it most definitely was prime rib. Everyone stated how good it was. Guessing RCCL underestimated the amount needed when ordering and ran out at some point.

 

For the exercise classes by the pool provided by RCCL , Have been on other RCCL ships and totally agree the instructor needed a head set as yes it was an accident waiting to happen.

 

Had a wonderful time on the cruise. Hope you did as well.

Edited March 7, 2016 by xxoocruiser

[The Fun Researcher]

Thanks for taking the time for the review!

 

Two questions...

 

So there is no Jade at all by the Wind Jammer? So no sushi options at all for evenings at the buffet? We always eat dinner in the MDR, but I've gone down to the buffet once or twice for a few pieces of shushi (if I'm not already completely stuffed from dinner in the MDR :) ) From a financial perspective, I can see why they may not want Jade at the Windjammer to force those that want that cuisine to pay at Izumi... :mad:

 

Pool temperature... Yuck! This was a real downer for us on our Independence cruise late 2014 (everything else was fantastic!). Pools and splash area were COLD. Very cold. Does anyone know if they will raise the temp in the pools if enough people (hate to use the word...) complain? Anyone heard of success with this?

 

Dan

[pst4ever]

No Jade in the WindJammer so no sushi there however - Izumi is al la cart and they actually had a sushi cart in the evening down in the promenade the sushi off the cart was about $4.00 a container less to purchase there vs. restaurant.

 

The pool wasn't real cold it was cool on the inital entrance but refreshing you could easily hang out in it.

[The Fun Researcher]

No Jade in the WindJammer so no sushi there however - Izumi is al la cart and they actually had a sushi cart in the evening down in the promenade the sushi off the cart was about $4.00 a container less to purchase there vs. restaurant.

 

The pool wasn't real cold it was cool on the inital entrance but refreshing you could easily hang out in it.

 

Ooh, I like the idea of $4 al la cart sushi in the promenade. It's one (of the few) complaints I have for RCI. Overall lack of food locations/options that aren't paid locations. $4 for sushi is reasonable and a nice addition! Do ou remember the timeframe roughly for when the sushi was available? Would love it for a later snack, like 9pm or so...

 

Dan

[pst4ever]

Lol~ it was $4.00 a container less $10.00 on the promenade vs $14.00 in restaurant but prices varied with selection.

 

They were generally there around 6:30pm

 

Refrigerator was actually pretty cool in our room to keep it.

Edited March 7, 2016 by pst4ever

[Toddcan]

We are on the next 6 day sailing - leaving this coming Sunday.

 

Thanks for the review - very helpful. Can you confirm/update the following, if you remember.. (I pulled these from a 6 day cruise in December)

 

Day 1 (embarkation day)

Only one show in the evening - the "welcome aboard show" at 7:45pm

 

Day 2 (day at sea)

Formal night?

The main theatre production is "Ballroom Fever"?

 

Day 3

Headliner show

 

Day 4

Ice show in the evening, and Love and Marriage after the second ice show?

 

Day 5

Headliner show, and Quest after the second show

 

Day 6

Mid afternoon Ice Shows - two of them

Production "Now & Forever" in the evening

 

 

Thanks!

Edited March 7, 2016 by Toddcan

[pst4ever]

I will double check my cruise compass when I get home tonight and confirm for you.

[The Fun Researcher]

Lol~ it was $4.00 a container less $10.00 on the promenade vs $14.00 in restaurant but prices varied with selection.

 

They were generally there around 6:30pm

 

Refrigerator was actually pretty cool in our room to keep it.

 

Lol. :). Thanks for the clarification!

 

Also, do you remember if there were ANY drink specials?

 

-Dan

Edited March 7, 2016 by The Fun Researcher

[Miryam1234]

Thanks for the review. We were on the same cruise and I always enjoy reading about other's experience and comparing it to mine.

One comment that especially stands out as different was the bed: we had a Junior suite 9324 and our bed was not hard at all. The bed was most comfortable, seemed like there was a cover between the mattres and the sheet. We were on Enchantment corner aft JS 7166 the previous week, and that bed was totally different, very hard indeed. So it seems to vary.

Cant comment about the prime rib, since basically neither of us eats red meat. But we migt have had the same waiter Oono because I remember her mentioning that it was not available but there was something else instead.

[pst4ever]

Main Entertainment:

 

Day 1

 

Comedian Dennis Blair 7:15 pm

Adult Comedy with Dennis Blair 10:15

 

Day 2

Ice Show at 2 & 4

Production Show Now and Forever aat 8:30 & 10:15

 

Day 3

Headliner Showtime~ Mosiac at 6:30 and 8:30

 

Day 4

Ice show at 8:30 & 10:15

 

Day 5

Production Showtime Ballroom Fever- featuring different styles of ballroom 8:30 & 10:15

 

Day 6

Ron Lucas Comedy Show 6:30 & 8:30

 

70's Dance Party was on Day 3

 

~We were in the opposite hall as you I believe room 9646

 

~ There were not any drink specials price wise~ last year on Independence Schooner Bar had a 2 for 1 happy hour every night

Edited March 7, 2016 by pst4ever

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report.

[jakenashleysmom]

Thanks for taking the time for the review!

 

Two questions...

 

So there is no Jade at all by the Wind Jammer? So no sushi options at all for evenings at the buffet? We always eat dinner in the MDR, but I've gone down to the buffet once or twice for a few pieces of shushi (if I'm not already completely stuffed from dinner in the MDR :) ) From a financial perspective, I can see why they may not want Jade at the Windjammer to force those that want that cuisine to pay at Izumi... :mad:

 

Pool temperature... Yuck! This was a real downer for us on our Independence cruise late 2014 (everything else was fantastic!). Pools and splash area were COLD. Very cold. Does anyone know if they will raise the temp in the pools if enough people (hate to use the word...) complain? Anyone heard of success with this?

 

Dan

 

Pool is not heated, it is sea water that is emptied and refilled every day.

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

[pst4ever]

I am not exactly sure of the process. The Pool Attendant said the pools are not emptied daily somehow the sea water is brought in thru a filtration system. They are by no means cold.

[Keith1010]

Ver nice review.

 

Keith