Navigator of Seas Review~February 28, 2016

[cincicruisers]

Just back from our fantastic cruise on the Navigator of Seas.

 

My camera was stolen or misplaced so I have no pictures to share.:confused:

 

Cruising this trip were - Linda (51), Greg (53) DH, and Bill (30) DS.

 

We flew out on Saterday for a Sunday sailing. Smooth flight but it was a 5:57am flight. We were up by 3am to get ready and on road. Next time I will good a later flight, we were toast by the time we checked in at the hotel.

 

We took our lives in hand as we boarded the 'taxi from hell'. Not kidding I was grabbing the side door and husband to not fly out of the cab. The driver laughed out loud and I believe he was driving even more erratically because it scared me.

 

We ate at the hotel since I have mobility issues. Big mistake, cost $147 and the food was just ok. We headed upstairs to rest a bit and get organized. The beds and pillows were very comfortable.

 

Room was clean and spacious. Bathroom was upto par. My only real problem was how bisy they were and the inability to get an elevator. And the cost which was high.

 

We did not participated in the cocktail hour or breakfast- it was a mob scene.

 

Cabs were available as were many shuttle busses. We got a taxi and were quickly taken to the pier. Let the fun begin!

 

to be continued....

[cincicruisers]

We arrived at the port at 10am. Since I had wheelchair we were taken inside to a clerk that would assist us with checking in and security. As soon as we were done they were done they started Suites boarding. That was us 1560, Grand Suite.

 

We went to book our specialty dining package. For $70 pp you get three dinners of your choice from,the specialty dining. We chose Chops twice and Giovvanis once. You are able to pick your own reservation time and place. They had set up in areas around.the ship to assist you.

 

Next up--Drinks

 

Went up to the Windjammer for lunch. We were early and they had plenty of chairs available. (I will give,full review of the restaurants at the end of review.

 

Watched the sail away from our balcony

 

Our room, 1560 Grand Suite~10th floor

 

The room was nice. The pictures of the room make it seem large than it is. Don't get me wrong, the room was nice, just an observation. We had 3 adults in cabin. The bed and pillows were very comfortable. They put a second mattress topper on couch and it too past the mustard.

 

Daily treats - fruit basket, wine, canapés, chocolate covered strawberries, bridge tour (did not attend)

 

Noises - you will at times (mainly afternoon you will hear chairs being moved on deck 11. I only heard this on balcony.

 

We had absolutely no issues with our cabin. Our room stewart was very outgoing and friendly. We had times off the norm to be gone. Told her just leave compass paperwork. She laughed when I gave her a tip day 4. We kept coming back to.the rooms to get stuff. I gave her money for putting up with our timing issues.

 

Too be continued~~~

[cincicruisers]

Night 1 we dined in Chops. The admosphere was nice and the server was quite attentive.

 

Apps were shrimp cocktail, onion soup, and smoky bacon.

The onion soup was tasty.

The shrimp cocktail was great (extra hot sauce)

Pepper bacon was good my son said.

 

We liked these sides: mashed potatos, asparagus, creamed corn, and mushrooms.

 

Steaks were all cooked fine. I will get the strip next trip. The filet was seriously 2 inches wide. LOL

 

Desert melting cake (get with ice cream), chocolate mud pie ( order with vanilla ice cream.

 

Cheesecake was great according to DH.

 

We went to the Welcome Aboard show, went to the casino, and loved th piano/ jazz bands throughout the ship. Was a fantastic day on the Navigator.

Edited March 7, 2016 by cincicruisers

[cincicruisers]

I had some pretty stressful things hampering with my 'plan everything' mode. Luckily I found that if you are in a sweet theywillhe with any reservations you will need. I only had one request I wanted to switch the OTW cabana on Nellies beach over to OTW at barefoot. In the end we ended up paying $395 for a beach cabana on barefoot beach. We really enjoyed the day and the cabana kept is cool when we were Lounging.

 

EFood was a Buffett

Chicken salads, beans, ribs, fruit, hot dogs, hamburgers, steak, and grilled shrimp. There was plenty of room to sit. It's a slice from heaven.

Drink packages are included for this island.

 

You can order the drink of day without buying cup. Will same money.

[cruisingsince94]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. We have 2 cruises booked on Navigator for 2017. In fact, we are on the April 14th sailing with you.

[langleyfld]

Great review!

What hotel were you staying at precruise?

We leave on the Mar. 26 for Ft. Lauderdale, can't wait!!

[cincicruisers]

Great review!

What hotel were you staying at precruise?

We leave on the Mar. 26 for Ft. Lauderdale, can't wait!!

 

We stayed at the Embassy Suites.

[Keith1010]

Enjoying your review/trip report.

 

Keith

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report.

[rnr4thatsme]

Do you recall the price of the drink of the day on Navigator? I hear it is different on every ship... Also, my mother and father are coming with us and also have some trouble with stairs/walking very long distances. Did you have any specific issues that you can remember with regards to mobility?

[bluecruisin]

Looking forward to more of your review.

[goneclear]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience.

Do you remember if the chairs off from the stair ways going up to the sky bar are still reserved for suite guest?

[cincicruisers]

Do you recall the price of the drink of the day on Navigator? I hear it is different on every ship... Also, my mother and father are coming with us and also have some trouble with stairs/walking very long distances. Did you have any specific issues that you can remember with regards to mobility?

 

I rented s scooter. It really made the trip much better.

[cincicruisers]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience.

Do you remember if the chairs off from the stair ways going up to the sky bar are still reserved for suite guest?

 

 

There were chairs there, however we never had a problem getting chairs at the main pool or Solarium.

[cincicruisers]

We made the decision ahead of time to stay on board for GC. It is a tender point and I have heard can be difficult to travel with mobility issues.

 

We spent the day ay the pool reading and enjoyed the quiet day.

 

Falmouth Jamaica we walked the pier shops and spent the afternoon at Margarretaville. Water in pool was COLD! Lol

[cincicruisers]

A day in Paradise~~~~Labadee

 

I just love Labadee. The island is gorgeous, smooth sand, stuff to do if you are in the mood to get crazy. My idea of paradise is a cabana on the beach for shade and people watching. You get water, ice, water, towels, and a cabana boy. Just did not to leave. My husband and son had to drag me away.

[cincicruisers]

The good

D

1. Flights were on time.

2. We lived through the scariest taxi ride ever.

3. Embassy suites held bag until we got there. -son arrived first.

4. Suite treats in cabin were nice.

5. Cynthia was so friiendly. She was able to work around our schedule.

6. Room was clean and comfortable.

7. Chops, Savor, and Giovvanis were all good. Giovvanis was my least favorite.

8. Casino was great fun, craps, roulette, and slot. Left $850 ahead.

9. Room Service. One of the best perks for suites is the ability to order from the MDR as long as it's open, we had a great time ordering Lobster night in the room with all the trimming.

10. We got into three habit of waking up, lifted the phone, and order a full breakfast!! So sweet.

11. Regular items we like- turkey panini, spinach dip, Mediterranean salad, cheese plate, fruit plate

12. So glad I got the scooter, made traveling easy.

13. I had heard some negative comments about people on the Navigator but they were certainly incorrect. There was genuine smiles, friendly banter, and overall wonderful passengers.

 

 

 

[klass2]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking into this ship and itinerary for a last minute cruise.

[cincicruisers]

The Bad/not so great

 

1. All the Grand Suites are forward on the ship. Most of the places we treavel were aft.

1. Ok so here is the story. I slept until 11am or so. The night before we saw the concierge and he said we "Need" to go to the Suite brunch. He mentioned to come hungry as there would be lots of food. I was hungry and we made our way to the Windjammer for lunch. I heard my name called, and you guessed it, it was Amit the concierge. I told him we were not dressed for brunch. He would here nothing of it and here we go to brunch. Now food is subjective, but this was crazy bad. The buffet included-lamb pop, dime filet on spinach-chips and salsa- an few desert cups-

We got out asap and headed for some real food. We are still laughing about it.

 

Next food

[cincicruisers]

Our Experince with food

 

Windjammer - Foof was ok, not as good as cruises prior, but ok. Loved the potato and onion dish. Salads were good.

Soft serve ice cream- husband and son liked it

Main Dining Room- did not eat here

Johnny Rockets- was ok, onion rings were good

Park cafe- little sandwiches and cookies ok

Diamond Lounge- did not partake

Suite Lounge-did not partake

 

Room Service- fantastic. Everything was hot and tasty. We had a blast eating formal meal in room. They came with table cloth with salads, bread, mad appetizers. About 10 minutes later the Lobser dinner arrived. What a treat

 

We also ordered breakfast and snacks. Our preference was turkey panini, spinach dip (as for extra chips), and cookies,

 

The main dining room food for room service included pancakes, French toast, and omletes.

[cincicruisers]

What a wonderful vacation on board The Navigator of the Seas!

 

The staff were just wonderful. Always ready to assist and met everyone with a smile.

 

Passengers were friendly and I saw no bad conduct (except the jumper, can't imagine what the poor man was suffering through.

 

Bring your own movies for video in your suite. I went to see about a movie at the concierge and they only had about 30 movies and they were all very old

 

Smoking was not bad. No smoking on balconies. Did not notice on deck smoking. The casino allowed smoking. For th e first time I saw many air exchangers that kept the smoke smell tolerable. There was also no smoking at the casino bar.

 

Dress code was across the board. Mainly all dresses nicely for formal night. One item to notice is there is only 1 formal night, but lobster was day 5. I thought that was storage.

 

Coming up~~what I packed versus what I needed

[cincicruisers]

First aid kit

OTC medicines

Luggage tags

Large clips for cloths and towels

Hanging flashlight

Lysol wipes

Belcan 3plus/sub

Ear plugs--did not use

Shoe organizer--did not use

Luggage scale

Binoculars

Cracker Barrel syrup

Rain ponchos

Laynards

Detergent

Highlighter

Air freshener

Sewing kit

Sun screen

Aloe

2 decks cards--did not use--

I uno game--did not use--

Passports

Seat Sail card

Luggage straps

[cincicruisers]

Absolutely great vacation in a Grand Suite on the Navigator of the Seas!

[cincicruisers]

Do you recall the price of the drink of the day on Navigator? I hear it is different on every ship... Also, my mother and father are coming with us and also have some trouble with stairs/walking very long distances. Did you have any specific issues that you can remember with regards to mobility?

 

If at all possible rent two scooters. I could not have had such a great cruise if I was always trying to get from one place to the next. They have the scooter in your stateroom when you arrive and you leave it when cruise is over. If not possible arrive early to things you want to do.

 

I think the DOD was around $6. (Not including glass)

Edited March 9, 2016 by cincicruisers

[cincicruisers]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience.

Do you remember if the chairs off from the stair ways going up to the sky bar are still reserved for suite guest?

 

Yes the chairs were there. We did not use them re were plenty of chairs at the flow rider area and the Solarium. Was really surprising to have open chairs.