Live - 🛳️🚢🎉🍾🥳🚢 - Navigator of the Seas 5-31-2024

[Denversail]

Welcome to my live! When I decided all of five minutes ago to start this thread I thought I was two weeks out from my trip. Thank God I looked it up cause that would have been really embarrassing. 😬

Mr. IT and I were a little deep in our cups about a month ago and decided we would book this trip. It is just a 3 day with one stop in Ensenada. I had a rationale, I could take a bunch of casino comped vacations with minimal impact to my vacation days. The risk was minimal. I can book non-refundable flights and fly in the day of. The bulk of everything I’m charged would be refunded or at least a future credit if I didn’t make the ship.

 

i confirmed the following morning with Mr. IT that we should proceed with reservations and he was a hell yes. He even bought a really weird hat with solar fans in it. He was super excited. Then the unthinkable happened he just couldn’t make the dates work. He immediately declared he would still be keeping the hat. 

 

[Denversail]

I have a confession to make…. I haven’t even checked in. 😳

[Mr. IT]

Moved my post. CC needs some IT Help

 

 

 

Edited May 24 by Mr. IT

[Mr. IT]

22 minutes ago, Denversail said:

I have a confession to make…. I haven’t even checked in. 😳

 

 

We've all heard that confession from you, SS is the girl who cried wolf, don't feel sorry for her for 1 millisecond...   stacked PTO

[nanseev]

I take a ton of 3-day Navigator cruises for for just that reason….casino offers, and doesn’t eat up a bunch of my sick days, and I have the luxury of being a few hours from the port so no flights and just arrival to work a tiny bit late on Monday.  
 

I hope you enjoy your weekend!  Hopefully the “May Gray’ won’t be too bad!

[Mr. IT]

12 hours ago, Denversail said:

Welcome to my live! When I decided all of five minutes ago to start this thread I thought I was two weeks out from my trip. Thank God I looked it up cause that would have been really embarrassing. 😬

Mr. IT and I were a little deep in our cups about a month ago and decided we would book this trip. It is just a 3 day with one stop in Ensenada. I had a rationale, I could take a bunch of casino comped vacations with minimal impact to my vacation days. The risk was minimal. I can book non-refundable flights and fly in the day of. The bulk of everything I’m charged would be refunded or at least a future credit if I didn’t make the ship.

 

i confirmed the following morning with Mr. IT that we should proceed with reservations and he was a hell yes. He even bought a really weird hat with solar fans in it. He was super excited. Then the unthinkable happened he just couldn’t make the dates work. He immediately declared he would still be keeping the hat. 

 

 

My soon to be SOUSED SAILOR nudged me to respond to another one of her future cruising posts of a cruise that I don't get to go on. SO!!!, Here it is....

 

If you're over a certain age, surviving everything life throws at you, you should automatically receive 4 weeks PTO regardless of employment status.

 

This is the end of my public service announcement (promised SS I wouldn't rage).

 

SOOOOO, back to work I go.  

 

[Denversail]

Well someone is a SALTY NON-SAILOR 👀. We will cut him some slack. I would be salty too. I will also mention that I’ve been gone traveling more this past month than I’ve been home. We have a Pup-Pup that likes to have breakfast at 2 am. Mr. IT isn’t used to dealing with that. Our Pup-Pup can be a handful.

 

Mr. IT’s change of circumstances did cost me 6 crown and anchor points however I’m happy to say I benefited with a first class flight. You see Mr. IT has refused to book any more economy flights. I spoiled him with first class tickets on his 50th for our trip to Hawaii. He has declared never again unless circumstances demand it. I on the other hand will still go economy on shorter flights but now that it’s booked I’m just going to stick with it. 😀
 

I plan to check in for the cruise sometime in the next 12 hours. I also need to figure out my transportation and where I’m going. My flight is for some ungodly hour Friday morning. I work Tuesday through Thursday next week so I will probably do the packing and any other preparations that I can this Monday.

 

I think the only activity I’ve booked so far is ATV in Ensenada. I’m going to make it to this one! Of course I’ve booked the deluxe drink package and I booked 2 devices for WiFi. I decided I would just leave it as 2 and enjoy not having to switch between devices.

[Denversail]

On this trip I will be in a junior suite. I personally saw the humor that on my last cruise I was supposed to be comped a junior suite but got downgraded to a balcony due to availability. On this cruise I was supposed to be comped a balcony but had to pay $300 to upgrade to a junior suite again due to availability. 

[Denversail]

I finally checked in.

I was surprised that I was still offered a 12:30 boarding time. I think everyone knows I’ll be ignoring that sh&t. My flight is scheduled to land at LAX @ 7:30 Friday morning. If I recall folks have said that only Uber XL can pick up from the airport. I’ll have to double check. I’ll likely just Uber to and from the port. 

[Coralc]

Long Beach (LGB) is a much closer/easier airport if you have an option. And bring warm clothes. At minimum, sailing down and back will be chilly this time of year. 

Edited May 26 by Coralc

[Denversail]

For the few of you that might be wondering @Dupable is still alive. She is currently in Arizona at an event.
 

After all her small ship complaints on Odyssey of the Seas she has booked her next cruise on Navigator of the Seas for this November. She has decided the smaller ships are just FINE. 

Edited May 26 by Denversail

[neverbeenhere]

45 minutes ago, Coralc said:

Long Beach (LGB) is a much closer/easier airport if you have an option. And bring warm clothes. At minimum, sailing down and back will be chilly this time of year. 

Chicken Dinner Winner!  This weekend. 

[superduper123]

Happy to see this thread. I followed your last two 'lives.' Sorry @Mr. IT can't make this one.

[BaronArroz]

Happy to see someone else who is on this sailing

[HBCcruiser]

20 hours ago, Denversail said:

If I recall folks have said that only Uber XL can pick up from the airport. I’ll have to double check. I’ll likely just Uber to and from the port. 

As an LAX frequent flyer my suggestion is to just get a cab to the port. You need to take a bus from the terminal to the lots that serve Uber/Lyft and cabs. The cab line moves quickly. Ubers don’t pick you up at the arrivals area UNLESS you book with high level Black and above, or with certain drivers ahead of time. LAX is a total mess IMO. 

[drjohn4]

On 5/25/2024 at 7:34 PM, Coralc said:

Long Beach (LGB) is a much closer/easier airport if you have an option. And bring warm clothes. At minimum, sailing down and back will be chilly this time of year. 

On board now. Was in the 60’s and breezy in Ensenada, nice and warm in Cabo today. 

[Denversail]

Checking in for the cruise and a single load of wash were my big accomplishments over the 3 day weekend. Getting sh$t done!

 

Now the stress is starting to kick in. I have 2 days in the office this week and then I’ll work from home Thursday. As is the usual the Pup-Pup has his grooming appointment the day before I leave. 😭
 

A ghost also invaded our living space while I was out of town last week. Our lights have started flickering in our bathroom. I get the added bonus of handing over a bunch of money to an electrician right before I leave. I hate my house.

[Sianli]

We flew to LAX from DEN last Friday (on board now), on the 9:am flight. . Followed signs to rideshare. Uber was $54.  Inc auto tip. We always tip cash so not sure why the auto tip of $10.84 was added and just noticed it on receipt. We were at the port by 10:40,

[Denversail]

 

Our garage lost power today when Mr IT tried to plug in the air compressor. Our kitchen reset everything about 30 minutes later.
Yikes!

[Coralc]

11 hours ago, Sianli said:

We flew to LAX from DEN last Friday (on board now), on the 9:am flight. . Followed signs to rideshare. Uber was $54.  Inc auto tip. We always tip cash so not sure why the auto tip of $10.84 was added and just noticed it on receipt. We were at the port by 10:40,

That's interesting! Years ago, when Monarch OTS was at San Pedro, it was about $50 to take a cab each way to the port. It really hasn't increased much at all. ☺️

[Sea Dog]

Have a great cruise. We will be on Navigator this October and first time out of San Pedro. I will be interested in everything from checking in to food and drink. I am especially interested in visiting the Bamboo Room as Royals version of a tiki bar. I am curious how well the drinks are made.

[Coralc]

I know you do Greg. 3 cruises on Navigator, and we have never spent any time in there. I kind of dislike promenades, because they are too much like malls. We have visited Playmakers many times. The Bamboo Room seemed to be a quiet, underused sort of space with green walls and some tiki adornments. I really hope it is better for you, or that you can liven it up. ☺️

[cruiselvr04]

We got off Navigator on Friday.  I really loved the ship after it was amped.  Ate at Playmakers, Hooked and Chops.  Hooked was blah but the other 2 were great. 
 

Our entertainment was great.Lots of great live music and enjoyed all the shows.  Casino was packed. 

 

Negatives were the rock hard bed and pretty cool weather.  It was in the 50’s to mid 60’s which wasn’t Royals fault but we weren’t really prepared for. 
 

Have a great time!

[Denversail]

I’ve checked in for my flight. I got a load of laundry started. It looks like the weather will be mild in the low 70s. Works for me. I just need to download a few books and pack.

 

I’ll likely leave the house tomorrow around 3:45 am. My flight should land at LAX around 7:30 am which leaves me with extra time. I haven’t decided if I’ll just go straight to the port. I would estimate going right there would have me arriving about 9:30. Not terrible but a little earlier than I’d like.

[mil76]

Have a great cruise.  Nav is our go-to ship now when we need a quick get away.  Easy flight from DEN (even easier when you fly Southwest to Long Beach), and the ship punches above its weight for a Voyager class.  

 

Make sure you check the traffic if you are leaving that early.  They are doing major overnight work on Pena this week so you could get stuck if they close lanes.