Not impressed.

Navigator of the Seas Cruise Review to Europe - Mediterranean

TenleyP

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 0

Helpful Votes: 44

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Mediterranean (Rome Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 25, 2010

Ship: Navigator of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 14 years ago

Review summary

First off, let me say I'm not a big fan of cruising, so consider that when deciding if my review will impact your decision to go Royal Caribbean. I went on this cruise because my husband likes cruising and it was his turn to choose the vacation. 1. My husband and I went on this cruise to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. We mentioned this during booking and it was noted in our account. But no one actually did anything on our anniversary. When we cruised with Carnival in the past, they put balloons and a nice card on our door when we were celebrating something. I don't know why RC asked about our occasion if they weren't going to do anything about it. (Please note however we did not spend that evening in the dining room, so maybe we would have received special cake if we had?) 2. Tours are absolutely overpriced. With 40 people on each tour there is zero interaction between the guide and the guests. Guides seemed to be reading from a high school history book - the content was that bland. We might as well have been listening to an audiotour. For $100 per person, I'd expect smaller groups with high quality guides. We did one day on our own - Athens - and did all of the activities and more covered in the tours that were $100 each. Our total price: $2 each for the subway and $15 each for the sites. We do not speak Greek, by the way. Other sites might be harder to do on your own since there aren't subways everywhere, but there HAS to be a way to get better quality for your money. 3. I got sick on Day 2 of the cruise... typical cruise flu-like symptoms. I think it may have been the salad. The doctors were very nice, gave me free help and medication, and then quarantined me for a day. (Fortunately it was a sea day.) They let me watch free Pay-Per-View movies (usually $13 each). Guest Services called several times to check up on me so that was nice. The problem was that the Room Service was VERY SLOW (90 min wait sometimes). If they are the only way I can get food then they had better be somewhat quick about it. They also made mistakes with my orders and didn't have everything in stock on the doctor's "bland diet." Finally, some of our movies weren't working. I called about it two times and was told someone would call me back. No one did. Not that big of a deal I just really wanted to watch Kick Ass and couldnt. =) 4. I received a spa voucher for booking on . I was supposed to get a 50 min massage but instead got a 35 min one and a 10 min sales pitch for the products that had been used. When I complained the lady got cranky. Then she printed out the cost of the massage ($120!!!) and told me to put her tip on my SeaPass card. When I told her I wasn't going to tip her she argued with me and then stomped away. 5. There were TONS of kids everywhere. As a childless person it was a little overwhelming. (Good birth control though.) At breakfast one morning some parents brought their kids (likely age 2, 4) over to our table and left them with us (without asking) while they got in the buffet line. Awkward. The kids were jumping on the chairs and eating sugar packets. Did they want us to babysit? Very weird. Also, there didnt seem to be enough seating at the Adults-only pool. Some lady tried to bring her diapered baby in the adults pool but fortunately the staff told her politely about the kids pool. Overall, everything on board was generally very expensive. They charge low rates to get you on the boat and then gouge you everywhere else. On the positive side, the balcony room was very nice and the price was awesome. The boat seemed nice and the food wasnt bad. The waiters and room attendants were all very friendly and high service. The dining upgrade at Chops was delicious.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

1. When I booked the cruise, I was told the 2nd dinner seating was at 8pm. It was actually at 9:15pm. I just dont like to be misinformed. Also, I think they should put English-speaking people together. We were at a table of Spanish speakers so couldn't meet new people. 2. I ordered the wine package (5 bottles) before the cruise started because I was told I could access my bottles anywhere on the ship. In reality you can only access your bottles in dining rooms - not bars. You have to purchase wine ala carte in the bars at high prices. 3. The beverage package does not include all soda - only Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and sometimes Ginger Ale if the machine is working. You must purchase Fanta and Root Beer if you want them. That seemed weird. Actually, the drinks included in the cost of the cruise (lemonade, iced tea, fruit punch) were very good so next time we wont do the soda package at all. Food taste was good.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

1. I really enjoyed some of the shows but they did not have the "classic" entertainers - comedians and magicians. Call me tacky, but if I'm going to cruise I want to see some magic. =) The hand puppets were very good. So were the black light dancers. 2. The ice skating show was very good but looked a little dangerous. Also, there was this really weird bit where a woman dressed like a puck screamed and skated frantically away from a group of male hockey players seemed kind of like a gang rape scene. Uncomfortable. 3. The Mystery Dinner was illogical. The actors did not follow the normal Mystery Dinner "rules" (i.e. only the murderer can lie) and therefore the solution could not have been deduced by anyone watching. For $50 per person on top of the regular meal charges that seemed poor form.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everyone was so nice and friendly.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5