Overall a Nice Cruise

Item: Navigator of the Seas
Rating: 3.6
Author: Sgarafano

Navigator of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Sgarafano

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 45

Overall rating:

3.6 out of 5

5 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 11, 2018

Ship: Navigator of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 3017

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

If it hadn't been for the extremely bad bar service, the food being a little less then 100% great, the very large population of excessively drinking and swearing spring breakers and the annoying photographers dressed in stupid costumes grabbing at us to take pictures we would have had the perfect cruise.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Quick and easy luggage checkin curbside. Easy fast checkin and boarding!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Dining room staff was amazing. Food was just ok, nothing exceptional. We wished there was more in the way of different choices. When steak was the only thing that sounded good 4 of our 5 nights something is wrong. I think we expected better food. The buffet, well its just that and we did enjoy breakfast and lunch for the most part. We did wish there were asian food options and maybe fried chicken as an example. They did have a lot to choice from though so to each his own. It just felt like it was repetitive. I have to say that I do not like the photographers that are dressed up in some outfit trying to get you to take your picture with them. An asian pirate? Ummm no LOL It's not authentic, its not cute and it's not something most people wanted to do as you watched people make faces, avoid them and pull away. Also....DO NOT TOUCH ME! They should not be allowed to touch you or grab you! It's annoying and rude!

Boleros Lounge

1 out of 5

Awful service! No table service and it took too long getting a drink at the bar. I expected service at a table not to have to get up every time I wanted a drink and have to wait 15 minutes to get one. A few times the bartender even stopped in the middle of getting my drink to finish a conversation with a couple at the bar and looking at pictures of their house on their phone! Really? Get my drink already! Lots of spring break kids drinking irresponsibly and the profanity was awful.

Schooner Bar

1 out of 5

Same at this bar as others, Awful service! No table service, too long getting a drink at the bar, tables let with other peoples drinks and trash sitting there, when someone finally took the glasses and trash away it had already sat there for an hour! They weren't clearing tables and they were they weren't wiping them down. Not the service we have had on other ships. Very disappointing!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

We did not use the main pools or jacuzzis because it was way too busy and loud especially with all the spring breakers parting, cursing, clogging up the bar areas, drinking excessively and saving chairs they hardly say in. We did enjoy the above 16 Solarium area! No children, nice to swim and hop into the Jacuzzi without a bunch of little kids in them and a nice place to relax and read.

Swimming Pools

1 out of 5

The pool areas are nice but hard to find a place to sit. Some Children are not supervised, running around, splashing, yelling and taking up the jacuzzis. The over abundance of spring breakers, underage drinking, clogging up the bars making it hard to get service, the show of skin, swearing and excessive drinking was not enjoyable to others aboard.

Solarium

4 out of 5

Loved the Solarium! We liked that option because as older adults without young children we enjoyed that kids under 16 aren't allowed. It's nice to be able to enjoy the pool, Jacuzzi and relaxing without young children splashing, running around and taking up the hot tubs. The bar wasn't as busy as the other pool area. A lot of people saving chairs and not using them.

Casino Royale

1 out of 5

I like to gamble a little but I will never gamble in a ship casino. I can't stand the smoke. It smells so bad in there and it unfortunately escapes to the areas around it making it unpleasant for a lot of people. Just walking through there is awful. I do not agree with letting anyone smoke inside of the ship. It belongs outside in designated smoking areas.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

We enjoyed the shows with the exception of the ballroom dancing. Although the two main dancers were actually amazing dancers and fun to watch. We found it a bit boring and didn't stay for the whole thing. The ice show was pretty good and we give them credit for being able to do what they do on the very small rink.

Royal Theater

5 out of 5

We watched Finus and really enjoyed his show

Children's Programs

We didn't have children with us

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

All of Dining staff was amazing! Our room steward was also amazing! Guest services and other staff were great. Bar service and staff was our biggest complaint during this cruise and is why it didn't get 5 stars. It was the worst bar service we've ever had.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Ship was kept pretty clean and we liked the layout. We enjoyed the promenade and that there was an option to grab a snack when it was late. Only complaint would be the railing which we really try to avoid touching but sometimes had to were slippery/slimy almost. I wish the were wiped down to sanitize more often. Bar room tables were not kept clean and wiped down. Elevators could have been wiped down more often too.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

It was roomier than the last cruise we took that was an ocean view cabin. We liked having the love seat. We did find that with an inside cabin you don't know when its light out LOL Room was clean and comfortable enough for us. I did miss having a nice pillow though.

Ship tip

check your dining table and time when you board. Enjoy the solarium if you don't have kids! I wish every ship had this area! Remember that you can each take on a bottle of wine, corked of coarse! It was a nice option to enjoy in your room or to put in a cup to walk around with. Make sure you have your back pack with your swim suit and meds if you need them. You never know what time your luggage will get to your room or if it will go missing. We found out the night before the cruise was over that people were missing luggage! How does that happen?! How is it that they can't find it or someone doesn't realize they have someone else's stuff? Never mind the thought that someone took it on purpose!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

4 out of 5

We boarded here and did spend the previous night in Miami. We drove through Miami beach and South beach which was crazy busy and couldn't find any parking to walk around a bit. We did get up early so we could actually see and walk on the beach before it got too busy. I expected nice white fluffy sand and its not. I think they bring in sand from somewhere. Lots of beach erosion from the hurricane and high tides, there was a big drop off. I'm not a huge fan of Miami after seeing it for my first time. I think for someone that has never seen it and only heard of it has it built up in there head. It's no longer built up LOL Maybe if I was young and wild it would appeal to me more LOL

Thumbs Up 3

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

3 out of 5

Totally NOT a fan of the port and the long walk down the pier and the even longer winding walk through the shops and every person in the shop being pushy about coming in and buying something. We did our own excursion to Maya Chan. It's an all inclusive beach resort and we highly recommend it! Book it early, the fill up fast! The ride to Maya Chan was very bumpy which they already had told us but what we were surprised at was the run down poverty that we saw. What a shame that the people that live in these ports clearly don't get any of the money that is spent by all the people cruise lines are bringing into port. Some one is getting rich but is not the poor people who live here. Shame on them.

Thumbs Up 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

Same as Costa Maya. Did not like having to walk through the port and shops. Cozumel didn't seem as run down as Costa Maya. We did the excursion at Sting Ray Beach, swimming with the Sting rays and loved it! The educational part was awesome as was being able to handle the sting rays and getting pictures taken with them. The guys giving the presentation were knowledgable and fun! We did get sucked into the pictures, but how couldn't you, its an amazing experience and one worth remembering with photos. After that part you get to go into the other holding tank and snorkel with them.

Thumbs Up 4

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

We did the self assist disembark. We were off and on the road by 7:38 am, its the way to go if you can handle your own luggage getting off. Customs was reasonably fast to get through.

Traveler Photos

1 Comment

13Tolbert 6 years ago

Thanks for the review...as for food, a nice dinner in a lovely dining room and BEING SERVED sounds great. Some may not know..you can order the steak or any other item from a specialty restaurant and just pay a smaller up charge. The food is DElicious and you don't have the huge upcharge. When we look at choices... sometimes I have to order something I had another day. That is okay just not wonderful because I didn't have to cook it, didn't have to plate and serve it and did have a nice server to get to know during dinner. Oh I was not asked to clear or wash dishes either. Even a "not so good" show is something I don't get at home, so we go. If it isn't to our taste, we leave and watch people or go to another show. I would have loved the ballroom dancing, but my hubby would have only stayed in order for me to have a partner as he does not enjoy dancing. I'm sorry you didn't have your best time.....try an Oasis ship next time with an outside balcony...they have so many things to do you CAN find something suitable to your tastes. Happy cruising! !

Thumbs Up 1

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