A wonderful get-a-way cruise

Navigator of the Seas Cruise Review to Mexico

paulDM

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 31

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

4 Night Catalina & Ensenada (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 29, 2021

Ship: Navigator of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8646

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

I can easily recommend the Royal Caribbean 4 day cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico aboard the beautiful Navigator of the Seas. This is a short cruise and makes a relaxing, inexpensive get-a way from everyday life. But be prepared for Covid protocols! Everyone aboard the ship is required to be vaccinated except children under 12. Proof of vaccination and a covid test with negative results within 48 hours of embarkation must be presented prior to boarding the ship. With all this screening the ship should be the safest place on the planet. Yet I had to wear a mask any time I was walking around indoors. I found this to be extremely annoying. Even more annoying was the staff served buffet and coffee kiosks. I took this cruise to get away from all covid restrictions and I did not appreciate any of them aboard the ship.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Royal Caribbean requires that all embarkation documentations be completed and submitted prior to boarding the ship. This was easily done through the free app. This made embarkation was much faster and smoother than I expected. I was aboard the ship in less then 20 minutes

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The food aboard the Navigator of the Seas was not just good, it was exceptional! The variety in the Windjammer Cafe (the buffet) changed every day and never disappointed. However, it is not a self-serve buffet. The staff put the food on your plate. Even the coffee kiosks were staff served. I found this to be very annoying. Dining in the main dining room was the same as the pre-Covid days except that all the waiters were wearing masks. This really did not distract from the overall dining experience.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

We booked this cruise just to get away from all the Covid nonsense. We just wanted to relax and didn't participate in any of the activities. We did spend time lounging by the pool but never went for a dip. We did see some of the activities aboard and it appeared that the guests were enjoying them.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The shows in the Royal Theater were high energy and very good. The comedian has us laughing for the entire 45 minutes. But the best show was the ice skating show in the Star Lounge. It was so good we went back to see it a second time.

Children's Programs

We were not traveling with children.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The service from the waiters, bar tenders, my room steward, and others we met aboard the Navigator of the Seas was always warm and friendly. I cannot praise them enough. Their service was beyond exceptional.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

This was my 26th cruise and my second sailing aboard a Royal Caribbean Voyager Class ship, and I looking forward to going again. My cabin was impeccably clean as were all of the public areas we visited.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Our cabin steward, Andrew, did an excellent job. I cannot praise him enough. I know he was using disinfecting cleaners, but they smelled fresh and pleasant with none of that nasty hospital disinfectant stench. The cabin itself is your typical balcony style cabin. There was ample room for 2, but might feel a little tight for 3 or more.