Navigator of the Seas Cruise Reviews - Reviews

The Navigator is the largest of the 16 ships (9 trips with Royal Caribbean) on which we have sailed and we "went for the warm" since we had visited all of the ports in the past. High points were ease of boarding (unfortunately the disembarking was a bit chaotic), the pleasantness of the crew, the entertainment (mainly the singers and dancers) and the ice show, which was fantastic.

The larger ship was a mixed bag (one which we will probably not repeat). Crowds, particularly in the food service court left us with little privacy and much searching.  The design of the ship put many pillars in the way.  I know they are there to hold the roof up but the placement is awkward on this ship.

We learned from the crew that the plan is to take the Navigator in for refurbishing after this season, a great idea but a bit too late for us. Balconies were in poor shape as was some of the flooring.

Food offerings were a bit more ordinary than on other cruises but palatable.  The usual emphasis on regional dishes was not evident.  The ever popular soft freeze machines were barely functional but they did their best to pump out (if rather runny) a bit of tasty coolness.

Probably the most annoying aspect of the cruise was the ever present and obvious pitches to separate passengers from their cash.  A growing number of ever more pricey "specialty restaurants", traffic blocking photographers, expensive but ordinary ship-sponsored tours and solicitors for the specialty restaurants that wandered through the Windjammer.

The price of alcoholic drinks is a bit high but more bothersome is the short quantities of booze in the drinks. You shouldn't try to make profits off of both ends.  This is particularly true of martinis.  The nut and raisin mixes were a nice touch that gave a sense that RC wanted to make passenger happy and not just separate them from their money.

One of the most heard complaints was smoking in the casino.  This might have been tempered if the smokers were not directly in the path of folks going from theater to dining hall.

I hope that RC's future plans include building of a few smaller ships.  Having seen what Viking has done with their expansion plans I think smaller may have more of a future than building ever larger ships.  If the desire for big ones goes south, it might impact RC more than others which would be a shame.

Wonderful cruise; calm sea, beautiful warm weather, ports of call that are breath-taking. The promenade deck 5 of the ship had so much going on. The circus, the 70s show, the shops, raffles, etc. The quality entertainment on board was absolutely excellent, comedians from Vegas, a 50s-60s group, ice skating shows, and the house band, singers and dancers were top-notch. Everyone on board is so friendly. Beautiful cabin on deck 8 overlooking the promenade. The food in the Windjammer and the main dining room was above and beyond, great taste, great presentation. There are so many food selections, places to be, activities, that this is one ship that keeps people on the go, keeps them happy. Thank you for a phenomenal 9 days of bliss. I would take this same cruise again.

This was my second cruise and probably will be my last one for  quite a while.  I traveled with a group from ages 20-68, I'm 53.  The ship was clean and inviting and our stateroom met our needs as a couple. The food was as expected, and in mind opinion, it is like the Superbowl commercials, - over rated.  

The Flow rider was fun and also provided some daytime entertainment watching people, like my husband (59) try it for the first time. We played miniature golf and also attempted he climbing wall and enjoyed suntanning and having fun. 

My biggest let down was the evening entertainment.  Fifty-percent of the shows were good (comedians- early show)  fifty percent were so incredibly cheesy and hard to tolerate (dancing and singing) , in fact some we just walked out of. After "the shows" it was hard to find anything worth listening to. A good piano player who would try to add humor, but shouldn't of.  Drunken adults singing at the karaoke bar, um, I don't think so.   We either went to watch the stars at the heli-pad, played cribbage, or just went to bed.  I will give an Honorable Mention to David Rodriguez(?) who was very talented and played guitar and took request from the audience and did a fantastic job. He played at the Two Poets Pub.  He was entertaining and not corny or juvenile. 

I talked my husband into paying $10 ea. for a wine tasting and cheese paring.  Bad, Bad, Bad. So bad, that Dev, who oversee's the dining room and was in charge of the Wine tasting "thing", gave our our table a bottle of champagne because it was so bad.  Although Dev tried to make up for it, he was arrogant and condescending to dinner guest, walked around like a cocky peacock, and would slyly insult you,  although he would kindly smile at you.  On the other hand, we attended a Johnnie Walker Whisky tasting that was FREE and it was very educational and the two gentlemen who did the demonstration where exceptional. 

The ports of call were wonderful, we had an enjoyable time with friends, but had our group been smaller, the entertainment factor would of been, well, you get the picture. 

Have never done a 5 day & will not do it again. It is perfect for 1st time cruisers and families--we are neither. We also found that this class ship isn't our favorite--we love the Oasis as well as the Grandeur so it has nothing to do with size--has to do with lay-out. As with all RCL the staff is fantastic

treated like you were the only one on the ship, all the different things to go and do, it was the best vacation that my husband and i have been on.

the only thing that was a little confusing was getting off the ship at the end 

of the cruise. no directions from crew members to tell you if you were in the right lines and other rude people just cutting in line to get off the ship. 

We bought the drink package. We were unclear were to go for some of the benefits provided. Still couldn't tell you were to get freshly squeezed juice.

Also on the 3rd night we noticed the door way was wet. We originally thought this was caused by our water shoes. Until it began to stink... I laid a few towels down to soak up the "water". When I pulled the towels up later on I notices they were yellow.... Barf! Completely unacceptable!

The Ice Skating show was wonderful!! The ship was very big and easy to get around. The food was very good and plenty of it. Overall I would def. go again on the Navigator of the Seas...

      819/5000   I have to say that the cruise exceeded my expectations. The amount of things to do, the amount of activities places and things to see there was no time for boredom. The attention of the staff of rooms 9671 and 9677, Mus and Mek as we say. And the super care at the Sapphire 3 restaurant by Nikhil and Carlos at table 336 made our stay fabulous. The only point I would put to improve is the price of the internet very expensive and the additional services that in the majority do not take because the prices were very high. Additional that I was charged for tips 13 dollars for each we were 5 in total for each night were 65 for 5 around about $ 400 which I saw excessive. But overall sip the cruise was fabulous and would recommend it extensively to my friends and family.

The ship and our cabin was excellent. Our room was spacious, updated and beautiful. The best we've had so far. Everything else such as the food, customer service and on board activities were mediocre. That can be improved. The shopping on board was great. The embarkation can be improved for suite guests and disembarkation was unorganized with the bags. 

Purchased this cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary. Was our first cruise and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had a balcony room which was wonderful for viewing the sunrise and sunsets; enjoyed breakfast on the balcony with room service a few mornings. Our room was very clean. Our meals were awesome; great variety. Our breakfasts and dinners were exceptional in both the main   dining room as well as the windjammer. We ate at Chops steakhouse one night and also Johnny Rockets and they were both worth the extra $. All of the staff was more then professional and friendly everywhere on the ship. We could not find anything we did not enjoy about our cruise........we will definitely be back and cruise with Royal Caribbean again.

This boat is awesome.  The service was very good and the food was okay.  I will try the specialty restaurants next time.  Entertainment was okay.  Could be better.  1st cruise where we didn't have to wait for poolside chairs. There were always empty chairs to choose from.  I would take this cruise again. 

We booked a Owner's Suite. The room was very comfortable.  We spent a lot of time in the room playing cards, watching movies, and enjoying the balcony. The room location was 1314 which was close to the elevator, but not the noise of the elevators. We were one floor up from the Concierge Lounge and one floor down from dining. All of the staff was very attentive. The room sleeps 4 but, the bedding is arranged more for couples.  We were able to adjust the couches as two beds.  The bedroom bed was not two twins, so we still needed a single bed added, the Room Steward brought in a roll away cot. The cot was old and sagging.  We were advised to notify the staff that we needed 4 beds one a week prior to the sailing in insure we had a better selection.  

This was my second time on the Navigator of the Seas.  It did not disappoint.  A great ship, with so much to do.  The only thing I would change,  we did a tour of the kitchen galley.  It would've been better if the groups were smaller.  At times it was hard to hear the presenter, especially since there were so many toddlers brought on this tour who were talking, crying etc. (not sure why parents would do this). The brunch served after the tour was fabulous.  So I would recommend that parents find tours that are age appropriate for your

kids.

Trip was very good. Stateroom Attendant Lyudmyla was outstanding. Food in the Windjammer was very good and well rounded selectrions.  Overall the staff was very attentitive. Our favorite Port of call was Cozumel.

Best part of this cruise was being on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's 'Navigator of the Seas' ship.

We very much enjoyed the location of our balcony stateroom even though the balcony was somewhat smaller than usual.  Especially pleasing was the quality and and choice of food at the Windjammer Buffet restaurant.  

A couple of minor recommendations would be as follows ....

#1 ...  All elevators have a poorly designed background to the floor level numbers.  Several cruisers getting onto the elevator made the same comment as they strained to find the floor level # marking on the panel.

#2 ...  The service and food were terrific all week in the main 'Sapphire Dining Room' and no fault of the waiters and serving staff but the average time it took for dinners to be served from start to finish was 2 x hours which is somewhat too long - either need more 'Chefs' or need to revise and improve the flow of service as our 2 waiters were handling several tables at once but yet they were excellent, very friendly and helpful.  

Another recommendation was that there was a 'Latin Music' band playing nightly at the 'Bolerao' who were absolutely 'off key' as to their singing to the point that it was very apparent and somewhat annoying - Not sure how RCI approved them to play on this ship.  On the other hand, the musicians for the main shows were absolutely 'outstanding' and we only wished that we could of heard them as a group together play in one of the lounges maybe 2 or 3 nights of the cruise - Phenomenal musicians.  We were not impressed at all with the Australian singer but other shows were terrific in the Metropolis Theater.  The 'Solarium' is a great spot to lounge, sunbathe, read a book as opposed to the main pool were the entertainment/musicians were too loud and semmed to play every song with the same beat and sang unknown songs.  After 10 minutes listening to them, I moved away to the Solarium to find more 'quiet time' and relaxation.

This is our 4 time on the Navigator of the Seas. The ship needs to be updated. The stateroom we had needed some repairs with just everyday wear and tear issues. We have always used Royal Caribbean cruise line and love it. My family is big into sport so the sports deck is one of our favorites. 

Our cruise was just the right pace for trips and cruising. Staff were remarkable and very willing to help as my husband uses a cane. Food was very good. And on the whole a very pleasant trip.

my shore excursion on Bonaire was a nightmare. They were recommended by my cruise.com sales rep. We got to designated spot a half hour early as my husband cannot walk fast. We waited and waited asking every tour bus that came if they were the one. Finally someone from another tour called a number on our paperwork and they sent us to a tent with a totally different name of the tour company that was on our paperwork. By that time two hours past and when we got to this tent the rep was gone. It was very difficult for my husband going back and forth on this no show tour. Very unsatisfied.

we enjoyed the cruise and will go again. although the ship was large it never seemed crowed. the dining room staff were great. we will sail again on royal caribian and encourage friends to come along

The quality of the stateroom was excellent.  The dining room food was of high quality.  There were many activities in which to participate.  We also enjoyed the ports. 

The staff in all over the ship were mostly courteous, efficient and friendly. The rooms were very comfortable. There were great shopping deals on the Promenade deck, and drink specials in the Casino. Entertainment was also very good. The pool deck was crowded most of the time, but you could always find a spot and squeeze into the hot tub.