Itinerary: Embarked from San Juan, Puerto Rico at 8:30 PM. Ports visited: Oranjestad Aruba, Willemstad Curacao, Philipsburg St Maarten and two days at sea.

Pre-boarding and boarding: We flew in to San Juan on the day of sailing. After landing we paid $19 plus $1.00 for each bag for a taxi to the Port. We arrived around 11:30 AM; there were two long lines, one for baggage check in and the second for people waiting to get in to the building. We must have arrived at a perfect time. Just as we got our luggage out of the taxi a second line opened for baggage drop off and so we moved quickly through that process. After that the doors opened in less than 10 minutes and we moved quickly through Security and up to the Check-In counter where we gave our credit card information so we could receive our SeaPass. This is the card one uses throughout the cruise for drinks and on-board purchases. After the check in we moved up stairs (there has been reports that liquor is sold before one goes upstairs, this was not available on this day) where we stopped to have our picture inserted on our SeaPass and then up your choice of a long sloping ramp or an elevator. One enters the ship on deck four. We were on board by 12:15 PM.

The Ship: This was our second cruise on the Navigator within a year so we were familiar with the ship. The ship is scheduled for a short dry-dock in April. The ship looks good, very well maintained. This is a Voyager Class Ship. One of the things that make this class of ship unique is the Promenade on deck 5. On this deck you will find a 1939 Citroen Roadster as well as three bars, the Sports Bar, Champagne Bar and the Duck & Dog Pub. There are shops and the Cafe Promenade where you can get free coffee, pizza, salads, sandwiches, cookies, etc. You can also buy liquor and specialty coffee's at the Cafe. Also on deck five you will find Guest Services which is open 24 hours a day and we found very helpful. Next to the Guest Services desk is the Exploration desk where you can book port tours or you can use your TV or if you are in a Suite, the Concierge will handle this for you. The Imperial Lounge is located forward on this deck and the Mozart Dining room is located aft (to the rear). This ship is has pools, a beautiful solarium with a Venetian theme, a well equipped fitness center, jogging track, basketball court, rock climbing wall and Arcade games. And there is an ice rink on deck 3 where passengers can skate. There are a number of bars including the Jesters Nightclub on decks 3 and 4... this is well worth checking out even if you don't want to drink, dance or listen to the music. A real "photo opportunity". The Aquarium bar on deck 4 has several aquariums with colorful fish swimming around. Also on deck 4 you will find the Schooner Bar, the Casino, with a Broadway theme, and the Casino Bar. On the pool decks 11 and 12 you will find the Pool Bar and Sky Bar. And on this ship a real treat... the Peek-a-Boo Bridge where you can watch the Officers on the Bridge as they navigate through the beautiful Caribbean. There are three dining rooms on the ship with the standard two dining times. The "My Time Dining" is also available where you sign up either before you cruise or when you first board. You then can dine anytime between 6 PM and 9:30, although reservations are suggested by the ship. Read more