Navigator of the Seas Review

Lacking in Many Regards

Review for Transatlantic Cruise on Navigator of the Seas
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new22003
10+ Cruises • Age 40s

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Sail Date: May 2016

We booked this trip mainly on the blowout price. $500 for a 13 night cruise in a decent cabin cant be beat. This was our first time with RCCL but we are seasoned cruisers having sailed with 5 other companies. This was out first and likely our last with RCCL. I got an incredible deal but If I had paid more I would have been disappointed.

The good:

Embarkation was very well organized

Cabin Review

Port Reviews

Ponta Delgada

An amazing port for us. There is no need for a tour here if you like architecture, beautiful towns, and great food and wine. Easy and interesting to explore by foot. Mosaic sidewalks everywhere, literally acres of them. Beautiful building made of volcanic rock and stucco. An old fort and many restaurants within walking distance. Try the cheese and wine and any number of local shops. We bought a selection of Azores cheese and breads from a shop for less than 8 euros and had a picnic with some nice local wine.

Lisbon

Lisbon is one of Europe's great cities. Amazing food, wine, and friendly people. Dont book an expensive excursion from the ship, there are dozens of reputable providers right in the port. The city also has a great public transport system and sells a day pass for 6.50 euro which is good for all the trains and buses.

Vigo

Vigo was a real surprise. I didn't expect much but I left loving this port. Its not the most beautiful city but it offers a lot. Skip the ships expensive excursions and book something at the port if you want an organized tour. Every tour offered modern busses and they are 50-75% cheaper. The official tourist office offers a 1 hour tour for 7.50 euro, I took a 2 hour tour, with stops and guide for 15 euro. It went to the beaches, some gardens, and the Castle with short stops at each. It circles the city so it helps you get situated. After the tour walk into the old town and eat some seafood. The seafood here is amazing and the wine is good and cheap!

Le Havre

Rent a car in Le Havre if you want to visit the beaches of Normandy. Every cruise line charges a fortune for excursions here. I had a nice Ford Focus for $58 for the day and took 4 people to the D-Day beaches. There are about 20 euros total for tolls but the cost was cheaper than an excursion for 1 person from the ship. The roads are supremely easy to drive on, the traffic is light, and you arrive to the beaches much faster than the tour buses. We were just about done with Omaha beach before the buses arrived. You can tour all the beaches and some small towns versus the tour buses 1 or 2 sights.

Le Havre itself is fairly unremarkable, one couldnt spend more than a few hours there, although there are some great restaurants. We had a fine dinner at Bouchon Normand before boarding the ship.

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

Its FLL, whats to say. The embarkation was well organized, the town a bit boring. If you want excitement go to Miami, if you want east go to FLL.

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