Navigator of the Seas Family
RCI's youth programs are second to none, but in Navigator of the Seas they have really outdone themselves, as the Adventure Ocean facilities on Deck 12 have been expanded on this vessel to a whopping 22,000 sq. ft. -that's 6,000 sq. ft. more than on any other Royal Caribbean ship.
Areas include a section for three to five year olds with seven computer stations, a new art studio area and an ocean liner-themed play area; a room for six to eight year olds, that has been quadrupled in size from previous Voyager-class ships, featuring seven computer stations, themed evenings, Adventure Science, including an exploding volcano, and Adventure Art by Crayola projects including making masks from a variety of regions of the world; and a section for nine to 11 year olds, with seven computer stations, five flat-screen televisions and such activities as Survivor Night, conducted by the year-round counselor staff of 14 (which is beefed up with two more for school holiday periods).
Teens have three special areas to hang out in and their program has been divided (sensibly) into two age groups: 12-14 and 15-17. Navigator has a Back Deck, an outdoor area for teen parties with music and buffets. Fuel is the teen disco, complete with dance floor, Internet Cafe with eight stations, four flat-screen televisions and bar for nonalcoholic drinks (a Coke Card for unlimited drinks is $20 for the whole cruise; an Ocean Potion Card is $24.95 for 12 non-alcoholic specialty drinks).
Beyond this, teens also have The Living Room, a place to hang out during the day with games, books, flat-screen television, futuristic furniture and Internet Cafe with seven stations. This last place is so cool the counselors have to politely chase many an adult away! A large video arcade is nearby and so is Johnny Rockets to satisfy the teen appetite with burgers, fries, shakes and other goodies.
Generally, activities at Adventure Ocean cease during lunch and dinner times, but there is the occasional organized meal outing (to Johnny Rocket's, for instance). On sea days, you can leave your kids (ages 3 to 11) at Adventure Ocean for a noon to 2 p.m. lunch-and-play for a cost of $7.95. Plus, new My Family Time Dining (rolling out, fleetwide, by July 2009) offers an option that lets kids finish dinner in the main dining room in 45 minutes, then get escorted by Adventure Ocean counselors back to the kids' club to play (letting Mom and Dad enjoy a more leisurely meal).
Late-night group babysitting in the kids' areas (for ages 3 to 11) is available from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for $5 per hour, per child. Children must be at least three years old and fully toilet trained (no diapers or pull-ups). In-room babysitting for kids over the age of 1 costs $10 to $15 per hour and requires a 24-hour advance reservation.
