This was our first cruise so there is a lot to unload! I hope that any first timer can take something from this :) We are a family of 4 myself, my husband and our daughters 9 and 10. My husbands biggest fear in the world was flying. We have been together for 20 years and I suffered for the last 20 years.lol. So when our daughter made it to the pop warner cheer nationals in Disney he quickly realized he was going to have to conquer that fear to see his baby shine on stage. And he did and as soon as we landed in Orlando, I booked our cruise. As a travel novice I had no idea what I was doing or even what to do. I ended up using CheapCaribbean.com and they were amazing and saved us a lot of money. I chose the Navigator purely based on itinerary. I just knew we wanted to see clear water that doesn't turn legs purple like we were used to being from New England and that was it. After booking I started doing all the research I possibly could to prepare us for our travels. I was a tiny bit concerned about Nassau but after researching I found the best option for us. We flew in a day early and stayed at a hotel on South Beach, I am glad we went but never have to go back there again. The port was fairly close and we ended up getting there about 10am and quickly made it through check in and were on the ship I would say probably within 10 mins. Just walking on the ship gave me chills. Everything was so bold and beautiful!! We quickly made our way to the pool deck so our daughters could hit the slides and the pool before it got to crowded. They were so happy!! Around 1 they announced the rooms were ready. We made out was to deck 3 forward cabin 3262. It was Oceanview and decent size. I was nervous at first my husband is a big guy over 6ft but we were pleasantly surprised and the pullman beds weren't in our way over the bed at all. Our luggage was delivered by 2:30 which was amazing, I expected it to be much later in the day. Plenty of closet space and hangers for all 4 of us. I quickly organized and out stuff away for the next 4 days so we could go have fun! The ship had 3D maps of the ship were were extremely helpful to get around. On the navigator if your cabin is forward you need to go up to deck 5 to cut over which took some getting used to but we dealt with it. I think if we ever sailed on the Nav again I would choose an Aft cabin. I did get the soda/VOOM package which was for one device, but my husband and I could switch off when we needed the wifi. The wifi was kind of spotty in our cabin but worked fine everywhere else on the ship and perfectly at CocoCay. Our first night we tried to really familiarize ourselves with the ship and go to our reservation at the MDR. If you are ever on the Navigator request Jose as your waiter!! We had my time dining but still made reservations for every night based on our schedule and this worked for us. Ok, back to Jose he truly made our experience that much more incredible. He was so personable and fun. He cut my daughters spaghetti. CUT UP SPAGHETTI lol. He always brought us dishes we didn't order so we could try them he just really went out of his way in all aspects. Aside from our waiter we loved the food in the MDR. We were always happily full when we left. Really nothing bad to say. We tried the windjammer a few times for breakfast, lunch and snacks and weren't blown away. It was always kind of chaotic which most buffets are but the food was good. If buffets aren't your thing you can have breakfast, sea days lunch and dinner in the MDR. We loved the poolside taco place everything was so good!! Also the cafe promenade was out late night go to, pizza was amazing! Our first day was at sea and I loved the sea day and it was super relaxing and we got to enjoy all aspect of the ship!! After our sea day our first stop was CocoCay. We got of pretty fast and headed to chill beach and got chairs right at the shore. The water a little chilly but still refreshing. We moved onto the pool and it was great there too. Food was included at most places and was great, especially the Cuban sandwich. The island was beautiful don't get me wrong but if you didn't do an excursion or the water park it was kind of overwhelming with so many things going on and places to see. We would absolutely return but have something planned. Our 2nd stop was Nassau which I know a lot of people don't care for but I wanted to make the best out of it. I did a lot of research and found Love Beach. After we plowed through everyone in the port asking if we wanted a taxi, ATV, scooter or whatever else we made our way to Fredrickson Street and grabbed the #10 Jitney (bus) for $1.50/pp. It took about 25 mins with stops to get there. The bus drops you off right in front of Nirvana Beach Bar which is how you enter the beach. There were some workers who rented out beach chair at $5 per chair and he then brings them to where ever you want to be. That beach was so pristine and stunning we were so happy to be there. There were tide pools at the shore attached to reefs that were deep enough to snorkel. My daughters had the time of your lives and saw so many different tropical fish and great GoPro footage it was beautiful. Besides us there were about 15 other people at the beach mostly cruisers some locals. There was also a hair braider there named Donna she was super nice and was cheaper than the woman at the port (I checked on my way back). The food at the bar and drinks were decently priced and good. We really enjoyed out time in Nassau without an overpriced excursion. If your on the fence about Nassau really check out Love Beach you won't regret it! Every night on either a sea or port day we would try and take advantage of what the ship had to offer and do as much as we could. Every show on that ship was phenomenal. The ice skating show, El Gaucho, Showgirls, The dance show, all fantastic and flashy and worth checking them all out. The arcade was a bit of a rip off like most arcades are but the kids still enjoyed it. I loved the movies by the pool, the first night at seas no one was out there at it was so relaxing and the breeze was perfect. We did sign our girls up for Ocean Adventure the first day but honestly didn't use it once. There was so much to do as a family we really didn't want or need to be without them. Then just like that we were back in Miami and so sad about it. Our cruise went by so fast. We carried off our own luggage and were off the ship by 8am. We stayed at Hollywood Beach overnight liked it much better than Miami. Then home to our fur babies who missed us very much!! I am making a choice by staying 100% loyal to Royal and already booked our 2nd cruise on the Indy next April. Royal's service, atmosphere, and experience made our first cruise unforgettable and don't know if anything could top what we had. It was a truly incredible time and opened our eyes especially my husbands eyes to the beautiful shared family experience's we can have when we travel. Only 400 day to go lol! Read Less

Although I’m listing cons, we did have a fantastic time and I doubt any of this will be a reason not to cruise on this ship. This was our 47th cruise and we’ve loved them all. These short trips that the cruise lines are offering these days are a great way to binge on food and fun, but not for too long! CONS “My Time Dining” The “My” isn’t referring to the passenger. “My” refers to R.C. We were told (and so were other guests we encountered) we could have 5:45 pm for “My Time” and that’s it. Even 6:15 pm wasn’t an option, not on the first day, or on any future day on the cruise. RC needs to expand the restaurant to other venues, or something, to allow “My time” to literally mean what it indicates. Hygiene The ship needs to refill the soap and the hand sterilizers. Around 50 percent of them were empty and most of the soap dispensers only gave out a tiny amount of soap that was barely visible. The entire pool area wasn’t just wet with puddles from wet feet, the floor drains were clogged so passengers had to wade through huge pools of water. Public toilets did clog up a couple of times. Activities There were plenty of water activities, however the water was icy cold so I wasn’t able to participate. The games I wanted were located in the teen area, so I couldn’t participate there either. Staff Not all workers are RC employees. Spa staff and even the DJs are not employees. The DJ on the private island was actually a guest. You could tell immediately since he was unnecessarily rude. Also, at Hush Night (when guests wear head sets and dance to the music of their choice) there were only 2 choices since they had only 2 DJs. Guess there’s a shortage of DJs and you take what you get. Annoyances The announcements telling passengers of the day’s activities (which you can read about in the daily program) are loud, frequent, and annoying, even more so since they do it all over again in a foreign language. English is bad enough. Passengers need to line up at a one-person booth to scan out towels. If you go for lunch or participate in an activity you need to check them back in (in case they disappear) then stand in line again to get another. The cafeteria is closed between 3:30 and 5 pm so if you want a beverage there’s only the alcoholic drinks at the bars available. The “zoom” speed internet wasn’t nearly “zoomy” enough for me. The ilounge is not manned. Front desk called them and I waited around for an hour for an ITT person, then gave up. The app that R.C. has didn't work for me, then again, I'm not very tech savvy. PROS Loved the singing guitarist and his dancing assistant at the cafeteria entrance encouraging guests to wash their hands, and there were plenty of sinks to do so. Not all soap dispensers provided soap though. This cruise was short so we were OK with an inside cabin. We had 9329 which is right in the foyer area next to the elevator which sounds awful for noise. Not so, I highly recommend it or the same cabin on another floor. However, the wall to the cabin next door was thin and had 2 kids who woke up early. Actually they didn’t bother me so much, they’re kids after all. It was the father’s loud voice talking to them that woke me up each morning. Guess I could have done the same at 1:30 am but I had more consideration for the kids. Read Less

This is the 20th cruise my wife and I have been on together, and our 8th with RCI. We drove from our home to Miami to board the ship, so I cannot provide any flight, transfer, or hotel information. I will say that for being “The Cruise Capital of the World,” Port Miami is a real pain to get around in. It’s very confusing how the lanes work, with very little signage to help first timers. Hopefully all the construction is geared to remedy that problem. We had to reschedule a cruise from later last year to this sailing due to a family situation that prevented us from taking our previous trip. We did not sail with any family or friends this time. Navigator is very similar in look and layout as Mariner OTS, as they have both been through recent refurbishments. The ship feels and looks like a smaller version of the Oasis class, minus the neighborhoods. For us this is a plus, as Oasis class is our preferred ships to sail on. Most venues onboard Navigator were clean and updated, and more or less felt new. We participated in a few of the activities during our cruise. We normally stay quite busy during a cruise, but this sailing we tried something a little different. We didn’t book a single show, event, activity, or shore excursion ahead of time. We instead chose to relax and let the day surprise us. This is NOT a good idea on the new larger and higher capacity ships. We managed to catch several trivia sessions, watched the belly flop competition, and a few of the other random daily events. They are on par with what you’ll find on other ships, and we enjoyed each of them. The service on Navigator was excellent! Each time I went to a bar to order a round of drinks for us, I never had to wait more than two minutes to get my order in. While waiting, I was constantly asked if I’d been helped yet or if I wanted to place an order. This was such a welcome change from a recent NCL sailing where we found just the opposite. Previous sailings with NCL in particular found passengers arguing with each other as the most obnoxious person got their orders in while patient and polite passengers were ignored. RCI had each bar sufficiently staffed and clean. Of particular note was Boleros where the mojitos were some of the best I’ve ever had, as well as the Lime and Coconut bar near the pool. Friendly and efficient staff and great drinks make for a wonderful onboard experience. Apart from bar service, we also had great experiences in the MDR as well as the other crew. Nearly every interaction with crew members began with a smile and greeting. Our cabin steward always asked how our day was going. Navigator truly stood apart from previous sailings in regard to service and experience. Our cruise brought us to Nassau and the newly renovated CocoCay. As I mentioned previously, we had no scheduled excursions. As Florida residents who cruise frequently, I could probably draw a map of the port at Nassau with relative accuracy. We simply meandered between the shops (avoiding the straw market due to harassment) and had a few drinks. The only note-worthy new addition is a new bar off the side of Senior Frogs called Lukka Kairi. You’ll find the pier/walkway right next to the entrance for Senor Frogs. It’s actually owned and run by the infamous bar chain but has a totally different feel. The bar sets out over the water and provides a great view of the ships that are docked and the smaller boats coming and going. The bar menu and ambience are much more refined than the “party till you puke” atmosphere from Frogs. We felt we were in an upscale venue. The service was great, and drinks were excellent. It’s a great alternative to the party bar scene that Frogs is known for and does so well. CocoCay was a wonderful experience. The island is well decorated and easy to navigate, once you get your bearings. While RCI will upcharge you for just about everything (the hot air balloon, water park, and a few exclusive beach side areas are all extra fees), the rest of the guest areas weren’t a disappointment. I must also mention that passengers with a drink package can use it on the RCI private island (are you listening, NCL?). My wife and I never found it difficult to find lounge chairs near the pool or the beach, and other guests didn’t seem to have much difficulty either, a big plus considering there was another ship calling with ours that day. The poolside DJ played some great music in the late morning while we sipped on some delicious frozen drinks. While the atmosphere will turn more towards the party/club scene as the day goes on, you can always find a new spot if that’s not your thing. We ate lunch at the barbecue buffet and were very pleased. The steak tacos were delicious! And as on board, we never had to hunt down a server to get more adult beverages. We were approached so much that it was almost annoying. But, I’d rather have that problem than standing in line to pay $18 for a drink I can get for free a quarter mile away onboard our ship. For those passengers with mobility issues, there are several electric trams (read glorified go carts) that go from the ships to several stopping points around the island. Overall unless you are a water park fanatic or that person who wants “exclusivity” the provided atmosphere at CocoCay will be just fine, provided you are looking for a sit by the pool or ocean kinda day. You can also do snorkeling, but the area was roped off and seemed small. We did note that the variety and type of activities onboard went dry while we were docked, so be prepared to entertain yourself if CocoCay doesn’t interest you. My only criticism is the lack of available merchandise. I expected to find a store with RCI brand and CocoCay logo merchandise… what we got was a three-sided cart. Our bartender did mention that the new CocoCay is currently in phase one of a developing plan, so perhaps there is more to come… We were in cabin 8584 with a balcony on the port side of the ship. We found that overall the cabin met our needs. Plenty of storage space and the balcony itself was surprisingly large. Some of the furniture did have some stains on it, and we found what we believe was a bloody fingerprint in the bathroom on the wall next to the door. Gross, and rather creepy. Also, the bed was about as comfortable as a concrete slab and there was a surprising lack of USB charging ports. We usually bring a multi USB charging adapter, so it wasn’t a problem, but we’d have a difficult time keeping our electronics running without it. Dining was also a pleasant surprise onboard Navigator OTS. We visited the MDR twice during our cruise for dinner, and each time the food was tasty and served quickly. The quick service Mexican restaurant, El Loco Fresh, is also a nice place to eat next to the pool. The lines did get rather long during peak times, but the guacamole was worth the wait. The buffet restaurant called The Windjammer (or Foodjammer as I call it), was the real stand out for us. The staff was having fun reminding passengers to wash their hands before entering with dancing and improvised songs. The food was a decent variety and we found it to be very tasty. It’s not Michelin quality, but for those of us who appreciate flavorful food and a variety of it will be satisfied. We never had trouble finding a clean table, and the staff came by with non-alcoholic drinks and condiments frequently. RCI is doing a great job of changing the perception that the buffet restaurant isn’t just a place to go if you didn’t book a restaurant but being a true service environment all its own. The only entertainment show we went to this cruise was the headliner, a hypnotist. If you’ve never seen one, it’s usually entertaining and worth going to. He didn’t offer anything we hadn’t seen before, but we still enjoyed ourselves. On the last night we went to the silent disco. It seems Celebrity is the only cruise line who can do a silent disco right. Navigator, as well as other lines and ships in the RCI fleet, seem to get this wrong. Celebrity had a ton of available headphones, despite the entire atrium being packed for the event. I swear half the ship was there, and their DJs had three stations to choose from. Navigator as well as prior cruises were turning people away due to their two station headphones were out within five minutes of beginning the party. Silent discos are great fun. I would have thought that since they are so popular, cruise lines would be making these more of a focus. Embarkation as well as disembarkation were expertly done. We were checked in prior to sailing, so it was a breeze getting onboard. We always carry off our luggage and we found ourselves walking off almost 40 minutes earlier than what we found in the daily planner. These processes were expertly executed. In conclusion, Navigator of the Seas is an excellent choice for a four or three-night vacation. The ship looked great, the staff was wonderful, the food and drinks were very satisfying, and we were kept entertained for most of the voyage. My wife and I had a truly wonderful vacation. On the way home, our discussion found us in agreement that Royal Caribbean is quickly becoming our preferred cruise line. It’s because of experiences like the one we had on Navigator that makes us feel that way. Read Less

This was a Christmas present and my first cruise. I had a great time and was well taken care of by all the staff. I will say they made us feel like royalty and Kenrick was so kind and helpful. We would go again just to have the company of this hard working young man. The dining room was excellent as was Malfredo, our waiter. The staff bent over backwards to accommodate us, it was a first for me...very nice. Nassau was an interesting experience as we went off by ourselves and poked around. It was a very windy day so we didn't get to Parasail but instead went on a carriage ride and then took a tour of the island with a cab driver who was full of information about last and present history. Not one to enjoy large groups, we were easily able to make a full and enjoyable day of it in our own. It's always good to get off the beaten path and we are very glad we did. Read Less

We chose this cruise because the ship was recently renovated and there was a stop at the new Perfect Day CocoCay water park. We booked a balcony room and was upgraded to a jr Suite via the Royal up program. We were also able to bypass general boarding at their gorgeous new pier in Miami. We were sent up a private elevator and personally checked in while lounging on a couch. Crazy Fancy!!! The room was amazing; very spacious and bright. The jr suite came with free room service and free continental breakfast, so we stayed in our beds and ordered a light breakfast every morning. We also purchased the unlimited dining plan. When I say "we" i mean "I" ordered the plan and my daughter (age 11) was allowed to eat in the same super fancy restaurants for only $10. I believe this is offered to all children 12 and under. We ate like queens on this vacation! The excursions were fun and relaxing. Perfect Day CocoCay was clean and beautiful and so much fun. We looking forward to going back once all of the COVID-19 madness ends. Read Less

We chose the Navigator of the Seas because this three (3) day weekend cruise occurred between Christmas and New Year's Eve and during Hanukkah. Leaving from Miami was an added bonus and a short car ride from where we live. The ship had recently been refurbished and I wanted to compare it to the Mariner of the Seas. While in college, I had worked on several cruise ships. We have also gone on many cruises with multiple cruise lines. The new Royal Caribbean Terminal in Miami was very Impressive.The embarkation was very organized and we were on the ship in a few minutes. Our cabin was ready on arrival. The Bedroom Steward was outstanding. The Windjammer was never overcrowded and the staff was very helpful. There were multiple selections. I found the food did not compare to the Dining Room. The Breakfasts there did not have fresh fruit (blueberries or strawberries) for cereal or yogurt. El Loco Fresh was very good. We all partook of the Mexican Entrees. The Cafe Promenade was a surprise. The coffee was always available, fresh and the best on the ship. There were also pastries,cookies, salads and small sandwiches available. Much to our surprise, the pizza was the best that I have had on any cruise ship. We had My Time Dining. There was never a significant wait. We had a Window Table (150) for four (4). Our waitress and assistant waiter were excellent. Although the dining room menu was similar to the Mariner of the Seas, the taste and presentation was much better on the Navigator of the Seas. The food was delicious and well prepared. Although we missed the Ice Show, the other shows were excellent. On previous cruises, the Art Auctions were informative and entertaining. These Art Auctions were disappointing and this was reflected in the decreasing sparse attendance. While on the ship, you never felt overcrowded. obtaining a deck chair or a seat in the theater was never a problem. The Diamond Club is always a high point of the cruise. However, placing it on Deck 5 was disappointment. The staff there was very helpful, but not being on a high deck with a view detracted from the experience. Coco Cay was a welcome addition. Multiple beaches, water parks, children"s areas , entertainment and feeding areas. We enjoyed the island. Downtown Nassau is even more rundown than before. The downtown stores had multiple vacancies. The area needs to be redeveloped or an alternative found. Disembarkation was organized and smooth. They used photo recognition. Pickup was also well organized. The other members of our group thought that this was their best cruise. We all had a wonderful time. Read Less

We have cruised on many Royal Caribbean ships, Princess, and NCL. This cruise had by far the best main dining room food. The public areas of the ship are in great shape, although the cabin was somewhat battered looking (for example, the drawers were all beat up). But overall it was an excellent cruise. There were plenty of deck chairs and even though the ship was likely full at Christmastime, we did not have trouble finding seats in the Windjammer. The new hand washing system outside the Windjammer is great. The staff seemed very happy and everyone was helpful. We had dinner in the main dining room every night. Our waiter was excellent. We wish that Starbucks was included in the drink package! The drink package made it so easy to have whatever else we wanted, including water bottles. Our itinerary was changed as we were leaving the Port of Miami. I had to scramble and make a phone call to change our day in Nassau before we left Miami. Luckily that worked out. Read Less

This was a quick pre-Christmas weekend get away with our family of 10. We live in Miami, and have visited Nassau before. We stayed aboard while in Nassau and really enjoyed the pools and slides. The Navigator had more than ample lounge seating. The 2nd day was at their private island - Coco Cay. What am amazing place this was. There were 2 RCCL ships there - so easily 7,000 people. The amount of space, and multiple venues - made it seem less crowded. We did get off the ship as early as we could. The lagoon pool was incredible. The food on board was great. The main dining room offered a nice variety each night and the service and attention was fabulous. We did purchase the drink package - and found it was worth every penny. The bar staff were super friendly and quickly got to know our group. Sometimes we would just “lift a finger” and a new drink would appear. Read Less

My husband and I chose a back-to-back on Navigator of the Seas for one reason only... to be able to visit and enjoy their private island, Coco Cay twice. The first cruise was 3 days and the second cruise was 4 days. When you fly from Canada it just makes better sense to do at least 7 days because of the cost of the flight. We stayed in the same virtual balcony cabin and we were able to just get off and on the ship between cruises for 10 minutes without our luggage and just to clear customs, which was a breeze. The food was good and lots of choices in both the MDR and Windjammer. We did not bother with specialty restaurants after deciding that Hooked was not worth the charge after considering rate of exchange for Canadians. Their island was really beautiful and had plenty of loungers for everyone. The only negative thing was that this time of year, the water in the beautiful Lagoon pool was very cold as were the beaches. We just rested by the pool and then went to enjoy a delicious lunch with plenty of choices. RCCL provides complimentary trams from the pier to the island and then you change trams to continue on to different stops along the island. Wonderful feature for those of us who have mobility issues. What made this trip so wonderful was because of the staff and crew. Everyone was friendly, helpful and always pleasant. The live orchestra and shows were great but their tribute band "One4One" was so talented. They had everyone dancing in the Promenade with their "Queen", "Eagles" and "Beatles" tribute evenings. Wow! Such talent! I have just a few suggestions for Royal Caribbean that would make cruises more enjoyable: All ships should have at least a one day "smoke free" in the casino; and Diamond members should be offered a discount on frozen mocktails and cocktails as well as a discount for food at Johnny Rockets. Read Less

This was a birthday cruise for my daughter (8) and I. We stayed in a Promenade View Interior on deck 6. The cabin was quiet and clean and our cabin steward was wonderful. Embarkation - we did the expedited check in and walked on with no line at 10:45am. The ship is beautiful and the Amped upgrades are really fun. The pool deck is very colorful, and very crowded! Bar service was fast and good. The soft serve ice cream was handled by a staff member and that worked out well. We ate at Chops on night one and it was delicious and the service was great. We ate a Jamies on night two and the food was great but the service was only okay. The third night we ate in the MDR and our server was awesome! The food was good as well. Perfect Day at Coco Cay - we had water park passes and we were off the ship as soon as it cleared and in line for the Daredevils tower within moments. Boy, is that fun! We rode all of the slides with virtually no line then headed over to Chill Island to snorkel. I really loved the new CocoCay, and I can't wait to go back! Service was overall pretty spectacular. Everyone seemed to enjoy what they were doing and it showed. The only small disappointment was the kids club, there were not many kids on board so there were not many activities. I am sure that if there were more kids, it would be fine as the staff seemed really excited. Disembarkation was super easy, walked right off and straight through customs with no issues. Read Less

We have always wanted to see the NEW CoCo Cay, and it was worth the wait and expense! Our cabin was amazing as well, the coveted pie-shaped panoramic ocean view stateroom on Deck 12, #1864. It was so huge and we had 5 panes of glass to gaze out on the ocean and surroundings. The food is decenct. Not amazing but good, for the price. I was actually dissapointed in my dinner at CHOPS, it usually is excellent, but they missed the mark this time. Maybe it was an off night. I have to add in here that Adventure Ocean is very good. Our 6 and 8 year old loved going there and never complained about it. I cannot fully express how awesome COCO CAY is! We had so much fun. Our kids rode the water slides over and over and we never had to wait very long in line. We were the only ship on the island that day. I think on other days there are two RCCL ships at the island. If you can book a cruise where you are the only ship, you will practically have the island to yourself. The large pool was crowded, but the water park always had a place to sit in the shade with lots of umbrellas. Also, the "Free" food on Coco cay was really good, and way better than the average Windjammer food! All in all, you NEED to visit coco cay, especially if you have kids, and try to get #1864 on deck 12, what an amazing room! Read Less

I saw a negative review, i believe they sailed the same cruise we did. I did not have the same experience and felt it worthy of a positive review. We have cruised Royal Caribbean since the 90's and have never been disappointed. This cruise to the Bahamas was perfect for 2 kids under 11. The water slides on deck 13 entertained them all day. The food was what i expected, decent and ample choices. The dining room was nice and service was fantastic. We had a balcony room and the space was tight for 4 people, but who stays in their room... Coco Cay was amazing, the kids thought this was the coolest. I have sailed many other lines and some were comparable to RCL, one was slightly better and one was absolutely horrible. While it didn't impact my trip nor was the service i received affected, several of the staff members complained about not getting time off and being overworked. We look forward to our next cruise on RCL. Read Less

We chose this to celebrate my 30th birthday with my husbands and I’s immmediate family (about 10 of us total). Ship: We absolutely loved the Navigator, especially all of the “amped” features. My husband and I had gone on Adventure for our honeymoon in 2016 and this was pretty much identical but the refurbishment really shows. The pool area in particular was very well done and was the perfect vacation vibe for a quick Bahamas trip. We loved the extra shallow areas in the pools to lounge in. Our 2 year old daughter LOVED the little splash area on the side. It was small but perfect size for her. Everything on board was beautiful and clean and looked more modern. Dining: Everyone in our group was happy with the food on board. Dining room was always good and our waiters were more than accommodating and really helped take care of our toddler during meal times by bringing her food right away. We didn’t do any specialty dining and always had Windjammer for lunch. Everything was good. What we reeaaally liked was El Loco Fresh! Super good food and convenient next to the pool. The line got pretty long at peak times but it moved fast. Activities: I normally really like going to the main production shows but since this cruise was the first with our 2 year old, we didn’t think she would enjoy sitting for that long. However, she LOVED (as did we) the ice skating show!!!! Probably one of my favorite moments from the trip. The talent was amazing and the show was super fun and well put together. The songs were great and had my daughter clapping and dancing in her seat. Seriously do not miss the ice skating show! The only other things we really did as far as activities were karaoke at night and using the water slides while grandparents babysat. Hubby and I had a blast, especially on the Nassau day when we stayed on board and could go multiple times in a row. Nursery: We did utilize the child care for our daughter two times. They were amazing with the kids and my daughter loved them. We did it once for dinner time so we could have a relaxing meal and they took the kids to Windjammer for dinner. And then again during the morning/ early afternoon on the sea day so we could enjoy the pool. They gave us a phone in case they needed us and a little “report card” about how she did. Just a quick side note for families with young kiddos- We got an inside cabin across the hall from my parents in a Junior suite. Our daughter still naps and we were able to set up our baby monitor in our room while she slept and went across the hall to my parents to relax on the balcony/read, etc. while she napped and could see her on the monitor. Worked great! Ports: We did not get off ship in Nassau as we’ve been there numerous times and didn’t feel comfortable with a little one. We were very excited about the new Cococay though and it did not disappoint!! Loved the pool and swim up bar, snorkeling on the beach, food was great. And our daughter loved the free Splash zone here. It was plenty big for her and she loved the little water slides too. No complaints about Cococay! Read Less

Embarkation: We completed all our paperwork using the app prior to arrival which was really easy and took less than five minutes. The ship left out of Terminal A (Royal’s new terminal in Miami). We arrived at the port around 10:30 and were on the ship literally as fast as we could walk from curbside to the boat. Ship: This was our first time on a Navigator-class ship. We were very impressed. The facilities provided lots of variety in terms of both atmosphere and food options. The outdoor decks were nicely designed and included chairs, day beds, cabanas, and hammocks. It was really a nice change from the field of lounge chairs you see on Radiance class ships. We did notice some food service items which were left in the hallways throughout the cruise which was a little unsettling but other than that, the common areas were kept very clean. Dining: We did My Time Dining but enjoyed our waitstaff so much that we basically went at the time the Maitre’d assigned us so that we could keep the same table each night. The food was good and we felt like they had a better selection than our cruise a year ago. As I mentioned, our waitstaff Neftali and Ardvint) were amazing. They were the perfect combination of efficiency and hospitality. We were also travelling with our toddler so it was great to have some of the other staff like Jose (not sure what his job was, maybe an Assistant Head Waiter?) stop by each night to entertain the kid. Cabin: We had a great cabin. The Panoramic Oceanview room has a spectacular view and a good amount of space. Our cabin attendant, Georgiana was awesome. She would always make it a point to stop what she was doing and talk to us every morning and night, and by the end of our trip our daughter wanted to look for her every time we went out of the cabin. She really went out of her way to make us feel special. Entertainment: We didn’t go to a lot of the shows but we did go to iSkate the first night and it was amazing. The whole family enjoyed it and it’s definitely a can’t miss event. We also had several appearances by the Stowaway Piano Player. That’s a great addition and alway made for a surprise when the elevator doors opened and he was on there. As many other have said, the slides were available most of the week but the lines were ridiculously long so we never took the time to ride them. Ports: We stayed on the ship in Nassau and really don’t feel like we missed much. CoCo Cay really exceeded our expectations. We started out at the kids play area but decided mid-morning to go into the water park. They were charging $44 pp at the entrance and it was well worth it. We found that lines weren’t that bad in the morning or later in the afternoon. Seating around the wave pool, especially shaded seating, was at a premium. The slides were really fun and fast. Service: So, as the saying goes, “I’ve saved the best for last!” From Captain Angel all the way to the crew that goes around cleaning the ship, we found that just about everyone on board to be friendly and happy. Many went out of their way to interact with our toddler as well. The ship was nice but the crew is what made it special. Final Thoughts: We spent the last day (Sea Day) trying to figure out how to take another trip on Navigator before the crew turnover begins later this year. Need I say more? Read Less

We have cruised with RC several times and always had a good experience. Recently we cruised on Harmony and loved it. When an opportunity came to sail on Navigator at a bargain price we said lets take a chance. When you cruise in Sept or October you get the best rates since school is in session and its hurricane season. As far as the weather, you take you chances but we were lucky and had great weather. Navigator is an older ship but she is well maintained overall. The pool area just received most of a 100 million dollar refurbishment. The pool deck on Navigator is as nice as anything I've experienced and is comparable with the newest and largest RC ships. Food was very good. The restaurant servers were great and very accommodating. We actually preferred the food in the Windjammer by the pool because of the variety. We didn't do the specialty restaurants since this was intended to be a bargain cruise. Our cabin was an interior and overlooked the promenade. We loved it and actually preferred it to the balcony we had on the Harmony. The room was spacious and very clean with a great cabin steward. The cruise director was fantastic. Maybe the best we ever had and we've been on 15-20 cruises. The entertainment was good, but not up to the standards you get on the 7 day ships like Allure or Harmony. Overall it was good. The Quest game is X rated and if your not easily offended it's hilarious. Embarkation at the new Miami RC terminal was a breeze. You park in their garage and drop your luggage there. Disembarkation was the fastest and most efficient ever. We literally just walked off the ship without stopping except to have a screen shot of our faces at the kiosk. The RC Coco Cay island is the finest island resort stop ever. RC has turned it into a Disney style water park. It was a major highlight. I loved it and I'm not a beach person. The swim up bar is too cool, and the island buffet was great. Overall this was an excellent get away at a very good price. Read Less

My family and I were looking for a quick getaway before school started back up again. We mainly chose this cruise because we wanted to see the newly renovated CocoCay and it did not disappoint. The ship was spotless, had plenty of staff, tons of places to sit and hang out. Our inside stateroom had a virtual balcony that we loved. We were expecting a small picture of an ocean view, not the full size live video feed. It was awesome!! If you are bored on this ship you are not looking hard enough because there are so many hints to do and see. Our dining room experience was awesome, we loved our waiters Rodrigo and Tomas and the food did not disappoint. I think I went to El Loco Fresh on the pool deck probably around 10 times throughout the 4 day cruise. The food was amazing and depending on how hungry you were you could get a snack or a meal. They advertised the Perfect Day at CocoCay a LOT but it lived up to the hype. The thrill park was tons of fun and the pool was refreshing. There were waiters everywhere and bathrooms and food were plentiful. I have been an avid NCL cruiser in the past but this Royal Caribbean cruise was a welcome change and I am looking forward to many more of them in the future. I can’t recommend this ship enough! Read Less

We chose this 4 day Bahamas and Perfect Day at Coco Cay cruise for a few reasons. It was our last summer blast before school starts next week, we wanted to see the new Coco Cay and we wanted the Navigator with the new additions to it. In summary this has been one of the best cruises we have been on period. The Ship: the Navigator was simply beautiful. We loved the additions to the promenade as well as the improved pool area. We spent a lot of time in both. Playmakers was a highlight for us. Great service (shout out to Ann) and I loved the fun family atmosphere. We played jenga, and enjoyed the house band set up nearby. The pools are amazing and the water slides are even better. We loved the cabanas on deck. Our 6 year old did the slides so much the staff knew her by name. Speaking of which the Adventure Camp was one of the best. The play area is huge and they have wonderful activities. Our daughter kept asking “is camp open yet”. I also received services at to dry for and Monique was great. Friendly to talk with and she did a great job. Dining: I was a little disappointed in dining but nothing was terrible. It was all just average. The Buffett was the same most days with slight twists. But so was the dining room. Food was good but not great. No wow factors for us there. Ports: we did not get off the ship in Nassau having been there numerous times before and enjoyed the pool and water slides with hardly any people. What we LOVED was the new Perfect Day in coco cay. Splash away bay was perfect. Our daughter could have spent all day there so much fun for the kids. We walked around and spent time in the beach. Again clean, fun and amazing time. The food there was the best. Great steak sandwich, amazing mango water, fresh fruit etc. Shows: we attended two of the main shows and the ice show. What can I say about the ice show except WOW. The drone opening was amazing and the performers were top notch. Overall the staff was amazing. So friendly, went out of their way to help and just loved their experience there which showed. Sometimes you find some staff who were burned out but not on this ship. Kudos to all! Read Less

This was an absolutely great Cruise June 14-17.I rented 2 Rooms,one a Junior Suite and down the hall a Oceanside Balcony Room.It was my Daughters Graduation Present and I had 2 Boys,my Nephews with us bot 10 and 11.CoCoCay was fabulous,everyone was extremely friendly and accomodating,the several Restaurants were great as well as the Service Staff.I did not buy a Pass but was able to go in to the Park area at 12 PM Noon as the Attendent allowed me to (Im totally disabled so couldnt utilize the great facility)The Beach was fabulous,clean and new chairs,chaise Lounges etc and Lockers for the Family. The Food was plenty and great quality,no problems getting a second helping in the gorgeous Tri Level Dining Room,saw the Show "Showgirls" spectacular,reminded me of Vegas,didnt get to the Ice Rink.My Daughter and Boyfriend used the Specialty Dining Rooms and it was crazy amount of food they got from Sushi to Prime Rib.Just a few glitches and here they are. The Cabins (both on the 9th Deck) were warm and couldnt cool them as we would like. Ordered 2 gifts (Octypus and Blanket) to bein the Suite when we arrived,only one was there,after spending sometime in line at Customer Service I still didnt receive it until around 6 PM and spoke to someone and it finally was delivered. The Auto Tipping I had removed and tipped accordingly,the Staff did better this way with me. I wouldnt buy the Soft Drink Package as its a $$ Maker,theres Free Drinks and Water all aboard the Ship and carryng these 32oz Cups was a pain.other than these few quirks and a Royal Caribbean Gold Member it was a great time all around.The Dining Room gets 5 Stars,the Open Dining was great,same table each night and the food was 5 Stars. Read Less

We cruised with a very large group of people from our dance studio. (49 dancers aged 7-17 and their families totaling 189 people). The kids performed a 35 minute show in the Royal Theatre on the sea day. Our cruise departed from Terminal A in Miami and the embarkation process went smoothly and quickly. It was less than 30 minutes from driving onto the ramp of the parking garage to getting our first drink at the Lime and Coconut. Overall Impression: The ship, having just been through its major “amped” renovation, was gorgeous and in great condition. Over the course of the cruise, we spent time in Copper&Kettle, Playmakers (Michigan was playing for the College World Series Championship so several of us watched), Schooner Bar, R Bar, Boleros, Cosmopolitan Club, Star Lounge, and had occasion to utilize the bar in the Casino. All of them were immaculate and crew kept them clean with readily available service. We did not have to wait an unreasonable time at any bar while on the cruise. Note: the swim up bar on CoCoCay and the Lime and the Coconut had the longest waits, but they were not horrible. Dining: Because we were with the large group, we ate dinner in the Main Dining Room every night at the early seating. Our family did not have any specialty dining. The food in the main dining room was good, what I would consider decent for a good restaurant. It wasn’t stellar, but what I would expect as better-than-average quality for a nice restaurant serving thousands of people per night. My 13-year-old daughter is an adventurous eater, and it was a great opportunity for her to try escargot (which she had every night) and other items like salmon tartare and beef carpaccio, Duck á l’orange, etc, that she wouldn’t try otherwise. The Dining Room itself is absolutely gorgeous. Our particular waiters were wonderful (Angel and Muhamad), with fabulous personalities and really made our experience. Reports from others in our group varied widely on this issue. Some had inattentive servers that didn’t refill drinks or offer coffee. We had no complaints at our table of 10. The Windjammer was fine for breakfasts and lunch. Again, it wasn’t anything special, but did have a very large variety of good food. We ate lunch at El Loco Fresh on the pool deck a couple of times and found it to be fresh, flavorful, and delicious. For late night snacks, the Cafe Promenade was adequate. Our group spent quite a bit of late night time at the tables on the promenade, so I had the occasion to see the ebb and flow of large crowds hankering for pizza after events, as well as the trickle of people at other times seeking out sandwiches. The sandwiches from there were very yummy, and there was a selection of salads, charcuterie, and desserts as well. Overall, it was a good late night option, although there were times when a single server was overwhelmed with the lines. Shows: we made a point of seeing all of the main shows on the ship. ISkate, the skating show, was outstanding. If I could have made another showing, I would have watched it again. The first production of the Royal Singers and Dancers was a ballroom dance themed show, and it was excellent. I highly recommend. The comedian, Kivi, gave two shows; an all-ages set, and an adult set another night. They were both hysterical. The magician headliner, JZ, was terrible and a waste of time. I am so, so sorry I chose to se him rather than choose some of the game shows or other options in bars around the ship at that time. His “big trick” was nothing more than magnetic tangrams on a white board that any kindergarten teacher could manipulate. His show was a 30-minute infomercial to purchase his magic kits. Royal should be embarrassed. The second Royal Singer and Dancer Production was called “Showgirl” and although very good, I felt the first one was better. Entertainment: There was no shortage of varied entertainment across the ship. The bands were great, both in the bars and along the Promenade. There was an acoustic guitar player and singer in the Cooper & Kettle that did singer/songwriter stuff that was particularly good. We spent a lot of time in the Schooner Bar in late evening with a piano/comedy improve performer that was a lot of fun. There was a cover band in Boleros the final night that played a varied set (“Heaven” followed by “Highway to Hell” that was spectacular! We participated in the two dance parties along the Promenade hosted by the entertainment crew; the 70’s Disco Party and the 80’s Party, and they were both a blast. The adult karaoke in the Cosmopolitan Club was disappointing. Although we sang “Bohemian a Rhapsody” and had a great time, the host was weak-not singing or encouraging at all, and the song selection was poor. As a result, we left after only spending about 40 minutes there. The X vs. Y Game and Crazy Quest in Studio B were quite possibly the most hilarious things I’ve ever done in my life! Do yourself a favor; have a cocktail or two, loosen up, and go participate! Hugo was our Cruise Director and while I loved his energy and personality when we saw him, we didn’t see him very often. He introduced the main shows and hosted Crazy Quest, but that was his entire presence on the ship. I was disappointed and wanted more. Was it a bummer? Yes or yes? CoCoCay: in short, The island is beautiful! We rented a cabana in the Oasis Lagoon area and I would do that again if prices are reasonable. The fan, the ice cooler with water, the towels, and the attendant made it worth the cost split 8 ways. The Oasis Lagoon is clean and the pool itself is a heavy-duty liner over sand, so it is comfy on the feet. There are plenty of benches and shade can be found, but the pool itself is very warm and not refreshing. We found the large splash pad to be the best spot to get some refreshing dousing of cool water. South Beach is very shallow out to the floating bar, and it is typical clear water and Sandy bottom. There are fish, sea ur hind, and more along the beaches; just be aware. Chickens, peacocks, and iguanas roam the island freely. There are also gulls which can be annoying near the buffet, but we didn’t really have any issues at all eating in our cabana. There is love entertainment in Captain Jacks. We did not pay extra to go to Thrill Waterpark, although others in our party did. I would intentionally choose a cruise itinerary with CoCoCay as a stop; it was a great day. (We did have a late afternoon storm roll in that cleared the water for 30 minutes, but rather than get caught in the crowd heading back to the ship, we chose to ride it out in the bar, listening to live acoustic guitar karaoke, and that was a great choice) Overall, it was a fantastic cruise! The pool was fantastic, the kids enjoyed the slides. The gathering places on the deck above Lime and Coconut was a great place to congregate. I would highly recommend this ship and itinerary! Read Less

My best friend from college turned 50 this year, so when she told me that her and three of her high school girlfriends were going on a cruise, I tagged along (even though I am past that 50 now!). Spouses were included as well, and one college grad son, so the men had someone to talk to! So here are the highlights of our time on the Navigator of the Seas! *Perfect Day on Coco Cay--my DH and I live on an island, so hanging at a beach is not what we do on vacation. We did enjoy the Up Up and Away Balloon ride. The balloon is tethered and goes up a couple hundred feet. Gave us a great view of the island, the neighboring islands and what was available on Coco Cay. I noticed a floating bar, so that is where I ended up! People did appear to be enjoying themselves, but we went early and were back on the ship early so.... *I could ride the water slides!!! I enjoyed the Blaster--that is the one with the 2 person inflatable. It was fun and I rode that a few times. It was still a great time to be on the ship, as majority of folks were at Coco Cay. When you are on the ship during a busy day, like the day at sea, I recommend you head up to the Navigator Dunes/ Putt Putt course. Around there, they have these amazing clam shell beds--we snagged one and watched the sea past us. There was even an attentive server to bring us a drink from the bar (Lime and Coconut) downstairs. I noticed a few of those clam shells were open, suspect people do not know about them. *We did the My Time Dining with our party of 10. Our first night was a late seating, but we were able to arrange for earlier seatings on the other nights. Our first 2 nights were at the same table with Josef. I always enjoy a waiter who will tell you his recommendations. It just feels like a personal touch. Our last night, DH and I splurged on the Chef's Table. This is our second time doing this on a Royal Caribbean ship and yes, it is the same menu. But the Chefs are different and they do put their own touch on the food. This meal was the best meal we had on board the ship! My only complaint---we had scheduled it for our 2nd night on the ship, but they moved it to the last night. It was a small group of us, 6 in total. We all enjoyed it! *The iSkate--Reach for the Stars show was amazing! The ice skaters are like Olympic quality! It opens with a drone show that was amazing---how do they prevent them from running into each other! We saw the show that first evening on board, and there was a good crowd but not packed. They offered it again the last day, and that one was packed! The other show that we really enjoyed was a regular entertainer in the Schooner Bar, David Curtis Mutter. He performs improv musical comedy and he was hilarious! I have never laughed so hard! Another treat was the Travelling Pianist! He parked his piano in one of the glass elevators and would play a tune --much better than Muzak! I enjoyed his music so much, when I found him (twice!) I simply rode in the elevator, not going anywhere in particular!! *We booked an interior cabin and it suited our needs just fine. I did receive the Royal Up email, and that is when I noticed that our cabin had a virtual balcony! So we kept the interior and were entertained with our "balcony". It was cool and really nice during the day. It is live action, I watched folks on jet skis going around the front of the ship! Cannot see much at night, but pull the curtains over it and you can continue to enjoy your dark cabin!! Not quite the highlight, but you got to do it on a cruise ship: Embarkation--kind of confusing, not set up as I remember (and I went on 3 cruises last year!). There were several different entry areas, but the person checking the set sail pass had to look at your passport and take a picture of you. It appeared to take more time than the usual way. In hindsight, this might have been when they also set up the facial recognition for passports. This was noted on disembarkation and did speed up that process. For those that travel with paper birth certificate, the line after the cruise was the longest that I have seen, and only like 2-4 custom agents. Those folks were not getting out anytime soon! All in all, it was an enjoyable cruise. It was great to see my college friend and catch up. Enjoyed all the moments that put a smile on our face, as this is why we cruise!! Read Less

Approaching Diamond Members, so we Love Royal Caribbean. The newly renovated Navigator is well done. The Port of Miami RCCL boarding process was greatly improved as we were on the ship in less than 15 minutes. The music was great on this ship thanks to the Royal Caribbean Orchestra with the High C's Horn section, Directed by keyboardist, Hugh Little, a very gifted and talented Musician from Michigan, he made the cruise a fun experience for us. As a professional musician myself, I was so impressed by the talent these players demonstrated. We hope they stay together on the Navigator since we are going again in October. The other highlight for us was the Cruise Director, Yugo. What a fun, upbeat person. He sets the "fun" tone for the cruise and he should be commended. Make sure you go to the shows and you will enjoy his personality. The Ice Show "Reaching For The Stars" is a must see. The skaters are very talented (Olympic Quality) and the high-tech use of lighted drones during the show was very impressive. Specialty Dining has become disappointing. Chops Grill on this ship as on our previous cruise, Allure of the Seas was very disappointing. The "casual" atmosphere with the removal of the tablecloths ( replaced by Plastic Mats ?) was a turn off. When you pay for specialty dining you want it to be special, right? Well, that is our thinking. So, in the future, we will not be paying the extra fee and just stick with the MDR (Main Dining Room), which in our opinion was much nicer. Our waiter and head waiter were amazing and very friendly. We hope to see Priscilla and Rosebeth again. Excellent service! The renovated Coco Cay is very nice. No more tendering in to the island thanks to the new pier. The waterpark is a must for the kids and family. Multiple restrooms, bars and food stations is a very nice improvement. Overall, this is a very nice four day cruise on the Navigator. Going again on her this October. Read Less

Our sons and their girlfriends joined us, so 6 of us, they are all in mind 20's avg. We picked the Navigator as it was a decent 4 nter to Bahamas from Miami and we stayed a cpl xtra nights in Fort Lauderdale tacked on in the end. Quick UberXL to Miami Airport, checked in at terminal A and was slick, the new way they check you in, and from time dropping off bags till ordering 1st cocktail, no more than 20 minutes. Disembark was jut as quick, we walked off with our luggage, always do. We got them Inside cabins (1 each cpl) and upgraded to Ocean View and did the upgrade with the bid process, minimum bid. We had cabin 10390 aft location and what a sweet location, 1st time in aft for any of our cruises. Balcony was extended and a little wider, 2 lounge chairs, 2 regular chairs, and 2 little tables, with room in between. Food - service and food was very good. Includes Windjammer, MDR, Chops, Hooked, the Tacos at Pool level, food on the Promenade too. Entertainment - was average i would say, not better or worse from any other RC ships. Coco Cay - outstanding upgrade! Kids loved it we enjoyed the beach as normal, we were right of Chill beach, near washrooms, near food and drinks flowed!Beach and water were Perfect, we actually had a Perfect Day! serious! lol Kids said lines werent overly bad, but no lines later in day, hour or 2 before getting back to ship they said no lines or short lines. Nassau we went to Tiki Bikini Hut and Beach, walked the straw market there and back to Tiki, food and drinks were good. Weather and beach very good again! The new upgrades were down up nicely. kids did slides and said they were fun, new chairs around the pools and cabanas nice touch. Clean and easy to get around ship. Read Less

First passengers to visit a remodeled Cococay with new water park, pool with bar etc, The whole facilities were excellent, beach did not feel crowded at all (may change on the bigger ships like the Allure), pool was very animated with DJ, had the feel of being in a 5 star hotel pool, The water park gave nice fit to whole family travel idea with rides for every age, this island will surely be a reason to travel in Royal Caribbean for many families in months to come. Of course the water park has a cost of $44 per day, Zipline is $79, There is a Hellium Ballone (costs $24) Jetski tour ($104), etc. Navigator has free water slide on ship, one doulble rider and a single rider (heads down), pretty nice and its free. Shows were ok but not on the level of the Symphony or Harmony, Will recommend it is certainly a nice weekend getaway alternative for those who live in Florida. Read Less

We are Diamond members on Royal Caribbean but three years ago stopped cruising with them as I felt all the reasons we cruised with them originally were no longer there. We since went on two cruises with NCL on their newer ships and enjoyed ourselves, then we went on Celebrity and was disappointed. We decided to give RCL another try and we were very pleased. One of the main reasons we stopped cruising on RCL was the main dining room food was awful. We started going to the specialty restaurants each cruise which added up. The Winjammer buffet was just as bad. On the cruise we ate every meal in Main dining room with Bernardo and Jennifer at table 632. They were awesome. Did not enjoy Impact Explosions which is a Latin version of Stomp. I feel the entertainment management should go on NCL Escape to see the Level of entertainment. They were excellent and RCL’s was 1/2 that. On our cruise to Aruba a few years back they did not have room for the Diamond members as there was so many Diamond Plus. On this cruise they had a Diamond club which had wonderful staff but the room was small. Another nice feature for the Diamond members is that free drinks are loaded onto your Sea pass to use in many places. I still hate that in the Solarium people are still taking premium seats with a towel and going off for hours at a time. I witness this everyday. Big surprise no Body Wash. was told they stopped suppling this around 3 years ago. We had such a pleasant cruise we booked another. Going to see CoCo Cay. Yeah! Read Less

Stateroom 6552 very quiet and calm location. Enjoyed the balcony very much! Vandie was our cabin attendant and was awesome! We were close to the elevators too. We purchased the unlimited dining package. It was great dining at the finer restaurants every night, but were not big sushi or seafood eaters so Hooked and Izumi didn’t really appeal to us. We wished we would have purchased the three day dining package and eight and the regular dining room the other two nights. Jamie’s was our favorite restaurant and we ate there three times. The lemon meringue cheesecake was heavenly. The shortribs & the lasagna was also great. We enjoyed the solarium area every day and were able to secure a cabana bed almost every time we went out there if we woke up around 7:00 am. One thing that I didn’t realize before this cruise is that they pre-authorize charges on your card daily so while they take the final balance on the last day of your cruise you’re accruing charges or pre-authorizations every day on your credit card for things like gratuities drinks souvenirs etc. Read Less