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

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

We needed a break, and since our youngest was celebrating her 21st birthday the week before the cruise, we decided this was a perfect time. This was Navigator's third trip after her recent yard period, and she didn't disappoint. On this cruise we had me (59), SWMBO (54), our son (26), our daughter (21), SWMBO's sister (59) and her husband (68). We travel often with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law and will continue to do so as long as they will have us. We always have a great time with them. Embarkation: Normally, embarkation is quick with little to no wait. Not this time. It seemed the folks from the cruise before ours were slow to leave the ship, so we were standing around in a crowded embarkation center for quite some time. We arrived around 1030 and didn't board until between 1200 and 1230. There was a large group that had been corresponding on social media and here on Cruise Critic and we were able to meet up with some friends of ours while waiting to board. Meals - Windjammer: The food in the Windjammer this cruise was up to its usual standard - decent, not outstanding, but it filled the void. Some was very good (especially the desserts) and some not so much (avoid the Eggs Benedict - the toughest English Muffins I have ever seen). As usual, the staff in the Windjammer was great, and overall it fit the bill. Meals - My Time Dining: Before cruising, we booked My Time Dining for 1800 each night of the cruise. First night - no problem. We were promptly seated and had a great table - first table on the left as you enter the dining room. The table has a decorative wall surrounding it that made it feel more private than the other tables. We really liked it. The second night, the computer system had our reservations at a different time 1715, but having booked everything for 1800 before leaving, we arrived at 1800. Of course, our table was given to another group, so we got moved to a new table with a different waiter and assistant waiter. It all worked out great though, as our waiter, Francisco, and his assistant, Shuzhen, were wonderful. Shuzhen is from China, and she told us some folks have trouble pronouncing her name, so she told us to call her by her family name - Moh. They were so friendly and attentive - absolutely terrific. The food was very good, except for one night when a number of us ordered the Braised Beef Short Rib - it was so bland. As for the rest of it - truly excellent. Bars - we all had the drink package and, as usual, it did not disappoint. The bar staff on the Navigator make killer Frozen Mojitos, Bushwhackers, and Mudslides. Their Moscow Mule could use some work though - theirs is basically vodka and ginger beer with a lime garnish. Ports: we hit Labadee, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao on this cruise. We only booked excursions thru RC for Labadee - the Jet Ski excursion (we love this one), and my daughter loves the Zip Line. As for the other ports - In Aruba, we booked the JetLev (the water jet pack) for our son and daughter thru a local company (Red Sail Sports if I recall correctly - SWMBO did the research and booked it). Our son took to it immediately and loved it. Our daughter had a face-plant in the water and got a snoot-full of ocean, so she decided that was enough for her. The folks at Red Sail were outstanding. They meet you at the pier and drive you to their location. The driver gave us great tips for using the bus system in Aruba as the plan was to go to Arashi Beach after the JetLev. We grabbed lunch with our friends from NJ (whose son also did the JetLev) at a small joint by the beach - nothing special there. Afterwards, my daughter wanted to go back to the ship, so she and I took the bus back to the port while the rest took the bus in the other direction to Arashi Beach. Aruba is beautiful, and everyone had a great time. In Curacao we walked around town and did some shopping and sight-seeing - took it easy that day. We ate lunch at the Iguana Café along the canal next to the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. We got to see the bridge open and close a few times while we ate. Pretty good food there - we pretty much dined on the appetizer menu and really enjoyed it. It is an easy walk from the ship. In Bonaire, we rented golf carts for the day from Bonaire Cruisers, and that is definitely the way to go. They are two blocks from the dock, and they gave us great directions and maps and off we went to explore the island. From the salt flats, flamingo sanctuary, the old slave quarters, the lighthouse, the windsurfers and all the divers, we really enjoyed the leisurely trip around Bonaire. Highly recommended. Disembarkation - things ran a little slowly as the escalator that takes you from the ship to customs broke down. There was about an hour delay getting off the ship as a result, but we got our bags and got thru customs with no problems. Overall, we loved this cruise and were ready to get right back on the ship when we disembarked. I highly recommend this itinerary Read Less

We chose this cruise based on price and intinerary. It was our first on RCCL and third cruise overall. Traveled as a family of four, with kids ages 9 and 11. We thought this cruise and ship were outstanding. We didn't realize upon booking that it was going in for refurbishment, so that was a great surprise. Embarking and disembarking for us went well, but we were there very early at 11:30am. My understanding is that those that arrived even a half hour later waited for quite some time to board. The staff was outstanding, especially to our kids. The Flowrider and waterslide assistants were particularly helpful! Dining room staff and stateroom attendant were all very good, though I'd stop short of saying excellent. We were never nickel and dimed for anything. Just a few offers from staff for the specialty restaurants, but nothing beyond that. The photographers are there of course, but tolerable. Elevators were a struggle throughout the cruise. Waiting times were long and even when a car arrived, it was often full. Elevators were sometimes marked out of service. It would be improved if able bodied people who were only going one level would just use the stairs. For reasons I don't understand, the aft starboard set was the most reliable for us. We took great advantage of most of what the ship had to offer: - Waterslides: excellent. The single rider one is a bit fast for adults so I only rode it a few times. The double slide, where I could go with my kids, we did dozens of times. It was busy from 11-2 or so, and we avoided those times. After 4pm, we had the place to ourselves and took advantage! Great fun! It was usually open until 8pm. - Flowrider: My kids did this many times. Staff was outstanding in helping them! - Mini golf: Very well done and the best mini golf I've seen on a ship. Only complaint is that it is VERY poorly lit at night and it mostly unusable after sundown. - Basketball courts, table tennis, etc: your standard stuff. Equipment in great shape. - Pool loungers and pool: While the pool area was often crowded, away from the pool it never seemed too crowded. There were always plenty of chairs available somewhere on the ship. The areas by the mini golf course were usually available and well designed with wind blocks. The round sofa loungers are excellent and I want some for my backyard! A hidden gem is if you go to the Flowrider, on the starboard side is a staircase that goes down one level - there were 30 or so chairs down there that no one knew about. I usually had the whole place to myself, though it was sometimes shady depending on how the ship was oriented. The pools were excellent and never too crowded. My kids enjoyed them. - Laser tag: average. Music was painfully LOUD!!! We didn't go more often just because of the noise level in here. Bring earplugs. - Ice skating: My daughter loved it. Very nice setup and not crowded at all. Food: Windjammer: It's a buffet with standard buffet food. Desserts were excellent. I usually opted for whatever was on the carving tray and it was quite good. Music again too loud in here, and on too short a loop so that you hear the same songs over and over. By Day 5 of 10, it was irritating. It was well laid out and the all you can eat seafood buffet on the last night was excellent. Main Dining Room: We did My Time Dining and it worked out pretty well. We dined here 5 of the 9 nights. (The rest of the nights we were busy doing other things and just wanted a quick bite in the buffet.) One night they sent us to a table that was already occupied, but otherwise it was flawless. Service and food were very good. Prime rib on Night 1 was excellent. Same thing on Night 7 was disappointing. Not sure why. But otherwise, pretty good. Service was just as quick as an American restaurant. Loco Fresh: We loved this place for a quick bite to eat for lunch. Freshly made and great taste. No clue what to do with my dishes afterward though? We did not do any of the specialty restaurants or Johnny Rockets as the "included" food was plenty good for us. Entertainment: I thought it was excellent. We saw almost every show. The ventriloquist and hypnotist were our favorites. The Showgirl show was excellent, but the follow up Ballroom Show was very disappointing and slow. All other shows were above average. Live music throughout the ship was pretty good although there were some hits and misses mostly based on personal taste. Cabin: Small, as expected. We booked very late so we were on level 2. Not so bad 90% of the time, but there were two nights in which there was excessive noise (maintenance or machinery) from below, which woke us up, sometimes for an hour or so. I would try to avoid this level, though if it was all that was available, I'd still book it as the rest of the cruise was great! Temperature was perfect (although the rest of the ship was warm.) Shore excursions we did all on our own or third party. Haiti: beach (food provided on the beach is average to below average.) Aruba: horse riding with Rancho Notorious. Curacao: wandered Willemstad and visited the Maritime Museum, local shops, etc. Bonaire: glass bottom kayaking and (first time) snorkeling. Despite the few hiccups (noise, elevators) we would absolutely do this same cruise again. The staff were fantastic and the ship was immaculate. Read Less

The ABC islands were beautiful! We enjoyed our excursions, and the Sunset Cruise in Curacao was amazing! Great music, beautiful scenery, and excellent staff. Our Stateroom attendent, Tri, was very attentive and extremely nice. Our waiter and attendent in the main dining room (Stephen and Olinad) were the best!! Every aspect of this cruise, from the balcony room to the activities and food was awesome. I was celebrating with my mom on her birthday, and we decided to try Chef's Table. The cuisine, wines, and deserts were delicious. The games and entertainment were top-notch. I suggest going to see "Love and Marriage". The couples chosen for the game we saw were hilarious! There were several standup comedians. One was very funny, and the musical shows were professional and entertaining. There is so much to do on the ship that there is no way you can do it all. Never a boring moment...with that said, there are several places on this ship that one can find some peace and quiet, while viewing the beautiful scenery of the open sea. I've enjoyed all of my cruises with Royal Caribbean, but this one has been my favorite. Read Less

Wow, what a great cruise. The best of times start at Decks 11 and 12 around the pool. The cabanas were a joy to sit in--like box seats at a ball game. The 3 level Lime and Coconut bar is the perfect place to hang out, people watch and party. Soft serve ice cream on 11 now has an attendant. He kept the lines moving and eliminated the usual mess and germ sharing. El Loco Fresh (also on 11) is a free Mexican style buffet walk-up. Food was good, but the cheese was way thin and you had to open up the pre-wraped burritos to add some of the available hot sauces and assorted other condiments. That really backed things up. The new water slides are amazing. Tried em both and loved em both. If you want entertainment, hang around and watch people try to get out of the 2 seat blaster after their first trip. Best times could also be found at the Bamboo Room and Playmakers, both on 5. They are bars with good bar food; but at an extra cost. More on that in a minute. Deck 4 has $2 Mimosa's at the casino on the sea days. Best drink deal I've found since the 2 for 1 margaritas at the On Air bar on Freedom! Deck 3 has the entertainment. The shows at Royal Theater were varied and entertaining. Something for everyone. Studio B has a new ice skating show that is even better than the old one. It also has free skating and lazer tag. Good stuff. Now for the ok...the music was loud. I'm going deaf because of the way I played my music in the 60's and 70's. But most of the music onboard was way loud. Royal spent many millions renovating the pool area, so why on 4 different nights did we have late night parties on deck 5? They did have one on deck 11 one night, but the shrill electronic music that was playing drove us downstairs. Main dining dinner is at 5:30 or 8:00. It takes close to 90 minutes to finish. So why were some 60 minute shows scheduled at 5:00 or 7:00? Last, but not least, the Windjammer closes for the evening at 9:00. Which means that the only free food to be found after then is at the Cafe Promenade on deck 5. At busy times the wait would be 10-15 minutes for something to nosh on. Good business for the Bamboo Room and Playmakers though. And they do have good food. But those are just nits, the ship is great. Read Less

We had a wonderful time on the newly refurbished Navigator. We chose this cruise because we had always wanted to see the ABC islands and this was a nice 9 day out of Miami, saving us airfare to Puerto Rico. We had sailed on Navigator before and were excited to see her after this impressive refit. We booked a balcony and travelled with my sister's family who has kids the same age as ours (10 and 12). We had adjoining rooms and were able to open the balcony door to share the space. As with anything there were some hits and some misses that I will summarize: Hits - the new water slides are great. By far the most fun we have tried at sea. The two person raft slide was perfect to go down with our kids. - the addition of a splash pad for the little ones was appreciated by several families - the new El Loco Fresh was a hit. Great tasting Tex Mex fajita style food that was included at no extra charge. Nicely located by the pool for lunch or a snack - the new sports bar was very popular - they actually had a professor of astronomy on board giving lectures. They were fascinating and our oldest loved it - the new ice show was a great production with some effects I've never seen before - The evening shows were entertaining. The Royal productions shows had very talented singers and dancers. The comedians were hysterical. - this itinerary was all we hoped for. We thought Aruba would be the highlight, but snorkeling at Bonaire was simply like swimming in an aquarium. Truly an unspoiled gem Misses - the new Johnny Rockets Express was disappointing. The food was good, but it is now an open area next to the pool. You lose the charm of dining in a 50's diner and no more dancing and singing staff. The pool noise was so loud that the manger actually had to unplug the speaker near Johnny's so that the staff could hear what people were ordering. - speaking of noise, I lost count of the number of people wearing noise cancellation at the pool deck. Someone had it turned to "11" ! - our cabin was disappointing. Our glass door to the balcony had a wind leak. We had maintenance out twice to fix, but they could never get a good seal. For a ship just out of dry dock, they had not fixed some of the basics. Also, the door that lets you merge two adjoining balconies would not latch and would bang around if you didn't keep it closed. Definite design issue here. - the ship definitely is more crowded. The staff told us that with the additional cabins and 3rd or 4th person bunks, they could cram an additional 1400 people on Navigator. You noticed it at show times, dinner seating and elevators. Not horrible, but definitely noticeable. - the crew as a whole seemed to be finding their feet. Not sure if it is because they came out of dry dock 2 weeks prior, but there seemed to be a lot of scrambling. Two of our dinners took 2 hours+ for no really good reason. Our cabin steward was simply the worst we ever had with Royal. Barely was seen and often didn't get to our rooms until lunch time and around 9:00pm at night - we wanted to do the Escape Room but had to pass. They charge $20 per person regardless of party size. If the 8 of us signed up it would be $160! We could do 4 escape rooms back home for that much. Also, no children under 12 were permitted, so we passed. I never talked with anyone that had done it the entire cruise. I'm guessing it won't be around long. - the Main Dining Room was good most of the time. My concern is that the menu choices seem to be fewer and fewer with each cruise. For all that, we had a wonderful time. I don't want to give the impression that I'm one of those people that complain they are on a cruise! Just want to give you an honest assessment. The ship is beautiful with lots of great spaces and features after this refit. The ABC's lived up to their billing! Nine days was just right for us!!! Read Less

This was a group cruise our travel agent put together that she was going on with her family and friends. We have sailed with her before, and had a wonderful time so we thought we’d book again. We sailed on the Adventure of the Seas a year ago and loved the ship, which was similar before the renovations. We knew the Navigator would be extra nice, and we were not disappointed. We did not know about the planned refurbishment until a year or so ago, so we were pleasantly surprised with all of the wonderful additions!! We were all very happy our cruise was not cancelled, as the previous planned cruise was. We were excited to go back to Aruba and Curacao, and were happy to see Labadee and Bonaire, new islands for us. Bonaire was wonderful for snorkeling! We walked down to the Divi Flamingo, just a 5 minute walk to the right of the port, paid our $20 Day Pass, Fee total for 2, and chose a great location on their pier, full of empty chairs and umbrellas surrounded by rocks and coral, and tons of colorful fish!! It was a wonderful day!!! We rented our snorkel mask and fins from their dive shop for $12 each, enjoyed a pina colada from their bar, and totally relaxed. We were entertained by crabs walking around, and spoke to nice Norwegian guests staying at the resort, surrounded by many empty chairs. We were the only cruisers from our ship and had the place to ourselves. I rained that day for a good hour but we were totally protected under the grass umbrellas. In Aruba we took a cab to Eagle Beach for a change, recommended by the cab driver, but should have went back to Palm Beach. It was VERY windy and not an expected fun day at all. It cost $40 for 2 chairs and an umbrella, and we will never go back to that beach again. We should have left and went to Palm Beach, where there is food and shopping, a Dunkin Donuts and none or less wind. In Curacao we had a nice day. We walked around the town and had a delicious soft ice cream cone at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yes, shocking. Lol! There was a big picture of an ice cream cone outside and we decided it was worth the risk. Ice cream at a chicken place? Go for it! it was delicious and refreshing! In Labadee we enjoyed a delicious bbq lunch provided by the ship. We had paid for the cabana umbrella and 2 chairs for $38 total for 2, but we left after we realized it was not what we wanted. The ocean was joy smooth and relaxing. It was rocky, had tons of coral to dodge and not get cut (without beach shoes), itchad a strong current with an undertow and a dip in the sand I had trouble getting in and out of the water without falling. Just not my idea of a relaxing day. We left and walked a short distance to Nellie’s Beach. Nellie’s Beach is on the Caribbean side. It had free chairs, calm clear water, no coral or rocks, no dips Gerri g in and out of the water, and trees to put your chairs under for shade, if you wanted. They offered umbrellas for a cost hutvwecwere totally fine where we were. It was a much better spot for what we wanted for our day in Labadee. Overall it was a great cruise! My hubby went down the one slide open (after the refurbishment) and we played mini golf. The shows were all fantastic in the theater! The band was terrific, especially the piano player who would be seen olying in the elevators on many occasions! Too funny! He could play anything and give it 110% The band by the pool was terrific, as was the DJ and entertainment staff! Hugo, the DJ, was fantastic! Lol! So much energy!! Where he gets it, I do not know! He truly loves his job! Talks way too fast but okay. We got used to it. Our cabin steward Davis was excellent, and very accommodating! He always greeted us by our names and asked how he could help us the first time we met him. He brought us extra hangers, extra towels daily and filled our ice bucket 2 times a day. Much appreciated!! Our waiters in the dining room o were outstanding!! We were at table 413. They were very nice and served our meals very well and were so nice and friendly!! We wanted to take them home with us! Atish and Sasicha were two of the best waiters we’ve ever had in our 14th cruises! The fried eggs in MDR and in the Windjammer were always underdone and runny. They sadly just never got it right. Oh well, everything else was terrific, especially their soft rolls and the carving stations! Loved the roast beef, ham and pork! I wish the gift shops sold post cards of the ports we were going to so we could write a few on the ship. Other lines have them in their gift shops onboard. Just my suggestion. Go to the shows! The comedians were too funny!!! Some nights we went twice to laugh again! The singers and dancers were very talented, as the bad was! Loved the music in the promenade, especially the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music themed dance parties!! All in all we enjoyed our vacation on the Navigator and hope to sail her again! Happy cruising!! Any day on a cruise vacation is a Happy Hour! Read Less

I was looking for a Royal Caribbean cruise to Aruba, Bonaire, & Curacao, and the Navigator of the Seas, sailing out of Miami, had just the itinerary I was looking for. My wife and I booked one of the two new panoramic suites above the bridge. We found the accommodations spacious, and the view out the floor-to-ceiling windows spectacular, which overlooked the helipad at the front of the ship. The suite perks were excellent, and the Suites Concierge, Grecia Guillen, was exceedingly helpful, energetic, and always smiling. She assisted us in getting dining reservations one night when we were previously told the time slot was full. For all suite guests, she also arranged a luncheon and tours of the Galley and Studio B, the ship's ice rink and multipurpose venue. As a suite guest, we were given priority embarkation and disembarkation processing, which went smoothly both ways. The entertainment quality was world class, featuring a different show each night of the 9 day cruise. One of the favorites was the Royal Caribbean produced ice skating show starring some current and former Olympians, and other top-notch professionals. Other highlights included world renowned ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, "Diva of the Seas" Stephanie Baker, juggler Adam Kario, with comedian Ralph Harris closing out on the cruise's final night with a hilarious routine. Additionally, there were three Royal Caribbean original production shows.featuring the Navigator's in-house orchestra. They were amazing, performing nightly at all of the shows in the main theater and at other locations around the ship. Off of the ship, on port days in Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire, we participated in bus tours of each of the three Islands. The bus drivers and tour guides were professional and courteous. We found all of the tours to be interesting and informative, and were started and ended in a timely manner without incident. Prior to those islands, the ship docked at Labadee, Haiti, which is Royal Caribbean's own private resort. We had been to Labadee on a previous cruise and did not book any shore excursions at that port of call. Read Less

First cruise after it being refurbished. We chose this cruise because of its itinerary and it being 9 days. The renovations to the ship are very nice. Unfortunately some were not complete so, therefore, we didn’t get the full benefit. If I would of had children along I would have been disappointed because one of the slides was not operational yet and the children’s play areas were not complete. For 70 year olds that didn’t care about those things it was great. Food, service and entertainment were all excellent. We were traveling with a group of 12 and everyone had a great time. Small complaint was the first couple of nights were slow in the main dining room but it got better as the week went on. Also, the only movies offered in the cabin you had to pay for. There should be at least one or two movies a day you don’t have to pay for. About the only TV was MSNBC and Fox News. I know you are not on a cruise to watch TV but sometimes you like a little quiet time away from the crowds and music. They showed movies out on the pool deck but you couldn’t hear and who wants to sit in the hot sun to watch a movie. We did feel that the ship felt a little crowded. I don’t know if it was because some venues were not open yet and everyone was pushed into the areas that were but at times it was crowded. Read Less

I loved this cruise. I would first like to say how great the staff were. Our waiters in the dining room were a joy to talk to and the stateroom staff were also very nice and made you feel welcome. There was never a time where we didn’t have something to do on the ship. I enjoyed lounging on the poolside and in the hot tubs for times where we wanted to relax. As for the entertainment, there’s so much to say. The comedy shows were amazing, the game shows are a blast to watch, and live music and karaoke was fun. We also enjoyed mini golfing, ice skating + an ice skating show, the arcade, family bingo, and ping pong. As for the food, everything we ate was complimentary and it wasn’t bad. Most of the things were delicious, and only a few things could’ve been better. I loved going to the Windjammer every morning for breakfast, grabbing a bite from the Cafe Promenade, and dining at the Saphire Dining Room fo dinner. The gym had lots to do. I had tons of fun on this ship, even if it’s an older ship. I wouldn’t have been able to tell it was built in 2002 if I didn’t find out. New Year’s eve was also a great time, despite our balloons being stuck, but that was all joy and laughter. The days at sea were mainly lounging but if we had “nothing” to do, we could always go exploring around on the ship or the Star Lounge was a great spot for entertainment. For the ports, Nassau and Labadee were great experiences, and we were always on time. This was a great experience for my first time cruising. I think it’s great for all ages. The only negatives would be some rocking on the ship but I got used to it. Thank you Royal Caribbean!! I will miss this ship a lot. Read Less

This was a cruise for our 5th anniversary and it was one of the BEST!!!! Loved the Navigator. Ship was beautiful, cabin was terrific, food was terrific, entertainment was awesome....especially the matinee starring Deana. She is an amazing talent. The production shows were great as always. Staff was awesome and we never fail to have a terrific time in the DL. We did the specialty restaurant package this time and were so glad we finally gave it a try. Chops, Giovanni's and the mexican restaurant were all extremely good. Food and service were top-notch. We will definitely do this again. Ate breakfast in the WIndjammer each morning, lunch was varied..sometimes Windjammer, other times Promenade Cafe. Main dining room had good food as usual, We have been traveling on Royal for many, many years and as usual, couldn't ask for any better. Best service and our cruises are always "top notch" thanks to Royal Caribbean. We will remain loyal to Royal!!!! Read Less

Was due to sale to Boston/New York/Florida but with big seas in the North Atlantic the captain decided to change the itinerary(twice).There was a lot of people who decided not to travel,it was mentioned 1000 and i would just like to thank them all.The latest itinerary took us from Southampton to The canaries and on to the Bahamas and Florida with flat seas and clear sky’s 75/80 degrees for the six days at sea across the Atlantic.With only 2200 guests there was no need to change nationality to get a bed and all the bars and restaurants were easy to use.The food was fantastic and the level of service throughout the cruise was superb and on top of clear sky’s,flat seas,stunning food and fantastic service we received £250.00 from cruise 1st,$310.00 dollars on board spend and 25% off our next cruise and missed spending a fortune in Boston and New York.The staff in all departments were properly the best I’ve encountered with a special mention to Sweden and Benjamin our two excellent waiters where nothing was to much trouble.So i would just like to say what a fantastic cruise and thank you to all the people that cancelled which made it such a great crossing. Read Less

Chose this cruise for its Itinerary. Embarkation was stress free and we were on the ship within half an hour of arriving at Southampton. Our cabin, on deck 12, was immaculate and impeccably looked after during our stay. We had seen negative reviews of Navigator but had no complaints - the food in the Sapphire Dining Room was excellent with extremely good choice of dishes and the waiters were friendly, kind and efficient. The entertainment and activities were varied, there was something for everyone and standard of the shows excellent. We loved the Morning show on the TV with Cuddy and Daniel - hilarious. All the crew worked incredibly hard in all areas including the unsung hero’s behind the scenes. The only ‘fault’ we had was with a shore excursion advertised as a ‘Panoramic tour of Agadir’ and turned out to be a view over Agadir of the sea, a visit to a Mosque which was closed and rest of the time was at a Souk! Not value for the money 59$ each. We found Navigator of the Seas to be a very stable ship and was maintained very well - and would certainly travel with Royal Caribbean again. Read Less