One is never too old to learn new life lessons. Our trip to the Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas in December 2014 was another brutal reminder of that. Loved the boat, liked the crew, food was just OK, logistics were poor, entertainment was a mixed bag…mostly focused on a younger demographic.

Most readers are probably more interested in the ship, the service, the food, the fellow travelers and the logistics than in the ports visited. Plenty of information can be found online about Cozumel, Honduras and Belize. All are third world countries and all have warts. Travel too far from the luxurious beaches and you will find that out for yourself. Actually, one should do just that.

We sailed on the Navigator of the Seas in December 2013, just one trip before it went to dry dock for a much-needed facelift. The results of that undertaking were quite pleasing. The staterooms received a facelift, with new draperies, carpet, sofa, etc. Very tasteful and nicely done. The ship in general was spruced up. It looks good and has been well maintained. Also on the positive side, the crew from last year, which was largely comprised of Eastern Europeans who seemed to have a bad attitude, an inability to smile or to hear a customer request. They have been supplanted by a much improved cast of mixed nationalities. The result is excellent. We never encountered a surly, sullen or morose crewmember on our entire trip! The captain has also been replaced. That too was a positive move. The new master was quite professional, personable, visible and seemed to have things well in hand. Read more