General background To clarify, this cruise review is based on 9 days spent onboard the Navigator of the Seas due to the fact that my friend and I did two back-to-back cruises (4 nights on the first; 5 nights on the second).

Boarding I arrived at the pier around 10:20 a.m. A security staff member kept insisting that my luggage was too big and that I had to check it despite the fact that I explicitly informed him I was a RCCL Platinum member and frequently sailed out of Miami (in other words, I was very familiar with the size of the x-ray machine in this port). I requested to speak to a supervisor and eventually, the supervisor allowed me to go through. Once I cleared security, I was surprised that even though it was only 10:15 a.m., the check-in desks were already open. By 10:30 a.m., I was on the ship! Overall, I have to say that check-in/boarding procedures were well-organized.

Waiting time Onboard, I was informed that cabins would not be ready until 1:00 p.m. and that the Windjammer would not open until 12:00 p.m. (those of who who are frequent RCCL cruisers know this is pretty standard). Once 1:00 p.m. arrived, I attempted to open my cabin, but the card did not work. Consequently, I had to go back to guest relations. I was given a new room card which still did not work. It took another trip to guest relations to fix the problem and this was not a good way to start my cruise especially given the negative attitude of guest relations staff for something that was entirely outside the control of a passenger. My friend/cabin mate arrived much later than me, but he still had the same problem. Read more