Has anyone been on Navigator of the Seas? (Royal Caribbean)

[furby]

If so, would love to ask some questions!

Thanks.

[lg28]

I have! Great ship.

[brit]

It's been about 10 years, but I have.

[chimera]

Currently on until Sunday.

[furby]

chimera - wow! We're doing Western Caribbean, starting on Sunday! Any tips/must haves etc?
More importantly - are you having a good time?

[chimera]

Sept 6, 2015 12:53:27 GMT -5 furby said:

chimera - wow! We're doing Western Caribbean, starting on Sunday! Any tips/must haves etc?
More importantly - are you having a good time?

The trip was good. We dove all three of our stops. Coz, Belize, and Roatan. Table mates went zip lining and cave tubing and had a lot of fun. Had a great time in port. We had better service on other cruises, but everyone was very friendly. Try a specialty restaurant if you want something different. We did the Chef's table one night (these have an extra charge)
Sail away - there were some bar issues, they had something to do with Texas laws

You are allowed to bring two 750 ml bottles of wine on with you. You can take them to the dining room too. They didn't have any issue with our two 6 packs of water.

These are the highlight planners for our trip, to give you an idea of what activities are on board. Get your ice show tickets early if you have any interest in going. It's a little cheesy - a fun thing to do on a sea day. The special guest we'd seen before - still crazy what she does while on skates. The production shows stay the same, we normally skip, the guests change. If they have late night comedy - it tends to be adult and not for the easily offended. The Quest is hilarious, even if you just watch.



Spend some time on one evening looking at the stars. There are so many once you get out to sea.


Getting off - get your bags and get in the porter line. Our disembarkation was a mess. There was a technical glitch, we have priority disembarkation, we didn't get out until after 11 AM. We were supposed to get off at 8:45. A few people in line with us were going to miss their flights.

If you buy alcohol or cigs duty free or in port- coming back into Texas - Texas charges you fee to import them. This is after you clear US customs/immigration.

Taxis were hard to come by with two bigger ships in port. we managed to use Uber. We only needed to go to grab our rental.

[chimera]

This is fun


If you want to ice skate remember socks and long pants.

Rock climbing another need socks.


If you want to skip the buffet madness. The little cafe on deck 5 has snack sandwiches and can make GF pizza if needed.



The specialty restaurants were having special how to classes on their food. There were a few wine/beer/whiskey tasting things ($). The last sea day they did a specialty brunch ($30) with items from the specialty restaurants in the galley. (We skipped it after doing chef's table the night before)

[furby]

Thank you so much! We are doing the exact same cruise, so this is invaluable!
Did you buy a drinks package?

With the Texas law thing - do I understand that alcohol was available, just not all of it?

We will have our 2 year old with us, so the excursions may have to be somewhat tame!

[chimera]

Sept 7, 2015 6:57:17 GMT -5 furby said:

Thank you so much! We are doing the exact same cruise, so this is invaluable!
Did you buy a drinks package?

With the Texas law thing - do I understand that alcohol was available, just not all of it?

We will have our 2 year old with us, so the excursions may have to be somewhat tame!

We didn't buy the package this trip. We don't drink a lot on days we dive, the 3 port days of this trip. We have the repeat cruiser happy hour the other nights. Then a few frozen things by the pool on sea days.

During sail away was the only time it was an issue- limited bar menu. We normally grab a frozen thing for sail away (the problem was finding one on this trip during sailaway. DH finally found a bar that would make one. Pretty typical to get different answers at different places.).


I would double check on cruise critic's family board. Also with Royal Tots when you board. They really limit the areas that babies/toddlers are allowed in the water on the older ships. The pools are salt water, they don't allow swim diapers. I can't remember if Nav had a little ones water area. I know the larger ships have a splash pad area. I've seen people bring little blow up pools (no kids so not sure if they are really allowed )

[furby]

DD doesn't wear nappies and is fully potty trained, so hopefully the swimming won't be an issue.

[chimera]

Then you should be good to go.

[furby]

chimera - I'm getting myself confused about the eating options. As I understand it, there is a buffet (Windjammer?) that does all main meals. Am I right in that you can wear what you want in this?

There is then like the included a la carte one that I think you have to book. Is this the one where the dress code varies ever day? On the not black tie nights, can men wear (smart) jeans? I think they have to always wear a collared shirt in there though?

Also - there are the speciality restaurants that you have to pay extra for. Is the dress code in there the same as the one above?

Sorry for the jumbled mess!

[chimera]

There is a main dinning room
There you have assigned dinner
1) traditional early
2) traditional late seating
3) my time dining (you pick the time and make reservations or just show up and wait for a spot)

Lunch/breakfast are open seating

Dinner has a dress code. But isn't as strict as the old ones. Jeans are fine no matter what the crazies on CC say on causal nights. They just need to be pants, not shorts. Polo shirts. You will see a mix

Windjammer is the buffet - no swim attire need to have a cover up and shoes.

Cafe on deck 5 - snacks open 24 hours

Then there the specialty restaurants with cover charge. They are normally smart causal, chef's table is formal. The sushi one has ala carte pricing. Vs a set cover. John Rocket's the milk shakes/sodas are extra, but food is included. That is same as windjammer.

[furby]

Sept 7, 2015 17:53:25 GMT -5 chimera said:

There is a main dinning room
There you have assigned dinner
1) traditional early
2) traditional late seating
3) my time dining (you pick the time and make reservations or just show up and wait for a spot)

Lunch/breakfast are open seating

Dinner has a dress code. But isn't as strict as the old ones. Jeans are fine no matter what the crazies on CC say on causal nights. They just need to be pants, not shorts. Polo shirts. You will see a mix

Windjammer is the buffet - no swim attire need to have a cover up and shoes.

Cafe on deck 5 - snacks open 24 hours

Then there the specialty restaurants with cover charge. They are normally smart causal, chef's table is formal. The sushi one has ala carte pricing. Vs a set cover. John Rocket's the milk shakes/sodas are extra, but food is included. That is same as windjammer.

So what exactly is smart casual? Like non-jean pants for men with a button down? What about for women?

I'm starting to lose the plot!

You're a star for helping me by the way!

[chimera]

Sun dresses, capris and a blouse/ fancy tank, non gymwear.

You can wear jeans, they can get a little warm

[furby]

Oooh - I know what I should have asked!! What's the weather like?

[chimera]

Sept 8, 2015 3:26:20 GMT -5 furby said:

Oooh - I know what I should have asked!! What's the weather like?

Hot, humid, and sunny.
We had a storm overnight one night.


Keep an eye on the hurricane center info. If tracks towards the ship they change itineraries

[furby]

Good point! Thanks! Did you do much in Galveston?

[chimera]

Sept 8, 2015 8:33:13 GMT -5 furby said:

Good point! Thanks! Did you do much in Galveston?

We did more in Houston

Food, the science museum/butterflies, and the Space Center on the way down.

We'd been planning on going to the Seawolf park when we got back, but getting off the ship took too long and it was 100 F out.

[chimera]

Sept 8, 2015 8:33:13 GMT -5 furby said:

Good point! Thanks! Did you do much in Galveston?

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Once you get on board and during sail away, watch for the dolphin pod that hangs out in the harbor area and under the oil derricks