Navigator of the Seas Reviews

We had a very enjoyable week's cruise in September in the Eastern Mediterranean, despite the weather which was unseasonably wet. The staff were first class, nothing was too much trouble for them and they certainly went that extra 'mile' to make our holiday a success. The check-in process was easy, our bags appearing as if by magic outside our stateroom. The stateroom attendant kept our cabin spotless and entertained with ' towel creatures'. Our waiters were great fun, very friendly and the food was beautifully served. The ship is vast but not overpowering, the nightly shows excellent and the ice show amazing, and the Promenade has to be seen to be believed! If the weather had been kinder to us, it would have been a holiday of a lifetime.

This was mine and my two daughter’s first experience of cruising and our 7 day cruise around the Mediterranean has us well and truly hooked! We could not fault the level of organisation given by Royal Caribbean. From the moment we touched down in Rome and being taken to the very smoothly run port check-in, to the activities offered on board and departure. The staff onboard the ship were amazing, very professional while being friendly and warm at the same time. We felt welcomed and as though nothing was too much trouble. We had a wonderful room attendant that paid attention to detail, so much so, he (Michael) remembered that on our first night we had folded a blanket in three instead of double, when the sofa bed had been pulled out for us, and returned each evening to find he had made the bed up exactly how we had altered it to. The added touches of coming back to your cabin at night to discover a new towel animal on your bed, made it feel special. Pulling into a different port most mornings is something we will never forget, and a fantastic way to get a taster of more countries in one holiday than usual. Dining of an evening was something to look forward to. When using the main dining room, the atmosphere struck the right note of formal yet relaxing, being served by waiting staff that looked genuinely pleased to ask and listen what you had been up to that day and suggest dishes if you could not decide. Carol, Eldon and Daniel made the dining experience complete, along with lovely guests we were seated with during our stay. A highlight for us was having the waiting staff all line up along the impressive staircase and under the chandelier and sing an Italian song one of the waiters had taught the others. Even in the buffet during the day, the tables and dining area were kept spotlessly clean the food was replenished so frequently, you never need ask or wait for any dishes to be restocked. The selection of food was quite something, with all tastes being catered for, Italian, Chinese, English cooked breakfast, fresh fruit and healthy options and pancakes and syrup! The only point that for me let the ship down was the swimming pools, and that was due to the fact they did look tired and in need of a refurbishment. But to be honest we were perfectly happy sitting on our sun chairs on the top deck reading or on deck 4 watching the ship pull out of ports and go onto the next destination. On our last day I enjoyed watching the towel folding demonstration and an ice carving demo that was mesmerizing to watch. Royal Caribbean arranged the departure so smoothly, giving every group departing that day a designated area to meet and then a specific time to leave the ship ensuring large queues were avoided, which was very well done. With regards to the cruise, it was an amazing experience for my family and I and we have photos of our memories on board and off the ship to treasure.

Eastern europe 25/9/2011 our first cruise and certainly not our last - we had a fantastic time - everything ran like clockwork. We had a stateroom on deck 2 and had the second dinner sitting - although it was late to eat it ment we weren't rushed and we often the last sat chatting in the dining room. We had a table for 10 with guests from usa, canada and uk . There were transport strikes in both athens and rome during our visits but RCL kept us well informed of any problems we may encounter. The shows on board were first class and very entertaining. We extended our stay at the end of the cruise by 2 nights in rome - the transfers from the ship to the hotel and then the hotel to the aiport we well organised - in fact we had a chauffer driven Merc to the airport at the end. Cannot wait for our next cruise - Caribbean this time we hope.

This was our first cruise (Eastern Med) and we were not quite sure what to expect. However the ship did not disappoint, overall it was immaculate and had something for everyone, it was even possible to find a quiet corner is that’s what you wanted. The food was good if not excellent, the entertainment was good and the Ice Show in particular was fantastic. However we never did manage to do everything, especially if the following day was a port day with an early start (and having already lost 2 hrs from UK time). Perhaps the only downside was that breakfast in the Windjammer was sometimes a bit of a scrum (but still good) and that we always felt that there was a pressure to tip on top of the pre-paid gratuities and the inclusive 15 % service charge. However, that said, the service was never less than good and usually superb. The things we learnt, if you don’t want to dress up for the formal dining nights (a few didn’t but looked out of place in the dining room) the (very good) Windjammer restaurant was open every night for buffet style casual dining and you don’t need lira for Turkey if you are only going to Ephesus since all the local traders insist on Euro’s anyway. We really enjoyed the experience, would recommend it to anyone and will probably do another sometime.

We went on our cruise in September and we mainley choose it because of the wonderful places we viseted each day, i.e. Rome, Italy, Sicily (Messina), Ephesus (Kusadasi) - Turkey, Athens in Greece and finally Chania (Souda in Crete). If you ask me which was my favorite, I would say all of them, but I must say we had never been to Turkey and it was very different then I imaged, it was a mini Portofino, also Chanin in Crete was one of the best plases we have been to, in fact we injoyed every place we visited, as for the ship the food was good and the entertainment was fantastic, we cant wait for our next cruise.

We were first time cruisers with a mixed age range of children, so didn't know what to expect. Cleanliness is the first thing you notice, everywhere is spotless, the chrome was shining, the glass smear free, the carpets immaculate. Facilities on the ship are far reaching for all childrens age groups. Rock climbing, ice skating, mini golf, swimming pools, jaccuzi, arcades, kids club. The Windjammer Restaurant caters for even the fussiest of eaters, with the breakfast buffet offering absoutely everything you could anticipate being there. Lunch and Evening meals were the same with Themed evenings. The A la Carte Restaurant has the most amazing waiters outside of a Michelin starred restaurant! Look out for the 'towel' animals in your state room courtest of the room attendants!! All together a fantastic time was had by all and we will definitely be cruising with Royal Carribean again soon.

Cruised on the Navigator on 28th August 2011 as a family. Got a fantastic deal through Iglu Cruise which included onboard credit. Ship was amazing with plenty for both children and adults to do. Sports facilities were especially excellent with the children thoroughly enjoying the climbing wall, ice skating and mini golf. Food was superb, excellent quality and plentiful with lots of choice. Ports of call were excellent, though I would suggest doing some pre-holiday research and booking your own excursions or hop on hop buses etc pre-cruise. The whole holiday was faultless and an ideal recipe for a family holiday, would not hesitate to recommend.

As expected it was a dream. To go on a cruise is the best way to relax and get out of holidays the most. Although the cruise trip was changed in the last minute replacing Athens to Malta, but we didn't miss anything. I think Malta was it absolutely worth. The food was fantastic, the excursions as well and the weather did its best to pamper us. The next cruise is planned. I only would chose next time a smaller ship. Compared to the Splendor of the Seas the ship was in my eyes a bit to big and the ways inside the ships sometimes very long. But that is always in the eye of the beholder.

Great holiday onboard a fantastic ship! Service was excellent with all the staff being very friendly and attentive. The cabin was a very good size - we had a balcony stateroom which we thought was worth the extra cost. It was kept spotless by Michael, our ever cheerful steward. Little touches like the animal shaped towels put in your room during the evening were lovely! There was plenty of storage space too. Thought the lack of free toiletries was poor - two bars of soap. Although the ship accommodates over 3000 people it never felt crowded and there were plenty of activities to keep everyone amused on sea days. Excursions were expensive but we did our own thing and there was information available for you to do this. The promenade with the shops was a nice feature and this was used for a 70's theme night and a circus parade on 2 of the evenings. 

A marvellous ship with many interesting features and a wealth of things to do. Climbing a rock wall whilst at sea, playing 9 hole mini-golf in high winds and watching ice dancing after a fabulous meal in the dining room were all highlights of this trip. The stops were all interesting including Kusadasi, Athens and Crete and the trip to Taormina organised by Royal Caribbean was excellent. The staff were friendly and we particularly loved the towel animals that graced our cabin on several nights. The cabin (a junior suite) was huge - the most room I have ever had at sea and kept meticulously clean. The only downsides for us were the general tannoy announcements in 3 languages and the high price of drinks and spa treatments. The gym was excellent as were the classes and the staff. Thank you Iglu for your efficient organisation and Royal Caribbean for a great trip.