Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	420
Accommodation	200	155
Food	400	239
Service	400	283
Entertainment	100	83
Cruise	400	311

How this score is created

Navigator of the Seas is a stunning, large, floating leisure resort (sister to Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas).

The ship’s propulsion is derived from three pod units, powered by electric motors (two azimuthing, and one fixed at the centerline) instead of conventional rudders and propellers, in the latest configuration of high-tech propulsion systems. With its large proportions, the ship provides more facilities and options, yet the ship manages to have a healthy passenger space ratio (the amount of space per passenger).

Being a “non-Panamax” ship, it is simply too large to go through the Panama Canal, thus limiting its itineraries almost exclusively to the Caribbean (where few islands can accept it), or for use as a floating island resort. Spend the first few hours exploring all the many facilities and public spaces aboard this vessel and it will be time well spent.

Although Navigator of the Seas really is a large ship, the cabin hallways are warm and attractive, with artwork cabinets and wavy lines to lead you along and break up the monotony. In fact, there are plenty of colorful, even whimsical, decorative touches to help you avoid what would otherwise be a very clinical environment.

Embarkation and disembarkation take place through two stations/access points, designed to minimize the inevitable lines at the start and end of the cruise (that’s more than 1,500 people for each access point). Once inside the ship, you’ll need good walking shoes, particularly when you need to go from one end to the other – it really is quite a long way.

The four-decks-high Royal Promenade, which is 394 ft (120 meters) long, is the main interior focal point of the ship (it’s also a good place to hang out, or to meet someone). The length of two football fields (American football, that is), it has two internal lobbies (atria) that rise to as many as 11 decks high. Restaurants, shops and entertainment locations front this winding street and interior “with-view” cabins look into it from above. It is designed loosely in the image of London’s fashionable Burlington Arcade – although there’s not a real brick in sight. It is, however, an imaginative piece of design work, and most passengers (particularly those who like shopping malls) enjoy it immensely.

The super-atrium houses a “traditional” English-style pub (Two Poets Pub), with draft beer and plenty of “street-front” seating (it’s funny, but North American passengers sit down, while British passengers prefer to stand at the bar). There is also a Champagne Bar, a Sidewalk Cafe (for continental breakfast, all-day pizzas, specialty coffees and desserts), Sprinkles (for round-the-clock ice cream and yoghurt). There are also several shops – for jewelry, gifts, liquor and logo souvenirs.

Altogether, the Royal promenade is a nice place to see and be seen, and there is action throughout the day and night. The Guest Reception and Shore Excursion counters are located at the aft end of the promenade, as is an ATM, while opposite is the cozy Champagne Bar. Watch for the parades and street entertainers.

Arched across the promenade is a Captain’s Balcony. Meanwhile, in the center of the promenade is a stairway that connects you to the deck below, where you’ll find the Schooner Bar (a piano lounge that is a feature found aboard all RCI ships) and the colorful Casino Royale. This is naturally large and full of flashing lights and noises. Gaming includes blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, roulette, and craps, as well as 300 slot machines.

There is also a regulation-size ice-skating rink (Studio B), featuring real, not fake, ice, with “bleacher” seating for up to 900, and the latest in broadcast facilities. Ice Follies shows are also presented here. A number of slim pillars obstruct clear-view arena stage sight lines, however. If ice-skating in the Caribbean doesn’t appeal, perhaps you’d like the stunning two-deck library (it’s the first aboard any ship, and it is open 24 hours a day). A grand amount of money was spent on permanent artwork.

Drinking places include a neat Aquarium Bar, which comes complete with 50 tons of glass and water in four large aquariums (whose combined value is over $1 million). Other drinking places include the aforementioned Champagne Bar, the Crown & Anchor Pub, and a Connoisseur Club – for cigars and cognacs.

Lovers of jazz might appreciate the Cosmopolitan Club, an intimate room for cool music atop the ship within the Viking Crown Lounge, or the Schooner Bar piano lounge. Golfers might enjoy the 19th Hole, a golf bar, as they play the Navigator Links.

There is a large TV studio, adjacent to rooms that can be used for trade show exhibit space, with conference center that seats 400 and a multi-media screening room that seats 60. Lovers could tie the knot in a wedding chapel in the sky, the Skylight Chapel (it’s located on the upper level of the Viking Crown Lounge, and even has wheelchair access via an electric stairway lift). Meanwhile, outdoors, the pool and open deck areas provide a resort-like environment.

Families with children are also well catered to, as facilities for children and teenagers are extensive (they are much larger than aboard sister ships Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas). An area called Adventure Ocean is split into age-related areas: “Aquanauts” is for 3–5 year-olds; “Explorers” is for 6–8 year-olds; “Voyagers” is for 9–12 year-olds. The Living Room and Fuel are dedicated areas for teenagers, that include a daytime club (with several computers), soda bar, and disco; there’s also an array of the latest video games. Paint and Clay is an arts and crafts center for younger children. Adjacent to these indoor areas is Adventure Beach, an area for all the family; this includes swimming pools, a water slide and game areas outdoors.

In terms of sheer size, this ship dwarfs all others in the cruise industry, but in terms of personal service, the reverse is the case, unless you happen to reside in one of the top suites. Royal Caribbean International does, however, try hard to provide a good standard of programmed service from its hotel staff. This is impersonal city life at sea, millennium-style, and a superb, well-designed alternative to a land-based resort, which is what the company wanted to build. Welcome to the escapist world of highly programmed resort living aboard ship.

Remember to take plenty of extra funds – you’ll need them to pay for all the additional-cost items. The onboard currency is the US dollar.

The ship is large, so remember that if you meet someone somewhere, and want to meet them again you’ll need to make an appointment – for this really is a large, Las Vegas-style floating resort-city for the lively of heart and fleet of foot. The best advice I can give you is to arrange to meet somewhere along the Royal Promenade.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008