Sunshine all the way!!

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Sunshine all the way!!
Reviewed By: sykes, Milnthorpe on 2nd Jul 2009
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises	Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Navigator of the Seas	Sailed: June, 2009
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 56-65

We have just returned from a week in the western med. aboard "Navigator of the seas" starting at Cittavechia visiting Genoa, Villefranche, Barcelona, Palma, and Sardinia. We arrived in a rainstorm at Cittavechia where the deluge was so bad we thought we might all have to take off our footwear and paddle to the terminal building from the coach!. After that it was sunshine all the way and calm waters - great. Luggage turned up fairly quickly. We unfortunately booked a 'promenade' cabin overlooking the 'street'which we realise was a mistake as we did not realise that there would be very little peace and quiet in the cabin either afternoon or late evening. There are 2 parades at 11.30 pm throughout the week one being on the first night aboard and the 2nd one on the last night. Entertainment was much like any other cruise we have been on - a mix of really good and passable. Can recommend the aerial acrobatic show with "MAJESTIC" and the "SOUL SENSATION" group who were excellent (apparently according to other cruisers they were called THE 4 TOPS last year!!) The ice show was spectacular - just a pity there were not more shows in an evening on the ice. The RCI performers were mediocre with poor singing mainly out of tune and on one evening they spent the entire show just dancing about on the stage( for their own enjoyment?) which we thought very poor. We enjoyed the Windjammer buffets both breakfast and lunchtime - plenty of choice although one or two days very chaotic at lunchtime as there were just too many people and not enough places to sit hence around 50 people were standing to eat their meals anywhere they could. It would be better if the main dining room opened every lunchtime particularly on days when its easy to come and go from the ship throughout the day (people don't seem to want to buy food off the ship if they can help it these days) Although on one day the Windjammer was full because all the passengers on board were kept at sea until 1.30 pm whilst the captain sorted out 'clearance' for the ship in Villefranche. The captain announced at 10.00 am that it was operational reasons, a crew member said the tender boats were not available yet, and an american gentleman said that he had heard that there was a sick passenger. Communication from the captain was very poor. Finally heard from the captain at 11.30 that all the morning tours were cancelled (which pleased those passengers no end) and it was finally around 1.30-2.00 when we finally got to disembark on tender to shore in Villefranche. A subsequent letter from the captain to all passengers stated that someone had been isolated in the medical facility due to some flu virus hence the loss of our full day in Villefranche. We chose main dining in an evening having requested a table for 8-10 and found ourselves sat with a family of 3 from the US as the other family of 5 decided to eat elsewhere on the ship. RCI would be better seating 'couples' together at larger tables so that at least if one couple fancied a special restaurant experience it would leave enough people left to share the table. Our waiter was very amenable and friendly as was the head waiter who appeared every night to speak to us. Couldn't fault the food although RCI seem to have limited the choice of its main dishes from our last cruise with them. All in all I don't think that anyone would be disappointed with the ship - there were plenty of sunchairs and towels, quiet places to get away from other passengers if you so wished, plenty of food and drinks. All the staff on board were extremely helpful, courteous and nothing was too much trouble. As past cruisers of RCI we were invited to an evening function with free drinks and lots of chocolate nibbles and biscuits etc. and we received two free large shopping/beach type bags which were left in our cabin!! The shops carried the usual goods that all cruise ships stock - not very exciting - ideal for first time cruisers who have not seen it all before!! Time for a change - please note cruise lines if you are reading reviews!! Cabins were of a reasonable size etc. Not quite sure why the safe was inside the wardrobe and rather inaccessible when you had clothes up against it but at least the hairdryer was not stuck in the bathroom and the shower head did lift off the cradle which for me is a bonus. Roll on our next cruise - in September!!
Quality of Food
Breakfast and Lunch - Windjammer Evening meal - Main 'Nutcracker' dining room
Entertainment
MAJESTIC and Ice Show
Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff	n/a

Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
Not a great deal to do whilst at sea
Cabins

Overall Rating

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Comment by Spill, Ilford (06 Jul 09 18:05) about this REVIEW

I was on the same cruise and also did a back to back in the following week. For some reason in the first week the shops were adding an 20% extra VAT on all purchases as we were in the EU. However because the second week also visited Turkey there was no extra VAT. If that is the case why are shops and the casino closed when in port, when surely when we are sailing we are in some ones territorial waters and are subject to the laws of that country. I don't understand the system

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Opinion: Agree Comment by knox, alnwick (04 Jul 09 14:20) about this REVIEW

I was also on this cruise and agree totally, fabulous ship , but thought entertainment was a bit limited compared with the Legend of the seas last year.Bit of a bunfight trying to get off the ship sometimes with more than half of the passengers being Italian(why do they have to push so much we're all getting off the ship) but you've just got to laugh , it was a constant topic of conversation at dinner. Food was great , service fantastic as usual , and weather superb! apart from the delay in villefranche the cruise was a dream, cant wait for the next one. Bring it on.

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