Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Review
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas offers something for everyone. Families will love all the fun activities onboard including a resort-style Caribbean-themed pool deck, The Blaster aqua coaster and Royal Escape Room. While this is an older ship, after its drydock in 2019, it was updated with many features that make it feel brand new!
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Review
We found this ship similar in many ways to the Mariner of the Seas regarding cruise ship features and really enjoyed our time onboard.
Wondering what you can expect to find on this ship?
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Rooms
Rooms aboard the Navigator of the Seas are pretty standard as far as Royal Caribbean ships go.
One of the unique features added to the Navigator of the Seas is the virtual balcony interior staterooms that make it feel like you have a view of the ocean and each of the destinations the ship visits.
The bathrooms on the Navigator of the Seas are small, but do have shower doors which I do prefer over the shower curtain which can give the bathroom a mildew smell.
Each shower comes with a body wash-shampoo combination dispenser.
The counter space in the bathroom is sufficient enough, and luckily the mirrors do open for more storage space.
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Restaurants
One of the best parts of taking a cruise is the food!
The food on the Navigator of the Seas is just as good as it is on their other ships.
There are a few selections for free dining and many more for paid.
I don’t like to have to pay for food while on a cruise so I can’t tell you too much about that, but the quick service and table service restaurants on board were great.
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Main Dining Room
The main dining room on the Navigator of the Seas is similar to other Royal Caribbean ship’s fine-dining experiences.
There are two levels to the main dining room with a central staircase in the center featuring a statue of a ballerina.
Each night, you will sit at the same table, so no need to line up after the first night. You will simply walk straight to your table.
Dinner is a three-course meal where you will choose from a starter, main course, and dessert.
All are on the same menu.
You will find that the menu is different each night with several items that remain consistent for all three courses.
There are also selections that are available for an upcharge. These are things like steak and lobster combinations.
There is usually one night when they will have a special on these special menu items where you will pay a discounted price. Wait for that night and you will save!
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Windjammer Cafe
If you want a great variety of choices on what to eat, you should head to the Navigator of the Seas Windjammer Cafe.
There is something for everyone.
For breakfast, stations are serving all your favorite American breakfast favorites: scrambled eggs, fried eggs, made-to-order omelets, waffles, french toast, bacon, fried potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit, pastries, and more!
This is in addition to a traditional English-style breakfast like you would get in England and a Spanish-style breakfast with typical fare.
For lunch, you will find a few carving stations, regional cuisines from Asia and India, a Pizza & Pasta Bar, along with American Favorites like burgers & chicken fingers.
There is also a salad bar and too many side dishes to name!
For dinner, the buffet is filled with everything from lunch and more.
Each night the buffet has a different theme.
You will find nights geared toward food items like Seafood, Barbecue, and even Fondue.
Desserts were also a little different at dinner with hand-scooped ice cream and various pies.
If you are gluten-free, you will even find a small section devoted to gluten-free desserts that are clearly marked!
El Loco Fresh Tacos
One of my absolute favorite places to grab lunch or a snack was the free Taco stand next to the pool deck.
They served fresh soft-shell tacos, nachos, burritos, and quesadillas all day long.
The free-standing fixing bar has all everything you could want to build your own taco or nachos including guacamole!
Cafe Promenade
At the Cafe Promenade, you will find coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and pizza, along with a case full of yummy desserts.
There are plenty of tables with seating for you to hang out and you can see the big TVs playing sports right across the promenade at Playmaker’s Sports bar.
All the food items are complimentary.
Navigator of the Seas Restaurants (for additional cost)
- Chops Grille – Steakhouse
- Chef’s Table – Gourmet dinner.
- Hooked Seafood – New England seafood
- Jamie’s Italian – Casual Italian
- Izumi Sushi and Hot Rocks – Japanese
- Johnny Rockets Express – Made-to-order burgers, fries and shakes
- Starbucks
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Room Service
Room service is available throughout the day on your ship, but comes at a cost.
The only thing you can have sent to your room for free is a small selection of breakfast items that includes pastries, cereal, juices and coffee.
We had this brought to our room each morning so that we could wake up with ease and enjoy a cup of coffee on the balcony.
They bring the coffee in a carafe so it stays warm!
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Pools
The pool deck is wonderful.
You will find two pools sitting parallel with loungers and a shallow wading area.
There is even a splash pad for little ones to enjoy!
One of the benefits of this pool is that there is a big screen where you can watch movies while hanging out poolside!
There is plenty of seating (although a little claustrophobic) and you will find cabanas on deck 12 that overlook the pool area and face toward the outside of the ship.
These cabanas are free and were always taken when I went to search for one!
The adult pool area is small and tends to be pretty packed, so if you want a spot you will need to get there early.
They have two hot tubs, so you should have no trouble snagging some time in one of them.
Activities on the Navigator of the Seas
This ship is packed full of fun activities that everyone will love. Here is just a taste of what you can experience onboard:
The Blaster Aqua Coaster
The Blaster is a 2-seater raft aqua coaster and is actually the longest waterslide at sea! This is one you will want to ride over and over!
Riptide
The Riptide is a headfirst mat racer waterslide that takes you on a journey through a translucent tube over the side of the ship!
This slide is all kinds of fun if you can handle the water being sprayed in your face for most of the journey!
Flowrider
If you love to surf or want to take your hand at body surfing, you really should try the Flowrider.
You don’t have to know what you are doing.
There is an instructor there to show you. They want you to have fun and will guide you through the experience.
Royal Escape Room: The Observatorium
If you are looking for a fun thing to do as a family on the ship outside of the shows, make sure you book the Royal Escape Room.
You will be paired up with other families or couples (I think we had 12 people total) and work together to solve different puzzles that will eventually unlock the door to the room. It was a blast!
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Ice Show
We haven’t always been fans of the Ice Shows on board cruise ships, but we really liked the one of Navigator of the Seas.
It was all set to current music and the ice skaters were very good.
During the day you can go Ice Skating for free or enjoy a game of laser tag!
Other activities on board:
- Mini Golf
- Rock Climbing Wall
- Basketball
- Shuffleboard
Adventure Ocean Kids Club
If you want some time to enjoy the ship without the kids, you will find that your kids will enjoy spending time at the kids club on Navigator of the Seas.
- Royal Babies and Tots program for kids 6- 36 months
- Aquanauts 3-5 years
- Explorers 6-8 years
- Voyagers 9-11 years
The kids clubs are well-run and are full of educational and entertaining activities that your kids are sure to enjoy!
Currently, the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas makes 3-6 night cruises to Catalina Island, California, and Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and Mazatlan, Mexico.
Have you been on Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas before? What was your favorite part of the ship?
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