Just joined the Dark Side!

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

I just booked a week on the Navigator of the Seas and I am incredibly thrilled!!!
We are on a 7 night Western Caribbean, out of Galveston, our ports are Falmouth, Grand Cayman and Cozumel...

I would love any tips tricks or advice for Navigator or RCCL in general... We are a family of 5 ages 41, 41, 21, 11, 10

*My Father is concerned because we generally sail DCL and thinks we will get nickel and domed... So anything to put his apprehensions at ease would be much appreciated

 

[MichelleVW]

No advice but my 23 year old daughter just got off that same cruise a few weeks ago and loved it. She's a Disney nut and said it was different but she had a blast

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Do your homework & know what to expect as far as the upcharge or additional charge items. Knowing what to expect going in, we didn't feel nickel & dimed. We prepaid our big upcharge meals, beverage packages, gratuities, etc. We really enjoyed the all-inclusive adult beverage package. Wish Disney did those. I doubt we drank the full value but not having the surprise bar tabs at the end of the cruise was wonderful!

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

No advice but my 23 year old daughter just got off that same cruise a few weeks ago and loved it. She's a Disney nut and said it was different but she had a blast

Awesome I am glad she enjoyed it! I am really looking forward to a change of scenery It seems like there is a LOT to do!

Do your homework & know what to expect as far as the upcharge or additional charge items. Knowing what to expect going in, we didn't feel nickel & dimed. We prepaid our big upcharge meals, beverage packages, gratuities, etc. We really enjoyed the all-inclusive adult beverage package. Wish Disney did those. I doubt we drank the full value but not having the surprise bar tabs at the end of the cruise was wonderful!

Thanks for the advice

I think we will book everything in advance too, I'm looking forward to trying Chops and Sabor

What package did you do? The $55 or $65? I'm pretty sure we are going to do the soda package for kids and don't know about adults yet...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

What package did you do? The $55 or $65? I'm pretty sure we are going to do the soda package for kids and don't know about adults yet...

We did the $55 package. We drink a lot of bottled water so pair that with all the drinky-drinks and I think we may have gotten the full $55 worth more days than not. Last September on the Disney Fantasy even when we brought liquor onboard we racked up almost $500 in bar tabs just from having 2-3 (or more) drinks each at the adult shows. We felt weird carrying our drinks into the bars. Those folks are trying to earn a living too, ya know? So, add all that bottled water in, sodas for DH (I don't drink soda), and I think we did pretty good. We both totally loved the convenience of the adult beverage package. Seriously wish Disney offered something more like it!

 

[BamaGuy44]

I haven't been on RC yet (going next May) but I think the "nickel and dime" thing is way overblown. Seems to me they charge extra for the same stuff Disney does, Alcohol, spa, specialty restaurants, photos, etc.

Maybe they push it a little harder than Disney does, I'm not sure but certainly you don't have to pay extra for anything if you don't want to.

I guess the soda is one thing technically not included in your fare that Disney does, but that cost is tiny compared to the difference you pay for the cruise.

I hear great things about Navigator, I'm sure you'll have a great time! I wish Freedom of the Seas had Sabor, we LOVE mexican food and I've read Sabor is excellent. Have fun

 

[BethC1952]

I just booked a week on the Navigator of the Seas and I am incredibly thrilled!!!
We are on a 7 night Western Caribbean, out of Galveston, our ports are Falmouth, Grand Cayman and Cozumel...

I would love any tips tricks or advice for Navigator or RCCL in general... We are a family of 5 ages 41, 41, 21, 11, 10

*My Father is concerned because we generally sail DCL and thinks we will get nickel and domed... So anything to put his apprehensions at ease would be much appreciated

After 15 Disney cruises, we took our first Royal Caribbean cruise in April, 2013. We were onboard Adventure of the Seas, which is the same class of ship as Navigator. We had an absolutely awesome time. The ship itself is nicely laid out, with the Royal Promenade in the center giving you something to do if/when the weather turns unpleasant. We never felt nickle and dimed. The food was at least as good as on the Disney ships. The only thing that we didn't enjoy quite as much was some of the main stage entertainment. Their own performers were just OK, but the specialty acts that were brought onboard were great. It was a 14-nigh Transatlantic cruise, so there were good nights and bad nights as far as entertainment. We're just two senior citizens, so I can't say much about the kids programs, but the few kids that were on the ship were having a great time.

We enjoyed that cruise so much that we took another one in February from New York to the Bahamas, and enjoyed that one so much that we booked two more, including another Transatlantic!

Beth

 

[BamaGuy44]

After 15 Disney cruises, we took our first Royal Caribbean cruise in April, 2013. We were onboard Adventure of the Seas, which is the same class of ship as Navigator. We had an absolutely awesome time. The ship itself is nicely laid out, with the Royal Promenade in the center giving you something to do if/when the weather turns unpleasant. We never felt nickle and dimed. The food was at least as good as on the Disney ships. The only thing that we didn't enjoy quite as much was some of the main stage entertainment. Their own performers were just OK, but the specialty acts that were brought onboard were great. It was a 14-nigh Transatlantic cruise, so there were good nights and bad nights as far as entertainment. We're just two senior citizens, so I can't say much about the kids programs, but the few kids that were on the ship were having a great time.

We enjoyed that cruise so much that we took another one in February from New York to the Bahamas, and enjoyed that one so much that we booked two more, including another Transatlantic!

Beth

Wow that's brave to book a TA as your first cruise with a new cruise line

Glad you had a good time, I dream of doing a TA someday, if I can talk my wife into it. I would enjoy all the seas days but she's afraid she'd get restless.

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback

I am really really excited and think there will be a lot more for me to do as a 21 year old vs on DCL...

I agree I am really excited about Sabor! I actually picked Navigator over Freedom partly because of it lol (no not the only reason but that and Izumi / R Bar helped)

I really cannot wait to see the Royal Promenade photography is a big hobby of mine and I think it'll be really cool to photograph!

 

[woody73]

. . . My Father is concerned because we generally sail DCL and thinks we will get nickel and domed...

We sailed on the Navigator of the Seas, and enjoyed it very much.

We never felt "nickel and dimed." As far as I know, the only thing RCI charges for, that DCL doesn't, is soda. On Disney, the cost of the "free" soda is built into the cruise fare.

Woody

 

[Laz]

If I remember, that class of ships has an ice skating rink. Bring long pants and good socks for the skates. I have been on many RCCL ships and have never purchased a drink package, mainly because we do not drink much alcohol. You can always find lemonade, punch and coffee available in the Windjammer buffet. I always got ice tea at dinner with coffee for dessert.

 

[woody73]

If I remember, that class of ships has an ice skating rink.. . .

Correct. The Navigator OTS is in the Voyager Class, which has the Royal Promenade and ice skating rink.

Woody

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

We sailed on the Navigator of the Seas, and enjoyed it very much.

We never felt "nickel and dimed." As far as I know, the only thing RCI charges for, that DCL doesn't, is soda. On Disney, the cost of the "free" soda is built into the cruise fare.

Woody

Thats good to hear! I also honestly like the idea of an unlimited Drink Package I can get specialty drinks, bottled water any soda AND booze

Correct. The Navigator OTS is in the Voyager Class, which has the Royal Promenade and ice skating rink.

Woody

Which I am REALLY looking forward too especially the Promenade in the evening seems like great people watching and photography opportunities

If I remember, that class of ships has an ice skating rink. Bring long pants and good socks for the skates. I have been on many RCCL ships and have never purchased a drink package, mainly because we do not drink much alcohol. You can always find lemonade, punch and coffee available in the Windjammer buffet. I always got ice tea at dinner with coffee for dessert.

Great tip I didn't even think about that for the Ice Rink!

I will remember that about the Windjammer too

 

[parkluvr]

We just sailed with RCCL for the first time 2 weeks ago aboard the Allure of the Seas. We all had a great time and will definitely be cruising RCCL again. Just like any cruise there were opportunities to spend extra money, but we felt no pressure whatsoever to buy anything. My wife and I did the $55/day drink package and I was somewhat worried that they would be overly selective as to what was included with it and how often you could get a drink, but fortunately I was wrong. Just about everything was included with only a few exclusions such as souvenier glass drinks and really high grade wines and there were no time restrictions. The only complaint that I had about anything was with the Chops Grill steakhouse. To go to Chops, we each paid an additional $35 which is the norm for a steakhouse on a cruise, but the thing that I didn't like was in addition to this upcharge, if you wanted a better steak like a porterhouse it was an additional charge of around $19. If you wanted lobster tail, you had to pay an additional charge of more than $20. I kind of felt that after paying the regular cruise fare and the additional $35/person fee, we should have at least had our choice of menu items. Besides this minor complaint, everything else was fabulous.

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

We just sailed with RCCL for the first time 2 weeks ago aboard the Allure of the Seas. We all had a great time and will definitely be cruising RCCL again. Just like any cruise there were opportunities to spend extra money, but we felt no pressure whatsoever to buy anything. My wife and I did the $55/day drink package and I was somewhat worried that they would be overly selective as to what was included with it and how often you could get a drink, but fortunately I was wrong. Just about everything was included with only a few exclusions such as souvenier glass drinks and really high grade wines and there were no time restrictions. The only complaint that I had about anything was with the Chops Grill steakhouse. To go to Chops, we each paid an additional $35 which is the norm for a steakhouse on a cruise, but the thing that I didn't like was in addition to this upcharge, if you wanted a better steak like a porterhouse it was an additional charge of around $19. If you wanted lobster tail, you had to pay an additional charge of more than $20. I kind of felt that after paying the regular cruise fare and the additional $35/person fee, we should have at least had our choice of menu items. Besides this minor complaint, everything else was fabulous.

Thank you so much for the review! I am happy to hear you enjoyed yourself! I think if we enjoy Navigator I'll try and convince to family to book Allure or Oasis

I think I am pretty set on doing the Drink Package so I'm very happy that you enjoyed it! Even if I don't get my "moneys worth" I am looking forward to trying different drinks and different bars around the ship

It's to bad that you didn't enjoy Chops its the one specialty restaurant that I am going back and forth on... Honestly I think the new menu doesn't look as good as others that I've seen... Like you I think its odd that you have to pay extra for a "real" steak lol! I'm sure I will go back and forth for the next couple of months... Maybe I'll just wait until we board to decide

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

Does anyone know if Sangria is included with the drink packages?

 

[Peachykeane]

Don't know about sangria but I have sailed both DCL and RCCL (this past year) and am doing that again this year. I actually am doing the same 4 night Bahama cruise out of Port Canaveral in Nov. (on RCCL) and then Disney in Feb. They each go to Nassau and then the respective private islands. I am excited to compare the private islands as I have only been to Castaway Cay and that is awesome. The price on RCCL more than makes up for any pop that you have to buy. I took 6 people on RCCL in Jan this year and told the teens, if you want pop I will get you the package and they all said "no pop-we are good!". They drank Arnold Palmers, iced tea, water or lemonade. Who needs pop anyway!!! There is actually some flavored water as well on some of the dispensers. Big diff for some: You can bring your own alcohol on Disney and on RCCL-2 bottles of wine per stateroom...I think is the latest. So there's that. Also, late night room service on RCCL, midnight to 5am I believe, has a $3.95 charge. Again, the diff in cost of the cruise in my mind, makes up for that stuff. I also booked a junior suite on my RCCL cruise-still less than a Disney price. I will agree that Disney (which I love), in my opinion, has the better state room and def bathroom but again...I think that stuff is pretty minor for my party. It depends on your family. Safe travels...I sailed out of Galveston in 2013....very easy.

 

[txga]

We just did an extended family cruise- identical to what you are doing our of Galveston. It was different than Disney but we all enjoyed it. My kids, who have sailed Disney 5 times in the last 10 years had no complaints. In fact my 17 year old liked it better. She enjoyed the night life. (they do enforce the 1am curfew for teens) The pool set up is better with two pools, more hot tubs and less crowds. However the adult only pool gets very crowded at times. The outdoor movie screen showed poor quality videos over and over, but I think that was a plus for less crowds around the main pools. Disney's movies on the screen by the pool make it more crowded. Also, pools are salt water. Our younger crowd complained about the water burning their eyes. The production shows are not nearly as good as Disney but the late night shows are so much fun! Go to the love and marriage show, the Quest, and the battle of the sexes. We took our 3 older teens to these (not the Quest- adult only) and they also loved them. We never felt nickled and dimed. I missed the convenience of the Disney drink stations by the pool but not enough to pay disney prices. Our bathroom was ridiculously small compared to what we are used to. My brother had to shower with shower door open, but he is a large guy. I'd say staterooms and shows aren't as good as Disney but service was just as good, if not better. And the Texas feel is different too. Large population of Texans on our cruise as opposed to the variety when we cruise out of FLA. Also even more casual dress than Disney. Some people dressed up but lots of guests were in tshirts and shorts for casual night at dinner. I over packed for the dinner dress. But then again we had a lot of recent high school grads who were just going very casual. Also missed indoor movie theater and on demand tv in room. Ice Show was really good- dress warmer for that show and listen for announcements to pick up tickets in advance. Last thought- we LOVED our Jamaica experience but its not the kind of place you can just walk around on your own. Have a plan, arrange a tour ahead of time, or just stay in the RCI port area. Its best to go with an open mind and know it won't be the same as Disney. But some things are even better.

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

Thanks guys for all of the help I absolutely can't wait to give RCCL a try!

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it It definitely seems a little different but I'm happy with change