New one sheet Personal Navigators - Update: Mixed reports currently, what is your recent experience?

[ImprovGal]

The one page is all I need. I always found the rest with the detailed descriptions either repetitive from day to day or just unnecessary.

I agree about the repetition for the "routine" cruises. However, on the longer itineraries with entertainment offerings and guest presenters that are new or less frequently seen, I definitely prefer the more embellished lengthy format.

 

[wilkeliza]

I agree about the repetition for the "routine" cruises. However, on the longer itineraries with entertainment offerings and guest presenters that are new or less frequently seen, I definitely prefer the more embellished lengthy format.

Oh yes for the transatlantic and re-positioning cruise you are right it would make sense to at least have as brief description of who the performers are. However, on the regular cruises having a block each day about the Castaway Cay 5K, Wake up with Disney Junior, whatever shopping seminar there is that day, DVC presentation, art auction, etc all just seemed to be a waste of paper. If I saw those on the time line and wasn't sure what it was or needed more information a call to Guest Service could have quickly fixed it or a quick look at the app.

 

[Flossbolna]

I love the full navigator and don't see any reason for the to stop it. If they really want to do something for the environment they would work on improving their ship engines in that regard. That would have a far bigger effect than printing out a few Navigators every day.

In my opinion getting a well designed folded sheet every day adds to the value of the cruise. It is something that I want to keep as a souvenir. I said it on the other thread that DCL often likes to be seen as premium product above other mainstream cruise lines (and they price themselves so) and those Navigators were premium to me.

I used the app on two cruises and like some of the functionality, but I also found it cumbersome in other ways. And I do remember instances when activities that were in the bigger sheet were not in the hourly grid insert.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Oh wow! I like reading the activity descriptions on the other pages. Most of them I didn't know what they were. Maybe they can incorporate that info into the app.

 

[RedSox68]

Maybe. There are some of us who don't "do" apps, and don't find them "more convenient". I prefer shutting off my phone and locking it in the safe for the duration of the cruise.

We don't turn our phones on while onboard, and hate apps (senior protest). Plus we don't see them well in certain light. I like printed items to see them in front of me and that I can make notes on.

This is disappointing -- going through the Navigator after dinner is one of my favorite cruise activities, sad as that sounds! DH laughs that I enjoy planning even on vacation, but he's embraced it at this point.
I feel like one of the stand-out features of DCL is their full-color, multi-page Navigator -- almost a mini-magazine! I've not seen that on any other cruise line that we've sailed.
If anyone has a copy of the one-page navigators, can you please post? TIA!

Agree wholeheartedly. Going through the Navigator each night and seeing all the color pictures and the show's announcement on the cover was always exciting. And a PP said they no longer list the menu themes or even the drink of the day. Bummer! Guess I'll be visiting the bar everyday to find out the drink!

I really hope they go back to the old format by the time we cruise next year. I have kept each and every one of our Navigators. The other cruiselines just don't have the fun format that Disney had!

 

[Jess_S]

I think I'm okay with the change as long as the new format still includes all of the activities. If they ever stopped printing the Navigators altogether, that would actually be a deal breaker for me. Looking at my phone really bothers my eyes and vacation is my chance to rest them.

 

[Geomom]

Oh wow! I like reading the activity descriptions on the other pages. Most of them I didn't know what they were. Maybe they can incorporate that info into the app.

The descriptions are on the app, we used it in August. (You have to click on the activity to get a full description, and it will also list other dates/times that activity will take place during the cruise.) I actually preferred the app as they only described a few of the activities on the paper navigator...plus DD16 hogged the paper navigator, lol.

 

[Bree]

I see this as a good thing if it is cutting down on paper being used. It is very expensive to print that paper out day after day on every ship and such a waste of trees. Hopefully on the new ships they will install the same type of huge touch screens that RCCL has. It had all the day's activities, you could look up menus, there were deck plans and it would also give you walking directions to your destination. They were on every deck outside the elevators.

 

[4 mickey]

Didnt like the navigator ( one sheet ) at all last week :-(

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Didnt like the navigator ( one sheet ) at all last week :-(

Did you tell anyone onboard? Like Guest Services?

 

[o&smom]

I am very sad about this change, as well. I keep all of our Navigatirs and they go in our scrapbook. My husband uses the app a little, but I prefer my time studying the paper Navigator each night before bed. Our next cruise is the PC in April, and I was looking forward to all the info about the extra activities for all of the sea days.

 

[Dug720]

Not everyone has or wants a "smart" phone. They should still print at least a limited number that could be gotten at guest services upon request.

It would also be a good way for them to track how many they are giving out so they could then give numbers and let TPTB know the percentage of guests that are requesting the paper ones.

 

[bbel]

It also means that the youth activities spaces only have one line each, so if the space is in open house then that's all it says. If there's something like science or little Einsteins or cooking it's not on the paper navigator...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Not everyone has or wants a "smart" phone. They should still print at least a limited number that could be gotten at guest services upon request.

It would also be a good way for them to track how many they are giving out so they could then give numbers and let TPTB know the percentage of guests that are requesting the paper ones.

Or have printed copies available to the room hosts, and then people could let their room host know they want the printed one. Currently they do have one spot to pick up additional printed Navigators (well, they did) at Guest Services. If they're going to make people pick up the Navigator, they should have it available in several locations (like Carnival does with their daily paper). Oh, look at that, that's another way DCL can "fall in line" with what other cruise lines are doing.

But, with multiple locations to pick up, how would they know how many to put in what location? And only one pick up location could be less convenient for many guests.

 

[Sytrace]

Maybe. There are some of us who don't "do" apps, and don't find them "more convenient". I prefer shutting off my phone and locking it in the safe for the duration of the cruise.

We don't use phones either. Paper navigators and highlighters is how we roll. However, I am okay with going one sheet for the calendar to cut down on paper. I was on Dream this past weekend and thought that they had done away with Navigators for 3 night cruises only. As long as they don't take away the schedule part of the Navigator, I am good with the change.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am okay with going one sheet for the calendar to cut down on paper.

They could cut down on paper waste, if they didn't leave all those advertisement flyers in the room. Believe me, if I need info on the spa, photos, whatever else they'd really like you to buy, I'm pretty sure it'll be easy to find it.

 

[Sytrace]

They could cut down on paper waste, if they didn't leave all those advertisement flyers in the room. Believe me, if I need info on the spa, photos, whatever else they'd really like you to buy, I'm pretty sure it'll be easy to find it.

This is a very valid point. We had shopping information for Nassau and the usual ads (nice stock paper too) left in our cabin right away. I tend to just leave that stuff in the cabin and take the Navigators home. lol

 

[over50visits]

The app made planning and finding activities so much easier than the printed form. The personal navigator seems to me to be like CNN - a little news, a lot of advertising. I hope they use the new single sheet for a lot of news (in other words, the timetable grid). That should be just right for those who won't/can't use the app, without so much "spend more money here" content. We will enjoy looking at it, but for utility, I am really impressed with the completeness and ease of use of the app. Since our cellphone is also our camera, it is something we carry during the entire cruise, and with the app it is even more useful.

 

[MPS516]

This is great news! The app is fantastic and there is no need to waste all that paper. A one-page Navigator should work just fine for those that don't do apps, in that it will still have the grid with all of the activities for the day. However, there are sure to be those that are just looking for something to complain about.

MUN

Can no one have a different approach to there vacation that may be negatively impacted by this and perhaps not just looking for something to complain about ? I personally don't own a smart phone and don't care to, use one for work but do not take it on personal trips. I respect others comments and am following along to see if there are going to be other options available on-board.

 

[bonnielynn]

It probably has to do with the app coming out and them wanting to implement it more. The app was really convenient. I used it a lot.

Wouldn't the app require wifi? I really am just wondering.