The Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas is a popular floating resort. The waters are crowded with sea-worthy vessels, so to make planning easier, we've done all the prep work for a cruise vacation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on cruise ships, here is a tip sheet offering all the key information one could ever need to know about the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas.
Destinations
This ship sails to the Caribbean during the winter months, from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The
sails five- to nine-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries that include Haiti, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The Navigator of the Seas also offers a 14-night trans-Atlantic voyage from Rome to Port Everglades, and a 15-night return cruise to Rome.
Grand Ship
The 15-deck, 138,000-ton Navigator of the Seas is the fourth of five ships in the line's Voyager class, which are among the largest ships worldwide. It holds 3,114 passengers and has a crew of 1,185; it is registered to the Bahamas.
Special Features
The Navigator of the Seas truly is a
, with incredible features like an ice skating rink, a Johnny Rockets 1950s-style diner, a Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor and an indoor promenade. For athletic passengers, there's a nine-hole miniature golf course, a golf simulator, an in-line skating track and a full-size basketball court.
Accommodations
There are four categories of
on the Navigator of the Seas: interior, outside (with window), balcony and suite/deluxe. Each stateroom includes a television, telephone, private bath, shower, vanity and hair dryer.
Cost
depending on the cruise length, itinerary and departure port. On average, six-night or eight-night fall cruises out of Fort Lauderdale range from $609 per person for an interior stateroom; $719 for an outside stateroom; $859 for a balcony stateroom; and $1,149 for a suite/deluxe.
Excursion
A must-do excursion while on Grand Cayman is a visit to Stingray City, a sandbar where participants can swim, snorkel and play with the rays as well as have photographs taken with them. Some tourists who have visited Stingray City
, and indicate that it is an excellent option for families.
Dining Experience
Navigator of the Seas offers a variety of
. In the main dining room, guests can enjoy traditional dining or "My Family Time Dining," which ensures expedited dining in which kids ages 3 to 11 are served their meals within 40 minutes. Specialty dining options offered at additional cost include California Vineyards, Chops Grille, Mystery Dinner Theater, Portofino and Vini d'Italia. For casual dining and cafes, try Ben & Jerry's, Cafe Promenade, Johnny Rockets, Latte-tudes and Windjammer Cafe. Room service is always an option, 24 hours a day.
Maiden Voyage
The Navigator of the Seas set sail on its maiden voyage on Dec. 14, 2002.
In The News
Less than a week after a devastating earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010, passengers of the Navigator of the Seas
. At Labadee, guests snorkeled, went parasailing, bounced on trampolines and ate barbecue on a heavily guarded private beach. Cruise line CEO Adam Goldstein Goldstein discounted criticisms of insensitivity, saying the ship brought supplies. He told the New York Daily News, "People enjoying themselves in Labadee helps with relief."
WATCH:
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Sail away on the Navigator of the Seas and take a musical photo slide show tour of its features, including the jogging track, Royal Promenade, casino and ice skating revue.
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