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Wide eyed but convincable! |
| Reviewed By: Brookes, Weston-super-Mare on 15th Oct 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises |
Times cruised before: 0 |
| Cruise Ship: Navigator of the Seas |
Sailed:
September,
2008 |
| Destination: Mediterranean |
Age: 56-65 |
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First cruise and apprehensive! In the event was a wonderful holiday.
All staff (no exaggeration) without exception were outstandingly helpful and friendly-their training must be second to none, they merit all their tips. Cleaning of cabin faultless, beds set up and turned down with new sheets daily.
Surprised to see long queues on arrival at Barcelona docks at 1 p.m. waiting in the hot sun. Learnt subsequently of people who were able to arrive early and drop luggage, then have the morning in Barcelona. Cleared and onboard in 1 hour though. Let them have your luggage, was outside cabin promptly. Similar good service on departure.
Barcelona well worth stay before cruise-Palais Musica de Catalania is a must visit building.
Food very good standard (we are gourmets so would not rate excellent)-could please oneself a la carte in Nutcracker or buffet in Windjammer with wide selection. Could pig it or choose slimming fare! Squashes, tea and coffee freely available.
Only found out half way through cruise that limited menu cabin breakfast and other meals could be availed of at no charge.
Nutcracker service necessarily slower-so Windjammer if want quick grub!
Lots of activities-the physical and family ones had a propeller symbol meriting reward points exchangeable at cruise end. Again only discovered this later. Prizes a little mean-18 tokens for a T shirt! Spa treatments expensive, some classes like aerobics free. Plenty of loungers and towels (also provided in staterooms, but toiletries like shampoo and shower cap need taking as shop sells expensively.) Watch for $10 sales of Royal Parade shop items near cruise end, otherwise shops pricey. Sail Pass to open cabin door, pay on board, and leave and board ship made things simple. Could check bill on cabin TV, which had numerous channels.
Ice shows excellent on a quarter size rink. Pete Matthews the comedy juggler was best show-full of energy and laughs. Gordon Entertainments Director was also a good all rounder. Trivia quizzes variable quality due to accents of presenters!
Shuttle to/from cost about £10 per head return, getting back queue in Istanbul was a nightmare. Being new cruisers we did 4 of 5 port tours. These varied in quality due to knowledge, language ability, and sensitivity of the guide. Istanbul guides were worst-too much talk and not enough walk, religious and political diatribes were not what we came for. Often obvious information was not given e.g. there was mining,-for what? We mainly did panoramic tours, but if heading for cities like Palma, Cagliari, Istanbul, Athens, Valetta would make own way in future. Estimates by cruise company re distances were exaggerated, so that shuttles and tours were promoted. Explorations staff very good-especially when told could not visit Grand Bazaar inside shops on a Sunday-they sorted us a Monday trip.
Found expensive photo opportunities and drinks with 15% added were semi-pushed constantly even in theatre and around pool. We just partook as we wished. Indirectly expensive drinks meant no trouble seen! Wonderful art on display from Park West and on all 52 stairwells. Art auction a bit of a hustle but an experience and the champagne a bonus, reserved buying until more confident
All in all excellent value and standard, will definitely use Royal Caribbean again. Cannot wait to book the next one!
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Windjammer. Fruit mostly! Least-greasy breakfast foods like sausages, bacon, black pudding though did sample! | | Entertainment | |
| Most Pete Matthews comedy juggler.
House singers and dancers produced 3 good shows-worked hard but seemed like programme fill ins. | | Shore Excursions |  |
| Best Valletta Panoramic. Least Istanbul Byzantium/Ottoman sides due to poor guides. Grand Bazaar needs a morning on its own. | | Staff |  |
| Unfair to choose as you met cabin staff more than back room staff. | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| Would have liked more organised quality items e.g. lectures on antiques, hobbies such as whist/bridge, etc.
What there was was fairly average-family table tennis and putting, trivia quizzes, late night party games. | | Cabins | |
| Had a superior ocean view with balcony. Met all expectations with good size shower. Laundry facility at a charge useful.
Could packing cases be taken away for storage as they limit wardrobe space? | | Overall Rating | |
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