FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 3, 2019 Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 5 hours ago, WannaCruise said: That's awesome. We saw him on Independence too. Very funny. Haven't even told our kids about him (as they weren't on Independence with us) and hoping we'll bump into him (or his clone..lol) in an elevator on Symphony next week. Such a funny concept and brings a smile to your face We saw him on Mariner as well. We loved it. Such a fun addition The Cruise Junkie, MotleyCruiser and JennyB 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted March 3, 2019 Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 7 hours ago, twangster said: The "Stowaway Piano" has made it to Navigator. First observed on Harmony and Symphony another example how Navigator is like a new ship. I found him on Mariner, too! The Cruise Junkie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted March 3, 2019 Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 I'm baffled that nobody is hanging out on the pool deck at night. Pool's open, whirlpool is open, bar is open, the space is beautiful, it's not crowded - it's sure where I'd be. CazV, The Cruise Junkie, Deedeelynn and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: @twangster...I think I know the answer already but can you confirm...pools...Salt water or fresh? Salt. All of them. JennyB and Lovetocruise2002 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 A temporary fitness area has been setup in the Solarium while they finish the new gym deck 11 aft The door off the port side Solarium that used to lead to the Peak-A-Boo bridge now just is a small outside deck areaL New deck 11 cabins occupy the space where the gym used to be and the deck that was the Paek-A-Boo bridge is now balcony space for these new cabins. The Cruise Junkie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 Some more random pictures around the ship: Schooner Bar Boleros Starbucks Guy Gadwa, Lovetocruise2002, Traveler and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazV Posted March 3, 2019 Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 @twangster I know you said it doesn't matter much to you about the Virtual Balcony not working... but I also know you had a cruise cancelled and didn't recoup all costs for it. So I thought I'd mention that I just heard of someone who has been to complain about their VB not working and they've recieved some OBC. JennyB and The Cruise Junkie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 3 minutes ago, CazV said: @twangster I know you said it doesn't matter much to you about the Virtual Balcony not working... but I also know you had a cruise cancelled and didn't recoup all costs for it. So I thought I'd mention that I just heard of someone who has been to complain about their VB not working and they've recieved some OBC. Yes I visited guest services on day two just so I would be on file as noting my VB isn't working. Today a letter was waiting outside my cabin. $400 OBC. Very generous actually and will just about pay for my drink package. While I was looking forward to the virtual balcony this OBC offer goes a long way to overcoming the disappointment. Traveler, Lovetocruise2002, melski94 and 10 others 9 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 Navigator has fresh floral arrangements located around the ship. They are quite large and very pretty. I'm not sure I've seen fresh flowers like this before. Nice addition. R-Bar There is a lot to like about this ship. It feels very new in a lot of places. Skigoofy, JennyB, Matt and 6 others 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thetechie Posted March 3, 2019 Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 @twangster I am loving this blog! We are on the similar itinerary on March 15th. Its our first cruise and this is all making me so much more excited, if that was even possible! Question for you.. Are you using a travel router on this sailing? I saved your old post about the router, and I have one that I am planning to take with me, mostly just to help boost the wifi signal. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted March 3, 2019 Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 WOW ! What an incredible new pool deck. I love that groovy-looking hot tub on the starboard side. It looks like a completely different ship than the one I was on last year ! Great work, Twangster. Thanks !!! twangster and Deedeelynn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 52 minutes ago, Thetechie said: Question for you.. Are you using a travel router on this sailing? I saved your old post about the router, and I have one that I am planning to take with me, mostly just to help boost the wifi signal. That is exactly what I use it for. The nearest access point is down the hall a couple cabins. In bed the ship wifi is very weak. The travel router does a good job of boosting the signal so I have full coverage in my cabin. Thetechie and Marc Van Niekerk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 1 hour ago, twangster said: Navigator has fresh floral arrangements located around the ship. They are quite large and very pretty. I'm not sure I've seen fresh flowers like this before. Nice addition. Wonder if that is just because this is the first sailing? Or left over from the media shake down cruise? Would be nice they continue that. JennyB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 I feel like I haven't been including as many photos as I normal do so here are some from our sail away. Before the fun, comes the guest assembly drill. We start sail away with our cruise director "My Beautiful People" Hugo getting the pool deck rocking on this first sailing of the Amplified Navigator of the Seas: We had to wait for a Carnival ship to turn her turn in the turning basin then it was our time. We sailed past the new Crown of Miami where Mariner was earlier on this day. In this picture on deck 12 you can see where Johnny Rockets used to be but now there is a door and set of stairs leading up to the sports deck. The sail away party kept rocking here on the rooftop of the Lime and Coconut Back on the aft sports deck the Riptide water slide was going along with the Flowrider. Several hammocks can be found back here. And with that Voom has slowed way down so I'm pausing the picture fest and going to the Bamboo Room for a drink. Skigoofy, Guy Gadwa, Deedeelynn and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Love Hugo! Lots of fun and great energy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 39 minutes ago, twangster said: I feel like I haven't been including as many photos as I normal do so here are some from our sail away. We start with our cruise director "My Beautiful People" Hugo getting the pool deck rocking on this first sailing of the Amplified Navigator of the Seas: We had to wait for a Carnival ship to turn her turn in the turning basin then it was our time. We sailed past the new Crown of Miami where Mariner was earlier on this day. In this picture on deck 12 you can see where Johnny Rockets used to be but now there is a door and set of stairs leading up to the sports deck. The sail away party kept rocking here on the rooftop of the Lime and Coconut Back on the aft sports deck the Riptide water slide was going along with the Flowrider. Several hammocks can be found back here. And with that Voom has slowed way down so I'm pausing the picture fest and going to the Bamboo Room for a drink. Ahh Hugo, we had him on Mariner back in November. Interesting that he has jumped to Navigator... Do you think it's because he does speak Spanish and Navigator will be based in Miami instead of Mariner which will move to Cape Canaveral? The Cruise Junkie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 22 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Love Hugo! Lots of fun and great energy! Love Hugo as well, he was our CD on Mariner for our first RC sailing. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 I may never get out of those hammocks. Nobody would care if I slept there overnight. IslandBoundMama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thetechie Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 2 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said: I may never get out of those hammocks. Nobody would care if I slept there overnight. You’ll have to fight me for them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 4 minutes ago, Thetechie said: You’ll have to fight me for them! I'm small, I'll only take one. Take one next to me and the waiter will have to make fewer trips to bring us drinks! JennyB and Deedeelynn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thetechie Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 58 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said: I'm small, I'll only take one. Take one next to me and the waiter will have to make fewer trips to bring us drinks! ah now you're talking! SpeedNoodles and The Cruise Junkie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Some more sail away pictures... Skigoofy, CazV, The Cruise Junkie and 6 others 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Back to the pool area as the sun sets for the evening. Those who follow me know I like to take pictures during the golden hour and at night. The Cruise Junkie, Guy Gadwa, Sweety and 9 others 5 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wville21 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 On 3/2/2019 at 3:42 PM, twangster said: I asked about content in terms of different sports beyond ESPN International. He acknowledged this is another item they are exploring. In fact he pointed out two girls from RCI marketing behind us working away on their laptops. It’s something they are working on, but’s it’s complicated. Nice to know they are trying. @twangster Are you saying that the only thing they get at playmakers is ESPN? Just curious because we are sailing over March Madness and I was hoping to be able to watch some hoops that is covered by CBS. Go Heels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Approaching midnight I found myself in The Bamboo Room drinking a Royal Zombie Then it was time for the balloon drop. Video of the balloon drop: J_Keeble, Guy Gadwa, The Cruise Junkie and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 7 minutes ago, wville21 said: @twangster Are you saying that the only thing they get at playmakers is ESPN? Just curious because we are sailing over March Madness and I was hoping to be able to watch some hoops that is covered by CBS. Go Heels ESPN International or ESPN Caribbean is not the same as ESPN domestically. They carry many games and sporting events but ultimately what they can and cannot display is at the mercy of those that hold the international rights to broadcast an event. A ship can't pirate or steal content. If the NCAA doesn't allow a broadcast in the Caribbean, the ship has to respect that. They are exploring different options including other satellite TV providers and other means such as streaming but that doesn't get them around broadcast rights to display content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wville21 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 1 minute ago, twangster said: ESPN International or ESPN Caribbean is not the same as ESPN domestically. They carry many games and sporting events but ultimately what they can and cannot display is at the mercy of those that hold the international rights to broadcast an event. A ship can't pirate or steal content. If the NCAA doesn't allow a broadcast in the Caribbean, the ship has to respect that. They are exploring different options including other satellite TV providers and other means such as streaming but that doesn't get them around broadcast rights to display content. @twangster Thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Before I forget, here is the day one dinner menu: Guy Gadwa, CazV, JennyB and 4 others 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Love the strings of white lights out on the pool deck. Really nice touch! JennyB, Deedeelynn and Ala_Paul 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Navigator was our first cruise ship, wow, has she changed! Looks absolutely great. It just saddens me that her itineraries for 2020 and 2021 are so short, 3 & 4 days, and they don't appeal to us. Would love to cruise her again, but we're booked out this and next year. Deedeelynn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melski94 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 2 hours ago, wville21 said: @twangster Are you saying that the only thing they get at playmakers is ESPN? Just curious because we are sailing over March Madness and I was hoping to be able to watch some hoops that is covered by CBS. Go Heels We've always cruised over Spring Break and March Madness and you will see games on the ships. Not all games but quite a few. You won't be out of place if you wear the gear of your favorite team! wville21 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janderson Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 @twangster The ship looks amazing. I subscribed to your YouTube channel so I can catch any upcoming videos you post on Navigator. I sail on her in November of this year and now I can't wait!! JennyB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazV Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 3 hours ago, twangster said: Back to the pool area as the sun sets for the evening. Those who follow me know I like to take pictures during the golden hour and at night. I absolutely love these photos! I foresee me spending a lot of time hanging out at Lime & Coconut :) The Cruise Junkie and Deedeelynn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose City Cruiser Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Enjoying the blog so far @twangster. We will be sailing her in April on the exact itinerary. One question about JR Express on Navigator. Do you have to order a meal if you want to get a float using the Refreshment Drink Package? I know the policy is ship-dependent. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 I'm just here for the nighttime @twangster photos The Cruise Junkie, Marc Van Niekerk, Thetechie and 4 others 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 3 minutes ago, Rose City Cruiser said: Enjoying the blog so far @twangster. We will be sailing her in April on the exact itinerary. One question about JR Express on Navigator. Do you have to order a meal if you want to get a float using the Refreshment Drink Package? I know the policy is ship-dependent. Thanks in advance! I was going to ask yesterday about milkshakes and the DX package at JR Express. Sadly I became stuck on my barstool in The Bamboo Room and it took several hours to free myself. The Cruise Junkie, Guy Gadwa, Susie and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Here is a sped up walk through the Windjammer. I removed the sound since they were playing music over the speakers and Youtube can be sensitive about copyright issues for music. CazV, Guy Gadwa and Matt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedeelynn Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 1 hour ago, rjac said: Navigator was our first cruise ship, wow, has she changed! Looks absolutely great. It just saddens me that her itineraries for 2020 and 2021 are so short, 3 & 4 days, and they don't appeal to us. Would love to cruise her again, but we're booked out this and next year. She was our first RCL ship that we sailed on also, August of 2005! We went through hurricane Katrina, that was an experience! I love what they have done to her, I would love to cruise on her again, but those short cruises.............. not a fan! But the ship is gorgeous, so I could be persuaded ! Haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Kind of bouncing around here. I came across some day time pool deck photos from right after boarding I'll post soon, but I some news to report. At 7:30am this morning the Captain announced we would be undertaking a helicopter medical evacuation. He didn't say anything about the patient which is not unusual due to privacy concerns. The helipad was closed and the upper decks outside were also closed. If I'm not mistaken they also ask guests in the forward facing ocean view cabins to leave their cabins. Helicopter landings are taken pretty seriously. They would have had a full fire crew standing by in case the helicopter crashed and caught fire. These landings are very complex operations that involve breaking the helipad down, removing all benches, lowering railing, lowering the forward radar tower and removing cables that stretch up towards the bridge. With all that complete the helipad is clear of obstructions. The ship then works with the pilot of the helicopter to position the ship and maintain a heading to optimize the landing and takeoff of the helicopter. Our location is near the gap between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Instead of turning South and heading into the Caribbean Sea we continued to sail towards Puerto Rico to close the distance so that a USCG helicopter could reach us. With that complete we've turned South again and entered the Caribbean Sea heading to Aruba. The Captain expects us to be an hour late arriving but has added two hours onto our Bonaire stay. Itsjudy, lauraodonnell86, The Cruise Junkie and 5 others 3 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Day 2 Dinner Menu While I'm here, here is the MDR Breakfast Menu MDR Lunch Menu The Cruise Junkie, Guy Gadwa and CazV 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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