Navigator of the Seas Ship Review: Our Royal Caribbean Cruise Experience & Tips

We've sailed on Navigator of the Seas multiple times during Mexican Riviera cruises, and it remains one of our favorite Royal Caribbean ships. Its convenient departures from the West Coast, excellent onboard amenities, and outstanding value keep us coming back time and time again. In this ship review, we share our firsthand cruise experience, highlighting what we love most about the ship, along with practical cruise tips to help you decide if Navigator of the Seas is the right choice for your next vacation. Whether you're a first-time cruiser, traveling as a couple, planning a family getaway, or you're a loyal Royal Caribbean guest, Navigator of the Seas offers a fun, well-rounded experience with something for everyone. 

During our sailings on Navigator of the Seas, we've had the opportunity to stay in several different Royal Caribbean stateroom categories, including an Interior Promenade View, Balcony, Junior Suite, and Grand Suite. Each cabin has been clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed to maximize space with plenty of storage, contributing to an enjoyable cruise experience.

One of our favorite unique accommodations is the Promenade View Interior Stateroom, which overlooks the lively Royal Promenade and offers a fun alternative to a traditional inside cabin. For travelers looking for extra room and upgraded amenities, the Junior Suite and Grand Suite provide added comfort along with additional suite-exclusive benefits.

Based on our firsthand cruise experience, every cabin category offers its own advantages depending on your budget and travel style. One of our favorite cruise tips is to review the ship's deck plans and compare cabin locations before booking to ensure you choose the stateroom that best fits your vacation. These firsthand experiences are just one of the many reasons Navigator of the Seas continues to earn high marks in our ship review of this popular Royal Caribbean ship.

The pool deck is one of our favorite places to relax on Navigator of the Seas, offering something for every type of traveler and enhancing the overall cruise experience. Families can enjoy the lively main pool area, while adults looking for a more peaceful retreat can unwind in the adults-only Solarium. With multiple whirlpools, plenty of lounge chairs, and attentive poolside service, it's easy to spend an entire sea day soaking up the sun.

For guests looking for more excitement, Royal Caribbean has packed Navigator of the Seas with incredible attractions. The Blaster, the longest waterslide at sea, delivers a thrilling ride with high-speed twists and turns, while Riptide, the first headfirst mat racer waterslide at sea, adds another unique adventure for thrill seekers.

One of our favorite cruise tips is to visit the pool deck early on sea days if you want the best selection of lounge chairs. Whether you're looking to relax in the sun or experience some of the ship's most exciting attractions, the pool deck is a major highlight and one of the reasons Navigator of the Seas continues to earn high praise in our ship review of this popular Royal Caribbean vessel.

One of our favorite hangouts on Navigator of the Seas is Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Whether you're catching a live game, enjoying a handcrafted burger, or sharing the famous Campfire Cookie, it's a fun and relaxed spot that adds to the overall cruise experience. The lively atmosphere makes it a great place to unwind after a day exploring the ship or a port of call.

Royal Caribbean also offers a fantastic variety of bars and lounges, each with its own unique personality. Grab a tropical cocktail at The Lime & Coconut, enjoy live piano music at the Schooner Bar, experience Latin-inspired entertainment at Boleros, or step into the Polynesian-themed Bamboo Room for creative island cocktails.

One of our favorite cruise tips is to explore several different lounges throughout your sailing instead of visiting the same one each day. Every venue offers a different atmosphere, entertainment, and drink menu, making it a fun way to experience everything Navigator of the Seas has to offer. The outstanding variety of onboard venues is another reason this Royal Caribbean favorite continues to earn high praise in our ship review.

While Navigator of the Seas doesn't offer as many neighborhoods or attractions as Royal Caribbean's newer Icon and Oasis Class ships, it still delivers a fun and well-rounded cruise experience with plenty to enjoy. Its more compact size also makes it easy to navigate, allowing you to get from one end of the ship to the other quickly—a feature many cruisers appreciate.

One of our top cruise tips is to arrive early for popular shows, as seating can fill up quickly on busy sailings. It's also worth noting that Navigator of the Seas offers fewer specialty dining venues than the larger ships in the fleet. While the selection is more limited, the available restaurants deliver excellent quality and provide plenty of variety for most guests.

Overall, these are relatively minor trade-offs and don't diminish what makes Navigator of the Seas such a great choice. As we share throughout this ship review, its convenient West Coast itineraries, outstanding value, and enjoyable onboard atmosphere continue to make it one of our favorite Royal Caribbean ships.