Navigator of the seas: Royal Caribbean's latest features refinements of the popular Voyager Class vessel - New Ship Review

Cruise Travel, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Georgina Cruz

As navigators go, this one is committed to the proposition that getting there should be more than half the fun. Fourth in Royal Caribbean International's Voyager Class, still the world's largest cruise liners, the 142,000-gross register-ton/3,114-passenger Navigator of the Seas boasts the mind-boggling features of her predecessors--Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas--such as rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, mall-like indoor promenade, in-line skating track. and basketball court.

Although she is a sister, she is not a twin. She has her own look and amenities, including more exterior glass--especially in the balcony cabins--than her predecessors, plus such new features as a wine bar with appreciation programs, dramatically expanded youth facilities, the first Latin jazz bar at sea. the first sea-going Ben & Jerry's, and a Plaza area with a variety of dining options.

When it comes to dining, a new venue for Royal Caribbean is the Asian fusion restaurant Jade. Housed within the new Plaza on Deck 11, Jade is no-fee and buffet-style, serving Southeast Asia dishes. Offerings such as Japanese sushi, Thai lemon-grass and coconut-milk soup, and Indian Tandoori chicken made for a quick, yet exotic meal. Passengers can start off with a sake, tea, or cocktail at the Plaza Bar, with its backdrop of cascading water, at the entrance to the Plaza area.

Also found in the Plaza are two restaurants with fees ($20 per person): Chops Grille (seen previously only on RCI's Radiance Class ships) serving steaks, chops, salmon, and such sinful desserts as Rudi's cheesecake; and romantic, ocean-view Portofino (found on all Voyager Class ships) offering Northern Italian cuisine, from antipasto to tiramisu. But there is more: the Windjammer Cafe, like Jade a no-fee venue in the Plaza area, serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner. Several serving stations including salad/sandwich/soup, meat-carving, entrees, burgers, breads, thirst quenchers, and frozen yogurt make it easy to get your choices expeditiously. As part of RCI's new Golden Anchor Standard of service, waiters come around offering coffee, iced tea, and lemonade to diners; this is a nice touch--no juggling drinks as you carry your food.

The three-story main dining room--with each of its three levels named after famous ballets: Swan Lake. Coppelia, and The Nutcracker--is exquisite in warm and welcoming burgundy and gold, with a grand staircase and bronze sculpture of a dancer. Dinner is served at two seatings; breakfast and lunch are open-seating. On our sailing the service was outstanding, and the food was excellent--particularly the grilled chicken and other meats (vegetarian and low-fat items are available).

Johnny Rockets, on Deck 12, is another no-fee dining alternative featuring juicy burgers, fries, and thick shakes. As if all this were not enough, the Cafe Promenade is a good spot for a quick breakfast, lunch, or snack. This no fee sidewalk care serves fruits, rolls, sandwiches, pizza, cookies, and other goodies as well as espressos made with Seattle's Best Coffee. Steps away is Ben & Jerry's, with 16 of the company's famous flavors: here a small cup of ice cream is $2.50: medium cup, $3.25: large cup, $4 add $1 for a waffle cone. For those on a budget, next-door to Ben & Jerry's is Sprinkles, a tree frozen-yogurt station. And, of course, there is 24-hour room service, including a breakfast menu with egg dishes, and during lunch and dinner guests can order from the dining-room menus.

There is food for the soul, too. An $8.5-million art collection graces the ship, with an amazing 2,213 pieces in public spaces. Monumental sculptures adorn each of the ship's two atria, including our favorite work onboard, "Aquaria," by American sculptor Larry Kirkland. This spectacular work spans the 11 levels of the Centrum atrium and has 6,000 shimmering, hand-painted spheres inspired by the bubbles produced by scuba divers.

The indoor Royal Promenade, a sort of horizontal atrium, is the heart of the ship. It has the feel of a festive mall, and is great for people-watching. A shopping/dining/entertainment boulevard with Deck 5 at "street level," it is four decks tall, longer than a football field, and anchored by two atria. On special nights, the Royal Promenade presents street entertainment such as ,jugglers and magicians, and a fun Mardi Gras parade with music from various parts of the world. Samba, anyone?

An assortment of lounges range from intimate enclaves--like the Champagne Bar; Vintages, a wine bar in association with Robert Mondavi and Beringer Blass Wine Estates that comes with wine appreciation programs; and the Two Poets Pub--to bigger venues like the Mayan-themed Ixtapa nightclub. The hallmark Viking Crown is segmented here into The Cosmopolitan Club, Cloud Nine Lounge, 19th Hole sports bar, and Seven Hearts game room.

Other public spaces include an ocean-view wedding chapel that accommodates 60 guests on Deck 15, and the Vegas-style Casino Royale (themed to New Orleans) featuring nearly 300 slots and tables for blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker roulette, and craps. There's also a library and a cyber lounge with 19 computer statures--charge is 50 cents per minute--but no self-service launderette, so bring enough clothes if you want to avoid laundry charges or hand-washing in your cabin.